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🎮 Multi-platformGod Of War Laufey’s Combat Was Inspired By The Original Greek Trilogy
Until now, Kratos was the primary star of every God of War game. However, his late wife, Faye, is taking the spotlight in God of War Laufey(https://www.gamespot.com/games/god-of-war-laufey/). But when Faye picks up her sword, veteran God of War fans may recognize the influence that the original Greek trilogy had on her fighting style. "I think that because we started with the idea, like we knew it was going to be a Faye game, we had a Faye model. We couldn't just put Kratos animations on her," God of War Laufey director Ariel Lawrence told GameSpot(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-laufeys-director-talks-fan-skepticism-new-ideas-and-phranque-the-cube/). "It just wouldn't make sense. Her body wouldn't move that way. But I think being able to look back to the Greek era where Kratos had a little bit more of an acrobatic nature helped." "We still have folks in the studio who've worked on those games," added Lawrence. "So I think this was, 'What if we did this, but this is the person we have executing this, and how would that work and what things could we borrow, what things could we expand on?' That's the fun part of development--just seeing where it can go." As seen in the first footage from the game, Faye won't be alone as she explores the Everywhen, the hostile afterlife of the gods. She will be joined by a talking gelatinous cube(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-game-revealed-at-state-of-play/) named Phranque, as voiced by The Boys’ Jack Quaid. Faye's other companion is Rue (Perlina Lau), a ribbon that is attached to her new sword. Daredevil: Born Again's Deborah Ann Woll is reprising her role as Faye from God of War: Ragnarok(https://www.gamespot.com/games/god-of-war-ragnarok/). Although God of War Laufey doesn't have Kratos in the lead, Sony Santa Monica has promised that there will be more stories about him(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/there-will-be-more-kratos-stories-sony-promises-after-god-of-war-laufey-reveal/) in the future. God of War Laufey will be released on PlayStation 5, but the game doesn't have a release date at this time.
🎮 Multi-platformCritical Role Campaign 4 just proved that performance trumps dice rolls
The latest Critical Role episode is a masterclass in showing why Brennan Lee Mulligan opted for performance over dice.
🎮 Multi-platformHugh Jackman’s new Logan replacement officially releases in 2 weeks
The Death of Robin Hood, starring Hugh Jackman as the aging hero, will be in theaters well before Marvel reboots X-Men
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformFinal Fantasy 7 Revelation trailer hints that a happy ending isn't off the table
The ending of the original Final Fantasy 7 isn't a happy one, but the term 'revelation' suggests a major plot twist is coming.
🎮 Multi-platformDay Of The Devs: Summer Game Fest Edition 2026 – Everything Revealed
Each year, Day of the Devs(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/day-of-the-devs-summer-game-fest-edition-2025-everything-revealed/2900-6641/1) hosts a showcase around Summer Game Fest to highlight some of the wildly creative indie games in development around the world. The organizers of Day of the Devs revealed to GameSpot that the non-profit received over 1,700 submissions for this year's Summer Game Fest showcase. That massive list of submissions was ultimately narrowed down to 20 titles, diverse in genre and developers, that make up the showcase. Titles included range from a Yooka-Laylee racing game to a hilarious friendslop game about fighting zombies while boating down a lazy river. We also got release dates for highly anticipated indies like Screenbound(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-indie-game-has-you-control-a-2d-and-3d-character-at-the-same-time/1100-6522257/) and the 1.0 launch of 33 Immortals(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/33-immortals-captures-the-feeling-of-raids-without-the-time-commitment/1100-6530265/). If you missed this year’s show live, we’re here to help. Here’s everything that was featured at Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest 2026 Edition in order of appearance. Blood Dungeon !A player clings to the wall in Blood Dungeon(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Still-2026-04-30-1324381.11.2.png?w=1024) Messhof, the indie studio behind Nidhogg(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/brilliant-sword-dueling-game-nidhogg-gets-a-sequel/1100-6444044/) and Wheel World, kicked off the showcase by revealing Blood Dungeon. It’s a fantasy dungeon-crawling platformer take on Vampire Survivors. In Blood Dungeon, players scurry around constantly shooting at enemies as they explore levels and unlock new weapons and improvements. It features one of the funniest run cycle animations we’ve ever seen in a game, and it’s out later this summer. Tenebris Somnia !Senora from Tenebris Somnia in a live action cutscene(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Senora.jpg?w=1024) Argentinian developer Saibot Studios and New Blood Interactive appeared next to show off Tenebris Somnia. This survival horror game blends pixel art action with spooky live-action FMV scenes. Saibot proudly declared it didn’t use any generative AI during production, leaning into practical effects for many of its live-action scares. Faith developer Airdorf also played a critical part in the game’s development as executive producer. Tenebris Somnia is set to release on October 16. Mr. Records !A rhythm platforming level in Mr. Records(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MRRECORDSMAY05GETTHEFUNKUP.jpg?w=1024) Hot off the heels of Mixtape(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-transcendent-vibes-of-mixtape/1100-6532286/) comes another amazing-looking music-driven game. In Mr. Records, gameplay is split into two parts. In one, players are transported to a different world while listening to a record and have to make their way through platforming challenges to the rhythm of the music. In between those levels, players manage a record shop. It’s basically Moonlighter by the way of Rhythm Heaven. Mr. Records will be released in Q1 2027 33 Immortals !4638768-33immort.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/313/3136061/4638768-33immort.jpg?w=1024) Thunder Lotus Games launched 33 Immortals into Xbox Game Preview in March 2025. Since then, it has been building on the game, in which teams of up to 33 players can team up to fight their way through the action-roguelike. Thunder Lotus sponsored this year’s event and used it as an opportunity to confirm a June 10 release date for 33 Immortals’ 1.0 launch. When it releases, it’ll be available through Xbox Game Pass on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Dreadmoor !Fishing in Dreadmoor(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dreadmoor.jpg?w=1024) Kyrgyzstan-based developer Dream Dock Studio revealed Dreadmoor, a fishing game with supernatural elements. In it, players must maintain a fishing boat as they sail through a post-cataclysm fantasy world, encountering eclectic characters and creatures as they do. Based on our first look at the game, fishing will be a particularly involved process in Dreadmoor, as the bait, line material, place where you cast all impact what you reel in. Dreadmoor will be released on Steam in Q4 2026. Threads of Time !The party walks through a prehistoric area in Threads of Time(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Threads-of-Time.jpg?w=1024) Retro enthusiasts will be happy to know that we got another look at Riyo Games’ Threads of Time(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stylish-chrono-trigger-like-threads-of-time-announced-for-pc-and-xbox-series-x-s/1100-6526737/) during the showcase. The latest trailer showed off The Needle, a “timeship” that players use to explore different eras, Chrono Trigger style. They also confirmed that you can prevent the extinction of dinosaurs in the past to see how the creatures evolve in the far future as a result. This turn-based RPG still lacks a release window on PC or Xbox Series X|S. N Plus Infinity Times Two !A stage-painting minigame in N Plus Infinity Times Two(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/N-Plus-Infinity-Times-2.jpg?w=1024) Metanet Software announced a successor to its N+ series of platformers, which sports the ridiculous name N Plus Infinity Times Two. While the gameplay is similar to previous N+ titles, this one focuses on competitive multiplayer across five modes. There will still be a single-player campaign where players can get a feel for the game’s mechanics, though. N Plus Infinity Times Two will be released in 2027. Into the Unwell !A player attacks in Into the Unwell(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Into-The-Unwell.jpg?w=1024) Those who like the rubberhose-inspired animation of Mouse: P.I. For Hire(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mouse-p-i-for-hire-review-rodent-noir/1900-6418481/) should take note of Into the Unwell from She Was Such A Good Horse and Coffee Stain Publishing. It’s a co-op action roguelike that leans into the over-the-top animation style of classic cartoons as they fight and claw their way through a difficult roguelike. Into the Unwell will launch on Steam next year. Bub !The player carries a bike in Bub(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bub-Bike-Carry.jpg?w=1024) One of the most personal games shown off was Paperfrog’s Bub. It’s a love letter to New York City and the personal journeys artists go through. It also reflects one of the developer’s own struggles after they were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis mid-development. Bub will launch sometime in 2027. Lazy River !A player aims at zombies from his raft in Lazy River(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lazy-River.jpg?w=1024) Fans of silly co-op games might want to keep an eye on Lazy River, a new video game from Secret Hitler creator Mike Boxleiter. It takes place in a space water park and tasks players with building a raft and fighting zombies as they make their way along the cosmic lazy river and scavenge for supplies. It’s exactly the kind of quirky co-op game that has been all the rage lately, so keep an eye on Lazy River when it begins early access on Steam in 2027. Prove You’re Human !A puzzle with Mesa in Prove You're Human(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Prove-Youre-Human.jpg?w=1024) 2026's Day of the Devs showcase also provided us with another look at Sunset Visitor’s sci-fi game Prove You’re Human(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/1000xresist-studio-turns-the-internets-most-annoying-task-into-a-game-with-prove-youre-human/1100-6539309/). Its segment mainly focused on Mesa, the AI personified by a giant head who believes they’re human. We got a look at the impressive animation and programming work required to make Mesa as expressive as they are, which is critical as Mesa is such an important character in the game. Prove You’re Human is in development for PC and has no release window. Ithaca !A conversation with Icarius in Ithaca(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ithaca.jpg?w=1024) French studio Pixel Hunt debuted Ithaca, a narrative-focused RPG that follows an environmental rights lawyer who decides to drive to Ithaca after kidnapping the boss of a large oil company. From there, players have a lot of narrative-impacting choices to make as they uncover what’s going on. A Kickstarter campaign for Ithica has begun, with Pixel Hunt hoping to release the game sometime in late 2027. Screenbound !A player looks a the 2D and 3D games in front of them in Screenbound(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenbound.jpg?w=1024) Cresent Moon Games’ Screenbound previously went viral for its clever gameplay conceit, which sees players simultaneously playing a 2D game on a handheld console as they move through a 3D world. At Day of the Devs, we saw both a platformer and a The Legend of Zelda-style adventure game split between 2D and 3D. We also learned that it will launch on September 10 and that a new demo is now on Steam. Shot One Figthers !A fight in Shot One Fighters(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Shot-One-Fighters.jpg?w=1024) Just as Absolum(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/absolum-review-a-sleeper-hit/1900-6418419/) explored what a classic beat ‘em up would be like as a roguelite, Shot One Fighters asks the same question of fighting games. It got a new trailer at Day of the Devs, highlighting the different combos and special moves players can unlock as they play through the game. This game doesn’t have a release window, but its Kickstarter is coming soon. Apple Crumble !The player speaks to Grandma in Apple Crumble(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Apple-Crumble.jpg?w=1024) German developer Happy Broccoli Games revealed Apple Crumble. It’s described as a “creepy, cozy walking sim” in which players must figure out who’s trying to murder their grandma at her 84th birthday party. Apple Crumble will be released on Steam sometime later this year. Slap Out Of It! !Flushing a toilet in Slap Out Of It(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Slap-Out-of-it-Toilet.jpg?w=1024) Turbo Button, a studio previously known for VR games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/its-equally-exciting-and-worrying-that-some-of-the-best-vr-games-are-coming-to-console/1100-6539960/), announced a new PC and console game featuring Ben Starr(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ben-starrs-face-at-the-game-awards-suits-2025-perfectly/1100-6536917/). As you can probably tell from the title, you have to slap anything and everything you see to solve puzzles and progress through the game. Slap Out Of It will be released sometime next year. Super Yooka-Laylee Kart !Several characters race in Super Yooka Laylee Kart(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Super-Yooka-Laylee-Kart.jpg?w=1024) Playtonic Studios revealed the next Yooka-Laylee(https://www.gamespot.com/games/yooka-laylee/) game, and it’s not quite what you’d expect. Rather than another platformer, it’s a kart racer clearly inspired by Super Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing, and Mario Kart: Super Circuit that features characters from across the Yooka-Laylee games. It looks like a fun back-to-basics kart racer in comparison to Mario Kart World(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-world-review/1900-6418371/). Currently, Super Yooka-Laylee Kart is only confirmed for PC and has no release window, although Playtonic announced it will hold online playtests for the game prior to launch. Into the Fire !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Into-the-Fire.jpg?w=1024) Polish studio Starward Industries provided another look at Into the Fire, its survival extraction game where players rush into a city decimated by a volcano and demons to search for and save any survivors. Into the Fire is set to enter early access on Steam before the end of 2026, although you can also sign up for pre-release playtests right now on Steam as well. Trine 6: Together In Time !Four players complete a co-op puzzle in Trine 6(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Trine-6.jpg?w=1024) Frozenbyte revealed Trine 6: Together in Time. It’s the latest in a long-running series of co-op 2D puzzle-platformers set in a fantasy world. If you enjoyed previous games in the series, it looks like this sequel will continue to deliver on that same formula. Trine 6: Together In Time will release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 25. When Sirens Fall Silent !The player enters a police station in When Sirens Fall Silent(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WSFSActIIScreenshot4.jpg?w=1024) The final game featured in this June’s Day of the Devs showcase was When Sirens Fall Silent, a new game from Italian developer LKA Studios. This psychological thriller follows a rookie police officer investigating a serial killer, and the game eventually escalates to feature supernatural elements while also addressing serious topics like addiction and human trafficking. When Sirens Fall Silent also features a branching narrative that changes depending on how players solve cases. When Sirens Fall Silent will come out in 2027.
🎮 Multi-platformSuper Yooka-Laylee Kart Revealed And It's A Pixelated Racer With A Story Campaign, 8-Player Split-Screen, And More
!Super Yooka-Laylee Kart Playtonic Racer Pixel Throwback Gameplay Reveal Trailer(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/03/45bb4e67/sylkkeyartlogo.jpg.webp) Yooka-Laylee(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/yooka-laylee) developer Playtonic has unveiled Super Yooka-Laylee Kart, and it's a pixelated racer with a story campaign, rival races, time trials, and more. Plus, it will feature up to 8-player local split-screen multiplayer when it launches on PC sometime in the future. Revealed during the SGF Day of the Devs showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/05/19/the-2026-summer-showcase-schedule), Super Yooka-Laylee Kart ditches the series' platformer past to dive into Mario Kart-like kart racing, complete with weapons, advanced driving techniques alongside pick-up-and-play gameplay, and a Rage system that builds throughout races and allows you to unleash "devastating revenge abilities capable of changing the outcome in an instant." Beyond the multiplayer, which features a suite of options for local split-screen and online play, Super Yooka-Laylee Kart features a story campaign "packed with tournaments, rival races, time trials, endurance events, and a huge variety of skill-based challenges built to continually push players to improve," according to a press release. Check it out in the Super Yooka-Laylee Kart reveal trailer below: Playtonic says coins collected during races can also be strategically spent between events on powerful perks, allowing players to customize their kart-racing capabilities with upgrades such as increased top speed and more. Ahead of the game's launch, Playtonic will host a series of beta tests focused on the game's online multiplayer features. There's no word on when to expect Super Yooka-Laylee Kart, and right now, it's only announced for PC. In the meantime, read Game Informer's reviews for Yooka-Laylee(https://www.gameinformer.com/games/yooka-laylee/b/pc/archive/2017/04/04/yooka-laylee-game-informer-review.aspx) and Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/yooka-laylee-and-the-impossible-lair/yooka-laylee-and-the-impossible-lair-review-a-fresh). What do you think of Super Yooka-Laylee Kart's visual style? Let us know in the comments below!
🎮 Multi-platformSuper Yooka-Laylee Kart Recalls The Glory Days Of Retro Mario Kart
Just like Mario and Donkey Kong before it, the Yooka-Laylee franchise is expanding to a new genre: kart racing. Playtonic Games announced Super Yooka-Laylee Kart(https://store.steampowered.com/app/784653) during the Summer Game Fest as part of Day of the Devs 2026. A debut trailer showed off the racer, which looks very similar in style to classic kart racers like the original Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Kart: Super Circuit. That means pixel-art character sprites racing on 3D tracks for a cool retro style. Within that visual structure, though, Playtonic promises a modern racing experience, including up to eight-player local split-screen multiplayer, online multiplayer, a deep story campaign, and the ability to create custom races and tournaments with tons of toggles. https://youtu.be/CslHnwqIxo The trailer also teases a central mechanic in Super Yooka-Laylee Kart: a Rage meter that builds throughout a match and enables big swingy payback opportunities. Coins collected during races also have a tactical element, as they can be spent between races for perks or saved for other advantages. Playtonic says it is planning a series of beta tests for Super Yooka-Laylee Kart's online modes, and encourages would-be racers to follow the studio for news on sign-ups. Currently the game is planned for release on PC, with other platform announcements to come.
🎮 Multi-platformPalworld Launches Into 1.0 Next Month
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/05/41df5f4a/palworld1.0trailer.jpg.webp) Developer Pocketpair announced during today's Summer Game Fest showcase that its hit creature-collecting survival game Palworld will launch into 1.0 on July 10. To mark the occasion, the team released the game's first cinematic trailer. We've known the game was set to officially launch in full sometime this year, but it's nice to know that it's just a few weeks away. The 1.0 launch will come with a big update featuring new Pals, new areas, and a new threat to face.
🖥 Xbox, PC, Multi-platform33-Player Co-Op Raider, 33 Immortals, Will Finally Release In Full Soon
33 Immortals has been available via early access for some time, but if you've been itching to experience the full game, you needn't wait much longer. Announced as part of Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs, 33 Immortals' 1.0 release arrives on June 10. That date applies to both the PC versions--across both Steam and Epic Games Store--as well as the Xbox Series X|S version. It existed on Xbox previous as part of the Xbox Game Preview program, with functions similarly to Steam Early Access. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOH4jKB4SQg "After over a year of community feedback and optimization during early access, 33 Immortals 1.0 introduces the complete 33 Immortals experience, including all three fully playable worlds, the long-awaited final-boss encounter, and a variety of new content and improvements throughout the game," Thunder Lotus said in the official announcement. 33 Immortals is a very different game from Thunder Lotus' previous release, Spiritfarer, which was decidedly less violent. In 33 Immortals, you and 32 others battle dangerous bosses, essentially distilling the MMO-raid experience down to just the best moments.
🖥 PC, Multi-platformWhat The Hell Do You Name The Follow-Up To N++?
N++ is an absolutely stellar game. I even like the unconventional name and appreciate developer Metanet Software's continued embrace of the N name first used for its original Flash creation more than two decades ago. But it's also a name that comes with some issues, perhaps best demonstrated by the game's name on Steam(https://store.steampowered.com/app/230270/NNPLUSPLUS/) being followed by "(NPLUSPLUS)." So what do you do when you're making a multiplayer follow-up(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-do-you-follow-the-perfect-platformer-n-devs-think-they-have-the-answer/) and need to come up with a name? "It's always been hard for us to name these things," Metanet's Raigan Burns said when asked about the name of the newly announced N+ Infinity Times Two. "We think N was absolutely the perfect name for the original game, but unfortunately, we had a serious search-engine problem, to the point where if you go into Steam or Xbox or PlayStation and type N++, it's really hard to find our game." It's a problem that a developer like Remedy has also no doubt dealt with; using a single, common word like "Control" is going to make your game a nightmare to search for. (I can also personally attest, as someone involved with providing feedback on the search functionality on the recently relaunched GameSpot website: Search is hard!) Metanet was aware of the potential issues with the name for N+ going into its release, yet it was only once the game became publicly available that the extent of the problem became clear. "It was upsetting because it was a thing we were aware of," Burns said. "When you're making a PlayStation game, there's a parallel, private version of the store. And so in that version of the store, we were the first search result when you search N++. So everything was fine until launch day. And then, on launch day, we discovered, oh, the public version of the store, for some reason, search works differently, and we're like on the fifth page of results. Anyways, you know, live and learn. It's just, I mean, this entire series is a process of learning from our mistakes. It's like the development of the game parallels the way the game actually plays." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jhy9HNs-u0 Having had that experience, Metanet had a lot to consider with the name for what would ultimately become N+ Infinity Times Two. "Part of it was just like, what do we want to call this one? We went through N to the power of N, and like every symbol over the years, we've tried it. We've tried thinking of it." Setting aside the complexity of trying to search for NN, other ideas were considered, including a hilarious alternative for a game focused on multiplayer. "At one point, this game was called M for multiplayer," Burns said. "We even toyed with the idea of abandoning N as a moniker and just calling it something like The Ninjas. Because as much as we have this awesome fan base, statistically, 99% of people haven't played an N game in their lives, and we definitely designed this one to be the Super Mario World, where it caters to the fans of the series, but it also serves as a great jumping-off point for anyone who's never played one of these games before. So we were thinking if we call it N Something, we're going to have a Godfather 3-type problem where we don't want to give people the impression that you need to have previous experience with the series. ... N++ was for our hardcore fans. It was absolutely, 100% a love letter to the people who have been playing for a decade." !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-13-Large.jpeg?w=1024) A race to the finish in N+ Infinity Times Two !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-8-Large-1.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-9-Large-1.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-10-Large-1.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-11-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-12-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-Large.jpeg?w=1024) One of Metanet's desires for the name was thus to convey Infinity Times Two can appeal to a wider audience. "It's not like I'm stuck for six hours on the same level trying to beat it. It's multiplayer. So it's like every couple minutes, the level's over, there's a winner, and then you're on to the next level. So it's a totally different kind of vibe. We exhausted every possibility. We didn't have a name we liked." In came producer Nick Suttner, who suggested something like N Infinity. That was initially deemed to be "kind of boring," although it served as the springboard to the eventual name. "I think Mare Sheppard, N co-creator had the idea of, okay, N++ was serious. We're silly people, and it had some silliness, but it was a bit serious. This one, we're really trying to embrace the fun in this and our silly personalities. So why not lean into the absurdity of--the whole series at this point is a bit surreally comical. So, N+ Infinity Times Two, we think, has just the right amount of playful, tongue-in-cheek, kind of self-deprecating humor that we like, while also communicating it's a different proposition than other sets of things. It's a bit unique, it's quirky, it's weird." But just what does that "Infinity Times Two" refer to, aside from presenting players with another question of what to search for exactly (N+ Infinity x2? N Plus Infinity Times Two?)? I wondered if Metanet considered it due to the way the game emphasizes replayability and the infinite nature of a multiplayer experience. "Not until just now," Burns says. "But that is a wonderful angle that we're certainly going to integrate into our understanding of it."
🎮 PlayStation, Multi-platformMore than a decade later, the team behind N++ is back with a multiplayer sequel
Back in 2015, the two-person studio Metanet released N++, a brutally hard 2D platformer that was a decade in the making, building off of previous releases dating back to the freeware Flash title N. At the time, cofounder Raigan Burns issued some famous last words: "We hope it's not another 10 years before we come &8230;
🎮 Multi-platformHow Do You Follow The Perfect Platformer? N+ Devs Think They Have The Answer
Mario will forever be the preeminent face of the platformer genre, but for as much as I've loved the series, there's no doubt about what one platformer I'd pick to be stuck with on a desert island: N++. The definitive 2015 version of the long-running N series was a true accomplishment; it's staggering both in terms of the quality and depth of its platforming action, and the sheer scope of the game itself, featuring thousands of hand-crafted levels, plus a level creator. When I first heard that a new N game was in development, I was genuinely confused as to how Metanet Software could do anything more with it. Indeed developers Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns are also of the opinion that they can't really improve on what they've already done in that space, and they also find themselves "kind of bored with the basic format of single-player platformers." And so the answer to what's next is quite simple: multiplayer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jhy9HNs-u0 Multiplayer is not new to the series, but in more fully embracing it with the curiously named N+ Infinity Times Two(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-the-hell-do-you-name-the-follow-up-to-n/), it's allowed Metanet to go "perpendicular" in continuing to expand on N. N++'s best-in-class platforming appears to be intact here, based on a presentation and hands-off demonstration attended by GameSpot. The same can be said for N++'s distinct minimalistic visual style, which Burns says leverages a "cutting-edge vector-rendering system that has the equivalent of 256x anti-aliasing, which is a bit crazy" and was originally built for N++. This is what Metanet says allows for the "incredibly subtle" character movement that makes the N games feel so good. Despite those elements carrying over here, the change to multiplayer is sure to be a controversial one, given that N has first and foremost been all about single-player platforming, dating back to the series' origins as a Flash game in 2004. My initial reaction was one of slight disappointment as someone who prefers solo games to multiplayer ones, though my feelings changed as the presentation continued. For one, that's because there will be a "full" single-player campaign, although the exact scope of it was not immediately clear. But more importantly, the new multiplayer modes look like a lot of fun. That probably won't come as a surprise given the quality of what Metanet has put out over the years; its history as a small developer that remained fixated on perfecting N over the course of so many years does not suggest it was forced by investors to chase trends and jump on the online-multiplayer or live-service bandwagon. But what I did find surprising were some of the inspirations for Infinity Times Two, which included more expected games like TowerFall but also Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., and Quake 3. In terms of those multiplayer modes, which support 2-4 players (with the ability to train solo), there is a mix of co-op and competitive, with some modes being new to the franchise, while others Metanet claims are new to gaming entirely. Co-op will be detailed at a later time, but we did get a glimpse of a few competitive modes. Racing involves navigating to the exit as quickly as possible, which is straightforward enough and was compared to 2D Fall Guys, but with the added wrinkle that you can get a rocket launcher to ruin your opponents' day. Team Tag has a team of ninjas accumulating score by staying alive, while hunters try to explode those ninjas by making contact with them. Other modes include Co-Op, One-Up, and Trials. There are "5+" modes promised, and more have been prototyped and could eventually see the light of day. Metanet plans to add new levels and other content post-launch, and possibly new modes, though Burns made two things clear: They won't add modes just to increase a number and risk watering down the overall experience, and they don't want to nickel-and-dime fans. An update cadence on par with something like Rocket League is not the goal (nor does it seem possible, given Metanet's size), and both Burns and Sheppard don't enjoy the feeling in other games that they are "in a factory farm being milked for money." Burns deemed indie games to not be about money, but instead to make "the best possible experience." Beyond what Metanet builds itself, a level editor (with cross-platform sharing) offers the potential for "effectively infinite content." !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-5-Large.jpeg?w=1024) Multiplayer action in N+ Infinity Times Two !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-1-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-2-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-3-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-4-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-6-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-7-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-8-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-9-Large.jpeg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-10-Large.jpeg?w=1024) Metanet also believes Infinity Times Two's three-button control scheme lends it to being very casual- and party-friendly; it should be relatively easy for anyone to pick up and play. But given this is all built on N++'s platforming--known for its high skill ceiling thanks to the momentum-based movement, wall-jumping, and fall damage--Metanet also thinks there is tournament-level, highly competitive play possible. Multiplayer was available in N++, but by crafting the core experience around multiplayer, it has seemingly unlocked entirely new ways to play, as well as new ways to design levels. "There's an entire world of new possibilities once you change the core conversation from the single-player context of a level designer and a player conversing to a multiplayer context where it's players conversing together and the level design becomes more of a conversation starter, rather than the focus," Burns explains. Asked about surprises they discovered in focusing on multiplayer, Sheppard says, "Multiplayer modes have made us super excited about level design again because there is so much more possibility and so much more to do with the levels, because the whole concept of them is different. Thinking of them as a place for conversations between players and a lot of dynamic things to take place, thinking of them as a background for that, is a very different way to design levels. Each multiplayer mode has such different requirements that the things we need to think about when creating spaces are completely new and revolutionary for us." Developing these levels proved to be a learning process, as Metanet found it needed to reduce the number of corners and allow people to freely move through them. Its usual approach of including hazards and enemies actually took away from the fun of a mode like Team Tag. That led to an "incremental process" of removing many of these obstacles because "it's just not fun if you're chasing someone, if they get killed by running into a mine or something," Burns says. "Team Tag levels are nothing like the levels in any other modes, and they're very much like Quake 3 levels where dead-ends are very rare, linear things are very rare. It's all about loops. Things we never thought about, like the topology--since there are two people chasing, if you have an intersection, it's two-way vs. three-way vs. four-way, it's a thing we never had to think about in the context of the games before. It's really cool." Metanet doesn't claim to be the first-ever 2D multiplayer platformer, but the team doesn't feel any previous ones "really, fully committed." Instead, they tend to play more like single-player games that just happen to have multiple players alongside each other. Fun as that might be, "Truly multiplayer-focused 2D platforming is a completely unexplored universe." Infinity Times Two's soundtrack was also emphasized as a point of emphasis, with Metanet having spent almost 1,500 hours over two years listening to clips of songs to find what they liked. (UK Garage music was the main reference this time around, as opposed to N++'s "burling techno.") As a developer known for having hand-crafted thousands of N++ levels, it's not shocking to hear Burns say they "can't stand" the algorithm-driven society that has become so prevalent and instead resorted to "brute forcing" this solution for assembling a soundtrack. As with levels and modes, more songs could come after launch, too. While I'm eager to get my hands on Infinity Times Two to see how it feels for myself, it speaks to the pedigree of Metanet that I so quickly did a 180 on my initial reaction to the game's concept not being what I would have asked for. I'll surely devour the single-player campaign, but I look forward to roping my friends into the multiplayer as well. More than anything, I'm just happy to have something new to do within the excellent framework of N++ platforming. N+ Infinity Times Two is set for release sometime in 2027 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. Public playtests are scheduled to come at some point prior, and you can join Metanet's Discord for a chance to take part.