Arknights: Endfield Readies Global Launch with Dedicated PC Client

Hypergryph’s highly anticipated 3D strategic RPG spin-off, Arknights: Endfield, is set for its global launch on January 22, 2026, marking a significant expansion for the popular franchise with a dedicated PC client alongside its mobile counterparts. This simultaneous worldwide release at 11 am UTC+8 ensures players across all platforms can dive into the new gacha title, offering a seamless experience whether on a high-end gaming rig or a mobile device, a notable shift from its mobile-exclusive predecessor. This move underscores a growing industry trend towards multi-platform accessibility, aiming to capture a broader audience for its intricate tactical gameplay and character-driven mechanics.

Separately, fans of narrative-driven adventures are also looking forward to Life is Strange Reunion, which will debut on March 26, 2026. This latest installment promises to deliver the long-awaited finale to the beloved Max and Chloe saga, available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, further enriching the diverse landscape of upcoming game releases in early 2026.

Global Rollout Details for Arknights: Endfield

The global launch of Arknights: Endfield on January 22, 2026, at 11 am UTC+8, signifies a unified release strategy by Hypergryph, ensuring players worldwide can embark on this new journey simultaneously. For those in Western time zones, this means an earlier start, with players in Los Angeles (UTC-8) able to access the game as early as 7 pm PST on Wednesday, January 21. Similarly, Chicago (UTC-6) will see the launch at 9 pm CST, and New York (UTC-5) at 10 pm EST, both on January 21. Moving eastward, London (UTC+0) will join at 3 am GMT on Thursday, January 22, followed by Berlin (UTC+1) at 4 am CET, Hong Kong (UTC+8) at 11 am HKT, Sydney (UTC+11) at 2 pm AEDT, and Wellington (UTC+13) at 4 pm NZDT, all on January 22.

This coordinated launch across various regions and platforms highlights Hypergryph’s ambition to position Endfield as a major contender in the strategic RPG market. The decision to offer a dedicated PC client from day one is particularly noteworthy. Historically, many gacha games originate on mobile platforms, often requiring players to use emulators to experience them on PC. A native PC client promises enhanced performance, better graphics, and a more optimized user interface, providing a superior gameplay experience for those preferring larger screens and traditional gaming setups. As PC Gamer reports, this is a significant ‘upgrade’ for players accustomed to workarounds.

Players can acquire the Arknights: Endfield client directly from Hypergryph’s official website or through the Epic Games Store. Pre-registration is highly encouraged, as it typically offers a range of in-game freebies and bonuses, a common practice in the gacha game ecosystem designed to reward early adopters and build community excitement.

Preloading and System Requirements

To ensure a smooth launch day experience, preloading for Arknights: Endfield is already available across all platforms. PC players can download the game via the official client or the Epic Games Store launcher, while iOS and Android users can do so through their respective app stores. The game requires a substantial 50GB of storage space, with an additional 40GB needed for file extraction on PC, bringing the total temporary requirement to 90GB during installation. Hypergryph strongly advises players to preload the game in advance, a recommendation echoed by critics, given that launch day connectivity can often be unpredictable due to high server traffic.

For PC players looking to ensure their systems can handle the demands of Arknights: Endfield, Hypergryph has released detailed system requirements. These specifications outline the necessary hardware for both minimum and recommended performance levels, ensuring a broad range of PCs can run the game effectively.

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-9400F
• Graphics: GeForce GTX 1060
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 50GB (additional 40GB required for file extraction)

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i7-10700k
• Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 50GB SSD (additional 40GB required for file extraction)

These requirements suggest that while the game is accessible to systems a few years old, a more modern setup with an SSD is recommended for optimal performance, particularly given the game’s 3D graphics and strategic complexity. The 16GB RAM requirement across both tiers indicates the game’s memory-intensive nature, reflecting its ambition to deliver a rich visual and gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth and Character Focus

As a strategic RPG, Arknights: Endfield promises deep tactical combat and extensive character customization, building on the legacy of its predecessor while introducing new 3D gameplay elements. The game is still a ‘gacha’ title, meaning players will collect characters through a lottery-like system, each bringing unique skills and strategic advantages to the battlefield. Understanding these characters’ synergies is crucial for success.

One example of this strategic depth is seen in characters like Ardelia, whose abilities, as detailed by Mobalytics, provide significant utility and healing for a team. Ardelia’s Battle Skill synergizes with specific team compositions, offering healing and the ability to apply Physical and Arts Susceptibility to enemies. This susceptibility increases the damage taken from all team members, making her a valuable asset for maximizing offensive output. Her Combo Skill, which requires a Final Strike against an enemy without certain debuffs, applies ‘Corrosion’ to enemies. This ‘Corrosion’ can then be consumed by her Battle Skill to apply the aforementioned Susceptibility, creating a potent gameplay loop focused on precise timing and skill execution. Such intricate character designs and combat mechanics are central to the appeal of Arknights: Endfield, demanding strategic planning and resource management from players.

Life is Strange Reunion Unveils Narrative Finale

While Arknights: Endfield captivates players with strategic combat, Life is Strange Reunion offers a different kind of immersion: a deeply emotional, narrative-driven experience. Slated for release on March 26, 2026, the game is set to bring the long-awaited conclusion to the beloved saga of Max Caulfield and Chloe Price. Fans have eagerly anticipated this reunion, and the game will be available across multiple platforms, including PC (via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox app), Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, as reported by Beebom.

The game will feature both Max and Chloe as co-leads, allowing players to experience the story from dual perspectives and leverage their unique powers. Max retains her iconic ability to rewind time, enabling players to revisit conversations, uncover hidden details, and explore different narrative paths without the burden of irreversible consequences. Chloe, on the other hand, utilizes her ‘Backtalk’ ability, a powerful tool for influencing dialogue and shaping outcomes. The interplay between their powers and choices is expected to lead to multiple endings, encouraging players to make decisions that resonate with their own interpretations of the characters and their journey.

Life is Strange Reunion will be released in three distinct editions to cater to different fan preferences. The Standard Edition, priced at $39.99, includes the full game. For $49.99, the Deluxe Edition offers the full game along with a digital soundtrack, a digital artbook, an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary, and a prequel comic, providing additional lore and immersion. The Twin Pack, retailing for $59.98, bundles Life is Strange Reunion with the previous title, Life is Strange Double Exposure, offering a comprehensive package for fans. Pre-order rewards will be available across all editions, though the game will not be launching on Xbox Game Pass. This tiered release strategy, complete with bonus content and bundled options, aims to maximize engagement and provide value to the dedicated fanbase of the Life is Strange universe.

The simultaneous global launch of a gacha-based strategic RPG like Arknights: Endfield across PC and mobile platforms, alongside the highly anticipated narrative conclusion of Life is Strange Reunion across consoles and PC, highlights a clear trend in the modern gaming industry: a strategic emphasis on cross-platform accessibility and diverse monetization models. This approach not only broadens player bases but also caters to varying preferences for gameplay experiences, from deep tactical engagement and character collection to emotionally driven storytelling, reflecting a mature and multifaceted market that seeks to maximize reach and player choice.