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Monthly Recap - January Edition

Monthly Recap - January Edition

For the first monthly recap of the year, we have prepared some truly interesting picks to focus on and we can’t wait to share them with you, so read on if you wish to find out the cool gaming news and important info about a major title cancelation and company restructuring that we have chosen to present to you this time!


The Upcoming Marathon is Going to be Released on March 5th 2026

Marathon has been set for a release on March 5th, 2026, on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with pre-orders already available now. A recent new gameplay trailer showcased a character named Gantry, who is part of the MIDA faction. Players are going to encounter various factions and their operating agents, learning more about their background stories and past and present conflicts while completing various contracts in order to fully uncover the mysteries of Tau Ceti.

With the upcoming game the team aims to create an even more immersive world by combining intricate design, dynamic gameplay and deeper narrative. Players would be able to unlock the different entries in their Codex by completing contracts and discovering narrative items. While exploring the colony and assisting factions on their missions, you would find important clues such as audio logs and graffiti that would navigate your adventure further.

The Marathon gameplay is going to feature a complete English language voice cast and fully-localized dialogue in multiple other supported languages in the near future, with specific voice casts that are going to be announced on a later stage. Pre-ordering Marathon would grant players with additional rewards, including weapon skin cosmetics and a background for the game, as well as other benefits linked to Destiny 2. There would be 3 options to pick from, Standard, Deluxe and the Marathon Collector’s edition.

Pre-order Marathon and also receive the following:
ZERO STEP 004 CE Tactical Sidearm Style, ZERO STEP RC Weapon Charm, ZERO STEP SHIFT Weapon Sticker, APOGEE INTERCEPT Background, APOGEE INTERCEPT Emblem plus, the following pre-order rewards for Destiny 2: UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost, UESC Rover Exotic Ship, UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow

The Marathon Standard Edition includes:
Full access to all of the upcoming gameplay updates that are planned (maps, Runner shells, events, etc.) as the year progresses

The Marathon Deluxe Edition includes:
All Standard Edition content + 1x Premium Rewards Pass Voucher, 200 SILK Rewards Pass Tokens and the following Weapon Cosmetics: MIDNIGHT DECAY Misriah 2442 Pump Shotgun Style, MIDNIGHT DECAY Overrun AR Style and a decent amount of Runner Shell Cosmetics such as: MIDNIGHT DECAY Vandal Shell Style, MIDNIGHT DECAY Destroyer Shell Style, MIDNIGHT DECAY Assassin Shell Style, MIDNIGHT DECAY Thief Shell Style

Last but definitely not least comes the Marathon Collector’s Edition and it would feature a premium unboxing experience that is inspired by the Sekiguchi Genetics shell-weaving process. When you get to unbox it you would get a 1/6-scale Thief Runner Shell statue, collectible miniature WEAVEworm, embroidered patch, postcards, digital rewards and more goodies.


Life Is Strange: Reunion Would be the Final Story that Max Caulfield and Chloe Price Share

Square Enix has very recently announced that Life is Strange: Reunion would conclude the story of Max Caulfield and Chloe Price. The title is set to launch on March 26th 2026 and the game will be available on Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This sequel follows up on the Life is Strange: Double Exposure from 2024 and features many of the same characters. It will bring back the beloved characters of Max and Chloe, who are going to be playable together for the first time in the same game.

The storyline involves a new sci-fi mystery plot in which Max must save Caledon University from a deadly fire. Max is able to rewind time to change decisions, while Chloe can use her "Backtalk" ability to engage with the rest of the characters. The storyline explains that Chloe remained alive due to past events in the finale of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, where Max managed to merge timelines, leading Chloe to find Max and demand answers.

Square Enix put serious emphasize that this game is going to maintain the character-driven storytelling that the Life is Strange games are known for, with meaningful types of choices impacting the overall dramatic narrative typical for the series. This installment would serve as the final chapter for both Max and Chloe's storylines, which might come as a bit of a surprise for fans, since originally their adventures were meant to conclude much earlier.

Despite the challenges and hurdles around the development of the franchise, the current creators, Deck Nine, intend to provide a definitive in-game ending for these two fan-favorite characters, although the possibility of future Life is Strange game titles without the presence of Max and Chloe is still uncertain; Square Enix did not give any confirmation that Life is Strange: Reunion would be the last game in the series, even though it appear to be a significant closing point for the current chapter.

Life is Strange senior brand manager Andrew James pointed out that Max and Chloe’s reunion cannot be just a simple solution and that the game explores their relationship much more deeply, allowing players to shape its development. Gamers would be the ones to determine whether Chloe lived or died in Arcadia Bay or not and the nature of her relationship with Max, which would also influence the game's outcomes in the end.

Life is Strange: Reunion will offer Standard and a Deluxe edition that includes the digital OST, an art book, a comic book and a special behind-the-scenes documentary featuring the voices of Max and Chloe. For those among you who have not yet played Life is Strange: Double Exposure, a double-pack option with both games will be available as well. There would also be a Life is Strange: Reunion Collector's Edition for the hardcore fans that is going to include exclusive physical items such as a 12" vinyl soundtrack of the game and other bonuses.


There Would Not be a New Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time Remake by Ubisoft

Unfortunately, Ubisoft has officially canceled the remake for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. This cancellation is part of a much larger organizational structure shift at the company, which includes the project takedown of six other games and release delays for a total of seven projects, the disbanding of two studios and rumors of upcoming layoffs. Ubisoft is drastically changing its market strategy to shift its main focus more on live-service and open-world games.

In a recent press release, Ubisoft revealed the newly-adopted approach with the goal of creating value for gamers by forming a stronger gamer-centric organization. The company’s CEO Yves Guillemot highlighted on some of the current challenges in the AAA gaming industry such as the rising development costs and greater difficulties in establishing new brands as reasons for this new direction. The actual list of canceled titles, beyond the Prince of Persia remake, have not been disclosed so far, but Ubisoft did mention that they included four unannounced projects to the axed games, three of which were brand-new intellectual properties, along with a mobile gaming title that did not meet the company's updated standards and criteria.

Just last year, Ubisoft announced plans to develop games through 5 new Creative Houses that would hold the process over various franchises. These houses are going to focus on specific genres and brands:

  • - Creative House number 1: Vantage Studios, responsible for the major Ubisoft franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.
  • - Creative House number 2: Making the more competitive and cooperative styled shooters, developing the leading popular franchise titles as The Division and Ghost Recon.
  • - Creative House number 3: Focused mainly on live-service gaming experiences, including the For Honor and Skull & Bones titles.
  • - Creative House number 4: Dedicated to crafting immersive worlds and more narrative-driven properties, including the likes of Rayman and Prince of Persia.
  • - Creative House number 5: Focused on only the more casual gaming scene and the family-friendly game types for all age groups, featuring familiar hit titles like the beloved Uno and Just Dance.

This complete restructuring marks the end of the long development process for the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, which was first announced all the way back in 2020. Despite this cancellation, the franchise still remains active with the two recently released spin-off games.


Let’s Examine Vampire Crawlers by Going Through its Newly-Released Demo

Poncle is launching a spin-off game from the Vampire Survivors universe called Vampire Crawlers, which would combine elements of turn-based card games with rogue-lite mechanics. This game is going to be featured during February’s Steam Next Fest, and players would be able to try a public demo version absolutely for free starting from February 23rd 2026.

Unlike its predecessor, Vampire Crawlers introduces a much more card-based gameplay, while at the same time it retains the already familiar themes established from Vampire Survivors and adds multiple new features like the Turboturn, which would allow for quick move execution without waiting for animations to play out.

Vampire Crawlers is planned to release on various platforms, including iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC, in late Q1 or Q2 of 2026. The game is aiming to maintain the engaging qualities of Vampire Survivors but with the exploration of new gameplay genres included in the mix. There is also a new video series named Let's Explore Vampire Crawlers, that would showcase the game’s various mechanics and new features that would be great at leading up to the playable demo version.

For fans of Vampire Survivors who are not so thrilled by the deckbuilding type of games, there is hope for future spin-off titles that may better satisfy their preferences. The developers aim to adapt the original game's core elements to a whole variety of genres, focusing on accessibility, replayability and pure lighthearted fun. However, gamers are encouraged to join in on the discussions about the new game in the Pocket Tactics Discord server and provide some feedback on their experiences with the demo once they check it out.

Well, that one packs our YUPLAY monthly recap blog post quite nicely and we start looking up to what thrills would February provide us with! Stay tuned for more gaming news and reviews as well as the next YUPLAY promotions and campaigns, there is lots more to come in the following weeks!