GGF Weekly XP – Week of October 13, 2025

kingkiller18
7 days ago
3 min read

Your weekly checkpoint for the biggest drops in gaming and esports.

Gaming Highlights

Pokémon Legends: Z-A review ongoingPokémon Legends: Z-A officially launched, and reviews are starting to roll in as players dig into the game’s open-world structure and story. Early impressions highlight the game’s expanded urban setting, dynamic traversal options, and ambitious evolution of the Legends formula. Critics are praising its worldbuilding and character depth, though performance on Switch hardware has received some mixed notes. As reviews continue to update throughout the week, Z-A looks to be one of the most significant Pokémon releases in years.

Cronos: The New Dawn demo announced A new sci-fi RPG called Cronos: The New Dawn has revealed its upcoming playable demo. The game blends cinematic storytelling with action-focused gameplay, set in a distant future where humanity is struggling to survive on a fractured Earth. The announcement trailer teased large-scale environments, dynamic combat, and a mysterious AI companion that appears central to the narrative. The demo aims to give players their first hands-on experience before the game’s full release next year.

Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive demo coming to TwitchCon Fans of the popular manhwa-turned-ARPG Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive have something to look forward to at TwitchCon this month. A brand-new playable demo will be available at the event, giving players the chance to test out new combat systems, bosses, and character upgrades. The developers have promised significant refinements to controls and enemy variety based on community feedback from the previous test. With the game’s fanbase already massive, this demo could be a defining moment before launch.

Keeper review highlights clever design The indie puzzle game Keeper has quietly become a standout hit this week. Reviewers are praising its inventive level design, which cleverly layers simple mechanics to create challenging and satisfying puzzles. Its minimalist art direction and atmospheric soundtrack complement the brain-teasing gameplay, drawing comparisons to classics like The Witness. For puzzle enthusiasts, Keeper is shaping up to be a hidden gem worth discovering this fall.

Esports Highlights

Fnatic’s Razork on Worlds 2025 mindset In a recent interview, Fnatic jungler Razork opened up about his approach to League of Legends Worlds 2025. He discussed the team’s preparation for the Swiss Stage, their confidence heading into matchups, and the mental reset needed after a challenging domestic season. Razork emphasized that the team’s synergy is peaking at the right time, crediting coaching staff and internal communication improvements. His optimism has energized Fnatic fans heading into one of the biggest events of the year.

ESL FACEIT Group announces layoffs One of esports’ biggest operators, ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), confirmed a wave of layoffs this week. The company cited restructuring efforts and changing market conditions as the primary drivers. While EFG remains a dominant force in CS2, Dota 2, and Valorant event organization, the layoffs have raised questions about the stability of large-scale tournament operations in the evolving esports economy. Analysts will be watching closely to see how this affects upcoming events and production quality.

100 Thieves upset BLG at Worlds 2025 Day one of the Worlds 2025 Swiss Stage delivered a massive surprise when 100 Thieves upset Chinese powerhouse Bilibili Gaming (BLG). The victory was a statement win for NA, as 100T’s aggressive mid-game strategy dismantled BLG’s normally disciplined teamfighting. Fans flooded social media with reactions, celebrating the upset as one of the biggest storylines of the opening stage. Whether 100 Thieves can keep up this momentum will be a key narrative heading deeper into Worlds.

Apeks pauses Valorant operations In a move that shocked parts of the Valorant community, Apeks announced a temporary pause of their Valorant operations. The organization cited shifting competitive priorities and resource allocation as reasons for the decision. Apeks had built a reputation for talent development, so this news raises questions about the future of some of their players. With VCT 2026 approaching, it’s unclear whether Apeks will make a full return or pivot to other esports entirely.