PC Gamer's new issue is on sale now, headlined by Fallout Special, a comprehensive look at the long-running post-apocalyptic RPG and its expanding footprint across games and television. The cover feature offers world-exclusive access to many of the people who shaped Fallout from its earliest days through its modern reinventions, including developers behind the classic entries and stars from the new Fallout TV series. The piece traces the series from Fallout 1 and 2 through the 3D pivot of New Vegas and onward to Fallout 4's Anniversary Edition, providing context and anecdotes that illuminate the franchise's enduring cultural impact. Ted Litchfield serves as the feature’s writer, delivering a curated narrative that aims to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers curious about Fallout's evolution.
In addition to the core Fallout coverage, the issue highlights Deadlock, Valve's anticipated movement shooter that fuses fast action with MOBA-like elements. Matt Cox delivers a world-class hands-on guide to the project, drawing on hundreds of hours of early access gameplay. While there is no release date yet, the feature explores how Valve's approach to multiplayer and live-service design could shape Deadlock's trajectory, making it a focal point for readers watching the field closely.
The magazine also carries a lead preview of Pathologic 3, PC Gamer-exclusive play impressions that place players in the shoes of a physician tasked with saving a town within a 12-day window. Early impressions emphasize the game's acoustic atmosphere, its tense pacing, and a narrator-driven tension that sets Pathologic 3 apart from typical horror-adventure titles. The preview frames the experience as both gripping and distinctive, underscoring its potential impact on fans of psychological horror and narrative-driven environments.
Dispatch receives a full review as the first season of the interactive superhero TV experience becomes available. The game-tie-in project blends humor with heartfelt moments and social commentary, and the verdict suggests it stands out among superhero-themed experiences for its warmth and character-driven storytelling, offering an approachable entry point for players who enjoy lighthearted collaboration and comic-book sensibilities.
Painkiller RTX takes center stage in the mod spotlight. The original Painkiller remains a cult classic FPS, and this new ray-tracing mod updates its visuals to contemporary standards while preserving the fast-paced, arcade-like action that defined the original. The mod demonstrates how classic design can be revitalized through modern lighting techniques, delivering a fresh look without compromising the game's signature speed and brutality.
REINSTALL: Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 is revisited with a reinstall treatment designed to assess whether the RTS still delivers its bombastic sci-fi warfare and FMV-driven charm. The piece concludes that the game remains a surprisingly robust experience, with its tempo and strategic clarity holding up well against contemporary RTS expectations.
Cyberpunk 2077 returns in a diary format that follows a no-augmentation run. The 'Tech No Bro' perspective—Vincent, who wields a baseball bat and questions the role of implants—explores the game's design from a different angle, highlighting how Night City’s systems interact with a non-augmented playstyle and what that means for pacing and narrative tone.
Special Report this month pivots to Bus Bound, a newly announced bus-driving simulator featuring officially licensed vehicles and a richly imagined North American town. The developers discuss scope, vehicle fidelity, and the kinds of mechanical depth players can expect as the project moves toward release, framing Bus Bound as a potential standout in a crowded sim landscape.
The Build All out section chronicles the hardware team's approach to a money-no-object rig. The article presents a detailed, part-by-part guide that covers power, cooling, acoustics, and future-proofing, offering readers a blueprint for constructing a high-end system designed to endure at peak settings for years to come.
Hardware Group Test scrutinizes six lightweight gaming mice, evaluating speed, weight, feature sets, and customization options. The test aims to identify which model best balances maneuverability with comfort for extended sessions, reflecting the current emphasis on precise input devices in competitive and immersive gaming alike.
Now Playing catches up with the PC Gamer crew as they pursue Raccoin, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Dispatch, and Minecraft in their downtime. The magazine also re-reviews Hotline Miami, Killer Frequency, and 198X, offering refreshed perspectives on titles that have continued to resonate with readers. How To then provides a practical guide to venturing topside and raiding like a pro in Arc Raiders, outlining actionable steps and considerations to help players approach the game with strategy rather than reliance on trial-and-error.
Subscriptions remain the gateway to PC Gamer's full catalog, with 13 issues per year including a special holiday issue in late December. The UK edition carries a slightly higher page count than the US edition, with extra content available in that market. Digital editions are provided in PDF and EPUB formats through Pocketmags, and PC Gamer ships to numerous countries worldwide. Rob, the publication's editor, has decades of experience in PC gaming, hardware, and technology coverage, contributing across multiple Future titles and outlets.
