Carzy Zarx’s PC Gaming Emporium - Catch Up on All the Latest PC Gaming Related News

[JEMC]

Time for the Thursday gaming news:

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Civ 7's massive overhaul update brings its highest Steam player count in over a year
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civ-7s-massive-overhaul-update-brings-its-highest-steam-player-count-in-over-a-year/
This week marks the culmination of Civilization 7's yearlong attempt at a post-launch redemption arc, as Firaxis has released its Test of Time update, a free patch the studio has called an expansion-sized overhaul. Alongside the much-requested option to play as the same civilization between age transitions, Test of Time reworks victory conditions, adds systems for optional objectives with bonus rewards, and more.
Clearly, Civ fans have been waiting for a ripe opportunity to give the controversial sequel a second shot: At time of writing, there are more Steam users playing Civ 7 than there have been in over a year. But as early reactions remain as mixed as ever, it's unclear whether Test of Time will repair Civ 7's reputation.
Steam's Most Played chart says there are currently almost 16,200 users playing Civ 7. Not only is that its highest player count in over a year—according to SteamDB, the last time Civ 7 attracted more than 16,000 concurrent players was April 13, 2025—it's also roughly double the peak concurrent tallies it's managed during the last week.

The next few days, the Epic Store will give away these games:

• Down in Bermuda : https://store.epicgames.com/p/down-in-bermuda
• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered : https://store.epicgames.com/p/tomb-raider-iiii-remastered-538640

The free games from next week Are, again, a mystery.

GOG has the Git Gud Promo, with games on sale with up to 95% discounts during 7 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20260521_git_gud_promo

Steam has new deals and sales/events:

• Ultimate General: Civil War will be 65% off until the 27th of May: https://store.steampowered.com/app/502520/Ultimate_General_Civil_War/
• Maktala: Slime Lootfest gets a 35% discount until the 3rd of June: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4005560/Maktala_Slime_Lootfest/
• The Jackbox Party Pack 9 has a demo and is going to be 40% off until June 3: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850960/The_Jackbox_Party_Pack_9/
• Ghost Exile , in Early Access, will have a 50% discount until the same 3rd: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1807080/Ghost_Exile/
• These are the sales/events:
  • Game Republic Games Festival showcases lots of upcoming titles, has some demos and has games with up to 85% discounts. The deals will end between later today and the 31st of May: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/GameRepublicGamesFestival
  • BitSummit PUNCH features upcoming titles, demos and games up to 40% off. The deals will end between May 24 and the 3rd of June: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/BitSummitPUNCH
  • PAC-MAN Franchise Sale features up to 80% discounts until the 3rd of June: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/PacManFranchiseSale2026
  • Avalanche Legacy Sale has games up to 85% off until June 3: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/1080307/sale/AvalancheGroupLegacySale

Humble Bundle has two new packs for us:

• Perplexing Puzzles Bundle has 11 items (8 games + 3 coupons) during 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/perplexing-puzzles
• Double Shift: Simulator Bundle has up to 19 items to get (17 games + 2 DLCs( during the next 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/doubleshift-simulation-bundle

And at Fanatical has new Flash Deals and a bundle:

• These are the 24h Flash Deals:
  • Monster Hunter Wilds is 55% off: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/monster-hunter-wilds
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has a 57% discount: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii
  • Street Fighter™ 6 goes a little step ahead with a 58% off deal: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/street-fighter-6
• The BYO Fusion Bundle (2026) has 16 titles to get in bundles of 2+, 3+ or 4+ games during 34 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-fusion-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

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MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Ultimate Combat Mod Adds Perfect Dodge, Parry, Hitstop, and More to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/ultimate-combat-mod-adds-perfect-dodge-parry-hitstop-and-more-to-the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered/
Modder ‘Kramer7046’ has released a new mod that aims to greatly improve the combat mechanics of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. So, let’s see what’s in store for us.
The Ultimate Combat Mod adds perfect block, perfect dodge, attack canceling, hitstop, and slow motion. It also brings sneak spell damage, multi-jumps, bow upgrades, and lock-on mechanics with MCM support.
I don’t believe Perfect Block and Perfect Dodge need any explanation. So, I’ll skip them as they do exactly what you think they do. Regarding some of the other features, we get slow motion on finishing blows, as well as damage boost rewards for well-timed defensive play. We also get attack canceling during windup with block or dodge, as well as acrobatics-based double jump and triple jump.
The mod also offers combat camera lock during attacks, blocks, and spell casts. There is an enemy lock-on targeting, and players can target specific body parts of their enemies. We also get sneak spell damage against undetected targets.
In a way, this mod feels like an extended version of Ultra Combat UE4SS – Physical Combat Overhaul. That mod already added Perfect Dodge, Perfect Guard, and slowmo for headshots to the game. So, if you’ve been playing Oblivion Remastered with it, you may not feel the need to use this new combat mod.
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GAMING NEWS

STRANGER THAN HEAVEN Gets Official Combat Overview Trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/stranger-than-heaven-gets-official-combat-overview-trailer/
SEGA has released an official combat overview trailer for STRANGER THAN HEAVEN. STRANGER THAN HEAVEN is the new IP from the devs behind the Yakuza series, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. So, if you are a fan of these games, you should definitely check it out.

New Gameplay Trailer for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Shows off the Genesis Configuration
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-trailer-for-clive-barkers-hellraiser-revival-shows-off-the-genesis-configuration/
Saber Interactive has released a new gameplay trailer for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival. This new trailer showcases the Genesis Configuration. This is a powerful tool for both combat and puzzles that can reshape the environment itself, revealing hidden paths and unlocking new routes ahead.

Virtua Fighter 6 Crossroads Gameplay Trailer Leaked Online
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/virtua-fighter-6-crossroads-gameplay-trailer-leaked-online/
It appears that a new gameplay trailer for Virtua Fighter 6, called Crossroads, has been leaked online. So, if you are a fan of this fighting game, you should definitely check it out. Also, since this is a leaked trailer, you should act fast. SEGA may soon take it down. So, be sure to watch it while it’s still live.