Since its debut in April, *Wildgate* has been consistently updated to improve its environment and balance its gameplay, but players can now anticipate a major content update.

As stated in a press release, Dreamhaven and Moonshot Games are set to unveil their “Emergence” update for *Wildgate* on November 19th, 2025. This update will feature two new game modes along with a new Prospector, various weapons and equipment, a ship, and several new gameplay features.

The “Treasure Hunt” game mode will enable players to navigate the Reach, recover valuable treasures, and escape without being destroyed, offering what’s described as a “somewhat more laid-back experience.” Players will encounter AI-controlled ships (the traditional videogame variety), complete quests, and have the option to extract at their convenience, while also converting their loot into rewards.

The “Fleet Battle” game mode will challenge players against one another in 3v3 matchups, where players can earn points by blasting their respawning foes into space dust or by acquiring multiple Artifacts. Marketed as a “fast-paced, low-stakes 3v3 ship combat,” the Fleet Battle mode will present a more combat-focused experience—something the Moonshot team did not want *Wildgate* to emphasize from the beginning.

Next is the latest Prospector—the Psionic named Charline. Charlie has the ability to instantly revive teammates without the need for channeling, teleport to allies within 150 meters, and is healed by cosmic storms, radiation, fire, and shock fields. With a look reminiscent of *Mass Effect’s* Liara mixed with an Axolotl, they are bound to become a new favorite among fans.

In addition to these major updates, *Wildgate* will introduce a new two-person crew ship called the Outlaw. This ship is resistant to boarding and excels in speed but will not be accessible in Fleet Battle mode. Custom Lobbies are also being implemented, enabling players to host their own *Wildgate* matches. While in Artifact Brawl mode, they can set up a lobby, adjust some basic settings, and invite friends (or competitors)!

Finally, the Emergence update will bring forth the new Dead Worlds Reach Zone. In this hazardous new area of the Reach, ice is limited and danger lurks everywhere. Players will need to utilize vampiric devices to siphon energy from shipwrecks or mysterious crimson towers. A new Alien Point-of-Interest will also be introduced for Artifact Brawl. Additionally, the Emergence update will incorporate the new Resonator weapon, medic drone, and more.

*Wildgate* is accessible on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

I was always going to approach *Petit Planet* with a bit of skepticism. In my review of [*Animal Crossing: New Horizons*](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/animal-crossing-new-horizons-review/), I highlighted how significant the series was to my childhood, which undoubtedly makes me somewhat protective of it, especially when [imitators attempt to exploit](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/hokko-life-switch-review/) what they believe reactionary YouTubers desire from it.

Clearly, I’ve never been entirely against developers crafting their interpretation of *Animal Crossing*, but like all [forms of inspiration](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/editorals/game-design-inspiration/), there needs to be an elevation—*Petit Planet* took that notion perhaps too literally and ascended into space. I’m joking, of course, because aside from its distinctive setting, the game genuinely presents a quite substantial experience.

I’ve encountered many previews labeling *Petit Planet* as “HoYoverse’s *Animal Crossing*,” and I honestly tried to steer clear of such derivative analogies, but separating the two is nearly impossible given their shared core attributes. Nevertheless, *Petit Planet* does succeed in forging its identity in ways that are quite captivating.

### “Petit Planet does manage to find ways to create its own identity that make it pretty interesting.”

I couldn’t help but laugh a bit since *Petit Planet* starts almost identically to *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*. You create your character, select a residence, are treated to a brief cinematic about the wonders of ~~island~~…I mean, planetoid life, and then set out to dwell among the stars. It even has you collecting fruits and various items to prepare a modest celebratory meal for your inaugural night on the planet.

However, once you navigate through these resemblances, *Petit Planet* begins to tap into its HoYoverse strengths. While one of *Animal Crossing’s* most significant advantages is its largely hands-off gameplay approach, that same style can sometimes result in boredom due to a lack of direction. One aspect I truly valued about *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* was its gentle guidance towards objectives during the initial days, all while allowing freedom of choice.

*Petit Planet* functions on a comparable principle but enhances it with more RPG-inspired features. It starts with the game’s central mechanic: Luca and the Luca Tree. Luca represents the essence of a planet, its life energy. As players nurture both their planet and friendships, they will accumulate Jars of Luca to nourish the Luca Arbour situated in their planet’s main hub.

With each Jar of Luca poured into the Arbour, players’ planets will develop and transform in subtle ways—whether by uncovering new regions of a planet or introducing new flora/fauna. *Petit Planet* also incorporates *Animal Crossing’s* real-time clock mechanic—which is tied to the HoYoverse server clocks, apologies to time travelers—so while daily events unfold, filling the Luca Jar entails completing small assignments for your neighbors in a quasi-MMO quest manner.

### “And *Petit Planet* does have some interesting ideas that serve to separate it from its inspiration.”

It operates in a somewhat focused live-service format, which felt to me like HoYoverse leaning into its strengths. Moreover, every new character that relocates to the player’s planet comes with an extensive variety of unlockables—very similar to Talent Trees in an RPG—based on how frequently players engage with them to strengthen their bonds. As players enhance these bonds, they can unlock various items for crafting or online socializing.

Comparable to titles like *Genshin Impact* or *Honkai: Star Rail*, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the characters themselves, with each possessing a unique personality and backstory. Unlike *Animal Crossing’s* Villager types (i.e., Jock, Lazy, Big Sister, etc.), characters in *Petit Planet* feel significantly more authentic, and discovering who they are becomes part of the motivation to befriend them.

Additionally, *Petit Planet* presents some intriguing concepts that help distinguish it from its inspiration. I appreciate how tool usage requires energy that can be restored by cooking and consuming food—offering a differentiated incentive for farming and crafting elements compared to *Animal Crossing’s* breakable tools. I enjoy the game’s Starsea Voyages, which function similarly to visiting Nook Miles islands, but with a much more immersive experience of exploring a cosmic ocean in your Space Car.

And since it is an always-online game, *Petit Planet* enhances interaction with other players significantly.

At Korea’s leading gaming event, G-Star 2025, NCSOFT introduced its latest global MMORPG, *Horizon Steel Frontiers*, designed as a mobile multiplayer experience within the *Horizon* universe.

This new MMORPG is crafted in partnership with Guerrilla, known for their work on the core *Horizon* series and *Killzone*. *Horizon Steel Frontiers* is an MMORPG situated in the *Horizon* realm, created solely for mobile devices. This announcement puts to rest earlier speculations that the project had been abandoned.

The game is somewhat separate from the main series, taking place in the Deadlands, the territory of the machine hunters. *Horizon Steel Frontiers* expands upon *Horizon*’s hunting-action gameplay, integrating MMORPG elements that offer highly customizable combat and expansive player agency. The game aspires to provide a unique *Horizon* experience for players worldwide, and NCSOFT has released a new trailer accompanying the announcement that can be viewed below.

The *Horizon* franchise has been a fundamental part of the PlayStation lineup since the launch of *Horizon Zero Dawn* for the PlayStation 4 in 2017. Following its debut, the series has sold millions of copies worldwide, with both *Horizon Zero Dawn* and its sequel ported to Steam, plus a brick version introduced with *LEGO Horizon Adventures*. The main character of *Horizon*, Aloy, has also appeared in the popular HoYoverse game, *Genshin Impact*, as a fully playable character. It’s clear that *Horizon* is a significant franchise.

NCSOFT Chief Corporate Officer, Taekjim Kim, stated, “When I first encountered *Horizon Zero Dawn* in 2017, I was immediately captivated by its vivid and enchanting world. The battles against enormous machine lifeforms were thrilling, and the enigmatic story piqued my interest, making me eager to discover every part of that universe. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling of longing that such an amazing world had to be navigated alone,” adding, “I envisioned how exciting it would be to connect with others, to unite and confront these gigantic machines together.” *Horizon Steel Frontiers* embodies a dream fulfilled for the NCSOFT team.

Further details about *Horizon Steel Frontiers* will be disclosed in due course through the [NCSOFT website](https://www.nc.com/).