A Final Fantasy apart

Resonance takes up the story of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, a mobile game that has since shut down, and turns it into a full turn-based RPG. The HD-2D style blends pixel art characters with three-dimensional environments, in the vein of Octopath Traveler. According to early feedback, the mobile game's business model (paid character pulls) is gone from this version, although some online stores still list in-app purchases: it's best to check the game's store page before buying.

Platforms and price

The game came out on the same day on:

• PlayStation 5;
• Xbox Series X|S;
• PC (Steam and Microsoft Store);
• Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

The announced price is $49.99 in the United States, with a Digital Deluxe edition at $59.99 and a collector's edition at $209.99 according to Insider Gaming. Euro prices may vary from store to store.

What the press says

Early tallies put the average at around 85 on Metacritic, across several dozen reviews. Sources don't fully agree: we've seen 88 for the PC version, 85 for PS5 and 82 for Switch 2. These figures change as more reviews come in.

The most praised aspects are the combat system, the soundtrack and the art direction. Japanese magazine Famitsu reportedly gave it a 36 out of 40. On the critical side, some reviewers regret a game that leans heavily on genre conventions without taking enough risks.

What to know before diving in

• No need to have played Brave Exvius: the game presents itself as an accessible entry point.
• Fans of classic RPGs will find a measured pace, with turn-based combat.
• October is still busy: see our October release calendar so you don't miss anything before GTA VI arrives.

An imagined Korean war

Announced on May 28, 2026, Infinity Ward's game takes place in Korea. The story depicts a large-scale invasion launched by North Korea and follows a squad of young South Korean soldiers. The campaign also stops in New York, Paris and Mumbai. The game offers three main modes: campaign, multiplayer and DMZ.

Platforms: farewell PS4 and Xbox One

Modern Warfare 4 comes out on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. However, it skips the previous-generation consoles, PS4 and Xbox One. Find it in our October release calendar.

An unusual Steam reception

Buyers of the editions that granted early access to the campaign were able to play it on PC before the general release. Figures reported by the gaming press vary depending on the date: around 87%, then 92% positive reviews, out of more than 3,400 ratings. TechSpot and Insider Gaming see it as the best result for a Call of Duty on Steam in more than ten years, ahead of Black Ops III (84.3%). Windows Central notes that players praise a tight and intense campaign.

Key takeaways

• If you mostly play solo, the campaign seems to be the highlight of this edition.
• If you're waiting for multiplayer, hold on a few days: the first large-scale feedback is only just starting.
• With GTA VI on November 19, the launch window is short: see our GTA VI feature.

A surprise launch trailer

The game's third trailer dropped without warning on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Rockstar itself called it the Launch Trailer, a clear sign that development is wrapped up. It features the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, and its big city, Vice City.

Pre-orders, preload and price

• Preload: players who pre-ordered the digital version will be able to download the game a week before release, from November 12.
• Unlock time: Rockstar hasn't given an official time yet. Digital stores show midnight, local time, which could therefore vary from one country to another.
• Price: the prices reported by the US gaming press are $79.99 for the Standard edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate edition. Euro prices are yet to be confirmed and depend on the retailer.

What about the PC version?

That's the big no-show. No PC release date has been announced. An unconfirmed rumor, based on comments from former employees, suggests it could arrive before April 2027. Just like with GTA V back in the day, PC players will have to be patient.

The calendar clears out around November 19

The GTA effect is being felt across the whole industry: according to the site Shattered, several publishers have chosen to move their own releases away from the fateful date. Nobody wants to go head-to-head with Rockstar's juggernaut.

Our take

Thirteen years after GTA V, expectations are huge and everything seems ready. The real suspense now lies in the quality of the console versions at launch and in the date of the PC version. See you on November 19… and until then, how about a quick trip through the galaxy of Orbital to pass the time?

The sales figures

• 23.68 million Switch 2 units sold worldwide as of June 30, 2026, according to Nintendo's latest official figures. Enough to beat the GameCube's lifetime total.
• 3.82 million units shipped from April to June 2026, a quarter down 34.4% year on year, which makes sense after the launch effect.
• 16.5 million: that's Nintendo's target for its fiscal year ending in late March 2027.

In Japan, the console still dominates Famitsu's weekly charts: 22,420 units sold in the week of October 5 to 11, then 21,854 in the week ending October 18, topping hardware sales each time.

Minecraft moves to Switch 2 on October 27

Mojang has confirmed it: Minecraft arrives in a native version on Switch 2 on October 27, 2026.

• Graphics: the “Vibrant Visuals” mode (improved lighting, reflections and shadows) is turned on by default. However, it isn't available in split screen or with some Marketplace worlds.
• Saves: worlds from the Switch version can be transferred.
• Free upgrade: owners of the digital Switch version can get the standard Switch 2 edition for free until January 31, 2027. The Deluxe and Ultimate editions still cost money, at a reduced price.
• Mario: the Super Mario Mash-Up pack is updated for the occasion.

And right now on the eShop

Nintendo has launched its Halloween sale on Switch 2 and Switch. It's the perfect time to grow your game library before the wave of year-end releases.

Our take

The Switch 2 no longer has the frantic pace of its early days, but it's settling in for the long haul. The day-one arrival of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Minecraft's native version show that major publishers now take it very seriously.

A new “mainline” Sonic in the works

This is the news that got fans talking at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2026. In an interview with the Japanese site 4Gamer, Takashi Iizuka, the series' longtime producer at Sonic Team, confirmed that a new game in the main series is in development.

No title, platforms or date for now. Iizuka does, however, promise a new way to play, with changes affecting the characters, the story and the gameplay systems. He cites as examples the Color Powers of Sonic Colors and the “open zone” structure of Sonic Frontiers, whose potential has apparently not yet been fully tapped.

The producer also recalled that at the series' lowest point, SEGA's management had considered shutting down the franchise altogether, before the 2020 movie turned everything around.

Sonic Pico Park, on November 12

More concretely: Sonic Pico Park launches on November 12, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch and PC (Steam). Developed with TECOPARK, the studio behind the famous Pico Park, it's a co-op puzzle game for 2 to 8 players, locally or online, with cross-play between platforms.

Every character can use Sonic's Spin Dash, and the levels bring back the series' rings, loops and springs. Silver, Blaze, Big, Cream and Cheese are among the playable characters announced.

And also…

• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds begins its “second year” on November 3, with updates and new free characters.
• Nex Playground: SEGA has teamed up with Nex to bring a Sonic game to its motion-sensing family console, planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The BZH Gaming corner

The big release calendar

• October 1: Rayman Legends Retold. The return of Ubisoft's hero in a revisited version of one of his best outings.
• October 6: Gears of War: E-Day (Xbox Series X|S, PC). The prequel from The Coalition, available day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Buyers of the Premium edition had been playing it in early access since October 1.
• October 15: Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. Konami revives its gothic saga, a treat for fans of vampire hunting.
• October 22: Final Fantasy Resonance. Presented by the site Retrogems as the most anticipated game of the month.
• October 23: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2). Activision's yearly release, available day one on Nintendo's console.
• October 27: Minecraft on Switch 2. A native version, with the enhanced “Vibrant Visuals” graphics turned on by default.
• October 29: Phantom Blade Zero. S-Game's ultra-fast-paced action RPG, which has turned heads since its very first videos.

Why such a traffic jam?

The explanation comes down to three letters: GTA. Nobody wants to release a game the same week as the most anticipated sequel of the decade, or in the weeks that follow, when players will be busy roaming Vice City. October has therefore become the last window to stand out before the holiday season.

The BZH Gaming corner