Resident Evil Requiem Mercenaries Rumors Heat Up After Alleged Leak

Resident Evil Requiem fans believe next month’s mysterious content update will add a new version of the franchise’s The Mercenaries mode after an alleged datamine leak revealed tense new music.

The already strong rumors that Capcom would soon reanimate its classic arcade offering started to hold more weight for players after X/Twitter user @MasyaSYRKOV said they uncovered previously unheard tunes while “digging” through the game’s files. The 10 tracks shared don’t seem to be associated with any specific kind of naming convention, but a few key details have players thinking it could be our first taste of a new Mercenaries mode for the ninth mainline entry in the survival horror series.

Resident Evil Requiem has its fair share of intense moments, but allegedly datamined tracks like Track 7 and 9 lean a bit harder into the high-octane sounds one might expect from The Mercenaries. The real nail in the coffin, though, is Tracks 3 and 4, which are backed by a constant ticking noise, suggesting they could be tied to the kind of time-based events the mode is known for.

Where past core Resident Evil experiences primarily focused on delivering undead action structured around a thrilling story, Mercenaries plops players into arenas for an arcade-style shooting gallery that often comes with time limits, special abilities, and more. The mode is also known for featuring a variety of playable characters, with the Resident Evil 4 remake incarnation, for example, allowing players to tap in not only as Leon S. Kennedy or Ada Wong but also villain characters, such as Jack Krauser and Albert Wesker, too.

There’s no telling if we’ll see the supposedly leaked tracks eventually make their way into Resident Evil Requiem, but fans have at least some reasons to expect that The Mercenaries or an equivalent mode will be available in the near future. Capcom announced in March that a series of post-launch additions were in development with plans to arrive in the coming months.

One of the add-ons included a "mini-game" set to launch in May. Players already suspected this same mini-game could be a Mercenaries mode, so today’s news has only added fuel to the fire. However, it's worth noting that Capcom has confirmed little about what the future of Resident Evil Requiem looks like, so it's best not to expect much from the post-launch plans until a more official announcement arrives.

The lack of official confirmation hasn't stopped some from spinning theories regarding which characters a Resident Evil Requiem Mercenaries mode could include. Leon, of course, makes the most sense, with others hoping to step into the shoes of Grace Ashcroft and maybe even the imposing Victor Gideon, too. The mysterious Zeno is another face players are hoping to see return, as it could present an opportunity to see more of what the character is capable of.

Resident Evil Requiem launched February 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. We gave it a 9/10 review, saying at the time that it "successfully splices two separate strains of survival horror together into the one highly infectious new mutation." For more on Capcom’s latest, you can read about the mod videos the publisher recently had removed.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer 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).

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Pickmos Publisher Pulls Steam Page Following Pokémon Rip-Off Accusations

Pokémon fans have spent weeks accusing Pickmos of being a rip-off, and now, publisher Networkgo has stepped in, starting by taking down its Steam page.

The company backing developer PocketGame took to the official Pickmos X/Twitter account to clear the air after players noticed that its Steam page was nowhere to be found. Its message was clear: "Networkgo has officially intervened in the development of PocketGame."

Networkgo says it will be "supervising" the development of Pickmos “from a player’s perspective.” The goal, as outlined in a follow-up post, is to steer away from the controversy that has plagued most conversations about the game regarding its clear Pokémon influence for the last month.

Hello players, this is the publisher, Networkgo. We’ve heard your feedback regarding the removal of our Steam store page and want to clear things up. Networkgo has officially intervened in the development of PocketGame.
We will be supervising the Pickmos team from a player’s… pic.twitter.com/ckqt4AEYUj

— Pickmos / Pickmon / ピックモス (@PickMon_EN) April 16, 2026

"We are revising the game to ensure a controversy-free experience," one message from the Pickmos account said. "It will be re-released once our publisher gives the final approval."

Conversation around Pickmos picked up in early March when players began to call out developer PocketGame not only for how it has pulled from Pokémon but also from other games, such as The Legend of Zelda, Overwatch, and even Palworld, too. Its initial reveal, which saw it announced with the name Pickmon before dropping its "N" for an "S," included plans to launch for PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch soon. With its Steam page now, at least temporarily, shuttered, it’s unclear when or where Pickmos will arrive, or what it will even look like.

Meanwhile, Pickmos has also been under fire for what many believe is "stolen art." The design in question involves a piece created by X user @ElpsyFake01, which depicted concept art for an alternate Mega evolution for the Pokémon Meganium.

"Hello, I am an editor from the publisher, and we are currently gathering some information," Networkgo said regarding the allegations. "We will be actively reaching out to @ElpsyFake01."

For now, there is no word on how Pickmos will evolve to dodge any future controversy. For more on creature-collecting in video games, you can read about Nintendo's recently rejected Pokémon patent.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer 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).

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Slay the Spire 2 Review-Bombing

Recent Slay the Spire 2 Steam reviews have fallen to "Mixed" after a new update triggered a second wave of review bombing.

The sequel to developer Mega Crit's popular roguelike deckbuilder, which launched in Early Access to "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews March 5, received its first major update (version 0.103.2) yesterday. It’s a patch that introduced updated art, a range of UI and UX adjustments, tweaked writing for clarity, and more, but not everyone is pleased with the host of balance changes it added.

It’s resulted in an influx of negative reviews and, at least temporarily, left Slay the Spire 2 with the mustard-yellow Mixed recent reviews label. Unfortunately, it also appears to be something Mega Crit expected, with its patch notes beginning with a warning in bold: "This is still an Early Access game, so just because something made it from beta to main does not mean it's set in stone."

"Be sure to pay close attention when embarking on your next few runs: many things that you've grown used to have been re-balanced, reworked, or even removed (in a couple rare cases)," the Slay the Spire 2 patch notes added. "However, quite a few new pieces of content have also been added for you to dig into."

At the time of this piece’s publication, a whopping 4,800 negative reviews have been posted today alone. Steam filters show that users sharing reviews in Simplified Chinese have fallen to Mixed, with most other languages reflecting a "Very Positive" or "Overwhelmingly Positive" reception.

Running many of the more popular reviews through Google Translate reveals that players appear to be disappointed in balance changes. Some have suggested Mega Crit hastily pushed out the version 0.103.2 update without consideration for fans.

"This is no longer the Early Access title I supported financially," one user, who translated their own review, said when requesting a refund. "This is a hostile, gutted shell of what was promised. I am genuinely nauseated by every minute I have spent with this build of the game."

As you may have noticed in the graph above, this is the second time Slay the Spire 2 has faced some level of review-bombing. The first instance happened following an earlier update in March, with many of the negative reviews posted in its wake also criticizing balance changes. As pointed out by Kotaku, Steam users in China will often take to review-bombing as a result of restrictions on social media across the country. Valve’s digital storefront in turn offers a place for players to voice their frustrations.

Some users have also started leaving positive reviews not only to share their appreciation for Mega Crit’s work but to speak out against the flood of negative reviews.

"Why are we review bombing the game????" one user said during the first wave of review-bombing in March. "The balance patch is not that bad, the game is still fun, the game is in early access and you should expect many balance changes, and THE PATCH ISN'T EVEN ON THE MAIN BRANCH ITS ON THE BETA FOR TESTING. You should ignore all the recent negative reviews complaining about the balance patch."

As Slay the Spire 2 faces a string of negative reviews, player numbers on Steam seem to be holding strong. After launching to a staggering peak of 574,000 concurrent players early last month, the sequel currently has a 24-hour peak of 286,000 players (via SteamDB).

We gave Slay the Spire 2 a 9/10 review upon the arrival of its Early Access release. We said at the time that it "doesn't radically rethink the original's deckbuilding roguelike successes, but it does build on top of them in a way that reinvigorates its captivating gameplay."

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer 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).

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Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Remake Reportedly Set for July Release

In March, Ubisoft released the first piece of concept art for Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, confirming the existence of the remake of the beloved pirate installment of the series, and today we have a release date, July 9. The date was reported by Insider Gaming but hasn't been confirmed by Ubisoft as yet.

In a (now deleted) March blog post from Ubisoft's Jean Guesdon, Head of Content did hint at the rumors of the remake. "Speculation around Assassin's Creed is not new, but it's worth repeating: "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted." Well, except in this case, some whispers have a little more wind in their sails. Keep your spyglass on the horizon. 🦜"

The project's official name, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, was seen in December, when it popped up via a European PEGI ratings board listing. That sighting followed a few hints from the original game's lead actor.

"Players can be excited about some remakes,” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said in June 2024, “which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them; there are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich.”

Rachel Weber is the Head of Editorial Development at IGN and an elder millennial. She's been a professional nerd since 2006 when she got her start on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK, and has since worked for GamesIndustry.Biz, Rolling Stone and GamesRadar. She loves horror, horror movies, horror games, Red Dead Redemption 2, and her Love and Deepspace boyfriends.

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Disney Lorcana TCG: Collection Starter Set - Stitch Edition Has One of the Coolest Cards and It's Also Great for Beginners

If you are new to Disney Lorcana, are looking to learn more and build your collection, or simply want one of the coolest cards I've seen yet from the trading card game, I strongly recommend this Disney Lorcana TCG: Collection Starter Set - Stitch Edition after getting my hands on it earlier this month.

This Stitch-themed starter set is part of the larger Winterspell expansion that was recently released, and it comes complete with a Stitch - Rock Star card portfolio, four Winterspell booster packs, a very handy collector's guide, and a "Glimmer Foil" Stitch - Carefree Snowboarder Promo Card.

I want to start with the card because it is GORGEOUS. Not only does it feature some amazing art from Federico Maria Cugliari of Stitch having the time of his life snowboarding, but it is all gold and shimmers with the colors of the rainbow in the proper light.

It has become a new showpiece in my collection, and it really stands out from the other cards in a way that makes it feel special and rare. It's also just a great decision by the Lorcana team as Stitch is more popular than ever these days with his box-office smash hit live-action film and a sequel on the way.

The Stitch card also looks great in the Stitch - Rock Star card portfolio, which can hold up to 80 cards and keeps them safe and secure.

Speaking of the cards, the set comes with four Winterspell booster packs. I didn't have the greatest luck, but I did manage to snag a Legendary Tod - Knows All the Tricks from The Fox and the Hound and a Rare 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,' which we were able to exclusively reveal prior to the launch of Winterspell.

All in all, the four booster packs contained 48 cards, 25 of which were common (52.08%). 14 were Uncommon (29.16%), eight were Rare (16.66%), one was Legendary (2.08%), and four of them were Holo cards (8.33%).

In addition to everything else, this starter set includes a small Collector's Guide. Sure, you could find all this info online, but it's nice to have this small card-sized booklet that breaks down what you need to know about Disney Lorcana.

This guide helps you understand each part of a card, how to build your collection and keep it safe, what the rarity levels are, how you can see all your cards in a digital library, and more.

Overall, I highly recommend this Starter Set. At a $30 MSRP, it's roughly $5-$6 more than buying a booster pack on its own. That means, instead of one more pack, you can guarantee a really great Stitch card, a card portfolio to match, and a bit of info on how to become a better player/collector.

There is so much more planned for Lorcana this year, including the upcoming Wilds Unknown set that will introduce Pixar, Toy Story, and The Incredibles into the TCG for the first time ever.

For more, check out our impressions of Winterspell's Illuminier's Trove, the top chase cards for Winterspell and Fabled and what else to expect from Lorcana in 2026.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst, Instagram, and TikTok, and listen to his show, Talking Disney Magic.

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Metro 2039 First Look Reveal Roundup

Publisher Deep Silver and developer 4A Games have brought a light up to Metro 2039 as part of an Xbox First showcase, revealing a first look at gameplay and a winter 2026 release window.

Where 2019’s Metro Exodus saw protagonist Artyom leave his life underground behind, the next game in the first-person survival shooter series features a new lead called The Stranger as they dig deeper into the Moscow Metro. These details and more were revealed during the 15-minute presentation, as Microsoft teamed up with the studio to show players a new, story-driven single-player entry for the franchise in seven years.

During the Xbox First Look, the debut trailer for Metro 2039 was revealed, which features our new main character as they endure a psychological battle in a radioactive wasteland. As chains wrap around them and pull them into darkness, we see them encountering supernatural elements that include a nuclear explosion, creepy ghost children, and the return of the Dark Ones.

The Metro video game franchise is based on a series of books written by Dmitry Glukhovsky and encompasses Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, Metro Exodus, a VR spinoff titled Metro Awakening, and, soon, Metro 2039. After more than 16 years in gamers’ hands, 4A is looking to keep the radioactive tunnels of its post-apocalyptic world looking grittier than ever thanks to the use of its 4A Engine.

“Metro 2039 takes you to the dark heart of the Moscow Metro, where the last survivors of the nuclear apocalypse struggle to exist in the tunnels and subways of the ruined city,” co-creative director and lead audio designer Pavel Ulmer said regarding the game’s story. “Hope is lost. The future looks bleak, if there is one.”

Creative director Andriy ‘mLs’ Shevchenko shared more about the plot: “The underground factions and station communities have all been united under one banner, the Novoreich, led by a new Führer, the legendary Spartan, Hunter. Führer promises a new life for the people, up on the surface. In reality, they are trapped down in the Metro, flooded with propaganda, misinformation, and fear. The people suffer under his authoritarian regime and the brutal belief if it’s hostile, you kill it.”

The story of Metro 2039 is said to feature a “much darker tone this time around,” with the Xbox First Look stream putting a spotlight on 4A and the conditions that have surrounded the development of the new game. Executive Producer Jon Bloch said that everything the team had planned for Metro changed in 2020 and again in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Shevchenko added that the events of the last few years have shaped Metro 2039 into something new, resulting in a handcrafted story told from a Ukrainian perspective. Additionally, its narrative was crafted in collaboration with Glukhovsky, who is living in exile from Russia for criticizing the government and its invasion of Ukraine.

“We will push through no matter what,” Ulmer added. “Getting electricity from generators or batteries. Power outages or sheltering from rocket and drone attacks are interrupting, but not stopping us from making what we deeply believe, what we do best. Of course, taking care of the family is the biggest priority. Sometimes you just put your head down and focus on work, but it’s each other’s support that keeps you running.”

The First Look wrapped up with a sneak peek at a video featuring a mix of gameplay and cinematics. It’s footage that fans will find familiar, as we see The Stranger exploring tight spaces before coming into contact with one of the series’ many mutated creatures.

Metro 2039 launches this winter for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. While we wait for more updates, you can read our 8.5/10 Metro Exodus review. At the time of its launch, we said that it “brings its survival horror to the surface without sacrificing any of the series’ signature tension.”

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer 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).

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Starfield Nintendo Switch 2 Spotted

A version of Starfield for Nintendo Switch 2 has been leaked by the Taiwan ratings board, suggesting Bethesda's space RPG will land on the console.

As spotted by Universonintendo, the listing shows a Switch 2 version of the game being approved for release just this week, though there's no mention yet of a formal release date.

Starfield just touched down on PlayStation 5, nearly three years after its original arrival on PC and Xbox Series X/S. Billed as the next big franchise from the makers of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, the space-based role-player has received a more muted response.

Bethesda has since launched various updates to add fan-requested features, though recently played down the game's latest big update as not being a "2.0" version of the game. "I think it’s the kind of thing where if you love Starfield, we think you’re going to love this," Bethesda development chief Todd Howard said last month. "It’s updates and things that change the game, not in an isolated way, but sort of meta."

Recent months have brought rumors of a Switch 2 version being in the works — though Bethesda itself has not confirmed anything publicly. With technical issues currently affecting players on PS5, Bethesda will likely want to ensure that whenever Starfield does finally hit Switch 2, everything is running smoothly.

Of course, Microsoft has published various other former console exclusives on Switch previously — such as Grounded and Pentiment. Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches on Switch 2 next month, while Oblivion Remastered is also set for release later this year.

Back in 2023, Howard discussed the benefits of Starfield being an Xbox exclusive at the time, namechecking the brand association Nintendo enjoys with its first-party games. "I do also think people attach brands to certain games," he said. "When you think of Zelda you think of the Switch and I think there are times when that can be a real benefit."

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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