With its exceptional storytelling, characters, worldbuilding, and animation, Netflix’s Leviathan has the trappings of a modern classic. In this clever alternate history of World War I – adapted by Studio Orange (Trigun Stampede, Beastars) from a trilogy of novels by Scott Westerfeld – alliances are determined by technology. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans are “Clankers,” relying on machines and other electrical phenomena. On the other side, the “Darwinist” Brits use genetically engineered animals as both weaponry and smaller-scale technology. There’s a genuine inventiveness to these concepts – and the coming of age saga that they surround – that gives all 12 episodes of Leviathan a refreshing air.
To wit: The morning after the Austrian archduke and his wife are assassinated in 1914, their son Aleksandar is whisked away to a safe house in the Swiss Alps. In a mech. Meanwhile, in the U.K., young Deryn Sharp dreams of becoming an aviator (despite it being a male-only profession). She cuts her hair, adopts the first name Dylan, enlists in the British Air Service, and then gets whisked away on a giant flying jellyfish. The Clankers’ steampunk mechs feel period-appropriate, but the Darwinists’ technology is far more enthralling, and Leviathan knows it – after all, it’s named for a whale that serves as an airship. There are smoke-screening birds, bats that drop missiles, and funny little lizards who can record short messages and play them back.
Leviathan’s preference for showing rather than telling is one of its greatest strengths – and one of the ways in which it authentically draws favorable comparisons to Studio Ghibli (and merits the participation of its go-to composer, Joe Hisaishi). Similar to a Ghibli film, some key turns are communicated through facial expressions and other visual cues. This leaves Leviathan open to interpretation, giving it a depth and richness that lingers long after the finale.
The art direction helps amplify this – and the Ghibli-ness, too. In the second episode, Aleksandar and his entourage go to a town that, from the color choices to camera and character blocking, feels right out of Porco Rosso or Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s impressive that Studio Orange is able to evoke the atmosphere of these hand-drawn classics within a computer-animated series. Sometimes the “slowness” of the CG feels manufactured, or a character can’t quite reach the levels of expressiveness the animators are going for. But given the sheer number of incredibly complex machines in Leviathan, CG is the sensible choice. Every country represented onscreen has its own style of technology, and Studio Orange makes them all look pristine.
All this openness gives Leviathan a critical gray space to move around in, which allows its story and characters to flourish. When the Leviathan crashes in the Alps, Aleksandar – going by the comically weak pseudonym Alek – and crew are forced aboard on a globetrotting journey. “The development of a friendship from opposite sides of a war” and “teens travel the world” are both tried-and-true story structures that settle Leviathan into the cozy, classic feeling of the generations of YA stories that inspired it. Yet the well-formed characters play with those conventions, and give us plenty of reasons to care about them.
Both Alek and Sharp (as most everyone in Leviathan refers to the character) are immediately likable, due in large part to the spirited work of their voice actors, Ayumu Murase and Natsumi Fujiwara. Alek has all the trappings of a sheltered noble without ever seeming too pompous, stuffy, or flat. The growth he demonstrates as he’s thrown into the wider world for the first time is a robust, relatable depiction of a kid emerging from a sheltered upbringing. Sharp, on the other hand, has an infectious eagerness that never lets up.
It’s wonderful that Sharp is allowed to be Sharp.
Their relationship gets an added layer of intrigue because both teens keep their true identities a secret from each other. Leviathan has an opinion on whose secret is the most dangerous, but again, shows us rather than telling us: Whereas Alek risks endangering his life, Sharp risks endangering everything in his life. Leviathan makes us feel the brunt of not only the limitations aligned against women, but how merely identifying someone as “female” changes peoples’ perceptions of them. Leviathan even uses sympathetic characters like Alek to show how widespread these prejudices are. It’s tricky subject matter, but Leviathan handles it with remarkable deftness and care.
Another sign of that care is how Sharp is treated as far more than some archetypal cross-dressing woman. Once the truth is out, Leviathan doesn’t pigeonhole Sharp’s queerness and gender identity. Where Sharp lies on the artificial spectrum between “Deryn” and “Dylan” is not only left to interpretation, but beyond the point. The complexities of how Leviathan portrays this are vast, and more than a review can do justice to. But this much can be definitively said: It’s wonderful that Sharp is allowed to be Sharp.
Once more, Leviathan’s commitment to showing instead of telling pays off. When presented with the choice of three gowns to wear to a gala event in a later episode, a panicked Sharp runs from the room. Cut to: A hotel lobby, where a dashing Sharp makes a grand entrance in a suit and tie – a marvelous affirmation of Sharp’s character that cleverly reworks the type of traditional glamour shot another series might’ve gone with. Leviathan’s deeply refreshing stance is that it does not matter if Sharp – or any character – is male or female or somewhere in between. Any person can have any characteristic. A good character is a good character.
Providing some of the accompaniment to these dynamic characters bursting with feelings: Joe Hisaishi, a master of sentimental musical themes. Both of Hisaishi’s contributions to Leviathan are soaring, emotional, and beautiful. The main theme, “Paths Combine,” initially appears as a solo piano arrangement during the opening, but slowly seeps into the rest of the show. By the time you finally hear the lyrics, your heart’s ready to melt – another reward of Leviathan’s willingness to slowly, deliberately grow its characters. The full instrumental score, meanwhile, was composed by the Suzume duo of Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi, who more than live up to Hisaishi’s example.
All that globetrotting means that Leviathan’s story is briskly paced. As much as it allows for space, the series also crams three books into twelve episodes. You’d expect such breakneck speed to stunt the characters’ growth, but it doesn’t. Even though there are occasionally odd cuts or scenes I wish would stick around longer, the pacing somehow works. Each 25-ish-minute episode feels like it contains 40 minutes’ worth of story and passes by in the blink of an eye.
Finding ways to improve ergonomics when playing the Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode is tricky with so many options already available – Genki’s Attack Vector grip is one such Switch 2 accessory. Despite a few cool perks like a MagSafe point to conveniently hold portable chargers and swappable grip sizes, the Attack Vector comfort grip comes up short in a few key ways. Even though the grips themselves have a great texture for long sessions, the loose fit, frustrating application and swapping process, and general shape just weren’t quite right.
I’ve had a repetitive-use wrist condition for over three years, which has been spurred on by frequent, sustained writing and gaming sessions, and working as a cook. So, I’m always on the hunt for ergonomic solutions for everything from your garden variety kitchen knife to keyboards to grips for my Switch – and now my Switch 2. While I generally prefer to stick to docked mode and use Nintendo’s first-party Pro Controllers for this exact reason, sometimes I want to play in bed or on the couch without being tethered to a TV. That’s where Genki, alongside just about every other Switch 2 hardware manufacturer, comes in with their attempts at a comfort grip.
Clocking in at a retail price of $49.99, Genki’s Attack Vector runs a premium price. That price is somewhat justified by a convenient MagSafe-style magnetic ring, swappable grips of different shapes and sizes, and a slim wrap for the system itself (that's also dock compatible). But in my experience, that price hasn’t fully justified itself during my hours of hands-on time with its various configurations.
I can see the potential for an improved version down the road.
It all starts with applying the case itself: the part that covers the Switch itself featuring the magnetic ring snaps on like a charm, with rubber padding on the inside to prevent the case from slipping out of place. Unfortunately, the case partially obscures some important stuff, like the power and volume buttons. They’re significantly harder to press because the case has a decidedly higher profile, making you reach around for the power and volume buttons. I regularly found myself needing to turn the console over in my hands, having trouble fitting my finger into the divot, and unsatisfyingly just barely pressing the power button.
Oddly, this is really the only place where the Attack Vector’s profile is an issue, as it’s still fully dockable. It feels a little unnatural when you’re slotting the Switch 2 into the dock on your first go, but that’s only because of how smooth the naked Switch 2 is. This frees you from needing to rely on the awkward docking solutions you might find with other, undockable grips.
The grips themselves latch onto the shells you attach to each Joy-Con 2. Each shell has rails for the swappable comfort grips to slide in and out, and the three options can accommodate hand size, portability, and general ergonomic preference. The smallest of the three doesn’t register much in my larger hands, but it’s the only setup that doesn’t add any width to the already pretty big Switch 2, making it the most portable option. The second-biggest option feels comfortable in my hands, adding a nice rounded edge where my hands would normally hover awkwardly around the console. And the biggest adds proper ergonomic grips, adding a little extra anchor for the pinky and grooves that feel closer to an actual controller.
For my hand size, I definitely preferred the biggest one with the extra grip, though the mid-size and biggest options both have a critical issue: they don’t fit in most standard Switch 2 cases, including Genki’s Sleeper Case. Genki doesn’t offer a screen-covering solution to this issue, unlike other manufacturers, such as DBrand. It also doesn’t help that swapping in a new set of grips (like switching to the smallest option if you’re hoping to take your grip on the go) is kind of awkward, and more trouble than its worth since you have a wrestle with the grips a bit to remove them – so is removing the shells from your Joy-Con 2 altogether.
This case’s best feature (and the reason why I plan on leaving it on my Switch 2 for the time being) is its MagSafe-style ring that lets me throw a power bank on the back of my Switch 2 for longer play sessions. It’s convenient and the type of thing that makes it stand out in the sea of grip options available. But I don’t think I’ll be using the Joy-Con grips very much – even the most comfortable options come with notable compromises, sacrificing the portability of an already large handheld. I could still see myself using the grips when I’m at home playing in handheld mode, but these won’t be my first choice for travel.
The list of retired LEGO sets grows each month, and while you may feel like you missed out on sets that have already retired or are retiring soon, retailers like Amazon have some of these still on sale. Of course, there are other ways to buy LEGO, but I've found Amazon to be the most reliable when it comes to hard to find or recently retired kits. For our July update, we've listed out some of these sets you can still buy (some with extremely low quantities available), and removed the ones that are gone completely.
Retired LEGO Sets Still Available at Amazon
Amazon still has dozens of retired LEGO sets for sale, although at limited available quantities depending on the set. The large-scale R2-D2 is one of the best ones you can still buy, and the 2,314-piece model is one of the most detailed recreations of our favorite astromech droid we've seen in LEGO form. The Technic Porsche 911 RSR is the perfect display set for both LEGO and car lovers. The Technic line has some of the most complex, accurate, and impressive scaled-down LEGO versions of their real-life counterparts. If I were more of a car guy, this is one I'd definitely add to my collection. And then there's the BrickHeadz, cute Chibi-like buildable statues featuring tons of characters from decades of iconic pop culture properties like Lord of the Rings, Disney, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.
For Marvel fans, there is currently only really one recently retired set still available, but it's a really cool one. The LEGO Art Amazing Spider-Man set was officially retired back in December 2024, but Amazon still has it available for its original MSRP. Prices on this set have continued to fluctuate over the last few months as stock is becoming more limited. Star Wars fans have quite a few more options available in July as the the N-1 Starfighter and Spider Tank from the Mandalorian are available again at normal prices.
Which LEGO Sets Are Retiring Soon?
LEGO's official site has a full breakdown on their "Retiring Soon" page. Notable updates this month include the Super Mario Goombas' Playground set, Disney Snow White's Jewelry Box, and the Marvel Rocket's Warbird vs. Ronan sets. For an even more extensive list, Brick Economy has a great breakdown of dates and statistics for retiring LEGO sets. Finally, there are plenty of third party brick and mortar brick shops around that may have backstock of retired sets you might have missed, so I'd definitely give those a browse if you're near one.
IGN has partnered with Warner Bros. and IMAX to launch the first trailer for Mortal Kombat II. Join us across our platforms – including IGN.com, YouTube, Twitch, and our socials – beginning July 17 at 8:05am PT and counting down to the Official Trailer debut at 9am PT.
You can also bookmark this page where you will be able to view the Mortal Kombat II Trailer Event Kountdown stream via the player above or the embed below.
During the Mortal Kombat II Trailer Event Kountdown, fans will be treated with surprise guests and get the chance to unlock exclusive content from the movie.
IGN will also have an exclusive cover story featuring Johnny Cage himself, actor Karl Urban, director Simon McQuoid, and producer Todd Garner going live with the trailer.
In our report, the star and filmmakers provide an in-depth behind-the-scenes account of the making of Mortal Kombat II and the casting of Urban as Johnny Cage.
We’re a few weeks into the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set, and things are starting to settle down as we head into (you guessed it) another set.
That’s right, Edge of Eternities is right around the corner, but before the space-themed set arrives, there have been yet more price fluctuations in the world of Magic: The Gathering.
Crashers: Vivi Drops Again
Vivi Ornitier was around $70 a week or two ago, but is now at around $45. He’s still incredibly popular, but he is dropping off.
Vivi’s synergies are also dropping. Harmonic Prodigy reached $13 but has started to roll downward, closing in on the $10 mark.
Perch Protection from Bloomburrow is also down, now as low as $8 for all you Chocobo lovers. It’s still up, but it’s lower than it has been.
Remember when Tifa, Martial Artist was absolutely flying at around the $50 mark? She’s seen a steep drop, likely because she’s included in the FF7 Commander precon.
She’s down to under $4 now, when just a few weeks ago she’d have set you back $50 (although she’s great fun to use in a game).
Climbers: Cloud Nine
For the first few weeks of the Final Fantasy set, a big focus was on counters thanks to Tidus’ Final Fantasy X deck, but now Cloud is our spiky-haired boy of the week.
The former lets you cast equipment as if it had Flash (and is up to over $20 from $3 in the last 3 months), while Sword of the Animist is up to $14 and lets you rack up land like there’s no tomorrow.
Finally, Panharmonicon gives you extra triggers, meaning you could build an absolutely savage board state very quickly indeed. Interestingly, Pnaharmonicon is sitting at around $5 still. I might have to invest.
Sticking with Cloud, the Kaldheim set’s Halvar, God of Battle is up to around $30 It gives equipped (and enchanted) creatures Double Strike, lets you mix and match equipment, and turns into the Sword of the Realms which can power up a card and protect it from death by sending it back to your hand. Not bad, Halvar.
Finally, another clash of Universes sees the RMS Titanic from the Doctor Who set rising in prominence. Why? Because the now $5 card is likely to be a big winner for the new rules in Edge of Eternities, which will see vehicles become more important since they can be used as Commanders.
MTG Sealed Sets
Everything else Final Fantasy is pretty hot right now, so if you manage to find anything in stock, it might be worth picking up ASAP to avoid disapointment.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He's a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife's dismay.
If you're thinking of jumping on the AMD bandwagon for your next upgrade, now is certainly the right time to do so. Right now, AMD's most popular Zen 5 "X3D" processors - the AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D - are available and shipping from Amazon. They're also on sale by about $25-$30 off, which is better than what we saw during Prime Day. These are collectively the best gaming CPUs from AMD; from a performance to cost standpoint, the 9800X3D is the CPU of choice for pure gaming builds, but the 9950X3D pulls ahead when it comes to creator workloads.
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
For gaming rigs, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is easily the best value because its gaming performance is moreorless on equal footing with the more expensive 9900X3D and 9950X3D CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache Although perfectly capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creation, the limited number of cores means that it won't perform as well in this regard as the 9950X3D. However, this is an absolute monster of a processor for gaming, especially at this price point.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
Creative professionals who also want the best gaming chip on the market shouldn't think twice; this is the CPU to get. The new 9950X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. In terms of gaming, it's only a few percentage points better than than the 9800X3D. However, for productivity use, it easily outperforms both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, and anything offered by Intel for that matter.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
As far as game pitches go, an endless Persona 5 spin-off sounds like a pretty solid idea. What’s not to love about turn-based RPG battles, complex villains, and a plethora of sumptuous social links? Enter Atlus’s latest genre-flipping addition to the series, Persona5: The Phantom X, a gacha-fied adventure that boasts all the hallmarks of its iconic source material, from beautifully animated cutscenes to goosebump-inducing needle drops. What’s the catch? Oh, just a boatload of confusing currencies to juggle and a grind-heavy gameplay loop once you escape its inviting early game. It’s a shame, because if you look past the persistently lurking gacha baggage, The Phantom X is a peachy pastiche. But after 35 hours, its charms have more than worn thin as a result of this framework, leaving behind a flattering but deeply compromised imitation of Persona 5.
The Phantom X might be a Persona 5 spin-off, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be playing as Joker and the crew. Instead, you embody a Nagisa Kamisiro (though you can still pick your own name) in an alternate timeline version of Persona 5’s story. A seemingly average student, Kamasiro’s life changes when an adorable owl called Lufel calls on them to fight back against the misery and hopelessness enveloping the world, and to turn the tables against the great despair that clouds the hearts of the public. Unable to refuse, Kamasiro learns to wield their inner Persona and travels to the shadow world to help clear out the collective unconscious, one monster at a time. As with Kamisiro, there are more Tokyoites to meet and awaken as you progress, with each new character’s arc nestled nicely into the overarching story. If you’ve played Persona 5, you’ll quickly notice that The Phantom X is following its formula to a tee.
To fight off the aforementioned evil, you’ll bounce between a handful of beautifully recreated Tokyo neighborhoods and the monster-filled Metaverse – though what you do in either place is now limited by various time- or money-gated resources rather than a rigid calendar marching ever forward. As The Phantom Thieves, you’ll eek out misbehaving fiends and infiltrate their minds while learning to master the series’ trademark turn-based combat that centres around elemental weaknesses. And because Kamisiro is a teen, you’ll also have to balance studying, part-time work, and a social life, too. With all of its obvious derivations, The Phantom X struggles to conjure fresh ideas or immediate excitement in the shadow of a nearly decade-old masterpiece, but it at least manages to clone the Persona formula fairly well, and that will be enough for some.
No matter how familiar the core gameplay mechanics feel, a diverse cast of supporting characters provides much-needed levity and heart to the world. I’ve fallen in love with Anderson, a gym rat with a heart of gold, Yaoling Li, an energetic foreign exchange student struggling with her studies, a cautious nurse-to-be named Minami Mitashita, and plenty more. With energetic voice acting to back up their emotive and often humorous dialogue, it’s clear there’s been an effort to give the NPCs a sense of self, and, similar to Persona 5, the more time you invest in them, the more you can unravel their heartfelt stories.
You don’t really have to fret over spending time with one NPC or another.
Helping out the locals doesn’t just reward you with some juicy plotlines to pull at, it can lead to benefits in combat and day-to-day tasks, too. For example, if you choose to keep helping Yaoling Li acclimate to her new life in Japan, you’ll learn key recipes that you can cook to buff your stats in battle. Alternatively, completing small side missions for characters like Minami will reward you with upgrade currencies and special items for your home. These social interactions also expand the variety of Kamisiro’s day-to-day tasks and provide bespoke options like working out at the gym alongside the carousel of regular activities, such as studying for school in local cafes, working at the Konbini for cash, or buying seeds that you can plant in your garden at home. How you spend your time will also feed into your Social Stats (Guts, Knowledge, Proficiency, Kindness, and Charm), which can impact how friendly you can get with certain NPCs, as well as what items are available to buy at the local stores. The healthy combination of social endeavours and solo tasks feed into each other nicely and creates an approachable system that enriches Kamasiro’s initially quiet life (while buffing their skills in the process).
Unlike Persona 5, how you choose to spend your time in The Phantom X is governed by recoupable Action Points instead of a limited daily schedule. This means you don’t really have to fret over spending time with one NPC or another because you can just wait for those points to add back up naturally and not miss out on either. I can appreciate that this system is much more forgiving than the rigid structure the Persona series is known for. However, without that all-important time pressure, The Phantom X fails to hit on how profound these decisions could and should feel. It makes sense in the context of the Gacha setting, but this free-for-all approach makes it a little too easy to flit between NPCs without fully investing in their well-written backstory and considering how they might help you if you choose them instead of some other character.
It’s not all errands and acquaintances, though, and when you’re finished playing above ground, you’ll eventually move on to combat expeditions, which you can launch any time from the Metaverse app located on Kamisiro’s phone. Similar to the system used to govern social activities, your time in combat is partially ruled by an auto-refreshing currency, this time called Stamina. And as you battle, you’ll need to spend it to reap the rewards. The Phantom X bases its combat system on Persona 5, meaning it's turn-based with engaging reactive elements like chaining together One Mores to be as efficient as possible. When you roll up on a baddie, you’ll cycle through your party one member at a time, choosing between melee attacks, ranged attacks, and special Persona abilities. Similar to Pokémon, the enemies you’ll face and the Personas you deploy, all have elemental strengths and weaknesses (like fire or ice) that can be exploited for extra damage.
You'll eventually hit an expected but utterly disappointing credit card-shaped roadblock.
It’s a tried-and-tested system with enough diversity in its moveset to keep battles fresh, and even if you are starting to tire of it, the imagination-stoking enemy designs pull a good amount of weight throughout. What makes Persona combat truly unique, though, is the series’ bold interface design and legendary battle themes, which have been lovingly recreated here. I promise, no matter how many times you’ve already heard Persona 5’s Last Surprise, it just doesn’t get old.
Sadly, no amount of vocal flair from singer Lyn Inaizumi or introspective dialogue makes up for the sizable array of gacha systems and currencies you need to balance in The Phantom X. Within the first 20 hours or so, there aren’t many barriers in the way of progression, letting you clear out baddies and jump between main and side stories with relative ease. Inevitably, though, as you get deeper in, level barriers paint a clearer picture of what progression actually feels like long term. Once you run out of side quests and main story content to fuel your climb (which can happen fairly quickly), the next best way to earn the XP needed to unlock more is doing random fights in the Metaverse… but in order to do that, you need to spend Stamina. If you’re out of Stamina, you have two choices: purchase boosting supplements with real cash or wait a painstaking amount of time for it to reload on its own. I’m not opposed to grinding out materials, especially when The Phantom X’s combat is so moreish and the stories attached are compelling. It’s rather that this credit card-shaped conclusion was a totally expected but utterly disappointing roadblock to smash into. It was particularly painful to be reminded that I could simply pay via the in-game shop pop-ups every few minutes, too.
Thankfully, not all the Gacha systems in The Phantom X are so frustrating. While there are characters and Personas you can unlock through the story, the quickest way to bolster your team is to engage in the lucky dip Contracts menu. In line with most other Gacha games on the market, you can earn the currencies you need to pull by grinding, or cut to the chase and pay to get an instant boost. Thankfully, it didn’t take me too long to invest my hard-earned Gacha currency and unlock my beloved Persona 5 fave Ann Takamaki without having to reach for my wallet. A ton of new characters are introduced via this system, and Shigenori Soejima’s striking character designs just don’t quit, which sweetens the pot somewhat. While I love all my Gacha children equally, I was particularly enamoured with the icy-haired Kotone Montagne, whose visual style landed somewhere between Joan of Arc and Swan Lake.
Outside of the inclusion of the premium currencies, perhaps my biggest gripe with The Phantom X so far is that it feels more like an uncanny reflection of Persona 5, rather than a unique take on its established lore. Other spin-offs like Persona 5 Tactica or Persona 5 Strikers feel like strong additions to the series that come at or expand upon it from a different angle, whereas The Phantom X is more of a well-executed imitation. It’s not that I’m bored, as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both its combat and getting to know the wide array of quirky characters I’ve met. Plus, the 35 hours of missions I’ve played so far are well-written, appropriately shocking, and do well to frame the villains as complex, fractured souls. But The Phantom X’s “do-over” take on the story of The Phantom Thieves, isn’t a new enough experience to warrant the amount of time (or possibly money) I’ll need to invest if I want to see it through to its lengthy end (the specific details of which are yet to even be revealed) – especially when Persona 5 and its predecessors are readily available and feel far more curated and engaging.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will finally introduce a handful of big names to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but director Matt Shakman says John Malkovich’s Red Ghost won’t be one of them.
Details regarding Malkovich’s removal from the final cut of the new Fantastic Four movie come from an interview Variety conducted with Shakman ahead of the Marvel film’s premiere later this month. He says moments centered on Malkovich’s villain character were some of the many scenes that “ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor.”
“When we were building a ’60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, introducing these four main characters as a group, as well as individually, introducing the idea of a child — there was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie and some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version,” Shakman said.
Malkovich’s presence as Red Ghost has remained shrouded in mystery for months, but the role wasn’t exactly kept a secret. While fans weren’t quite sure how much screen time the Burn After Reading actor would get in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, he at least appeared sporting long, white hair and a scraggly beard in its first teaser trailer in February. He’s been absent from most promotional material since, though, leading to rumors that Marvel may have moved to cut Malkovich and Red Ghost from the film entirely. Now, we know that this is indeed the case.
It was heartbreaking not to include him in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favorite humans and one of my biggest inspirations.
“It was heartbreaking not to include him in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favorite humans and one of my biggest inspirations,” Shakman added. “As a person who walks the line between theater and film and television, there’s no one who is more inspiring than the founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. What he’s done on stage as an actor and what he’s done as a director in theater as well as in film, and as just a film actor of incredible ability — I was honored he came to play.”
Shakman says fans would have been able to catch Malkovich in The Fantastic Four: First Steps during a sequence detailing the early days for Marvel’s First Family. Specifically, the moment involved a battle between the superpowered group as they fought against Red Ghost and his Super-Apes. It’s unclear if we’ll ever get to see how Malkovich almost fit into the MCU, but for now, Shakman at least says that he “was brilliant in it, and gave it his all.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a July 25, 2025, release date and features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Other names set to appear in the film include Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, Sarah Niles, Natasha Lyonne, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
October 2025 marks the one-year anniversary of DC's hugely successful Absolute Universe line. To celebrate the occasion, DC is giving readers the first proper Absolute Universe crossover in the form of Absolute Evil #1. This universe may not have a Justice League, but it looks to be gaining its own version of the Legion of Doom.
Each of DC's Absolute titles in October will be extremely important to the future of this shared universe, with key developments like Superman's showdown with Ra's al Ghul and the debut of Absolute Catwoman. Read on to see all of the Absolute books releasing in October 2025 and why they're so important.
Absolute Evil #1
Creative Team: Al Ewing, Giuseppe Camuncoli, & Stefano Nesi
Release Date: October 1
In Absolute Evil, Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Hector Hammond, Elenore Thawne, and the mysterious Joker are no longer working at cross-purposes. Together, they’re aligned, united, and dangerous. But an insidious betrayal from within threatens to unravel everything they’ve built.
This one-shot special issue features the introduction of not one but two major Absolute characters who will change the course of the Absolute Universe in its second year, and is unmissable for all fans of this red-hot publishing line!
Absolute Batman #13
Creative Team: Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta
Release Date: October 8
Batman’s final confrontation with Bane threatens to trap him in Ark-M forever. In the aftermath, a new figure steps onto Gotham’s stage. Oh...and Absolute Catwoman debuts in this pivotal issue!
Absolute Batman Annual #1
Creative Team: Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, & Meredith McClaren
Release Date: October 29
How did Bruce acquire his Batmobile? What happened when Black Mask’s crew tangled with the Bat in those first few days? DC’s Absolute Batman 2025 Annual delivers insight into the raw, formative chaos from Absolute Batman’s earliest days.
Absolute Wonder Woman #13
Creative Team: Kelly Thompson & Matías Bergara
Release Date: October 22
In Gateway City, Diana uncovers lost history as Barbara reveals fragments of the myth of the Amazons. But as supernatural attacks erupt across the globe, Diana and Etta race to find a pattern—only to discover that the answer strikes closer than imagined.
Absolute Superman #12
Creative Team: Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval
Release Date: October 1
Superman must choose: bend to Ra’s al Ghul’s will and accept his place as the Son of the Demon—or see Smallville suffer. As the Lazarus Corp descends, the invasion of Kansas begins.
Absolute Flash #8
Creative Team: Jeff Lemire & Travis Moore
Release Date: October 15
The origins of Fort Fox and Barry Allen’s experimental tech finally surface, but what they reveal will challenge everything Barry knows about speed, consequence, and the foundation of the Absolute Universe itself.
Absolute Green Lantern #7
Creative Team: Al Ewing & Jahnoy Lindsay
Release Date: October 1
The Blackstars are coming—and Earth is in their path. Only Tomar Re stands between their cosmic ambition and the final unraveling of what remains of Absolute Oa.
Additionally, DC has revealed that Absolute Martian Manhunter will end its current hiatus and return with issue #7 in December 2025.
Although the official trailer for Mortal Kombat II won't drop until Thursday, July 17, Warner Bros. has released a fake movie-within a-movie trailer for Uncaged Fury, a faux 1990s action movie starring Johnny Cage (played in that film by Karl Urban).
You can watch that trailer via the player above or the embed below.
The trailer is in the style of the kind of cheesy ‘90s action movies that might have starred the likes of Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Gary Daniels, Jeff Speakman or Michael Dudikoff.
The overly serious voiceover tells viewers “They pissed him off … They fucked with his shades … They should have brought more guys.”
We see logos for Johnny Cage’s other ‘90s films: Cool Hand Cage, Hard to Cage, and Rebel Without a Cage.
And in a nice touch, those three fake movies and Uncaged Fury were all made by New Line Cinema, the real-life studio behind the Mortal Kombat movies of the ‘90s (and the 21st century reboot and its upcoming sequel).
The trailer depicts a martial arts melee inside a warehouse between Cage and some goons (who are dressed in true ‘90s fashion). There are flips and kicks and Johnny Cage utters “showtime!” right before he fights.
After Johnny takes care of the guys, a lady in a red dress shows up with a rocket launcher and fires at him. Johnny does an absurdly high leap, with the missile soaring just under his crotch and then, defying physics based on the angle it was fired, curling upwards and taking out a helicopter.
The only real hint at Mortal Kombat itself is the franchise logo that quickly flickers in and out over the closing title for Uncaged Fury.
Mortal Kombat II opens in theaters on October 24, 2025.
505 Games has revealed the final PC system requirements for its upcoming soulslike, action RPG, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. So, let’s see what PC system you’ll need in order to run it. WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers takes place in the land of Shu during the late Ming Dynasty. The world is full of factions fighting each other, … Continue reading WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Gets Final PC Requirements→
A new report into Superman has allegedly revealed the salaries of its top stars as well as writer and director James Gunn, and offered a hint at where DC Studios is headed next.
Variety said Gunn earned 20 times more than David Corenswet, the relative newcomer who played Superman / Clark Kent, and Rachel Brosnahan, who played Lois Lane. Corenswet and Brosnahan each earned $750,000, with Gunn taking home $15 million. This is reportedly in addition to Gunn’s seven-figure salary as co-CEO of DC Studios. The more established Nicholas Hoult, however, earned $2 million from playing Lex Luthor.
The relatively modest salaries of its stars was cited by some as helping keep Superman’s production budget down. Variety reported that Superman cost $225 million to make and $125 million to market globally, for an approximate total spend of $350 million.
The question now is, is Superman a success for parent company Warner Bros.? Given the movie only launched last week, it's too early to say. Domestically, Superman powered to $122 million at the box office during release weekend, which was enough to make it the biggest domestic launch ever for a solo Superman film, not adjusted for inflation.
Superman’s strong North American launch is the biggest superhero movie opening weekend since last summer’s billion dollar blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine, which hit $211 million domestically. That means Superman launched bigger than Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* / The New Avengers. It’s also the biggest DC movie in a long time, and the first to hit a $100 million domestic box office launch since Wonder Woman’s $103.3 million in 2017.
However, internationally, Superman launched soft with $95 million, which some analysts are calling a disappointment. As Variety noted, Warner Bros. expected this because Superman is linked to the character’s long-standing motto, "Truth, Justice, and the American Way."
It’s also worth noting that Superman’s global weekend take of $217 million is actually less than Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel's when adjusted for inflation. Like Gunn's Superman, Snyder's Man of Steel rebooted the DC cinematic universe.
Will we see Superman 2 at some point? Warner Bros. has sequel options on Corenswet and Brosnahan, Variety reported, but a sequel announcement "does not appear to be imminent."
There are of course other DCU movies confirmed to be in the works. Both Supergirl and Clayface launch in 2026, and Gunn is also working on a Batman movie of his own, although it doesn’t have a release date.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
2K Games has revealed the official PC system requirements for the next part in the NBA 2K series, NBA 2K26. So, let’s see what PC system you’ll need to run it. According to the PC specs, PC gamers will at least need an Intel Core i3-9100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 with 8GB of RAM … Continue reading NBA 2K26 Gets Official PC System Requirements→
GameFly is running an impressive sale right now on PS5 and Xbox Series X games, plus Blu-ray movies. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to save money on recent AAA games. You can get PS5 deals like Elden Ring Nightreign for $27.99 and Doom: The Dark Ages for $39.99. You’re not likely to find those kinds of discounts anywhere else for quite a while on new copies of those games, especially after Prime Day.
The caveat is that all of the games are pre-played (more info on that below). You can shop the whole sale here, or read on for our picks.
Save Up to 50% Off Pre-Played Games at GameFly
Elden Ring Nightreign is a fun twist on the From Software formula perfected in the original Elden Ring. It turns the game into a three-player co-op roguelite. It might not be for everyone (see our review for details), but $27.99 makes it much more palatable.
Doom: The Dark Ages may be available for Xbox players on Game Pass, but that doesn’t apply to PS5 owners. So this is a great way to play through it at significantly less than the new game MSRP. Check out our 9/10 Doom: The Dark Ages review for more info on that.
Also on sale are Civ 7, Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and many more. You can even save cash on Blu-rays like Mickey 17 and Mufasa: The Lion King. Lots of savings to go around.
Is GameFly a Good Place to Buy Used Games?
Everything you buy from GameFly is “pre-played,” meaning it’s been sent out to GameFly customers. That said, everything GameFly sells in these sales is in good condition. It also comes with brand-new new cases and inserts where applicable. I’ve bought games in previous GameFly sales, and I never would’ve guessed they were used, aside from arriving without shrink wrap.
All of these games are also “100% guaranteed,” so if you have any problem with them, you can get a full refund. Buying pre-played games is a good way to pick up recent games at way cheaper than new pricing. And this sale knocks even more money off the pre-played discount, which is essentially stacking a deal on a deal.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
Amazon just reopened invite requests for the Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World Bundle at $499.99. Switch 2 upgrades the now-classic hybrid console with a larger 7.9-inch HDR touchscreen, 4K dock output, and GameChat voice and video chat. If you've been holding out for the newest Switch, now is a good time to request an invite before stock dries up again.
TL;DR: Deals For Today
You can also grab the Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box for $88.95, which is slightly below market value. It includes nine booster packs, a full-art promo card featuring Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet, and plenty of extras like card sleeves, dice, and a collector’s box. I've got more deals comming your way too. Including the INIU 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for $12, a 5-pack of six-foot USB-C charging cables for $6.99, the Superman 2025 Steelbook 4K Blu-ray, and TCL’s 55-inch QM6K Mini LED Smart TV for $449.99, $350 off its usual price. Let's get into it:
Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box
Whilst this ETB is out of stock currently on TCG Player, the current pricing on Amazon is a full dollar below market value. Granted, its above MSRP, but if you want this ETB sealed for your collection or to rip it open right now, this is the going rate.
Where To Buy Japanese Pokémon Cards
Japanese Pokémon TCG booster boxes have far better odds at pulling chase cards, have far less bulk and are often half the price of English booster boxes. This also mean said chase cards are worth significantly less, but Japanese cards are far easier to get perfect grades in given they're always busting out of booster packs in perfect condition. Want a Pokémon card collection on a budget? Go for Japanese cards.
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Preorders
This is it, the beggining of a new expansion for Pokémon TCG. Best Buy have gone live with their preorder allocation for Mega Evolutions today, which mean Target and Walmart won't be far behind. Here's all the links you need and good luck trainers!
Pokémon TCG Price Updates
I can't believe I'm writing this, but Amazon has quite a bit of sealed Pokémon TCG product for under market value. Whilst that unfortunately means it's still way above MSRP, some of these sets are at the best prices they've been in the last month.
This Weeks Crashers and Climbers
Scarlet and Violet base set prices have been shifting noticeably ahead of the final sets Black Bolt and White Flare, with Psychic-type Illustration Rares like Ralts 211/198 and Kirlia 212/198 each climbing 28 percent this month while Gardevoir ex 245/198 now sits at $54.99 after a 25 percent jump. Miraidon ex and Koraidon ex are both trending upward as well, holding value around $23.99 each. At the same time several cards are sliding down as Fidough 213/198 dropped 15 percent, Armarouge 203/198 is down 11 percent, and Pachirisu 208/198 fell 19 percent. The steepest dips hit Dondozo 207/198 and Starly 221/198, now around $9.99 each after dropping 30 percent and 37 percent respectively, reflecting a market that is narrowing in on long-term playability and collector interest.
Last Weeks Crashers and Climbers
As newer Pokémon TCG sets grab the spotlight, Paradox Rift is seeing its high-rarity SIR ex cards drop in value while several Illustration Rares quietly climb due to shifting collector interest and low inventory. Cards like Altaria ex, Gholdengo ex, and Steelix have dropped between 16% and 25%, while Illustration Rares including Morpeko, Plusle, Minun, Groudon, and Iron Valiant ex are climbing fast, with Morpeko leading at a 43% increase. This mirrors earlier trends where less flashy cards gain traction as availability tightens.
MTG Edge of Eternities Preorders
Magic: The Gathering’s next set, Edge of Eternities, officially launches August 1 with preorders now live on Amazon for bundles including Play Booster Boxes, Commander Decks, and Collector Booster Boxes. Blending Magic’s iconic gameplay with science fantasy themes such as flying space whales and alien races, Edge of Eternities introduces four new mechanics: Void, Warp, Station, and Lander Tokens. Fan-favorite tribes like Eldrazi and Slivers return alongside reprints of coveted Shock Lands. Wizards of the Coast is gradually revealing more details, with a full card gallery arriving July 18 and prerelease events happening July 25 through 31, so now is the time to lock in your preorder if you want first access.
MTG Pricing Updates
It's a bit of a mixed back for Magic: The Gathering prices this week, so it's always worth double checking eBay before TCG Player and Amazon for a last minute bargain. Also, whoever thinks a Theros Beyond Death booster is worth north of $700 needs to have a word with themselves.
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
Still struggling to get your hands on Nintendo Switch 2? The Mario Kart World bundle is available on Amazon right now, but it's invitation only. Make sure to request one, you've got nothing to loose. Unlike most invitation only products, Amazon was quite responsive when preorder invitations rocked up, so fingers crossed this is your golden ticket.
SanDisk® 512GB GamePLAY microSD Express Card
A $35 saving on a Micro SD card is a cracking deal right now, and will come in handy whilst trying out your OG Switch library on your brand new Nintendo Switch 2. These cards also guarantee fantastic performance playing Nintendo Switch 2 games, so it's a win-win.
Superman (2025) (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
Superman 2025 is arguably DC movies returning back to form, not to mention Krypto being a good boy. It's already sold out once on Amazon, so get your preorder in whilst it's still available, I think this will be a gem in anyone's steelbook collection.
USB Type-C to A Cable 5 pack
More than 50% off a pack of five USB a to C cables? Yes please. These are always handy to have around, and no one wants to pay out of the nose for USB cables.
INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh 45W
This is ideal for carrying around when you've forgot to stick your phone on charge overnight, 45W is more than enough power to charge anything whilst using it, from phones to Nintendo Switch 2. So who can argue for $12?
TCL - 55" QM6K Series
144Hz refresh rate on a 4K HDR QD Mini LED 55" screen for under $450? There you go, that's all the selling this TV needs. TCL have a hell of a reputation for undercutting big brand TV names, and this deal is no different.
INIU 140W Power Bank
Need serious power on the go? INIU’s 140W PowerNova Power Bank delivers laptop-level charging with a massive 27,000mAh capacity that is airline approved. Charge up to three devices at once via two USB-C ports and one USB-A, including a dedicated 140W PD 3.1 output to top off a MacBook Pro 16" to 59% in just 30 minutes. The smart LED display shows real-time battery status, so you’re never guessing. Includes a USB-C cable, travel pouch, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty.
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Charge 6 makes tracking your health and workouts easier and more connected than ever, with 40+ exercise modes, built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and YouTube Music controls. Link it to compatible gym equipment to see your stats live as you move. It comes with both small and large bands, a sleek porcelain and silver finish, and a 6-month Fitbit Premium membership for deeper insights. Charge 6 works with both iOS and Android, and pairs perfectly with other Google products like Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Personal Fan with LED Display
Stay cool anywhere with TUNISE’s wearable neck fan, featuring a whisper-quiet motor and three adjustable speeds up to 4100 RPM. Its 5200mAh battery delivers up to 12 hours of cooling, while the clear LED display keeps tabs on battery life and fan speed. With a foldable, adjustable-angle design, this bladeless fan is as portable as it is stylish.
9-Outlet Anker 332 USB C Power Strip Surge Protector
Simplify your workspace with Anker’s 332 USB C Power Strip, packing six outlets, USB-C 20W Power Delivery, and Anker’s signature 8-Point Safety System. It protects against surges, fire risks, and overloads while keeping your devices topped up. The 5-foot cord and compact three-sided outlet design make it easy to fit anywhere in your home or office setup. Reliable charging meets smart safety in one sleek package.
INIU USB C Charger Block x 2
Charge two devices at once with INIU’s 30W dual-port USB-C charger set. Featuring GaN tech for cooler, safer charging, each block is 30% smaller than standard chargers and comes with foldable plugs for easy travel. Power up an iPhone 16 to 71% in just 30 minutes or juice up a MacBook Air with ease. This set includes two 60W USB-C cables, a user manual, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection (Switch)
I picked up the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection for Switch and it’s been a solid throwback to the old Duel Monsters days. I grew up playing these games, so jumping back in with the ability to duel online and unlock classic cards feels pretty great. The save-anywhere feature makes it easy to squeeze in a match during a break and come back to it later. I also like that you can rewind or fast forward during duels which makes testing out new strategies a lot more flexible.
Superman (Blu-ray + Digital)
I was hoping to grab the steelbook edition of Superman but it looks like that’s already sold out. The standard Blu-ray is still available though if you’re just looking to watch the movie without the collectible packaging. James Gunn delivers a Superman story that feels fresh while staying true to the character. There’s a solid balance of action, humor, and heart, and it sets a strong tone for what’s next in the DCU. If you’re into superhero movies that keep things grounded while still feeling big and cinematic, this one’s worth picking up.
Split Fiction (PS5)
I grabbed Split Fiction on PS5 recently and it’s been a great pick for co-op sessions. We gave it a 9 out of 10 and after playing it I can see why. It focuses on split-screen teamwork where you and a partner have to sync your actions to clear each challenge. I really like how each level introduces new mechanics and switches between sci-fi and fantasy settings so it never feels repetitive. Mio and Zoe’s story adds some extra depth too since they do not get along at first but that dynamic makes the whole adventure feel more personal as things ramp up.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
AirPods Pro 2 are one of those earbuds I keep noticing for their mix of sound quality and thoughtful features. At $199, they offer a strong balance of value and performance. The active noise cancellation blocks out a lot of background noise while adaptive audio automatically adjusts based on your surroundings. You get four sizes of silicone tips for a customizable fit, and once those are set they stay comfortable even through longer listening sessions. The personalized spatial audio and hearing aid features add extra depth, giving them more flexibility than just a standard pair of wireless earbuds.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake (Switch)
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake caught my attention for how it brings that classic RPG feel into a modern format. At $34.99, it’s a pretty big discount compared to the usual price, which makes it an easy pick if you’ve been waiting to try it. The HD-2D visuals really stand out with that mix of pixel art and depth that makes the world feel fresh but still familiar. Battles stick to the traditional turn-based system but with small updates like adjustable speed and auto-battle, so it doesn’t feel stuck in the past. The soundtrack ties it all together with that same timeless vibe DRAGON QUEST fans already know.
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated (Tolkien Illustrated Editions)
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition feels like more than just a regular hardcover. At $30.07 it is a big drop from the usual $90 which makes it a sound deal. What really sets this edition apart are the illustrations with Tolkien’s own drawings maps and sketches included throughout. The full text is printed in red and black ink and there are details like sprayed edges and a ribbon bookmark that make it feel more like a collector’s item.
Suikoden I & II HD Remastered (Switch)
Suikoden I & II HD Remastered at $48.31 for the Day One Edition is an essential pickup for JRPG fans. The updated pixel art looks sharp without losing the original style and the new environmental sounds add a little more atmosphere as you move through towns and dungeons. Fattle fast forward and auto-save features make revisiting these games more modern and easier to play in shorter sessions.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Amazon has had its time selling us cheaper video games and hardware during Prime Day last week, and now it's PlayStation’s turn with the launch of the PS Direct Summer Sale ‘25.
Live right now at PlayStation Direct until July 29, the Summer Sale is cutting up to 60% off select games, PS5 consoles, and bundles.
Price drops on the PS5 Pro have not been included this time around, but this is the perfect time to grab a reduced PS5 Slim and jump into this console generation if you haven’t already.
If you have, you can simply sift through the deals on physical PS5 games below and tick some off your ‘need to buy’ backlog.
PS5 Console Deals for Summer Sale 2025
There’s quite a variety of PS5 console SKUs you can buy, depending on what you’re after, but the Digital Edition PS5 Slim is the highlight at £90 off its price at £339.99 from £429.99.
Then, with two years of PS Plus Premium valued at £239.98 (£119.99 for each 12 months), you’re essentially getting the PS5 Slim with disc drive for only £395.01 — an added saving of £39.98 compared to the standard SKU above, whilst giving you access to PS Plus Premium's full catalogue of over 700 PS5, PS5, PS4, PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP games.
Physical PS5 Game Deals for Summer Sale 2025
Speaking of games, the PlayStation Direct Summer Sale has quite a few gems on offer. While some of these deals bring them more in line with price tags at other retailers, others are unique bargains you won’t find elsewhere.
For example, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has been reduced to £25.99 from £44.99, whereas the cheapest elsewhere is Amazon for a much higher £34.95.
The very fun Stellar Blade, new physical copies still going for around £59.99 at most major UK retailers like Argos and Currys, had been cut to £51.99 at PS Direct.
Another standout is the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for only £17.99, which is almost £8 cheaper than at Amazon. Containing both Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy, that’s a great deal for two PS5 ports of some solid PS4-era adventures.
Take a look through the full catalogue containing everything in the sale I laid out above and see if anything takes your fancy. Although this sale’s going on until the 29th, some games in the sale — like The Last of Us Part 1, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure — all dropped to their lowest prices, have sold out already.
We’re assuming any consoles or games that sell out won’t be restocked until after it ends, so I’d recommend grabbing any of the best deals now if you’re considering them.
That said, we'll still be going back to the PlayStation Direct Sale page each day to check if any out of stock games or consoles have been restocked, and we'll update this article accordingly if they do end up being re-added.
One of the biggest web series in the world is making the jump to comics, as Oni Press reveals a new Murder Drones graphic novel. The comic, which debuts on Kickstarter in September 2025 and in comic shops in February 2026, will adapt the first season of the hit animated series.
Murder Drones is a collaboration between Oni and animation Studio Glitch Productions. The graphic novel is written by Wyatt Kennedy (Nights, Marvel United) and drawn by Jo Mi-Gyeong (Eve, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), with cover art by Alessio Zonno (I Heart Skullcrusher!).
Murder Drones was created by writer/director Liam Vickers and produced by Glitch co-founders Kevin & Luke Lerdwichagul. The series ran from 2021 to 2024 and earned two Webby Awards for Best Animated Video. Here's the official description for the graphic novel:
From the twisted mind of creator Liam Vickers and Glitch Productions comes a heart warming story of “destroy all humans. In the far future, a natural disaster has flash-frozen humanity’s remote mining exoplanet, Copper 9. Only now the “worker drones” – built by humanity and eventually outlived by them – have to rebuild society from the frozen ashes... An endeavor complicated by the appearance of “disassembly drones,” vampiric robot counterparts hell-bent on wiping mechanical life from the planet and an unsettling virus known as the "Absolute Solver.”
"The team at Glitch Productions are fiercely independent and deeply creative, and what they've built is wildly inspiring to witness. It's an honor for Oni to be welcomed into their fold to help expand Glitch's footprint into the world of comic book storytelling for the first time," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson in a statement. "From Invader Zim to Rick and Morty to Cult of the Lamb, Oni Press has always been at the forefront of bringing cutting-edge properties at the forefront of pop culture to comics in daring new ways, and Murder Drones is the perfect next extension of that tradition. Whether you're already a dedicated fan or set to experience these characters for the first time in comics form, we can't wait to share what Wyatt Kennedy and Jo Mi-Gyeong – two wildly talented creators in their own right – are bringing to this darkly fascinating and instantly engrossing mythology."
Murder Drones fans can visit the pre-launch page for the Kickstarter campaign to be notified when the campaign goes live in September. Glitch is also hosting a Comic-Con panel on Friday July 25 from 6 to 7 PM PT in Room 6A.
About midway through the new I Know What You Did Last Summer, survivor of past hook-handed murder sprees and former teen with a guilty conscious Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.) responds to a new rash of deaths in his coastal hometown: “There’s a lot of similarities to 1997.” Well, yeah. We all know why we’re here, and why a now gray-bearded Prinze is once more playing Ray in this kinda sequel to/kinda reboot of the first I Know What You Did Last Summer: To see if there are any new frights (and any lingering goodwill) to be squeezed from a slasherfied take on Lois Duncan’s YA bestseller about the consequences of covering up vehicular manslaughter. And while Ray is right – this movie does share a lot of similarities with its predecessor – it’s not quite enough to make it a horror classic on its own.
The cast is a cross-generational mix of notable up-and-comers (Outer Banks’ Madelyn Cline, The Studio’s Chase Sui Wonders) and returning favorites (Prinze, Jennifer Love Hewitt ), but the plot is more or less the same: An unknown assailant starts picking off a group of young adults one by one a year after they hid their involvement in a violent death. Normally, the identity of the killer – fashioned after a one-handed urban-legend boogeyman who’s haunted amorous youngsters for decades – would be I Know What You Did Last Summer’s central mystery. But co-writers Sam Lansky and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (the latter pulling double duty as director) barely have any time for that, convinced as they are that their movie must tie all of its threads back to the Southport massacre of ’97 film whether it truly makes sense to do so or not. The things that happen in I Know What You Did Last Summer happen because something must continuously move the plot forward, not due to any sense of internal logic.
Even the fun nods to the modern day, meant to set this movie somewhat apart from its predecessor, feel ho-hum. Characters reference a couple of online memes. Model/musician Gabbriette shows up as the host of a murder podcast. Hewitt’s recovering final girl Julie James is saddled with defining “trauma” in a scene that, assuming it hasn’t made your eyes roll right out of their sockets, could be read as a parody of Jamie Lee Curtis’ press tour for 2018’s Halloween.
That said, every now and then there are moments of true inspiration that pop amid the overriding paint-by-numbers feeling. Many of them involve Cline, who capably inherits the mantle of I Know What You Did Last Summer prom queen from Sarah Michelle Gellar. An early scene gives us the memorable image of her character soaking in a bathtub with a blood-red bath bomb, and one dream sequence involving another beloved character had me howling in the theater.
It made me wish that there was more of that wink-wink goofiness, more nods to I Know What You Did Last Summer’s rebooquel nature and the inherently silly sea of horror-movie staples waded through by Cline and her co-stars. After all, there’s really only so much self-seriousness a movie about a killer fisherman can conjure. At this endlessly self-referential point in modern pop culture, where the things we loved when we were young are resurrected for our entertainment in forms identical and strange, even a little acknowledgement of what the whole project is all about is nice.
Today's a big day for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, as Donkey Kong Bananza reviews are finally dropping (and we gave it a glowing 10/10!). If you've already picked up the game to play tomorrow and are searching for some good Switch 2 deals to take advantage of next, we're here to help. Here, we've gathered up some of the best Switch 2 deals that have crossed our radar lately. These range from sturdy carrying cases to keep your new Switch stored in, to screen protectors and a selection of accessories to stock up on.
If you're in the Switch shopping mood, now is a good time to pick up some of these items with great discounts available. Have a look through the latest Switch 2 deals we could find below.
TL;DR - The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Deals
Nintendo Switch 2 Invites Are Being Sent Out by Amazon
Before we get into the deals, it's worth pointing out that you cannot simply just add a console to your shopping cart at Amazon. If you want to buy a console from the retailer, you'll need to request an invite first. The good news is that Amazon has started opening up invite requests for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle. While it's unclear when these invites will be sent out or what the stock situation is, we at least know that invites are now available. For more updates on stock and availability, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 buying guide.
Save on the SanDisk 512GB GamePLAY microSD Express Card
Walmart does have a 512GB onn microSDXC Express Card that's slightly cheaper, but it's been out of stock for a little while now. This makes the SanDisk option the best pick to go for at the moment. Walmart also has a 256GB onn micro SDXC Express Card available for $35.77, if you'd prefer a smaller amount of storage.
Switch 2 Carrying Case Deals
If you're planning on taking your Switch 2 out on any trips or adventures you have planned this summer, a carrying case is a very wise investment. Thankfully, there are plenty of great deals to check out right now on a variety of different case styles, whether you want something slimmer or with a very sturdy build. We're particularly fond of the tomtoc slim carrying case, which is discounted right now.
Best Switch 2 Screen Protector Deals
Once you've picked up your new Switch 2, it's important to find some extra protection for it. Screen protectors are a worthy investment and, thankfully, there are plenty of deals available right now. Even though these items are usually pretty affordable on their own, the discounts are a nice little treat to take advantage of while they're available.
Switch 2 Accessory Deals
If you've picked up your Switch 2 console and are now on the hunt for some accessories, there are a few deals worth checking out right now. From thumb grips to a protective case that can be wrapped around your Switch 2 in handheld mode, we've included some of our favorite deals above that are available at the moment.
Best Switch 2 Power Bank Deals
And lastly in our list of Nintendo Switch 2 deals for right now, you'll want to make sure you've got plenty of power to keep you going once you start playing on your new console. If you've been looking for a new power bank to have for when you're on-the-go, we've included a few great deals above that are worth checking out.
Where to Buy Official Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories
If official Nintendo Switch 2 accessories have been on your radar, we've included where you can buy those as well. Some of these have been going out of stock quick, though, so if something that catches your eye is still in stock you'll want to be quick to scoop it up while it's still available.
Where to Buy Nintendo Switch 2 Games
Most importantly: the games. If you're looking to fill up your Switch 2 library with some brand new games, or Nintendo Switch 2 editions of your favorites, we've included a wide variety of Switch 2 games that are available to preorder or buy above. Again, be quick to grab your favorites while they're still in stock.
Where to Buy Nintendo Switch 2
As mentioned before, if you've been hoping to buy the Nintendo Switch 2, the biggest news recently is that Amazon has put up listings for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle with a "Request Invite" button. You'll need to obtain an invite from Amazon before you can purchase one, so submit a request if you're looking to buy. And, as always, keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch 2 buying guide for more updates on restocks and availability.
Even more Switch 2 deals are sure to pop up in the weeks to come. We'll make sure to update this when more noteworthy discounts appear.
In the meantime, if you're curious to see what's on offer for other consoles, have a look at our roundups of the best PS5 and Xbox deals.
We also have an overall roundup of the best video game deals that highlights our favorite discounts at the moment that we've found across each platform, including PC.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
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