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Fable is shaping up to be an absolute belter of a role-playing game. From deep systems like reputation affecting everything you do and stylish combat to funny talking pigs, what I’ve seen so far suggests a splendid fantasy role-playing game (RPG) that will be absolutely worth the wait.
Seeing a sliver of the game set in only one town, Playground Games showed what it’s like to carve my own path in the world, what impacts I can have on the locale and the people there, and how it can all affect me as the player.
From what I’ve seen, it’s basically a life sim, town builder, economy sim, RPG — and pig-fate-decider sim — all in one.
Systems on systems on systems(Image credit: Playground Games/Microsoft)The main thrust of what I saw at the Xbox event around Summer Game Fest 2026 was how deep and rich some of the games’ systems were in how you interact with places and folk, and how your actions have consequences.
This allows you to play your own way, impacting the way people live and also carving your own lifestyle that doesn’t rely on a binary good-bad system, making things more interesting.
In the gameplay I saw behind closed doors, there was a talking pig whose fate we could decide, for example. But this wasn’t a one-and-done affair, as whatever you chose has consequences: save him, and the butcher is out of pocket, so you’ll need to cover his costs if you can — or get a job to earn the coin, and so on. And each of these steps, whichever route you take, will impact how you're perceived by everyone involved: some will think you're virtuous, some will be annoyed, and so on.
This leads to you garnering an array of reputation qualities for both the overall area and its inhabitants. And it can get very detailed and complex — in a good way — given every single fully-fledged non-player character (NPC) will have their own perspective. So while you may follow a path that gets you in with some local businesses that then give you better rates, for example, other shop owners may have totally differing opinions and make your life difficult later on.
Given how deep and rich the systems and reputation mechanics are, it feels like that same depth is needed in other areas like combat
Thankfully, the reputation is entirely local, though, so if you go berserk in one town, they won’t immediately be on the phone to the next area over. But even if they did, you can still turn things around and change people’s perceptions, but it will take a lot of work to win them back…
But, perhaps weirdly, this excellent chain of reactions, reputation characteristics, and events can abruptly stop. For example, in the midst of wooing a potential partner and going through the systems you require, including becoming a homeowner, you can just press a button to own a house. Or if you need money to buy gifts in the same relationship system and process, you can simply walk into any blacksmith and earn money at the press of a button.
This juxtaposition was the only thing that really raised my eyebrows, as it felt jarring: one moment you’re deep in a hilarious system rabbithole, the next you’re holding one button to solve or part-solve a problem. I’m very keen to see more of that and the impact it may or may not have on the experience on a larger, less isolated scale.
But could the sword be mightier than the pen?(Image credit: Microsoft / PlayGround Games)Speaking of seeing more on a larger scale, the same goes for combat; what I’ve seen whetted the appetite, but I only saw a flash.
It was wonderfully slick, swift, fantastical, and elegant — and exciting — for sure, but over far too quickly. I’d love to see more of the options available to players in terms of builds, classes, and skills, and how to team them with weapon choices and magic, and more. It was all over far too quickly in my preview.
Plus, given how deep and rich the systems and reputation mechanics are, it feels like that same depth is needed in other areas like combat, in order to ensure a cohesive experience and feel.
Still, however, the fact remains that Fable was absolutely one of the very best things I saw at all the games events going on in June, and it’s set to be an absolute blast to experience all its systems — even if I only got a glimpse of them.
I can’t wait to dive in and explore all the shenanigans you can get yourself into when the game launches on February 23, 2027, on Xbox Series X and Series S, PS5, and PC.
The latest installment in Nintendo’s weird and wacky rhythm game franchise has finally landed with Rhythm Heaven Groove (known as Rhythm Paradise Groove in PAL regions). It’s a game that sticks closely to its foundations: there’s a simplistic control scheme, cartoonish art style, and a set of frankly surreal levels to sift through.
Review infoPlatform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Available on: Nintendo Switch (also playable on Nintendo Switch 2)
Release date: July 2, 2026
That’s not to say that Rhythm Heaven Groove brings nothing new to the table, however. There are plenty of multiplayer minigames available, and there’s a new single player mode called Beatspell, which riffs on the RPG genre.
So, is the mix of classic Rhythm Heaven charm and new content enough to place this entry among the best Nintendo Switch games? Here are my thoughts after hours upon hours of testing my skills.
More of the same — but not in a bad way(Image credit: Nintendo)Let me begin by laying my cards on the table. I’m a long-time fan of the Rhythm Heaven series, and have poured a ton of hours into perfecting my timing on Rhythm Heaven (DS) and my personal favorite Rhythm Heaven Fever on the Wii.
I’m a sucker for the zany characters and goofy set of circumstances they find themselves in — whether that be dancing in tandem with a group of shrimp or playing badminton with a dog while piloting an airplane (yes, really).
And I’d argue that Nintendo — alongside codeveloper TNX — has re-created what made the series special effectively in Rhythm Heaven Groove. It’s a lot more of the same stuff we got before, but that’s by no means a bad thing.
A lot of the absurdism has been retained, and whether I was playing as a frog and launching my amphibian brethren off a lily pad or bouncing lemons off by biceps as a hard-core gym bro, I felt that the unorthodox appeal of what came before was still alive and breathing on Nintendo Switch.
Levels are, on the whole, pretty memorable, and while I found some to be less compelling — like using a massive hammer to crush cans, or sweeping the floor as part of a four-piece pop band — there’s plenty of personality, vibrant colors, and eccentric character designs to marvel at.
In the core solo levels, there’s a decent amount of variety too, even with the music, which spans a variety of genres, tempos, and styles. I found myself bopping my head to the tunes in Alien Alphabet — a level where you have to communicate with a chatty extra-terrestrial — as well as Hop N Slide — where you play as a computerised creature that has to jump and duck through hurdles — among many others.
If you want, you can even listen to the tracks in the Sound Studio menu, which fills out as you play through the game’s varying levels.
Best bit(Image credit: Nintendo)I loved a lot of the core levels, but my favorite was Ribbit Rocket. I loved blasting other frogs into the stratosphere with my lily pad-launching skills. The vibrant environment, giant frog in the backdrop, and varied tempo of incoming amphibians kept things feeling fresh both visually and rhythmically.
But let’s talk a bit about gameplay, something that there’s understandably little to discuss around. Like its predecessors, Rhythm Heaven Groove keeps things outrageously simple.
Whatever mode you’re playing, you just have to press buttons — sometimes even just one — in time with the beat. Controls are responsive and there are visual and audio cues that help you to nail your timing. You’ll either get your rhythm spot on, a little off, or straight up wrong, and this will determine how well you do in a particular level or minigame.
In the main single player levels, you can earn medals by hitting almost every note faultlessly, and this really brought the perfectionist out of me. I felt almost compelled to get a medal in every level, including the remixes, which combine multiple levels together in one brilliant collage.
You occasionally get the option to go for Perfect in some stages, which can earn you an in-game reward. This can be infuriating — but in a way that’s addictive and oh-so satisfying when you pull off a flawless run.
One minor gripe I have is that there’s no option to restart within a level when going for Perfect. For some reason, you have to jump back to the main menu, re-enter and try again. It’s a minor frustration, sure, but when you’re trying to get in the zone it can feel a tad grating.
Speaking of menus, I was slightly surprised to find that they were quite bland. The main menu is just a list, there’s little visual flair or intrigue about it. Again, this is a nit-pick, but for such a vivid and charismatic title, I expected something a little less rudimentary.
The new stuff: the good, the bad, and everything in between(Image credit: Nintendo)Right, so despite a couple of small things, the core single player experience is very enjoyable in Rhythm Heaven Groove. But what new stuff can you sink your teeth into.
Well, perhaps the highest profile addition is the aforementioned Beatspell mode, which takes visual and gameplay inspiration from classic RPGs. By entering varying commands at different rhythms, you’re able to cast a handful of spells, including fire and water attacks, healing, and more. You must use your magic to defeat basic monsters as well as bosses, which have varying weaknesses and attack patterns.
You can level up your spells as you progress through each level, although these are reset at the beginning of each new area. It’s a neat idea, and I personally preferred to pour my points into attacking spells to defeat enemies faster — which helps you earn bonus points for a better star rating at the end of each segment. While beating your enemies is pretty easy, getting a high star rating requires consistently good timing, especially later into the campaign.
However, I wouldn’t say that Beatspell is the strongest mode ever. The levels feel pretty repetitive, and the narrative throughout the campaign failed to capture my interest. It’s very basic, and it doesn’t quite have the same quirky feel that the core levels exude.
Sure, there’s a bit more variation in terms of gameplay — you’re not restricted to one or two basic inputs and can approach levels how you see fit, but the music and enemies I encountered felt less charismatic than what the series typically delivers, making me less enthused about returning to levels and perfecting my score.
(Image credit: Nintendo)Still, some of the new additions show promise, and when my talented colleague and TechRadar Gaming Editor, Dash Wood, played the multiplayer minigames, he had an absolute blast. We loved everything here, from the catchy tunes through to the charming visuals and competitive feel, and I’m definitely going to be forcing a few friends and family members to duke it out with me.
There are more modes too, including Drum Lesson, the experimental Rhythm Toy Mode, and the Café, where you can take a break and receive tips. All in all, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy the beat-based fun in Rhythm Heaven Groove, and although I didn’t love Beatspell, the core experience alone had enough content to keep me entertained.
I liked most of the new additions overall, then, although I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator, named Lil’ Miss Reeds. This robotic character uses text-to-speech to read menus aloud, which is a neat touch in terms of accessibility, although the voice, in my view, is pretty annoying.
Luckily, you can turn text-to-speech off in a sub-menu, which I quickly did — but again, in spite of my dislike for the robo voice, it’s a thoughtful touch. Especially given that there’s an option to describe what’s on screen as well as reading text aloud.
One final point before I wrap up, which has been a fairly big topic of discussion for this title. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for more than a year now, Nintendo decided to release this entry as an exclusive on the original Switch. In my view, this is a very sensible decision: not only is the Nintendo Switch the best-selling console in history, opening one of the more niche Nintendo franchises up to a larger player base, but the game itself is hardly the most technically demanding.
And I found performance to be consistent throughout — there were no framerate hiccups, visuals looked vibrant and relatively sharp, and controls felt responsive too, whether I was playing on my TV or using wired earbuds in handheld mode (though the latter option will be best for perfectionists due to lower latency).
So, what do I make of Rhythm Heaven Groove overall? For me, it's a continuation of everything that made its predecessors tick. With a whimsical visual style, head-bopping tunes, and zany level design, there’s plenty of the oddball rhythmic fun that we’ve come to expect from this series.
Sure, Beatspell wasn’t my favorite, and the simplistic gameplay won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you want a beat-hitting game that’s entertaining to dip into solo or with friends, this is an easy title to recommend.
Should you play Rhythm Heaven Groove?(Image credit: Nintendo)Play it if…You’re a certified rhythm game aficionado
Although Rhythm Heaven Groove is by no means the most challenging rhythm game out there, it takes quite a bit of dedication to perfect each level — and it’s incredibly satisfying when you pull this off. If you’re a fan of the genre, then I strongly suggest trying this one out, you’re sure to have a blast.
You’re a fan of the unorthodox
You could argue that the main draw of Rhythm Heaven Groove isn’t its gameplay or beat-matching, but instead, its bizarre lineup of characters and levels. If you want to blast through some surreal situations with robots, aliens, frogs, cats, and more, then you’ll have a weirdly wonderful time with this Nintendo Switch title.
You want something with a lot of gameplay depth
The gameplay in Rhythm Heaven Groove certainly sits on the basic side, and in some levels you’ll simply have to tap a single button in time to progress. If you want something with a bit more depth, then this may not be for you.
You’re expecting an enthralling single player campaign
The new Beatspell mode acts as the new campaign mode, with a range of levels and an overarching narrative. While it adds a bit of variation into the mix, the mode lacks the charm and addictiveness of the core levels, and the story isn’t very engaging. I think the main solo rhythm games offer enough single player fun in themselves, but if you want something with more depth, then this may not be for you.
There aren’t all too many ways to customize your experience in Rhythm Heaven Groove, although you can switch between a few Read-Aloud settings.
There’s the option to have the narrator Read words, read and describe what’s on the screen, or deactivate the narrator altogether.
(Image credit: Nintendo)How I reviewed Rhythm Heaven GrooveI spent around 10 hours playing through Rhythm Heaven Groove. During this time, I played through the main solo levels, the Beatspell campaign, and tried out the other side modes.
The majority of the time, I played the game in TV mode, with my Nintendo Switch 2 connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and my Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did also dip into handheld mode a fair few times, and connected up the Sennheiser CX 80U wired earbuds to enjoy the in-game music and sounds.
More generally, I’m a long-time fan of the Rhythm Heaven series and have reviewed many video games during my time here at TechRadar. This has included plenty of Nintendo exclusive games, like Kirby Air Riders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Drag x Drive.
- Dacia responds to Leapmotor's price cuts
- Spring retains title of the UK's most affordable car
- Small EV now costs just £11,990 in cheapest version
Dacia has slashed the cost of its entry-level Spring EV in the UK to £11,990 in a direct response to fierce competition from Chinese rival Leapmotor.
The company, which shares a “strategic global alliance with the Stellantis Group, cut the cost of its T03 electric city car yesterday, dropping the diminutive EV down to just £12,995 via a doubling of what it calls its Leap Grant.
In recent years, the Dacia Spring has enjoyed the title of the most affordable electric passenger vehicle on sale in the UK (and much of Europe), also taking the crown as Britain’s cheapest car overall, but that title was handed over yesterday following Leapmotor’s aggressive price cuts.
However, it is worth noting that Dacia has reduced the price of its entry level Spring Expression model, which offers just 70bhp and a range of 140-miles on a single charge — both of these figures are easily bettered by the T03.
A recently upgraded Spring 100 is more closely matched in terms of specification and this is now priced at £12,990, a mere £5 less than the Chinese rival.
This version offers a more powerful 100hp motor, a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, vehicle-to-load functionality, copper-accented styling, electric rear windows, reversing camera, and more.
Lina Ribeiro, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said that “production efficiencies” and a “strong drive to continue to offer real value to our customers” have helped the Romanian company pass on savings to the end user.
Analysis: could this spark a small car price war?(Image credit: Dacia)There are very few new cars currently on sale in the UK that can compete with an £11,990 price tag, let alone those that use a typically more expensive electric powertrain. But the battle to become the UK’s cheapest car could see other brands start slashing their prices.
The BYD Dolphin Surf, for example, currently sits at £18,650, while Honda’s upcoming Super N offers a lot of fun and bags of character for £19,000. The MG3 is also a steal at £17,495, although the brand has been known to heavily discount this price.
Should the Renault Twingo qualify for the full UK electric car grant, this could be sold for below £17,000 and offer 163-miles of range, as well as Renault’s excellent interior attention to detail.
Plus, with Chinese brands gaining more traction in the UK and European markets, we could see a whole host of previously ‘unknown’ models start popping up at dealerships, all with a view to undercut the competition.
If you’re in the market for a cheap electric city car, now could be the time to start shopping around.
Silo season 3 is returning to Apple TV after a year-long break, which is a comparatively short wait for fans of Apple Originals.
The hit dystopian sci-fi series is widely acclaimed as one of the best Apple TV shows, and season 3 sees Juliette Nichols navigating her new role as mayor of Silo 18 while trying to regain her memory after the events of season 2.
There's plenty left to explore when it comes to Silo, and it has been renewed for a fourth season too. For now, here's what you need to know about Silo season 3's arrival on Apple TV.
What time can I watch Silo season 3 on Apple TV?If you're in the US you can expect the first episode of Silo season 3 to be available on Apple TV on July 3 at 12am PT / 3am ET. Episodes will then drop weekly until the finale on September 4
Internationally, look out for the below times:
- US – 12am PT / 3am ET
- Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
- UK – 8am BST
- India – 12:30pm IST
- Singapore – 3pm SGT
- Australia – 6pm AEST
- New Zealand – 8pm NZDT
Episode 1: July 3
Episode 2: July 10
Episode 3: July 17
Episode 4: July 24
Episode 5: July 31
Episode 6: August 7
Episode 7: August 14
Episode 8: August 21
Episode 9: August 28
Episode 10: September 4
- Norton's scam detection tools are now available in Claude and ChatGPT
- Users can ask their preferred AI chatbot about the legitimacy of an email, text, website
- Most threats consumers face now come from scams, phishing and fake ads
Claude is the latest AI assistant to get access to Norton's Genie scam detection tool following its available for ChatGPT customers earlier this year.
Available across all Claude subscription tiers, Genie gives users access to scam detection capabilities and other cyber safety tips and advice.
Norton says its tool can analyze suspicious emails, texts, messages, images and links using its "multi-layered" detection intelligence.
Norton scam detection now available in Claude, ChatGPT"AI assistants are becoming part of how people make decisions and evaluate information online," Head of Products and Portfolios Travis Witteveen noted, hinting that the increased prevalence of AI assistants.
"By bringing Norton Genie into even more AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT, we’re making trusted Cyber Safety intelligence available directly in those moments to help people make more confident decisions in real time."
The company explained that Genie looks for language patterns, social engineering tactics, urgency cues, impersonation attempts, and requests for sensitive information. It also checks URLs and analyzes domains to confirm whether a user should click on the link.
When the tool launched for ChatGPT in March 2026, Norton described it as the "world's first AI-powered scam detector." Users can start conversations by tagging @Norton and asking questions like whether an email looks legit or if an online offer looks like a scam.
The company's own reporting reveals that nine in 10 threats targeting people in 2025 came from scams, phishing and fake advertisements.
So far, Norton looks to be the only security company offering direct AI chatbot integration to provide accurate insights into threat detection.