Director Alex Garland is best known for his sci-fi-leaning horror movies (Annihilation, Ex Machina, and the screenplay for 28 Days Later), though last year’s Civil War certainly seems a fitting bridge to the hyper-realistic horror of Warfare. Ray Mendoza’s experiences serving as a Navy SEAL during the Iraq War form the basis of the film, which Eric Goldman’s Warfare review describes as “evoking feelings of dread and terror usually reserved for the darkest horror movies.”

Despite a cast featuring plenty of familiar faces, including Cosmo Jarvis (Shogun), Charles Melton (Riverdale), and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things), Warfare isn’t meant to be an easy watch. Depending on your inclinations, that may be all the reason to make a trip to the theaters or to watch this one in the comfort of your own home. If you’re part of the latter group, I have some good news: Less than four weeks after its initial release in theaters, Warfare is available on demand.

How to Watch Warfare Online

While the myths of ancient Greece bubble through the substrate of many board games – take Horrified: Greek Monsters, for example – there are surprisingly few that place them front and center. Narrow the frame to the way many people think about the age, one of conquest, bloodshed and warfare, and there are even fewer. Which might partly explain the success of 2009s Cyclades, a clever marriage of myth, wargame and more subtle strategic mechanisms. Now it’s back in a spanking new edition with some fun tweaks from its original expansions.

What’s in the Box

Rules and How It Plays

The original Cyclades was an early example of a design trying to weave together the chaotic combat that characterized American gaming with the more refined sensibilities found in Germany. You start each round with that more genteel aspect, bidding in an auction for the favor of one of the available gods, which will determine your available actions for the rest of the turn. Some gods are face down, so that there are only as many available as the number of players, meaning someone has to take the weakest – and cheapest – god, Apollo. Each round one of the face-down gods and one of the face-up gods gets flipped, so all of them get cycled through.

Not all the gods are created equal. The war god, Ares, allows you to recruit or move troops, for example, while wise Athena allows you to build universities and recruit philosophers, neither of which have any immediate effect but can, in time, contribute toward victory. To up the ante, the higher bid slots begin to jump in increments of two, then five, while players will still need to consider holding resources to pay for their actions, most of which also cost money. Finally there’s Apollo who, while free, does very little, allowing you merely to up the income from two of your provinces.

All of this means competition in the bidding can be intense, depending on the board situation, with winning or losing a particular god having a huge impact on the game state. It’s a fraught, exciting auction when there’s a lot riding on a turn, with various other considerations feeding into the bids. Sometimes it’s worth trying to outbid an opponent just to keep yourself safe from a land or sea attack. Sometimes it’s worth leaving yourself short-changed in terms of paying for actions just to corner a particular deity. It’s a dynamic phase, with plenty of interaction.

Winning requires you to control three metropolis pieces. You can gain these by swapping four different basic buildings, each of which is granted by a different god, or by cashing in four of Athena’s philosophers. One of the other gods, Hera, allows you to recruit heroes, powerful on-board pieces with special powers that can also be sacrificed for a metropolis. Mighty Ajax, for instance, counts as two armies and can be exchanged for a metropolis if you control seven land spaces. Which brings us neatly onto the last way to gain one: take it off another player via military conquest.

Warfare in Cyclades is short and brutal. In a contested land or sea space you tot up the units on each side together with the value of a dice roll with the loser removing a piece. Repeat until only one side remains. While the dice only goes up to three, this can still be a surprisingly swingy affair. Resources, however, keep a cap on the violence. Each player only has eight army and navy pieces and, of course, winning the bid for Ares is the main way to gain and move troops, all of which limits how many campaigns you can conduct.

In this edition, however, there are sneaky ways round these restrictions. Hera not only allows you to gain heroes but also mercenary troops, meaning you can expand on your paltry tally of eight. And all the gods allow you to make heroic moves, which essentially means you can move and fight with any army that includes a hero. This gives the game a surprising amount of maneuverability, clashing not only over valuable buildings but spaces that provide income, and makes heroes particularly valuable pieces to risk in a fight.

It also means turns that feature Hera or Ares can feel heavily weighted in terms of tilting the game state. And if everyone wants a piece of the action, that can very much be the case. Cyclades, however, is a game about taking the rough with the smooth. You can prosper without violence by taking cheaper bids on weaker gods and building up your infrastructure. But everyone around the table has to be okay with a game where your attempt to play economically can potentially be undermined by a burst of conflict. It’s all about knowing when to change tack, balancing the time to strike out with the time to shepherd resources, but having war and peace so close to one another in the same package can sometimes feel jarring.

Either approach can really benefit from mythological creatures, which you can purchase with any god other than Apollo, but more peaceable players are more likely to be able to afford them. They’re pretty powerful and so work as an effective balance against big bids on warlike gods. Most are one-shot effects, like the Satyr who lets you steal a philosopher from another player, or the Harpy, who destroys an army. Others, however, get a piece on the board which you can keep and move from turn to turn if you’re willing to sacrifice priestesses, gained by winning the auction for Zeus. These include horrors like the kraken, who simply wipes out all fleets in whatever space it enters. Pushing these beasts around the map is enormous fun, so long as you can afford the priestesses to do so.

Where to Buy

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at Atomic Empire
• Get it at Hachette
• Get it at Kickstarter

As well as Trailer 2, Rockstar has released 70 brand new screenshots showcasing the characters and places of Grand Theft Auto VI.

These high quality images show off characters such as Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, as well as the supporting cast.

But we also have some fantastic images showing off the places we’ll get to explore when GTA 6 launches in May 2026. These include Vice City itself, but we also get to go beyond the city boundaries to places such as Leonida Keys and Mount Kalaga.

These screenshots, as well as Trailer 2 itself, give is a good idea of what to expect from GTA 6’s story and setting, although we’re yet to see official gameplay.

Jason Duval

Lucia Caminos

Cal Hampton

Boobie Ike

Dre’Quan Priest

Real Dimez

Raul Bautista

Brian Heder

Vice City

Leonida Keys

Grassrivers

Port Gellhorn

Ambrosia

Mount Kalaga

Last week, Rockstar delayed GTA 6 from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, in a significant push to the world’s most anticipated game. The GTA 6 official website still lists GTA 6 for launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, suggesting a PC release will come after.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Director Joe Dante is best known for making Gremlins and Gremlins 2. But in 1998, he made another similar movie called Small Soldiers, which is now getting the 4K treatment with a sweet steelbook release. If you’ve been hoping to add this one into your 4K physical media collection for a good hit of ’90s nostalgia, now’s your chance. It’s currently up for preorder at a few different retailers for $30.99 (see here at Amazon) and is set to release this summer on July 22. Bonus features haven’t been revealed for the steelbook yet, but we’ll make sure to update this once they’re out.

Preorder Small Soldiers 4K Steelbook

Lots of Pokémon TCG sets are feeling like gold dust right now, but Amazon UK has just provided a restock of great booster bundles — like those from Temporal Forces and Shrouded Fable — with plenty of others still available as well.

While we’re still waiting to get invites to buy the Prismatic Evolutions Accessory Pouch Special Collection & 151 Blooming Waters Premium Collection at Amazon UK, these will be good enough to keep us going in the meantime.

Temporal Forces is back in two assortments over at Amazon UK: the Booster Display Box with 18 booster packs for £71.82 and the 36-pack version from £159.99. If you’ve yet to add any of the powerful ACE SPEC cards to your collection, here’s the ideal chance to try and pull one or two.

Next, there’s the Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box from the Scarlet & Violet set. For £44.99, you get nine boosters, a Pecharunt foil card, 65 card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, damage counter dice, a coin-flip die, two condition markers, a player’s guide, and a stylish collector’s box where you can keep everything tucked away.

Paradox Pokemon fans will also be pleased to know that the Paradox Fury Premium Collection is back in stock as well. Based on the Paradox versions of Johto’s Legendary Dog trio, the premium collection offers seven Paradox Fury boosters along with the foil cards Walking Wake ex, Raging Bolt ex, and Gouging Fire ex.

In addition to a magnetic three-card holder, the collection even comes with an oversized display version of the Raging Bolt card.

If you’re still after some Journey Together boosters, Amazon UK has those in stock too — selling 36-pack display boxes for £179.99, 14% down from the £209.99 price it was before. Although, the nine-booster Journey Together Elite Trainer box is also available, but for a hefty £74.99, way above RRP of £44.99

For more Paradox Pokemon cards, the retailer also has a handful of the 36-pack display boxes of Paradox Rift left as well for £153.98.

However, if you don’t need as many boosters from that set, Amazon is also selling a handy Paradox Rift Iron Valiant Elite Trainer Box & Arctibax Triple Pack bundle for £57.98.

With it, you’ll get 12 boosters in total, a foil Scream Tail or Iron Bundle promo card, 65 Iron Valiant Sleeves, Energy cards, a player’s guide, and an Arctibax foil promo card.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

Rockstar has released Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2, hot on the heels of announcing a big delay to the game.

The trailer, below, was captured on PlayStation 5, and offers a detailed look at what to expect from GTA 6’s story.

“Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them,” Rockstar said in the official description.

“But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.”

Rockstar’s GTA 6 website now contains lots of new information on the Vice City-set game, including bios for playable protagonists Jason and Lucia and the cast of supporting characters. Here’s the official blurb, alongside brand new screenshots.

Grand Theft Auto VI Characters

Jason Duval

Jason wants an easy life, but things just keep getting harder. Jason grew up around grifters and crooks. After a stint in the Army trying to shake off his troubled teens, he found himself in the Keys doing what he knows best, working for local drug runners. It might be time to try something new.

Meeting Lucia could be the best or worst thing to ever happen to him. Jason knows how he’d like it to turn out but right now, it’s hard to tell.

Lucia Caminos

Lucia’s father taught her to fight as soon as she could walk. Life has been coming at her swinging ever since. Fighting for her family landed her in the Leonida Penitentiary. Sheer luck got her out. Lucia’s learned her lesson — only smart moves from here.

More than anything, Lucia wants the good life her mom has dreamed of since their days in Liberty City — but instead of half-baked fantasies, Lucia is prepared to take matters into her own hands.

Fresh out of prison and ready to change the odds in her favor, Lucia’s committed to her plan — no matter what it takes. A life with Jason could be her way out.

Cal Hampton

What if everything on the internet was true? Jason’s friend and a fellow associate of Brian’s, Cal feels safest hanging at home, snooping on Coast Guard comms with a few beers and some private browser tabs open.

The psychopaths are in charge. Get used to it. Cal is at the low tide of America and happy there. Casual paranoia loves company, but his friend Jason has bigger plans.

Boobie Ike

It’s all about heart — the Jack of Hearts. Boobie is a local Vice City legend — and acts like it. One of the few to transform his time in the streets into a legitimate empire spanning real estate, a strip club, and a recording studio — Boobie’s all smiles until it’s time to talk business.

Top quality cuts. Boobie might seem like he’s just out for himself, but it’s his partnership with the young aspiring music mogul Dre’Quan for Only Raw Records that he’s most invested in — now they just need a hit.

Dre’Quan Priest

Only Raw… Records. Dre’Quan was always more of a hustler than a gangster. Even when he was dealing on the streets to make ends meet, breaking into music was the goal.

You’re with the label now. Now that he’s signed the Real Dimez, Dre’Quan’s days of booking acts into Boobie’s strip club might be numbered as he sets his sights on the Vice City scene.

Real Dimez

Viral videos. Viral hooks. Bae-Luxe and Roxy aka Real Dimez have been friends since high school — girls with the savvy to turn their time shaking down local dealers into cold, hard cash via spicy rap tracks and a relentless social media presence.

One hit away from fame. An early hit single with local rapper DWNPLY took Real Dimez to new heights. Now, after five years and a whole lot of trouble, they’re signed to Only Raw Records, hoping lightning can strike twice.

Raul Bautista

Experience counts. Confidence, charm, and cunning — Raul’s a seasoned bank robber always on the hunt for talent ready to take the risks that bring the biggest rewards.

A professional adapts. Raul’s recklessness raises the stakes with every score. Sooner or later, his crew will have to double down or pull their chips from the table.

Brian Heder

Nothing better than a Mudslide at sunset. Brian’s a classic drug runner from the golden age of smuggling in the Keys. Still moving product through his boat yard with his third wife, Lori, Brian’s been around long enough to let others do his dirty work.

Looks like a Leonida beach bum — moves like a great white shark. Brian’s letting Jason live rent-free at one of his properties — so long as he helps with local shakedowns, and stops by for Lori’s sangria once in a while.

Rockstar also released information and screenshots on the explorable places in the state of Leonida, GTA 6’s take on Florida.

Grand Theft Auto VI cities, places, and environments

Vice City

Everything in Excess. We’re a long way from the ’80s, but Vice City is still the sun and fun capital of America.

The glamour, hustle, and greed of America captured in a single city. Each neighborhood has something to offer, from the pastel art deco hotels and bright white sands of Ocean Beach, to the bustling panaderías of Little Cuba and the bootleg brands of the Tisha-Wocka flea market, out to the VC Port, the cruise ship capital of the world.

Leonida Keys

Gateway to Paradise. The dress code is casual, the bars are loaded.

Life in this tropical archipelago isn’t flashy but it’s easy. Get your buzz on and pull up a deck chair but look out — you are right on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful and dangerous waters in all of America.

Grassrivers

Welcome to the Wetlands. The untamable jewel of Leonida’s crown.

You never know what lies beneath the surface of this primordial expanse. The gators may be the most famous attraction, but there are far deadlier predators and weirder discoveries among the mangroves.

Last week, Rockstar delayed GTA 6 from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, in a significant push to the world’s most anticipated game. The GTA 6 official website still lists GTA 6 for launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, suggesting a PC release will come after.

Rockstar released GTA 6 Trailer 1 in December 2023, which means Trailer 2 arrives one year, five months, and two days later. For comparison’s sake, the time between GTA 5’s Trailers 1 and 2 was one year, five months, and 28 days.

Developing…

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.