Embark on Dead by Daylight‘s new Chapter Doomed Course, which introduces a new Killer – The Houndmaster, and a new Survivor – Taurie Cain. Beyond the arrival of these characters, Doomed Course delves deeper into the dark and mysterious lore of Dead by Daylight, expanding on the connection between our world and The Entity’s Realms.
We’ve got you covered with a deep dive into each character’s backstory, detailing how one of the most brutal and merciless Killers and one of the morally darkest Survivors ultimately wound up in The Fog.
Merciless As The Sea
Before she became The Houndmaster, Portia Maye had a chance at an ordinary life. Warmed by her father’s love and fueled by the promise of adventure, her early years were largely spent at sea. Unfortunately, the course of her life was forever altered when the depraved pirate Mad Molak set upon her father’s vessel Nightsdream and slaughtered nearly all aboard.
Kept alive as a celestial navigator, Portia descended into darkness, allured by the siren’s song of cold revenge. It was there she altered the course of her life, steering her father’s ship into the dreaded Dragon’s Tooth and plunging her tormentors into the depths. By some stroke of fortune – or perhaps the opposite – she emerged as the lone survivor. That is, until she came across her loyal puppy Snug.
It’s interesting to consider that Portia, at one point in time, represented the quintessential survivor. Not only did she survive the harrowing slaughter of the Nightsdream massacre, but she also survived years marooned on the Dragon’s Tooth. Alas, every waking thought revolved around revenge, and her bloodlust burned hotter with each passing year.
It didn’t help that the Dragon’s Tooth, unbeknownst to Portia, was a Bleed – an otherworldly intersection between Realms. Think of Bleeds like melding colors on a palette, as elements from two dimensions converge into one.
“That’s the one thing about entering a Bleed,” explains Lead Narrative Director Jessi Thind. “If it doesn’t kill you, it drives you mad.”
Her descent into madness ran concurrent to her mastery of violence, culminating in a Killer whose merciless nature surpassed Molak himself. By the time she tracked him down and enacted her vengeance, her role in The Entity’s realm was long cemented.
Before long, the only remaining vestige of her humanity was tethered to Snug, her lone companion and relentless protector; their bond is expressed in The Houndmaster’s Power, which utilizes Snug’s ability to track and grab hold of Survivors.
For The Black Talon
Raised as a member of the Black Talon organization – a subsect of the nefarious Black Vale, Taurie Cain spent her life seeking to uncover The Entity’s secrets. Upon discovering a Bleed, Taurie’s parents ventured within to further their research. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, the worst of which was averted after Taurie entered the Bleed after them.
From that moment on, Taurie pledged her devotion to the malevolent cause, quickly rising through the Black Talon’s ranks. While some Survivors like Haddie Kaur and Elodie Rakoto have crossed paths with the Black Vale’s disciples, Taurie seemed to seek out the darkness, believing The Entity to be the key to transcending mortal existence.
“Having grown up as a member of the Black Talon, Taurie genuinely believes her actions to be for the betterment of humanity,” explains Thind. “However, as she rose through the ranks, things got darker and darker. Eventually, Taurie reached a point of no return and had to make a life-altering decision.”
Her journey led her to a pivotal moment. Tasked with the ritualistic killing of a man named Jordan Rois – stepbrother of Survivor Haddie Kaur and constant thorn in the Talon’s side – Taurie raised her knife for the plunging strike. And yet, she faltered. A crucial decision, and one of the last ones made before her arrival to The Fog.
It was there she would discover that everything she believed was true. Her jubilation quickly turned to horror when she realized that all her years of devotion had led to a perpetual cycle of pain and suffering. Though such a revelation might shatter a lesser will, Taurie remained steadfast in her belief that her true purpose has yet to be defined.
“Her devotion to the Vale may actually prove beneficial in The Fog, as she maintains belief everything is part of the plan,” continues Thind. “Taurie is determined to continue along the path until The Entity finally recognizes her as a disciple – a Killer.”
It raises an interesting question – why did The Entity bring Taurie into its Realm as a Survivor in the first place?
“For reasons yet to be understood, The Entity feeds on emotions,” explains Thind. “We can interpret that The Entity took Taurie for a reason, and perhaps it sensed a benefit to having one person who simply won’t get along with many of her fellow Survivors. Taurie doesn’t understand why she’s trapped with people who never believed in the first place, and that naturally builds resentment. There’s conflict there – anger, confusion, and mistrust – and that’s something The Entity would feed off.”
Despite whatever conflict may arise, Taurie will do what she must to thrive in her new environment. Her Perks emphasize quickly breaking away from teammates and drawing the Killer’s attention, gritting her teeth through pain and using it to her advantage.
It’s curious that Portia and Taurie both spent time in the Bleeds, with the latter proving largely unaffected. Perhaps under different circumstances, their roles within The Entity’s Realm might have been reversed. However, once a course is set, deviation is not an option – especially when the destination is shrouded in Fog…
Embark on Dead by Daylight’s Doomed Course, featuring The Houndmaster and Taurie Cain, available today in the Xbox Store.
Dead by Daylight
Behaviour Interactive Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆2911
★★★★★
$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.
Ravenswatch, a new action-roguelike, is out today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Learn how we choose which heroes to include in our game.
2 characters that must be played together will be added in early 2025.
Fallen heroes, you are on the verge of a crucial battle against the Nightmares invading and corrupting your world! Today, we will talk about the fallen heroes of the Ravenswatch – and we even have some news about new, free heroes coming to the game soon.
In Ravenswatch, you play as heroes inspired by old folk tales and legends, from Little Red Riding Hood to Sun Wukong. In each play session, you’ll embody these charismatic heroes and reveal their stories, run after run. You’ll explore open maps inspired by enchanted forests, One Thousand and One Nights, and Arthurian legend, filled with activities and dark foes. And along the way, help the inhabitants of the world of Reverie you come across! The Three Little Pigs need extra hands to build their houses, while Sinbad the Sailor finds himself in a tough spot and might need rescuing. Complete their quests to earn valuable rewards that will aid you in future battles.
Available to play solo or with up to 4 players in co-op, this action-roguelike game is out today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!
Meet the Ravenswatch
In Ravenswatch, players step into the shoes of fallen heroes drawn from timeless tales and legends, reimagined with a dark and devilish twist. Take Scarlet, our cursed version of Red Riding Hood, who transforms into a big bad wolf at night to hunt the Nightmares; or the Pied Piper, a musical tactician who commands swarms of rats in battle. From Beowulf wielding his mighty sword alongside his baby wyrm to Mélusine unleashing devastating magic water wisps, every hero offers a unique way to confront the Nightmares threatening Reverie!
At the start of your experience, you’ll have a choice between Scarlet, The Pied Piper, Beowulf, and Snow Queen. But nine playable characters are available in total! Unlock them during your adventures and learn about the rest of the team. Some secrets are best uncovered in the heat of a battle!
Who’s Fit for the Ravenswatch?
When choosing a new hero, we must be careful and select a character who will fit in with the rest of the cast. Heroes are the cornerstone of the game’s design and are the most essential part of the core gameplay.
In our approach, each playable character must be unique in how they are played, their physical appearance, and their personality. That’s why we have set imperatives to meet before considering adding a new hero to the Ravenswatch. Here are our four pillars:
Gameplay-oriented: First and foremost, the goal with each of our heroes is to create a unique feeling when playing them. Whether ranged, melee or an atypical gameplay style, no hero plays the same. When adding new characters to the cast, they must always bring something new and fresh to the table.
Worldwide notoriety: We are keen to add Heroes inspired by tales and legends from all over the world, but one of our imperatives is that they must be famous on a global scale. From our perspective, players will be more excited by a familiar figure than an unknown one. Additionally, we need to make it credible that they exist in the same universe. That’s why we tend to avoid stories that are too ancient, or too modern, with advanced technology.
Exciting backstory: The essence of what the tales tell is a wonderful source of inspiration for character and gameplay design. We often use defining moments of a story (such as Grandma being eaten by a Wolf) or a specific object (like Aladdin’s genie lamp) as the starting point when creating a new Ravenswatch hero. Twisting the original tale is what makes rediscovering a character so exciting.
Family photo: We love to see the cast posing next to each other, and there’s no greater feeling than to see the “family photo” of your creation in the end. Having a varied, diverse, and eclectic group of heroes is a priority!
Much More to Come
More updates are planned for Ravenswatch; you can learn more about our plans for the future on Twitter and Discord!
Oh, and one last thing! Our first DLC will be free for everyone to enjoy, and will bring an inseparable duo into the ranks of the Ravenswatch! These two new heroes have distinct abilities and synergies. They’re also never one without the other, and will need to be played together in co-op to succeed! But that’s all we’re saying for now…
So what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and join the Ravenswatch today!
On November 30, a custom Juice WRLD-themed Fortnite Island, “Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends” launches, featuring unreleased music, iconic tracks, and Xbox Lounges.
Xbox will release two Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers.
Xbox will also host a live Fortnite tournament during the final Juice WRLD Day at Chicago’s United Center.
In celebration of the upcoming release of The Party Never Ends, Juice WRLD’s highly anticipated final, posthumous album dropping on November 29, Xbox is partnering with Interscope, Grade A, and Life Free 999 to launch a custom in-game Island – “Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends” – inspired by the artist. Fans can dive into this unique experience starting November 30, 2024. Please note: this is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Epic Games, Inc.
This Island features an epic tower-climbing race set amid stunning landscapes of lush mountains, serene lakes, and open fields. Along the way, players will be able to chill at Xbox Lounges, where they’ll hear a snippet of an unreleased Juice WRLD track alongside fan-favorite hits like “Lucid Dreams,” “Wishing Well,” and “Robbery.” Juice-related imagery and collectibles are woven throughout the experience, ensuring fans feel truly immersed in his world.
Xbox will also launch Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers, available to order starting today. These custom designs honor Juice WRLD’s bold style and love for gaming, giving fans a unique way to incorporate his influence into their gaming setups. You can order them here.
The celebration doesn’t stop there—on November 30, Xbox will host a live, in-person Fortnite tournament during the fourth annual and final Juice WRLD Day at Chicago’s United Center. Local students will compete in the custom Island finale, adding excitement to a day filled with an exclusive listening experience, surprise performances, and more. It’s a tribute fans won’t want to miss!
The holiday season is upon us, and the ID@Xbox team is thrilled to showcase this month’s picks for Indie Selects. But first, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for supporting independent games on Xbox over the past year. Indie Selects is our special platform to celebrate the incredibly weird and unique. Someone’s perfect game isn’t necessarily a massive blockbuster IP, but may be a polished and emotionally resonant story, a brand new spin on an existing idea, or just something truly unusual. Thank you for checking out our recommendations and supporting amazing game creators on our platform.
Secondly, instead of giving you a one-week December Selects collection, we decided to build out 3 weeks’ worth of 2024 Indie Select Highlights. Each week, starting December 11, we’ll be highlighting and promoting 18 of our favorite titles that launched this last year. Be sure to check out the Indie Selects section in the Xbox Store (head to the Games Home tab and a few rows down) every Wednesday for more must-have indies.
Finally, on January 28, 2025, we will celebrate the one-year anniversary of this program with a 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will pick six top Indie Selects from the previous year that we believe are absolute must-haves and place them in this prestigious shrine for all to witness. We have more surprises, new sales, and new collections planned for 2025, but for now, let’s focus on the present.
This month is stuffed. There were so many titles to choose from that truly pushed the envelope in terms of unique design, mysterious mechanics, dramatic storytelling, and the art of fun. We all made some strong cases for what we wanted to champion. Some of us were still in our October bag and needed something terrifying to get the heart pumping. A lot of us, understandably, wanted to build a bond with a giant wolf that we could ride on to our next adventure. Several of us wanted to get lost in something: a mysterious world, impossible choices, or maybe just our own creativity. We ended up with a list that thankfully kept everyone happy here and we’re sure that there’s something here that you won’t soon forget. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
I don’t know if any of you are looking for more reasons to get emotional, but Neva will hit you right in the feels. I played through last weekend and found myself in awe of its beautiful presentation, visual splendor, and haunting soundtrack. I was also reduced to tears on occasion. It’s an incredibly moving piece of software that also happens to be quite fun and compelling to play.
This follow-up to the gorgeous and emotionally charged Gris from Nomada Studio shows a studio honing in on their craft. Gris was an impactful work of art; Neva takes that core formula and adds satisfying yet simple platforming and combat to the mix. The game is only about 5 hours from start to finish but those hours will make you reflect inwardly and touch your heart in ways that are rare for games. If the combat scenarios get a bit tricky for you, the game offers a “Story Mode” difficulty that removes the health bar entirely and allows you to play without the fear of dying.
Neva
Devolver Digital
☆☆☆☆☆104
★★★★★
$19.99
Neva is an emotionally-charged action adventure from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed GRIS. Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them. Over time, their relationship will evolve as they learn to work together, helping one another to brave increasingly dangerous situations. The wolf will grow from a rebellious cub to an imposing adult seeking to forge his own identity, testing Alba’s love and their commitment to one another. As the cursed world threatens to overwhelm them, Alba and her courageous companion will do whatever it takes to survive and make a new home, together.
Animal Well is an illusive, beautiful, 2D pixel art Metroidvania full of abstract puzzles in haunting, living environments. You play as a squishy little blob in a dark and wet world that offers up its own interpretive language on how to proceed beyond to the next area. As you progress through new areas, you’ll gain access to more routes as you find mysterious tools and understand their mechanics. The creatures populating the well create an interesting dynamic as you discover their purpose. Some animals are essential to solving complex problems and because there’s no real combat, other animals often must be cleverly avoided which in-and-of-itself can be its own puzzle. Even as you traverse area after area, the game is packed with so much to do and so many more secrets to find – well after the “ending”.
This is one of those special games that leaves an imprint. It took me some time to nail down what exactly it was that gave me goosebumps during each minute of my playthrough. Finally, it hit me. Your tiny, bright little blob, though very alive and cute, isn’t really the main character: The environment is! There are so many small moments and interactions with the environment that are so wonderfully satisfying, and they just keep happening one after the other. Delving into the deepest mysteries of the environment felt like I was asking the developer directly, “What were you trying to do here?” At some point, my goals for what I wanted to get out of the game shifted as I uncovered more and more secrets and felt rewarded for examining every pixel shift. If you relish finding everything in a game without looking for help online, prepare to put your skills to the test and enjoy the ride.
ANIMAL WELL
Bigmode
☆☆☆☆☆99
★★★★★
$24.99
Hatch from your flower and spelunk through the beautiful and sometimes haunting world of Animal Well, a pixelated wonder rendered in intricate audio and visual detail. Encounter lively creatures small and large, helpful and ominous as you discover unconventional upgrades and unravel the well’s secrets. This is a truly unique experience that can make you laugh in fear, surprise, or delight.
Planet Coaster 2 is gratifying for anyone who loves theme park and strategy simulations. As someone who loves both strategy and creativity, this game hits me in all the right ways. From the beginning, you enter a very vibrant world with spectacular visuals. The in-game characters are great at guiding you through the UI, tasks, and management of the park. There are so many possibilities on how you can design and build your dream theme park –and I can spend hours doing this! The coaster builder is very intuitive and allows for lots of creativity, letting you craft rides that are as crazy and wild as your heart desires. The management aspect pulls you right back to reality as a park owner, as you need to balance staff, finances, and guest satisfaction to keep everything running smoothly.
Being able to share your creation with other players – and being able to download theirs – adds another level of collaboration and fun to the community. It’s astonishing to see just how creative others can be! And even better than that, you can incorporate their vision into your own park. Whether you’ve spent endless hours managing parks before or new to the genre, Planet Coaster 2 provides the perfect mix of community, strategy, and creativity!
Planet Coaster 2
Frontier Developments
☆☆☆☆☆192
★★★★★
$49.99
Create a splash with Planet Coaster 2 – sequel to the world’s best coaster park simulator! Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. Dive in now! EMBRACE CREATIVITY Expand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. It’s never been easier to bring your dream park to life. Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before! Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember. Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes. Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity. MASTER MANAGEMENT Find the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. Take care: Provide for your guests’ health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool. Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new ‘heat maps’ feature lets you understand the wider park’s needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park. SHARE THE RIDE Create together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save! Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards! Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand – explore their worlds in first person as a park guest! Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in other’s creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online.
Phasmophobia is a truly engaging horror experience in which you need to figure out what kind of ghost is haunting the locations you are investigating by using various ghost detecting tools. Each type of ghost creates specific supernatural phenomena that you need to identify and to puzzle out in your journal. If you get the correct ghost type, you win.
The secret sauce is in the experience you have while searching for the clues. The game masterfully uses classical horror cues like sound or light to create the feeling of a haunted house, reacting to your actions and making you always fear for your life. As you cannot really fight back, your only option is to get things done as quickly as possible while avoiding the danger.
Finally, the game is a great one to play with a few friends. Nothing beats hearing your friends screaming in your voice chat that they are about to die and the silence afterwards. That’s both the funniest part of the game – as well as the scariest.
Phasmophobia (Game Preview)
Kinetic Games
☆☆☆☆☆568
★★★★★
$19.99
Free Trial
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. INVESTIGATE
Immersive Experience: Realistic graphics and sounds as well as a minimal user interface ensure a totally immersive experience that will keep you on your toes.
Unique Ghosts: Identify over 20 different ghost types, each with unique traits, personalities, and abilities to make each investigation feel different from the last.
Equipment: Use well-known ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF Readers, Spirit Boxes, Thermometers, and Night Vision Cameras to find clues and gather as much paranormal evidence as you can. Find Cursed Possessions that grant information or abilities in exchange for your sanity. PLAY YOUR WAY
Locations: Choose from over 10 different haunted locations, each with unique twists, hiding spots, and layouts.
Game Modes: With 5 default difficulties and daily and weekly challenges, there are plenty of ways to test your skills.
Teamwork: Dive in head first, get your hands dirty searching for evidence while fighting for your life. If you’re not feeling up to the task, play it safe and support your team from the truck by monitoring the investigation with CCTV and motion sensors.
Custom Difficulty: Create your own games to tailor the difficulty to your or your group’s needs, with proportional rewards and come up with crazy game modes of your own! MULTIPLAYER
Co-operate: Play alongside your friends with up to 4 players in this co-op horror where teamwork is key to your success.
Play together: Phasmophobia supports all players together, play with your friends with any combination of input types.
Cross-play: Play alongside your friends on other platforms. Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://kineticgames.co.uk/.
Fear the Spotlight is a retro, ’90s-inspired horror game focused on puzzle solving, gripping story, and avoiding detection. Vivian and Amy sneak into their school at night for a séance which, of course, goes horribly wrong and Amy disappears. Now Vivian must search the school for her friend and uncover the mystery of the school’s past.
During the search you’ll be stalked by a monster – more specifically, a man with a spotlight for a head. There’s no combat, so you’ll need to avoid detection at all costs while you explore and solve puzzles which allow you acquire key items to progress further. This isn’t the type of horror game that is full of heart-pounding jump scares, but a slow build of creeping, uneasy, tension that adds to a great narrative experience.
Fear the Spotlight
Blumhouse Games
☆☆☆☆☆39
★★★★★
$19.99
Fear the Spotlight is an atmospheric third-person horror adventure with a disturbing mystery to unravel. Sneak into school after hours with Vivian and Amy, survive a séance gone wrong, solve tactile puzzles, and, whatever you do, stay out of the spotlight… Sunnyside High has a dark history. When Vivian enters the deserted corridors for a seance with the rebellious Amy, she suddenly ends up alone, and at the mercy of the monster who wanders the halls. Vivian must avoid its gaze, find her friend, and uncover the disturbing, murderous truth of a decades old tragedy. Fear the Spotlight is a creepy love letter to classic 90s horror experiences with a focus of rich storytelling, puzzle solving, and a tense atmosphere. This is a perfect narrative horror game for those new to the genre. ESCAPE THE NIGHTMARE The séance went terribly wrong. Amy has disappeared, and the school has transformed into a nightmarish version of its former self. Play as Vivian to uncover a dark hidden past while attempting to save both you and your friend DELIGHTFULLY HORRIFYING GAMEPLAY * Sneak to avoid detection from an unknown entity in tense hand-crafted stealth moments as Vivian explores the ominous darkness of the school corridors * Solve highly tactile puzzles that pay homage to classic genre favorites while evolving gameplay to satisfy modern horror fans * Explore the eerie setting of a derelict Sunnyside High with a flashlight, screwdriver, wrench, and more to uncover a web of mysteries 1990s ATMOSPHERIC DREAD Explore the hellish version of Sunnyside High as Vivian in this ode to classic 90’s teen horror. A retro art style, tense audio design, and a nostalgic setting will delight both veteran fans and those new to the horror genre AN EXPANDED STORY Dive even deeper into the dark world of Fear the Spotlight with an extensive additional storyline Fear the Spotlight is the first title to be published by Blumhouse Games, a video games label within Blumhouse Productions focused on championing the most creative and unique takes on the horror genre.
This is a love story. Right? Slay the Princess is a visual novel… but more like a choose your own adventure with the goal to slay the princess. But why? That’s what you need to find out by exploring several dozen prompts from the voice of a “narrator”, who sheds more light on the situation. The genius here is that your approach will determine your path, invite more voices to join the narrator, and alter the perception of each situation.
As your behavior becomes more defined, the princess’s physical form will manifest accordingly. This all culminates in the ending of one story and the beginning of another – again and again – as you progress through the hidden story beneath it all. The black and white pencil art is fantastic, the musical score is intense, and the voice acting is top of its class. It’s dark, creepy, charming and incredibly intriguing. Oh, and you’ll die a lot. Don’t worry about that. Just keep going. It’s worth it.
Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut
Serenity Forge
☆☆☆☆☆204
★★★★★
$17.99
You’re on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Princess. You’re here to slay her. If you don’t, it will be the end of the world. She will do everything in her power to stop you. She’ll charm, and she’ll lie, and she’ll promise you the world, and if you let her, she’ll kill you a dozen times over. You can’t let that happen. You do care about the fate of the world, right? Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut is a fully voice-acted horror tragicomedy featuring the impeccable talents of Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight, with lovingly hand-penciled frames by Ignatz-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard. This game features a princess. She’s very bad and you have to get rid of her for all our sakes. She’s just an ordinary human Princess, and you can definitely slay her as long as you put your mind to it. Hopefully you won’t die. But if you do, you’ll die a lot. Be careful and stay focused on the task at hand! What you say and what you believe will shift the story in dramatic ways. Ah, but what’s in the Pristine Cut? Are you sure you want to find out? If you do, you’re likely to discover things that are best left experienced directly. Seriously, turn back. … Oh, you’re still reading? Very well, I shall tell you. The Pristine Cut contains, precisely: – 3 brand new chapters replete with mysteries—and consequences.
– Never before seen Princesses who will all murder you without a second thought.
– Expansions to familiar routes: The Den, The Apotheosis and The Fury each have more than doubled in length.
– Over 35% more content overall—and all of it filled with great opportunities to listen to me and do your job.
– A new ending. And hopefully one that saves the world rather than damns it. – Gallery to Track Your Progress: Cherish your memories, relive your exploits, and uncover deeply hidden secrets with the new gallery feature.
– Over 1,200 New Hand-Penciled Frames hand-illustrated by Abby Howard.
– Over 2,500 New Lines of Dialogue fully voiced dialogue by the impeccable Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight. Yes, prepare yourself for an expanded journey filled with new perils, difficult choices, and unforgettable encounters. Will you stay on the path to slay the Princess, or will the new chapters alter your fate? (That said, while I wish free-will weren’t a thing here, I cannot emphasize this enough: you have to slay her. Please.)
Before I played an early version of Crescent County, I didn’t know that an in-game version of a motorized, magical broomstick could feel right. But here I am, drawing wide arcs through the gently swaying grass of the Isle of Morah, identifying the perfect hillock to glide off from, and intuitively following paths of flowers to shortcuts across its open world. You’d think there’d no right way to depict something as bizarre as this, but as I feel a leyline-powered boost ignite the rumble of my controller, I start to think, “well, maybe.”
The debut game from Electric Saint – a two-person development team made up of Anna Hollinrake (Fall Guys) and Pavle Mihajlović (Erica) – Crescent County is part-open world exploration, part-dating game, part-gig economy delivery challenge, part-racer, part-life sim, and all-centered around that motorbroom experience. It’s ambitious, and with so many moving parts, you might expect it to have come together in pieces – but the real origin point was straightforward.
One of the earliest pieces of art that inspired Crescent County. Credit: Anna Hollinrake
Hollinrake has been painting images of what she dubs “witch-tech” for years, building a following as people fall in love with the bright, curious worlds she creates in static form. Choosing to leave the world of AAA development behind, and contacting Mihajlović to create the tech, there was only one setting they wanted to bring to life together.
“The number one piece of feedback I get when I’m at conventions selling art based on this world, or on social media when I post images of it, is that people wish that they could live in the paintings I create,” she tells me. “I’m an art generalist for games and have worked along the whole art pipeline, but my specialty is infusing moreish worldbuilding into my work, from concepts to full 3D environments, that give a sense of place, with little story hints throughout. I really want to give people the opportunity to step into a lovingly crafted, painterly space that feels both joyful and a little melancholy and that, critically, they feel at home within.”
It means that Crescent County wasn’t built out of disparate mechanical ideas that the developers wanted to jam into one playspace – every choice has been made because it fits the theme. Even in the early form of the game I play, that comes across. As main character Lu, your motorbroom is key to everything you do – you arrive on the island and take part in a race, then become the island’s delivery courier. That job allows you to meet characters you can get to know (and romance), afford furniture for your apartment, and to customize your broom and go further, faster. In Crescent County’s world, motorbrooms aren’t a vehicle, they’re a culture.
“Motorbroom racing is an underground sport, practised by a small group of the coolest people you know,” says Hollinrake. “It’s very inspired by roller derby and the roller skating community (I’m an avid quad skater myself!), and we wanted to capture that punk, do-it-yourself attitude within motorbroom subculture.”
“In terms of racing though, it’s more about friends challenging each other in playful ways (like seeing who can get up the mountain first), than it is about big formal races with sponsors and crowds,” adds Mihajlović. “If you win, you can expect to learn some secrets about the island, or maybe get a hot tip on how to get a particular broom part, but you can also choose to lay back and spend some more quality time with a racer you have a crush on.”
That idea, that every activity can affect another, seems key to Crescent County. You’re building a life for Lu on the island – a race can lead to romance, a delivery job could net you new decorations, and even the house creation element (so often a side activity) can have effects on the wider game.
“We’re really interested in how we can take classic, cozy house decoration and make it push our story forward rather than being purely for aesthetics,” explains Hollinrake. “In that classic scouring-Facebook-Marketplace way, you can do jobs around the island for people who’ll pay you back with a couch they have in the shed and aren’t using. Inspired by our own experiences living in crappy house shares in our early twenties, we know how big of a difference each single piece of furniture can have on your social life or sense of place – you can’t have a dinner party without a dinner table, and getting your new friends around it lets you chat late into the night and deepen those relationships. Even if the spaghetti bolognese you made was terrible.”
It leads to what promises a very satisfying loop – the more you play, and the more you engage, the more opportunities await you. Again, building Crescent County as a living world rather than a sandbox, is the key. The game’s organized into days and nights that pass based on what you choose to do (you can deliver by day, and race by night), rather than through a linear cycle, which gives you an incentive to choose the interesting thing rather than the efficient thing.
“Each day brings a host of new opportunities to earn some cash, make your flat less sad, and learn more island drama,” says Mihajlović. “You’ll get to pick who you want to help that day – whether it’s because you want to know a particular bit of gossip, you want to get a specific broom upgrade, or because your friend Rava has promised you she’ll give you her unwanted and admittedly ugly couch if you help round up her wayward sheep. You can either plan out your route carefully, or take it a bit more casually and ride around and see what you get up to. At the end of the day you can take your weird couch home, pick where to place it, and invite your friends over for a movie night – who point out you don’t actually own a TV.”
All of this would be moot if the brooms themselves didn’t feel quite so good, and the Isle of Morah wasn’t quite so fascinating a location. That connection to Hollinrake’s art means that this world is a deeply interesting place – unfamiliar silhouettes clutter the horizon, and the sheer fun meant that I spent as much time simply going places than doing, well, Lu’s job. The final piece in the puzzle, then, is in creating a motorbroom that suits you.
“Broom customization is both about building a motorbroom that looks amazing and feels just like you, but it’s also in how you decide how you’re going to navigate the island,” says Mihajlović. “Whether you want to speed down the straights, cut across a field, or glide over a canyon, different broom setups will open different paths and playstyles. You can also put Sigil Stickers on your broom that give you weird and wonderful powers, like an offensive sideways phase shift that you can use to bump your rivals off the track, or a more forgiving 10 second rewind that lets you retake a corner if you didn’t get it quite right.”
The way the team is winding together mechanical and narrative benefits to the player isn’t just fascinating – it’s unusual. It’s the kind of thing that might have been hard to pitch at their previous studios, meaning self-publishing with ID@Xbox has been a boon:
“We’re huge fans of the ID@Xbox program – and before that Xbox Live Arcade,” says Mihajlović. “It birthed or enabled so many of the games that we love, and in a lot of ways the whole indie wave that got us into the games industry in the first place. I actually remember the first Summer of Arcade, and how exciting and validating it was as a teenager to see indie games on a console, so it’s incredible to now be a part of the program.”
With a two-person team, the game still has a way to go until release – and they’re not set on a release date just yet – but the early version I play makes abundantly clear how wild, weird, and ambitious Electric Saint is getting. Just like its motorbrooms, Crescent County might be unfamiliar, but it’s feeling just right already.
Discover this beautiful open world racing on the back of your very own motorbroom. In Crescent County you play as Lu, as you move to the island under tense pretences, eager to start afresh. It’s a game about finding home in a brand-new witch-tech universe. During the day you’re a motorbroom courier; delivering packages, herding sheep, and setting off fireworks. You find yourself building a life through helping the locals; getting to know their struggles, and their island home. Plan your day every morning by picking your jobs, and then zoom around the island getting things done! The better your broom is the more you can do, and the more of the gossip you uncover. After you’ve made some change, head down to Bo’s workshop to upgrade your motobroom and make it your own! Replace parts to improve your broom’s handling, top speed, or gliding ability, and pop some Sigil Stickers on it to enable special powers such as Phase Shifting and Time Rewind. At night, use your customised motorbroom to defeat your new friends in improvised races around the island. Discover shortcuts on ancient ley lines, and sprint through abandoned power stations in rebellious, secret races to win new broom parts. Start in your cousin’s empty bedsit and collect furniture from the locals to scrap together a cosy new life for yourself on the island. The better your home is, the more activities you can do with your new friends. Can’t have a dinner party with a table, or a date without a couch!
Indiana Jones has a feeling. It’s not just in the more tangible elements – the stories, the hero, or the music – it’s also in the way it was filmed, the minutiae of choreography, and the tone. Those ineffable qualities are what have made this series so beloved, and so lasting. And that’s a very difficult thing to recreate in a video game.
It presented Indiana Jones and the Great Circle developer MachineGames with an extra challenge – not only did the team have to create a fantastic, modern-feeling game, but one that simultaneously captures the magic that swirls around the movies. It comes down to a question of balance: making a compelling game that still looks, feels, acts, and sounds like the movies it’s drawing inspiration from.
In speaking to developers across MachineGames, it’s fascinating to hear how that was achieved, mixing modern game design with traditional filmmaking techniques, all in service of creating something that hits the sweet spot MachineGames has been striving for.
Perhaps one of the best examples of the deep thinking applied comes out of a single scene – one you might even describe as incidental.
‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’ contains perhaps one of cinema’s best-known jokes. A crowd parts, and our hero is faced with a menacing swordsman, brandishing a scimitar. He chuckles darkly, passing his sword from hand to hand, before twirling it with expert precision – a show of how tough this fight will be. Indy grimaces, pulls out his revolver, and drops him with a single shot. What we thought was about to be a fight scene becomes a punchline. It’s perfect.
And it’s exactly the kind of scene that shouldn’t work in a video game. This is effectively the intro to a boss battle – this guy should have multiple attack patterns, three different health bars, the works. As it turns out, that very scene may have started as the challenge the team faced – but it became part of the solution:
“That scene is a very good example of type of humor that one can experience in the classic Indy movies – priceless!”, says Creative Director Axel Torvenius. “What we absolutely have been inspired by from that, and similar scenes, is that very humor. To have varied, engaging and rewarding combat encounters has been very important – but to make sure we spice them up with the Indy-humor has been equally important.”
Taken on a wider level, this tells us a lot about MachineGames’ approach – in almost every regard, the team has gone the extra mile to help capture the movies’ magic, even if they’re not an immediately natural fit for gaming, in a new form. And as you’ll see, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Matinée Idol
“Sitting as close as possible to the original look and feel of ’80s cinema was something we wanted to get right from the beginning,” explains Torvenius. “There was never an interest in reinventing the look or feel of Indiana Jones – the core ambition was always to make sure it really hit home in terms of having a style close to ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’.”
You might be surprised at just how deep that effort goes. The team scrutinized the early films, not just for their tone and writing, but for technical detail. What color palettes and film grading were used? Which kind of film stock was in the cameras? How did the original audio team record sound effects? What kind of stunt work was done? And from there, the hard work began – translating those original techniques into not just a modern context, but an entirely different medium.
Some of the stories here are fascinating. Torvenius explains that the team studied how the original film teams created their sets, and applied those rules to locations in the game:
“Obviously in games, the big challenge is that you can constantly peek behind the curtain and go ‘backstage’ – you can roam freely and break the composition. But there are many locations throughout the game where we know from which direction the player will come, or where they will exit and what type of scenery they will see. So we identified those early and pushed those further so we can set the scene more in certain places.”
For cutscenes, which are naturally more controlled, the team could go further: “Another big thing we did for this project was to have a Director of Photography on set for all the cinematic filming in the motion capture studio,” continues Torvenius. “We had the talented Kyle Klütz helping us and working in the mocap studio with this huge, heavy camera dolly rolling around to make sure we captured the right amount of velocity in pan, angular movement, composition and framing. Once we transfer this data into the cutscene shots in the game engine, it gives us a very solid start in terms of a camera work that feels reminiscent of the early Indiana Jones movies.”
Pitch Perfect
Sound is just as important as look for Indiana Jones, of course. From the iconic John Williams score, to the “feel” of its effects, to the iconic Wilhelm Scream (yes, it’s in the game), the soundscape of the movies is just as nostalgic as the look and story.
“The first thing we did was try to identify the core elements of that Indiana Jones sound,” says Audio Director, Pete Ward. “What did we have to nail to evoke the feeling of playing as Indy, in a cinematic way? We sat down as a team and watched all the Indy movies again, and we realized there were several things we absolutely had to get right – Indy’s voice likeness, the musical score, the whip, the revolver, and the punches. There were other things too, like the sound of the puzzles, and the fantastical elements, where we constantly referenced the original movies and [original Indiana Jones sound designer] Ben Burtt’s sound design.”
It led Ward’s team down some unexpected paths. The aim wasn’t to reuse sound effects directly from the game, but reproduce them as faithfully as possible to serve the game’s needs – which in some cases meant returning to techniques used by the original team more than 40 years ago.
“We did hundreds of hours of original recordings, using props like the whip, the fedora, the leather jacket, and lots of different shoe types on lots of different surfaces,” continues Ward. “For impacts in particular, we also used techniques originally used by Ben Burtt and his team, like beating up leather jackets with baseball bats. We also used practical effects where possible, like plucking metal springs with contact mics attached, to get some of that old-school vibe in our spectacular set pieces.”
The result is a game that sounds reminiscent of an ’80’s movie – it’s still naturalistic, but listen closely and you’ll find it comes across in a different way from most modern games.
The same went for the score – John Williams’ soundtracks are among the most recognizable in cinema history, but the aim was never simply to impersonate them. MachineGames brought in composer Gordy Haab to achieve that – a fitting choice given that he’s won awards for his work on multiple Star Wars games by drawing heavy inspiration from Williams, while making them his own.
“Gordy was such a great composer to work with for this project – he really nailed the style and tone, and was able to emulate and seamlessly extend the original score where needed, while also creating entirely new themes for our story and characters that fit perfectly within the Indiana Jones universe,” enthuses Ward. “We were very careful about where and when we first hear certain themes as well – the Raider’s March is the iconic, instantly recognizable theme for Indiana Jones, and we wanted to incorporate it at the right moments, but also develop our own musical story with our own new themes.”
But the risk of creating new elements amid such an iconic score is that they’ll stick out –and again, MachineGames went the extra mile to ensure that this didn’t happen. Haab and Ward researched how the original soundtracks were recorded, and even recorded in the same studio, Abbey Road. Amazingly, they even found out that they’d created accidental connections to the original along the way:
“We even had a couple of session musicians who played on the original sessions for Raiders,” explains Ward. “It was a lovely moment when they came to the control room after the session was finished and told us that!”
Telling the Tale
But where look and sound allowed the team to look back at what had come before, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s story needed to be something entirely new, yet totally fitting for both the franchise – not to mention the game’s setting between ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘The Last Crusade’. For Lead Narrative Designer Tommy Tordsson Björk, it required a different kind of research.
“Indiana Jones has an incredibly rich lore with movies, comic books, games and more that we could dig into and use in different ways, not only for immersing the player in Indy’s world, but also to connect the different stories and characters. In this regard, our great working relationship with Lucasfilm Games helped us enormously.
“From there, a lot of our work when developing the worldbuilding has been devoted to researching the 1930s, and then filtering it through lens of what we call an ’Indy matinée adventure’ to make it feel both authentic and true to the story of this world.”
You’ll see that commitment not just to the Indy series itself, but for the time period in which it’s set, in the ways characters talk, the world around you, and even down to the era-appropriate spelling of Gizeh. MachineGames – and the connection of many of its developers, including Björk, to the acclaimed Starbreeze – means that the team has a lot of experience working with established franchises, from The Chronicles of Riddick to The Darkness, and it’s an experience that guided them in this new endeavour.
“The approach that we’ve had on all of our games is to make them as true to what made the originals so great. We don’t want to retread what has already been told, but instead move into new territory that evokes the same tone and spirit,” says Björk. “I think what the development of Indy has taught us is the importance of letting the character control the path of both the story and the gameplay, because this franchise is so much defined by Indy and who he is to an even greater extent than the previous games we’ve worked on.”
Playing With History
And that leads us to the final piece of the development puzzle – turning the history of a movie series into a playable experience. How do you capture the excitement of a tightly-edited, linear movie in an interactive experience, where every player will choose to do things slightly differently, and take their Indy in different directions?
Part of that is in returning to the movie making of it all, by grounding so much of what we play in real-life performance:
“We have done so much motion capture for this game! I think this is most motion capture and stunts we have ever done,” says Torvenius. “And some of the scenes we have in the game are quite wild from a stunt perspective. We shot a number of scenes at Goodbye Kansas in Stockholm, which has a ceiling height of almost 8 meters, just because some scenes required stunts to be performed from that height.
“We’ve been working with some very talented stuntmen and women throughout the production and together with our talent director Tom Keegan I dare to say we have some of the strongest action scenes from a MachineGames perspective yet. When it comes to capturing the look and feel of the stunts and action sequences in the early Indiana Jones movies, it has been a combined effort from various members within MG; obviously our Animation Director Henrik Håkansson and Cinematic Director Markus Söderqvist has an important part to play here for look and feel of animations. And then the audio work from Audio director Pete Ward and his department also plays an important part in making sure everything sounds true to the movie.”
But even the smallest elements have been scrutinized, like throwing a simple punch, for example:
“It has been very important to make sure the combat feels fun and rewarding and easy enough to get drawn into but then hard to master for the ones that likes to crank up the difficulty settings,” explains Torvenius. “We definitely wanted to capture the cinematic feel of the melee combat! Getting those heavy cinematic impact sounds in, having a good response from the spray of sweat and saliva as you punch someone in the face, interesting animations, and the behaviour of a hulking opponent coming towards you.”
This depth of thought is everywhere in the game. Puzzles have been designed with the spirit of whether they might feel right for the movies; locations given the buzz not just of real-life, but a film set; and even the ability to use almost any disposable item as both a distraction and a weapon is drawn from the comic spirit of the movies.
“One of the core ingredients in Indiana Jones is definitely humour. It is something we have worked hard with across every aspect of the game: environmental storytelling, script and VO, in cutscene and story beats, and it absolutely needs to be conveyed in the minute-to-minute gameplay, such as combat. And it is not only the tools you use but also a lot of hard work from the engineer and animation teams to make sure we have interesting, rewarding and fun take down animations. And on top of all of that you also need the best possible audio! And when that cocktail is shaken just the right amount, voilà – out comes something very delicious and fun!”
Which brings us all the way back round to that iconic scene with the swordsman. In a normal game, no, that scene might not make sense when translated to a video game context. But in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Well, MachineGames has put in the research, the work, and the commitment to ensure that, while you’re playing this game – from solving spectacular puzzles to near-slapstick combat – it’ll feel worthy of those classic movies.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle comes to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (with Game Pass), or Steam on December 9. Premium and Collector’s Editions will offer up to 3 days of early access from December 6.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™: Digital Premium Edition
Bethesda Softworks
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order now or Play on Game Pass* to receive The Last Crusade™ Pack with the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip, as seen in The Last Crusade™. *** Live the adventure with the Premium Edition of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™! INCLUDES: • Base Game (digital code) • Up to 3-Day Early Access** • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants Story DLC† • Digital Artbook • Temple of Doom™ Outfit ***
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark™ and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery. THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? *Game Pass members get access to all pre-order content as long as Game Pass subscription is active. **Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. †DLC availability to be provided at a later date.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™ Standard Edition
Bethesda Softworks
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order now or Play on Game Pass* to receive The Last Crusade™ Pack with the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip, as seen in The Last Crusade™.
***
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark™ and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery. THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? *Game Pass members get access to all pre-order content as long as Game Pass subscription is active.
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!
The year is 2053. The world as we know it came to an end in a war lost to time. Now, only inequality remains, in the form of Viridis, the great city that encompasses the dangerous Blind City and the luxurious Bright City. As former police detective Axel McCoin, you will become the key piece to unmask a plot of corruption and power that plagues the unstable peace of Viridis.
A lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired, deflection-based combat. Embark on a journey through an Asia-inspired fantasy world, explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero on a quest to slay the 9 Sols—the powerful rulers of this forsaken realm.
You are pulled out of the water by a masked native. With his help, you begin a journey into the depths of a mysterious island. Face the challenges that await you and uncover yet undiscovered places like a dangerous volcano, mysterious figures, and mystical tribes. What will you do to survive?
The game has 50 levels, with increasing difficulty and the introduction of new mechanics as the player progresses. Players can have three distinct sizes: small, medium, and large, growing whenever they collect a seed and shrink one size when they take damage (see board tiles/enemies). If the character takes damage when small, the game ends.
Step back into Hanwell and discover the world beyond it, set in the deeper parts of London. Explore a rich, atmospheric take on Westminster and its various Locations, filled with lore and secrets to discover as you scavenge scarce supplies like weapons and ammo as you utilize the environment in creative ways to take out the Anomolies in a frantic effort to simply survive.
Enter the relentless world of Death Elevator, a sleek, low-poly FPS where every decision matters and every encounter could be your last. With a one-hit death mechanic and dynamic slow-motion, each battle demands precision and quick reflexes. Ascend through randomized floors, battling waves of enemies with ever-changing weapons, as you unravel the mystery behind the elevator.
Show your logical skills and quick mind to help Ada save Codeland by defeating enemies and clear dungeons in this fun and thrilling action adventure full of logical puzzles, loops, and fun visual algorithms suited for players of all ages.
After a 3-year break, the official game of the MXGP is back. All the official bikes and 20 tracks of the 2024 calendar await to give you the full championship experience. Over 50 riders are available, including those from official teams like Red Bull KTM, Red Bull GasGas, Monster Energy Yamaha, Honda HRC, Kawasaki, Nestaan Husqvarna, Monster Energy Triumph, Fantic and Beta MRT.
The Battle of Penguin’s Road is a fast and fun 3rd-person action shooter. The player is given an arsenal of weapons and tools to defeat enemies that attack from the land, sea and air. Master run-and-gun, cover-shooting, long aims, close blasts, melee and commanding tanks for victory!
A top-down rogue-like action game in which you play as heroes of tales and legends that must slay hordes of nightmarish creatures in nerve-racking fights. After the success of Curse of the Dead Gods, Passtech Games returns with an improved formula and a compelling game experience with endless replay value. It can be played solo or with up to four players in co-op.
A relaxing puzzle game where players work to restore the energy systems of a damaged spaceship. The main objective is to move reactors and activate the power grid, solving directional and color-based challenges. The game introduces new levels and obstacles that add depth while keeping the series’ accessible and easy-to-pick-up gameplay.
Embark on a chilling journey with the Thornvale family as they confront a malevolent force unleashed by their own patriarch’s archaeological discoveries. With each passing night, the family is tormented by terrifying apparitions and escalating paranormal activity, leading them to unravel dark secrets buried within the walls of their own home.
Explore nearly 180 territories and tens of thousands of cities. Build airports anywhere and start transporting passengers globally. Adapt your strategy to different regions: shorter routes are easier to manage in places like Europe, while long-distance connections in vast areas will require careful planning due to higher costs.
Blast through 30 high-intensity action-packed racetracks as you compete to be the fastest in every contest. Catch bursts of speed while avoiding slippery banana peels. Grab bottles of nitro to build up your vehicle speed. Collect coins to trade in for stylish new custom skins from the in-game store. Dodge punches and kicks and outrun opponents on different tracks around the world. The big Furious Biker trophy awaits you.
Enjoy over 50 unique levels, each with its own set of obstacles, twists, and turns. Its simple controls make it a snap to learn from the outset and through its three modes, you’ll soon go from fledgling to master putter.
Shines Over: The Damned will take you into a unique experimental horror experience in first person, where your senses will be tested and your reality questioned. You have no name, no memory, no weapons. There are no friends to protect you. You are alone except for your faithful German Shepherd dog, who will guide you through this dark world and stay by your side.
Following the success of Iron Meat’s launch back in September, the team at Retroware has been hard at work charting the path forward with planning major content updates to their modern retro gem!
With the first major update arriving on Xbox, you can experience a fine platter of new content to sink your teeth into!
Mirror, Mirror
One of the highly requested new features in the game is Mirror Mode–an option that lets you run through every level, but this time to the left! While flipping the x-axis may seem like a trivial update, facing every enemy, every boss, and every level becomes a whole new experience. Players can unlock this mode after beating the game for the first time on any difficulty!
Red Rapid Fire
A second new feature is the automatic Supercharge upgrade–or the “third” tier of possible weapon upgrades. With the Supercharge upgrade active on a player, all of that player’s projectiles will now have a red coloration, instead of maintaining their blue or green colors, regardless of their current upgrade tier.
So, if a player has one or two guns that are fully upgraded (as in, they fire green projectiles instead of blue), they can try to pick up a third copy of that gun(s) and be rewarded with an automatic Supercharge (Rapid Fire) upgrade, coupled together with a new red color for their projectiles!
My 1UPs, Thank You
With this first major update, we’re happy to announce that all extra lives players earn while playing through a level will be kept as you start a new level. In other words, you now get to keep extra lives if you finish a level with more lives than you started with.
Visual Enhancements to Level Backgrounds
We’ve gone back to the backgrounds of certain levels and added in some more details that we believe will really drive home some of the unspoken narrative points relevant to Iron Meat’s story. Some of these new details include: adding a brief section where the helicopter flies in shooting down at Meat monsters on Forest, adding in spikes to the midboss on Base, adding in surviving pilots to the ending credits animation, and explosive impacts from the Meat meteors on Train.
Other Updates
In addition to minor bug fixes on the backend, we’ve also:
Buffed the default damage dealt by the “E”, “U”, and “M” guns.
Added more Meat to different sections of the Moon Base.
Retooled certain patterns of the MI-24 helicopter boss fight to be more clear.
And slightly changed sections of all levels to be more fair to the player (for example: Meat worms are now killable on Base the second they appear, the Meat Mouth Doors on Train are now killable, and other minor fixes).
We wanted to give players a taste of what we’ve got in store for Iron Meat’s future, and we can’t wait to share even more new content with updates later down the line!Iron Meat is available now!
Iron Meat
Retroware
☆☆☆☆☆74
★★★★★
$19.99
Iron Meat is a fast-paced, run-and-gun shooter that immerses players in a world overrun by The Meat–an all-consuming interdimensional biomass. With a mix of classic arcade and console mechanics, players will battle against mutated victims and machines, dodge bullet barrages, and crush bosses in nine levels of gore-ific brutality. As Vadim, fight back against The Meat and stop the terrors spawned from scientist Yuri Markov’s experiments on the Moon. MULTI-PHASE BOSS FIGHTS
Iron Meat pays homage to classic run-and-gun titles from the past, with intense boss fights fixed into multiple phases. With three difficulty settings to choose from, players can put their skills to the test, where a higher difficulty is rewarded with an even more challenging boss battle. MULTIPLAYER COUCH CO-OP
Who says you have to take on The Meat invasion alone? With 2-player couch co-op, you can grab a buddy to leave a trail of bloody, Meat-infected corpses together! It’s double the firepower, double the carnage, and double the MEAT! OVER 30 UNLOCKABLE SKINS
You don’t have to be a soldier to fight against The Meat. Hell, you don’t even have to be a HUMAN to do so! With over 30 unlockable skins to choose from, players can customize their character the way they want. Each skin comes with interchangeable parts, allowing for greater customization with mixing and matching. Want a shark head on a robot body with dinosaur feet? DONE. Maybe a half human, half doggo? YOU BET! Or how about a cowboy with a tail and demon wings? Hmm…YEP!
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 PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Blue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await in Dawntrail, the newest expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy XIV Online! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as you discover new tribes, confront formidable threats, and expand your horizons as hope’s light dawns once more.
Combat the alien Vulgus and protect the planet Albion and the continent of Ingris! The First Descendant is a free-to-play third-person co-op action RPG looter shooter with high-quality graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5. Featuring a wide variety of characters with unique concepts and combat styles, massive boss battles, four player co-op, a variety of weapons, and more!
Imagine a cardboard box. Is it shaped to fit one to two fluffy felines? What about five? What about twenty? Fit My Cat presents you with many cute kitties that all wish to sit where they deem fit. Test your skills and show the world that herding cats is where fun begins!
Welcome to Parkitect: Deluxe Edition, a modern take on classic park tycoons where you build and manage the theme parks of your dreams. Construct your own coasters, design an efficiently operating park that fully immerses your guests in its theme, and play through the campaign.
Shy Cats Hidden Orchestra is a hidden object game where you need to find musician kittens that are embarrassed to play their music. When you find them, they will play songs for you.
The ABC Murders is an adventure and investigation game adapted from the classic Agatha Christie novel. The player embodies the famous Hercule Poirot in a 3rd person perspective adventure game packed with mysteries. Once again, the private detective will find himself up against a mysterious opponent who goes by the name of ABC.
An immersive first-person horror experience that puts you in the shoes of Judith, a young woman who wakes up in the gloomy facilities of a psychiatric hospital. You must escape from this macabre place by solving mysteries while avoiding capture by Eddie, your sinister hunter.
Explore the last remnants of civilization in this vast, unforgiving, and interconnected world. Learn what is left of its history. Discover pockets of civilization in the perpetually expanding Omnistructure. Lose yourself in a journey unlike any other.
It’s time for some fun on the farm in whimsical action puzzler Bouncy Chicken! Master single-screen challenges in top-down 3D style as you take aim at fire your feathered projectile around the chicken pen to gather cobs of corn. The objective is to collect every cob of corn on screen before your shot chances run out.
A new mysterious enemy threatens the world once again! Only one hero can save the world… Shockman! Join bionic heroes Raita and Azuki as they face all kinds of dangerous enemies to save humanity. Is this heroic task too much for you? Then join forces with a friend for some classic-style action!
Find yourself in a future city full of gangs, mafias, and other shady people. Become a vigilante who works during the day and gets into a killing frenzy at night. Hop in the car, select a destination, and explore every corner of Crimson Tide. If you want to feel an adrenaline rush, you can explore the city on foot but watch your back and don’t ask too many questions.
In this retro-style arcade game, you must shoot monsters to gather their colored spheres! Get three of the same color in a row to get an update; get all three colors to win.
Paint the map in your own color, eliminate your opponents, get the highest score and take over the Paper io world. Use your strategic skills and power-ups to attack and claim all of the white space that was previously owned by other players.
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Collect and play as over 600 characters, many in never-before-seen outfits.
Enjoy a story mode that lets you relive the adventures of Ichigo.
Play alone or with up to 5 friends to defeat formidable foes.
Hello, Bleach fans! We’re thrilled to announce that as of today, our 3D action game Bleach: Brave Souls is available on Xbox consoles.
As Bleach fans ourselves, we dreamed of what it would be like for so many of its characters to be playable in a single game. To that end, every character in Bleach: Brave Souls is voiced and has a Special Move showcasing their prowess in battle. You can take control of Ichigo and use his Getsugatensho to get through the battlefield, choose Uryu to shoot enemies down from afar with a Quincy bow, or pick from many, many more.
How Does Bleach: Brave Souls Work?
In Bleach: Brave Souls, you’ll face off against enemies in a variety of single player and co-op quests using normal attacks, strong attacks, and a special move that can often deal devastating damage! However, button mashing isn’t always the answer – you’ll need to evade attacks by using your character’s Flash Step and manage the cooldown times of your character’s strong attacks.
To come out on top you’ll need to prepare. All playable characters and enemies have Attributes and Affiliations with strengths and weaknesses. For example, an enemy may have the “Power” Attribute and belong to the “Hollow” Affiliation. In this situation, it’s good to bring a character with a Speed Attribute, as they are strong against Power, and a “Hollow killer”, as this increases the damage dealt to Hollow Affiliation enemies.
It may seem simple at first, but to defeat more powerful enemies you’ll need to think about power-ups such as Link Slots, which let characters Inherit skills and boost their stats, as well as Transcendence, Ascension, and other mechanics that can be adjusted to bring out the best of your characters.
Play as All Your Favorite Characters
Bleach: Brave Souls‘ story mode starts from the first arc of the Bleach anime, “The Substitute Soul Reaper” arc, and goes all the way through to the events depicted in the newly released “Bleach TV Animation Series: Thousand-Year Blood War”. Along the way, you can enjoy 3D action where you take control of your favorite characters to fight enemies in scenarios based on the anime, as well as 2D cutscenes containing stills from the anime, through which you can relive your favorite moments from the Bleach story.
Ever Wondered What Your Favorite Character Would Look Like in a Different Outfit?
While we’ve taken care to faithfully reproduce the characters’ looks from different points in the story, Bleach: Brave Souls also features a great number of characters in never-before-seen outfits. You can play as a parasol-toting version of Rukia, a cyberpunk-themed version of Ulquiorra, and many more exciting recreations! With over 600 characters in the game, you’ll be able to see a whole new side to your favorite characters.
Learn More About the World of Bleach
The “Spirits Are Forever With You” and “Can’t Fear Your Own World” novels, which also take place in the Bleach universe, may not have not had their stories told in the anime, but their characters are playable in Bleach: Brave Souls.
You can play as the “Spirits Are Forever With You” version of Toshiro, who has unlocked a power greater than Bankai, or the “Can’t Fear Your Own World” version of Shinji, whose Bankai became the talk of fans around the globe!
Play with Friends as your Favorite Characters
Bleach: Brave Souls has a lot of solo content, but we wanted to make sure that Bleach fans could play and enjoy the game together.
One of the game’s co-op modes is called Epic Raids, where you are tasked with defeating a powerful boss with a team of up to 6 players for great rewards.
Whether you and your friends launch into action as Ichigo and his companions, or as a more unlikely band of allies, the options are almost endless thanks to the roster of characters that have been carefully designed to fit into the world of Bleach.
Release Date and a Special Gift for Xbox Players
Bleach: Brave Souls is out now, and free-to-play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
And we’ve got an extra gift for you: if you download the game on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One you will get a free in-game pack that contains items which are ideal for new players, such as a 5-star Summons Ticket and an accessory that increases your character’s exp. points. Jump into Bleach: Brave Souls now to experience the world of Bleach.
Bleach: Brave Souls Anime Game
KLab Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆227
★★★★★
Tite Kubo’s hit manga and TV anime series BLEACH comes to life in this 3D hack-and-slash action game! The game faithfully reproduces the story of the BLEACH anime, Shonen Jump manga, and novels in loving detail with fantastic graphics and all-action gameplay. DIVE INTO THE ACTION-PACKED WORLD OF BLEACH
From the human-populated world of the living to the Soul Society, home of Soul Reapers and the spirits of the dead, the bleak realm of Hueco Mundo, where evil spirits known as Hollows reside, and the depths of Hell, final resting place of sinners, the endlessly imaginative BLEACH universe is recreated in high-quality 3D graphics. Relive all your favorite scenes and special techniques from the hit anime! A CAST OF COLORFUL CHARACTERS
Your favorite characters from the 13 Court Guard Squads, the Espada, Xcution, Stern Ritter, and the Thousand-Year Blood War are all here! Unleash Ichigo’s Getsugatensho, Aizen’s Kyoka Suigetsu, Byakuya’s Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and all the other epic BLEACH moves, all fully-voiced with amazing animations! ENTER THE ARENA
Go online and take part in epic 3-on-3 battles with players from all over the world in real time! In some regions, you have an option to choose a World (server) at the start of the game. However, there is no difference between the different servers except for the languages offered and certain purchasable items. Official Site
https://www.bleach-bravesouls.com/en/ X
Account: https://twitter.com/bleachbrs_en
Hashtag: #BraveSouls Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BleachBS.en/ Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bleachbravesouls_official/ Recommended For
– Fans of the original BLEACH anime and Shonen Jump manga who want to relive the BLEACH story!
– BLEACH fans who want a new way to enjoy the universe they love!
– Anyone wanting to recap the BLEACH story before the long-awaited anime release of the climatic Thousand Year Blood War story arc!
– BLEACH fans who want to enjoy new, original stories set in the BLEACH universe!
– Anime and manga fans looking for an action-packed game with a deep and engaging setting!
Experience the thrill of railroading and the competitive maze-running action with Free Play Days! Train Sim World 4 and Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champsare available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday June 27 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals! Read more about Game Pass Core at Xbox Wire.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)
Train Sim World® 4: Standard Edition
Dovetail Games
☆☆☆☆☆221
★★★★★
$39.99$7.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Train Sim World 4 Hit high speeds, roam free along the tracks and get creative with a host of new tools and features in Train Sim World 4. Design your own liveries, plan Scenarios and capture railfan shots with the new Photo Mode across three detailed routes in the UK, Austria and USA, using powerful trains from LNER, ÖBB and Metrolink. A dedicated Training Center exists to help you if you’re new to trains this weekend, with diesel, steam and electric trains all at your disposal to learn and enjoy! It’s your hobby, your adventure, your way.
PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆21
★★★★★
$19.99
Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Eat to Compete! From June 27 – June 30, try out this 64-player Pac-Man eating competition! Eat your way through multiple interconnected mazes to chomp everything: Dots, Ghosts, and even other Pacs! Party-up with friends, use Power Items to best your foes, and do it in style with fun cosmetics! PvP means Pac versus Pac in this cross-platform, multi-maze, battle of the appetites! Can you be the last PAC standing?
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! 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.
At Xbox, we’re committed to bringing the joy and community of gaming to everyone. Today, we’re announcing a collaboration with Amazon where Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in over 25 countries can play games directly from the Xbox app on select Fire TV devices via cloud gaming, giving people even more choice in how they play their favorite games.
In July, the Xbox app will be available on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) ($59.99) and Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) ($49.99). For people new to console gaming, or for those looking for another way to play, it’s a great low-cost, convenient, and portable option to enjoy a huge library of incredible games.
To get started, players just need a Fire TV Stick, a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller, and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to gain instant access to hundreds of phenomenal games, including Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Starfield, and Forza Horizon 5, among others.
Plus, Bethesda Game Studios’ beloved Fallout games are also available with Game Pass Ultimate, including Fallout 76 and Fallout 4. Fallout fans will be able to play these games on select Amazon Fire TV devices alongside the acclaimed Fallout TV show on Prime Video, which released in April.
Once downloaded, the Xbox app is designed to offer a smooth and seamless experience. Here’s how it works:
Simply install and launch the Xbox app from your Fire TV device.
Sign in with your Microsoft account to play. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you’ll have instant access to hundreds of cloud-enabled games.
Not a member? No worries! You can join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for one low monthly price, or check out Fortnite without a membership.
Connect a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.
Start Playing!
Over the past several years, we have been on a journey to deliver cloud gaming to more devices and to more people around the globe. We are excited to add Fire TV to our growing family of cloud gaming devices and eager to welcome new players into this experience.
Stay tuned for additional details. You can read about Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Fire TV devices at Amazon’s blog here, and to learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.
Editor’s note: This post was edited to indicate that the Xbox app will come to select Amazon Fire TV sticks in July 2024.
Hi, all! I’m so excited that BattleCakesis now on Xbox! Trouble is brewing in the cake kingdom of Pasteleria as the local critters have become riled up by some mysterious force – causing chaos in the neighboring lands. It’s up to you and your friends, the adventurous Red Velvet and the magical Midnite Truffle, to get to the bottom of it.
And you know what that means… road trip! So, to get off on the right foot… er, wrapper?… Here’s four tasty tips & tricks to aid you on your adventure!
Forage for Crafting Ingredients
Don’t just admire the scenery, shake it up! As you make your way through the various biomes of BattleCakes, make sure you forage for crafting ingredients by shaking bushes, chopping plants and digging wherever you see dirt Xs on the ground.
You can combine those ingredients via Crafting NPCs to make useful items like First Aid Frosting and other boosts and restoratives. Foraging locations randomize and refresh after a good night’s sleep at the local inn, so keep on foraging!
Critters Like Crafting Ingredients Too… Sometimes
Foraging ingredients are unique to each biome, and they can also be a unique favorite of the critters who live there. If you’ve got ingredients to spare, try giving one to critters during an encounter. Find their favorite and you could increase their friendship points. But be careful, because the wrong ingredient could make them extra grumpy, even potentially giving them a power boost.
Stock up on the right ingredients and you could end an encounter extra quick.
Keep Trying Different Toppers
Cake Toppers can give your heroes a variety of bonuses, so be sure to try different combinations on your heroes and swap them out as often as needed. Some Toppers can provide a general stat boost, like to Might or Defense. Some Toppers can boost your friendship with specific critters. Some can protect you from specific critter attacks. And some are just silly or stylish.
…Did you know? Some toppers can just be stuff you find out in the world and decide to stick on your noggin. True story!
Watch out for Reflective Critters
As your journey continues into strange and magical lands, some critters have the unique ability to repel and reflect specific types of attacks back at you. Watch out for the Might, Moxie or Magic icon on their body for a clue as to which hero needs to be careful. For example, Red Velvet’s moves are based on Moxie, so if there is a reflective critter with a Moxie icon on its body try using an item or aiding an ally instead of attacking on her turn. It can save your heroes from accidentally delivering a beating to themselves!
So, there you go! Four tips & tricks to help you on your way, you intrepid hero you. Oh, and of course, don’t forget to look behind those waterfalls!
Happy adventuring!
BattleCakes
Volcano Bean
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$19.99
Indulge in a delicious adventure as you choose to battle or befriend your enemies to save the day your way! Personalize your cupcake hero and meet charming friends along the way. Leave the world better off than you found it in this turn-based RPG.
Overwatch 2 is raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The Pink Mercy skin and Rose Gold Mercy bundle are available for purchase.
Blizzard will donate 100% of the purchase price (excluding any applicable platform fees and taxes) to BCRF’s mission to eradicate breast cancer.
Since 2018, you may have spotted the distinctive Pink Mercy skin in Overwatch and Overwatch 2 – the color symbolic of breast cancer awareness. Mercy wears it proudly as part of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Now, there’s another chance for players to show their support as well, with the return of the Pink Mercy skin and the debut of the all-new Rose Gold Mercy skin. Both are available for purchase today, benefitting BRCF.
I was only eight years old when my family’s world was turned upside down. The diagnosis of my mother’s breast cancer marked the beginning of a long and arduous battle. Visits to City of Hope Hospital became routine, a place where my brothers and I would spend entire days waiting, playing, and hoping. The image of my mother, weakened by the treatments, is etched in my memory.
Mike Laursen, Blizzard
I recall the surgeries, the conversations, and the day we celebrated my mother’s first victory over the disease with pizza and paper party hats—a moment of joy. However, the reprieve was short-lived. The cancer returned during my high school years, and my family’s routine once again revolved around treatments and trips to City of Hope. The normalcy of having a sick parent was a reality that my family and I had to accept. It was during these years that turning to video games was the only way for me to escape the realities of what was happening and find some comfort.
The day my mother’s mastectomy was deemed a success was a glimmer of hope, but it was quickly overshadowed by the discovery that the cancer had moved to her liver. The weeks that followed were a blur, a rush to gather family and make the most of whatever precious time was left. My last memory of my mother is one of pain and a desperate fight for more moments together.
Pink Mercy Skin
My story is more than just a recount of my personal struggle; it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that behind every statistic, every campaign, and every research breakthrough, there are real people with real stories. It’s about the unseen battles that many face, the silent warriors who fight without fanfare, and the loved ones who support them through it all. I find solace and purpose in my work, where I am part of a team helping to prevent such stories from repeating. The commitment to fight, help those in need, and bring goodness into the world reflects the heroes we create in our work.
In the spirit of action, I’m excited to share an initiative that combines my passion for gaming with the fight against breast cancer. Blizzard has released special charity skins for Overwatch 2. The new skins are designed for the hero Mercy, a brilliant scientist and “guardian angel” who has dedicated her life to helping others. All sales of the limited-edition Pink Mercy skin and Rose Gold Mercy skin will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) – now through July 8, Blizzard will donate 100% of the purchase price (excluding applicable platform fees and taxes) towards BCRF’s mission to eradicate breast cancer, which will help families across the globe (terms and conditions here).
Rose Gold Mercy Skin
In the end, my story is not just about the pain of loss; it’s about the enduring hope that one day, no child will have to remember their mother’s battle with cancer. It’s about working towards a future where the victories are not just temporary, but permanent. It’s about ensuring that the paper party hats are not just a memory, but a symbol of a battle truly won. Let’s carry forward the memory of those we’ve lost by continuing the fight and by being the heroes in our own stories.
In loving memory of Gladys L. Laursen – October 6, 1940-August 21, 2000
The wait is nearly over. Coming to Xbox Series X|S this fall, Squirrel With a Gun is the nutty sandbox shooter and puzzle platformer that you didn’t know you needed. And joining the squirrel revolution has never been easier with this handy weapon training guide. Your first mission is to get your paws on a gun. Use your valuable acorns to unlock new weapons found throughout the world or steal one from an enemy agent. But watch your ammo—if you run out, find a reload circle or hold onto the automatic reload tool you can find throughout the world to get you out of a tight spot.
Be sure to try your paw at all 7 weapon types. Each one offers a unique advantage in combat and platforming.
Squirrel With a… 9mm Pistol
The 9mm semi-automatic pistol will be the first gun available to you. It’s a classic for eliminating enemies one-by-one, or boosting mid-air jumps up to 4 times. Pro tip: Fingers tired from all that shooting? Perform a takedown and watch the Squirrel unload the entire magazine for you.
Squirrel With an… SMG
The SMG inflicts less damage than the pistol, but its fully automatic feature aids in swiftly taking down enemies. Emptying the entire magazine during a midair jump acts as a makeshift jetpack to boost you up to those hard-to-reach places. A great pick for going on acorn hunts. Pro tip: Use this trick to get to the roof of the haunted house, nabbing the golden acorn on the chimney.
Squirrel With a… Shotgun
The double-barreled shotgun excels in close-combat, causing a ragdoll effect for epic takedown opportunities. Use its powerful recoil for long-distance travel. Pro tip: Equip the shotgun as you cruise around in your RC car to boost your car to top speed.
Squirrel With a… Six-Shooter
For the cowsquirrel wannabe, pick up a six-shooter for an especially flashy takedown. Fire all 6 shots to boost your jump. Pro tip: Earn your very own cowsquirrel hat by finding Wild Will and using the six-shooter to complete a secret objective for him.
Squirrel With a… Grenade Launcher
A much more powerful six-shooter, the grenade launcher dominates at crowd control and explosive gunplay. But beware of its short range and tricky aiming. The gun jump fires straight down, launching you far but causing significant damage. Pro tip: You’ll need to suit up properly to resist explosive damage. Find the bomb suit in a secret underground cave.
Squirrel With a… Rocket Launcher
For the arsenal expert, grab a rocket launcher for large enemy takedowns or handling groups of agents. Like the grenade launcher, reserve the gun jump for when you’re in a blast-resistant suit. Pro tip: When an enemy fires a rocket at you, try to hitch a ride on it right back at them.
Squirrel With a… Sniper Rifle
Post up on a squirrely vantage point with the semi-automatic sniper rifle to take out enemies long distance. Even the sniper rifle performs an epic takedown on enemies, even if they’re far away. When platforming, utilize the sniper gun jump for an extreme vertical boost. Its powerful kickback can even knock down nearby baddies. Pro tip: Take down a certain boss from above by finding the sniper rifle up in the scaffolding and aiming for weak spots.
Choose your weapon wisely and when a gun isn’t handy, try to get creative. Throw a grenade, brick, bottle, football, cake, or whatever is around that you can get your paws on to take down the enemy and earn those nuts at any cost.
Mika’s beloved tale comes to Xbox for the first time, with updated graphics and a new photo mode. Explore Kaltenbach, bond with Windstorm, and uncover hidden secrets.
Embark on a journey like no other as Windstorm: Start of a Great Friendship – Remastered gallops onto Xbox for the first time! Dive into the captivating world of Windstorm and experience the heartwarming tale of Mika, a young girl with a remarkable gift for understanding horses. As Mika forms an unbreakable bond with the magnificent black stallion, Windstorm, players are invited to join them on an unforgettable adventure.
Based on the beloved “Windstorm” movies and bestselling books, this Xbox release promises an immersive experience like never before. With fully updated graphics and a brand-new photo mode, players can explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Kaltenbach estate in stunning detail.
Engage in exhilarating riding tasks alongside Windstorm, as you navigate the picturesque Alpine area and uncover hidden treasures scattered throughout the terrain. Feel the thrill of horseback riding as you interact naturally with Windstorm, learning to communicate and understand each other’s movements with ease.
But the journey doesn’t end there. Care for Windstorm like a true friend, tending to his needs with love and dedication. From grooming to training, ensure Windstorm is in peak condition as you forge an unbreakable bond that will withstand any challenge.
Experience the world of Windstorm like never before with this Unreal Engine 5-powered remaster that boasts updated graphics, enhanced character details, and new animations for all creatures, including Windstorm himself. Explore every corner of the game world to discover new collectibles and hidden surprises, all while capturing stunning moments with the new photo mode.
Windstorm: Start of Great Friendship – Remastered on Xbox promises to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience. So, saddle up, embrace the adventure, and write with every gallop legends of your own.
Windstorm: Start of a Great Friendship – Remastered
Mindscape
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$24.99
Discover the breathtaking world of Windstorm and experience the fascinating story of Mika, a young girl known as a horse whisperer, as she befriends the majestic black stallion called Windstorm. Based on the successful Windstorm movies and best-selling books, experience exciting riding tasks together with Windstorm and freely explore the breathtaking surroundings of the Kaltenbach estate. Ride alongside other horses, look for hidden objects and try to become the racing champion. Numerous secrets and hidden locations are waiting to be discovered! After a long day of adventuring across the beautiful hills of Kaltenbach, take care of your animal friend with all of your love! Grooming, scraping out hooves and much more is necessary to keep your newly made friend in good shape. Windstorm is happy when you clean his stable or play around with him in the paddock. In return, he will always be by your side during your adventures and you will push each other to become the best you can be! Become an unbeatable team and form an unforgettable bond with Windstorm. • Ride Windstorm and freely explore the gorgeous Alpine area
• Learn to interact naturally with Windstorm and enjoy the freedom of horseback riding
• Carefully groom Windstorm and keep an eye on his health, training and happiness Explore the world of Windstorm – completely Remastered! • Updated graphics, more details to the characters you know and love
• All animals, including Windstorm, have been updated with new animations
• Updated nature scenes with new trees and plants, lighting and weather effects
• Explore every corner of the game world to find new collectibles
• A new photo mode to take beautiful pictures. Edit and add filters to make your photos unique!
As an indie game developer with a passion for filmmaking, I’ve always sought to blend the cinematic with the interactive. My latest project, NightGhast, is a testament to this fusion. NightGhast is a first-person horror game that delves into the eerie world of wicked witches and sinister widows. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, this game stands out not just for its chilling narrative but also for the innovative techniques we employed during its creation. A significant part of this process involved working with real-life theatre actors, filming them on green screen, and integrating their performances into the game. This approach not only enhanced the game’s realism but also opened new doors for future projects.
The Vision Behind NightGhast
My background in filmmaking has always driven me to create visually compelling and narratively rich experiences. Even though I have self-developed and self-published many indie games, NightGhast is special because it allowed me to merge my two passions: filmmaking and game development. The game’s story required a level of emotional depth and authenticity that could only be achieved through the nuanced performances of real actors. This led us to explore the use of real-time theatre actor shooting on green screen as a core part of our development process.
The Role of ID@Xbox
The journey of NightGhast was significantly supported by the ID@Xbox program, which assists indie developers in bringing their games to Xbox platforms. The ID@Xbox team was instrumental during the certification process, providing invaluable support and resources. Their assistance ensured that NightGhast met all technical and quality standards, allowing us to focus on the creative aspects of the game.
Integrating Real Actors into the Game
The use of Unreal Engine 5’s virtual production and cinematic tools allowed us to push the boundaries of traditional game development. We collaborated with talented theatre actors, filming their performances against a green screen. This process involved capturing a wide range of emotions and actions that were essential to the game’s narrative. The actors’ performances as image sequences were then imported into Unreal Engine 5, where we utilized advanced virtual production techniques to seamlessly integrate them into the game world. Although our budget was limited, for an indie game, I’m happy how their performance enhanced the narrative. Naturally, for future reference, if we ever have a chance to shoot real-time actors over a sophisticated virtual set, the results would be much more compelling.
Realism and Authenticity
The inclusion of real actors brought a level of realism to NightGhast that would have been difficult to achieve with purely digital characters. The subtle nuances of human performance added depth to the characters, making the horror elements more impactful and the story more engaging.
Enhanced Player Immersion
Using real actors helped create more believable interactions and heightened the emotional connection between the player and the game. The actors’ performances were not just visual; they conveyed the underlying tension and fear essential to a horror game, drawing players deeper into the experience. For example, one of the main adversaries in the game is inspired from Alpen folklore, a mystical character named “Schnabelperchten”. We experimented with great detail for her costume and make up, which would be nearly impossible if we wanted to develop that character as a 3D model, within our very limited budget.
Innovation in Game Development
This project demonstrated the potential of combining traditional filmmaking techniques with modern game development tools. By using green screen and virtual production, we were able to create complex scenes and character interactions more efficiently and with greater creative freedom.
Obstacles We Crushed
While the process was incredibly rewarding, it was not without its challenges. Filming on a green screen requires precise lighting and camera work to ensure that the actors’ performances are captured accurately. Additionally, integrating these performances into a real-time engine like Unreal Engine 5 involved overcoming some problems like “video codes”. Initially, we had certain problems with video and audio codecs on different platforms, and in the end, we had to develop new workflows and pipelines to manage the data and ensure that the final product was seamless.
What’s Next?
The success of NightGhast has opened up new possibilities for future projects. The technique of using real actors filmed on green screen can be applied to various genres and game types, offering a way to bring more lifelike characters and performances into the gaming world. This approach not only enhances the storytelling potential of games but also provides opportunities for actors to explore new forms of performance art.NightGhast is a pioneering blend of traditional filmmaking and cutting-edge game development, creating a unique and immersive horror experience. This innovative approach sets NightGhast apart and paves the way for future projects that will continue to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. As an indie developer, this journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I hope you, too, will soon be immersed in a strange and eerie world as you jump in to NightGhast, out now on Xbox.
These unique morph abilities tap into the lore of Throne and Liberty, which takes place in the fantasy world of Solisium, a land where fragments of the Sealstone that held the Goddess of Destruction, Sylaveth, have scattered across the world. These fragments have created a great deal of conflict not only because of their value, but their ability to develop powers in those who can collect them. This is where you and your friends come in; working to get your hands on these unique resources, embarking on a grand adventure across the land of Solisium, battling unique monsters, and taking on other rival players across this massive, free-to-play online world.
As I mentioned earlier, trying to bring this massive experience into a controller is a monumental task. I did stumble a bit initially on getting my head around the wealth of options available to me at my fingertips. But as my session continued, I found it fluid and natural. And although I only played for just under an hour, I could see myself getting used to this configuration if given more time with it. This is an area that NCSoft remains committed to, iterating on what is typically a heavy keyboard and mouse experience for a controller-friendly game.
“We’ve made several alterations to how the controller handles – button mappings, targeting, and movement are the three most critical elements we’ve been continuously iterating on over the past 12 months to really nail what’s needed for this type of combat,” Lafuente explains. “We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made, and our latest tests have shown that players are saying the gameplay feels natural. I’ve even found myself wondering if I should make the switch to playing Throne and Liberty from the couch on a controller from now on.”
The new Alice’s Adventures Special Pack contains five new levels, 10 achievements, and new cosmetics.
The Mad Tea Party is a one-of-a-kind level where you’re tiny — you’ll return to normal size in the other levels.
The Alice’s Adventures Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator comes to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on July 2, 2024.
Get ready to take a trip to the topsy-turvy, terribly dirty realm of Wonderland in the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator, launching July 2, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The new Special Pack contains five mind-bending new levels, 10 achievements, and psychedelic cosmetics for your character and power washer.
Together with Sam Jenkins from FuturLab’s design team, who oversaw the design of this level, we’re excited to give you this exclusive first look at the Mad Tea Party job from the Special Pack, which is our first real venture into experimenting with player character scale.
Start small, wash big
The Mad Tea Party is the fourth job in the Alice’s Adventures mini-campaign. In this level, you’ll power wash an extremely mucky table following the infamous soirée. Sounds like a quick job, right? Not quite.
For the first time, we’ve experimented with the scale of the player character. You’ll be shrunken down to the size of a spoon and tasked with cleaning cakes and crockery twice your height (and then some). Our community have long asked for a level like this, and the Mad Tea Party seemed like the ideal opportunity to bring this idea to life.
“We had the idea to make use of how characters in Wonderland often change their size by drinking potions to shrink the player character,” explains Jenkins. “To make a level like the Mad Tea Party a satisfyingly paced experience, we had to be very careful with what scale we wanted everything to be compared to the washer. To do this, we experimented with a few early block outs to find that sweet spot where all the washable objects on the table were the perfect mix of fun and challenging.”
Does that make sense? No? Good!
PowerWash players have always loved the way the game doesn’t take itself too seriously, and we embraced this in the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack. There’s a real emphasis on the theme of nonsense that “Alice in Wonderland,” and Carrol’s work, is known for. This meant we could bend some rules that we usually stick to in PowerWash Simulator. For example, cleaning food!
“In the past, we’ve never washed food in PowerWash Simulator, as food is just not something anyone would realistically ask you to wash. But in the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack, we’re in Wonderland, and Wonderland isn’t meant to make sense!” says Jenkins. “I wanted to have food in this level because players likely won’t be able to wash it in any other PowerWash Simulator level. It also feels in character for the Mad Hatter to have the player wash his food, with no thought to if it’d be edible or not after!”
Creating a Tablescape
The entire job takes place on the tabletop, so we set about creating themed props and incidentals, from hourglasses to teapots, that create a fun, explorable environment for a miniature power washer.
“We also put a lot of thought into how the player could traverse around and parkour up and on objects like the Mad Hatter’s hat, candelabra, teapot and Cake Stand plates,” adds Jenkins. “So we made sure they were purposefully placed in a way that allows players to climb on them without equipment and jump between them!”
Another unique design philosophy for this pack was the steer towards maximalism that really sets it apart from the base game. Opulent, eccentric and busy prints lie beneath the muck, making for super-satisfying reveal with every pass of the washer.
We can’t wait to see you polish off a plate so clean, your nanny would be proud in this job. And if you’re hungry for a second serving, there’s always Free Play mode!
“I’m really excited to see players reactions to this pack,” concludes Jenkins. “It has lots of humour in the story and the dirt, lots of really satisfying and quirky environments to explore and lots of nods to the original Alice story I think people will appreciate.”
Go down the rabbit hole on July 2, 2024, when the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack releases on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
PowerWash Simulator
Square Enix Ltd.
☆☆☆☆☆464
★★★★★
$24.99$19.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Release the Pressure with PowerWash Simulator! Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish. TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play. POWERWASH AND CHILL
Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed. KEEP IT CLEAN
For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
GOOD CLEAN FUN Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Explore more about these upcoming titles below and click on their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!
Join Renata on a brand new Frogun adventure in this fast-paced classic 3D platformer! Building off the original gameplay, Frogun Encore features a slew of new movements, like the double jump, sling catapult and toss jump!
Continue the eerie story of Banban’s Kindergarten in Garten of Banban 2. Delve deeper into the bizarre, suspiciously abandoned underground facility and uncover the truth behind it with the help of your trusty drone… if you can survive meeting its eccentric residents.
Delve even deeper into Banban’s Kindergarten in Garten of Banban 3. Explore the bizarre, suspiciously abandoned underground facility and continue the search for your child. Can you find them before the facility’s unexpected residents find you?
Explore the bandoned underground levels of Banban’s Kindergarten in Garten of Banban 4. Delve deep into the bizarre, suspiciously abandoned underground facility and continue the search for your missing child. Can you find them before the facility’s residents find you?
Go forth, pious priest, alleviate suffering, uncover deceptions, and smash the eldritch perversions encroaching upon reality with a stark late 90s aesthetic that brings the first-person action-adventure Graven to life. Featuring character designs by Chuck Jones (Duke Nukem 3D, Half-Life) and the voice talent of Stephan Weyte (Blood, Fire Emblem, Dusk) in a dark yet distinct medieval fantasy experience.
Indulge in a delicious adventure as you choose to battle or befriend your enemies to save the day your way! Personalize your cupcake hero and meet charming friends along the way. Leave the world better off than you found it in this turn-based RPG.
A fast-paced action platformer where you’ll use your acrobatic skills to navigate through challenging levels. Swing and dash through a variety of obstacles to reach the end of each stage. With intuitive controls and thrilling gameplay, Dash & Swing offers an exciting experience for players who love platformers.
Platforming adventure gets a survival twist in Go Go Jump!!! Take on all the Jump masters as you earn badges in story mode or compete in various survival scenarios against your friends. Go Go Jump!!! is a side-scrolling action extravaganza presented in a mix of 3D environments, hand-drawn HD sprites, and fully voiced hilarity.
A stylish turn-based action platformer with bits of roguelite, bullet hell and time manipulation. Dash through your enemies, freeze time and throw your sword to solve every situation in your way.
NeoSprint zooms back to life as a single screen arcade racer for up to 8 players, paired with a robust track builder and intuitive sharing tools, ensuring a racing experience that satisfies speed demons and architects alike. Campaign mode, Grand Prix, Obstacle Courses and Time Trials provide tons of pulse-pounding race content, and multiplayer modes make for chaotic fun.
In this 2D tower defense game, you play as a friendly crocodile who possesses a jewel that has been passed down through generations, protecting the nearby islands. Now, you need all the help you can get to combat the pirates who want to conquer everything in their path and steal the great jewel.
Aimlabs is a training platform to help sharpen up your core FPS aiming skills, with a comprehensive set of tools to improve your aim, regardless of which FPS you play. Dive into specifically designed training exercises to master the art of flicking, tracking, and switching with detailed feedback that gives you valuable insights and guides you towards rapid improvement.
On your marks for The Giganto Games, a roar-some sports party for one to four dinos! Play as Mazu, Rocky, Bill and Tiny and compete in eight chomp-sized games. You’ll fly across deserts, race across glaciers, blast targets with berrys and more. But look out – Giganto himself might just stomp into the action!
Princess Myana loves to sing and believes she can make her people happy with her song. This time, she visits the human’s country Eroolia as the leader of Laarz, the country of cat people. Relations between humans and luccretias have never been good, and Princess Myana experiences it herself in Eroolia. Will her song be able to unite the hearts between humans and luccretias?
The king has been taken hostage and locked inside a dungeon that changes each time you die or complete a level. Complete in challenges from becoming invisible, turning the world upside down, and a lot more. Are you up for the impossible task?
The story takes place in an old stronghold, at the last days of a great battle. You died, but your will was stronger than your body, so you woke up again, to continue the siege in a never-ending night. Remembering little more than your purpose, you’ll have to leave the dungeons, advance through the stronghold’s outskirts, and reach the highest tower. To find the Heir and finally end your curse.
You’re the cameraperson of Butterfly Valley’s #1 influencer: Cliff Rockslide. Frame every shot like you were a professional and follow the stories to make Cliff famous. Local News with Cliff Rockslide is a first-person visual novel with an amazingly funny story to laugh for days.
Test your skills in Mr Trials. Compete in 50 amazing levels over five different worlds. Beat the stunt score to receive the Golden Helmets. Have you got what it takes?
See what it’s like to be a farmer and maker of sweet treats. Grow cocoa trees, build mills, make squirrel houses, and decorate your own farmhouse. Work your new lands and become the best maker of sweet treats around in new time management game New Lands 2!
One ordinary November night, Jamie witnesses a paranormal event. Shortly afterwards, he is transported to Aliorbis, a mysterious alternate version of Earth where magic and science coexist in almost perfect harmony. He quickly becomes part of SEEK, an organization that investigates crimes that are a threat to both worlds. Play as Jamie and other characters with unique personalities and explore otherworldly scenarios, solve puzzles, and investigate gory crime scenes.
A long time ago, all the animals lived in peace in their vast city, the Citadel. But then, evil Cats took over, exiled dogs beyond the city walls and sent others to work in factories and mines. Now, dissenters have united to form the Resistance — it’s time to overthrow the tyranny of cats!
Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) have revolutionized the way players interact with games by breaking the fourth wall, blending fiction with reality, and creating immersive experiences that extend beyond traditional gaming boundaries. Trust No One epitomizes this innovative approach, engaging you on a deeper level by integrating real-world elements into its narrative.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
In traditional media, breaking the fourth wall refers to characters acknowledging the audience’s existence, thereby disrupting the imaginary “wall” separating them from the viewer. Trust No One pushes this further by dissolving the boundary between the game and the real world. Players are not just passive consumers of a story; they become active participants, influencing the narrative and engaging with real-world elements to advance the plot.
Immersion Through Real-World Interaction
Trust No One, developed by Triomatica Games, is a prime example enhancing player engagement by breaking the fourth wall. Set in Kyiv, you take on the role of a journalist investigating a mysterious AI company. You must use external resources such as internet searches and real-world clues to solve puzzles, creating a seamless blend of digital and physical realities.
This immersive approach to gameplay makes you feel like you are part of the game’s world. By stepping outside the confines of the game itself, you engage more deeply with the narrative, experiencing a sense of involvement and urgency that traditional games often lack. The real-world interaction fosters a connection to the game’s story, making the experience more personal and impactful.
Community and Collaboration
ARGs often rely on community collaboration to solve complex puzzles and uncover hidden narratives. Trust No One encourages players to share discoveries and work together to piece together the story. This collaborative aspect builds a sense of community among players. Online forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites become integral parts of the gaming experience, where players can exchange information, theories, and solutions.
The social dimension of Trust No One transforms the gaming experience into a collective journey, where you feel part of a larger effort. But what if your cooperative mate is one of the game’s characters? You are going to communicate with one of the game characters via real email in order to progress in Trust No One.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
By breaking the fourth wall, Trust No One also enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You must think creatively, analyze real-world information, and connect disparate clues to progress. You are going to analyze in-game clues and connect them to real-world information, like addresses of real places in Kyiv. By the way, all game locations have their real-world prototypes and even have their real addresses, so you can check them all on Bing Maps.
In Trust No One, the puzzles are designed to be challenging and require you to engage with various external sources. This level of complexity and the need for real-world research encourages you to develop a more analytical and resourceful mindset, benefiting your problem-solving abilities both within and outside the game.
Would you Like to Try It?
Breaking the fourth wall in Trust No One significantly enhances your engagement by merging the fictional world with reality, fostering community collaboration, and encouraging critical thinking. This unique and immersive experience will captivate you and keeps you invested in the narrative long after you’ve put down you controller. By continuing to innovate and blur the lines between game and reality, Trust No Oneis at the forefront of interactive storytelling, offering you new ways to engage with and influence the worlds you explore.
Only you decide what your next step will be. Trust No One has a completely open world with more than 300 locations to explore. Try it and see where it leads you.
Feel like a journalist in the real Kyiv, unravelling a mysterious web of clues that lead you to an unexpected finale.
Available on Xbox Series and Xbox One Today. And remember: Trust No One.
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