Bulletin: News on The Game Awards, Bladesong, Plague Doctor: Life in Pestilence, and more!

Brace yourself for a bulletin filled to the brim with news. Now that The Game Awards are over, there is plenty to talk about, such as the new Tomb Raider games, the smithy Bladesong, the sickly Plague Doctor: Life in Pestilence, and much, much more!

The Tombs Have Reopened

The Game Awards have done their thing, and gamers all over the world are stoked about the new games the show announced. I will come back to the rest of The Game Awards later, but first… some big news for the Tomb Raider franchise! Sometime during the night, the reveal unveiled not one, but two games in which beloved Lara Croft will return. The new game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, will drop in 2027 and takes place in Northern India, after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld.

But not to fret. We won’t have to wait til 2027 before we see Lara Croft again. The other game, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is dropping in 2026! Crystal Dynamics is releasing this game sooner than the one above, potentially because this game is not completely new to the franchise, but a reimagining of an existing game, the original Tomb Raider I. The game is not a one-on-one copy of the old one, but we are going to see Lara in her iconic shorts and blue top outfit again. Although the story is similar, the game will contain a lot of new elements, such as improved environments and visuals, thanks to Unreal Engine 5. The developers are respecting and honouring the original game in every way they can, but are also expanding on the existing story and gameplay elements to ensure it forms a better fit with today’s audience. For someone who grew up playing these games, I am beyond excited!

The Song Of Steel

Putting the acrobatics and guns aside for a moment, let’s turn to a different game. Sun & Serpent Creations and Mythwright created  Bladesong, the “ultimate swordmaking game.” If you’ve ever dreamt of what it would be like to be a Blacksmith, this game is for you! Players can customise weapons to their heart’s content, as long as they make sure the customer is happy. Every creation is unique, as players have a wide range of materials and styles at their disposal. Whether you are looking for a fun fantasy game or intend to stick to historical accuracy, Bladesong offers it all. But this game isn’t just about being a simple swordsmith in Eren Keep. Secrets and whispers of rebellions flood your shop under the watchful gaze of the Masked King. It is up to you to decide who you take on as a customer and whether you will do their bidding or deny them one of your perfect blades. The developers are releasing their Early Access version on January 22nd, 2026.

Pestilence On A White Horse

Ever wondered what it was like during the Plague? Sickness and death were everywhere. And medicine wasn’t really up to par yet. At least, not by today’s standards. But perhaps you will do better than the doctors of that age. You can either play Plague Doctor: Life in Pestilence as single-player or co-op with up to 3 other players, as you are the only hope of this sickly world. As you watch the Plague spread before your very eyes, it is up to the player to gather ingredients, brew potions, and treat the afflicted. Treatments can take many different shapes, from ointments to pills and injectables. But of course, the player has to diagnose the patient first. Be mindful, however, that the world around you responds to how you treat your patients. If the player gives the wrong diagnosis or treatment, not only will their reputation suffer, but their actions will also affect the town. As of yet, there is no release date.

The 2025 Game Awards

And here we are, returning to The Game Awards. I won’t go into detail about every win and announcement, because there are simply too many. But you can easily visit The Game Awards’ website to rewatch their livestream from the 11th and 12th of December. Even so, I will give you a small recap (of the more historical games) in the section below.

The Belle Époque era inspired RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, beat all records and odds by winning 9 Awards, including Game Of The Year (GOTY)!

The mysterious statue posted on social media by TGA a few weeks ago turns out to be a sneak peek at Larian’s next game. The studio created 2023’s GOTY, Baldur’s Gate 3, but is returning to their own IP with Divinity 3.

Decrepit drops in 2026 and has the player fighting their way out of the castle’s dungeons on their way to freedom. But curses and forsaken creatures stand in their way. The game features a souls-like combat style and different environments to keep the player on their toes. Be aware, though, each death drags you right back down to the dungeons.

Blizzard announced the new DLC for Diablo 4 at TGA, Lord of Hatred. The expansion releases on April 28th, 2026, and contains two new classes, among which is the Paladin, as well as a new questline where the player will battle it out with Mephisto.

In addition to the previously announced Total War: Medieval 3, TGA also announced Total War: Warhammer 40.000.

Koei Temco and Team Ninja announced that the demo for Nioh 3 will come out on the 19th of January, 2026. In this game, players can play as both a samurai and a ninja, easily switching between the two fighting styles. They are also introducing the Ninjitsu technique, where players can leave behind clones after an attack. And players can carry progress from the demo into the eventual release of the game.

And last but not least, we have a release date for Phantom Blade Zero. The “KUNGFUPUNK” ARPG drops on September 9th, 2026, and follows the story of Soul, who only has sixty-six days left to live in the dark fantasy world. The game takes inspiration from “Hong Kong’s Golden Age of martial arts cinema.”