Additionally, Koei Tecmo has released a free playable Alpha demo available to download on all the aforementioned platforms (except Nintendo Switch 2) and has opened pre-orders for the game.
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember is a sequel to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It will take the player on a bloody and brutal journey across a dark fantasy version of China's Three Kingdoms period and battle many challenging foes, including iconic warriors from that era along with towering demons.
The game aims to top its predecessor with new weapons, magic, and techniques to master, more epic combat scenarios to survive in, and more challenging bosses to overcome.
You can get a taste of the early portions of Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember through its public Alpha Demo. It's free to download and play until September 30, 2026, and if you complete it, you will unlock a special Fledging Phoenix Helmet that can be used in the full game.
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember Digital Deluxe Edition. (Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
If you pre-order Wo Long 2: Wings of Ruin, you can get exclusive access to the Creator Goddess Garb armor set and early purchase access to the Harvest God Armor set.
The game will come in a standard edition (which only contains the base game) or a Digital Deluxe Edition, the latter of which features:
Season pass that grants access to two future DLC expansions (the first will release on August 31, 2027, and the second on October 31, 2027), plus the Creator God Armor set as a Season Pass Bonus.
Digital Mini Soundtrack
Digital Artbook
Shietieshou Hat.
Can't wait to dive back into this grim dark Soulslike take on the Three Kingdoms era
The original Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was an immensely fun, underrated Soulslike that we gave a 4.5/5 star review for its in-depth combat system and nail-bitingly tough bosses that were so satisfying to beat.
So I can't wait to see if its sequel has what it takes to top the first game when Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember launches next year on March 4, 2027.
In the meantime, I'll be playing the Alpha demo, as it's been a long while since I played a Soulslike, so I'll need to shake off the rust before the full game arrives.
Embody the power of a fiery Phoenix and descend upon the battlefield to purge horrifying demons and duel legendary heroes of the Three Kingdoms in Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember.
Amazon has announced 17 new games for Luna, its cloud gaming service packed within Prime that allows subscribers to stream video games on PCs, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and mobile devices without the need for a home console (although you will still need a compatible controller).
This lineup for Amazon Prime Luna includes some heavy hitters like Doom: Eternal, Star Wars: Outlaws, High on Life, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, to name a few.
Here's the full list of games coming to Amazon Prime Luna throughout September 2026, and when you can expect them to arrive.
War Hospital (September 3, 2026)
Just Die Already (September 3, 2026)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (September 10, 2026)
Star Wars: Outlaws (September 10, 2026)
Drop Duchy (September 10, 2026)
DOOM + DOOM II (September 10, 2026)
Botany Manor (September 10, 2026)
King of Tokyo (September 10, 2026)
It’s Quiz Time: Guinness World Records (September 10, 2026)
DOOM Eternal (September 17, 2026)
Rims Racing (September 17, 2026)
Wall World 2 (September 17, 2026)
Hue (September 24, 2026)
The Da Vinci Cryptex (September 24, 2026)
High on Life (September 24, 2026)
Bowling Mayhem(coming soon)
Cranium Planet (coming soon)
We can play DOOM Eternal on the Cloud again for as long as we want, thanks to Amazon Luna
Ripe & tear until it is done. (Image credit: Windows Central)
Out of all the games on this list, the best addition is without a doubt Doom Eternal. This game is one of the greatest first-person shooters ever for its adrenaline-pumping gunplay, challenging and deliciously evil boss fights, and wide variety of weapons that keep its ultra-violent gameplay fresh.
So, if you can't afford to play DOOM Eternal on Xbox Series X|S or PC these days due to these platforms being price-hiked by the RAM crisis, or you want to play it on the go without Xbox Cloud Gaming's newly imposed monthly limits, signing up for Amazon Luna with a Prime membership may be your next best Cloud Gaming option to experience the best DOOM game ever made.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
After two weeks, we've reached the end of Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's weapon showcase series, and it's closing out with a new trailer for the Longsword.
Ever since Monster Hunter World, the Longsword has been one of the most popular and dominant weapon types in Monster Hunter games for its insane damage output and various counter moves that make fighting bosses a cakewalk.
In Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, the Longsword is getting even crazier thanks to the new Boost Bracer, granting it a plethora of new moves, speed buffs, and more.
First of all, Longsword has a new Boost Driver attack that sheathes the weapon and lets you move about before unleashing an offset counterattack that can be followed by a literal, gut-wrenching slash attack when successfully toppling an attacking monster.
While Boost Gauge is active, the Longsword gets access to new combo attacks so quickly they're on par with Dual Blade attacks; you get a new combo ender where you dash back and forth in the blink of an eye to slice monsters, and you get access to the Sacred Sheath Stance from Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak that lets you pull off chargeable heavy attacks.
Additionally, while activating the Boost Gauge, the Longsword's Foresight Slash counter now deals additional damage.
Now we wait for the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Tokyo Game Show 2026 showcase
Embody your wildest samurai power fantasies with Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's Longsword. (Image credit: Capcom)
While I am slightly annoyed at Capcom's blatant favoritism in making Longsword, objectively, the best weapon type for the third Monster Hunter game in a row, I do like the more aggressive attacks and faster combos it's getting in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, as they feel like they were ripped straight out of Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
Plus, these changes look like they're trying to make Longsword lean into a more berserker playstyle, which I prefer over its old, defensive playstyle of waiting for monsters to attack and countering them, as I'm getting burnt out on parry mechanics in games lately.
That being said, out of the newly improved weapons, I'll be maining Gunlance again in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance because the changes it's receiving are cool and LONG overdue.
Though I'll also dabble in Sword & Shield, Hunting Horn, Hammer, and Dual Blades when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S,PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
However, for all we know, Capcom could be hiding some new mechanics and secret balance changes for each weapon type not shown in these trailers. Will players discover these potential secret changes for each weapon type when they play Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's first playable demo at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2026?
Tune in this week to find out when Tokyo Game Show 2026 commences onThursday, September 17, 2026.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
Over the last couple of months, I've been salivating at the chance to play Final Fantasy Resonance, the first 'HD-2D' RPG in the Final Fantasy franchise.
It aims to bring back turn-based combat to the series after being absent for decades, while taking players on a grand adventure with gorgeous pixel-art graphics, lovable characters, and a fun story that pays tribute to the entire Final Fantasy legacy.
As someone who grew up playing turn-based Final Fantasy games ever since the original PlayStation One version of Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Resonance wowed me with its nostalgic-yet-fresh presentation and gameplay.
Yet, I can't be worried. Square Enix hadn't made a home console Final Fantasy game with turn-based combat since Final Fantasy X-2 in 2003. It has spent many years trying to turn this series into an action-RPG franchise, which made me worry the developers had forgotten how to do turn-based combat for a Final Fantasy game.
Fortunately, after having played the recently released Final Fantasy Resonance demo on Xbox, my fears were crushed harder than a falling Meteor because this game is AWESOME so far.
Here's why I'm looking forward to playing Final Fantasy Resonance and why you should to if you're an old-school Final Fantasy fan or turn-based RPGs in general.
What is it?
The king of dragons, Bahamut, returns in Final Fantasy Resonance. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
Final Fantasy Resonance follows the story of Rain, a Knight of Grandshelt tasked with saving the world's life-giving Crystals from being destroyed by an evil group of dark knights known as the Sworn Six.
Along the way, you will meet heroic companions with intriguing backstories, explore a vibrant and colorful world rendered in nostalgic yet richly detailed pixel-art graphics, and call forth spiritual manifestations called 'Visions' to aid you in turn-based combat against deadly foes.
Story and Presentation
Veritas of the Sworn Six does battle with our heroes. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
What I like about the story so far is how simple yet effective and easy to follow it is.
After dealing with shoehorned alternate timelines and 'Plot Ghosts' in the Final Fantasy VII Remake series and Final Fantasy XVI's library's worth of exposition and introspection, it feels so nice to play a Final Fantasy game where the premise is "Evil knights want to burn the world because they felt it wronged them; go stop them."
What also helps elevate the story from what I've played so far is the myriad of side-quests that go into detail on the characters' backstories, the vibrant worldbuilding and charming characters, and the stunning way Square Enix presents it.
This game takes 'HD-2D' graphics (a graphical style that blends 2D-pixel art with 3D backgrounds and atmospheric lighting) and perfects it with gusto.
Call me an old goat but pixel art facial expressions will always be more charming to me than fully 3D graphics. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
The cinematic cutscenes, environments, and turn-based battles are so gorgeously animated and detailed that they make the world feel more alive than games rendered in Unreal Engine, and make something as mundane as fighting low-level goblins feel like the most epic battle in the world.
Not to mention, the pixel-art animation breathes so much life and personality into the characters through their facial expressions and actions that it makes me feel nostalgic for old PlayStation One JRPGs like the underrated classic, Grandia.
On a side note, the story has plenty of funny gags and heartwarming moments that will please long-time Final Fantasy fans while bringing levity after some pretty brutal moments.
Classic Final Fantasy turn-based combat returns with a modern twist
The optional battles of Final Fantasy Resonance will steam roll you if you're not prepared. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
Now, of course, Square Enix wastes no expense when it comes to their games' presentation, but what about gameplay?
Well, Final Fantasy Resonance follows the old-school Final Fantasy gameplay loop of exploring a world map to progress the plot, visiting towns to shop for equipment, and exploring dungeons filled with deadly enemies and bosses that must be defeated in turn-based combat.
Turn-based combat was my biggest draw to Final Fantasy Resonance, and I'm pleased to report that Square Enix still knows how to make it, and it feels SO GOOD.
At first, it plays the combat system seen in Final Fantasy X, where you take turns smacking each other with weapons and spells until one side is defeated. However, Final Fantasy Resonance quickly introduced me to new mechanics to spice things up.
These include breaking an enemy's Stagger gauge to stun them, like in Final Fantasy VII Remake, and gaining extra turns where you can unleash a storm of attacks to batter them while they're down.
Stagger enemies to trigger turns that can end with 'Resonance', where summon your party's Visions to unleash a devastating super attack or assist move to buff and heal allies. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
Combat takes things a step further with Visions. This mechanic allows your party to embody the traits and abilities of heroes from past Final Fantasy games or original heroes exclusive to this game.
These Visions can turn party members into tanks that draw aggro from enemies, healers to keep the party alive, damage dealers that focus on breaking an enemy's stagger meter, and much more. What's more is that these Visions can perform powerful super moves (with pre-rendered cinematics) when you manage to stagger all enemies on-screen at once.
The Warrior of Light Vision will turn one of your party members into an immovable wall that can protect allies from being slaughtered in battle and rain holy retribution on enemies. (Image credit: Square Enix | Windows Central (Alex Cope))
As you use and level up Visions, you can even permanently learn their passive traits and mix and match them to suit your playstyle to create the ultimate party of heroes. I got so hooked on the Visions system that I spent hours trying to learn the few abilities that were available from the demo just to see what kind of party members I could create.
It felt so rewarding when I managed to cobble a team together to take this game's brutal optional bosses and obtain some loot for my efforts, especially on Hard Mode when breaking Stagger meters became harder to do with just brute force alone.
On side note, thank goodness this game allows you to play the hardest difficulty immediately instead of making us beat the whole game on 'Normal/Easy' Mode first like many Final Fantasy games seem to these days. It makes the story's high notes feel more worth it when we're given the option to tackle it's hardest difficulty.
Here's hoping the full version of Final Fantasy Resonance lives up to its name and 'resonates' with gamers
Overall, I'm liking what I'm seeing in Final Fantasy Resonance so far after completing the demo.
It nailed the retro vibe of the early 2D-era Final Fantasy games while being fresh with its beautiful HD-2D art style. The combat system and Visions system are so addictive; there are hints of plenty of side content to partake in, and it's chock-full of fan service for Final Fantasy fans while being accessible enough for newcomers to enjoy without making them do homework.
Hopefully, if the full version of Final Fantasy Resonance is good and sells well enough with gamers, it will convince Square Enix to make more turn-based Final Fantasy games in the future once it's finished with Final Fantasy VII: Revelation.
Either way, I can't wait to play the full version of Final Fantasy Resonance when it launches on October 22, 2026, onXbox Series X|S (with Xbox Play Anywhere support), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, and PC via Steam.
If you want to check out Final Fantasy Resonance for yourself before then, the playable demo is available to download on digital storefronts.
Join the young knight Rain on his quest to save the Kingdom of Grandshelt and the world from evil by banding together with powerful allies and embodying the spirits of past Final Fantasy heroes in Final Fantasy Resonance.
It's been a wild ride, but we've nearly reached the end of Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's weapon trailer series showcasing all the changes this DLC expansion is bringing for Monster Hunter Wilds' fourteen weapon types.
The latest batch of trailers for this series covers all the changes coming for Heavy Bowgun, Lance, and Switch Axe weapon types.
I've barely used these weapons in the base game of Monster Hunter Wilds because, in my personal opinion, they hardly felt any different (and in some cases worse) from how they played in Monster Hunter World.
However, after watching these trailers, I think it's time I give them a shot because the changes the DLC expansion is bringing could provide the innovation they lacked in the base game.
First off, we have a trailer for the Heavy Bowgun, the hefty counterpart to the Light Bowgun that sacrifices mobility for heavy artillery.
The trailer shows that the Heavy Bowgun will gain a new Boost Driver attack that fires a laser beam, an Overcharge mechanic that allows the user to fire all their gun's ammo clip in one enhanced shot, and a special mode that charges the gun to fire a close-range plasma shot similar to Capcom's Mega Man series.
While Boost Mode is active, the Heavy Bowgun can reload ammo while dodging incoming attacks (which can also cancel the Boost Driver attack so you're not vulnerable during it), and reduce recoil on certain ammo types.
The trailer also shows that Adhesive Ammo from the base game has changed so that it fires multiple sticky explosive pellets immediately, instead of firing a single pellet that splits into multiple smaller pellets (which could be nullified if it was shot too close to a monster, hence why it was changed in the DLC).
The next trailer covers the Lance, the original defensive weapon type, which focuses purely on blocking every attack thrown at it while counterattacking (at least until Capcom decided to give every weapon type counter moves and parries in modern Monster Hunter games anyway).
In Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, the Lance has given some very subtle but potentially potent changes if you look hard enough. First off, the Lance has a new Boost Driver attack where the user slams the weapon onto a monster's face. This attack also acts as an Offset counter move, which can be used to parry an incoming attack.
Once you fill up the Boost Gauge with Boost Driver attacks and activate it, the Lance gains the ability to stab enemies a dozen times in a single combo (which has more chances to trigger status ailment build-up with status-effect Lances), and the Lance's running charge attack has its speed doubled, with an enhanced finishing strike.
Additionally, the Boost Gauge allows the Lance to perform a new regular counterattack where the user pokes with the lance before smashing enemies with a shield bash attack so hard it creates a short-range shockwave that can deal tons of stun damage.
Lastly, you can now block attacks with the shield while performing the running charge attack.
Finally, we come to today's trailer, which showcases all the changes coming for Switch Axe. The Switch Axe is a complicated weapon that attacks with a giant axe that can transform into a giant sword that causes explosions with every hit.
In most Monster Hunter games, most of the damage lies in Switch Axe's Sword Mode, while Axe Mode tends to act as a filler/defensive playstyle while waiting for Sword Mode to recharge. However, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is looking to improve Axe Mode's damage potential with new cool moves while adding new tricks that will get you to Sword Mode faster.
The first is a new Boost Driver attack in Axe Mode that instantly fills up the Switch Axe's Sword Mode resource gauge so you can transform into it immediately. The Sword Mode also gets a new Boost Driver attack that instantly fills its Phial energy resource so it can deal additional damage.
Once you activate the Boost Gauge, the Switch Axe's Sword Mode will let you perform a charging stab attack that lets you latch onto a monster and perform its devastating Zero Sum Discharge attack. After being knocked back from the Zero Sum Discharge, you can follow it up with an aerial dive attack in Axe Mode.
Additionally, the Boost Gauge will unlock new combo attack paths and enhance the speed of Switch Axe's counterattack.
Windows Central's take
The Master Rank Lagiacrus gear looks amazing. (Image credit: Capcom)
Out of all the weapons shown, I'm the most hyped to try out Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
It looks so much more stylish than before; I like all the new moves they're giving to Axe Mode to make it more viable, and the fact that Capcom has given Switch Axe the charging stab attack from Devil May Cry (most famously known as the Stinger) that leads into the Zero Sum Discharge attack is just 'chef's kiss' magnificent.
Heavy Bowgun's new laser move looks pretty cool (which I hope deals good damage so we can get away from using boring regular ammo), and the Lance appears to be hinting at getting more offensive capabilities that will be useful in group play (even if the new moves aren't as flashy compared to Switch Axe's).
But will all these slick-looking changes make the Heavy Bowgun, Lance, and Switch Axe more fun to play in execution? Join the hunt next year to find out when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S,PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
One of the biggest announcements of BlizzCon 2026's Opening Ceremony was that Warcraft 3, one of the most iconic RTS games in the business, is getting a new expansion called "Forsaken Kingdom" for its modern Warcraft 3: Reforged edition.
This expansion will follow the exploits of Sylvanas' early days waging war against the Scarlet Crusade, how she helped the Forsaken faction found the Undercity prior to World of Warcraft, and the rise of Naxxramas.
Additionally, Warcraft 3: Reforged will receive a new prologue storyline, over 30 hours of new gameplay content, a new definitive edition graphics mode, a new Forsaken Paladin hero unit, enhanced features, world editor improvements, and more.
And there couldn't be a more pleasant surprise than seeing a new expansion for Warcraft 3, which hasn't seen one since 2003's Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne.
Judging from the trailers, The Forsaken Kingdom expansion looks like it will maintain the same classic strategy gameplay that made people fall in love with Warcraft 3 for decades.
Plus, the new content looks fun and exciting to play, especially if you enjoyed playing as the undead in Warcraft games. So, if you want to relive classic memories of Warcraft 3 while learning new lore about Warcraft's rich universe, then wage war in Warcraft 3: Reforged's "Forsaken Kingdoms", which is now available on PC via Battle.net.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
During the BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony, Blizzard Entertainment's popular hero shooter, Overwatch, received a new cinematic trailer for a new playable hero called Doctrine.
Doctrine is a Support-type hero that glides through the battlefield using vampiric powers to destroy enemies and support allies by healing them with robot drones shaped like bats.
In addition to Doctrine, Blizzard Entertainment has announced that Overwatch Season 5 will begin on October 6, 2026.
It will feature: a rework of Sombra into a Support-type Hero, a rework of Roadhog's toolkit so it's not a nightmare for enemy players to deal with, a new Watchpoint: Grimsvotn map set in Iceland to battle in, the return of Dokiwatch, and so much more.
Stay tuned for more info on Doctrine, which will be revealed later today during the Overwatch Developer Livestream portion of BlizzCon 2026.
A brand new Support Hero is stepping out from the shadows 🦇Doctrine’s limited time Hero Trial is NOW LIVE 💥 pic.twitter.com/nOGGhEMf2pSeptember 12, 2026
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
It was originally a PlayStation-exclusive, but Hideo Kojima cut ties with Sony after the company tried to cancel Physint without warning, as stated on his X account.
According to Bloomberg's report, "[Physint] missed deadlines and was on track to be well over budget despite being years away from release".
It then stated, "Kojima’s previous two games, Death Stranding and its sequel, didn’t meet PlayStation’s revenue expectations," and "PlayStation was reluctant to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in another game that wouldn’t remain permanently exclusive to the company’s own hardware."
Jason Schreier reports on why PlayStation ended its partnership with Hideo Kojima for Physint:• PHYSINT had missed deadlines and was on track to be well over budget despite being years away from release• Death Stranding 1 & 2 didn't hit PlayStation revenue targets•… pic.twitter.com/4izrC01XHhSeptember 11, 2026
Window's Central's take
Could this game really have what it takes to be Metal Gear Solid's successor? (Image credit: Hideo Kojima)
In short, it seems Sony was running out of patience with Hideo Kojima and wanted to cancel it for taking too long to make, going over budget, and to prevent it from being ported to other systems that aren't PlayStation.
While I'm personally ambivalent about this (my favorite Kojima game will always be Metal Gear Rising), it can't be denied that Xbox is reaping the benefits of this situation.
Microsoft now has Kojima Productions' full support for publishing Physint on Xbox and PC, and with them also working together on the upcoming horror game OD, this could be the start of a long, profitable friendship between the two studios.
With how quickly Kojima Productions' relationship with Sony has deteriorated over this situation, I wouldn't be surprised if we see an Xbox port of Death Stranding 2 with Xbox Play Anywhere in the future, as the original Death Stranding did.
But whether or not Physint and OD will turn out to be good games and make enough money to warrant Microsoft's investment, we will have to wait and see to find out.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
The memory crisis rages on, driving PC gaming prices through the roof. But that won't stop Dell (as Alienware) from offering powerful gaming desktops and letting players enjoy their favorite titles at high resolutions and smooth frame rates.
One rig in particular is the Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop, currently discounted by $1,000 and offering an RTX 5070 (12 GB) GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F CPU configuration for $2,229.99 at Dell (was $3,229.99).
"The Alienware Aurora R16 delivers great gaming performance at a whisper thanks to its powerful components and enhanced cooling technology." — Tony Polanco, Senior Computing Writer, Tom's Guide
It didn't earn these top review scores lightly either, as the Alienware Aurora R16 configuration that's on sale is equipped with some of the most mainstream and capable hardware for gaming.
These include an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card to help it run graphically intense games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p and 60fps (with some DLSS support), 32GB RAM to help it maintain stability during heavy multitasking (like playing a game while opening several browser tabs), and an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F CPU to aid it during content creation (like photo editing and rendering graphics) or everyday tasks (like browsing the web or writing reports).
It also has a 1TB SSD, so the Aurora can store plenty of game files or work folders that can be transferred in mere seconds.
To top it off, the Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop has a superb ventilation and cooling system that will prevent this gaming PC from overheating during heavy-duty tasks while keeping it quiet.
Extra accessories for the Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop
So if you're looking for a reliable gaming PC rig that can play the best PC games at their full graphical potential while getting some work done on the side in a jiffy, then you won't regret snagging the Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop, now on sale for $2,229.99 at Dell.
While you're at it, here are some additional discounted accessories to help complete your Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop setup and enhance your gaming experience.
"Developed in collaboration with over 100 esports professionals, it stands as one of the best wireless gaming headsets and has dethroned my favorite Razer option as my daily driver." — Brendan Lowry, Contributor, Gaming
"Build quality is exceptional, typing feels great, and gaming performance is flawless. It's light on extra features at this price point, but the core experience is good enough to make up for it." — Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer
"Dell knocks it out of the park again with the excellent Alienware AW720M gaming mouse. Sleek, lightweight, and gorgeous, this mouse sports some serious hardware and specs." ~—Allisa James, Computing Staff Writer
The Hunting Horn is a slow weapon that mixes offensive blunt attacks with musical songs that buff allied players' stats. However, the execution made the weapon feel slow and clunky compared to all the other weapon types.
Thankfully, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is planning to fix Hunting Horn's slow playstyle by giving it a metric ton of new offensive attacks, combos, and more mechanics to make it more fun to use thanks to the DLC expansion's new Boost Bracer mechanic.
First of all, Hunting Horn will feature a new Boost Driver attack where you powerslide across the battlefield like a Rock & Roll star, and jump into the air to smash monsters in the head and let loose a sonic wave by slamming the weapon into the ground.
Once you fill a meter called the Boost Gauge with successful Boost Driver attacks, the Hunting Horn will gain the following features while active:
Faster attacks and new combo paths.
A new Offset Counter attack where you punch the Hunting Horn to fire a sonic wave (which can be charged for more damage), which can be followed up with an attack where you do several forward somersault slams with the Hunting Horn.
You can now attack enemies while placing Echo Bubbles.
Your regular Offset Counter can now be followed up with the aforementioned somersault slams.
Windows Central's take
I'll admit, I was kind of disappointed in how the Hunting Horn was handled in the base game of Monster Hunter Wilds because it felt like a downgrade compared to its predecessor, Monster Hunter Rise.
Monster Hunter Rise's version of the Hunting Horn was my favorite iteration of the weapon because it finally embraced the power fantasy of killing enemies with music attacks I always wanted, instead of just being a longer Hammer that sacrificed damage potential for short-term buffs like in most games.
It was so awesome giving enemies concussions with rock-solo super moves that it felt like I was playing Brütal Legend all over again.
So I'm happy to see Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance bring back some of Monster Hunter Rise's aggressive playstyle for Hunting Horn, and I can't wait to try its new attacks when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S,PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
We're reaching the home stretch of Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's weapons showcase trailer series as we're now on to the 9th on the list, Insect Glaive.
This complex weapon type, which mixes aerial and ground-based combat with bug companion management, has some new techniques to dispatch monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds' upcoming DLC expansion, and they're somewhat subtle compared to the other weapon changes we've seen so far.
In contrast to previous weapon showcase trailers, which revealed that weapon types like Hammer and Dual Blades are getting various new aerial attacks granted by the DLC's Boost Bracer gimmick, Insect Glaive's changes keep it fairly grounded.
Some of the Insect Glaive's new Boost Driver attacks consist of spinning the glaive around while sending out the weapon type's unique 'Kinsect' bug pet to attack monsters and steal its Extract to power yourself up without manually commanding the Kinsect to do so.
While the Boost Gauge is active, the Insect Glaive gains extended ground-based combo attacks, your Kinsect can deal extra tick damage, and you perform new Offset counterattacks that can be followed up with aerial jump attacks.
Windows Central's take
An Insect Glaive user fighting a Lala Barina. (Image credit: Capcom)
Overall, this weapon trailer felt underwhelming compared to the previous ones, as most of the changes seem to focus on improving the Insect Glaive's pre-existing ground attacks without adding any flashy new aerial moves or aerial combo attacks.
I'm guessing that Capcom wants the Insect Glaive's playstyle to function more like it did back when it was introduced in Monster Hunter 4. In that game, Insect Glaive dominated the entire monster roster with its insanely powerful, acrobatic, and literally grounded glaive attacks that made you feel like Darth Maul from the Star Wars franchise.
Unfortunately, many people these days (myself included) prefer Insect Glaive to focus on aerial-based combat, as it helps it stand out from other weapon types; otherwise, it will feel like we're playing Longsword or Dual Blades but with extra steps.
Hopefully, Capcom is hiding some new cool aerial combo attacks we can pull off with Insect Glaive in the final game, when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S,PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
The first of these deep dives is a new battlefield report that shows a 15-minute match between the Necron and Ork factions in a 1v1 PvP game mode called Annihilation.
It was a fast-paced, chaotic match that showcased the unstoppable, near-immortal tankiness of the Necron army and how it slowly but surely weathered the aggressive, quantity-over-quality playstyle of the Ork army.
This gameplay deep dive also shows that the developers are incorporating player feedback, like making units more readable on the battlefield and adding a configurable match settings menu.
Make matches easier or harder for yourself or your opponents with the new Multiplayer match configurations menu. (Image credit: Deep Silver)
This menu will allow players to change various aspects of a match before fighting. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
The HP, damage, and defense stats of units.
The speed at which your army generates resources.
How fast you capture Control Points.
How much WAAAGH resources Ork players and Dominion resources Necron players start with.
Whether or not to include a time limit.
There's more Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV videos to come this month
I'm not too versed in real-time strategy games, but having a multiplayer match-setting menu where players can have a gentleman's agreement to either buff or nerf their own units or their rivals' units to make matches challenging is an interesting concept.
Though I was more entertained seeing Orks getting curbstomped by Necrons because it's always entertaining that the monster factions of Warhammer 40,000 duke it out.
And there will be more entertainment in the coming weeks, as the developers are releasing two more Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV gameplay deep dives and battlefields for September 2026.
The next report will feature a 2v2 Team Domination game mode where all four factions (Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Adeptus Mechanicus) will duke it out, and it will be released on September 16, 2026.
After that will be a 2v2 Team Skirmish match where the developers team up against computer opponents whose AI will be set to hard difficulty settings.
Tune into those dates to see more exciting gameplay footage of this long-awaited return for the classic RTS franchise, before Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of IV launches on December 3, 2026 for PC via Steam.
Take control of the Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, or Adeptus Mechanicus factions and wage a bloody war for domination in epic single-player campaigns or chaotic multiplayer modes in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV.View Deal
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Tokyo Game Show is almost here, and it's ready to bring all kinds of exciting gaming news from the Land of the Rising Sun. Microsoft will be among the many publishers attending this year, and it's planning some big reveals to mark the Xbox brand's 25th anniversary.
Here's where and how you can watch Xbox's Tokyo Game Show 2026 showcase livestream and get a little taste of what to expect at the show.
Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026: Watch times and platforms
The XBOX cat is back… it’s TGS time! 🐈⬛👀 Watch the XBOX Tokyo Game Show Broadcast on Sept 17 at 7pm JST / 3am PDT, live or on demand🎮 XBOX FanFest hits Tokyo⚔️ Minecraft Dungeons II on the TGS showfloorLearn more: https://t.co/4NqQoEyeHI pic.twitter.com/XC69Ge62YBSeptember 9, 2026
The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 showcase livestream will commence on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 7:00 pm (JST) / 3:00 am (PT) / 6:00 am (ET) / 11:00 am (BST).
It will be available to watch on the following YouTube and Twitch platforms:
Microsoft will be showing off many upcoming Xbox games during its Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 livestream.
Two of these games are confirmed to be Minecraft Dungeons 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and they'll also be playable on the Tokyo Game Show's show floor for people attending the event in person.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an upcoming ARPG where you and your friends hack and slash your way through the Minecraft universe for glory and loot in a similar manner to Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is the latest upcoming entry in the Call of Duty Modern Warfare sub-series. Players will engage enemies in thrilling military shooter combat through an epic single-player campaign and chaotic 6v6 online multiplayer modes.
The community-driven Xbox FanFest will also be at the Tokyo Game Show to host a watch party for the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream, with special guests Misuzu Araki and Larry Hyrb.
What are you hoping to see at Xbox's Tokyo Game Show 2026 showcase?
Could we see our first look at Hideo Kojima's successor to Metal Gear Solid at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 showcase? (Image credit: Hideo Kojima)
As for what else will be at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show, your guess is as good as mine.
While I'm personally hoping to see gameplay footage of long-awaited titles like Spyro: A Realm Beyond and Persona 6, my colleagues are hoping to see footage of Physint.
Will we see gameplay of Physint, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, and Persona 6 at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream, or will we see some new games that haven't been announced yet?
Tune in next week to find out when the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 livestream launches on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
It still feels like a dream that Spyro the Dragon, one of my childhood favorite platformer games, is finally getting a true successor to the classic PlayStation One trilogy with Spyro: A Realm Beyond.
Fortunately, Toys for Bob is here to remind me that it's indeed real by showing off a sneak preview of Arcadian Vale, one of the first locales you'll explore in the game, as part of a special event celebrating Spyro's 27th anniversary called Spyro Community Day.
Something from the Realmis hiding below.But what could it be?There’s only one way to know.Start in the center.Let the fire spread.Burn away the questionand see what’s ahead.#HappyBirthdaySpyro pic.twitter.com/NfWBZjb9mYSeptember 9, 2026
As you can see from the concept art, the Acadian Vale is a lush and colorful locale that perfectly captures the childlike wonder you'd normally associate with Spyro games, complete with cascading waterfalls, ancient buildings, and cutesy critters running around (which I totally won't roast alive to spawn butterflies that will replenish my health like in previous games).
The art also implies that the Arcadian Vale will feature a fair degree of verticality, most likely to help players practice the new free-roaming flight mechanic that will allow us to fly anytime, anywhere instead of specific levels and boss fights like in previous games.
A special birthday surprise from Spyro's biggest fans 💜 #HappyBirthdaySpyro #Spyroversary pic.twitter.com/tpEOvxkTMVSeptember 9, 2023
It's going to be a long, painful wait until we get to play Spyro, but in the meantime, you can celebrate Spyro's legacy by showing off fan art, appreciation messages, and other content for Spyro Community Day on social media platforms like X with the hashtag #HappyBirthdaySpyro.
Capcom has released its 8th weapon showcase trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, and it covers all the changes coming to one of my all-time favorite weapon types of the entire Monster Hunter franchise: Gunlance.
The base game of Monster Hunter Wilds already did an amazing job giving this normally underpowered weapon type the explosive and defensive capabilities it deserved.
But in this DLC expansion, Gunlance has been made even better with some insane new techniques while incorporating a mechanic change fans have been requesting ever since the Gunlance was introduced in 2006's Monster Hunter 2 (a.k.a. Monster Hunter Dos) on the PlayStation 2.
First off, Gunlance can now let you perform Boost Driver attacks that make you dash forward while blocking incoming attacks with the shield thanks to this DLC expansion's new Boost Bracer mechanic.
At the end of this Boost Driver dash, you can either impale the enemy with a drill launched from the Gunlance or perform a rising uppercut Offset attack that can counter an enemy's attack. The uppercut can also be followed up by a forward aerial divebomb attack to close the gap with enemies.
Once you activate the Boost Bracer's Boost Gauge, the Gunlance gains the following enhancements while it is active:
Regular and Shelling attacks become faster.
New combo attack paths,
Reduced knockback while blocking attacks with a shield, so you can recover faster to counterattack.
The ability to side-step while reloading your gunlance's ammo and block attacks simultaneously.
Being able to mount a monster, pierce its body, and fire a Wyrmstake Cannon inside it for massive damage.
We finally have Elemental Shelling for Gunlance, dreams come do true
A hunter firing an ice-elemental Wyvern's Fire attack with the Kushala Daora Gunlance. (Image credit: Capcom)
All these gameplay improvements are pretty awesome by themselves, but the biggest change I'm most excited for in Gunlance is that we're finally getting Elemental Shelling attacks! This is confirmed near the end of the trailer, where the player fires a cloud of icy wind at a monster, which is a special effect normally associated with weapons that deal Ice elemental damage.
This is HUGE because Monster Hunter fans (myself included) have been wanting the Gunlance's Shelling attacks to include elemental properties for years.
This is because in previous games, a Gunlance's Shelling attacks normally deal fixed amounts of damage with some additional but pitiful Fire-elemental damage. This forced players to stick to non-elemental Gunlances to get the most damage possible out of their physical attacks to compensate for the lacking Shelling damage (especially for Master Rank quests where Shelling damage falls off hard).
With this change, combined with the balance adjustment the base game made that allowed Shelling damage to scale with a Gunlance's raw attack power, Elemental Gunlances can finally be useful.
We can use the elemental Shelling attacks to deal extra damage to monsters that normally resist physical attacks but are weak to elements like Fire, Water, Thunder, Ice, and Dragon. Not to mention, it will open up so much build-crafting variety so we're not stuck using the same one or two Gunlances by the time we reach the endgame content.
I'm so happy Elemental Shelling is finally in Monster Hunter that it makes me wonder if Gunlances that deal Status effects like Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, and Blast will be able to apply them with Shelling attacks too now.
Either way, I can't wait to blow things up with Gunlance again once Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
SteelSeries, one of the world's leading brands for making the best Xbox accessories, has recently unveiled its latest creation – the SteelSeries Aeon Pro Controller.
This device features the world's first QuickSwitch Dock System for Xbox, PC, and Mobile devices(Patent Pending), which allows you to switch the controller's connection between platforms without the need for cables or re-pairing wireless connections.
The SteelSeries Aeon Pro Controller also includes an Infinite Power System with dual hot-swappable batteries, so you never have to worry about losing power while gaming.
On top of that, the SteelSeries Aeon Pro Controller has fast and precise controls thanks to its first-rate triggers, mechanical switch buttons, and Hall Effect Thumbsticks, all of which can be customized, and their changes saved on user-made profiles using the controller's Onboard OLED Screen.
The SteelSeries Aeon Pro controller can swap connections between Xbox and PC without any fussing about disconnecting and reconnection cables or wireless pairings. (Image credit: SteelSeries)
Its features don't stop there, as the SteelSeries Aeon Pro has a Modular Stick Systemthat lets you swap out thumbsticks (with standard concave, tall concave, and short convex options), extra remappable Contoured Back Buttons, and a Wrap-Around Textured Grip to make it easier to hold.
Finally, this controller is compatible with the SteelSeries GG Software Suite app so you can customize every aspect of it, including its button and trigger inputs, rumble sensitivity, custom GG and Sonar integrations, and power settings on PC.
The SteelSeries Aeon Pro is now available (in black or white) at SteelSeries.com and select retailers worldwide for $259.99 | £229.99 | €259.99.
It's a very sleek Xbox controller rife with features to make your gaming life easier, but does its quality match up to its high listing price? Stay tuned to find out, as we're hoping to review it soon and let you know if the StreelSeries Aeon Pro is actually good and worth your money.
Stay connected with your Xbox and PC games at all times without re-pairing or reconnecting cables with the new SteelSeries Aeon Pro controller.
This controller will meet your gaming needs with its unlimited battery life, OLED Smart Display, Hall Effect Thumbsticks, and vast customization options through the SteelSeries GG software app.View Deal
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Additionally, these trailers hint that some of these weapon types are receiving balance changes or even new mechanics unique to them (and not tied to this DLC expansion's Boost Bracer gimmick). Here's what we can gather from these trailers for one of my most anticipated Xbox games of 2027.
Hammer
First off, we have a new trailer for the Hammer, a simple yet effective weapon for cracking monsters' skulls open. In Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, the Boost Bracer will allow you to jump across the battlefield or lift off into the air to perform rocket-powered spinning attacks with the Hammer.
Additionally, the Hammer's attacks will become faster and gain new combo paths once the Boost Gauge is activated.
Next up, we have the Light Bowgun, which has been given some drastic enhancements thanks to the Boost Bracer and possibly a balance change to one of its ammo types.
With the Boost Bracer, the Light Bowgun can fire bullets like an automatic machine gun via the Boost Driver attacks and phase through enemy attacks while the Boost Gauge is activated.
Additionally, while your Boost Gauge is active, you can jump on monsters to perform aerial shot attacks, you can side-step much farther after each shot, and even perform an Offset counter where you fire a grenade onto a monster.
On a side note, the trailer hints that we may be getting new Recoil mods for Bowguns. This is because the player is seen using Spread ammo (think of it like Shotgun ammo) at one point, and the recoil on it in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is very light compared to how it is currently in the base game, where using Spread ammo on bowguns will send you flying backward.
Next trailer on the chopping block is the Charge Blade, a complex weapon type that transforms from a sword and shield into a two-handed battle axe that explodes with every hit.
Charge Blade's main game plan revolves around building Phial energy by hitting enemies in sword and shield mode and unleashing that pent-up energy in axe mode. This normally slow playstyle is getting a massive speed boost in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, as the new Boost Bracer's attacks will let you build energy for axe mode in mere seconds.
Plus, the Booster Bracer will grant the Charge Blade a new Offset counterattack in axe mode, new combo paths, and an enhanced version of the weapon's ultimate attack, where it discharges all of its Phial energy into one massive yet swift explosion.
Finally, we have today's trailer, which covers the classic Sword & Shield weapon type, and it's the one I'm most excited for. The Sword & Shield is another simple yet effective weapon that slices enemies, blocks attacks with a shield, and bashes monsters' faces in with said shield.
This agile weapon is now even faster thanks to Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's Boost Bracer mechanic. With it, Sword & Shield can dash across the battlefield to smack monsters in the face, open up new combo attack paths, and grapple hook onto a monster's wounds to pop them just like the Clutch Claw mechanic from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne.
However, the most exciting change Sword & Shield is getting isn't related to the Boost Bracer; it's a brand-new attack called "Bladecoating Slash". This attack has you destroy one of your items with the weapon and coat its properties onto the blade to give it unique effects; for example, smashing a healing potion will give Sword & Shield the ability to restore a player's health with every hit.
Out of all the changes I've seen from these trailers, the Sword & Shield trailer has got me the most hyped because its new "Bladecoating Slash" attack marks the return of the Oil Coating mechanic from 2015's Monster Hunter Generations.
It was an exclusive Sword & Shield mechanic where you coat the blade in oils to boost its attack, crit rate, or even grant it the ability to exhaust and stun monsters, kind of like The Witcher series.
It was so well received that fans have been begging Capcom to bring this mechanic back for Sword & Shield for nearly a decade because it was used in 2017's Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, and now their wish is finally being granted.
Sword & Shield was one of my most used weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds' base game, so I can't wait to see how this new "Bladecoating Slash" will drastically alter its playstyle (like potentially coating my Sword & Shield in Gunpowder to give it explosion attacks with every swing) when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
If you're looking for a laptop that's purely for crushing work without frivolous features eating its precious processing power, few are as simple yet effective as the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 laptop.
It's not going to win any design contests, but it will help you conquer your daily tasks with superb performance, detailed resolutions, and handy AI features, all of which are now 50% off for $699.99 at Best Buy for a limited time before it returns to its steep $1349.99 listing price on September 7, 2026.
The HP OmniBook X Flip 16-inch laptop will bulldoze any lightweight workflow tasks you throw at it thanks to its AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (2026), 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, while being much cheaper than the competition.View Deal
Why buy the HP Omnibook X Flip 14"?
The HP OmniBook X 2-in-1 laptop in hand. (Image credit: Windows Central (Zachary Boddy) | HP)
The HP OmniBook X Flip 16" 2-in-1 laptop is equipped with handy components like an AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (2026) CPU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
While some of these components aren't as powerful as the ones found in the 14-inch version of the HP OmniBook X Flip we reviewed some time ago, they're still more than capable of handling daily workflow tasks, whether it's crunching numbers on spreadsheets, typing up long essays via Microsoft Office, researching info on the internet, and more.
It also features an NPU with 50 TOPS to help the laptop perform local AI tasks more efficiently, a 16-inch 2K OLED touchscreen to display images and videos with crisp detail and vibrant colors, and a long-lasting battery life of 30 hours so you can work for a whole day without worrying about it losing power.
Add on top a comfortable-to-use keyboard, a plethora of USB and HDMI ports, and stylus pen compatibility for easier note-taking or digital art sketching, and you've got a laptop that's worth the price of admission, especially now that it's 50% off for Best Buy's Labor Day Sale.
FAQ
How long will Best Buy's Labor Day Sale last?
Best Buy's Labor Day Sale will last until September 7, 2026.
Can it handle gaming or heavy creative work?
No, mainly because it was designed for light workflow tasks and everyday productivity. Trying to use the HP OmniBook X Flip 16-inch laptop for gaming or heavy creative work will cause its performance to stutter and overheat quickly.
What convertible modes does it support?
The HP OmniBook X Flip 16-inch laptop supports Laptop Mode, Tablet Mode, Tent Mode, and Reserve Mode (a.k.a. Media Mode).
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Microsoft has announced on the Xbox website that it is teaming up with the TV brand TCL to bring the Xbox app to its Smart TVs in the coming months. This makes TCL the latest brand of Smart TVs to feature Xbox Cloud Gaming alongside Samsung, LG, and Hisense.
To use it, you will need to download the Xbox app on a compatible TCL Smart TV, a supported controller, and Xbox Cloud Gaming playtime bought separately or included with Xbox Game Pass (which, as a bonus, will grant you instant access to a huge library of Xbox Cloud games).
With this, you will be able to play your favorite Xbox titles by streaming directly from the TV without the need for a console.
What's more, it's compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning your game save data will carry over to other hardware compatible with Xbox's ecosystem, so you can continue your progress on the go.
Windows Central's take
Today, we're sharing a new partnership with TCL that will bring the XBOX app to select TCL Smart TVs in the coming months: https://t.co/PG6QZcP9drSeptember 4, 2026
Normally, this would be cause for celebration, as more platforms to play Xbox games on are always good news.
Xbox Cloud Gaming used to be free, but starting in November 2026, Xbox Game Pass users will have their playtime and library of games restricted depending on which subscription tier they're on.
Essential - 5 hours per month, 50+ games, max resolution of 1080p
Premium - 10 hours per month, 200+ games, max resolution of 1080p
Ultimate - 15 hours per month, 400+ games, max resolution of 1480p
I personally never play games on the cloud, as I'm an old-school kind of guy who prefers playing games offline, but I feel sorry for those affected by this news.
Xbox Cloud Gaming on Smart TVs was a cool and affordable way to play Xbox games for those who couldn't afford to buy the expensive Xbox Series X|S consoles.
But I don't think many people will want to play Xbox Cloud Gaming on any platform now thanks to these restrictions, because being forced to play 5, 10, or 15 hours PER MONTH is just ridiculous.
But what do you think? Are you still willing to play Xbox Cloud Gaming on Smart TVs now that it's coming to TCL, or are the newly imposed playtime curfews making you quit the service altogether?
If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let us know in the comments, poll, or on our Reddit page.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
The third trailer in this series focuses on the improvements for Dual Blades, the fastest melee weapon type in the game, where you rip and tear monsters to shreds with a pair of daggers.
The Dual Blades is one of the best weapon types in the game as they're extremely, do a lot of damage in short bursts, and can make the player briefly invincible if you dodge enemy attacks at the last second while using the weapon's unique "Demon Mode".
However, when paired with this DLC expansion's Boost Bracer mechanic, Dual Blades can the player into a monster. This is because the Boost Bracer grants Dual Blades, with what we can tell from this trailer:
A new Boost Driver attack where you spin towards an enemy and knock them off their feet while they're attacking, as it counts as an Offset attack.
The Boost Driver also fills up your Archdemon Mode gauge.
Once you fill the Boost Gauge by hitting enemies with Boost Driver attacks, you can activiate it to double the attack speed of Dual Blades, have each strike deal multiple hits with increased range, and unlock new combo attacks that end in a nasty finisher where you hold both blades in one hand to deliver a savage uppercut.
Additionally, activating the Boost Gauge will allow you to jump in the air during a Perfect Dodge so you can perform aerial attacks when you spin across a monster's body to rip them up with Dual Blades, without needing to use Focus Mode attacks or jumping off ledges and hills.
Windows Central's take
A hunter chopping up a Yian Kut-Ku as she's flying through the air. (Image credit: Capcom)
Dual Blades ended up being my main weapon of choice when I tackled the endgame content of Monster Hunter Wilds' base game, as its insane attack speed proved invaluable against tough monsters like Omega and Gogmazios.
After watching this trailer, I think I'm going to stick with Dual Blades in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance because it looks amazing and brutal to use with the Boost Bracer's enhancements.
I like how the Dual Blade's normally graceful movements are replaced with berserker-style claw swipes while the Boost Gauge is activated. It kind of makes you feel like the Marvel superhero Wolverine, which I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional, considering Capcom spent decades making Marvel fighting games like the Marvel Vs. Capcom series.
Plus, considering we aren't getting Insomniac's Wolverine game on Xbox Series X|S and PC anytime soon, I'll take these newly improved Dual Blades as a suitable substitute when Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Empower your weapons with the new Boost Bracer, explore a mysterious land floating in the sky, and hunt down ancient Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds' epic DLC expansion, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.
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