Topic: franchise history
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Plants vs. Zombies Remaster: A Disappointing What-If
The original Plants vs. Zombies (2009) is a classic strategy game where players defend their home using plants with unique abilities against zombies, powered by sunlight from Sunflowers. A remastered version called Replanted updates the visuals and adds features but remains true to the original, ...
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Sonic The Hedgehog's 35th Anniversary Celebration Begins
Sonic the Hedgehog will turn 35 in 2026, with Sega launching anniversary celebrations including a nostalgic trailer and a dedicated website. The anniversary honors Sonic's diverse legacy across games, media, and merchandise, while Sega signals future innovation and new projects. The multi-year ce...
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Scorpion Exits the Mortal Kombat Franchise
Dan Forden, the longtime Mortal Kombat audio director known as "Toasty Dan," has officially left NetherRealm Studios after over three decades with the series. He contributed to every major Mortal Kombat game from the 1992 original to the 2023 release, with his iconic "Toasty!" Easter egg first ap...
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Metroid Prime 4: Nintendo Reveals First Trailers After 8 Years
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to launch on December 4, 2025, with new trailers reigniting fan excitement after a long wait. The trailers showcase Federation Troopers and mouse control for Switch 2, highlighting progress despite development challenges and a 2019 restart by Retro Studios. High exp...
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Forza Horizon 6 Boasts Biggest Open World in Series History
Forza Horizon 6 has been officially confirmed for a 2026 release and will be set in Japan, featuring the largest open world in the franchise's history. The game's map is not only the biggest yet but also designed to be incredibly dense with activities and discoveries, as emphasized by the art dir...
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Tales of Xillia Remastered Proves This Classic RPG Deserved an Upgrade
Tales of Xillia Remastered revitalizes the 2013 JRPG with enhanced visuals and fluid combat, making it the definitive version despite minor audio and animation issues. The game features a compelling narrative with profound themes, a memorable cast of characters, and a unique dual-story perspectiv...
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Destiny 2's Renegade Launch Is a Franchise Low
Destiny 2's "Renegades" expansion has set a new record low for concurrent players at launch, with a peak of just over 71,000 on Steam, far below previous major releases. The expansion's appeal is seen as niche by a vocal part of the community, with critics arguing it primarily caters to dedicated...
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Ninja Gaiden 4: The Perfect Entry Point for Newcomers
Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces a new punk-rock protagonist, Yakumo, whose edgy personality complements the game's aggressive combat style, offering a fresh take while respecting the series' roots. The game features a fluid combat system with responsive attacks, strategic dodging, and a "Ravenbound" mo...
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House of the Dead 2 Remake Release Date Revealed
"The House of the Dead 2: Remake" releases on August 7th for Steam, GOG, and Nintendo Switch, priced at $24.99, featuring upgraded visuals and gameplay refinements while retaining the original's arcade action. The remake includes polished graphics, remastered music (with original soundtrack optio...
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Guild Wars Reforged: Free 20th Anniversary Edition Launches in December
Guild Wars Reforged is a free 20th-anniversary update for existing owners, launching on Steam on December 3rd, and bundles the original trilogy into a single package for $19.99 for new players. The update includes significant quality-of-life improvements such as full Steam Deck verification, mode...
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Toy Story 5 Teaser Reveals Tablet Threat to Toys
The teaser for Toy Story 5 introduces a digital antagonist, Lilypad, a tablet voiced by Greta Lee, who declares the end of the toy era, framing technology as a threat to traditional toys. Scheduled for release in June 2026, the film reflects real-world concerns about children preferring screens o...
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Treyarch's Black Ops: The Rabbit Hole That Changed Call of Duty
*Call of Duty: Black Ops* redefined the franchise by breaking from conventions, introducing a Cold War setting and a nonlinear, conspiracy-driven narrative that shifted the series' creative direction. The game featured a fully voiced protagonist and an unreliable narrator, using psychological ele...
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Darksiders 4: Release Date, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know
THQ Nordic announced Darksiders 4 in 2025, continuing the series with a focus on rich lore and dynamic action. The game is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, featuring all four Horsemen as playable characters with unique abilities. Gameplay includes third-person action-RPG elem...
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Unlock the Dresden 9mm in Black Ops 6 Season 6
The MP40 submachine gun returns as the Dresden 9mm in Black Ops 6 Season 6, available through the Battle Pass and customizable with eight attachment slots. The Haunting Halloween event introduces a crossover Predator skin and other frightening cosmetics, enhancing the eerie atmosphere in both Bla...
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Resident Evil Requiem Launches February 2026, Capcom Confirms
Capcom announced "Resident Evil Requiem" will release on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, revealed during Summer Game Fest 2025. The game, celebrating the franchise's 30th anniversary, features a mix of horror and action, with director Jun Takeuchi than...
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Call of Duty's 2025 Downfall: What Happened?
Call of Duty's 2025 release, *Black Ops 7*, ended the franchise's long streak of annual sales dominance due to a poorly received campaign and a significant drop in sales compared to its predecessor. Two major competing shooters, *Battlefield 6* and *ARC Raiders*, successfully captured its audienc...
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