Respec
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Respec.net is a no BS website about video games from games media veterans. Independently owned and operated with pride.
Marvel's Wolverine review (PS5) - high expectations make this simple, but decent game feel like a huge disappointment https://www.respec.net/review/206-marvels-wolverine-review
September 15, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Marvel's Wolverine review (PS5) - high expectations make this simple, but decent game feel like a huge disappointment https://www.respec.net/review/206-marvels-wolverine-review
Honkai: Nexus Anima's Gamescom demo shows off its first bootleg gym leader and even more wild accents. Our hands-on preview: https://www.respec.net/preview/203-honkai-nexus-animas-gamescom-demo-shows-off-its-first-bootleg-gym-leader-even-more-wild-accents
September 14, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Honkai: Nexus Anima's Gamescom demo shows off its first bootleg gym leader and even more wild accents. Our hands-on preview: https://www.respec.net/preview/203-honkai-nexus-animas-gamescom-demo-shows-off-its-first-bootleg-gym-leader-even-more-wild-accents
Hori Arcade Classic Pro announced for Switch 1/2 and Windows 11 featuring multiple modules designed for the Arcade Archives series. Pre-orders are now live: https://www.respec.net/news/205-hori-arcade-classic-pro-controller-nintendo-switch-2-windows-11-track-ball-paddle-lever-preorder-price-japan
September 14, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Hori Arcade Classic Pro announced for Switch 1/2 and Windows 11 featuring multiple modules designed for the Arcade Archives series. Pre-orders are now live: https://www.respec.net/news/205-hori-arcade-classic-pro-controller-nintendo-switch-2-windows-11-track-ball-paddle-lever-preorder-price-japan
Busy week, busy podcast! This week Tom, Alex, Mikhail and Breens discuss Zelda & the Nintendo Direct in-depth, and Xbox's Kojima win. Plus, there's something in Tom's eye...
https://bit.ly/46eycQ9
Over in Patreon episode: TGS prep behind-the-scenes, and movie Tom hated... https://bit.ly/4xiXJm2
https://bit.ly/46eycQ9
Over in Patreon episode: TGS prep behind-the-scenes, and movie Tom hated... https://bit.ly/4xiXJm2
September 11, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Busy week, busy podcast! This week Tom, Alex, Mikhail and Breens discuss Zelda & the Nintendo Direct in-depth, and Xbox's Kojima win. Plus, there's something in Tom's eye...
https://bit.ly/46eycQ9
Over in Patreon episode: TGS prep behind-the-scenes, and movie Tom hated... https://bit.ly/4xiXJm2
https://bit.ly/46eycQ9
Over in Patreon episode: TGS prep behind-the-scenes, and movie Tom hated... https://bit.ly/4xiXJm2
The cosy game fan has logged on! Petit Planet's latest build brings Pokopia-inspired elements to Animal Crossing in space https://www.respec.net/preview/194-petit-planets-latest-build-brings-pokopia-inspired-elements-to-animal-crossing-in-space
September 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The cosy game fan has logged on! Petit Planet's latest build brings Pokopia-inspired elements to Animal Crossing in space https://www.respec.net/preview/194-petit-planets-latest-build-brings-pokopia-inspired-elements-to-animal-crossing-in-space
"I want people to see it as an open-world action adventure" - Final Fantasy VII Revelation's director on moving the game and franchise beyond being "just a JRPG"
https://bit.ly/46AoQyp
https://bit.ly/46AoQyp
September 10, 2026 at 12:05 PM
"I want people to see it as an open-world action adventure" - Final Fantasy VII Revelation's director on moving the game and franchise beyond being "just a JRPG"
https://bit.ly/46AoQyp
https://bit.ly/46AoQyp
Today's Switch 2 system update also adds new options for System Transfer, Virtual Game Cards, Handheld Mode Boost controller support, saving audio settings separately for each connected TV, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/200-switch-2-vrr-support-docked-update-version-23-0-0-system-patch-notes
September 10, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Today's Switch 2 system update also adds new options for System Transfer, Virtual Game Cards, Handheld Mode Boost controller support, saving audio settings separately for each connected TV, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/200-switch-2-vrr-support-docked-update-version-23-0-0-system-patch-notes
Nintendo Switch 2 system update 23.0.0 is now available adding VRR support in docked mode, a Handheld Boost mode toggle from Quick Settings, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/200-switch-2-vrr-support-docked-update-version-23-0-0-system-patch-notes
September 10, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Nintendo Switch 2 system update 23.0.0 is now available adding VRR support in docked mode, a Handheld Boost mode toggle from Quick Settings, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/200-switch-2-vrr-support-docked-update-version-23-0-0-system-patch-notes
Physint, the action-espionage title from Kojima Productions, is now being published by Xbox after Sony wanted to cancel it: https://www.respec.net/news/199-physint-xbox-kojima-new-partnership-collaboration-espionage-action-microsoft-sony
September 10, 2026 at 5:19 AM
Physint, the action-espionage title from Kojima Productions, is now being published by Xbox after Sony wanted to cancel it: https://www.respec.net/news/199-physint-xbox-kojima-new-partnership-collaboration-espionage-action-microsoft-sony
Playdate Season Three begins on October 8. This season features the action RPG Gloom Gate, Root Bear developer's Soggy Froggy, Cross Words by Shaun Inman, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/198-playdate-update-showcase-september-2026-all-news-announcements-trailers-season-three-price-preorder
September 9, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Playdate Season Three begins on October 8. This season features the action RPG Gloom Gate, Root Bear developer's Soggy Froggy, Cross Words by Shaun Inman, and more: https://www.respec.net/news/198-playdate-update-showcase-september-2026-all-news-announcements-trailers-season-three-price-preorder
Everything announced at today's Nintendo Direct with trailers: https://www.respec.net/news/197-nintendo-direct-september-2026-all-news-announcements-trailers
September 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Everything announced at today's Nintendo Direct with trailers: https://www.respec.net/news/197-nintendo-direct-september-2026-all-news-announcements-trailers
Rebecca played Ontos and from the brief demo reckons it's everything you loved about Soma, but minus the monsters and with a lot more wriggly rat walls https://www.respec.net/preview/192-ontos-everything-you-loved-about-soma-but-minus-monsters-with-lot-more-wriggly-rat-walls
September 9, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Rebecca played Ontos and from the brief demo reckons it's everything you loved about Soma, but minus the monsters and with a lot more wriggly rat walls https://www.respec.net/preview/192-ontos-everything-you-loved-about-soma-but-minus-monsters-with-lot-more-wriggly-rat-walls
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 releases on November 5 https://www.respec.net/news/196-the-legend-zelda-ocarina-time-remake-for-switch-2-releases-on-november-5
September 8, 2026 at 2:50 PM
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 releases on November 5 https://www.respec.net/news/196-the-legend-zelda-ocarina-time-remake-for-switch-2-releases-on-november-5
In Stranger than Heaven’s punchy & impactful combat, Alex senses the distant DNA of Streets of Rage. That's brilliant, obviously. His preview, plus comments from its developers:
https://www.respec.net/preview/193-in-stranger-than-heavens-combat-i-sense-distant-dna-streets-rage-thats-brilliant
https://www.respec.net/preview/193-in-stranger-than-heavens-combat-i-sense-distant-dna-streets-rage-thats-brilliant
September 8, 2026 at 11:12 AM
In Stranger than Heaven’s punchy & impactful combat, Alex senses the distant DNA of Streets of Rage. That's brilliant, obviously. His preview, plus comments from its developers:
https://www.respec.net/preview/193-in-stranger-than-heavens-combat-i-sense-distant-dna-streets-rage-thats-brilliant
https://www.respec.net/preview/193-in-stranger-than-heavens-combat-i-sense-distant-dna-streets-rage-thats-brilliant
Guns of Eschaton, a Weird West soulslike, is the final game worked on by Viktor Antonov, the legendary art director behind city designs including Dishonored's Dunwall and Half-Life's City 17 https://www.respec.net/preview/190-can-guns-eschatons-apocalyptic-gunslinging-convert-soulslike-disliker
September 8, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Guns of Eschaton, a Weird West soulslike, is the final game worked on by Viktor Antonov, the legendary art director behind city designs including Dishonored's Dunwall and Half-Life's City 17 https://www.respec.net/preview/190-can-guns-eschatons-apocalyptic-gunslinging-convert-soulslike-disliker
"Really important things, occur and just happen, and time just keeps moving" - sunset visitor's Remy Siu on 1000xResist, diaspora, coffee, and more: https://www.respec.net/interview/188-1000-x-resist-interview-remy-siu-sunset-visitor-new-switch-2-physical-narrative-pandemic-diaspora-coffee-future
September 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
"Really important things, occur and just happen, and time just keeps moving" - sunset visitor's Remy Siu on 1000xResist, diaspora, coffee, and more: https://www.respec.net/interview/188-1000-x-resist-interview-remy-siu-sunset-visitor-new-switch-2-physical-narrative-pandemic-diaspora-coffee-future
Crazy Taxi’s open world is a surprisingly great framework for its manic gameplay, But those gen AI concerns loom large & prove that no matter how fun the thing you've made, the merest whiff of association is toxic:
www.respec.net/preview/185-...
www.respec.net/preview/185-...
September 6, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Crazy Taxi’s open world is a surprisingly great framework for its manic gameplay, But those gen AI concerns loom large & prove that no matter how fun the thing you've made, the merest whiff of association is toxic:
www.respec.net/preview/185-...
www.respec.net/preview/185-...
Crazy Taxi’s open world is a surprisingly great framework for its manic gameplay - even as gen AI concerns loom large
https://www.respec.net/preview/185-crazy-taxis-open-world-surprisingly-great-framework-for-its-manic-gameplay-even-as-gen-ai-concerns-loom-large
https://www.respec.net/preview/185-crazy-taxis-open-world-surprisingly-great-framework-for-its-manic-gameplay-even-as-gen-ai-concerns-loom-large
September 5, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Crazy Taxi’s open world is a surprisingly great framework for its manic gameplay - even as gen AI concerns loom large
https://www.respec.net/preview/185-crazy-taxis-open-world-surprisingly-great-framework-for-its-manic-gameplay-even-as-gen-ai-concerns-loom-large
https://www.respec.net/preview/185-crazy-taxis-open-world-surprisingly-great-framework-for-its-manic-gameplay-even-as-gen-ai-concerns-loom-large
New Blood's excellent immersive sim Fallen Aces gets Steam Deck optimization update, Episode 2 soundtrack release, and SteamOS + Steam Deck startup movie: https://www.respec.net/news/191-fallen-aces-steam-deck-optimization-update-episode-2-soundtrack-download-steam-os-boot-up-movie-patch
September 5, 2026 at 4:36 AM
New Blood's excellent immersive sim Fallen Aces gets Steam Deck optimization update, Episode 2 soundtrack release, and SteamOS + Steam Deck startup movie: https://www.respec.net/news/191-fallen-aces-steam-deck-optimization-update-episode-2-soundtrack-download-steam-os-boot-up-movie-patch
Podcast time! This week: Sony's disappointing State of Play, reviewing Onimusha, Dawnwalker, & Orbitals, plus Kirk's game preview trip that involved a toilet chaperone:
https://www.respec.net/podcast/189-sonys-disappointing-state-play-more-gamescom-games-onimusha-dawnwalker-orbitals-respec-ramblings
https://www.respec.net/podcast/189-sonys-disappointing-state-play-more-gamescom-games-onimusha-dawnwalker-orbitals-respec-ramblings
September 4, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Podcast time! This week: Sony's disappointing State of Play, reviewing Onimusha, Dawnwalker, & Orbitals, plus Kirk's game preview trip that involved a toilet chaperone:
https://www.respec.net/podcast/189-sonys-disappointing-state-play-more-gamescom-games-onimusha-dawnwalker-orbitals-respec-ramblings
https://www.respec.net/podcast/189-sonys-disappointing-state-play-more-gamescom-games-onimusha-dawnwalker-orbitals-respec-ramblings
Is Exodus about to bring back the sprawling Mass Effect-style sci-fi RPG? Archetype Entertainment’s game is eight years in the making and aiming big. Our big interview and video: https://www.respec.net/interview/186-is-exodus-about-to-bring-back-sprawling-mass-effect-style-sci-fi-rpg
September 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Is Exodus about to bring back the sprawling Mass Effect-style sci-fi RPG? Archetype Entertainment’s game is eight years in the making and aiming big. Our big interview and video: https://www.respec.net/interview/186-is-exodus-about-to-bring-back-sprawling-mass-effect-style-sci-fi-rpg
We've updated our State of Play round-up with the State of Play Japan reveals. You can find all the games, trailers, and announcements here: https://www.respec.net/news/187-sonys-playstation-state-play-september-3-all-announcements-trailers
September 3, 2026 at 3:29 PM
We've updated our State of Play round-up with the State of Play Japan reveals. You can find all the games, trailers, and announcements here: https://www.respec.net/news/187-sonys-playstation-state-play-september-3-all-announcements-trailers
All the games, trailers, and announcements from PlayStation's State of Play September https://www.respec.net/news/187-sonys-playstation-state-play-september-3-all-announcements-trailers
September 3, 2026 at 1:54 PM
All the games, trailers, and announcements from PlayStation's State of Play September https://www.respec.net/news/187-sonys-playstation-state-play-september-3-all-announcements-trailers
Before GTA 6 takes over, make some time this October for the expansion to one of the best games of 2024. Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen is looking great https://www.respec.net/preview/183-dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen-hands-on-capcoms-fantasy-rpg-returns-in-rimed-expansion
September 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Before GTA 6 takes over, make some time this October for the expansion to one of the best games of 2024. Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen is looking great https://www.respec.net/preview/183-dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen-hands-on-capcoms-fantasy-rpg-returns-in-rimed-expansion
Is anyone more qualified to talk about a LEGO city builder than Alex? We don't think so. LEGO Skylines hands-on https://www.respec.net/preview/182-lego-skylines-shaping-up-like-truly-cosy-time-sink-dream-hands-on
September 2, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Is anyone more qualified to talk about a LEGO city builder than Alex? We don't think so. LEGO Skylines hands-on https://www.respec.net/preview/182-lego-skylines-shaping-up-like-truly-cosy-time-sink-dream-hands-on