Monday, February 16, 2026

Game Event: Last Flag – Inside the February Press Event: Catching the Flag with the Developers

I was invited, along with around 30 other outlets, to attend the Last Flag press event on Discord. On screen, the developers presenting were Producer Matthew and the two brothers behind the game, Mac and Dan Reynolds. The session included introductions, gameplay with the devs of Night Street Games and a Q&A. But before we dove into mechanics, there was a story that framed the entire project. 

Dan Reynolds shared that the idea for Last Flag came from growing up playing old school games with his brother Mac. That shared love of classic competitive gaming planted the seed. The two of them wanted to build something of their own. They reached out to a small group of developers who were interested in helping bring the idea to life. On an early video call, Dan turned on his camera to properly introduce himself. The reaction from that team was immediate:

“What… that’s you?”

It was a small, human moment. Just someone pitching a game idea and revealing that he happened to be the singer of Imagine Dragons.

 


What Is Last Flag?

Last Flag is a 5v5 PvP game built with a 1970s-inspired aesthetic. It blends approachable, likable characters with strategic depth.

The core objective is simple:

  • Hide your team’s flag

  • Find the enemy team’s flag before they find yours

Beneath that simplicity, there’s more:

  • Each character has unique abilities, giving players different roles and playstyles

  • The map contains power-ups that can shift momentum during matches

  • There are three radio towers, which serve multiple strategic purposes:

    • Capture one to respawn there

    • Gain healing while you control it and being near it

    • The longer you hold it, the more it scans the surrounding area, eventually revealing an enemy flag if its hiding in that area.

Control all three towers and your team gains serious tactical advantage. The systems encourage both teamwork and independent play, keeping matches dynamic.


First Impressions From the Beta

What I appreciated early on was that the developers clearly explained what to focus on before we jumped in. I had a clear understanding of the objective and systems going into my first match on Steam. We were in a private press server along with the devs, which kept it calm and collected. That attention to structure felt well thought out.

The world immediately felt open. It did not feel like being locked into strict lanes the way games like League of Legends structure their maps. Instead, you have options.

You can stay coordinated with your team, fighting over radio towers and building map control. Or you can break off and hunt for the enemy flag directly. Both approaches feel viable. I played two matches during the session. 

In the first game, I focused on the tower strategy. It turned into a genuine fight for control. We were constantly contesting positions, pushing and retaking ground. It felt tactical and deliberate. In the end, we lost that match, the enemy team found our flag first, It felt earned.

In the second match, I started with the tower strategy again but decided to break off and hunt for the enemy flag before it was revealed by the towers. And you know what? I found it, tucked away in a cave. 

 

On the way back, I stumbled, but my team was right behind me. Together, we secured the flag again, I grabbed hold of it once more, sprinting all the way back to our base.



The final stretch was tense, we had to defend the flag for about a minute. The enemy team tried hard to take it back, nearly succeeding, but we held our ground. Victory was ours.

It was chaotic, tactical, and genuinely fun, a perfect example of how Last Flag balances open-world freedom with team-based strategy.


Q&A Highlights

After the matches, we moved into the Q&A. A few points stood out:

  • There will be no battle pass. Free skins and other rewards are unlocked simply by playing, and the team encouraged everyone to join the open beta for exclusive rewards as you level up.

  • Currently, one map is fully playable and a second, snowy map, is complete but not yet available. Two additional maps are in development.

  • The developers emphasized that Last Flag is intended to be more of a party or family-friendly game rather than a highly competitive ranked experience, though ranked modes might be added later.

Those details, combined with the fun, dynamic gameplay, left me genuinely excited to see where the game goes. Last Flag already shows promise as a game that balances approachable mechanics, strategic depth and a playful, retro aesthetic.

//Sonny

Links:
https://lastflag.com/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2721340/Last_Flag/

Article written by: Sonny Mikszath



Thursday, February 12, 2026

Game Event: Playstation - State of Play 12/02-2026

 Highlights from State of Play Feb 12 - 2026




Kena: Scars of Kosmora

The first game was wonderful and had such a warm charm to it. 



This sequel looks more mature in tone and atmosphere, which really caught my attention. If it builds on the emotional depth of the first game while evolving the combat and world, this could be something special. I’m really looking forward to playing it. 



Pragmata

I spent a lot of time with the sketchbook demo and kept replaying it, finding new details and refining my playstyle.



It has some The Last of Us vibes but in a sci-fi setting and I honestly don’t mind that at all. I really enjoyed the gameplay loop and the atmosphere. The full game is going to be exciting to dive into.



Resident Evil 9: Requiem

I really miss the third-person perspective. First-person gives a different feeling, but I might just be old school. 



For me, Resident Evil works best in third person. Still, I’m curious to see where this goes, even if I would personally prefer a return to the classic style.


Dead or Alive 6 – Last Round

Dead or Alive has always been one of my favorite fighting series alongside Tekken and Skullgirls. 


So well why not , this can be chill. Looks nice.


Control: Resonant

This looked very interesting. The shifting world mechanics and reality-bending visuals immediately stood out.


If it expands on the strange and layered universe of Control, this could be a strong continuation of that world even though the gameplay is a bit different.


Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

 

This is lovely. A collection of Rayman games from the very beginning is such a nostalgic move.

I played the first one a lot, so this feels personal. Rayman’s design still holds up and this is definitely something I should pick up. It was some early beta version they fixed up and one can now fully play, that seems like a fun extra.


Neva: Prologue

What a nice surprise. The first game was very atmospheric, deep, emotional and visually beautiful. I loved the art style. 


This looks like it could capture that same magic again. If it keeps the same emotional weight, it will be something special.


Star Wars: Galactic Racer 
 

This looks like pure racing fun across different planets and environments. 



The variety in settings looks promising. Podracing has always had great potential and this could turn into a really fun experience.


007: First Light

This feels like Hitman with a James Bond skin and that’s not a bad thing. 



It feels like a reboot of Bond in game form. The slower, tactical style fits the character. It looks chill and stylish, which could make for a great Bond experience.


Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

It’s great to see this series continuing.



I’ve played most of the Castlevania games, so this hits that nostalgic nerve for me. The classic style feels right and I love that they stay true to that formula.


Silent Hill: Townfall

The story seems really interesting, but then I saw it’s first-person again.

For me, psychological horror works much better in third person. First-person often turns into more raw action and loses some of that deep psychological tension. 

Silent Hill is one of my favorite game series, so I think I have it really easy to judging the next game to fast. Silent Hill F worked well even though it was different from traditional Silent Hill, mainly because of the third-person perspective and strong storytelling. Townfall might surprise me, but right now my expectations are sadly low.


Rev Noir

This could be good. It reminded me a bit of Final Fantasy XV in tone and visual style.



I need to see more, but there’s potential there.


John Wick

You could instantly see it in the fighting style.



This one really looks like John Wick. The previous game, John Wick Hex was interesting, but did not fell like John Wick really, more living on the hype of the name. 



This one seems to nail the combat style and intensity much better. Fighting like John Wick should feel this way.


Saros

This looked really promising. 



It reminded me of Retural, in a good way, sad though it is not sequel or connected to it in anyway, it is just built in the same motor one can say. Could be nice.


Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

I playtested this on PS5 some weeks ago and it was a chill experience, though quite technical. 



It leans heavily into proper button combinations, very much like Street Fighter. 



Button mashing simply doesn’t work here. That style is not fully my thing since I prefer more chaotic action, but that doesn’t make it bad. I will definitely still play it.


It was so many interesting games this time so I turned into an article. I have only made some small insta post before. The one game I hope to play the full game is Pragmata, that game really hit something inside my soul. Until next state of play....if it has this much good news then also... I do wonder....

Article written by: Sonny Mikszath

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Movie: The Wilde Girls (2025)

Premiere:
Country of origin: USA
Directed by: Timothy Hines
Written by: Timothy Hines
Distributed by: Pendragon Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Runtime: 1h59min
Starring:Lydia Pearl Pentz, Cali Scolari, Susan Goforth

Set during the Great Depression in 1932, The Wilde Girlsfollows sisters Tinsley and Mattie Wild, who have lived a very comfortable life until their father Cornelius passes away. When the first will goes missing and another will is found that leaves everything to their aunts, the sisters are sent far away into the wilderness to “learn how life really works”. But it seems more of a “get away from here”. The story focuses on these two strong willed sisters as they clash, argue and slowly adapt to a world far from comfort.

The movie is very dialogue heavy, but it works. Along their journey, the sisters encounter a wide mix of strange and memorable moments. Raccoons steal their lipstick. They cross paths with elk, hare, dragonflies, squirrels and other animals that give the forest a lively presence. There are cars exploding, a bear chase, gun fights in the forest, plus many other unexpected situations that keep appearing. The movie stays centered on the sisters and their grand adventure to stay alive and find out what is really going on. On a lighter note, they meet a friendly fellow in the forest who adds warmth to their adventure.

At times, the forest scenery reminded me a lot of Sweden, which was a bit amusing considering the story is set in Oregon.

The actresses that play Tinsley and Mattie (Lydia Pearl Pentz, Cali Scolari) do an excellent job carrying the film. Their wit, charm and humor make their sisterly clashes fun to watch. Because of them, the long conversations feel natural and engaging rather than slow.

The film has a playful old school feel with green screen effects, inserted animals and newsreel footage that help sell the 1930s setting. The audio also feels layered in an old fashioned way, almost as if the sound sits slightly on top of the image. It can feel a bit strange at times, but you get used to it and it becomes part of the movie’s character.

Overall, The Wilde Girls is a solid movie. Some scenes feel stronger than others, but the sisters performances carry it through. It is a bit uneven in places, though viewers used to indie films will likely appreciate its charm.

Rating: 7/10
The sisters are genuinely funny and well acted, which makes the movie feel really alive and engaging.

 


Article written by: Sonny Mikszath


Sunday, February 1, 2026

Movie: Merge – 2025

Premiere: Oct 29, 2025
Country of origin: UK
Directed by: Various
Written by: Various
Distributed by: Cine Circle
Genre: Sci-Fi,
Drama, Anthology
Runtime:
77min
Starring: Various 

Merge is a sci-fi anthology film exploring a common theme of future technology and its effect on humanity. The shorts span from 2021 to 2023 and come from different countries such as Austria, UK and USA. Rather than feeling commissioned as one unified project, it feels like a carefully gathered collection that fits together naturally. I would love to see more anthology films like this.

One thing I noticed right away was the lack of an opening title card. The film simply starts with the first short, which felt a bit strange.


01 – Angst (2021, Austria)
Director and Writer: Béla Baptiste
Length: 10 minutes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11775300


This short hooks you immediately with a world that appears perfect on the surface. Beneath that utopian look, something feels wrong. The use of digital backgrounds creates an uncanny atmosphere that supports the story very well. In just ten minutes, it explores how fragile perfection really is and leaves behind a quiet unease that lingers after it ends.

 


02 – Soulmate (2023, UK)
Director and Writer: Richard Fenwick
Length: 15 minutes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16310522


We follow Anna, who works at a digital social platform company called “Synaptic – Beyond AI”. She becomes increasingly involved in the virtual world, to the point where it starts affecting her real life. The storytelling is rich and believable, showing a future that feels very close to what we already have today. Platforms like Second Life comes to mind.
 


03 – When Unfettered (2023, USA)
Director and Writer: Derek Franzese
Length: 12 minutes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18271646 


This one hit me the hardest. We follow Ash, an AI caregiver for an elderly man. After his death, his daughters no longer want her around. The short raises classic questions about artificial intelligence. Do AI feel? Do they dream? It echoes themes explored by Philip K. Dick.

There are subtle Blade Runner vibes, mostly through the music, while the visual tone feels lighter and reminded me of Detroit: Become Human. The acting is strong and the story is emotionally grounded. It is unfortunately a bit short, but I would absolutely love to see this expanded into a full-length movie.


04 – The First Time I Never Met You (2024, UK)
Director and Writer: Eric Kole
Length: 14 minutes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14253218

John has a loving family but is completely consumed by work. Through experiments involving flowers, he finds himself traveling back in time. The reasons are unclear at first, which adds to the emotional weight. This is a tragic and thoughtful story about choices people dream of making but never truly can. It leaves you questioning whether changing the past is something we should ever attempt. Well made. This short could also work very well as a full-length film.



05 – Subscribed (2022, USA)
Director: Diana Porter
Writer: Mikel J. Wisler
Length: 10 minutes 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15286106

This short opens like a commercial for an AI assistant company called “Vitalus”. We follow Carol, who is isolated in her home due to quarantine. What starts as helpful AI assistance slowly becomes something more unsettling. What might be the reason?

With real-world AI assistants like Siri, ChatGPT, Gemnie, Grok and more already being part of daily life, this short feels uncomfortably realistic. There was no title card at the beginning, which initially confused me. I first thought the short was called Vitalus. Later I discovered the actual title is Subscribed. The realism here is what makes it scary. An interesting detail is that the director Diana Porter also plays the lead role. 


06 – The Man Behind the Machine (2023, UK)
Director and Writer: Dalano Barnes
Length: 15 minutes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21249986

 Another AI-focused story, this one follows an older second-hand shop dealer whose AI assistant is suddenly taken away. The assistant is one of the first hundred of its kind. The story asks familiar but still powerful questions. Do AI have feelings or is it all just programming?

The short moves quickly and ends almost too soon, but the idea is strong. Watching AI struggle with reality always raises the question of what reality even means. 



Overall Impressions

All of the shorts are well made. Some have higher production value than others, but none felt weak or careless. My favorite was When Unfettered because it feels grounded in a reality that is already forming around us.

 

What really stands out across the collection is how little of this feels like distant science fiction. We are already living in this world. AI assistants are part of everyday life now. I chat with ChatGPT almost every day, sometimes about lingering questions, sometimes just random thoughts. The idea of having an AI assistant moving around my home does not feel out of the question.

 

That is where the real dilemma appears. How safe are we with AI around us. Our phones already observe us constantly. Shorts like Subscribed show how easily helpful technology can shift into something controlling. That is what makes it unsettling. It feels real.

 

All of the directors appear to be indie filmmakers. Some have worked on larger productions in assistant roles or as actors, but none seem to have directed major studio films yet. That is not negative. It actually makes the collection more interesting. I hope several of these filmmakers move on to larger projects, especially a full-length version of When Unfettered.

 

One thing that still stands out is the lack of an intro or closing title for the collection. Seeing the Merge title at the beginning or the end would have helped tie everything together. It was nice to see full credits for all the shorts in the end, appreciated.

 

I give it 8/10, This is a thoughtful and engaging sci-fi anthology that encourages reflection rather than spectacle. These stories feel less like science fiction and more like a glimpse of a very near future. 




 Article written by: Sonny Mikszath