Schlagwort: Community

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, 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!

Swordship – December 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A futuristic lightning-fast dodge ’em up which flips the script on the traditional arcade shooter. Turn both the tide of battle and enemies on themselves by dodging, weaving and diving your way through an onslaught of enemies hell-bent on tearing your Swordship apart.

Togges – December 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Plunge into the colorful world of Togges. This unforgettable sandbox adventure is a combination of both something new and totally familiar. Solve puzzles by spreading and stacking these cute blocks called Togges around the cosmos to save the galaxy from the threads of the void.

Hindsight – December 6

What if the physical objects of everyday life, the possessions we hold close, were actual windows to the past? From the creator of Prune, Hindsight is a poignant narrative game exploring the sum of a woman’s life.

Bot Gaiden – December 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Bot Gaiden is all action, execution, and speed! Ninja robots Robyu and Bytron race to recover the power skulls that have been stolen by each of Giorqio’s 6 Hench-bots. Slicing everything in their path, they must reach their destination quickly.

Mech Armada – December 8
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Create and command custom mechs to outmaneuver The Swarm in this post-apocalyptic tactical turn-based rogue-lite. Leverage the terrain, learn each Mech’s unique skills, and use strategy and resources to survive an ever-changing series of battles to give humanity hope.

Terror of Hemasaurus – December 9

Play as a giant monster and wreak havoc on humanity in this retro city smash ‘em up! Punch buildings, slap helicopters, eat humans, kick cars — enjoy multiple ways to cause carnage! Satisfying arcade action and mindless destruction for up to 4-players!

Dobo’s Heroes – December 6
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

On a faraway planet, Dobo is a worldly renowned hero. He’s inspired the work of millions of people. But something had made Dobo shut himself off from the world. Fortunately, his family, especially his grandchildren, are trying to bring him back to life in this puzzle platformer where you need to help Dobo leave the depths of his world.

Hello Neighbor 2 – December 6
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass: Hello Neighbor 2 is a stealth horror game about uncovering your creepy neighbor’s secrets. Play against a complex opponent controlled by an advanced AI that learns from you and all the other players! As time passes and the Neighbor adapts to the players’ patterns, his own behavior will change and surprise you. Will you be the one to outsmart the Neighbor and find out what he’s hiding? Pre-order now and start playing today!

Firefighting Simulator – The Squad – December 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Start the siren of your fire truck, grab your hose, and fight realistic fires to save lives. Discover over 30 diverse deployment locations spread across the city inspired by the North American West Coast. Equip yourself with authentic firefighting gear such as helmets, firefighter boots, and a breathing apparatus model by well-known firefighting equipment manufacturers.

Chained Echoes – December 8
Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass: Valandis is at war. The three kingdoms have been fighting for centuries. Peace seems to be no option. And yet, a magical weapon of mass destruction leads to a fragile one. One, which won’t last. Prepare yourself for an adventure in a world full of wonders, magic, mechs, charming characters, airships, and vicious foes. Will you be able to make peace everlasting with your heroes?

The Rumble Fish 2 – December 8

A legendary arcade game developed by Dimps in 2005, this fighting game gained popularity for its smooth visuals powered by S.M.A as well as the high level of strategy driven by its 2-gauges system. The console version contains new features such as an Online Versus Mode, a first for the series. It uses Rollback Netcode, which corrects lag between players, making for a streamlined experience online.

Afterglitch – December 9

An experimental third-person exploration sci-fi game where you play as an astronaut on a multidimensional journey to find an extraterrestrial civilization. Discover the hidden secrets of existence, embark on an extraordinary adventure beyond space-time, and explore unique fragments of parallel worlds without physical boundaries and limits.

Welcome, new hunters! We’re excited to share that Monster Hunter Rise is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, on January 20, 2023!

In Monster Hunter Rise, you’ll combine the series’ signature hunting action with exciting new acrobatic combat

Enjoy silky smooth action on Xbox Series X with the choice between 4K resolution and up to 60 FPS, or 1080P resolution with up to 120 FPS. Get lost in the atmosphere of the hunt with immersive 3D audio on both Xbox Series X|S systems. It’s a great time to jump in for Game Pass subscribers, and you can even continue hunting via Game Pass Cloud. You can also join the hunt by purchasing the game digitally starting at $39.99, with preorders (including a sweet bonus!) available now.

In Monster Hunter Rise, you’ll encounter a slew of new monsters inspired by Japanese folklore, like the flagship Wyvern of Malice, Magnamalo. Of course, iconic and beloved monsters from past titles also return, rounding out a roster of fearsome beasts that are sure to test your skills.

Through the game’s story, you’ll travel to the serene Kamura Village, home to everything you’ll need as a hunter. Unite with a colorful cast of characters as you become the village’s foremost hunter, some of which you’ll team up with to face the encroaching Rampage – a catastrophic event where hordes of monsters descend upon the village. Uncover the mystery behind the Rampage as you strive to forge a future for the people of Kamura.

Seasoned hunters experienced with Monster Hunter World and Iceborne will feel right at home with the signature gameplay experience the series known for. Choose from 14 weapon types, each with their own unique playstyle and deep and rewarding mechanics to master. Defeat powerful monsters, and use materials carved from them to craft more and more powerful weapons and armor as you rise through the hunting ranks.

Monster Hunter Rise introduces several new unique elements to the hunter’s toolkit, with an emphasis on being more maneuverable and agile than ever. Wirebugs let Hunters shoot a special silk to unleash special attacks unique to each of the 14 weapons. Hunters can use them quickly zip up into the air and up walls, recover more quickly from impactful hits, maneuver into the right position to nail that perfect hit, and dodge a devastating hit just in the nick of time. Wyvern Riding is another unique Wirebug ability, where you can wreak havoc by controlling a monster, temporally turning one into an ally!

The familiar Palico Felyne friends are back to lend their support, but this time they’re joined by the new Palamute Canyne companions. They’re a hunter’s best friend with their own set of special abilities, and you’ll be able to ride on Palamute’s back to quickly get around during a hunt. And yes, you can pet them!

Choose to go it alone, or team up with up to three others online for cooperative hunts. You’ll be able to hunt together and continue your progress whether you’re hunting on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or via the Xbox app for Windows PC.

At launch on Jan. 20, the game will come equipped with content and Event Quests from the previously released title updates (up to version 10), offering dozens of hours of intense hunting action and plenty of rewards to earn. This includes a number of fun collaborations quests from other series, where you’ll take on special themed quests to earn gear themed after Street Fighter, Okami, and Mega Man, just to name a few.

In Spring 2023, the hunt gets even bigger with the launch of the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak massive expansion, taking hunters on a journey to the kingdom to become a Master Rank Hunter and battle new threats, like the bloodthirsty Malzeno.

For the latest information on Monster Hunter Rise, keep an eye on the official Monster Hunter Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Happy hunting, and see you in Kamura!

Monster Hunter Rise

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Pre-order bonus – Palamute Retriever Costume layered armor – Palico Forest Cat Costume layered armor – Novice Talisman for some extra assistance in the early stages Rise to the challenge and join the hunt! In Monster Hunter Rise, the latest installment in the award-winning and top-selling Monster Hunter series, you’ll become a hunter, explore brand new maps and use a variety of weapons to take down fearsome monsters as part of an all-new storyline. Ferocious monsters with unique ecologies
Hunt down a plethora of monsters with distinct behaviors and deadly ferocity. From classic returning monsters to all-new creatures inspired by Japanese folklore, including the flagship wyvern Magnamalo, you’ll need to think on your feet and master their unique tendencies if you hope to reap any of the rewards! Choose your weapon and show your skills
Wield 14 different weapon types that offer unique gameplay styles, both up-close and from long range. Charge up and hit hard with the devastating Great Sword; dispatch monsters in style using the elegant Long Sword; become a deadly maelstrom of blades with the speedy Dual Blades; charge forth with the punishing Lance; or take aim from a distance with the Bow and Bowguns. These are just a few of the weapon types available in the game, meaning you’re sure to find the play style that suits you best. Hunt, gather and craft your way to the top of the food chain
Each monster you hunt will provide materials that allow you to craft new weapons and armor and upgrade your existing gear. Go back out on the field and hunt even fiercer monsters and earn even better rewards! You can change your weapon at any of the Equipment Boxes any time, so the possibilities are limitless! Hunt solo or team up to take monsters down
The Hunter Hub offers multiplayer quests where up to four players can team up to take on targets together. Difficulty scaling ensures that whether you go solo or hit the hunt as a full four-person squad, it’s always a fair fight. Enjoy an exciting new storyline set in Kamura Village
This serene locale is inhabited by a colorful cast of villagers who have long lived in fear of the Rampage – a catastrophic event where countless monsters attack the village all at once. 50 years after the last Rampage, you must work together with the villagers to face this trial. Experience new hunting actions with the Wirebug
Wirebugs are an integral part of your hunter’s toolkit. The special silk they shoot out can be used to zip up walls and across maps, and can even be used to pull off special attacks unique to each of the 14 weapon types in the game. Buddies are here to help The Palico Felyne friends you already know and love from previous Monster Hunter adventures are joined by the brand new Palamute Canyne companions! Wreak havoc by controlling monsters
Control raging monsters using Wyvern Riding and dish out massive damage to your targets! Fend off hordes of monsters in The Rampage
Protect Kamura Village from hordes of monsters in an all-new quest type! Prepare for monster hunting on a scale like never before! *This content is also available as part of one or more bundles. Please check your previous purchases to avoid duplication.

Monster Hunter Rise Deluxe Edition

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Pre-order bonus – Palamute Retriever Costume layered armor – Palico Forest Cat Costume layered armor – Novice Talisman for some extra assistance in the early stages Includes Monster Hunter Rise and the Deluxe Kit content in one package! Main game „Monster Hunter Rise“ – „Kamurai“ Hunter layered armor set – „Fish Collar“ Palico layered armor piece – „Shuriken Collar“ Palamute layered armor piece – „Jump“ gesture set – Samurai pose set – „Kabuki“ face paint – „Izuchi Tail“ hairstyle

The Game of Life 2 is a life simulator board game, based on the Hasbro classic, The Game of Life, and it’s available now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S! It’s a bright, fun, new interpretation of the original that brings the gameplay and life choices up-to-date for a younger, modern audience. So, whether you’re a veteran of the crossroads, or brand new to the game, there’s plenty to discover and enjoy!

The Game of Life is a much-loved title played by millions of families around the world, and The Game of Life 2 has received an amazing reception. Millions are now playing across multiple platforms, and we‘re here to share some of the choices they’re making!

In the original board game, the aim is to reach the end with the most money. However, in our modern world the drive to “get rich” is often balanced by the need for a healthy lifestyle. So, in The Game of Life 2, you can choose to earn points for wealth, happiness, and knowledge. 

So far players have chosen:

• 24% Wealth
• 34% Knowledge
• 42% Happiness

Perhaps these choices reflect our modern world, or they could be the result of players prioritising fun choices in-game. The important thing is, you get to own your journey!

One of the original mandatory Stop spaces is right in front of the Chapel, where you get married. There’s no choice, it’s marriage or game over. So, in The Game of Life 2, we decided to make this optional. So far:

• 39% Stay single
• 61% Get married

Another essential action in the original game is having children. When you land on a baby space, you must add a child to your car. We decided to interrupt this pattern by making “having babies” a clear choice, with the option to adopt pets instead! So far:

• 43% have chosen pets
• 57% have chosen babies

As for new career options, the top choices are:

• Robotics Engineer
• Astronomer
• Chef

And when it comes to the “Dream House”, it seems most players are opting for “detached” or “remote”, with the most popular choices being:

• Mansion
• Forest House

Of course, we’ve kept some of the traditional choices, and going to College is still coming out as the most popular option vs. going straight into a career. All those Astronomers and Robotics Engineers are planning ahead!

• 20% Career
• 80% College

When it comes to the end game, the original gave you the choice of two retirement homes. In The Game of Life 2, you can choose to continue your journey and fulfill your “bucket list”. And it seems people are happy to embrace the adventure:

• 42% Retirement
• 58% Bucket List

Another new addition that has really shaken up gameplay is an extra “second chance” crossroad later in the game. If you want, you can put off getting married or going to college or investing in a home. If you don’t go to College at the beginning, you can go later, or go back and get a Masters! These changes have significantly changed the way players approach the game. Instead of feeling locked-in to set expectations and a single goal, the new ways to win, second chances, and added choices make the whole experience more representative of our modern times. The Game of Life 2 includes cross-platform multiplayer, so you can join your friends and family on their preferred device or console. We’re delighted with how players have been making the most of every choice, and we can’t wait for you to make lives of your own on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!

The Game of Life 2

Marmalade Game Studio

☆☆☆☆☆ 7

★★★★★

It’s the modern version of Hasbro’s board game, played by 50 million families and friends around the world. Live in the Classic City PLUS the Fairytale Kingdom and Haunted Hills worlds: included in the game! Each comes with new outfits, vehicles, careers, houses, and items to unlock! Modern Gameplay • Make big career, relationship, and financial choices early or late in the game
• Collect points for happiness and knowledge as well as wealth
• Retire to a luxury home or keep going! Customisable and Unlockable Items • Customise your pink, blue or purple peg at the start of every game
• Unlock new avatars, outfits, and vehicles Ultimate Life Collection • 7 amazing worlds await in the Ultimate Life Collection! Buy the base game AND every world together in the Deluxe Life Collection!

Hello, Neighbors, and welcome back to town! We’ve missed you.

Today is the day. For those brave enough to pre-order Hello Neighbor 2’s Deluxe Edition, you can jump in now and begin your investigation into the strange and twisted town of Raven Brooks ahead of the crowd on December 6. Put on your best reporter’s cap, finish your fifth coffee, and get ready to stake out the movers and shakers in the neighborhood. Everyone’s hiding something, and all clues point to the infamous and reclusive Mr. Peterson.

A Whole Town of Trouble

Hello Neighbor was a story of personal curiosity. Your neighbor (local architect and inventor Mr. Peterson) had been building something strange at night. Playing as local snoop Nicky Roth, you delved into the mysteries of the Peterson house one night at a time, picking apart his personal secrets, especially what he was keeping down in this basement…

In Hello Neighbor 2, this is now a professional problem. As overcaffeinated reporter Quentin, you’re out to crack this town’s many missing person’s cases, Nicky Roth amongst them. You’ll begin at the old Peterson house (patrolled by the local police) but your instincts say that this case will need you to hit the streets and infiltrate the homes of the town’s most trusted figures. Could the reclusive taxidermist be up to something? Gerda, the local baker? Could this conspiracy go as high up as the mayor!? There’s a scoop here, and you’re not stopping until you have it… Or it has you.

The Deluxe Edition: For the Investigator Who has to Know It All

Hello Neighbor 2 launches on December 6, but those pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition can start immediately. Better yet, at launch, Deluxe Edition owners receive three pieces of DLC, including one powerful snooping tool (the remote controlled Hello-Copter, letting you safely surveil suspects at range and pilfer items with its retractable grappling claw) and two massive side-missions: Back To School and Late Fees.

In Back To School, Quentin investigates the sprawling Raven Brooks Middle School for clues. With no sign of students, there’s clearly something strange happening here, but to crack the case you’ll have to avoid the gaze of the old groundskeeper and his loyal pack of dogs as they patrol its halls. Will this trip to school be an educational expedition, or a lesson in pain?

Late Fees leads Quentin to the local library, a strange, crumbling building with its own set of secrets. Unlike the other townsfolk you’ll meet, the Librarian doesn’t mind you wandering the grounds, but she’ll spring into action if you make too much noise, or disturb even a single shelf. Solve this case and you’ll be in the town’s history books. Fail, and you’ll be the one checked out.

Stop the Presses!

Get your best snooping shoes on – it’s time to get sneaky, and learn what’s happening in Raven Brooks. It’ll take smarts to crack the puzzles sealing the town’s doors, and no shortage of speed and intuition to outrun and evade the ornery locals. Each opponent you’ll face has a unique AI personality, but all of them have one thing in common: They really don’t want you snooping around. Will you find where Mr. Peterson is hiding out, cracking the case? Or will you end up as another face on a missing person poster?

Hello Neighbor 2 hits Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on December 6, with the regular version coming to Game Pass on day one. Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition lets you start playing now, complete with the DLC missions and Hello-Copter.

See you around the neighborhood!

Hello Neighbor 2 Deluxe Edition

tinyBuild

☆☆☆☆☆ 4

★★★★★

Pre-order now Hello Neighbor 2 and receive exclusive instant access to the Hello Neighbor 2 Beta experience. With your pre-order of the Deluxe Edition you also get 5 days of Early Access to the game prior to its release and three DLCs coming to your consoles at release.

Hello Neighbor 2 Standard Edition

tinyBuild

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Pre-order now any edition of Hello Neighbor 2 and receive exclusive instant access to the Hello Neighbor 2 Beta experience.

Fight all the good fights this weekend during Free Play Days. Battlefield 2042 and Batora: Lost Haven are available this weekend for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday, December 1 at 12:01 a.m. PT until Sunday, December 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Rainbow Six Siege is available for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members until Thursday, December 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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 Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and enter the Gold member area to locate 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 earned achievements during the event! Please note that discounts and percentages may vary by title and region.

Game Details

• Battlefield 2042
• Batora: Lost Haven
• Rainbow Six Siege

Battlefied 2042

Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. In a near-future world transformed by disorder, adapt and overcome dynamically-changing battlegrounds with the help of your squad and a cutting-edge arsenal.

Batora: Lost Haven

Most of Earth is destroyed and it’s up to a young girl, Avril, to bring it back to its glory. Travel the universe to strange and fantastical planets in a game that combines features of a hack & slash and a twin-stick shooter across a story-driven action RPG. The lines between good and evil can be blurry and every choice you make will have consequences that change your path forward. Battle aliens, solve puzzles, and develop and harness the dual powers given to you by the Sun and Moon. What boundaries will you cross to save your home?

Rainbow Six Siege

Start your Rainbow Six Siege journey during the Free Play Days from December 1 to December 8, 2022. This is a great opportunity for new players to try the full game for free during a limited time, including all maps and modes, and engage in an elite, realistic, tactical team-based shooter where superior planning and execution triumphs. Features 5v5 attack vs. defense gameplay with intense close-quarter combat and destructible environments. If you like the game, Rainbow Six Siege is available at up to 70% off for a limited time! All your progress and Operators will carry over if you decide to upgrade to the full game.

Don’t miss out on this exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.

We have games available for you to play today, games “coming soon” (fake but should be real trademark here), and even something you can play now that maybe you didn’t know we slipped in last week! Let’s get to the games.

Available Today

Eastward (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Welcome to the charming world of Eastward – population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse, discovering delightful towns, strange creatures, and even stranger people! Wield John’s trusty frying pan and Sam’s mystic powers on an unusual adventure into the unknown.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season (Cloud, Console, and PC)
After years on the road facing threats both living and dead, a secluded school might finally be Clementine and AJ’s chance for a home. But protecting it will mean sacrifice. In this gripping, emotional final season, your choices define your relationships, shape your world, and determine how Clementine’s story ends.

Totally Reliable Delivery Service (PC)
Buckle up your back brace and fire up the delivery truck, it’s time to deliver! Join up to three friends and haphazardly get the job done in an interactive sandbox world. Endure cruel ragdoll physics, pilot your favorite vehicle, and complete the tasks at hand to the best of your ability. Delivery attempted, that’s a Totally Reliable Delivery Service guarantee!

Coming Soon

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 6
An unforgettable experience through the Star Wars galaxy with the biggest roster of LEGO Star Wars characters and vehicles to date, new immersive combat mechanics, a vast array of planets to explore, and much more! Players will relive the epic narrative of the Skywalker Saga told through the lens of hilarious LEGO humor. Choose the beginning of any trilogy, including Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope, or Star Wars: The Force Awakens and start your journey on December 6 for Cloud, Console, and PC.

Hello Neighbor 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 6
Available on day one with Game Pass: Hello Neighbor 2 is a stealth horror game about uncovering your creepy neighbor’s secrets. Play against a complex opponent controlled by an advanced AI that learns from you and all the other players! As time passes and the Neighbor adapts to the players’ patterns, his own behavior will change and surprise you. Will you be the one to outsmart the Neighbor and find out what he’s hiding?

Chained Echoes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 8
Available on day one with Game Pass: Valandis is at war. The three kingdoms have been fighting for centuries. Peace seems to be no option. And yet, a magical weapon of mass destruction leads to a fragile one. One, which won’t last. Prepare yourself for an adventure in a world full of wonders, magic, mechs, charming characters, airships and vicious foes. Will you be able to make peace everlasting with your heroes?

Metal: Hellsinger (Xbox One) – December 8
Game Pass members will be able to jump into Metal: Hellsinger on Xbox One consoles on December 8! Previously released on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S with Game Pass, Metal: Hellsinger is a rhythm FPS brimming with diabolical enemies, powerful weapons, and metal music. Strike terror into the hearts of demons as you fight your way through eight Hells on an infernal journey to achieve the purest of goals: Vengeance.

High On Life (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 13
Available on day one with Game Pass: From the mind of Justin Roiland comes High On Life. Humanity is being threatened by an alien cartel who wants to use them as drugs. It’s up to you to rescue and partner with charismatic, talking guns, take down Garmantuous and his gang, and save the world!

Potion Craft (Console and PC) – December 13
Potion Craft is an alchemist simulator where you physically interact with your tools and ingredients to brew potions. You’re in full control of the whole shop: invent new recipes, attract customers and experiment to your heart’s content. Just remember: the whole town is counting on you.

Hot Wheels Unleashed – Game of the Year Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 15
Get ready to drift, boost, jump and crash on the iconic orange tracks with the most beloved Hot Wheels cars! Hot Wheels Unleashed – Game of the Year Edition is coming soon to Xbox Game Pass. Let’s ignite the fun!

Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 15
A wholesome, creature capture, 2.5D Adventure-Puzzle-Platformer with over 30 hours of gameplay! It is a family-friendly, openly accessible, RPG-infused adventure in which you must save whimsical creatures by bringing back color to the world you once knew!

In Case You Missed It

Battlefield 2042 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – Available now
PC Game Pass and Ultimate members can now join the fight with EA Play! Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. In a near-future world transformed by disorder, adapt and overcome dynamically changing battlegrounds with the help of your squad and a cutting-edge arsenal. Learn more about Season 03: Escalation here!

DLC / Game Updates

Need for Speed Unbound: Early Access Trial with EA Play – Available now
Drivers, start your engines! PC Game Pass and Ultimate members can try Need for Speed Unbound for 10 full hours with EA Play! Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack.

Conan Exiles: Chapter 2 – December 6
The online multiplayer survival game set in the savage lands of Conan the Barbarian continues to expand. After the arrival of sorcery in the massive Age of Sorcery Update, Chapter 2 now drops brand-new features and content into the simmering situation in the Exiled Lands. Hunt down sorcerer NPCs across the map and bring them back dead or alive for valuable rewards. Experience the new Witch Hunt Encounter as you explore, taking on several unique boss-level sorcerers.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

3-Month Free Trials of Apple TV+ and Apple Music – Available now
Don’t forget to claim your perks! From now until end of March, Ultimate members can claim a 3-month free trial of Apple TV+ and a 3-month free trial of Apple Music. Enjoy Oscar-winning films, Emmy-winning shows, and more with Apple TV+. Also, get over 100 million songs, all ad-free, and listen across your devices with Apple Music. Learn more here!

Leaving December 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon which means it is the perfect time to shuffle your play list and hit these before they go! Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% to keep any Game Pass games in your library.

• Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Breathedge (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Firewatch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lake (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Neoverse (Cloud and Console)
• Race with Ryan (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Rory McIlroy PGA Tour (Console) EA Play
• Transformers: Battlegrounds (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Remember that The Game Awards is just around the corner, and that many of the nominees can be played in Game Pass right now (check out our collection on the Xbox Game Pass mobile app)! As always if you want to get into the games with your friends, the first month is only $1, so that’s a very easy game night sorted. We’ll be back with more Game Pass updates soon!

Ready to explore the Star Wars galaxy like never before? Gather with your family and friends, because LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be available on Game Pass just in time for the holidays. If you’ve ever dreamed of teaming up with your siblings for lightsaber battles or experiencing space combat with your next-door neighbor, now is your chance with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga via two-player local co-op gameplay! Whether you are new to the franchise or a longtime fan, this fun and accessible family friendly game can be played and downloaded starting December 6 for all Game Pass subscribers.

Through the humor of LEGO, you will relive the epic narrative of The Skywalker Saga and can choose to start at the beginning of any trilogy, including Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope, or Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Fight against the forces of evil as your favorite characters, such as Luke Skywalker, Rey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Finn, BB-8, and a legion of other heroes. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga contains over 300 unlockable characters from all nine films to create fun, new adventures. With more than 100 vehicles to command, you can jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon to outrun Imperial starships and board and explore capital ships like the Super Star Destroyer! With immersive combat mechanics, show off your Jedi skills to your friends as you wield lightsabers, fire blasters, and chain different attacks with the greatest legends from every era of the Skywalker Saga.

Playing LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga with your family and friends and exploring the vastness of the Star Wars galaxy with 23 planets to discover as you visit Cloud City on Bespin or Ewok Village on Endor is just one of the many highlights when playing the game. Join forces and create new memories together as you traverse iconic locales.

The galaxy is yours, starting December 6! Download LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga on Game Pass, choose your starting point and get ready to enjoy the game millions of fans from around the world can’t get enough of!

LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 825

★★★★★

The galaxy is yours in LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga. Experience memorable moments and nonstop action from all nine Skywalker saga films reimagined with signature LEGO humor. The digital edition includes an exclusive classic Obi-Wan Kenobi playable character. ● Explore the Trilogies in Any Order – Players will relive the epic story of all nine films in the Skywalker Saga, and it all starts with picking the trilogy of their choice to begin the journey. ● Play as Iconic Heroes and Villains –More than 300 playable characters from throughout the galaxy. ● Discover Legendary Locales – Players can visit well known locales from their favorite Skywalker saga films .They can unlock and have the freedom to seamlessly travel to 23 planets as they play through the saga or explore and discover exciting quests. ● Command Powerful Vehicles – More than 100 vehicles from across the galaxy to command. Join dogfights and defeat capital ships like the Super Star Destroyer that can be boarded and explored. ● Immersive Player Experiences – String attacks together to form combo chains and fend off oncoming attacks. New blaster controls and mechanics allow players to aim with precision, or utilize the skills of a Jedi by wielding a lightsaber and using the power of The Force. ● Upgradable Character Abilities – Exploration rewards players as they uncover Kyber Bricks which unlock new features and upgraded abilities across a range of character classes, including Jedi, Hero, Dark Side, Villain, Scavenger, Scoundrel, Bounty Hunter, Astromech Droid, and Protocol Droid.

Hey everyone! It’s Pip here, marketing lead at publisher No More Robots, and if the World Cup has got you excited for some soccer (or football), I’m here to announce that you can pick up your ball, put on your shinpads and save soccer in our brand-new RPG Soccer Story! Get ready to take on the terrible Soccer, Inc. and restore the beautiful game to its rightful place at the top of the table Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S and with Xbox Game Pass starting today!

A year ago, the top teams came together to compete in the world’s biggest tournament, but tragedy struck when a great calamity brought a halt to not only the competition but also soccer as a sport! Since then, no one outside of the very suspicious Soccer, Inc. and their referees has been allowed to play, and it’s up to you, the saviour of soccer, to head to the pitch and remind everyone why this wonderful sport deserves their support once more!

Play Through a World Full of Quirky Characters, Puzzles and Hidden Secrets

The open world of Soccer Story is full to the brim with soccer-adjacent sports to play, quirky characters to chat to, as well as puzzles and riddles to solve. Around every corner and in every building there are new ways to power up your team and take the fight to Soccer Inc., whether that be by collecting team upgrades to beat the top teams or by helping the locals reform their squads and take to the pitch – it’s up to you to get soccer back on top!

Each zone is being controlled by a different member of Soccer Inc., but with the help of your magical ball you’ll be able to drive away the terrible referees and clear up their mess. From spotting the hidden ninjas in the Zen Zone to destroying sandcastles and reforging the Shark Idol in the Beach Zone, each area has its own challenges and issues. Can you become the champion of the hurdles in the Athletic zone and conquer the tricks and traps of Fut Golf?

Build Your Soccer Career and Do Battle against the Fiercest Soccer Teams Like Literal Sharks, Toddlers, Old-Age Pensioners and Ninjas

If you want to take the fight all the way to the heady heights of the Apple Cup and defeat Soccer Inc. once and for all, you’ll have to gather your team and take on each region’s finest for the Regional Cups – each one guarded by teams weirder and wilder than the last. You’ll need to hold your nerve as you face down OAPs, ghosts and a team of literal sharks in order to make your way to the top, and none of them will go down easy.

As you progress though each cup, mighty animal captains will help you discover your true powers and harness the skills to make Soccer Inc. pay! Beating each in a 1v1 showdown will grant you abilities to really kick your enemies where it hurts, and the power to defeat whoever dares to stand in the way of a good, old-fashioned kick-about!

Once You’ve Saved the World, Grab Some Friends and Play Ball

Once the soccer bug has bitten you, (and who can blame you with the world cup really heating up too!) grab some friends and find out who really is the saviour of soccer by playing some local multiplayer matches! Run your own tournaments from the comfort of your own home or play co-operatively to take down the best teams Soccer Story has to offer! Choose your favourite team, whether that’s the hometown heroes of Soccer Town or one of the teams from around the world and head to one of our state-of-the-art stadiums and become top your own personal leagues!

Soccer Story is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S! Grab boots and head to the pitch, you’ve got a wide world to explore, bad guys to defeat and a magical ball to kick at every one and everything! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, and you bring soccer home once and for all!

Soccer Story

No More Robots

☆☆☆☆☆ 63

★★★★★

$19.99 $17.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

It’s been a year since The Calamity™ tore apart the very foundations of soccer as we know it, and since then, Soccer Inc. has made dang well sure that not a soul has been allowed to even look at a soccer ball, let alone kick it. Soccer may have been banned across the world… but now there is hope! A magical soccer ball has chosen you, our Savior of Soccer! Soccer Story is a physics-driven adventure RPG, where every problem can be solved with your trusty magic ball. Along the way, you’ll need to best bad guys in 1v1s, compete in a range of different sports (with your soccer ball, of course), and sometimes use your brain just as much as your balls In a world that has long forgotten The Beautiful Game, can you remind them why soccer is top of the table, and best the most formidable teams, including the local toddlers and a group of sharks? -Drop your soccer ball and play anywhere! The world is full of goals, puzzles and secrets – it’s up to you to find them!
-Play a single-player story full of quirky characters, quests, rogue refs and wacky soccer-adjacent sports -Build your soccer career and do battle against the fiercest soccer teams like literal sharks, toddlers, old-age pensioners and ninjas
-Save soccer and restore peace and harmony to the world
-Grab a friend for a four-player local multiplayer match mode with a full roster of teams and animal captains Yes, Soccer Story has multiplayer matches too! Grab up to 3 friends, and convince them that soccer is the ultimate sport by challenging them to local multiplayer matches! With a whole host of teams and captains to choose from, find your personal playstyle and hold your own tournaments at home across the many pitches, from home matches at Soccertown to the vast Soccer Inc Stadium!

Xbox Game Studios Game Camp was founded in 2020 on the belief that extraordinary talent resides everywhere. The goal of the program is to enable people from traditionally marginalized communities and non-traditional backgrounds to realize their potential in the gaming industry and grow thriving games communities and industries in places all over the world.

In this Q&A series, we aim to highlight the stories of Game Camp Alumni with unique game creation journeys. Today, we will be chatting with the CEO & Creative Director of LemonJuice Game Studio Austin-Taylor Caldwell, about his experience at Game Camp and his current project, Beyond the Nightlight, a 3D horror adventure game that sheds light on mental health and addiction.

Tell us about yourself (if applicable: your team and the game you’re working on)?

My name is Austin-Taylor Caldwell. Like most other individuals in the gaming industry, I grew up playing video games. However, to think about making a career in gaming was laughable to me from a young age. I was raised in the poorest county in my state where resources and connections to the tech industry were extremely far and few. Fast forward to 2020, I decided to jump into the deep end and founded LemonJuice Game Studio to make cinematic games within the horror genre. From solo development to Game Camp, LemonJuice now stands at 20 members who are working closely together on our current title, Beyond the Nightlight. It is a 3D horror adventure game that centers around mental health and addiction in hopes to shine light on the topic and potentially help those struggling with these illnesses every day.

Why did you decide to center Beyond the Nightlight on mental health and addiction?

Beyond the Nightlight centers around the study that when we die our brains have seven minutes of activity left, during this time is when our life ‘flashes before our eyes.’ Our protagonist Jolene is in her final seven minutes and does not know it yet. She races through this odd world in a porcelain doll body, chased by Death, to reclaim her memory of what happened to her and how she can get a second chance at life.

I lost my mother in 2019 to drug addiction and that was probably the hardest point in my life. A year later, I found out from my therapist that I have both depression and anxiety…which didn’t help the situation. Beyond the Nightlight is built from real trauma and experiences from real people to show the players that do struggle with similar if not exact issues, that they’re not alone.

“Xbox Game Studios Game Camp taught me things I would have otherwise taken 10 years to learn. Game Camp helped me identify my “superpower” in development and focus on that instead of spreading myself thin.”

Austin-Taylor Caldwell, CEO & Creative Director of LemonJuice Game Studio

Walk us through your game creation journey before you attended Xbox Game Studios Game Camp?

Before Game Camp, I taught myself game design through Unreal Engine Documentation and a ton of YouTube. Working a full-time job made devoting time to learn game development difficult, but not impossible. I would wake up a couple hours early to get through a few lessons or add a new feature to my project, then go into work and use my lunch to research various systems or solve some problems I may have run into that morning. Returning home after work was when I really put in the work by staying up way later than I should to continue adding features to my project and learning everything I could to make a playable product.

What are some of the key takeaways you learned from your experience at Xbox Game Studios Game Camp?

Xbox Game Studios Game Camp taught me things I would have otherwise taken 10 years to learn. Game Camp helped me identify my “superpower” in development and focus on that instead of spreading myself thin trying to be distinguished in every department. That alone is invaluable, but more than that it also taught me how to manage a team, communicate and network to establish long lasting relationships, how to create and manage a development pipeline, and so much more. Game Camp truly changed my life.

What excites you about the game creation process?

Seeing the first prototype is a feeling words cannot describe. Spending days on days crafting this world and seeing it come to life is enthralling. Directing that is extremely fun to me and seeing others get inspired and watching their eyes light up over a new idea they propose is truly what makes game development so beautiful.

What are some unique challenges your dev teams overcame? Were there any tools/services that helped overcome this?

The biggest challenge we faced was switching our 2D project from Unity to the 3D project it is now within Unreal Engine. Having to rebuild the code in a different language took a bit to get off the ground, but Unreal Engine Documentation helped us as a team get our bearings together and now, we are back up on the ground and sprinting!

Tell us about the tools you are using for game development and why.

We are utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and Quixel Megascans for Beyond the Nightlight . We decided to work within Unreal Engine 5 as the amount of tools provided free of cost truly tip the scales on what we can accomplish. Plus, having Megascans that we can use with ease and easily import into Unreal Engine is amazing for painting a very detailed and immersive environment.

Can you tell us about your experience working with an Xbox Game Studios mentor and what you learned from them about the game creation process?

Working with our mentor, Rosa Dachtler, was a great experience. She was extremely helpful and always available to help in any way she could. Particularly, she guided and supported us as we made an extreme switch in production with only 2 weeks of production time left. She taught us how to build a powerful narrative around action-packed gameplay and how departments can better communicate with each other throughout the design process.”

Now that you’ve attended Xbox Game Studios Game Camp, what’s next for LemonJuice?

Game Camp readied LemonJuice with the tools and knowledge needed to dive headfirst into the industry. We are currently in the final stages of wrapping up our prototype for Beyond the Nightlight. We intend to bring it to publishers so LemonJuice as a collective can work on this project full time and be equipped with the necessary tools to make it as beautiful as we have envisioned. I have always dreamed big, and it is still my dream and goal for my company to become a 1st or 2nd party studio for Xbox Game Studios.

To learn more about Xbox Game Studios Game Camp visit xbox.com/gamecamp.

Get ready to unwrap your December Games with Gold lineup! On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, it’s a double helping of 2D side-scrolling fun with Colt Canyon and Bladed Fury.
Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. So will Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, who receive all the fantastic benefits of Gold plus access to hundreds of high-quality games with Xbox Game Pass.

• Colt Canyon ($14.99 ERP): Available December 1 to 31
• Bladed Fury ($19.99 ERP): Available December 16 to January 15

Colt Canyon

Hold on to your hats, partner. Let me tell you a tale ‘bout a gunslinger that’s been left for dead and his partner kidnapped. It’s time for you to head out to Colt Canyon, an unforgiving western landscape filled with hidden treasures, weapons, danger, and bloodthirsty scum. Shoot your way through and maybe blow a few things up with TNT along the way with a spaghetti western soundtrack humming in the background. Save your partner and other innocents, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a blast doing so and won’t end up as buzzard food.

Bladed Fury

Accused of murder and exiled, Princess Ji goes on a breathtaking, action-packed journey to prove her innocence, rescue her sister, and blaze a trail of bloody vengeance. Unleash your side-scrolling skills in this classic 2D game based on Chinese mythology. Take on ancient enemies and gods using high-octane combo attacks! The art and sound design are gorgeously rendered, mixing traditional flourishes with a surreal edge.

Read more about our Games with Gold program here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire for all the latest news on Xbox. Like we said before, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you get all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, hundreds of high-quality games you can play on console, PC, and across devices from the cloud, and access to EA Play at no extra cost. New games are added all the time, so you’re never without something new to try when you’re looking to find your next favorite game. If you’re new, or if you’re an existing Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for Console member, join or upgrade today for just $1. 

Colt Canyon

Headup

☆☆☆☆☆28

★★★★★

Take your revolver and rescue your partner in this atmospheric and punchy rogue-like game. Colt Canyon is a 2D pixel art shooter where you control a cowboy, or one of the many other unlockable characters, whose mission is to save his kidnapped partner from the ruthless bandits. Take your gun and TNT and shoot your way through a hostile canyon full of hidden treasures, weapons, obstacles and all kinds of bloodthirsty scum. Maybe you can save more people than just your partner. But watch out. Once you got your partner your job is not done. You’ll also have to get back home…

Bladed Fury

PM Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆30

★★★★★

Bladed Fury is a classic 2D action game, based on Chinese mythology with an accompanying traditional art style and sound design, but with a dash of surrealism added to the mix. Featuring a fluid combat experience, a high-octane combo system, and a plethora of ancient enemies and gods to destroy

“If You Wanna Party,” put on your dancing shoes and call your friends because Just Dance 2023 Edition is now available for Xbox Series X|S. The all-new dance-on-demand platform comes with 40 new songs from popular artists including BTS, Harry Styles, and Dua Lipa, plus artist collaborations with Ava Max and Billie Eilish.

Just Dance 2023 Edition introduces many new features to the franchise. It has a fresh art direction and redesigned UI, crafted to provide more intuitive navigation menus, increased immersion in the 3D worlds, and more detailed coaches and camera movements. The game also has an improved recommendation system, offering players a personalized experience for maximum dancing fun.

All your dancing will eventually pay off with the new progression system, earning points for each completed dance. By earning points, players can unlock rewards like customizable dancer cards and emote stickers. Additionally, Online Multiplayer will be available at a later date for the first time, allowing up to six players to dance together around the world. Couch co-op is available at launch for local friends. Free content updates will be added throughout the year, so stay tuned for more game modes, songs, and seasons.

Just Dance 2023 Edition features two new artist collaborations: Billie Eilish is partnering with the game with her song “Therefore I Am,” and Ava Max created original choreography for Just Dance with her chart-topping hit “Million Dollar Baby.” K-Pop has returned in Just Dance franchise with songs like “Boy With Luv” by BTS Ft. Halsey, “Dynamite” by BTS, and “More” by K/DA Ft. Madison Beer, (G)I-DLE, Lexie, Jaira Burns and Seraphine. And no Just Dance library would be complete without bops like “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake, “Physical” by Dua Lipa, “Toxic” by Britney Spears, “Telephone” by Lady Gaga Ft. Beyonce, and many more.

Just Dance 2023 Edition also marks the launch of Just Dance+, a subscription-based service that gives you access to over 150 songs from prior Just Dance installments. Songs will be added throughout the year, and subscribers can also gain access to exclusive songs. Players who purchase Just Dance 2023 Edition will receive the option for a free one-month trial of Just Dance+.

Gather your friends and family, do some light stretching, and get ready to “Sissy That Walk” and master some new choreography. Jump into the next era of Just Dance today!

Just Dance® 2023 Edition

UBISOFT

☆☆☆☆☆19

★★★★★

Welcome to a new era of dance with Just Dance® 2023 Edition! For the first time ever, dance to BTS with „Dynamite“ and other top chart hits! Now with personalization, 3D immersive worlds, and new songs and modes year-round,* you can experience a never-ending dance party all year long! • New user interface: Thanks to a new, more modern, and intuitive user interface, everything is one click away: playlists, game modes, and songs! More time dancing, less time searching! • Personalized experiences: Get a personalized experience with custom-made sessions and songs tailored to your preferences and playing habits. Also keep track of your progress on your account and keep tab of your scores! Just Dance 2023 Edition includes a one-month free trial of Just Dance®+ *Additional content made available on a rolling basis for a limited time during the 12 months following launch of the game; download required. **Just Dance+is a streaming service, playable via Just Dance® 2023 Edition, that grants access to additional songs. Terms and conditions apply. Requires the connection to a Ubisoft Account (13[PLUS]), permanent internet access and the payment of a fee. Auto-renewal may be activated during the purchase. Age and territorial restrictions may apply. Applicable platform account and platform subscription (sold separately) required. Persistent internet connection and Ubisoft account required.

The new Dark Camo pack launches November 24 for Rust Console Edition and you don’t want to miss out on this one! This new exclusive pack grants you one of the most requested skin designs by our players, and it’s bundled up with 500 Rust Coins and public test branch access for Rust Console Edition, where you will be able to test upcoming content before it’s released on the main branch of the game.

The militaristic style of this pack is amongst the favorites in Rust Console Edition, and this new design is by far the most requested color combination we’ve ever had. The darker tones allow players who use it to blend in within the night or find cover in the shadows, whilst being more exposed under the sun or under any other light source. Whatever the case, this is a set you don’t want to miss out on. The Dark Camo pack will be available November 24 on the Xbox Store for $6.99 (price may differ depending on region).

Power Surge

Since you will be granted access to the public test branch of Rust Console Edition if you acquire the Dark Camo pack, you may as well take the opportunity to test out our latest content update available to test on there, called Power Surge. This new update brings a lot of fun new components to the game and completely changes the way Rust Console Edition is meant to be played by adding electricity to the equation.

No more “magically” powered gadgets in your base! With Power Surge everyone will have to find an energy source (solar or wind) to power up all the electrical components of their base, including (but not exclusive to) lights, turrets, and some traps. This opens the door for a lot of experimentation and some awesome new base designs with new components that you can automate to create amazing new traps and/or systems.

Update 1.55

With the monthly wipe of November we also had the release of update 1.55, bringing with it some impactful changes to the game, like improvements on the invalid shots that can occasionally happen, various audio fixes, and visual animation improvements for the scientist NPCs. This update will give players a more solid experience over the monthly wipe of December where we have many more surprises still yet to be revealed. Be sure to visit the news section on rust.double11.com to learn more about what’s coming soon. See you all on the island!

Rust Console Edition

Double Eleven Ltd.

☆☆☆☆☆783

★★★★★

Welcome to Rust. The only aim in Rust is to survive – Overcome struggles such as hunger, thirst and cold. Build a fire. Build a shelter. Kill animals. Protect yourself from other players.

Get ready to explore the dark fantasy realm of the Continent in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen Update. Whether you’re stepping into Geralt of Rivia’s shoes for the first time, or you’re a hundred-hour monster-slaying veteran, there’s plenty of reasons to immerse yourself in this vast world of choice and consequence this winter. The next-gen update for Xbox Series X|S arrives on December 14. It’s free for all current owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Xbox One, and is packed with improvements, new features, and extra content to bring this beloved RPG into a more modern context. So, let’s see what’s in store!

First, technical upgrades. Xbox Series X players can select from Performance and Quality modes. Performance prioritizes framerate at 60FPS, while Quality prioritizes visual fidelity at 30FPS. In Quality mode, Ray Tracing comes into play with Ray Traced global illumination and ambient occlusion bringing more realistic overall lighting and surface lighting effects. Xbox Series S players can select between dedicated 30FPS and 60FPS modes, with the former presenting the game with better textures and at higher resolutions, and the latter presenting a smooth 60FPS experience. In addition, Xbox Series X benefits from FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a powerful upscaling technology which boosts framerate, and uses a spatial upscaling algorithm to maintain high visual quality.

The next-gen update also comes with integrated mods. The modding scene for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has always been vibrant and impressive, and we’ve curated a selection of mods to include improvements with a wide scope, such as reworked textures and character models up to 4K, refreshed monster models, visual bug fixes, immersion tweaks, and even map inconsistency fixes. It’s been great to implement community-made mods to help make this version of the game as beautiful, consistent, and up-to-modern-standards as possible.

We also have gameplay/content additions created by CD Projekt Red in-house. We scoured hundreds of mods and community requests to see what would make smart additions, and the effect is a more streamlined gameplay experience, with our own improvements on textures, character models, and cutscenes added as well. There are too many to mention here, but some additions of note include quick sign casting, making it simpler and more intuitive to cast Witcher signs in combat (no need to fiddle around with the radial menu and accidentally choose Yrden when you want Igni), more UI and map customization options, an alternative camera, environmental and character model improvements — enjoy the vastly better looking vegetation — faster herb looting that skips the loot selection window, and bug fixes which resolve some issues that the community has been aware of for quite some time.

As for new content, Witcher worlds are colliding with free DLC inspired by “The Witcher” Netflix series. We know this will be the first time some players will be playing Wild Hunt, and it’s likely that a number of these players will come to the game after watching the live-action Netflix series. Now players will be able to equip items and gear inspired by both seasons 1 & 2! We have two new armor sets and a steel and silver sword for Geralt to wield, an alternate outfit for Dandelion, and new armor for Nilfgaardian soldiers. And tying into this batch of free DLC is an all-new quest, “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow”. These additions bring something cool for old and new players alike, bridging the worlds of the show and the game while also giving experienced players some fresh gear and some new action in the form of the quest. These items and the quest are also coming to Xbox One, by the way!

Another cool feature to bring attention to here is cross progression. Xbox players will now be able to seamlessly take their saves to other platforms thanks to the Cloud. Say you have an old save from six or seven years ago on your Xbox One — well, now you can portal that save into the next generation on Xbox Series X|S and finish up your playthrough!

There are many other elements that players will see when they get their hands on the game, and you can see the game in action on a recent REDStreams broadcast. This next-gen update is free for all current owners on Xbox One. And if you own the GOTY Edition, you’ll get a free upgrade to the Complete Edition, which includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. Right now, save big on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt during the Xbox Black Friday sale ahead of the next-gen update.

This is a super special release for us. Veteran players get to rediscover what they loved about the game with a fresh, next-gen lens, and new players are in the envious position of discovering this epic RPG for the first time in the best way possible. That’s definitely something to be jealous of!

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition

CD PROJEKT S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆546

★★★★★

$49.99 $9.99

Xbox One X Enhanced

If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th! On this date, this product’s name will also change from Game of the Year Edition to Complete Edition. The most awarded game of 2015!
Become a monster slayer for hire and embark on an epic journey to
track down the child of prophecy, a living weapon capable of untold destruction.
INCLUDES ALL EXPANSIONS AND ADDITIONAL CONTENT.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD PROJEKT S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆1511

★★★★★

$39.99 $7.99

Xbox One X Enhanced

If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th! The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a story-driven, next-generation open world role-playing game set in a visually stunning fantasy universe full of meaningful choices and impactful consequences. In The Witcher, you play as a professional monster hunter, Geralt of Rivia, tasked with finding a child of prophecy in a vast open world rich with merchant cities, pirate islands, dangerous mountain passes, and forgotten caverns to explore. Features: Play as a Highly Trained Monster Slayer for Hire
Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength and reflexes, witchers are a distrusted counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live. Explore a Morally Indifferent Fantasy Open World
Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity. Chase Down the Child of Prophecy
Take on the most important contract to track down the child of prophecy, a key to save or destroy this world.

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, 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!

Speedgunner Ultra – November 29

Speedgunner Ultra mixes two different genres — platforming and shoot-em-up — by allowing you to switch between them as an armed cyborg with the ability to fire rockets, or reactive jet with the ability to dash and accelerate. Use your forms and abilities wisely to overcome the challenges and crush your enemies!

Soccer Story – November 29 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Available on day one with Game Pass: A physics-driven adventure RPG, where every problem can be solved with your trusty magic ball. Along the way, you’ll need to best bad guys in 1v1s, compete in a range of sports (with your soccer ball, of course), and solve puzzles with your brain and your balls!

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (PC) – November 30

Available on day one with PC Game Pass: Take back the city of Tertium from hordes of bloodthirsty foes in this intense and brutal action shooter. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is the new co-op focused experience from the award-winning team behind the Vermintide series. As Tertium falls, rejects will rise!

Megalan 11 – November 30 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Unlucky rescuers have only eleven days to get off a planet that has been abandoned by everyone. Their scientific expedition ship catches a SOS signal, but because of an unsuccessful landing, the rescue operation turns out to be a complete failure. Now you must find shelter and adapt to the harsh conditions of the red planet, and even though there are five people in the crew, you must rely only on yourself.

Warp Drive – December 1 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A fast-paced racing game with a brand-new way to drive: teleport! Go behind the wheel of a powerful Quad Rotor to test your creative driving abilities by racing on the ceiling, jumping huge canyons, and driving up waterfalls in an epic inverted racing battle! Drive smart, battle rivals, boost fast, and warp your way to victory!

Sword of the Vagrant – December 1

As Vivian, you will experience an exciting and challenging adventure focused on 2D action RPG combat gameplay that utilizes combo chains, charge attacks, and special skills, all while improving your character’s build through new equipment and abilities.

The Callisto Protocol – December 2 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Callisto Protocol is a next-gen take on survival horror from the mind of Glen Schofield (Dead Space, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare). Blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality with terrifying moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a pulse-pounding story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. Pre-order now to get the Retro Prisoner Character and Weapons Skin.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns – December 2 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

When the demonic Lilith and her fearsome horde unite with the evil armies of Hydra, it’s time to unleash Marvel’s dark side. As The Hunter, your mission is to lead an unlikely team of seasoned heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors to victory. Can legends such as Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Blade put aside their differences in the face of a growing apocalyptic threat? If you’re going to save the world, you’ll have to forge alliances and lead the team into battle as the legendary Midnight Suns.

Need for Speed Unbound – December 2

The world is your canvas in Need for Speed Unbound. Prove you have what it takes to win The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Across four intense weeks of racing, earn enough cash to enter weekly qualifiers, beat the competition, and make your mark on the street racing scene while outdriving and outsmarting the cops. This latest edition in the Need for Speed franchise from Criterion Games delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping action. Start playing three days early by picking up Need for Speed Unbound – Palace Edition.

The Knight

Beneath plated steel lies unspeakable horror. Dead by Daylight’s latest Killer, The Knight, is an expert tactician from a bygone age, who works alongside his three deadly Guards.

To effectively master this Killer, you must embrace a strategic approach, employ clever tactics to outwit Survivors, and overwhelm opponents with well-positioned Guards. While The Knight comes with 3 Character Perks – Nowhere to Hide, Hex: Face the Darkness, and Hubris – this guide is focused on his Power and how to use it.

A New Power

The Knight’s Power, Guardia Compagnia,allows players to create Patrol Paths for their three AI-controlled Guards to travel. Guards are summoned one by one in an unchanging cyclical rotation, with each one possessing a unique speciality. Once summoned, they will spot and chase down any nearby Survivor, alerting you to their presence.

While creating a Patrol Path, you can command them to destroy Breakable Walls and Pallets, or damage Generators. Once they finish their assignment, they will depart, and your Power will recharge.

Know Your Guards

The Knight can summon the help of his three loyal Guards, all of whom share his affinity for the hunt: The Carnifex, The Assassin, and The Jailer. The order they are summoned never changes, but each one has their own macabre speciality. To excel as The Knight, it is important that you familiarize yourself with each one so that you can use them effectively.

The Carnifex is the first, recognizable for his large stature, grotesque appearance, and massive cleaver. He specializes in quickly damaging Generators and breaking Pallets and Breakable Walls.

The Assassin is the second, recognizable for his bald head, leather armor, and jagged dagger. He specializes in the hunt, moving faster than his compatriots while patrolling. His speed makes him ideal for corralling Survivors into your path.

The Jailer is the third, recognizable for his jagged helmet, his plate armor, and his flail. This Guard is the most thorough, spending the longest on the patrol and searching hard for Survivors in his path.

It’s entirely possible that a high-speed Trial will have you sending out guards frequently, so don’t stress too much if you lose track at any point. You’ll be able to see which one is next in the cycle by checking out the glowing symbol beside your weapon, as each Guard has a specific one. The Jailer’s is a set of keys, the Assassin’s is a blade, and The Carnifex’s is a skeletal helmet.

Be a Commander

Decades of martial prowess has developed The Knight into a formidable warrior, capable of cutting down foes with ease. While his skill with the blade cannot be denied, his mind as a tactician is equally sharp. In fact, it’s a skillset you should hone as well, as The Knight’s main ability centres around multi-tasking and prediction.

Remember, you are not alone – your Guards are meant to work alongside you and should be positioned accordingly. They can cover ground in your absence, providing vital information and potentially confirming suspicions. You can also use them to corral Survivors into favourable territory – a zone without any big loops or Pallets, for instance – by planning your routes accordingly. It’s far more effective to intercept Survivors being chased by a Guard, rather than running alongside them down the same path.

Sometimes, you will know a Survivor’s exact location. During these moments, you can attempt to quickly injure that Survivor with your Guard. The trick is to end your Patrol Path directly in front of, or otherwise on top of the Survivor, so your Guard will spawn and immediately begin chase. If successful, you can follow up with an attack of your own and down a Survivor in seconds. This tactic can also prove effective while in a chase, provided you can keep track of a Survivor’s audio cues.

Delegate

While it’s beneficial to use your Guards to chase Survivors, it’s important to efficiently manage your time in a Trial. Sometimes, Survivors will use a specific strategy where they drop a Pallet early to either force you to destroy or ignore it and continue the chase on their terms. Luckily, your Guards can render this strategy ineffective, as you can use them to break a Pallet while you are actively chasing a Survivor – though you will slow down for a moment.

You won’t be able to use your Guard immediately after, so consider assigning a break action if you feel confident enough to end the chase. Sometimes, you will damage a Generator only for a nearby Survivor to emerge from their hiding spot and stop the regression. If you predict they will do that, you can use your Guard to double back and punish their stealthy tactics.

The Knight is a unique Killer in the roster, and should you take the time to understand how to use his abilities, you’ll be executing impressive plays in short order. The Knight is now available in Dead by Daylight: Forged In Fog on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Dead by Daylight

Behaviour Interactive Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆1296

★★★★★

$29.99 $11.99

Xbox Game Pass

Ever wished to play as one of the characters from your favorite horror movies? Dead by Daylight is a 1v4 multiplayer game that draws from all corners of the horror world from a powerful slasher to a terrifying paranormal entity. Choose between playing an unstoppable Killer and one of 4 Survivors trying to evade a gruesome death. Each character has their own deep progression system and plenty of unlockables that can be customized to fit your personal strategy. Work together to escape, or stalk and sacrifice every Survivor. This Edition of Dead by Daylight gives you access to a roster of 7 Killers (The Trapper, The Hillbilly, The Wraith, The Nurse, The Hag, The Huntress and The Doctor) and 9 Survivors (Meg Thomas, Claudette Morel, Jake Park, Dwight Fairfield, Ace Visconti, Nea Karlsson, Bill Overbeck, Feng Min and David King). It also includes two cosmetic add-ons packed with outfits for various characters.

Happy resurrection day, gunslingers! Today marks the worldwide release of Gungrave G.O.R.E and now players can experience the gore-tastic world created by Yasuhiro Nightow. In addition to its release today for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, we’re delighted to share with you the first reveal of the O.D. Grave Skin which is inspired by previous entries in the series. To learn more about the inclusion of O.D. Grave, I had a chance to sit down with Gungrave G.O.R.E. General Director Kay Kim to talk about the skin, the recently released game, and more. Enjoy!

Why include this original skin?

I believe that many fans will miss character designs from previous versions. That’s why we included skins from the past.

Did you have to change it in any way to make it fit for this style?

Since these are from the past, we didn’t want it to look too fancy, so we kept the old-school vibe. We sticked to the original design and made it look a bit aged purposely.

Was Yasuhiro Nightow involved in the modern day use?

Nightow-san participated in character design.

How did Yasuhiro Nightow react when he saw his creations on the latest gaming tech?

He likes the style of the game, not only the character style. He wanted more various action and gore-ness and I believe those elements are implemented well.

What is your favourite skin in the game, as there are a few like Death Ronin, Classic, and others.

The Brandon Heat skin appeared in the Gungrave series for the first time, and he has his own original motion and original demolition shot. I would say this is more of a character than a skin. For Death Ronin Grave, it will give you a unique vibe since Nakamura-san, who is an artist and a fan of Gungrave, did a reinterpretation of Grave in her way. Classic and O.D. skins bring nostalgia to many. It’s not just about Grave but memories of yourself back then, songs, movies, fashions, etc. that were hot during those days, remind me of those. Now that I said out, all skins look good to me.

As the game releases soon, have you a message for our readers?

Thank you for waiting for a long time. Gungrave G.O.R.E inherited all the pros from its previous versions while adding various system and large volume of numbers which made it the biggest in volume among all Gungrave series. I am hoping you enjoy the game so much we can make the next one in the future. If you want an explosive action game, please play it.

Thank you Kay Kim for taking the time to chat and share the reveal of O.D. Grave! We hope you’re looking forward to playing Gungrave G.O.R.E on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S as well as with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass today.

Gungrave G.O.R.E

Prime Matter

☆☆☆☆☆99

★★★★★

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Gungrave G.O.R.E is a stylish third-person action shooter by South-Korean Studio IGGYMOB in which you take on the role of Grave, a gunslinger of resurrection and badass anti-hero of your dreams, mowing down tons of enemies in a gory ballet of bullets. G.O.R.E
As the titular Gunslinger of Resurrection, you become the badass anti-hero of your dreams, an ultimate killing machine, brutalising your foes without mercy. Taking cover and retreating is not an option for Grave, he only ever goes full steam ahead, preferably right through his enemies. Style on your foes with gun-tastic stylish combat
Stylish third-person shooting meets close-range martial arts, creating seamlessly flowing action as you crush your enemies in a gory ballet of bullets. Utilise your unlimited ammo Cerberus pistols and your transformable EVO-coffin to unleash devastating combos in pursuit of maximum damage and style. Let there be Vengeance
Strap in for a wild ride, an epic & emotional story of vengeance, love and loyalty, with more than 12 hours of gameplay in the story mode, for Gungrave fans and newcomers alike. Enjoy the Scenery
Go on an epic adventure across South-East Asia, based on real-life locations with a dark, futuristic twist.

Switzerland is nice this time of year. The weather is crisp, but not cold, the valleys are full of lush greenery, and powerful railgun shots ripple across the hillside. Well, that’s the Swedish wilderness you can expect to see in Battlefield 2042 – Season 03: Escalation as it lands on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S starting from today, bringing with it a new specialist, map, weapons, and several quality-of-life improvements along with its availability with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate! Let’s dive into the details.

New Specialist

For you assault players, Zain looks to have everything you’re hoping for. Part of that is thanks to his XM370A airburst rifle that’s designed to clear enemies from cover. He also has some of the fastest health recharge rates in the game and can immediately recover health after taking out an enemy. All these features make him a prime candidate to be leading the charge on the battlefield.

New Map

Spearhead is inspired by the Swedish wilderness and contains two semi-automated facilities to engage in and around of. Inside you can expect to be exchanging gunfire while diving between high tech weaponry and mechanical parts designed for weather machines; outside you’ll navigate across rough terrain and in-between massive rock formations as you take the fight to the enemy.

New Weapons and Vehicle

Four new weapons make their mark in Season 03: Escalation…

• Rorsch MK-4 Railgun: Utilizing an electromagnetic force to launch projectiles at an absurd velocity, the railgun features an underbarrel system with multiple firing modes and is sure to be one the most powerful tools on the field of battle — for those who can master its charging time.
• NVK-S22 Smart Shotgun: A dual-barreled, semi-automatic weapon that provides potent destructive power in a compact package.
• NVK-P125 Bullpup Pistol: Its long barrel makes it ideal for engaging foes at long distances with high precision.
• Throwing Knives: Take enemies out quickly and quietly with this classic Battlefield weapon.

Oh, and there’s a new tank…

• EMKV90-TOR Tank: Featuring cutting-edge tech, the EMKV90-TOR can detect the source of incoming attacks within a certain range and displays them in your HUD. It’s also capable of shifting into two modes:
  • Mobility: Throttle up and speed across the battlefield and unleash destruction along the way.
  • Siege: Bring the pain as you slow the tank to a crawl, allowing for greater suspension and a faster firing speed with your turret.

Reworked Maps and Specialists

Revised versions of Manifest and Breakaway will debut during Season 03; the new Manifest map is deploying in December and Breakaway will arrive at some time in January. Specialists will also move into Battlefield’s Class system, bringing with it class equipment and a class gadget. Other changes will be in store as well, like Irish moving to support and Crawford to engineer. There will be other changes coming throughout the season as well as into Season 04. Stay tuned to Battlefield’s official site for the latest news.

New Battle Pass

The Season 03 Battle Pass features 100 tiers of free and premium content for players to unlock, like the new specialist, weapons, gadgets, and more. Note: All gameplay-affecting items in Battlefield 2042 are free and earnable for all players.

Play Now with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

EA Play members with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can now dive in and start playing Battlefield 2042 today! As detailed in last week’s Xbox Wire feature, EA Play members can also suit up with the Aurora Epic Soldier Set, an epic-rarity set for specialist (and veteran combat surgeon) Falck from now until December 1. Log in today and claim your rewards!

And that’s everything for Battlefield 2042 – Season 03: Escalation! Check it out today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. As always, keep it tuned here to Xbox Wire for all the latest and greatest news on your favorite games.

Battlefield™ 2042 Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆2428

★★★★★

$69.99 $27.99

Buy the Battlefield™ 2042 cross-gen bundle and get both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions. Battlefield™ 2042 is a first-person shooter that marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. In a near-future world transformed by disorder, adapt and overcome dynamically-changing battlegrounds with the help of your squad and a cutting-edge arsenal. Call the shots with Battlefield™ 2042 – Season 3: Escalation. Come face to face with the enemy in the northern Swedish wilderness and dominate ground warfare with new technological weaponry, the EMKV90-TOR railgun tank, and Vault weapons. Deploy as new Specialist Zain and flush out enemies with his XM370A semi-automatic airburst rifle. Things are going to escalate quickly. With support for 128 players on Xbox Series X|S, and for 64 players on Xbox One, Battlefield™ 2042 brings unprecedented scale on vast battlegrounds. Players will take on several experiences comprising elevated versions of Conquest and Breakthrough, Battlefield™ Portal; a new community-driven platform where players can create, share and discover unexpected battles from Battlefield’s iconic past, present and future, and Battlefield™ Hazard Zone; a tense, squad-focused survival experience where every bullet, every skirmish, and every decision counts. This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items. CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE https://www.ea.com/games/battlefield/battlefield-2042/disclaimers FOR DETAILS. NO WEAPON, MILITARY VEHICLE OR GEAR MANUFACTURER IS AFFILIATED WITH OR HAS SPONSORED OR ENDORSED THIS GAME.

If you enjoy copper foliage and crisp breezes, then do yourself a favor and check out the scenery in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis during the month of November! Central City is bedecked in Autumn finery, and you can almost hear the leaves crunching underfoot. These aren’t the only changes to the landscape of Aelio; you can now find Greenealcite and other new Gathering Materials throughout the regions. Make sure you get in on a run of the Limited-time Quest Practice Drill: Crisp Autumn Aelio Defense too! To find out more about this event, check out the outline below!

Autumn Event ’22 Part 2 (begins November 11-16)

• Limited-time Quest Practice Drill: Crisp Autumn Aelio Defense
• Field Races
  • South Retem
  • West Kvaris
• New Limited-time Tasks
• King Captan
• Seasonal enemies
• Autumn ’22 Rappy
• Seasonal maps and weather
• Seasonal Points and Event Exchange Shop
• Special Event Scratch Tickets
• Seasonal Event World Trials
• And more!

If you’ve never played Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, find out what kind of ARKS Defender you’ll be by visiting the Xbox Store and downloading the game for free on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S today!

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis

SEGA Corporation

☆☆☆☆☆752

★★★★★

Xbox One X Enhanced

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, the latest chapter in the Phantasy Star Online 2 series, is here at last!
It’s time to jump into adventures beyond imagination! This new adventure takes place on a vast open field! Up to 32 people can enjoy the adventure in a new world with beautifully-evolved graphics! The simple and intuitive controls developed in the series up to now have also evolved! A new dimension of battle with a variety of powerful enemies awaits! The new actions Photon Dash and Photon Glide allow you to traverse across the vast open field with ease! Of course, the ultimate in character creation has also evolved. Create your own main character that will be unique throughout the world, and head out to a new adventure! ・The core game is Free-to-Play, but there is certain paid content that can be purchased. ・The Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis game that can be downloaded with this content is the same as that included in other editions. You do not have to download this if it is already installed. ・Proceeding with play in Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis will allow you to play Phantasy Star Online 2. ・Please log in with an administrator account to play this game.

Ship of Fools is an exciting and chaotic multiplayer experience that follows a shoal of adorable characters as they set sail and try to survive The Everlasting Storm and prevent the impending Aquapocalypse. It’s a must have game for friends and families looking to cast off into the roguelike genre, so grab a second player (either on the couch or on the other side of the world) and ride the stormy seas, but be warned that Ship of Fools will put any friendship and relationship to the test!

Ship of Fools is a seafaring roguelite co-op game where you play the Fools, the only creatures foolhardy enough to brave the seas around their home, the Archipelago. At its heart is The Great Lighthouse, which once protected the Archipelago but now is broken… just as a storm of malice and corruption is coming on the horizon.

The bombastic co-op combat will leave you needing to take breathers in between runs and shouting at loved ones when they accidentally throw your only good ammo off the side. While chaos reigns on deck there are more tactical choices to be made: When the Fools’ enemies are vanquished at the end of each zone, make your choice and continue charting a course through the storm. Taking inspiration from games like Faster Than Light, sail straight into danger and plunder as much loot as possible before hitting the stormy unknown.

While playing Ship of Fools, the music transports you to the inky blue waters of the Archipelago, with a main theme heavily inspired by sea shanties that further echo the co-op gameplay. Each level is one big music track that adapts and changes, building up to a wave-crashing crescendo of panic throughout the most action-packed parts. The soundtrack formed the basis for the incredible sea shanty written by the developers and composed by The Longest Johns, which is featured on the official Ship of Fools launch trailer.

Sure, stopping the Aquapocalypse is a scary prospect, but that doesn’t mean Ship of Fools is terrifying to behold! In fact, the game was in pre-production for an extended time to ensure the developers honed a unique art style that carefully walks the plank between cute and weird (which they’ve definitely achieved!) Doing away with graphical fakery, the team also used 2D sprites and animated them as 3D meshes, allowing them to use the Z axis in engine; additionally, some of Ship of Fools’ game mechanics were designed around the art direction to ensure the fun experience of taking on the great leviathans of the deeps looks as good as it plays!

So, are you fool enough to brave the storm-ridden Archipelago, hold back The Everlasting Storm, and prevent the oncoming Aquapocalypse? Check out Ship of Fools on Xbox Series X|S today.

Ship of Fools

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99 $13.49

Ship of Fools is a seafaring roguelite co-op game where you play the Fools, the only creatures fool enough to brave the sea. The Great Lighthouse that once protected the Archipelago is broken and a storm of malice and corruption is coming. Together, you and your ship mates will jump aboard The Stormstrider and make your voyage across the sea. Man the cannons, ready your sails and protect your ship from sea monsters over multiple runs. It’s up to you to defend your home from the almighty Aquapocalypse. In a nutshell, Ship of Fools is a game about blasting away your seaborne foes with mighty cannons as you defend your ship. Inspired by modern classic roguelites and built for co-op, you’ll want to bring your first mate on deck and enjoy oarsome combat as you unlock new trinkets and artifacts to help you save the world from catastrophe. Uncover lost treasures and remote shops on the islands of the Archipelago, but plan your moves carefully! As you chart your way through the sector, the Everlasting Storm shifts and changes, blocking your paths with its fury. You’ll need to adjust your course in reaction to storm movements and decide when you can brave a trip to discover what lurks inside the storm. Man your ship as a solo sailor and fight your way through dangerous waters and keep the glory for yourself, Ship of Fools offers solo play as well as multiplayer. As they sing in old sailor songs: it’s sometimes better to have no crew than a dysfunctional one! With many Fools to play with, unique items to find and unlock, combat encounters to fight in and many islands to visit, each run will bring something new to your voyage. Bolster your strength each time, ready to defeat the monsters of the deep sea. Key Features
Frantic nautical combat as two shipmates in co-op or as a solo sailor Colossal leviathans to challenge the hardiest of sailors
Chart your route through the maps of the Archipelago and brave the Everlasting Storm
Embody one of the unique Fools with special abilities to help you on your journey
100+ trinkets and artifacts to collect and combo for winning strategies
Swashbuckling hand-drawn artwork to put the wind in your sails

In this season of Fall Guys, explore a lost city under the sea! These crumbling courses are in need of repair, so get ready to dodge the dangers of the deep, including wonky obstacles and the tentacles of a mighty kraken! The city’s former inhabitants also built colossal slime slides, so take a leap for a quick but perilous slip to the finish line…

Contestants seeking extra rewards for their efforts can also earn two full costume variations via new Marathon Challenges, so grab a tropical floaty and dive into this season of secrets!

We’re Drowning in Rounds!

You’ll be under pressure in the seabound world of Sunken Secrets. Dodge Kraken tentacles and pull off the ultimate Dive Slide in our five new Rounds. From Blastlantis to Kraken Slam, you’ll be dodging through obstacles amongst calamari calamity in order to take the Crown!

Sea-Son Pass

You Xbox gamers are no joke, working hard to unlock rewards like it’s nobody’s business! With a new season, comes a brand-new Season Pass, packed to the brim with oceanic goodies.

For anyone who doesn’t grab the Season Pass: worry not! There will continue to be a free progression path available for you to get fun unlockables as well.

Let’s Get Kraken!

To kick off this new nautical season, we bring you the Let’s Get Kraken Event! Exploring the Lost City might be a dangerous adventure, what with a Kraken lurking in the ruins… But it’s worth taking on the challenge. Playing the new Rounds will deliver some delightful rewards, including a very fancy Ancient Alloy Anchor Wearable!

To keep up with all things Fall Guys, including updates on store items, collaborations and Limited Time events, check out our official Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.. Never stumble alone and join the shenanigans on the official Fall Guys Discord.

Dive into the Blunderdome, we’ll see you there!

Fall Guys

Epic Games

☆☆☆☆☆999

★★★★★

You’re invited to dive and dodge your way to victory in the pantheon of clumsy. Rookie or pro? Solo or partied up? Fall Guys delivers ever-evolving, high-concentrated hilarity and fun. The only thing more important than winning is looking as ridiculous as possible while doing it. Grab the silliest costume you can and fall in line—the show’s about to start! Competitive & Cooperative: Tumble between competitive free-for-alls and cooperative challenges—or take on the Blunderdome with up to 3 friends! Play with Friends: Fall Guys supports cross-play, cross-platform parties and cross-progression via your Epic Games Account. Ever-Evolving Content: Play stays fresh with Limited Time Events and new game modes. Each Season brings with it new costumes, collabs, obstacles and ways to play. Gloriously Customizable: Choose from a multitude of Colors, Patterns, Costumes and Nameplates. Relish wins with voguish Celebrations and share your flair with Emotes! Items shown may require separate purchase from the in-game store and are subject to availability. Contains in-game purchases.

Hi everyone, I’m Tomasz from Flying Wild Hog, Lead Producer on Evil West, our weird west, third-person, action combat adventure game now available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Today, I’d like to dive into the unique world we’ve created for Evil West, and tell you about what inspired the mood, environments, and art in our gothic horror, spaghetti western joyride.

Weird West is quite a niche genre in games, so we were really excited about all the unexplored territory here. We’ve been inspired by works which take established tropes and put very interesting spins on them. Take Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy” comic for example, which takes gothic elements and makes them lighter with a laid-back main character.

Brian Azzarello’s “Moonshine” comic does a similar thing, mixing vampire tropes with real history to great effect. Another great example is Netflix’s “Castlevania” series, where the monster hunter profession is cast in a different light by very human and vulnerable characters.

In Evil West, we uproot European vampires and plant them in the old American West. Once we did that, so much of the world grew naturally, and we just had to follow the weeds of our creative guts taking us into beautiful, dark, and unexpected places. The vampires in Evil West have discovered a new and dangerous power, and now the wild west must progress or perish. The response is the lightning-powered gauntlet, developed by the vampire-hunting Rentier Institute, a tool both brutal and elegant.

The gauntlet fit perfectly both in terms of setting and gameplay; the vampire hunters got something new against the growing threat, and now we had an awesome lightning-powered melee-centric weapon to create combo-based, fast-paced combat with a spectacular, gory presentation. Plus all the guns, of course, can’t forget about the guns! Shotgun, rifle, and flamethrower, to name a few.

The Wild West means more than just the traditional rocky deserts and canyons though. In our weirder Wild West, the sunset paints the landscape blood red and stretching shadows mingle with crawling monstrosities. Gaunt figures perform dark rituals in abandoned shacks while creatures from folklore stalk the twilight.

We have a wide variety of iconic Wild West-inspired locations that have been twisted with dark horror: from trains to banks, desert towns to snowy mountains, and beyond that, gaping subterranean tombs, smoke-choked industrial factories, and more.

It was also important for us to ramp up the stakes and scale of the locations as you progress, with some really mind-blowing stages for the grand finale. The dusty desert border town is a great place for us to start, but even this location has been twisted to some degree.

To achieve the mood we wanted in terms of art direction, we did a lot of bending of reality. We want it to be familiar enough to recognize, but with something that still feels different. For example, to create a more gothic, twisted mood for our wild west towns, we added one or two extra floors to most of the buildings, along with more balconies and stairways. It makes the buildings seem to loom over you, while still resembling the traditional western frontier towns you’ve seen in your favorite movies.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this dip into the world of Evil West, and what inspired it. The whole team has worked super hard on nailing the game’s feel and style. I can’t wait for you all to punch your first vampire in half. It’s going to be one hell of a ride!

Evil West is developed by Flying Wild Hog and published by Focus Entertainment. It’s now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Evil West

Focus Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆54

★★★★★

Evil never sleeps… but it bleeds. A dark menace consumes the American frontier. As one of the last agents in a top secret vampire-hunting institute, you are the final line between humanity and a deep-rooted terror that now emerges from the shadows. Rise up to become a Wild West Superhero, eradicate the vampire threat and save the United States! In visceral, explosive combat, unleash hell with your firearms, lightning-fueled gauntlet and gadgets. Kill bloodthirsty monstrosities in style as a lone hunter or in co-op with a friend. Explore and fight in a narrative-driven campaign while upgrading your weapons and hunting tools. Unlock new perks to evolve your monster-slaying mastery, crafting your own playstyle to defeat the supernatural hordes. • Battle alone or with a friend in stylish, gory action combat
• Myths and legends retold within a stylised, weird wild west universe
• Evolve with perks, upgradable weapons, and tools
• Explore and fight through a story-driven campaign to save America