The long-awaited conclusion to Max and Chloe’s story arrives March 26 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. “Life is Strange: Reunion” marks the first time both iconic characters serve as co-leads, offering alternating perspectives as they investigate a mysterious fire threatening Caledon University.
Developed by Deck Nine Games, the finale picks up after the events of “Life is Strange: Double Exposure,” with Chloe’s return tied to Max’s timeline-shifting abilities. Max returns with her signature Rewind power — now evolved with new capabilities, including the ability to leap into Polaroid photographs and restart events from those captured moments. Meanwhile, Chloe has grown into her role as touring band manager for Drugstore Makeup, bringing her trademark Backtalk ability and unfiltered attitude to investigations where Max’s academic position limits her access.
The game honors the weight of player choices from the original, allowing players to define whether Chloe survived the storm in Arcadia Bay and the nature of their relationship — whether friends or lovers. Supporting characters from “Double Exposure,” including Moses, Safi, Amanda and Vinh, return to round out the mystery at Caledon University. Senior Brand Manager Andrew James, who worked on the “Life is Strange” comics before joining Square Enix, describes “Reunion” as a “full circle moment” that finally brings Max and Chloe’s saga to a definitive close.
See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.
NEW VENTURES
SEGA, in partnership with Realm, has announced the release of “Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles,” a brand-new narrative podcast. The audio drama series will debut on Jan. 27.
In the podcast, the Sonic universe will come to life in audio for the first time. Inspired by detective radio dramas, Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon and Charmy Bee of the Chaotix Detective Agency are tasked with solving their biggest mystery yet.
The official Sonic video game voice cast will reprise their roles for the series, including Roger Craig Smith as Sonic the Hedgehog, Keith Silverstein as Vector the Crocodile, Matthew Mercer as Espio the Chameleon and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Charmy Bee. Others are set to appear throughout the season.
“Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles is an exciting milestone for the Sonic franchise, allowing SEGA to expand the Sonic universe with a completely new medium,” said Ryan Hamlyn, Senior Director, SEGA Lore & Creative Strategy, in a statement. “We combined the appeal of a noir detective drama with Sonic’s fun and action-packed style, creating a fresh story that’s both true to the Sonic series and new to fans. Thanks to our collaboration with Realm, listeners can look forward to this immersive mystery adventure anywhere they get their podcasts.”
PARTNERSHIPS
Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, Inc., has announced the launch of a special series of Fortnite islands inspired by the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, in collaboration with Chartis and Teravision Games.
The custom Fortnite Islands are built by Chartis and Teravision, using Epic’s UEFN toolset, and are designed as part of a “launch and learn” initiative to explore how D&D can connect with Fortnite players. The five new islands will include a PvP arena, a social hub, a platformer, a co-op boss fight, and the largest co-op roguelike in Fortnite history.
Players can visit D&D locations in the Forgotten Realms including the Yawning Portal tavern, the Spine of the World mountains, Mount Hotenow, and more. The islands will also include the opportunity to battle D&D characters such as Klauth, the ancient red dragon and necromancer Valindra Shadowmantle.
“We’re bringing the spirit of D&D homebrew to Fortnite – supporting creators, experimenting in new mediums, and learning how we can introduce D&D to new players,” said Nick Strann, Franchise Strategy Director for Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. “D&D already means so much to all those who have joined us at the table, and we hope that we can make it just as meaningful for millions of Fortnite fans. We very much look forward to hearing player feedback on these creator-made islands and using that feedback to shape future adventures wherever people love D&D.”
AWARDS
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” “Blue Prince” and more took home prizes at the 2026 New York Game Awards. The New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) recognized the best games, actors, journalists and more during the 15th edition of the awards on Sunday night.
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” won Game of the Year at the 2026 New York Game Awards, while “Blue Prince” won the Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game. The prestigious Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism was given to the YouTube channel People Make Games. “Ball x Pit” received the inaugural Excelsior Award for Best NY Game and The Pokémon Company was honored with the 2026 Andrew Yoon Legend Award.
In honor of the awards’ 15th anniversary, the NYVGCC was honored with a proclamation from the New York City Council and received special recognition from Nintendo of America President and COO Devon Pritchard and Head of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer. A new song from Mega Ran also debuted at the show as a tribute to the anniversary.
The NYVGCC is a not-for-profit organization of 40 video game critics, writers, reports and bloggers. Members provide scholarships, mentoring and community outreach to NYC school students.
See the full list of award winners here.
Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game: Blue Prince
Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game: Blippo+
Statue of Liberty Award for Best World: Hades II
Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game: South of Midnight
Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game: Jennifer English as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Excelsior Award for Best NY Game: Ball x Pit
Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game: Lumines Arise
Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game: Donkey Kong Bananza
A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game: Is This Seat Taken?
High Line Award for Best Remake: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Chumley’s Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem: News Tower
NYC GWB Award for Best DLC: Lies of P: Overture
Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism: People Make Games
Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient: The Pokémon Company
NEW RELEASES
“Tiny Chef: Cooking with Fwends” is the latest motion-powered Tiny Chef game to launch. Available now on the active play system Next Playground, the interactive cooking game was inspired by the Children’s and Family Emmy Award-winning show, “The Tiny Chef Show.”
In the new game, players will join characters Tiny, Olly, Henry and Ruby in a “whimsical kitchen adventure filled with mini-games, cooperative play and unexpected ‘Kitchen Chaos’ moments that reward teamwork and creativity,” the game’s logline reads. “Whether playing solo or side by side with family and friends, the experience brings the humor and friendship of the show to life through active, controller-free gameplay.”
Within the game, players can cook alongside Tiny Chef and friends in a number of fun culinary challenges. Players can also expect to explore a new recipe book of plant-based dishes, including “gwacamolé,” “blanana bwed,” “bloodle bowls” and “gwanola blars.”
Up to two people can play the game at a time, and “Tiny Chef: Cooking with Fwends” is suitable for ages six and up. The game is available exclusively on Next Playground.