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It’s a new month, so that means new game releases to check out. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the lineup below. A new podcast episode has also dropped that you definitely don’t want to miss. Be sure to check out the Patreon exclusive version of our newsletter, which has more articles, updates, insights from us, and more!

GZ CHOP SHOP PODCAST

👇 Listen Now: - Welcome back to the GZ Chop Shop Gaming Podcast for our first episode of 2026! We're diving into the latest gaming news, including Discord's decision to go public, and what this means for gamers and the platform—Razer's new gaming AI companion, "ava," and more. Stay tuned for all the updates!

UPCOMING GAME RELEASES

GAMING NEWS

KOEI TECMO America and developer Team NINJA released a brand-new demo for their upcoming dark samurai action RPG, Nioh 3, on PlayStation®5 and Windows PC via Steam®. In the demo, players can explore the early stages of the game and receive an in-game bonus item.
 
Before transcending time to save Japan when Nioh 3 launches on Feb. 6, 2026, players can sharpen their blades in the new demo that includes both solo play and online multiplayer mode for up to three players*. Aspiring shoguns will be able to create their own custom character and dive into the turbulent Warring States period, even testing their skills in an electrifying boss fight against Jakotsu-baba, with save data carrying over to the final game upon release. Players who complete the demo by Feb. 15, 2026, will receive the in-game bonus item the Twin-Snake Helmet, which can be used in the full version of the game.

Nioh 3 is now available to pre-order physically and digitally. Players can digitally pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition or separately purchase the Season Pass. Furthermore, a SteelBook® Launch Edition is also available to pre-order and comes with the base game and two exclusive bonus DLCs. All versions of the game come with an early purchase bonus*** which can be redeemed from the PlayStation™ Store and Steam®, available for a limited time after the game releases.
 
Players can also pre-order a special PlayStation®5 physical edition exclusively through the NIS America Store. The Nioh 3 TREASURE BOX includes the base game, a Scampuss Furball Netsuke Charm Keychain, a Nioh 3 Original Desk Pad, the Official Artbook, and a Nioh 3 Selection Soundtrack CD.
 
Nioh 3 is currently in development and is scheduled for release on Feb. 6, 2026 on PlayStation®5 and Windows PC via Steam®. The game will include Japanese and English voices with texts in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

Global gaming brand Level Infinite and game developer SHIFT UP today announced a major crossover event for the hit mobile RPG shooter Goddess of Victory: NIKKE. Starting Thursday, February 12, 2026, the world of NIKKE will welcome the elite agents of the highly-acclaimed TV gun-fight anime series, Lycoris Recoil.

Highlighting the high-stakes shooting action and appealing visual style of both brands, the NIKKE x LYCORIS collab update will feature:

●  Iconic New Units: Lycoris Recoil agents Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue will transition into the world of NIKKE as playable characters, complete with their signature fighting styles adapted for the battlefield.

●  Original Narrative Content: A brand-new story event that explores the intersection of the Lycoris agents and the Nikkes as they join forces to face a common threat.

●  Lively Crossover Visuals: The signature red lycoris flowers and the motifs of Café LycoReco from the anime are seamlessly blended with the gritty style of NIKKE’s combat-heavy world to deliver a unique and engaging art style.

Be sure to look out for more detailed character stats, unique skills, and specific mission rewards as they are revealed on the official NIKKE website and social media channels in the coming days.

To celebrate the collaboration, fans will have the chance to win prizes, including official NIKKE original merchandise and Amazon Gift Cards.

How to Participate:

Official X: https://x.com/NIKKE_en

Fans are encouraged to take part and join the celebration!

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Jagex, creator of the iconic RuneScape franchise, has today unveiled further details on the next uncharted regions of Ashenfall set to emerge from the mists of RuneScape Dragonwilds over the next year. Featured as part of today’s community summit livestream, these new and mysterious areas - Dowdun Reach, Umbral Sands, and Scorned Wilderness - will expand the world and continue the Kuldra Saga, which began with the game’s launch into Early Access in April 2025.
 

Watch the community livestream here: https://www.twitch.tv/rsdragonwilds  

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an epic, open-world survival and crafting game set on Gielinor’s forgotten continent of Ashenfall, where solo players or teams of up to four, embark on quests to discover why untamed, transformative magic spills across the broken, fractured land. This latest deep dive into the upcoming early access content comes soon after Jagex recently announced sales of the game has broken the one million sales milestone.

Dowdun Reach: Madness of Zamorak
Scheduled to launch towards the end of March, Dowdun Reach is an area choking under the shadow of Zamorak, the God of Chaos. At its heart is a mountain fortress lost in the mists of long ago, now haunted by the twisted, tormented Black Knights.

Focused on the fortified stronghold’s labyrinthine halls, battlements, armouries, and inner chambers, players must complete layered quests, overcome its knights in deadly combat, and explore every hidden corner. Those who dare push into the inner keep and beyond will uncover materials needed to craft mithril-tier gear and weapons, but nothing comes easily. Deeper within, an even greater challenge awaits: Blue Dragons.

Dowdun Reach will also see a brand-new skill for players to max out, as Fishing makes its debut in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. The overall level cap for each skill in the game will also be increasing to 99, with content being retroactively added to existing skills in future content updates.

Umbral Sands: Fire of Fuzan
Coming this Summer, the vast desert region of the Umbral Sands comes to the game, bringing with it the blistering heat from the sun bearing down upon baking ground. Featuring a dangerously dynamic environmental system, players exposed to its rays will be drained of health, making their use of shade and the time of day critical for survival. But of course, while the daytime heralds the unbearable heat and attacks from the elemental Kot’Haar, nighttime brings with it new dangers for players to face…

Ruled by Fuzan, the Red Dragon General, the Umbral Sands will introduce a selection of iconic RuneScape items to the game, including Adamant tier gear, Red Dragonhide, and Yew Bows and Staffs, together with Icthlarin, the Demigod of the Underworld.

Scorned Wilderness: Rage of Kuldra
Due to launch in September 2026, Scorned Wilderness will bring the Kuldra Saga to a stunning conclusion as players face off against Kuldra, the God Eater.

In addition to the major updates above, RuneScape: Dragonwilds will also receive monthly minor updates adding new quests and activities to the game as well as adding quality of life fixes.
 
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is available now on Steam Early Access.

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