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SteelSeries Brings Its Outstanding Infinite Battery System to Controllers With the Aeon Pro for Xbox and PC, But Is It Worth the Sky-High Price Tag?
The SteelSeries Aeon Pro packs in just about every "pro" feature you could ask for in a controller, with Hall-effect thumbsticks, tactile switch buttons, adjustable triggers, and the company's outstanding hot-swappable battery system.
Apple wanted the iPhone Ultra to cost $1,999, new report says
But the RAM apocalypse intervened. Apple is holding its big annual iPhone launch event on September 9, and it's widely expected to unveil the iPhone Ultra...
The 98 Biggest TV Show Flops, Bombs and Misses in the First Half of 2026
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) In July, I updated my look at how the “streaming bubble” popped since 2023, showing the decline in streaming TV shows over time. But after compiling and analyzing and writing about over one hundred TV show flops in the first half of 2026—I counted 99 “nominees” and there are even more honorable mentions—I couldn’t have told you that the number of shows is going down. When it comes to scripted, English-language TV shows, it feels like we have as many bombs as ever. I don’t keep a specific count, but some streamers probably had as many flops as they’ve ever had.1 That’s right, it’s time for part two of my analysis of the biggest flops, bombs and misses on streaming in the first half of 2026. Two weeks ago, I took a look at films. Today, TV shows. If you want to read the full methodology for how I assemble this list, you can find it at the bottom of this article. In short, this list is… ...scripted and unscripted TV shows,...from the nine major streamers,...in the US (using US-only ratings),...excluding true crime, kids and foreign-language shows,...that got no/poor ratings,...from Jan-2026 to the end of June-2026. Reminder: this article does not represent my personal opinion—many of these shows are great!—but I follow the data, and a miss is a miss and a bomb is a bomb. Also, price matters. If a TV show costs north of $100 million, it needs to get lots and lots of streaming viewership to justify that budget. As with past editions, I ordered this list by streamer, going from best (fewest flops) to worst (the most misses)—taking the size of the flops into consideration—and like the last edition, three or four streamers vied to take the win/loss of having the most flops. (But the actual winner is no surprise.) I try to avoid tooting my own horn too much, but seriously, in just under 5,000 words (including the methodology section) I provide a mostly comprehensive overview of the eight major streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Apple TV) for the first half of the year, mentioning most of their hits and all their misses. It summarizes the entire first half of 2026! If you want to support this work, please subscribe. Subscribe Tubi Big Mood Boarders The Freak Brothers Twenty Twenty Six Honorable Mentions: Busted on Bodycam, Deestroying the Pitch, Destination World Cup 2026 I don’t think that Tubi spends all that much making or (mostly) licensing these original TV shows—Big Mood, Boarders and Twenty Twenty Six all come from the UK—but they’re not free and they didn’t chart anywhere. Winner: The Freak Brothers Have you even heard of this show? It’s an animated comedy...that’s on its third season! And Pete Davidson, Woody Harrelson, John Goodman and Tiffany Haddish all provide voice talent for it. Yes, animated shows don’t cost as much as live action shows, but cheap isn’t free! So a show with this level of talent needs to perform better. Disney+ Daredevil: Born Again Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Honorable Mentions: Behind the Attraction, Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, We Call It Imagineering Disney+ doesn’t make all that many original shows anymore. They had two flops, and one was animated. Their one not-a-miss show, Wonder Man, got just good enough viewership to not be considered a “miss”...but it’s since been cancelled. At this point, Disney has pivoted entirely away from making big budget TV shows for Disney+ to making...almost nothing for Disney+? Sure, Disney’s spending circa 2019-2022 was unsustainable, but now they’re pivoting too far in the other direction. At some point, Disney needs to stop shifting strategies so wildly. Really, Disney should have made fewer shows for Disney+ at launch and the shows they did make at that time needed to be made at more reasonable budgets. And they should adopt that strategy now. Winner: Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil, the Marvel Comics character, is on my personal Mount Rushmore of favorite superheroes, so it pains me to give him the win/loss today, but this show deserves it. I’ll repeat my hot take from last spring: “Based on his popularity, Daredevil should be in movies, and probably ones that cost a lot less than the MCU’s usual price tag. Disney/Bob Iger/Ike Perlmutter (who, based on reporting, made the decision) made a huge mistake selling TV shows to Netflix in the 2010s, thus limiting this character to the small screen. Daredevil could have anchored Marvel’s post-Infinity War plans, and if he did, the MCU would probably be in a better place than it is now.” HBO Max We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… What four streamers had the most misses... HBO’s strong start to 2026… The caveat to Peacock’s turnaround this year... Paramount+’s key man problem… What country isn’t delivering hits for Netflix or Hulu... The cavalcade of stars on a streamer where no one is watching their shows... Across nearly 5,000 words of analysis… And a lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you’d like to read more about why you should subscribe, please read this article about the Streaming Ratings Report, why it matters, why you need it, and why we cover streaming ratings best.
Smithfield Foods expects to swing to third-quarter operating loss in fresh pork business
Smithfield Foods said on Tuesday its fresh pork segment is expected to swing to an adjusted operating loss in the third quarter, due to persistent pressure from lower hog prices and a shrinking industry market spread amid cautious spending.
Justin Leventhal: A free market needs prices
Price transparency will not fix every distortion in healthcare, but without it, no serious market reform can work.
S&P 500 falls as AI worries hit software makers
The S&P 500 declined as AI competition fears hit software stocks and Middle East tensions lifted oil prices, with investors eyeing upcoming inflation data.
Dunlap highlights high home heating oil prices in Maine
Dunlap, who faces former Republican Gov. Paul LePage on the Nov. 3 ballot, said Maine continues to be the state where more people rely on home heating oil than any other.
Amazon Is Taking Preorder Requests for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETBs Well Below Market Price, Marking a Rare First for US Collectors
Amazon US is accepting invite requests for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETBs at $89.99—roughly $90 below market resale value on TCGplayer.
Review: SteelSeries Aeon Pro: The Infinite Battery Life, Dual-System Xbox and PC Controller Impresses, Despite Its High Price
Borrowing the best ideas from the firm's Arctis Nova Pro headset lineup.
Robinhood Lands Crypto.com Deal, Underwriting Job For Oura. Goldman Hikes Target.
Robinhood takes minority stake in Crypto.com with prediction market deal, to underwrite Oura IPO, reports say. Goldman lifts price target.
Yankees Ticket Prices Rise as Judge Returns
One of MLB’s top fan attractions is returning to action.
Oil prices surge back toward $100: What market pros are saying
Oil is creeping back toward $100 a barrel, fueling a Labor Day record for US gas prices over the long weekend.
Gas Prices Make Substantial Jump
Gas prices in Wilmington took a sharp turn upward last week, soaring over 22 cents to hit an average of $4.15 per gallon.
Oil prices keep rising and weigh on Wall Street
U.S. stocks are drifting lower in their return to trading following a three-day weekend. The S&P 500 dipped 0.2% Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 477 points, and the
Has Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) Fallen Below Fair Value?
Tencent Music Entertainment Group has seen its share price fall sharply over the past year, yet both an intrinsic value estimate based on a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) approach and traditional earnings multiples currently point to the stock trading below those valuation checks. The disconnect between a weak recent share performance and signals of potential undervaluation is drawing attention to what the current price really implies about the business. Over the past 12 months the stock has...
What Marks A Successful Season For Seahawks Rookie Jadarian Price?
The rookie running back knows what will be a success for him in 2026.
U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports could send hockey gear prices higher
For a sport that is increasingly expensive, the latest round of 50% tariffs levied the Trump administration against Canada is unwelcome news.
Trump's beef import plan draws criticism from Alabama organizations, politicians
The president's move, which he said aimed to reduce prices, drew rare rebukes from state organizations generally supportive of him.
World shares and US futures decline, while oil prices press higher
World shares and U.S. futures have fallen as flaring conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices higher. China said that its exports jumped 25% year-on-year in August, driven by
World shares and US futures decline, while oil prices press higher
World shares and U.S. futures have fallen as flaring conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices higher. China said that its exports jumped 25% year-on-year in August, driven by
The Market Forces Quietly Adding Thousands to Patient Bills
The true cost of “vertical integration”: patients directed to a higher-priced location for procedures. Or forced to buy from their insurer’s wholly owned pharmacy, which may not stock the drug prescribed or provide it at the lowest price.
Canon EOS R8 Mark II Leak: Specs, IBIS Upgrades, and Design Revealed Ahead of Launch
Leaked Canon EOS R8 Mark II details reveal a redesigned angular body, 7.5-stop IBIS, joystick, and €1,879 price point ahead of its September 15 release.
Teladoc Health (TDOC) Could Be 58% Undervalued As A New CFO Takes Over
Why Teladoc Health Brought In A New CFO Teladoc Health (TDOC) has appointed Michael Grasher as Chief Financial Officer, effective 31 August 2026, giving investors a fresh focal point for assessing the company’s financial leadership and capital allocation plans. The Teladoc Health share price has eased in the past day and is down about 11% over the past month, while the 1 year total shareholder return has fallen roughly 19% and the 5 year total shareholder return has declined about 95%, so...
Asian shares and US futures decline, while oil prices press higher
Asian shares and U.S. futures have fallen as flaring conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices higher. China said that its exports jumped 25% year-on-year in August, driven by
Asian shares and US futures decline, while oil prices press higher
Asian shares and U.S. futures have fallen as flaring conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices higher. China said that its exports jumped 25% year-on-year in August, driven by
Oil price approaches $100 a barrel after attacks on Saudi oil facilities
Saudi authorities said operations at some energy facilities have been attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis
Rate My UCL MD1 Fantasy Team
Picking your team for Champions League Matchday 1 is always an exciting and stressful experience. After days of weighing up different options, checking player prices and changing my mind, my squad is finally locked in. Building this squad was all about finding the right balance. Rather than spending most of my budget on a few […]
Asian shares and US futures are mixed, while oil prices creep higher
Asian shares and U.S. futures are mixed after U.S. markets were closed for the Labor Day holiday.
Asian shares and US futures are mixed, while oil prices creep higher
Asian shares and U.S. futures are mixed after U.S. markets were closed for the Labor Day holiday.
Cyber premiums are falling as AI attacks accelerate
Silent cyber exposure is creeping into property and casualty books never built to price it
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Gets Early Australia Nintendo Store Listing Pointing To A Possible $60 Digital Price
More info is expected at this week's Nintendo Directs
Samsung Securities Says SM Entertainment's Earnings Power Improving on Next-Gen IP and Greater China Expansion
Samsung Securities maintained its Buy rating and target price of ₩105,000 (approximately $78) on SM Entertainment. The brokerage cited the growth…
Amazon Just Restocked the Rare Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box for Under Market Price — Here Is Why Collectors Are Grabbing It Fast
Amazon has restocked the rare Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box for under market price.
Oil rises as risks of prolonged Mideast conflict heighten supply worries
Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as risks of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East grew after Iran threatened to retaliate against any new U.S. attacks on its assets, heightening worries over supply disruption.
Nintendo reveals Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake price on Switch 2
Nintendo has now confirmed how much The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Nintendo Switch 2 remake will be with the official price.
Le Creuset x Star Trek Collection: Prices, availability, release date
Vulcan oven mitts, spaceship baking dishes, and an out-of-this-world communicator grater—you'll need warp speed to Klingon to this limited edition kitchen kit, ideal for perfecting the broth of Khan.
Mamdani creates new DSA-inspired office to help NYC workers unionize: 'Concerning for small business'
Happy Labor Day from Hizzoner. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday announced a new taxpayer-funded office — with an undisclosed price tag — that will help New York City workers...
Wisconsin gas prices remain below national average for Labor Day
Direct tourism spending hit $80 million in Shawano County last year, up from 2024.
Fuel prices at record Labor Day high in U.S.
Prices shot up after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February and have not settled down since
PS5 Pro Consoles Are Back in Stock Right Now at Walmart for Labor Day in Bundles That Come With an Extra Controller
Walmart has a few PS5 Pro console bundles in stock right now during Labor Day sales... if you can stomach the price.
Pokémon TCG’s Final First Partner Illustration Set Is Finally Back in Stock at Amazon — Here Is Where to Get Series 3 Before It Sells Out Again
Amazon has restocked the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 3 at market price. Here is where to buy the latest anniversary set.
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Google Pixel 11
Google recently launched the Pixel 11 with its Tensor chipset and a price hike, but alternatives from OnePlus, Samsung, and Motorola are more powerful.
Why the iPhone is about to get more expensive
Soaring RAM costs are driving up prices across the tech industry. It may take years to settle down.
iPhone Ultra expected release date, price, colors, pre-orders, specs and everything you need to know
Apple's first foldable is expected to land this week
Tom Still: True health care debate in Wisconsin would help people, economy
MADISON, Wis. — “Price transparency” is a phrase used by politicians right and left to oversimplify real problems with health-care costs, access and delivery in the United States. This fall’s
Clean & Science co., Ltd announces an Equity Buyback for 209,205 shares.
Clean & Science co., Ltd announces a share repurchase program. Under the program, the company will repurchase up to 209,205 shares. The purpose of the program is to stabilize stock price and enhance...
Major CT manufacturer among companies facing consumer lawsuits over tariff refunds
Stanley Black & Decker faces lawsuits alleging it unfairly kept tariff refunds after raising prices, testing a new legal theory in Connecticut.
Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks about the US economy and oil prices, highlighting mounting economic and financial pressures facing Washington.
First annual fall in UK house prices since November 2023, in ‘subdued’ market
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Fuel prices at record Labor Day high in US thanks to Iran War, refinery issues
The average price of regular gas was $4.14 a gallon heading into the holiday, according to AAA motor club.
John Ternus’s first test at Apple: selling a $2,000 foldable iPhone
Smartphone maker needs to raise prices across its device range to make up for rising costs
Simon Edvinsson’s Contract Price May Have Just Increased
Zeev Buium's eight-year, $75.04 million deal could give Simon Edvinsson additional leverage in his contract talks with the Red Wings.
Oil extends gains after US and Iran strike ships
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iran on vessels sailing in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas heightened concerns of a prolonged supply disruption from the Middle East.
Oil Prices Rise Slightly After U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes
Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was up about 1 percent as trading resumed on Sunday, while the national average price of gas was nearly $4.15 a gallon.
Is Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) Undervalued Following Its Near US$1b Debt Offering?
Debt offering puts Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) funding plans in focus Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) recently completed two fixed income offerings totaling about US$997 million, issuing senior unsecured notes maturing in 2031 and 2036. The deals follow a fresh shelf registration for debt securities. At a share price of US$8.26, Tencent Music Entertainment Group has seen the share price return fall 13.33% over the past 30 days and 53.75% year to date. The 3 year total...
Universal Health Services (UHS) Stock Looks Cheap On Earnings While Returns Look Strong
Universal Health Services stock has retreated this year after a solid three year run, yet the broader valuation checks still lean cheap relative to that recent performance. The question for investors is whether the current share price around US$169.65 still reflects enough caution in relation to the company’s fundamentals. Over the past 3 years the stock has returned 30.7%, which suggests the market has already reassessed Universal Health Services more positively over that period. Future...
Ranchers reeling from President Trump beef price initiatives
Cattle ranchers say let the market sort out beef prices, stop singling them out over affordability
A trucker explains what record diesel prices mean for his business
Monte Wiederhold runs a trucking company in northwest Ohio. He explains how problems overseas affect businesses at home.
iPhone 17 Prices Slashed Further Days Before iPhone 18 Release
The iPhone 17 Pro Max just got another discount, knocking hundreds off both Pro models. Here's every confirmed discount before the iPhone 18 release date.
Everyone wants to win working-class voters. But have they realized many are women?
This story was originally reported by Chabeli Carrazana of The 19th. Meet Chabeli and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. Congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza can quickly rattle off prices from the grocery store in the small town of Eloy, Arizona, where she grew up. A couple of months ago, a pound […]
Will Seahawks RB Jadarian Price lose carries to George Holani in 2026?
Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price may be at risk of losing key carries to George Holani next season.
A $480,000-a-year pill reflects a new normal for cancer drugs
Cancer drug prices have steadily increased. The expense is borne by government programs like Medicare, employers, patients and Americans who pay taxes and health insurance premiums.
Affordability takes center stage as Shapiro and Garrity craft their economic pitch for Pennsylvania voters
Exhausted by high gas prices and stagnant wages, voters most want the candidates to address cost-of-living concerns, according to a recent poll.
Imagicaaworld Entertainment And 2 Indian Undervalued Stocks To Watch
Global food and commodity prices remain elevated, and that keeps investors focused on cash rich Indian businesses that can handle higher input costs. When markets worry about inflation staying sticky, dependable cash generation often matters more than headline earnings. This article looks at three Indian stocks where current market prices sit below an internally assessed cash flow value. You will see why cash focused value hunters are watching these opportunities now. The three stocks covered...
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Gives True Thoughts on Seahawks’ Jadarian Price
The New England Patriots had no answer for stopping the Seattle Seahawks‘ running game in Super Bowl LX. Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 rushing yards in the win. However, for this Week 1 opener, the Seahawks won’t have Walker, but they will have rookie running back Jadarian Price.Last season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, […] The post Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Gives True Thoughts on Seahawks’ Jadarian Price appeared first on HEAVY.
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Stock Could Be Undervalued As Shares Fell 72%
Caesars Entertainment stock has delivered a steep 71.5% decline over the past five years, yet current checks point to a company that screens cheap on both intrinsic value estimates and market multiples. The share price has fallen 71.5% over the past five years, which leaves long term holders with heavy losses and raises the question of whether the current price reflects overly low expectations. The key upside driver is whether Caesars Entertainment can convert its gaming and digital...
From the Treasure of Villena to the French Crown Jewels: The lucrative business of stealing pieces of history
The spectacular rise in the price of gold over the past nine years has triggered a wave of increasingly violent heists at European museums, which are struggling to protect themselves
Health Impact Of Fast Fashion & Toxic Knockoffs
They look like luxury. They cost a fraction of the price. And on social media, knockoff culture is having a moment.
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Could Be 7% Undervalued As Jury Verdict Tests Risk
A recent jury verdict in Clark County found Caesars Entertainment (CZR) negligent in a security case linked to the LINQ Promenade, raising fresh questions about legal risk around one of the company’s high-traffic Las Vegas properties. Against this backdrop, Caesars Entertainment shares last closed at $29.68, with a 90 day share price return of 1.64% and a year to date share price return of 25.98%. The 1 year total shareholder return of 12.68% contrasts with a 3 year and 5 year total...
LifeStance Health Group (LFST) Following Mental Health Growth Narrative Still Looks Near Fair Value
Recent performance puts LifeStance Health Group in focus LifeStance Health Group (LFST) stock has drawn fresh attention after a strong run over the past month and past 3 months, prompting some investors to revisit how the company’s current valuation aligns with its fundamentals. Zooming out from the recent rally, LifeStance Health Group’s share price return over the past 90 days and year to date has been strong, and the 1 year total shareholder return of 137.06% suggests momentum has been...
Deals: Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 get first big price cuts, Galaxy S26 FE launches
The Galaxy S26 FE comes with a $200 gift card, which helps it fend off the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy A57. The Samsung Galaxy Z8 series of foldables launched...
10 affordable options for Philly families beyond the Academy of Natural Sciences
With the announced closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences, here's other kid-friendly institutions in Philadelphia that offer indoor fun at a similar price.
LifeStance Health Group (LFST) Has Rallied Sharply, Is The Stock Still Undervalued?
LifeStance Health Group (LFST) has drawn fresh investor attention after recent trading data showed the stock up over the past month and past 3 months. This move is prompting closer scrutiny of its mental health services business. At a share price of $12.73, LifeStance Health Group has posted a 30 day share price return of 22.76% and a 90 day share price return of 71.79%. The 1 year total shareholder return of 137.06% points to strong recent momentum building from a lower multi year...
Sonos Arc Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar Drops Back to a Record Low With Hundreds Off for Labor Day
The 9.1.4 surround sound Arc Ultra overperforms its new $899 price tag with voice control and Dolby Atmos.
Bethesda Officially Announces Brand-New $13,999 Fallout Release
Bethesda announces a brand-new Fallout release with eye-watering price tags from $7,299 to $13,999.
Proto Labs (PRLB) Could Be 15% Undervalued On Leadership Change And Business Insider Nod
Proto Labs (PRLB) is back in focus after Business Insider recognized the company as one of America's Most Innovative Businesses, and with the upcoming arrival of seasoned operations leader Sam Ramahi as Chief Operations Officer. Against this backdrop, Proto Labs’ share price has shown mixed momentum, with a 1 day share price return of 2.40% and a 7 day share price return of 2.13%, in contrast with a 30 day share price decline of 9.82%. Yet a much stronger 58.60% share price return year to...
Lenovo goes MacBook Neo: Hands-on review with Lenovo's best-looking $699 laptop
Consumer laptops do not have to look boring - with the Lenovo IdeaPad vibe, Lenovo goes for a design with a few colorful twists, at an attractive price-point with many useful features. We had a chance to check it out at IFA 2026.
Americans hit with record-high Labor Day Weekend gasoline prices
With the war in the Middle East still raising energy costs, Americans face record-high gasoline prices for Labor Day weekend, just as political campaigns kick off for midterm Congressional elections.
Jim Cramer Says “Own It, Don’t Trade It” as CVS Health Gains Momentum
A caller on the September 2 episode of Mad Money noted that CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is up 21% this year, sports a 3% dividend, and trades at a 28 valuation compared to its 54 average. Pointing to raised guidance, higher price targets, and a massive capital plan, they asked if it makes sense to […]
Seahawks’ Jadarian Price Makes Blunt Admission Before Week 1
Jadarian Price will have to hit the ground running to help the Seattle Seahawks‘ running game. The team lost Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency this past offseason. Moreover, Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a torn ACL and will miss the early part of the 2026 NFL season. Not many rookie […] The post Seahawks’ Jadarian Price Makes Blunt Admission Before Week 1 appeared first on HEAVY.
Politics and gas prices
With gas prices now around $4 a gallon statewide, political analysts say the economy could become a key issue for voters heading into November.
Last-minute Texas vs Texas State tickets are still available
Last-minute tickets for Texas vs. Texas State are still available. Here's where to buy seats, including the cheapest prices at StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats.
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
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