Previews – SmashPad

[PAX East 2026] HANDS-ON & INTERVIEW – “Brigandine: Abyss” demo was punishing but has potential

by Danreb Victorio | Events Features PAX East Previews | 0 Comments | 13 May 2026

Our appointment with NIS America during PAX East was one of the opportunities I was most looking forward to, as I got to play Brigandine: Abyss behind closed doors, and it turned out to be quite a humbling experience. Typically, such a punishing demo would make me lose interest, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something worthwhile here, especially after the talk I had with the developer after the play session.

HANDS-ON – “D-Topia” demo is a window into a relaxing puzzle-solving experience

by Michael Fertitta | PC PlayStation 5 Previews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 05 May 2026

Annapurna Interactive has always been a name I associate with developers and publishers that create games with fascinating and deep narratives. With the rise of AI in nearly every aspect of our lives, it opens the door for a larger conversation about the existentialism of working alongside technologies that can grow beyond human comprehension. D-Topia, an upcoming puzzle game from Annapurna, seeks to tell a story in a similar manner, and I was interested in checking out how far the demo dives into this increasingly relevant topic.

Hands-On + INTERVIEW – “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” Director Naoki Hamaguchi talks Switch 2 performance

by Myles Obenza | Features Nintendo Switch 2 Previews | 0 Comments | 28 Apr 2026

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was one of 2024’s best games, earning SmashPad’s #6 spot on our Top 10 Games of 2024. It originally released on the PlayStation 5, eventually seeing a PC release in January of last year. But this June, both Xbox and Nintendo gamers will get the opportunity to play the gargantuan Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy’s sophomore outing. I recently had the opportunity to test the Switch 2 version of Rebirth for about half an hour, and even chatted digitally with game director Naoki Hamaguchi about porting the game to Nintendo’s handheld hybrid console, the concessions made, and what we can expect in the future.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Screenbound” takes the 2D/3D games outside the box and into 5D

by Adriana Rodriguez | Articles GDC Handheld PC Platforms PlayStation 5 Previews Retro Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 21 Apr 2026

GDC was an eventual five whole days of nothing but video games and sometimes it feels like I’m still recovering. As we were gearing up for the week a special surprise hit our inboxes and Xbox was kind enough to invite us to their own preview event in San Francisco to play several “ID@Xbox” demos. One of those games I got to play was Screenbound, a neat platformer that had me multitasking like I never had before.

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Modern day gaming is ready for “Bubsy 4D”, whether it likes it or not

by Adriana Rodriguez | Console Epic Games Store Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PAX East PC Platforms PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Previews Retro Reviews Steam Xbox One Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Apr 2026

I’m not sure what rock I’ve been living under all this time, but clearly it’s been missing Bubsy, and in several dimensions. Bubsy 4D is the comeback game of a series that dates back to the early 90’s on the…

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Whispers of the Eyeless is Worthy of a “Cult Following”

by Michael Fertitta | PAX East PC Previews | 0 Comments | 14 Apr 2026

Every year at PAX East, the Games From Poland booth always impresses me with the sheer variety of games coming from Poland. There were at least a dozen unique titles populating the booth, but one that caught my eye was…

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: “Jigrift” is a ‘puzzling’ take on 3D platformers

by Michael Fertitta | Epic Games Store PAX East PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 14 Apr 2026

The PAX Rising showcase at PAX East always has a handful of titles that draw me in. It’s thanks to this booth that I have seen all sorts of great ideas put into practice. One of those games that stood out for this very reason was Jigrift, a 3D Puzzle Platformer by the solo developer at Empty Castle Games where the world is comprised of jigsaw pieces! As someone who enjoys jigsaw puzzles, puzzle games, and 3D platformers, I knew I had to give this game a try.

Hands-On: The “Invincible VS” open beta shows ass-kicking potential for button mashers and combo labbers alike

by David Rodriguez | PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 13 Apr 2026

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time with the Invincible VS open beta this last weekend. At the end of it all, it looks like it’s going to be a polarizing game for most and honestly, I’m thankful for that.

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: “Grim Trials” is a Hades-like worth checking out

by Myles Obenza | PAX East PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 08 Apr 2026

During PAX East in Boston, I had the opportunity to play Grim Trials for about half an hour, but that wasn’t nearly enough time to really sink my teeth in. Not only because that isn’t really enough time to get a full impression, but also because what I played was genuinely fun, and I’m excited to eventually dive back in.

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Bylina is a clunky ARPG that’s more frustrating than fun

by Myles Obenza | PAX East Previews | 0 Comments | 07 Apr 2026

A dark, Slavic myth-themed dungeon-crawling action RPG sounds amazing on paper, and that’s what Bylina from developer Far Far Games sets out to be. This year at PAX East in Boston, I got to play roughly 20 minutes of what I can only assume is an early build of the game. Unfortunately, it was quite a buggy mess and largely unenjoyable, but the bones of a great game are here, especially if you’re a fan of other ARPGs of its ilk. I just think it needs a bit more time in the oven.

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: We’re ready for “Mina the Hollower”

by Myles Obenza | PAX East Previews | 0 Comments | 06 Apr 2026

It was a few days before I was set to hop on a plane to travel across the country to Boston to attend my first PAX East. My schedule was set, and I was ecstatic to check out all the…

[PAX East 2026] Impressions + Discussion: “Aether & Iron” devs discuss crafting narrative excellence as a debut indie developer

by Michael Fertitta | PAX East PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 03 Apr 2026

At PAX East, I was given an opportunity to meet with the team at Seismic Squirrel to preview their debut title Aether & Iron ahead of launch and talk to the studio leads about what went into the making of their narrative-driven tactical RPG.

Category: Previews

[PAX East 2026] HANDS-ON & INTERVIEW – “Brigandine: Abyss” demo was punishing but has potential

HANDS-ON – “D-Topia” demo is a window into a relaxing puzzle-solving experience

Hands-On + INTERVIEW – “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” Director Naoki Hamaguchi talks Switch 2 performance

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: “Screenbound” takes the 2D/3D games outside the box and into 5D

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Modern day gaming is ready for “Bubsy 4D”, whether it likes it or not

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Whispers of the Eyeless is Worthy of a “Cult Following”

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: “Jigrift” is a ‘puzzling’ take on 3D platformers

Hands-On: The “Invincible VS” open beta shows ass-kicking potential for button mashers and combo labbers alike

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: “Grim Trials” is a Hades-like worth checking out

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: Bylina is a clunky ARPG that’s more frustrating than fun

[PAX East 2026] Hands-On: We’re ready for “Mina the Hollower”

[PAX East 2026] Impressions + Discussion: “Aether & Iron” devs discuss crafting narrative excellence as a debut indie developer

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