For many years, readers have been able to access Google Play Books using the iOS app, Android app or web reader, allowing them to buy and read ebooks and audiobooks across many different devices.
Now, we are making purchases easier in the Play Books iOS app by introducing the “Get book” button. This button will take you directly to the Google Play website where you can purchase your selected ebook or audiobook.
You can also use Google Play Family Library to share books with your family group, and create a digital book collection that’s easily accessible whether reading on an Android device, an Apple device, a web browser or any combination.
Blow It Up is a physics-based destruction game by Brain Seal Ltd. that blends the explosive fun of Angry Birds with a robust physics engine for a thrilling puzzle experience. Set in “Boomtopia”, a land where destruction meets strategy, your mission is to rescue your bomb friends from mischievous oppressors. With seven unique bombs—each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities—you’ll need to think strategically to clear over 70 challenging levels.
To help you make every explosion count, this guide covers each of your bomb buddies in detail, along with essential tips and tricks. Master their destructive potential, unleash chaos, and take back Boomtopia!
Launching 101: Mastering your Launch
Each level presents a unique challenge, and finding the right weak points in the structures is key to causing maximum destruction. Using your launchpad, your objective is to eliminate all enemies, explode the gifts, and ideally finish with an extra shot remaining—earning you the prestigious gold trophy. If you run out of shots but still manage to explode all gifts, you’ll receive a silver trophy. Simply clearing the level will net you a bronze.
To maximize your impact, carefully aim using the launchpad and activate each bomb’s special ability mid-air at the perfect moment. Since every bomb has its own unique power, let’s break them down one by one:
Dashy (Dash Bomb)
Dashy is the starting bomb in Blow It Up, known for its versatility. When activated mid-air, it propels in a straight line based on the direction of its velocity at the time of activation. Dashy is great for reaching tough enemies, cleaning up leftovers, or targeting weak points in structures. However, its explosion is one of the weakest in the game, making it less effective in levels with many enemies or dense structures. Use Dashy strategically for its speed and precision, but be mindful of its limited power.
Diggy (Drill Bomb)
Diggy is a bomb that drops straight down when activated, making it perfect for targeting areas directly below. It’s great for situations where you need to thread the needle—hitting specific targets or enemies on lower levels with precision. While it only has a single explosion, it can cause significant damage in the area of impact. Use Diggy when you need a focused, direct hit, but keep in mind it’s usually not suited for taking out multiple targets at once.
Gunny (Gun Bomb)
When activated, Gunny fires its two handguns one by one, each shot causing a small explosion upon impact. This makes it perfect for breaking through structures, particularly when targets are aligned in a straight path or when you need to destabilize the foundation of a building. The shots weaken structures and create openings, allowing for precise, strategic destruction—especially when focusing on key points to bring the structure down.
Jetty (Airplane Bomb)
Jetty takes to the skies when activated, flying horizontally and dropping small bombs along its path before eventually falling down. This makes Jetty excellent for targeting multiple enemies or structures arranged horizontally. Its ability to cover a wide area with each drop makes it a versatile, all-around bomb, perfect for dealing with scattered targets or clearing large sections of a level.
Blasty (Remote Bomb)
Blasty is a remote bomb that explodes immediately upon activation. Its precise detonation makes it perfect for close-range targets, reaching hard-to-access areas (where other bombs would trigger too soon), or even pushing objects when needed. Blasty’s controlled explosion allows for strategic, creative plays in tricky situations.
Chainy & Linky (Chain Bomb)
Chainy & Linky are two bombs connected by a chain. When activated, they break free and move on their own, each following its own path until they reach their target. This unique dynamic allows for creative strategies, as their separate movement can hit multiple targets or cause destruction in different areas of the level.
Puffy (Fat Bomb)
Puffy is a bomb with a more limited range but a powerful punch. When activated, it releases shrapnel that carries the same momentum as the original bomb, causing the pieces to explode independently. This makes Puffy great for creating large explosions in tight spaces, taking out close-range targets, and cleaning up any remaining enemies or obstacles. Its unique blast pattern allows for focused, impactful destruction.
Mix, Match, Boom
With all these bombs at your disposal, the key to success is finding the right one for each level’s challenge. Whether you’re looking for precision, wide-ranging destruction, or something in between, there’s a bomb to match your playstyle and the situation at hand. The more you experiment, the better you’ll understand how each bomb’s unique abilities can be used to create the perfect explosion. So, go ahead, blow stuff up, and unleash chaos in Boomtopia! After all, who doesn’t love a good explosion?
Blow it up is a physics destruction game with light-puzzle elements where you shoot bombs to destroy your enemies who are hiding behind tower-like structures. Master seven unique bombs in a realistic physics simulation and explore over 70 levels of mayhem and destruction. STORYLINE
An alien invasion is in full swing—mysterious, powerful creatures have descended upon BOOMTOPIA, stripping it of its natural resources and claiming dominance with their explosive superpowers. As your friends are captured one by one, you’ve had enough. Fueled by determination, you gear up to fight back. The adventure begins, but with chaos all around, can you truly survive the mayhem and rescue all your friends? FEATURES
– 7 unique bombs to destroy your enemies.
– Advanced physics simulation where every block behaves naturally.
– Explore a world of adventure and rescue your friends!
– Over 70 levels of mayhem and destruction.
– TNT, confetti and fireworks for more spectacular explosions. Blow it up is the ultimate explosive experience!!
Shape your destiny as an Envoy chosen by a mysterious god, wielding divine powers to confront ancient threats, unravel hidden mysteries, and decide the fate of the Living Lands.
Forge your own playstyle with four expansive skill trees—Fighter, Ranger, Wizard, and Godlike—and fight using powerful weapons, magic, and unique abilities like Grimoire Snap and Blood Magic.
Your companions are more than just allies—their unique abilities, personal struggles, and choices shape not only your journey but the world of Eora itself.
The wait is finally over—Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s highly anticipated fantasy RPG has officially launched! Step into the breathtaking Living Lands, a wild and mysterious island located in the Pillars of Eternity world of Eora, and embark on a journey filled with danger, discovery, and adventure.
Play today on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, and cloud, to experience Obsidian’s latest RPG adventure. Available day one on Game Pass!
A Land in Turmoil
The Living Lands is a frontier unlike any other. This rugged and untamed island has become a haven for exiles, dreamers, and adventurers seeking a fresh start. Its vibrant regions and scattered settlements pulse with life, each hiding untold stories and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered.
But this land of promise is fraught with peril. The Dreamscourge, a devastating soul-plague, is driving settlers to madness and turning them against one another. The very land itself resists colonization, haunted by echoes of lives long past. As an envoy chosen by a foreign emperor and blessed by a mysterious god, you are thrust into the heart of this chaos. With divine powers at your fingertips and the will to shape your own destiny, you’ll confront ancient threats, unravel mysteries, and decide the fate of the Living Lands. Will you unite its people or watch as their struggles tear them apart? The choices you make will define the future of the Living Lands—and the person you become.
Forge Your Own Path
In Avowed, the power of choice is yours. Create a character and shape your playstyle with four expansive skill trees—Fighter, Ranger, Wizard, and Godlike. Using two separate weapon loadouts, you can play as a stealthy sniper armed with dual pistols and a longbow or a spell-slinging barbarian wielding an axe and a grimoire, or whatever combination of loadouts you choose. This means that the possibilities are endless. Your choices define who you are and how you’ll tackle the challenges ahead.
But you’re not alone on this journey. Your companions each bring their own skills, personalities, and deeply personal stories:
Kai, the steadfast protector, whose calm demeanor and unwavering loyalty make him a dependable shield in battle.
Giatta, a brilliant animancer scientist, whose relentless curiosity drives her to uncover the mysteries of the Dreamscourge, even at great personal risk.
Marius, a lone-wolf hunter, whose sharp wit and tracking expertise make him an invaluable ally in the wilderness.
Yatzli, a fiery Godless expert, harnessing explosive magic and a rebellious spirit. Her disdain for the gods adds complexity to her character and your choices.
Their history, relationships, and perspectives intertwine with your story, adding depth and weight to every decision you make. Will you earn their trust, challenge their beliefs, or forge something more profound? How you guide your companions—and how they influence you—shapes the adventure in unexpected ways.
Your Living Lands, Your Way
Avowed is a game built to immerse you in its world. The Living Lands is a sprawling playground for adventurers, rewarding exploration at every turn. Traverse rugged cliffs, wade through winding rivers, and uncover unique hidden treasures—from ancient elemental weapons to fragments of God Shrine Totems that come together to create powerful new abilities.
Combat is equally immersive, offering a seamless blend of magic, melee, and ranged attacks. Unleash shockwaves with Grimoire Snap, trade health for devastating power with Blood Magic, wield weapons you have upgraded and enchanted, or mix and match abilities to create a playstyle that’s entirely your own. Every encounter is an opportunity to experiment, strategize, and push the boundaries of your party’s potential.
At the heart of Avowed lies its dedication to player choice. Inspired by the freedom of tabletop RPGs, the game puts the power in your hands. Your decisions ripple across the Living Lands, shaping alliances, influencing factions, and determining the fate of your companions. Whether you negotiate peace, spark conflict, or carve your own path through the chaos, your actions leave a lasting impact on the world of Eora.
This seamless blend of storytelling, exploration, and creativity makes Avowed an unforgettable RPG experience, one where every choice matters and every discovery feels personal.
Start Your Adventure Today
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Obsidian Entertainment or new to Eora, Avowed invites you to dive into a world of wonder, danger, and opportunity. With its vibrant setting, unforgettable characters, and deeply immersive gameplay, this is the role-playing experience you’ve been waiting for.
The Living Lands are calling. Gather your courage, forge your path, and let the adventure begin!
Avowed is available now for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and with Game Pass. Avowed also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy the game through the store on Xbox or Windows, it’s yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.
When you purchase Avowed on Battle.net or Xbox, or have an Xbox Game Pass membership (PC or Ultimate only), and connect your Battle.net and Xbox accounts, it’s also yours to play on Battle.net, Xbox and Xbox App for Windows at no additional cost. Avowed lets you pick up where you left off, bringing all of your saves, game add-ons, and Xbox achievement progress with you.
Avowed Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆651
★★★★★
$89.99
Premium Edition includes: – Avowed base game – Up to 5 days early access – Two Premium Skin Packs – Access to Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder? The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem. Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance. Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.
Avowed Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆560
★★★★★
$69.99
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder? The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem. Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance. Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.
Gestalte Dein Schicksal als Gesandte*r, die*der von einem mysteriösen Gott auserwählt wurde und göttliche Kräfte besitzt. Tritt uralten Bedrohungen entgegen, lüfte verborgene Geheimnisse und entscheide über das Schicksal der Welt von Avowed.
Schmiede Deinen eigenen Spielstil mit vier umfangreichen Fähigkeitsbäumen – Kämpfer, Waldläufer, Zauberer und Gottähnliche – und kämpfe mit mächtigen Waffen, Magie und einzigartigen Fähigkeiten wie Grimoire Snap und Blutmagie.
Deine Gefährt*innen sind mehr als nur Verbündete – ihre einzigartigen Fähigkeiten, persönlichen Herausforderungen und Entscheidungen prägen nicht nur Deine Reise, sondern die Welt von Eora selbst.
Das Warten hat endlich ein Ende –Avowed, das mit Spannung erwartete Fantasy-Rollenspiel von Obsidian Entertainment, ist offiziell erschienen! Betritt das atemberaubende Land der Lebenden: eine wilde und geheimnisvolle Insel in Eora, der Welt von Pillars of Eternity.
Begib dich auf eine Reise voller Gefahren, Entdeckungen und Abenteuer. Spiel noch heute auf Xbox Series X|S, der Xbox App für Windows-PC, Battle.net, Steam und in der Cloud, um das neueste RPG-Abenteuer von Obsidian zu erleben. Avowed ist ab sofort auch im Xbox Game Pass erhältlich!
Ein Land in Aufruhr
Das Land der Lebenden ist ein Ort wie kein anderer. Diese raue und ungezähmte Insel ist zu einem Zufluchtsort für Verbannte, Träumer*innen und Abenteurer*innen geworden, die einen Neuanfang suchen. In ihren pulsierenden Regionen und verstreuten Siedlungen, die unzählige Geschichten und uralte Geheimnisse verbergen, herrscht reges Treiben.
Doch: In diesem Land voller Schätze und Chancen lauern hinter jeder Ecke Gefahren. Die Traumgeißel, eine verheerende Seuche, die die Seele befällt, treibt Siedler*innen in den Wahnsinn und bringt sie gegeneinander auf. Das Land selbst widersetzt sich der Kolonisierung, heimgesucht von Echos längst vergangener Leben. Als Gesandte*r, die*der von einem fremden Kaiser auserwählt und von einer mysteriösen Gottheit gesegnet wurde, wirst Du in das Herz dieses Chaos gestoßen. Mit göttlichen Kräften in Deinen Händen und dem Willen, Dein eigenes Schicksal zu gestalten, wirst Du Dich uralten Bedrohungen stellen, Geheimnisse lüften und über das Schicksal der Lebenden Lande entscheiden. Wirst Du die Menschen vereinen oder zusehen, wie ihre Klüfte sie auseinanderreißen? Deine Entscheidungen werden die Zukunft der Insel bestimmen – und Deine eigene ebenso.
Schmiede Deinen eigenen Weg
In Avowed hast Du die Qual der Wahl. Erstelle einen Charakter und gestalte Deinen persönlichen Spielstil mit vier umfangreichen Fähigkeitsbäumen – Kämpfer*in, Waldläufer*in, Zauberer*in und Gottähnliche*r. Mit zwei separaten Waffenausstattungen kannst Du als Scharfschütz*in spielen, mit zwei Pistolen und einem Langbogen bewaffnet, oder als zaubernde*r Barbar*in, die*der eine Axt und ein Zauberbuch schwingt. Noch nichts dabei gewesen? Dann wähle eine der zahlreichen Kombination von Ausstattungen aus, die Dir besonders zusagt. Deine Entscheidungen bestimmen, wer du bist und auf welche Weise Du die Herausforderungen vor Dir löst.
Allein bist Du auf Deiner Reise aber nicht. Zahlreiche Gefährt*innen bringen jeweils ihre eigenen Fähigkeiten, Persönlichkeiten und persönlichen Geschichten mit:
Kai, der standhafte Beschützer, dessen ruhiges Auftreten und unerschütterliche Loyalität ihn zu einem verlässlichen Schild im Kampf machen.
Giatta, eine brillante Animancer-Wissenschaftlerin, deren unermüdliche Neugier sie dazu antreibt, die Geheimnisse der Traumgeißel aufzudecken – selbst unter großem persönlichem Risiko.
Marius, ein Einzelkämpfer und Jäger, mit scharfem Verstand und Erfahrung im Spurenlesen, der Dich in der Wildnis und im Kampf bestens unterstützt.
Yatzli, eine feurige Expertin der Gottlosen, die explosive Magie und einen rebellischen Geist besitzt. Ihre Verachtung für die Götter macht ihren Charakter und Ihre Entscheidungen komplexer, gibt dir aber eine neue Perspektive auf das Land der Lebenden.
Ihre Geschichte, Beziehungen und Perspektiven verflechten sich mit Deiner Geschichte und verleihen jeder Entscheidung, die Du triffst, Tiefe und Gewicht. Wirst Du ihr Vertrauen gewinnen, ihre Überzeugungen in Frage stellen oder eine noch tiefere Beziehung zu ihnen schmieden? Wie Du Deine Gefährt*innen führst – und wie sie Dich beeinflussen – prägt das Abenteuer auf unerwartete Weise.
Dein Land der Lebenden, Dein Weg
Avowed ist ein Spiel, das Dich in seine Welt eintauchen lässt. Das Land der Lebenden ist ein weitläufiger Spielplatz für Abenteurer*innen, die Entdeckungen auf Schritt und Tritt belohnt. Überquere schroffe Klippen, wate durch gewundene Flüsse und entdecke einzigartige verborgene Schätze – von uralten Elementarwaffen bis hin zu Fragmenten von Totems, die zusammenkommen, um mächtige neue Fähigkeiten zu erschaffen.
Das Kampfsystem ist in Avowed ebenso fesselnd und bietet eine nahtlose Mischung aus Magie, Nah- und Fernkampfangriffen. Entfessle Schockwellen mit deinem Zauberbuch, tausche Gesundheit gegen verheerende Kraft mit Blutmagie oder schwinge Waffen, die du verbessert und verzaubert hast. Aber vor allem: Kombiniere Fähigkeiten, um Deinen ganz eigenen Spielstil zu entwickeln. Jede Begegnung ist eine Gelegenheit, zu experimentieren, Strategien zu entwickeln und die Grenzen des Potenzials Deiner Gruppe zu erweitern.
Im Mittelpunkt von Avowed steht die Entscheidungsfreiheit der Spieler*innen. Inspiriert von der Freiheit von Rollenspielen, liegt die Macht in Deinen Händen. Deine Entscheidungen wirken sich auf das Land der Lebenden aus. Forme Allianzen, beeinflusse Fraktionen und bestimme das Schicksal Deiner Gefährten. Ob Du Frieden aushandelst, Konflikte auslöst oder Dir Deinen eigenen Weg durch das Chaos bahnst – Deine Handlungen hinterlassen einen bleibenden Eindruck in der Welt von Eora.
Diese nahtlose Mischung aus Storytelling, Erkundung und Kreativität macht Avowed zu einem unvergesslichen RPG-Erlebnis, bei dem jede Entscheidung zählt und jede Entdeckung persönlich ist.
Beginne Dein Abenteuer noch heute
Ob Du ein langjähriger Fan von Obsidian Entertainment bist oder neu in Eora, Avowed lädt dich ein, in eine Welt voller Wunder, Gefahren und Möglichkeiten einzutauchen. Mit seiner lebendigen Kulisse, unvergesslichen Charakteren und einem fesselnden Gameplay ist dies das Rollenspiel-Erlebnis, auf das Du gewartet hast.
Das Land der Lebenden ruft. Fasse Mut, bahne Dir deinen Weg und lass das Abenteuer beginnen!
Avowed ist ab sofort für Xbox Series X|S, die Xbox-App für Windows-PC, Battle.net, Steam, Cloud und mit Game Pass verfügbar. Avowed unterstützt auch Xbox Play Anywhere. Das bedeutet, wenn Du das Spiel über den Store für Xbox oder Windows kaufst, kannst du es ohne zusätzliche Kosten auf Xbox und Windows-PC spielen. Dein Spielfortschritt und deine Erfolge werden dann auf beiden Plattformen gespeichert.
Wenn Du Avowed auf Battle.net oder Xbox kaufst oder eine Xbox Game Pass-Mitgliedschaft (nur PC oder Ultimate) hast und Deine Battle.net- und Xbox-Konten miteinander verbindest, kannst du das Spiel auch ohne zusätzliche Kosten auf Battle.net, Xbox und der Xbox-App für Windows spielen. Avowed lässt Dich weitermachen, wo du aufgehört hast, und all deine Spielstände, Spiel-Add-ons und Erfolge mitnehmen.
For those of you that have been exploring the Living Lands in Avowed, thank you for taking a break to check out the latest Game Pass news! We have some exciting new reveals and exclusive Perks to tease your install buttons. Also, mark your calendars and check out the ID@Xbox Showcase during IGN Fan Fest 2025 on Monday, February 24 at 10am PT for even more Game Pass announcements. Let’s get to the games!
Available Today
Avowed (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – February 18 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one! Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Check out Xbox Wire for Starting Tips to Help You on Your Adventure in the Living Lands.
Coming Soon
EA Sports F1 24 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – February 20 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Join the grid and chase podium glory with unlimited access to EA Sports F1 24, coming soon to The Play List. Members can master every turn and feel at one with the car with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), PC Game Pass, or Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, score in-game rewards including 5,000 XP monthly.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – February 20 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an isometric RPG by Owlcat Games, set in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. As a powerful Rogue Trader, you command a starship, assemble a crew, and explore the Imperium, making fateful decisions in tactical, turn-based combat.
Watch Dogs: Legion (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 25 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Explore a massive urban open world featuring London’s many iconic landmarks and fun side activities where you can recruit (and play as) anyone. Everyone you see has a unique backstory, personality, and skill set for unique situations. Team up with your friends to complete new four-player co-op missions and PvP matches online.
In Case You Missed It
Ryse: Son of Rome Available with Cloud Gaming Game Pass Ultimate
Jump back in this immersive action-adventure story of struggle, brutality, and heroism with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). Amidst the chaos of the late Roman Empire, become soldier Marius Titus and embark on a perilous campaign to avenge the death of your family and defend the honor of Rome. In Gladiator Mode, step into the Colosseum and fight for the glory, spectacle, and entertainment of the crowds.
DLC / Game Updates
Sea of Thieves: Season 15 – Starting February 20
Sea of Thieves is more exciting than ever as new life abounds across the waves. Set forth on new Voyages for The Hunter’s Call, grapple with wild boars and deadly sea monsters, master using hunting spears and more, with new features to enjoy each month.
Ark Survival Ascended: Astraeos DLC – Available Now Game Pass members save 10%! Embark on your next epic odyssey within the world of Ark with Astraeos! Explore and immerse yourself in an elysian land of colossal proportions, steeped in Greek mythology. At over 260km², this massive new map is overflowing with stunning scenery, ancient ruins, and sacred temples. Face off against powerful new bosses, alpha dino variants with enhanced loot, and a fearsome miniboss lurking in mysterious caves.
Forza Motorsport: Update 17 – Available Now Update 17 celebrates cars that are fun, compact, and performant. Race four new-to-Motorsport cars: 2023 Toyota Camry TRD, 2022 Hyundai i20N, 2022 Toyota GR86, and 2021 Hyundai #98 Elantra TCR. Get the 2021 Toyota Yaris GR and 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5N in the Challenge Hub.
Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars Expansion – March 4 Game Pass members can save 10% on their pre-order of Immortal Pillars, the highly anticipated first expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold. Harness the power of ancient Chinese mythology and discover a world where gods, monsters, and legends collide in an epic new chapter of mythical strategy.
Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Find all these Perks and more in the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on Windows PC to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership.
Madden NFL 25: EA Play Supercharge Pack – Available Now Madden NFL 25 is now on The Play List. Get your Ultimate Team ready for the gridiron with the Supercharge Pack.
Minecraft: 1 Month Marketplace Pass – Available Now Get access to the Marketplace Pass for 1 month! Discover 150+ pieces of content including worlds, skin packs, add-ons and more refreshed monthly. This Perk requires a payment instrument to redeem. Terms apply.
Monster Hunter Now: MH Now Bundle – Available Now Claim 2 Ultra Hunting Tickets, 2 Paintballs, 2 Potions, a Wander Orb, and a Tigrex crafting material for weapons and armor. This Perk content requires Monster Hunter Now (mobile) to use. Valid only for iOS and Android versions of the game.
MultiVersus: MVP Pack 5 – Available Now The MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for Game Pass Ultimate members. MVP Pack 5 includes a Rare Banner – Bun Power and a Legendary Taunt – Treat Break.
Naruto 4-Movie Collection: Free movies – Available Now (US Only) Claim four Anime classic movies including Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Blood Prison, Naruto Road to Ninja, Naruto The Last, and Boruto: The Naruto Movie. More Naruto titles are on sale during Anime month. Available in the US only.
Leaving February 28
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Whether there are loose ends to tie up or you still want to try these out, this is your call to jump back in. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on your purchase to keep it in your library.
F1 22 (Console and PC) EA Play
Gris (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Maneater (Cloud, Console, and PC)
PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Space Engineers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Wo Long Fallen Dynasty (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Yakuza 3 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Yakuza 4 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)
We’re adding more games over time to the ‘Stream your own game’ collection for Game Pass Ultimate members. Go to Xbox.com/Play to see the list of available cloud playable games to stream on supported devices if you own them.
As always you can tune into Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox on social for a reminder when these “coming soon” announcements turn into “play today.” Otherwise we’ll be back here to talk more games soon. Cheers!
Pianos famously have a lot of keys. A standard full-size piano has 52 white keys and 36 black keys, for a total of 88. Therefore, people need to get clever when they build self-playing pianos. However, the brute force approach works, too. Paul Junkin’s brute force strategy was to add a solenoid for every one of those 88 keys on his piano-playing robot.
Junkin built this robot to play an old piano that had been in his family’s home since his childhood. For that reason, he didn’t want to do any permanent modifications to the piano itself and instead designed the robot to sit over the keys. It has a frame made of aluminum extrusion to support all of those solenoids.
They are 12V solenoids that can push with 25 newtons of force. An Arduino UNO Rev3 drives those solenoids through PWM modules and power MOSFETs. The PWM control lets the Arduino output something effectively approximating analog voltage in order to adjust the velocity of each key strike.
To tell the Arduino which keys to strike and with what velocity, Junkin used a USB-to-MIDI adapter going from his laptop to a MIDI-to-serial converter that connects to the Arduino. Software on the computer sends MIDI note commands through those adapters to the Arduino, which then actuates the solenoids accordingly.
This turned out well and the robot is able to play songs perfectly. And, best of all, it would be possible to put this robot on any other piano of a similar size.
The age-old combination of physical locks and keys, although reliable, also comes with a few drawbacks, such as when you lose the key or you want to share access with someone else remotely. Davide Gomba has recognized this and built the MKR Keylock project as a way to address some of these shortcomings.
Starting with an existing electronic lock module, Gomba installed it in his door before identifying the circuit responsible for triggering it to open. Once found, he connected the line to a relay that, when triggered by a GPIO signal, will unlock the bolt. An Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 was then attached to a 4×4 keypad, a small buzzer for signaling an incorrect code, and another relay that runs to the doorbell for remote ringing. Thanks to the MKR board’s Wi-Fi connectivity, the firmware configures an MQTT client that listens to a few topics: “/code” to set the keypad code, “/open” to override the locking mechanism, and “/alive/status” that reflects the real-time status of the lock.
Over on the web side, Gomba made a new Home Assistant integration that operates on the same topics as a controller. From a webpage, users can then toggle the lock or provide a new code for the lock to check against.
Want to bring your own door into the IoT era? More information about this IoT lock can be found here on Hackster.io.
Some people say old legends never die. We fully agree with them, as we’re willing to give a helping hand to those that wish to rise again.
X-Out Resurfaced is a full-blown, high-definition remake of the old Commodore 64 classic X-Out. Featuring gorgeous visuals and a reworked control scheme, this new version is the perfect way to experience this incredible shoot’em up in all its glory.
The game starts with a unique loadout screen, revolutionary for its time, allowing you to choose your craft, weaponry and option types, before submersing yourself in frantic, underwater shmup action.
The challenge will be tough and the enemies numerous, but Captain Granger and his faithful craft Trilobite are definitely up to the task. He is after all the last line of defense against the alien horrors that are trying to invade Earth through the ocean depths.
These cosmic horrors sound like they might be too much for you to handle alone? Nothing to worry about, as X-Out Resurfaced features a brand new two-player mode. Sharing the underwater terror is caring after all.
Last but not least, the banger of a soundtrack got a complete makeover by the original composer himself, the great Chris Huelsbeck. Worth a good listen or two if you’re an enjoyer of fantastic retro tunes.
X-Out Resurfaced is still currently available for pre-order, with a full release on February 20, 2025.
We’re counting on you captain. Good luck!
X-Out: Resurfaced
ININ Games
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$19.99
You thought they’d come from space? Wrong!
It’s up to you alone to stop an alien invasion from the depths of the ocean in this legendary, home computer era shoot ‘em up, dredged up and faithfully rebuilt for modern platforms – X-Out: Resurfaced! Resurfaced:
In 1990, the year of X-Out’s initial release on Amiga, it stood out as a breath of fresh seaside air in the stale shoot ‚em-up space. It didn’t take place in “space” as so many games of its genre did (and still do) but instead went for a dive through underwater worlds.
But what really pushed it further than its side-scrolling competitors was its shop system, allowing players to mix and match from a wide variety of ships, weapons, and other accessories to build their fleet. This made every playthrough (attempt) feel different and unique. In 2024 the highly challenging underwater shoot ‘em up from the game development legends at Rainbow Arts is finally returning.
ININ and Ziggurat have collaborated to bring you a faithful remake completely rebuilt from the ground up and greatly improved. Redrawn:
The impressive sprite work of yesteryear has not only been remade into even more impressive modern high-resolution sprites but also greatly expanded upon with particle and lighting effects. 8 varied stages, the enemies, the bosses, the ships, the projectiles—everything shines in a brand-new light! Remixed:
Apart from the visual journey of each playthrough, you’ll embark on a musical one as well: epic synth soundscapes that drive you forward by the magnificent Chris Hülsbeck. In addition to him remastering his original works, we have created three entirely new tracks as well. Remembered:
And it’s not just Chris Hülsbeck who has returned for this remake: Ogan Kandemiroglu, the brother and co-artist of Celal Kandemiroglu who created the original iconic key art of X-Out, took on that task for the remake as a tribute. Re-equipped:
The shop system is back and thoroughly improved as well: new preconfigured load-outs allow you to jump straight into the action, added item descriptions help new cadets configure and build their fleet, and we’ve FINALLY marked the available slots for your weaponry. Reinforced:
Should you still feel overwhelmed by X-Out’s challenge, then maybe it’s time for a co-captain. Enlist a friend and face the terrors from the ocean deep together in the local 2-player co-op mode! Reversed:
If you think you’ve seen everything there is to the game already, then prepare to have your bearing changed and your gyro twisted in the Mirror Mode with its reverse-scrolling levels! Recapped:
• Experience a fresh but faithful take on a real shoot-’em-up classic!
• Get dazzled by the new and beautiful sprite work mixed with shiny particle and lighting effects!
• Take a journey through new and old synth soundscapes courtesy of composer legend Chris Hülsbeck!
• Choose one of three load-outs or build your own fleet in the improved shop system!
• Grab a trusty ally and face the depths together in a 2-player couch co-op dive!
• Get your world flipped, turned upside down in the Mirror Mode!
• Too challenging? Don’t fret we got some cheats for you to breeze through the game with ease!
Learn about what dark unknowns are lurking in the Replay Boys.
Classic otome vibes in a twisted world of horror and suspense.
There are emergency vehicles outside the arena. Your friend’s text messages are beginning to sound strange. A writhing darkness fills your vision, and your work day starts again.
In Replay Boys you play as Hannah, a video editor for a small record label. When everyone calls in sick, the task of wrangling all four members of the Replay Boys is thrust upon you. You’ll have to ferry them to the concert, get them ready for soundcheck, and deal with their meltdowns. Replay Boys contains all the lighthearted elements that you would expect from a visual novel about managing a dysfunctional modern-day boy band, but there is something sinister lurking under its straightforward premise.
The game’s darker elements, like the title hints at, can only be uncovered by replaying the same day several times. You’ll come face to face with a ghost, fight brainwashed fans and a dangerous cult, and deal with an array of more conventional crimes like kidnapping and firearms offences. The turning point comes when, for unknown reasons, the day begins to repeat.
I asked the game’s writer, Bell, how this came about. “I think it was a natural evolution as I wrote the story”, she says. “I really like games that make you question if your senses are reliable. I also think visual novels can be uniquely eerie since so much of the story’s visualizations are happening in your own head. It’s a creepiness that thrives on the power of your imagination.”
The crossover of visual novel and horror in Replay Boys is inspired by how both of the genres use repetition. In a classic visual novel, there are large portions of the story that remain static in every route, which have to be replayed in order to get to a point where the story branches. The replayability is twisted into a time loop that is actually part of the story. In a different manner, horror games and films often repeatedly demonstrate something as “safe”, only to later betray that sense of security by twisting it into something terrifying.
The first day in Replay Boys plays to the expectations of the visual novel genre, until it comes to an abrupt end. When the day restarts, at first it seems nothing has changed, but the pace of those previously-lived moments picks up, and creepy elements start to bleed through. You may hear odd noises on the phone, or gain the ability to explore a dark room that you didn’t have access to before. As you rack up more time loops, the original story structure distorts more dramatically, turning the familiar baseline into something eerie, surreal and fantastical.
While the standout feature of Replay Boys surrounds the subversion of expectations, Bell still wrote the game to be a proper otome dating sim. “I wanted each of the band members to feel lively and real, and able to develop a unique relationship with the main character. At the end of the game, the reward for the player should be the feeling that they very deservedly won this character’s trust.”
Spend a romantic and spooky Valentine’s Day with a quirky boy band. Replay Boys releases today, February 14, on Xbox One, Series X|S, and the Xbox app on PC.
REPLAY BOYS
Split Narrative Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$9.99
REPLAY BOYS is a visual novel with multiple endings including both romantic and platonic routes. It features wild characters, vivid CGs capturing moments of romance and chaos, and an exciting pace. Your decisions guide the outcome, choose carefully!
You play as Hannah, video editor for up-and-coming boy band The Replay Boys. When their manager calls in sick right before The Replay Boys’ first big concert, Hannah is the only one who can fill in and save the day. Help the band through their arguments and uncover their fears and anxieties, while dealing with crazy fans, a cult, and time loops!
Afterlove EP is a new slice-of-life adventure from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After.
Pikselnesia shares how the team navigated its own grief alongside the game’s emotional beats after its founder unexpectedly passed away. Afterlove EP is out today on Xbox Series X|S.
When we, Pikselnesia, first heard the pitch for Afterlove EP from one of Indonesia’s greatest narrative minds, Fahmi Hasni, we knew it would be something special. But we never expected everything to unfold the way it did.
I first met Fahmi, funnily enough, through a dating app. After a very brief entangling, it quickly became clear that we were meant to create something far greater than just a fleeting companionship. Even before What Comes After took shape, he was already dreaming about what at that time was called Project Heartbreak. Back then, he didn’t even have a story – just a feeling he wanted to capture. The ache of trying to move on while the voice of lost love still lingers in your head.
Then, just as we were stepping into full production, Fahmi passed away. I remember spending a lot of horrible months in my grief wondering what went wrong – if anything could have gone differently. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and utterly shocking.
When our team and publisher eventually chose me to be the Narrative Lead, I knew exactly what to do. Our protagonist would feel what I felt.
I was going to put him through hell.
As the team hurled itself into continuing production in the dark, I knew each of us struggled to fill the giant hole Fahmi had left. Our producer, Ivor, had known Fahmi since before his days as a gaming journalist. Now, he had to shoulder the impossible – leading a studio without its heart. He managed Pikselnesia, coordinated with our publisher Fellow Traveler, and kept Fahmi’s family updated. I knew he was skilled – his years in the AAA mobile game industry proved that – but guiding a grieving team while mourning a friend must have been gut-wrenching.
Our other co-lead, Damas, was a pillar of the Indonesian gaming industry. His Bandung-based studio – Rolling Glory Jam – had been our backbone when we released What Comes After years before. Then there was Giri, who I had worked with on What Comes After. Seeing him again as Lead Programmer for Afterlove EP felt like reuniting with an old ally. Our other programmer, Dany, took on even more – stepping into the role of Creative Director while still managing the back-end of our PC and Nintendo Switch builds. I had seen all these men stand beside Fahmi before. Though I perhaps would never fully grasp the depth of their grief, I could feel their determination to complete Fahmi’s final masterpiece, the swan song of his dying breath.
Even when Afterlove EP was just a conversation I had with Fahmi over coffee, Fahmi already knew he wanted Soyatu to lead the art direction. I remember being in awe – Soyatu’s unmistakable style, in an artful game about death? It would surely be a head-turner. I was relieved when Fahmi also found Pinga to create background arts that perfectly complement Soyatu’s lively characters. Together, their work felt seamless. And when Maxi joined the team, everything clicked into place. Watching Soyatu’s characters come to life – actually walking, actually talking – was surreal. It made sense, though. Maxi had worked with Giri before at Thinker Studio, and I never doubted his talent for a second.
This all-star team was exactly what Fahmi’s vision needed – anything less simply wouldn’t have sufficed. His love for Jakarta ran deep. The chaotic sprawl of the streets, the hidden gems tucked away in hole-in-the-wall eateries, the city’s thriving music and art culture – all of it shaped him, and his hopeless romantic tendencies. That was why he brought L’Alphalpha into the project so early. The shoegaze band has a unique, distinctive sound that is somewhat cinematic, exceptional lyrics written in Bahasa Indonesia that are melancholic without being maudlin, the type of songs that recognized pain but never let it consume you. It was everything Fahmi wanted Afterlove EP to express.
In Afterlove EP, you step into the life of Rama, a deadpan young musician grieving the loss of his girlfriend, Cinta, who died from a fatal heart disease. Coping with the weight of her absence is already overwhelming – sorrow, trauma, and guilt twist together in a relentless storm. But what makes it even harder is that Cinta’s voice never truly leaves him. She lingers in his mind, speaking to him, questioning him, making moving on feel impossible.
As Rama stumbles toward a new chapter in his life, he faces choices that shape his future – including three potential love interests: Mira, Regina, and Satria. Yet, Cinta remains. She watches. She comments on his decisions. She even occasionally disagrees with how he tries to move forward, a presence that refuses to fade into memory. Meanwhile, his band, Sigmund Feud, is barely holding together. His absence during his deepest grief took its toll, and when he finally returns, he somehow manages to make things worse. Anyone who has tried to start a band with friends in a garage will understand – sometimes it’s tangled in personal drama, other times it’s clashing ambitions. But in every indie band, there’s always that moment when everything feels like it could fall apart.
As you navigate Rama’s life in the most eventful month of his new life, you’ll be immersed in Soyatu’s signature art style – not just in character sprites you’re controlling and interacting with, but also in beautifully crafted comics woven throughout the game.
You’ll also be able to control how well Rama plays with the band in both practice sessions and live performances, as you jam out to L’Alphalpha’s incredible shoegaze post-rock soundtrack.
Jakarta itself plays a crucial role in Afterlove EP, with real-life locations that meant the world to Fahmi and our team. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll find yourself wandering these same streets, seeing the city through his eyes, and understanding why he fell in love with it.
There’s so much more to discover, but I don’t want to spoil the wonder of experiencing Afterlove EP for yourself. So, I’ll end here – with my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We’re finally at the finish line, and it’s because of you that we were able to bring Fahmi’s final masterpiece to life. Until later when we meet again, friends.
Afterlove EP
Fellow Traveller
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Taking place in the vibrant city of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Afterlove EP is a blend of visual novel, narrative adventure and rhythm game from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After. Step into the shoes of Rama, a young musician struggling to move on with life after the death of their girlfriend, Cinta. Whilst his close friends and bandmates are all determined to help him move on, Rama has been stuck for more than a year. He’s neglecting his music, his mental health and his relationships. Making things harder, he’s hearing Cinta’s voice inside his head, unsure if she is a spirit or part of his imagination. Now he has just one month to get it together! Rama’s band has a critical gig in one month’s time. Either he gets serious about his music and delivers the new songs he has been promising or the band will move on without him. KEY FEATURES
• An emotional new story from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After.
• Set in a vibrant and authentic recreation of modern day Jakarta, Indonesia • A blend of narrative adventure, visual novel and rhythm game elements – explore, talk, jam out!
• Multiple endings and story paths – over 28 days and nights, it will be your choices that determine the path Rama takes.
• Featuring the distinctive art of renowned Indonesian indie-manga artist, Soyatu.
• Featuring an original soundtrack from popular Indonesian band, L’alphalpha.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die‘s free demo is available now on Xbox.
Return to the world of Random as Queen Aleksandra in this dark fantasy roguelite.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die will be released this year for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass.
Fate has spoken, and your chance to step back into the dark and whimsical world of Random has arrived! The free demo for Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is now available on Xbox, giving you a first-hand look at this exciting new chapter. If you’ve been craving an adventure filled with mystery, danger, and a touch of fate, now is the perfect time to dive in.
A First Glimpse into The Eternal Die
In our free demo, you’ll step into the first of four eerie worlds within the Black Die, ruled by the sinister Mare the Knight. This new realm is treacherous, unpredictable, and crawling with dangers that will push your skills to the limit – including the first of four ruthless world bosses, The Doublet Twins. But don’t worry – you won’t be taking on this challenge unarmed.
Your weapon of choice? The Sword of Sixtopia, swift and agile, perfect for rapid strikes and devastating spin attacks. Combine it with powerful card abilities and relics to customise your build for your own playstyle. And of course, you’ll have your die-companion, Fortune, by your side. Toss him into battle to deal massive damage, and use the all-new relic system to power up your skills, abilities, Fortune and more for a super slick and advanced combat experience. Combat in The Eternal Die is all about choice – no two runs will be the same!
In the demo you’ll get to experiment with our brand-new relic system and tiered upgrades, helping you become stronger every turn. Every time you fall, you’ll return to the Sanctuary, where you can unlock new skills, power up your weapons, and prepare yourself for another run. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Aama’s lost dicelings, too – finding them will earn you powerful, permanent upgrades bringing you one step closer to escaping this nightmare realm.
And this is just the beginning! When the full game launches, you’ll get your hands on three more weapons – the mighty Helleven’s Hammer, the fatal Sevendipity Striker, and the deadly Lance of Lady Luck – each with its own unique combat style and upgrade path, as well as 15 unique card abilities and over 100 relics to create your perfect build. Synergy will be everything and we cannot wait to see what creative and crazy builds you come up with!
Beyond battles, the demo is also your first glimpse into the twisted world of the Black Die. You’re trapped in the Black Die by Mare the Knight and it’s up to you to uncover its secrets, meet its peculiar (and perhaps familiar) inhabitants, and piece together the mystery of your imprisonment. Some of the odd folk you meet might even hold the key to your escape – if you take the time to listen. Seek wisdom from Chance, an enigmatic guide to the Black Die’s sinister machinations. Return Aama’s children to unlock powerful upgrades. Stock up on supplies at Mannie Chex’s ever-moving pop-up shop. And if you’re feeling bold enough, you can challenge the mysterious Wager Rollins, always eager for a game of chance.
If you loved Lost in Random, this demo is your chance to dive back into its beautifully bizarre world – but this time, with an exciting roguelite twist. We can’t wait for you to experience it!
The Next Chapter of Lost in Random
The Eternal Die takes you back to the eerie, ever-changing world of Random, but this time, luck plays an even greater role. Taking on a roguelite spin, each run treats you to a high-stakes game where skill, strategy, and a touch of fortune determine your fate. Roll the dice, wield your weapons, and embrace the unpredictable nature of combat as you battle through the Black Die’s twisted trials.
Martin Storm, Game Director, shares what makes The Eternal Die stand out:
“The Eternal Die offers more fast-paced, skill-driven combat packed with intricate synergies. Every roll, every battle, and every ever-changing encounter will test your adaptability and decision-making. With each run, you’ll unlock powerful upgrades and uncover the unpredictable magic of Random in an entirely new way.”
At the heart of this adventure is a new hero: Queen Aleksandra, the once-mighty ruler of Random. Stripped of her power and forced into the Black Die’s merciless trials, she must rely on her wits, combat skills, and her ever-loyal (and very adorable) die-companion, Fortune, to battle the ancient evil that took everything from her and reclaim what was rightfully hers. But she won’t be alone. Along the way, unexpected – and perhaps even familiar – allies may lend a hand… if luck is on your side, that is.
The choice to make Aleksandra the protagonist of The Eternal Die was no coincidence. As Oskar Hanska, Senior Narrative Designer, explains:
“We wanted gameplay changes to also resonate in the narrative. With the new focus on enhanced action and more complex combat, exploring the once fearsome Queen Aleksandra’s story and powers was the perfect choice.”
Prepare for the Full Release
Your adventure is just beginning. When Lost in Random: The Eternal Die launches later this year, you’ll get to experience the full story, wield additional weapons and upgrades, and uncover even more secrets hidden within the Black Die’s sinister world. And the best part? The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass from day one.
So, are you ready to roll the dice? Play the demo now and wishlistLost in Random: The Eternal Die today!
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die
Thunderful Publishing
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Aleksandra, Queen of Random, has lost everything. Deprived of her powers and trapped in a dark, nightmare realm, she must rely on her skills and trusty die-companion Fortune. Together, they gamble with fate on an epic adventure of revenge, redemption, and revelations in the whimsical realms of Random. Random Rules!
To defeat her tormentor, Aleksandra must brave ever-changing realms packed with random twists, challenges, and rewards. Embracing chaos, adapting, and strategizing is key. Throw Fortune or rely on weapons to smash foes. Split-second decisions, some luck, and your mastery of chance will determine your fate! A Unique Relic System
Collect and strategically match Relics on your board to uncover hundreds of combinations of instant effects, chaotic synergies, and powerful bonuses that heavily impact various playstyles – making each attempt at victory feel like a fresh opportunity. The Sanctuary
Death is not final but returns you to the Sanctuary, an evolving haven with a fully-voiced band of eclectic characters. Unlock and upgrade weapons from a living weapon rack, choose wisely among the Blessings from the almighty Aama, or simply freshen up your wardrobe. Performing quests for your allies will restore Aleksandra’s full power and reveal her true potential. Rambunctious Realms
Immerse yourself in a rich, fully voiced story and the distinct artstyle of Random. Delve deep into four, randomly-generated realms, each with its own unique flair and style that will keep you coming back for more.
Willkommen bei Next Week on Xbox! Wie immer stellen wir Dir alle neuen Spiele vor, die bald für Xbox Series X|S und Xbox One, Windows und im Game Pass erhältlich sind. Klick Dich einfach durch die Spiel-Details, um mehr zu möglichen Vorbestellungen zu erfahren (Änderungen vorbehalten).
Game Pass / Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere Willkommen im Land der Lebenden, einer geheimnisvollen Insel voller Abenteuer und Gefahren. Avowed, ein Fantasy-Rollenspiel aus der Ego-Perspektive vom preisgekrönten Team von Obsidian Entertainment, spielt in der fiktiven Welt von Eora, die erstmals in der Pillars of Eternity-Reihe vorgestellt wurde. Game Pass Ultimate- und PC Game Pass-Mitglieder können das Avowed Premium Upgrade Add-on erwerben, um bis zu 5 Tage Early Access, zwei Premium Skin-Sets und Zugang zum Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack zu erhalten.
Blow it up ist ein Physik-Zerstörungsspiel mit leichten Puzzle-Elementen. Dabei feuerst Du Bomben ab, um Feinde zu zerstören, die sich hinter Turm-ähnlichen Konstruktionen verstecken. Meistere sieben einzigartige Bomben in einer realistischen Physiksimulation und erkunde über 70 Level voller Chaos.
Verbessere und verwalte Zoos, um der Top-Tycoon in Idle Zoo Park zu werden! Restauriere alte Zoos und baue neue, füge verschiedene Tiere hinzu, um die Attraktivität und die Einnahmen zu steigern, baue einkommensgenerierende Orte und locke mehr Besucher*innen an, um Dein Zooimperium zu vergrößern und den Tycoon-Status zu erreichen!
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S Reise zurück in die 90er Jahre und erlebe den prägenden Sommer von vier Highschool-Mädchen, die durch ihre wachsende Freundschaft, ihre Punk-Band und ein unerklärliches Ereignis, das ihr Leben für immer verändern wird, eng zusammenrücken.
Tauche ein in die zauberhafte Welt von Bee Flowers, einem bezaubernden Puzzlespiel, in dem Du fleißige Bienen durch sechseckige Gitter lenkst, um bunte Blumenfelder zu bestäuben. Mit seiner entspannenden Spielmechanik und den immer schwieriger werdenden Puzzles bietet das Spiel die perfekte Kombination aus Strategie und Entspannung.
Tauche ein in kreative Bauaktivitäten, indem Du im Build Lands-Modus drei Inselwelten wiederaufbaust oder im Land Editor Deine eigenen Kreationen erschaffst und mit anderen teilst. Dank einer großen Auswahl an Baublöcken kannst Du vielseitige Strukturen gestalten – von Berghütten und Burgen bis hin zu dichten Wäldern und einzigartigen Designs.
Mona reist wieder durch die Dimensionen! Nach ihren Abenteuern trifft sie ihren göttlichen Beschützer, bevor ein magisches Portal sie in eine zusammenbrechende Welt schickt. Dort findet sie sich in der verfallenen Interdimensionalen Universität der Magie wieder. Nun muss sie in diesem Wimmelbild-Abenteuerspiel atemberaubende Welten mit einzigartigen Herausforderungen, Kreaturen und Verbündeten erkunden.
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S Ein wunderschön gestaltetes 2D-Plattformspiel, das für ein entspannendes und dennoch fesselndes Erlebnis sorgt. Mit faszinierenden handgezeichneten Landschaften und einem beruhigenden Soundtrack werden die Spieler*innen eingeladen, eine ruhige Welt voller leichter Herausforderungen und fesselndem Gameplay zu erkunden.
Ein First-Person-Survival-Horror-Spiel mit Found-Footage-Elementen. Es erzählt die Geschichte eines Jugendlichen, der 1998 versehentlich in die Tiefen von „The Backrooms“ fällt.
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Ein 2D-narratives RPG, das in einer von Osteuropa des 19. Jahrhunderts inspirierten Welt mit modernem Twist spielt. Begleite Liza, eine junge Vampirin, die mit ihrer Moral und der übernatürlichen Welt ringt, in die sie hineingezogen wurde. Wirst Du Deine Menschlichkeit bewahren oder tiefer in das Grauen abgleiten, zu dem Du geworden bist?
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Goro Majima, ein berüchtigter Ex-Yakuza, findet sich nach einem Schiffbruch plötzlich auf einer abgelegenen Insel im Pazifik wieder. Ohne Erinnerung – nicht einmal an seinen eigenen Namen – begibt er sich auf die Suche nach Hinweisen auf seine verlorene Vergangenheit. An seiner Seite ist Noah, ein Junge, der ihm das Leben gerettet hat. Doch schon bald geraten die beiden in einen gefährlichen Konflikt zwischen skrupellosen Verbrechern, modernen Piraten und zwielichtigen Gestalten – alle auf der Jagd nach einem legendären Schatz.
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Ein böser Fluch hat das Land heimgesucht und die Toten in lebende Leichen verwandelt. Die einzige Möglichkeit, die Nation vor dem Untergang durch die Armeen der Untoten zu bewahren, ist die Vernichtung der Untoten. Doch ganze Heere von Soldat*innen wurden ausgelöscht und in Zombies verwandelt. Nur ein Mann hat die Fähigkeiten, unbemerkt in feindliches Gebiet einzudringen und den Anführer zu stürzen – der Meister der Tarnung, Ninja-Meister Toru!
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere Weiche aus und blockiere die herannahenden Katzen! Benutze Power-Ups, um das Blatt zu wenden. Wenn Du schon immer Deine Freund*innen mit einem riesigen Laserpointer oder mit einer Käsekanone abschießen wolltest, kannst Du das jetzt tun! Pass nur auf die fliegenden Wollknäuel auf.
Du dachtest, sie kommen aus dem Weltall? Falsch gedacht! In diesem legendären Shoot ‚em up aus der Heimcomputer-Ära, das für moderne Plattformen neu aufgelegt und originalgetreu nachgebildet wurde, liegt es an Dir, eine Alien-Invasion aus den Tiefen des Ozeans zu stoppen!
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S Bay Breaker ist ein Spiel, bei dem man durch ruhige Meereslandschaften navigiert und mit einem Boot Bälle verschießt, die Felsen zerschlagen. Die Spieler*innen sammeln Juwelen und Münzen, die in den Levels versteckt sind. Zerstören alle Blöcke und verdiene Verzauberungen, um Deine Fähigkeiten zu verbessern.
Ein Arcade-Spiel für jedes Alter. In 40 Levels musst Du mit Geschick und schnellen Reflexen alle Blöcke auf dem Bildschirm zerstören. Die Blöcke werden im Laufe des Spiels immer schwieriger, so dass Du clevere Strategien entwickeln musst. So bleibst Du am Ball und hast nach jedem Level das Gefühl, etwas erreicht zu haben.
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Dr. Cavor wird von den mysteriösen Seleniten im Inneren des Mondes gefangen gehalten. Er versucht, zur Oberfläche und von dort zur Erde zu entkommen, aber zuerst muss er sich den Bewohner*innen der Mondunterwelt stellen, deren Katakomben komplex und tödlich sind!
Ein elektrisierender Twin-Stick-Shooter, der Dich in einen Wirbelwind aus Action und Intensität stürzt. Tauche ein in ein fesselndes Erlebnis mit blitzschnellem Gameplay, das Deinen Adrenalinspiegel in die Höhe treibt und Deine Reflexe schärft.
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere Nach vielen Jahren der Kämpfe beschloss eine Gruppe Wikinger*innen, dass es an der Zeit war, neue Länder zu erobern. Mit dem Schutz des Gottes Njord macht sich ein neuer Clan, der sich auf die Navigation spezialisiert hat, auf die Suche nach Ruhm! Ordne in diesem Logik-Puzzlespiel die Dörfer auf den Inseln an, um ihr Herrschaftsgebiet zu erweitern!
Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Lulu’s Temple fordert Dich heraus, Dich in eine tiefe, schreckliche Pyramide voller gefährlicher Feind*innen, Fallen und Geheimnisse zu wagen. Schlüpfe in die Rolle einer*eines neugierigen Archäolog*in, die*der in einen Tempel hineinstolpert und sich einschließt. Benutze Deine mächtige Waffe, um die Untoten zu vernichten, und Deine Fackel, um Dir den Weg zu leuchten.
Der Meister der Golfsimulation ist zurück! Schlage mit den weltbesten Golfer*innen auf den berühmtesten Plätzen der größten Golfbühnen der Welt ab. Bestelle PGA Tour 2K25 Legend oder die Deluxe Edition vor, um ab dem 21. Februar bis zu sieben Tage früher auf das Spiel zugreifen zu können. Mit der Legend Edition wertest Du Dein Spiel und Deinen Look mit sechs zusätzlichen Inhaltspaketen voller leistungsstarker Upgrades, schicken Kosmetika und einem neuen spielbaren Charakter sowie dem Clubhaus-Pass Premium (Saison 1-5) auf.
Xbox One X Enhanced Ein gemütlicher Slice-of-Life-Visual-Novel, der in einer fiktiven Version von Wellington, Neuseeland, spielt. Geboren als Fuchs in den Wäldern Koreas, trägt Miho die Erinnerung an einen Reisenden in sich, der ihr einst Freundlichkeit zeigte und von seinem Zuhause sprach. Jetzt, mehr Mensch als Fuchs, hat Miho eine lange, lange Zeit damit verbracht, diese Person zu suchen.
Das ultimative Rennen hat begonnen – und Du bist eine*r der auserwählten Fahrer*innen der Erde! Tritt in einem außergewöhnlichen Turnier jenseits von Zeit und Raum an, ausgerichtet von den Gottheiten der Galaxie. Jedes Planetensystem entsendet eine*n einzige*n Fahrer*in, um auf 27 atemberaubenden Strecken voller gigantischer Titan*innen um den Sieg zu kämpfen. Doch die Einsätze sind hoch: Wenn Planeten verlieren, droht ihnen die Eliminierung.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Xbox App on Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Avowed Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$69.99
Avowed – February 18 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can purchase the Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon to receive access up to 5 days early, two sets of premium skins, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack.
Blow it up is a physics destruction game with light-puzzle elements where you shoot bombs to destroy enemies hidden behind tower-like structures. Master seven unique bombs in a realistic physics simulation and explore over 70 levels of mayhem.
Upgrade and manage zoos to become a top tycoon in Idle Zoo Park! Revive old zoos and construct new ones, add various animals to boost appeal and income, build income-generating spots, and attract more visitors to grow your zoo empire and achieve tycoon status!
Rewind back to the 90s and live the defining summer of four high school girls as they forge bonds through their growing friendship, their punk band, and an unexplained event that will forever change their lives.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Bee Flowers, a delightful puzzle game where you guide busy bees through hexagonal grids to pollinate vibrant fields of flowers. With its relaxing mechanics and progressively challenging puzzles, the game offers the perfect blend of strategy and serenity.
Engage in block-building activities by reconstructing three sets of islands in the Build Lands mode, or by building and sharing your own creations in the Land Editor. With a wide selection of blocks, you can create various structures such as mountain cabins, castles, forests, or other designs.
Harmony Chronicles: Demon Of The Void Collector’s Edition
Mona is about to travel through dimensions again! After her adventures, she meets her divine protector before a magic portal sends her to a collapsing world, finding herself at the decayed Interdimensional University of Magic. Now she must navigate awe-inspiring worlds with unique challenges, creatures, and allies in this hidden object adventure game.
A beautifully crafted 2D platformer designed to provide a relaxing yet engaging experience. With mesmerizing hand-drawn landscapes and a soothing soundtrack, players are invited to explore a serene world filled with light challenges and immersive gameplay.
A 2D narrative RPG set in a 19th century Eastern European inspired world, with a modern twist. Guide Liza, a young vampire struggling with her morality and the supernatural world she has been pulled into. Will you retain your humanity or descend further into the horror you have become?
Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza suddenly finds himself shipwrecked on a remote island in the Pacific. Unable to remember even his own name, he sets sail in search of clues to his lost memories, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates, and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.
An evil curse that transforms the dead into living corpses was cast upon the land. The only way to stop the entire nation from crumbling to the undead is defeating the Kind of Undead, but entire armies of soldiers were annihilated and transformed into zombies. Only the master of steath, Ninja Master Toru, can infiltrate into the enemy territory and claim the leader’s head!
Dodge, roll, block incoming cats! Use power-ups to turn the scores. If you’ve always wanted to catch your friends with a giant laser pointer or shoot’em with a cheese cannon you can do it all! Just watch out for those flying yarn balls.
You thought they’d come from space? Wrong! It’s up to you alone to stop an alien invasion from the depths of the ocean in this legendary, home computer era shoot ‘em up, dredged up and faithfully rebuilt for modern platforms – X-Out: Resurfaced!
Bay Breaker is a game that involves navigating across serene seascapes and using a boat to launch balls that break rocks. Players can collect jewels and coins hidden within the levels. The game includes challenges where players destroy all the blocks and earn enchantments to improve their abilities.
An arcade game for all ages. With 40 levels, your goal is to use skill and quick reflexes to destroy all the blocks on the screen. The blocks get tougher as you progress, requiring clever strategies, keeping you engaged and provides a sense of achievement with every level.
Dr. Cavor is trapped inside the Moon, held captive by the mysterious Selenites. He endeavors to escape to the surface and from there to Earth, but first he must match wits with the dwellers of the lunar underworld, whose catacombs are complex and deadly!
An electrifying twin-stick shooter that propels you into a whirlwind of action and intensity. Dive into an immersive experience with lightning-fast gameplay that will keep your adrenaline pumping and your reflexes sharp.
After many years of battles, a group of Vikings decided it was time to conquer new lands. With the protection of the god Njord, a new clan specialized in navigation sets off in search of glory! Arrange the Viking villages in the islands to expand their domains, in this logic puzzle game!
Lulu’s Temple challenges you to venture inside a deep horrifying pyramid, filled with dangerous foes, traps and mysteries. Play as a curious archaeologist who foolishly traps himself inside a temple after stumbling his way in. Use your powerful gun to blast the undead and your torch to light your path ahead.
The master of golf sims is back! Tee off with the world’s top golfers on the most storied courses on golf’s biggest stages. Pre-order PGA Tour 2K25 Legend or Deluxe Edition for up to 7 days of Advanced Access starting on February 21. Get the Legend Edition to upgrade your play, and your look, with a staggering six extra content packs full of powerful upgrades, chic cosmetics, and a new playable character as well as the Clubhouse Pass Premium (Seasons 1-5).
A comfy, slice-of-life visual novel set in a fictional version of Wellington, New Zealand. Born as a fox in the forest of Korea, Miho carries with her the memory of a traveler who showed her kindness and spoke of home. Now more human than fox, Miho has spent a long, long time searching for her person.
The ultimate race is here, and you are one of Earth’s chosen drivers. Compete in an extraordinary tournament beyond time and space, hosted by the galaxy’s gods. Each planet sends one driver to race through 27 stunning tracks filled with giant titans. The stakes are high: losing planets face elimination.
Introverts aren’t shy, quiet creatures that need to stay at home all day – it’s more complicated than that. Where extroverts thrive on social interaction, introverts find it takes a bit of energy to be around other people. When they’re feeling full of social energy it’s fun to socialise; when that social battery is drained, they need to read a book, go for a walk, or conduct some other solitary activity in order to recharge. That’s something that a lot of people don’t understand, but the next time you’re at a conference and you need a break from people, you can spell it out with the aid of this Social Battery (£14.99) by David Capper.
Die Living Lands sind voller aufregender Abenteuer, verborgener Schätze, fesselnder Geheimnisse … und Gefahren!
Wir haben einige unserer Lieblingstipps und -strategien zusammengestellt, um Dir die ersten Schritte in der Welt von Avowed zu erleichtern.
Avowederscheint am 18. Februar 2025 für Xbox Series X|S, die Xbox-App für Windows-PC, auf Battle.net, Steam und für die Cloud und wird direkt zum Release im Game Pass erhältlich sein. Fange noch heute an zu spielen, indem Du Dir die Avowed Premium Edition im Xbox Store, auf Battle.net und Steam sicherst. Mitglieder des Game Pass Ultimate, des PC Game Pass und Besitzer*innen der Standard Edition haben die Möglichkeit, das Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon zu erwerben, um ebenfalls frühzeitigen Zugang zu erhalten.
Die Living Lands liefern eine rasante Mischung aus Abenteuern und großen Gefahren – und wir sind hier, um Dir zu helfen. Wir kennen Avowed nun schon eine ganze Weile und während unserer Zeit mit Obsidians nächsten großen Rollenspiel konnten wir einige Tipps zusammengetragen, die die ersten Schritte erleichtern. Diese sind nicht als vollumfänglicher Leitfaden für die Living Lands gedacht, allerdings werden sie Dir an der ein oder anderen Stelle mit Sicherheit helfen.
Erkunde!
Avowed ist ein wirklich vielseitiges Spiel: Jeder Bereich hat etwas zu bieten – nicht nur die typischen Quests und Nebenquests, sondern auch versteckte Schätze, verborgene Überlieferungen und spannende Sehenswürdigkeiten. Wenn etwas ein wenig seltsam aussieht oder klingt, gibt es fast immer einen Grund dafür.
Hat dieser NPC gerade etwas Interessantes gesagt, als Du an ihm vorbeigegangen bist? Er hat vielleicht keinen Questmarker über dem Kopf, doch eine Zwischensequenz kann trotzdem ausgelöst werden, wenn Du mit Ihm sprichst. Sieht der abgelegene Balkon ein wenig zu auffällig aus? Wenn Du es schaffst, ihn zu erreichen, könnte es sein, dass ein Raum voller Geister und Schätze auf Dich wartet.
Und nicht nur das Festland steckt voller Überraschungen – auch die Gewässer der Living Lands sind reich an Schätzen. Geheimnisse warten auf dem Grund von Flussbetten, in unterirdischen Becken und manchmal sogar hinter Wasserfällen darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Es lohnt sich also, ein Bad zu nehmen, wo und wann immer Du kannst.
Wenn Du dem Drang widerstehen kannst, die Hauptgeschichte fortzusetzen, gibt es viel zu entdecken.
Vergiss nicht, Deine Ausrüstung zu verbessern
Anders als in vielen anderen Rollenspielen hängt Deine Fähigkeit, schwierige Quests zu bewältigen, mehr von der Ausrüstung als von Deinem Level ab – was bedeutet, dass Du der Werkstatt Deines Gruppenlagers häufiger einen Besuch abstatten solltest, um Deine Ausrüstung aufzuwerten. Quests werden in Deinem Tagebuch deutlich mit einem Totenkopf-Rating gekennzeichnet. Kein Schädel zu sehen? Das ist Ordnung. Ein Schädel bedeutet hingegen, dass es schwierig werden könnte. Und drei Schädel? Mache Dich gefasst auf eine bedrohliche Horde an Feinden.
Auch wenn Du auf Deiner Reise bessere Ausrüstungsgegenstände finden kannst, ist es oft effizienter, das zu verbessern, was Du bereits besitzt. Hierfür kannst Du Handwerksmaterialien verwenden, die Du überall in der Welt findest. Wähle Deine bevorzugten Gegenstände und verbessere sie, wann immer Du kannst, um Deinen Fortschritt so reibungslos wie möglich zu gestalten.
Hier ist ein Tipp, mit dem Du nach dem Sammeln oder einer Reise zum Lager schneller wieder zu dem zurückkehren kannst, was Du davor getan hast: Sobald Du alle Elemente gesammelt hast, die Du für eine Aufwertung benötigst, kannst Du schnell zu einem zuvor errichteten Gruppenlager reisen, um Deine Geschäfte von fast überall aus zu erledigen. Hierfür musst Du lediglich die Karte aufklappen. Wenn Du danach wieder auf Erkundungstour gehen willst, kannst Du am Adra-Stein oder Deinem bevorzugten Schnellreisepunkt die Option „Zum vorherigen Ort zurückkehren“ auswählen – schon kannst Du dort weitermachen, wo Du zuvor aufgehört hast. Ganz einfach!
Und vergiss nicht: Wenn Du zu viel Gepäck bei Dir hast, kannst Du jederzeit Gegenstände aus Deinem Inventar direkt an Dein Gruppenlager schicken, indem Du die X-Taste drückst. Außerdem kannst Du nicht benötigte Waffen oder Gegenstände abwerfen, indem Du im Inventar die X-Taste gedrückt hältst. Diese Option ist besonders dann hilfreich, wenn Dir Rohstoffe wie Holz oder Metall zur Herstellung von Gegenständen ausgehen.
Sprich mit Deinen Begleiter*innen
Im Partycamp hast Du immer die Möglichkeit, Dich mit Deinen Weggefährt*innen zu unterhalten – und das kann praktischer sein als Du denkst. Wenn ein Mitglied der Gruppe mit Dir sprechen möchte, erkennst Du das daran, dass am linken Bildschirmrand sein Icon mit einer Sprechblase erscheint. Wenn Du Dich ins Partycamp begibst, erfährst Du nicht nur mehr über die Hintergrundgeschichte Deiner Gefährt*innen – Du schreibst auch Deine eigene fort und profitierst vielleicht sogar von einigen Vorteilen.
So kann es zum Beispiel sein, dass Kai gleich zu Beginn sagt, dass er Deinen Kampfstil studiert hat und ein paar Tipps für Dich hat. Du kannst ihn bitten, Dich in seinem eigenen Stil zu trainieren, was zu dauerhaften Verbesserungen der Werte führt, für die Du sonst mehrere Stufen an Upgrades benötigt hättest. Das ist ein riesiger Vorteil, den Du nur dadurch erhalten hast, dass Du auf ein Schwätzchen vorbeigekommen bist.
Nutze die Fähigkeiten Deiner Begleiter*innen
Du bist nicht das einzige Mitglied der Gruppe, das aufsteigt. Mit jedem Upgrade erhalten auch Deine Gefährt*innen die Möglichkeit, eine neue Fähigkeit zu erlernen oder bereits vorhandene zu verbessern. Jede Fähigkeit, die sie erlernen, kann leicht im Kampf eingesetzt werden und auch wenn Deine Gruppenmitglieder sie für sich nutzen, empfehlen wir Dir, sie in Deine Kampfabläufe zu integrieren.
Wenn Du zum Beispiel hauptsächlich Magie anwendest, kann das zur Folge haben, dass Du zwar viel Schaden verursachst, aber auch viel Schaden einsteckst. Kais Fähigkeit, auf einen Feind zu springen, kann diesen nicht nur betäuben, sondern auch verspotten. Für Dich bedeutet das, dass Du Dich aus der Klemme befreien kannst, indem Du den Zorn auf ihn umleitest. Diese Möglichkeit hat uns schon mehrere Mal den Hals gerettet.
Deine Karte ist Dein Wegweiser… und Deine Einkaufsliste
Die Living Lands sind eine farbenfrohe, vielfältige Welt, die neben atemberaubenden Sehenswürdigkeiten auch viele andere Dinge zu bieten hat, die Du auf jeden Fall übersehen solltest. Der beste Weg, um das Signal vom (schönen) Grundrauschen zu trennen? Deine Minimap.
Zu Beginn des Spiels liegt die größte Hürde für Upgrades in der Paradies-Leiter – diese praktischen Pflanzen sind normalerweise in Ritzen und außerhalb von Siedlungen zu finden, sehr gut versteckt. Wenn Du Dich schwer damit tust, sie zu finden, behalte die Symbole auf dem Marker im Auge, die entweder nach oben oder nach unten zeigen. So erhältst Du einen besseren Überblick darüber, wo genau Du suchen musst.
Zurück zur Minimap: Sie zeigt nicht nur die Standorte der sammelbaren Pflanzen an, sondern enthält auch ein spezielles Symbol für die Paradiesleiter (und spätere noch mächtigere Varianten wie Hyleas Talon) Es sieht aus wie folgt:
Du kannst gelegentlich einen Blick auf die Karte werfen, um das zu finden, was Du suchst. Doch verliere bloß nicht das aus den Augen, was Du ohnehin schon anziehst: die Gefahr und die Schönheit der Living Lands.
Lerne alle Fähigkeiten kennen
Die Entwicklung Deines Charakters und die Zuweisung von Fähigkeiten stehen sinnbildlich für die umfangreichen Anpassungsmöglichkeiten von Avowed. Und auch wenn Du Dich vielleicht für einen bestimmten Build-Typ wie Fighter, Ranger oder Wizard entschieden hast, solltest Du wissen, dass in diesem klassenlosen Spiel eine Vielzahl von Fähigkeiten warten, die Dich als Abenteuer*in noch vielseitiger machen.
Ein Beispiel: Auch wenn Du Dich für den Fighter-Zweig entscheidest, kann sich das Parieren, bei dem es sich um eine passive Fähigkeit des Ranger-Zweigs handelt, als wertvoller Skill erweisen. Es lohnt sich also, sich etwas Zeit zu nehmen und wirklich alle Fähigkeiten unter die Lupe zu nehmen, die Dir zur Schaffung eines ausgewogenen Charakters zur Verfügung stehen. Wenn Du später feststellst, dass Du Deinen Build anpassen möchtest, kannst Du alles zurücksetzen, indem Du Deine Skeyts ausgibst.
Wende verschiedene Kampftechniken an
So viel Spaß es auch machen mag, wild auf Feinde einzuschlagen, so haben die Kampfhandlungen in Avowed doch eine strategische Komponente. In den Living Lands ist es überlebenswichtig, Angriffen ausweichen zu können, sie zu blocken oder sie meisterhaft zu parieren, um den Stun-Meter nach oben schießen zu lassen.
Einer der wichtigsten Indikatoren, auf den Du im Kampf achten solltest, sind die farbigen Kreise, die über Deinen Feinden erscheinen. Hier kann es helfen, Punkte in Deine Wahrnehmungsfähigkeiten zu stecken. Wenn beispielsweise ein roter Kreis über einem Gegner erscheint, der Dich gerade attackiert, ist dieser Angriff nicht abwehrbar. Du musst also mit der A-Taste ausweichen. Wenn Du eine weiße Raute über dem Kopf Deines Gegners wahrnimmst, während Du mit einem Gewehr, einer Pistole oder einem Bogen auf ihn zielst, ist dies eine Schwachstelle, auf die Du Dich bei Deinem Angriff konzentrieren solltest.
Wechsle zwischen den Waffen
Dieser Abschnitt ist für all diejenigen, die (wie wir) so schnell wie möglich in die Welt von Avowed eintauchen wollten und deshalb den Teil des Eröffnungslevels übersprungen haben, in dem erklärt wurde, dass man durch das Betätigen der Y-Taste auf dem Controller oder der U-Taste auf der Tastatur zwischen zwei Waffen-Builds wechseln kann. Nun, da dieses Eingeständnis aus dem Weg geräumt ist, können wir uns diesem sehr wichtigen Aspekt zuwenden, den Du unbedingt beherrschen solltest. Es kommt ganz darauf an, wie Du spielen willst und bietet Dir große Flexibilität bei der Herangehensweise in Kampfsituationen.
Zu unseren Lieblingskombos zählt die Kombination aus Arkebuse, Schwert und Schild, die sich hervorragend für weitläufige Gebiete oder enge Höhlen eignet. Ebenfalls spannend ist die Kombination aus Pistole, Schild, Zauberbuch und Zauberstab, die eine Mischung aus magie- und projektilbasierten Angriffen bietet (mit einem Schild, das beim Laden der Pistole vor Angriffen schützt). Wenn Du es lieber etwas ruhiger angehen möchtest, kannst Du auch eine Kombination aus Zweihandbogen, Zauberstab und Zauberbuch wählen, mit der Du Deine Feinde heimlich ausschalten kannst, bevor sie merken, dass sie entdeckt wurden.
Begib Dich auf Schatzsuche
Eine gute Möglichkeit, die üblichen Pfade zu verlassen und mehr von Eora zu sehen, besteht darin, Kopfgelder zu kassieren oder Schatzkarten auszugraben. So kannst Du nicht nur Deine Taschen mit neuen Waffen und Handwerksmaterialien füllen – Du erhältst auch ein besseres Gefühl für die Welt um Dich herum. Man weiß nie, worüber man stolpert, wenn man tiefer die Welt der Living Lands eintaucht. Einmal entdeckt, hinterlassen die Schatzkarten nicht bloß einen einfachen Marker auf Deiner Karte, oh nein. Stattdessen wird ein Gebiet auf künstlerische Weise illustriert – vielleicht eine Höhle, ein Pfad oder ein Fluss – mit einem klassischen X an dem Ort, an dem der Schatz vergraben liegt. Präge Dir das Bild gut ein, denn die einzige Möglichkeit, den Schatz zu finden, besteht darin, aufmerksam zu sein. Selbst dann solltest Du allerdings nicht erwarten, dass die Truhe einfach am Strand liegt. Die Karte wird Dich so nah an das Verstreck heranführen, dass Du das verräterische Funkeln des Schatzes spüren kannst.
Nutze Deine Umgebung
Es gibt eine Logik in den Living Lands, die Du nur dann wahrnehmen kannst, wenn Du Dir die Zeit dafür nimmst. Siehst Du vor Dir ein paar Xaurips, die von hohem Gras umgeben sind? Vielleicht wäre eine heimliche Annäherung das Beste. Siehst Du die Backsteinmauer, die umzustürzen droht? Eine gut geworfene Granate oder ein gezielter Schuss auf ein Fass in der Nähe können Dir einen Überraschungsvorteil gegenüber Deinen Feinden verschaffen. Du entdeckst eine geheimnisvolle eisähnliche Pflanze über einem Gewässer? Schieße sie ab, um eine Eisplattform zu schaffen, auf der Du Dich bewegen kannst.
Ein weiteres Mantra, das sich während unserer Erkundungstouren durch die Living Lands oft bewahrheitet hat, besagt „alles außer der Eingangstür“. Es gibt oft einen offensichtlichen Eingang zu einem Gebäude oder einem Gebiet, doch der Gebrauch könnte Dich ein paar wertvolle Dietriche kosten. Statt diese direkt zu Beginn des Spiels zu verbrauchen, solltest Du den Ort lieber erst auskundschaften. Vielleicht gibt es ein verstecktes Fenster, durch das Du einsteigen kannst oder eine instabile Wand, die Du zerstören kannst. So sparst Du nicht nur Dietriche, sondern verschaffst Dir möglicherweise sogar einen Vorteil gegenüber den Feinden, die dort lauern.
Es geht darum, sich nicht mit dem Kopf zuerst in jede Situation zu stürzen (obwohl das auch Spaß machen kann). Vielmehr können wir verstehen, wie die Welt funktioniert, um daraus einen Vorteil zu ziehen. In der Freiheit der Spieler*innen liegt definitiv das Herzstück von Avowed und all diese Möglichkeiten, sich ihr zu nähern, sind beabsichtigt. Also viel Spaß beim Experimentieren mit den Optionen, die Dir in Avowed geboten werden.
Vergiss Dein Grimoire nicht
Selbst wenn sich Deine Fähigkeiten eher auf den Zweig eines Fighters oder eines Rangers beziehen, wirst Du feststellen, dass es sich immer als nützlich erweisen wird, Zugriff auf ein Grimoire der Elemente zu haben (das Du zu Beginn Spiels kostenlos erhalten hast).
Ja, es kann sich im Kampf als effektiv erweisen, doch es ist auch sehr nützlich, um unterschiedliche Rätsel zu lösen. Zum Beispiel, wenn Du Blitze zaubern kannst, um einen elektronischen Schalter zu aktivieren, oder wenn Du Spinnenweben verbrennen kannst, um eine Abkürzung freizugeben, die es so vorher nicht gab.
Selbst wenn Du Dein Grimoire nicht immer benötigst, solltest Du ihm einen kleinen Platz in Deinem Inventar einräumen. Man weiß nie, wann man es brauchen wird – fest steht nur, dass Du es brauchen wirst.
Avowed erscheint am 18. Februar 2025 für Xbox Series X|S, die Xbox-App für Windows-PC, auf Battle.net, Steam und für die Cloud und wird direkt zum Release im Game Pass erhältlich sein. Avowed unterstützt Xbox Play Anywhere, was bedeutet, dass Du das Spiel nur einmal kaufen musst, um es auf Xbox und Deinem Windows-PC spielen zu können. Deine Spielfortschritte werden beim Wechsel der Plattformen übernommen.
Wenn Du Avowed auf Battle.net oder für Xbox erwirbst, beziehungsweise eine Xbox Game Pass-Mitgliedschaft (nur PC oder Ultimate) besitzt, kannst Du Deine Battle.net- und Xbox-Konten verknüpfen, um das Spiel ohne zusätzliche Kosten auf Battle.net, Xbox und über die Xbox App für Windows zu spielen. Sämtliche Spielfortschritte und Add-Ons werden im Zuge dessen gespeichert und übernommen.
Avowed kann derzeit im Xbox Store, auf Battle.net und Steam vorbestellt werden. Die Premium Edition (oder das Premium Upgrade Addon für Game Pass Ultimate- und PC Game Pass-Mitglieder oder die Standard Edition) bieten bis zu fünf Tage Vorabzugang, zwei Premium-Skin-Pakete und Zugang zum Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack.
The Living Lands are full of exciting adventure, hidden treasure, captivating secrets… and danger!
We’ve compiled some of our favorite tips and strategies to help you on your first steps into the world of Avowed.
Avowedis launching February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. Start playing today by picking up the Avowed Premium Edition on the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and Steam. Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass members, and standard edition owners can purchase the Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon for early access.
The Living Lands is ripe with adventure, excitement, and a significant amount of danger – and we’re here to help. We’ve been exploring Avowedfor a while now and throughout our time with Obsidian’s next great RPG, we’ve come away with a few tips to share with new adventurers who are about to take their first steps into this new corner of Eora. These are not meant to be an all-encompassing guide to the Living Lands, but we think you might benefit from one or two of these to help you on your journey.
Explore!
Avowed is a deeply inviting game – each of its open zones are truly dense, not just with the typical quests and side quests, but hidden treasure, buried lore, and points of interest. If something looks or sounds a little odd, there’s almost always a reason for that.
Did that NPC just say something interesting as you passed? They might not have a quest marker over their head, but that doesn’t mean it won’t kick off a cutscene when you talk to them. Does that out-of-the-way balcony look a little too conspicuous? Work out a parkour route to it and you might just find – to take an example – a room full of spirits and treasure.
And it’s not just solid ground that is brimming with treats – the waters of The Living Lands are also ripe with goods. Secrets are scattered across the bottoms of riverbeds, underground pools, and most importantly, nestled behind waterfalls, making it worth your while to take a dip wherever you can.
If you can resist the urge to plough on with the main story, there’s so much to discover here.
Don’t Neglect Upgrades to Your Equipment
Unlike a lot of RPGs, your ability to tackle tougher quests is tied to your gear more than your level – which means you should be thinking about upgrades to your equipment often at the workshop in your Party Camp. Quests are clearly marked in your Journal with skull ratings. No skull showing? You’ll be fine. One skull? It might be tough but be careful and you’ll make it through. Three skulls? Here be some ferocious enemies.
While you can find better equipment as you travel, it’s often more efficient to simply upgrade what you have, using crafting materials you’ll find all over the world to incrementally improve your weapons and armor. Find your preferred items and keep levelling them when you can, and your progression will keep feeling smooth.
Here’s a tip to speed up the gather/trudge to camp/upgrade/return to what you were doing process: Once you’ve gathered what you need for an upgrade, you can fast travel to a previously established Party Camp to do your business from almost anywhere by popping open the map. Then when you’re ready to get to exploring, select Exit to Previous Location at the Adra Stone or preferred fast travel point, to pick up exactly where you left off. Easy!
And remember: You can easily send items directly to your Party Camp from your Inventory at any time by pressing the X button if you become over encumbered. And you can break down any unused weapons or items by holding down the X button from your inventory – helpful if you’re coming up short on crafting ingredients like wood and metal.
Speak to Your Companions
At the Party Camp, you’ll always have a chance to catch up with your travelling companions – and this can be more practical than you might think. You’ll know when a party member wants to speak to you when you see their icon pop up with a speech bubble on the left of the screen. Once you head to Party Camp, aside from learning their backstories (and filling out your own), you may even stumble on some real benefits.
For instance, early on, Kai may bring up that he’s been studying your fighting style, and has some pointers. You can ask him to train you in his own style, leading to permanent stat buffs that would have taken multiple levels’ worth of upgrades to get. It’s a huge bonus, simply for stopping for a chinwag.
Pay Attention to Companion Abilities
You’re not the only one levelling up in your party – for every few of your levels, your companions will also open up the opportunity to learn or upgrade an ability, and some of these can be gamechangers. Every active ability they learn can be accessed easily in combat, and while your party members will use them on their own, we highly recommend working them into your combat loop.
For example, if you’re playing primarily as a magic user, it may mean you do a lot of damage but also take a lot of damage. Kai’s ability to leap onto an enemy can not only stun them but taunt them as well, meaning you can get out of a pinch by redirecting their ire onto him, letting you step back and drop ice knives out of a blizzard without fear. It’s saved us more times than we can count already.
Your Map is Your Guide… and Your Shopping List
The Living Lands are a colorful, visually dense world, filled not only with awe inspiring sights, but lots of stuff you’re going to want to pick up. The best way to separate the signal from the (beautiful) noise? Your minimap.
In the early game, the biggest limiter to your being able to upgrade is the ‘Paradisan Ladder’ – these handy plants are usually hidden away in crannies in and outside of settlements, just out of sight. And if you’re having trouble locating them, make sure you check for an up or down icon on the marker. That will give you better insight on where to look.
Back to that mini-map: it not only shows the location of harvestable plants, but there’s a specific icon just for that Paridisan Ladder (and later, its more potent varieties like Hylea’s Talon). It looks like this (left). Now you can spare the occasional glance at the map to get what you need, but keep your eyes focused where they’ll already be drawn to: the danger and beauty of The Living Lands.
Examine All of the Abilities
Building out your character and assigning abilities is one of the highlights of customization in Avowed. And even though you may start approaching combat as a specific build type, like Fighter, Ranger, or Wizard, you should know that as a classless game, there are many complimentary abilities hiding within each of these trees that can help you become a well-rounded adventurer.
For example, even though you may be going down the Fighter branch, one of the most helpful abilities that you can get early on is Parry, which is located under the Ranger branch as a passive ability. So, it’s worthwhile to take some time and look over all the abilities afforded to you which can be helpful in creating a balanced character as you set out on your adventure. And if you find that you’d like to change your build later, you can reset everything by spending your skeyts.
Utilize Combat Techniques
As much fun as it could be to just swing wildly at your enemies, there is a strategic flow to battle in Avowed where being able to step aside from attacks, blocking them, or masterfully parrying them to run up the stun meter are key to your survival in the Living Lands.
One of the key indicators you want to pay attention to in combat are the colored circles that will appear on enemies – putting points into Perception can help here. For example, if you see a red circle on an enemy as they’re about to attack, that’s unblockable so you should be nimble and dodge (A button) that attack. Or if you see a white diamond hovering over the location of an enemy while aiming with a rifle, pistol, or bow, that’s a weak point you should focus your attack on.
Weapon Swapping
This is for those of you who (like us) were so dang excited to jump into Avowed, that you somehow breezed through the section of the opening level that explained that you can hot-swap between two weapon builds by tapping Y on your controller or hitting U on your keyboard. Now that admission is out of the way, this is one of the more important aspects of combat for you to utilize and master, and it all comes down to how you like to play, giving you flexibility in how to approach a variety of enemies and combat situations.
A few of our favorite combos include pairing an arquebus with a sword and shield, giving us a great option to use in wide open areas or while navigating narrow caverns. Another pairing we like is having a pistol and shield mixed with a grimoire and wand, providing a mix of magic-based and projectile-based attacks (with a shield to help guard attacks as you load your pistol). Or if you prefer a quieter approach, we were also partial to wielding a two-handed bow in one loadout setting and a combination of a wand and grimoire in the other, which helped for stealthily picking off enemies before launching into a flurry of aggressive magic after being discovered.
Go Treasure Hunting
A good way to get off the beaten path and to explore more of Eora is to pick up bounties or unearth treasure maps to not only line your pockets with new weapons and crafting materials, but to get a better sense of the world around you – and you never know what you’ll stumble upon as you dive deeper into the Living Lands. Once acquired, treasure maps won’t simply drop a marker on your map, oh no. They artistically illustrate an area – maybe a cave, a path by a river, etc, with a classic X marking The Spot. Commit that vista to memory, because the only way you’ll find that treasure is by paying attention. And even then, don’t expect a chest to just be sitting on the beach, but the map should get you close enough to hear the telltale twinkling of treasure. My precious!
Use Your Environment
There’s a logic to the lay of the Living Lands if you take the time to assess what’s in front of and around you. See some xaurips up ahead surrounded by tall grass? Perhaps a stealthy approach could work best. Notice that brick wall that’s hanging on by a thread? A well-thrown grenade — or, if you’re lucky, a well-aimed shot at a nearby exploding barrel — can give you a surprise advantage against a group of enemies. Mysterious ice looking plant located above a body of water? Shoot it down to create an ice platform for you to jump on.
Another mantra that has been repeating for us as we explored pockets of the Living Lands was ‘anything but the front door’ – there is often an obvious, visible entrance to a building or area, but entering could cost you a fair few lockpicks. Instead of using up those precious picks in the early game, consider scouting around the location you’re exploring – perhaps there’s a hidden window to crawl through or a weak wall that you can destroy. This often offers an alternate route in that saves your lockpicks and may even give you an upper hand on any nasties lurking inside.
The point here is to not always rush into every situation (although that too can be fun) but recognize the way the land and world is presented to you for your adventure. Player freedom is at the heart of Avowed and all these unique ways to approach it is intentional. So have some fun experimenting on the ways to utilize the environment to your advantage.
Don’t Forget Your Grimoire
Even if you find yourself focusing your abilities as more of a Fighter or Ranger, you’ll discover that always having access to a Grimoire of Elements (which you get for free at the start of the game) will come in handy more times than you can count.
Yes, it can be effective in battle, but it’s also very useful at helping you solve many of the environmental puzzles. For example, being able to cast lighting spells to activate an electronic switch or being able to burn away a batch of cobwebs that could reveal a shortcut that wasn’t available to you before.
So even if you’re not wielding it in your off-hand, make sure you give it a little spot in your inventory. You’ll never know when you’re going to need it (spoiler: you’re going to need it).
Avowed is launching February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. Avowed also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy the game through the store on Xbox or Windows, it’s yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.
When you purchase Avowed on Battle.net or Xbox, or have an Xbox Game Pass membership (PC or Ultimate only), and connect your Battle.net and Xbox accounts, it’s also yours to play on Battle.net, Xbox and Xbox App for Windows at no additional cost. Avowed lets you pick up where you left off, bringing all of your saves, game add-ons, and Xbox achievement progress with you.
Avowed is currently available for pre-order on the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and Steam. The Premium Edition (or Premium Upgrade Addon for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members or standard edition) offers up to five days early access, two premium skin packs, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack.
There’s something for everyone to love this weekend with Free Play Days! Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash, NHL 25, Dying Light and For the King are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday, February 13 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, February 16 at 11:59 Pacific.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Ultimate Edition
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆771
★★★★★
$99.99
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Master the Jujutsu of your favorite Sorcerers and Cursed Spirits! Bring a friend and dive into the world of Jujutsu Kaisen in this action-packed, 2-on-2 fighting game! Enjoy action-packed co-op as you utilize each character’s unique Jujutsu, hone your skills in battle, and wield ever more powerful Jujutsu and Domain Expansions to take down your foes!
The Survivalists
Team17
☆☆☆☆☆153
★★★★★
$24.99
NHL 25 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S EA Sports NHL 25 is powered by ICE-Q, a new gameplay intelligence system that gives you the time and space to control every inch of the ice. Experience true hockey intelligence, with a revamped Franchise Mode experience, a brand-new WOC Live Events structure, HUT Wildcard Mode, and a simplified, single-path XP progression shared across HUT kicks Chel’s game modes. NHL 25 is next-gen hockey.
Dying Light
Techland
☆☆☆☆☆1650
★★★★★
$19.99
Dying Light Dying Light is a first-person, action survival game set in a vast open world. Roam a city devastated by a mysterious epidemic, scavenging for supplies and crafting weapons to help defeat the hordes of flesh-hungry enemies the plague has created. At night, beware the Infected as they grow in strength and even more lethal nocturnal predators leave their nests to feed on their prey. Live to survive another day. Good Night, Good Luck.
For The King
Curve Games
☆☆☆☆☆295
★★★★★
$24.99$6.24
For The King For The King is a strategic RPG that blends tabletop and roguelike elements in a challenging adventure that spans the realms. Set off on a single player experience or play cooperatively both online and locally. None before you have returned from their journey. Will you put an end to the Chaos?
Die Premiumausgabe enthält: – das Basisspiel – Bis zu 5 Tage früherer Zugang – Zwei Premium-Skin-Pakete – Zugang zum digitalen Artbook und zum Original-Soundtrack Willkommen im Land der Lebenden, einer mysteriösen Insel voller Abenteuer und Gefahr.
Avowed findet in der fiktionalen Welt von Eora statt, die erstmals in der „Pillars of Eternity“-Spielserie vorgestellt wurde, und wird als Fantasy-Action-Rollenspiel in Egoperspektive vom preisgekrönten Team von Obsidian Entertainment entwickelt.
Du bist der Abgesandte des fernen Landes Aedyr, ausgesandt, um Gerüchten über eine sich ausbreitende Seuche im Land der Lebenden nachzugehen. Auf einer Insel voller Rätsel und Geheimnisse, Gefahren und Abenteuer, Entscheidungen und Konsequenzen und ungezähmter Wildnis. Du entdeckst eine persönliche Verbindung zum Land der Lebenden, und ein uraltes Geheimnis, das alles zu zerstören droht. Kannst du diese unbekannte Grenze und deine Seele vor den Kräften retten, die sie zu zerreißen drohen? Das seltsame und wunderbare Land der Lebenden
Das Land der Lebenden ist ein Ort, der sich fremd und dennoch vertraut anfühlt – als würde dich die Insel selbst um Hilfe bitten. Erkunde eine Insel, die viele unterschiedliche Umgebungen und Landschaften beheimatet, von denen jede ihr eigenes einzigartiges Ökosystem aufweist. Spiele auf deine eigene Art in packenden Kämpfen
Kombiniere Schwerter, Zaubersprüche, Schusswaffen und Schilde für deinen eigenen Spielstil. Nutze dein Zauberbuch, um Gegner in Fallen zu locken, sie einzufrieren oder zu verbrennen, schlage sie mit deinem Schild oder greife mit Bögen aus der Ferne an. Gefährten begleiten deine Reise
Gefährten unterschiedlicher Spezies kämpfen an deiner Seite mit ihren eigenen einzigartigen Fähigkeiten. Vom ehemaligen Söldner bis zum exzentrischen Zauberer – sie werden Teil deiner Reise, beeinflusst von deinen Entscheidungen, während du ihnen bei ihren Aufgaben beistehst.
With Atomfallcoming to Xbox and Game Pass in just over a month (arriving on March 27), today we released the latest trailer for the game. Featuring brand new gameplay, the trailer highlights the main features that you will experience when you enter the quarantine zone.
I thought now would be a good time to give you more information on some of the game’s key features and what you can expect when you play Atomfall. For those who haven’t had chance to see the trailer yet, take a look:
The trailer starts at the very beginning of the game. You wake up in a dark and eerie bunker and are met by a wounded man in a hazmat suit who immediately asks who you are and asks for your help. The problem is you don’t know who you are, or how you got there.
He tells you that you are inside a quarantine zone, built around the Windscale Atom plant following a nuclear disaster.
Set in the luscious British countryside in 1962, Atomfall is a fictionalised telling of what happened five years after true events in Northern England. It is a game about investigation and discovery – as you try to uncover the mystery behind what really happened at Windscale, but also who you are and what you’re doing there.
There is plenty to explore beyond the rolling hills of Cumberland, including a picturesque village, bandit camps, caves, tunnels, and mysterious buildings and facilities left abandoned by the British Atomic Research Division. All of these will hold their own secrets for you to discover.
You will find clues about what has happened and learn more about the colourful characters you meet along the way – but there is no clear single “truth”, and different people interpret what happened in different ways. This feeds into the game’s ‘Leads’ system, our new take on traditional gaming quests.
Some information that you uncover will open a Lead in the game. You can choose to track this down to uncover further secrets and hopefully get closer to some form of the truth. All the Leads in the game are completely optional, and all connect in one way or another to the larger mystery. As a result, the path you take through the game and the storyline is entirely up to you.
Another source of Leads is the cast of characters you will meet along the way. One of the first you may meet is Nat Buckshaw, who you find playing his guitar in the ruins of an old house. He is an extremely talkative chap and more than happy to give away everything he knows just to have someone to talk to.
However, with Nat and indeed everyone you meet along the way, you can never be sure who to trust and whether they are trying to use you for their own means.
Some characters also act as Traders, for example Molly the Tinker, who can be found in the Dale. In fact, one of the Leads that Nat provides, helps you to find Molly. Resources are scarce in Atomfall, and money is useless, so all trade is done by barter – striking a good deal with a trader can be vitally important. Each of them will prize different sorts of assets. One may want food and bandages, while another needs weapons. Careful observation and making a balanced trade will enable you to get the resources you need to survive.
One valuable tool you can trade for is the metal detector (you can either find one as you search the countryside or barter for one.) The metal detector is a vital asset as you scavenge for further resources. Atomfall is as much a game of survival as it is exploration – the resources, weapons and ammo you find will be vital if you are to find out what happened at the Windscale nuclear plant.
To aid you in the hunt for resources, you’ll be able to find metal detectors. Once you have one, you will hear it beep as you come within range of something to find. You then need to equip it and use it to find your treasure – whether that be some scrap metal, medical supplies or ammunition.
And you’ll need all the ammunition you can find – supplies are tight! Gangs of bandits litter the countryside, and they will think nothing of attacking on sight. Whether you choose to engage or run for cover is your choice but there are likely to be times when you will have no choice but to fight.
Raising a gun to someone who is only armed with a melee weapon may well be enough for them to be the one who retreats. Whether your gun is loaded or not, only you will know…
No matter what, you will need to be ready to adjust your strategy on the fly, using all the tools at your disposal to make it out alive. Melee combat, both armed and unarmed, will be vital. Sometimes, aiming a swift kick at an opponent in order to stagger them back is all the time you have to reload, and can be a life saver.
You are going to have to find ways to adapt and make do with what you have as you track down leads in the search of the truth… or at least one version of it.
We have only scratched the surface of the challenges, mystery and intrigue you discover in the quarantine zone. We cannot wait for you to get your hands on Atomfallwhen it launches on Game Pass as well as on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC on March 27.
Atomfall
Rebellion
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.
Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.
From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.
Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences. Search, Scavage, Survive: You’ll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it out alive! Desperate Combat: With weapons and ammunition scarce, each frenetic engagement will see you blend marksmanship with vicious hand-to-hand combat. Manage your heart rate to hold a steady aim and ensure you have the energy you need to reach for your cricket bat and land the killer blow. Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you. Navigate cult-controlled ruins, natural caves, nuclear bunkers and more as you explore this dense, foreboding world. Reimagining Windscale: A fictional reimagining of a real-world event, Atomfall draws from science fiction, folk horror, and Cold War influences to create a world that is eerily familiar yet completely alien.
As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, understanding how to teach about AI has never been more important. Our new research seminar series brings together educators and researchers to explore approaches to AI and data science education. In the first seminar, we welcomed Shuchi Grover, Director of AI and Education Research at Looking Glass Ventures. Shuchi began by exploring the theme of teaching using AI, then moved on to discussing teaching about AI in K–12 (primary and secondary) education. She emphasised that it is crucial to teach about AI before using it in the classroom, and this blog post will focus on her insights in this area.
Shuchi Grover gave an insightful talk discussing how to teach about AI in K–12 education.
An AI literacy framework
From her research, Shuchi has developed a framework for teaching about AI that is structured as four interlocking components, each representing a key area of understanding:
Basic understanding of AI, which refers to foundational knowledge such as what AI is, types of AI systems, and the capabilities of AI technologies
Ethics and human–AI relationship, which includes the role of humans in regard to AI, ethical considerations, and public perceptions of AI
Computational thinking/literacy, which relates to how AI works, including building AI applications and training machine learning models
Data literacy, which addresses the importance of data, including examining data features, data visualisation, and biases
This framework shows the multifaceted nature of AI literacy, which involves an understanding of both technical aspects and ethical and societal considerations.
Shuchi’s framework for teaching about AI includes four broad areas.
Shuchi emphasised the importance of learning about AI ethics, highlighting the topic of bias. There are many ways that bias can be embedded in applications of AI and machine learning, including through the data sets that are used and the design of machine learning models. Shuchi discussed supporting learners to engage with the topic through exploring bias in facial recognition software, sharing activities and resources to use in the classroom that can prompt meaningful discussion, such as this talk by Joy Buolamwini. She also highlighted the Kapor Foundation’s Responsible AI and Tech Justice: A Guide for K–12 Education, which contains questions that educators can use with learners to help them to carefully consider the ethical implications of AI for themselves and for society.
Computational thinking and AI
In computer science education, computational thinking is generally associated with traditional rule-based programming — it has often been used to describe the problem-solving approaches and processes associated with writing computer programs following rule-based principles in a structured and logical way. However, with the emergence of machine learning, Shuchi described a need for computational thinking frameworks to be expanded to also encompass data-driven, probabilistic approaches, which are foundational for machine learning. This would support learners’ understanding and ability to work with the models that increasingly influence modern technology.
Example activities from research studies
Shuchi shared that a variety of pedagogies have been used in recent research projects on AI education, ranging from hands-on experiences, such as using APIs for classification, to discussions focusing on ethical aspects. You can find out more about these pedagogies in her award-winning paper Teaching AI to K-12 Learners: Lessons, Issues and Guidance. This plurality of approaches ensures that learners can engage with AI and machine learning in ways that are both accessible and meaningful to them.
Research projects exploring teaching about AI and machine learning have involved a range of different approaches.
Shuchi shared examples of activities from two research projects that she has led:
CS Frontiers engaged high school students in a number of activities involving using NetsBlox and accessing real-world data sets. For example, in one activity, students participated in data science activities such as creating data visualisations to answer questions about climate change.
AI & Cybersecurity for Teens explored approaches to teaching AI and machine learning to 13- to 15-year-olds through the use of cybersecurity scenarios. The project aimed to provide learners with insights into how machine learning models are designed, how they work, and how human decisions influence their development. An example activity guided students through building a classification model to analyse social media accounts to determine whether they may be bot accounts or accounts run by a human.
A screenshot from an activity to classify social media accounts
Closing thoughts
At the end of her talk, Shuchi shared some final thoughts addressing teaching about AI to K–12 learners:
AI learning requires contextualisation: Think about the data sets, ethical issues, and examples of AI tools and systems you use to ensure that they are relatable to learners in your context.
AI should not be a solution in search of a problem: Both teachers and learners need to be educated about AI before they start to use it in the classroom, so that they are informed consumers.
Join our next seminar
In our current seminar series, we are exploring teaching about AI and data science. Join us at our next seminar on Tuesday 11 March at 17:00–18:30 GMT to hear Lukas Höper and Carsten Schulte from Paderborn University discuss supporting middle school students to develop their data awareness.
To sign up and take part in the seminar, click the button below — we will then send you information about joining. We hope to see you there.
Since its launch in 2021, the Apple TV app for Google TV has given people the ability to stream award-winning original shows, like “Severance,” “Slow Horses,” “The Morning Show” and “Ted Lasso,” as well as films like “Wolfs” and “The Instigators.” Starting today, the Apple TV app is available on the Google Play Store, allowing Android phone and tablet users to subscribe to Apple TV+ and access a library of Apple Original shows and movies, as well as MLS Season Pass — the home of Major League Soccer.
With this update, Google TV users can also subscribe to Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass right from their Google TV device.
For more information and to explore all available content, download the app from the Google Play Store or visit tv.apple.com.
Symphonia was released for Xbox Series X|S on December 5, 2024.
Custom level design, precision platforming and special features great for speedruns.
Deep dive into speedrunning with player perspectives and tips.
From its inception, Symphoniawas envisioned as a game that rewarded control and timing mastery. Initially designed as a game to bring classical music to the world, it quickly became apparent that its fluid mechanics and open-ended level design also made it a natural fit for the speedrunning community. After many hours spent perfecting the optimal character controls, our goal was clearly set on creating a game that would feel rewarding whether played casually or competitively, with extra layers of depth for those willing to explore them. This vision became the foundation for Symphonia’s mechanics and collectibles.
There are a few things in Symphonia that we baked in, to up the ante of the challenge for those who enjoy it. The protagonist, Philemon, is a violinist who traverses the world of the quiet and sleeping Symphonia with one goal: to reunite the prodigies of all orchestral sections. His greatest tool in the game is his violin bow. As you play through the game, you unlock mechanics that allow you to bounce through levels in different ways. The bow can be used as a pogo stick, a catapult, or a grapple, and this feeling of moving through the air at just the right time is difficult to master but extremely satisfying once you do. Precision in the timing to make every pixel count is something that lends itself very well to the speedrunning mindset of pushing yourself frame by frame.
Some of our team members have their own personal history with speedrunning, ranging from enjoying being a spectator, all the way to completing their own runs for Celeste and Katana Zero. Even in Symphonia’s earlier iteration as a student project back in 2020, our team would speedrun the game, compare times and some folks even hid glitches they found to use them as an advantage! This enthusiasm also reached members of the public. We released a free small demo online which received 500,000 downloads and saw some players submitting entries on speedrun.net. We knew that we were onto something special with this project so after university we decided to start a studio and pitch to work on the full vision of our game. It took us another four years to bring the game to full release.
It wasn’t just the precision platforming subgenre that attracted speed runners, we also deliberately wanted to keep the speedrunning spirit in mind when developing new features and even in the level design. Sometimes moving a block or a collider by just a few pixels can create an entirely new path with some creativity. Another game feature is the collectible music notes that are placed in hard-to-reach areas of the platforming challenge, rewarding you for risk, experimentation and unlocking different areas in the game. A close comparison would be the strawberries in Celeste. Once you complete a whole playthrough of the levels, you unlock a Shadow Philemon. This is a copy of your character who trails closely behind you with a small delay, waiting for you to slip up and be caught. The player is also able to tinker with unlockable abilities like double jumping, transforming all surfaces into cushions or game speed. These abilities were initially designed to be accessibility options, but some have proved useful in allowing players to experiment and create new challenges.
When the game released in December, we were really thrilled to see a sustained level of interest with speed runners and made sure to facilitate discussions and brainstorming with a dedicated channel in our community Discord.
In general, it’s amazing to see how speedrunning has grown from a niche hobby into a global phenomenon. Over the last two decades, we have watched speedruns of first-person shooters, platformers and even in genres where one would least expect it, such as roleplaying or strategy games. Thanks to the accessibility of platforms like Twitch and YouTube, speedrunning has been able to engage millions of players and raise millions of dollars for charity through Games Done Quick (GDQ). GDQ hosts two large charity events a year, and weekly Hotfix episodes to keep viewers engaged.
It’s clear to see the passion driving the creation of such experiences, when I asked Queuety, showrunner of GDQ, why speedrunning is meaningful to him, he answered,
“Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance, something which fascinates me and keeps me coming back.”
Our publisher has been enthusiastic about the speedrunning elements of the game, with the CEO Dieter Schoeller coming from a speedrunning background himself with Quake 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog in the 1990s. Dieter says he loves speedrunning because “the person to beat is no one but yourself.” Due to this shared passion, and visible community engagement, our publishing partners reached out to GDQ for a collaboration. We are all super happy that the showrunners were drawn in by the visuals and premise of Symphonia. We then arranged to participate in a segment of the most recent GDQ Hotfix episode. This was really rewarding and a memory we’ll never forget. I personally got to provide commentary, and the dedicated members of our community supported us by running the game live. You can check out the episode here.
If this article has given you a speedrunning itch, the community is still relatively new so you can add a lot just by trying it out or by conversing with other runners and developers. We would delighted if you wanted to give Symphonia a run and check out our Discord speedrunning discussions.
Speedrunner or not, we hope you will take a chance on us and enjoy the glorious world of Symphoniain your own way.
Symphonia 𝄞
Headup
☆☆☆☆☆3
★★★★★
$19.99
In the realm of Symphonia, music acts as a source of life and energy. But since the founders and their orchestra vanished the inhabitants are divided, and the world slowly falls into silence. What if there was a way to gather a new orchestra? That’s the question Philemon, the mysterious musician in Symphonia, will have to answer. Embody a mysterious violinist, brought back to life in a declining world. Your violin and bow are both your instrument and a means of transport. Catapult yourself through the world, and complete levels by solving exciting platforming challenges while re-activating the machinery that brings life and energy back to this world. Discover a musical world, based on the symphonic orchestra, and filled with colourful characters. Each area in Symphonia has its own distinct feel and characters, and each room is hand-crafted. Meet prodigious musicians and try to convince them to join the orchestra. A unique soundtrack, based on the romantic musical period, crafted by composer Olivier Esman. Enjoy the performance of the Scoring Orchestra Paris, recorded specifically for Symphonia and written by composer Olivier Esman and his partners Alexandre Bucas-Français and Lou Corroyer. Play engrossing concerts, each centred around one of the families of instruments – Strings, Brass and Woodwinds. Explore, navigate, play the violin, gather musicians. Awaken Symphonia. Features
– Experience and overcome great platforming challenges with all of Philemon’s abilities – Discover various environments which combine music and machinery – Play the violin to activate level elements and bring life to the realm -Gather musical Prodigies and play breathtaking concerts to bring music, joy, and glory, back to the land
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