Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza – Is This an Open-World Game or a Minigame Collection in Disguise?
Let’s be real—Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza isn’t fooling anyone. On the surface, it looks like a grand open-world adventure, but deep down, it’s a chaotic mix of minigames disguised as an RPG. You can engage in pirate ship battles, build your own hideout, and partake in what seems like an infinite loop of quirky side content. While it’s all entertaining, does it actually serve the story, or is it just an elaborate playground for minigame enthusiasts?
The Like a Dragon series has always leaned into absurdity, and this installment is no different. The game packs in an overwhelming variety of side activities—some of them hilariously out of place, others surprisingly engaging. But at what point does an open-world game stop feeling like an actual cohesive world and start feeling like a collection of disjointed activities? If you’re expecting a focused narrative with streamlined mechanics, you might find yourself lost in the sheer amount of distractions. But if you enjoy the signature over-the-top weirdness that the Like a Dragon series thrives on, this might just be the chaotic pirate fantasy you didn’t know you needed.
Warframe’s Techrot Encore Update Brings Big Changes on March 19
Warframe has always thrived on evolving gameplay, and the upcoming Techrot Encore update, set to launch on March 19, is no exception. This update promises new Warframes, expanded enemy factions, and fresh mechanics that will shake up the game’s meta.
Techrot Encore is one of Warframe’s biggest updates in recent memory, and veteran players are eagerly waiting to see how it shakes up the power balance. The introduction of new Warframes always shifts the meta, and Digital Extremes is known for keeping things fresh with frequent reworks and additions. But the real question is: Will Techrot Encore be the update that revitalizes Warframe’s endgame, or is it another content drop that will keep players entertained for a few weeks before they move on?
The community is also hoping for some quality-of-life improvements alongside the new content. Warframe’s gameplay loop is already packed with fast-paced combat, complex progression systems, and a wealth of customization options, but it’s also notorious for being overwhelming for newcomers. If Digital Extremes can strike the right balance between challenge and accessibility, Techrot Encore could be a game-changer.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reinvents the Progression System with Mastery Trees and Abilities
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is promising something different. The introduction of a new progression system featuring mastery trees and refined abilities might be exactly what the franchise needs to keep things fresh.
In recent years, Assassin’s Creed has undergone a major transformation, shifting from traditional stealth gameplay to a full-blown RPG format. While some fans have embraced the change, others have felt that the series has strayed too far from its roots. Ubisoft is attempting to refine this formula by introducing mastery trees—allowing players to specialize in different combat and stealth abilities based on their preferred playstyle.
This could be a step in the right direction, but there’s always the lingering concern that Ubisoft might overcomplicate things. The progression system in Odyssey and Valhalla had its share of flaws, often making character growth feel more like a numbers game than a rewarding experience. If Shadows can strike the right balance between meaningful customization and engaging progression, it could be one of the strongest Assassin’s Creed entries in years.
A Fake Company Stole an Indie Horror Game—And Actually Sold It
This one’s infuriating. Steelkrill, an indie horror developer, recently had their latest game stolen by a fake company that turned around and sold it as their own. If that wasn’t bad enough, the game made it onto actual storefronts before the fraud was caught.
The rise of digital marketplaces has been a blessing and a curse for indie developers. On one hand, it’s easier than ever for small studios to publish their games. On the other hand, it’s also easier for bad actors to exploit the system. The fact that this stolen game was able to be listed and sold before the fraud was uncovered is deeply concerning. It raises major questions about how storefronts vet the games they allow on their platforms.
For Steelkrill, this is a nightmare scenario—years of work, stolen in an instant, and sold for profit by someone else. Even though the fraud has been exposed, the damage is done. How many players unknowingly bought the stolen version? Will Steelkrill get proper compensation? And more importantly, what’s stopping this from happening again? Until digital storefronts implement stricter security measures, indie developers will remain vulnerable to exploitation.
Space Marine 2 Devs Apologize and Promise the Game Won’t Become a Live-Service Title
Live-service fatigue is real, and fans of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 were understandably worried when rumors started swirling about the game heading in that direction. Fortunately, the developers quickly shut that down, apologizing for any confusion and assuring players that Space Marine 2 will remain a traditional experience with no live-service nonsense.
In today’s gaming landscape, live-service elements have become a controversial topic. Many major franchises have attempted to incorporate them, only to face massive backlash from players. Space Marine 2’s developers seem to have learned from these mistakes, recognizing that their fanbase isn’t interested in battle passes, seasonal content, or endless microtransactions.
It’s a refreshing stance, but the real test will come post-launch. Many developers have promised “no live-service” elements, only to introduce them months later. Will Space Marine 2 truly remain a classic single-player experience, or will it eventually fall into the same monetization trap that so many others have? For now, fans are cautiously optimistic—but only time will tell if the devs stick to their word.
