Schlagwort: nextgen games

Draw your blade and join the revolution! Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the latest game from the creators of Yakuza, is now available worldwide on Xbox Series X|S. Ishin! is a heated samurai epic that draws from real-world Japanese history and politics fuelled by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s over-the-top action combat.

Following the tale of Sakamoto Ryoma, this lone samurai’s fight for justice stands to change the course of Japan’s history forever.

Ishin! takes place in the 1867 Bakamatsu era, Japan. The country is in civil unrest due to widespread inequality, and political tensions are running high. Ryoma’s master falls in a political ploy, and his only lead to the assailant points to the Shinsengumi, the ruling Tokugawa Clan’s elite samurai police force. Vowing to avenge his master, Ryoma flees to the capital and joins the Shinsengumi undercover where his path entwines with that of the revolution.

The Ishin! launching today is a remake of its 2014 predecessor, which was never released outside of Japan. With tightened combat, enhanced graphics, full localization and all-new content, today’s Ishin! is truly the definitive version of the game to play. It’s largely to the credit of vocal Yakuza fans worldwide that the lost chapter of the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio library arrives to Western shores on Xbox and Windows!

Certainly the katana is ubiquitous with samurai, but there was much more to their arsenal in 1860s. Ryoma can wield period firearms, swords and even his bare fists in four unique combat styles. You can seamlessly change your fighting style mid-fight to counter your opponents.

Forged by Sega exclusively for Xbox fans, those that want to be a cut above the rest can claim the Poet Immortal katana, a deadly blade with an elegant luster. Poet Immortal is available to download for free only on the Microsoft Store. Once downloaded, head to the Teradaya Inn, which is accessible from Chapter 2 onwards, to retrieve the weapon from Bakumatsu Bob.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is now out on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC! Follow us on Twitter @RGGStudio for Like a Dragon series updates or visit ishin.sega.com to learn more.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! Digital Deluxe Edition

SEGA

☆☆☆☆☆77

★★★★★

Pre-order your Digital Deluxe Edition for exclusive early access on February 17, 2023 @ 15:00 GMT. Don the clothes and weaponry of the elite to become the samurai of legend, Sakamoto Ryoma. The Deluxe Edition both adds challenge to your journey and gives you additional resources to overcome it. The Deluxe Edition includes: • Shinsengumi Captain’s Set
• Ryoma Growth Support Kit
• Sword Upgrade Materials Kit
• Gun Upgrade Materials Kit
• Third Division Armament Expansion Kit
• The Dragon of Dojima Skin PLUS an additional three weapons to help you trailblaze the road to revolution:
• Kijinmaru Kunishige, a dark sword with a white hilt
• Tsuyano Usukurenai, a sword soaked in blood
• Black Ship Cannon, a cannon taken from Western ships 1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

SEGA

☆☆☆☆☆17

★★★★★

Pre-order now for exclusive access to three of the best weapons of the era. Trailblaze the road to revolution with: • Kijinmaru Kunishige, a dark sword with a white hilt
• Tsuyano Usukurenai, a sword soaked in blood
• Black Ship Cannon, a cannon taken from Western ships 1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.

Poet Immortal Katana

SEGA

☆☆☆☆☆6

★★★★★

Slay your enemies with the Poet Immortal Katana, weapon available exclusively to Xbox users.

Welcome back friends, we have more games coming soon (some as soon as today!). RPG’s, Puzzles, Racing, and Action coming to your backlog. Let’s get to the games!

Available Today

Atomic Heart (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 21
Available on day one with Game Pass: In a mad and sublime utopian world, take part in explosive encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, use your environment, and upgrade your equipment to fulfill your mission.

Coming Soon

Merge & Blade (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 28
Experience an addictive fantasy puzzler and a massive auto-battler in the world’s first puzzle auto-battler game! Engage in large-scale battles with monsters with your own squad using merge mechanics. Only your brain can save the world!

Soul Hackers 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 28
Explore a supernatural RPG with stylish summoners and dark dangers lurking under cyberpunk Japan. Join Ringo and her companions to solve the mystery behind an imminent apocalypse in Soul Hackers 2. Strengthen the bonds with your teammates and dive deeper into their soul, reliving their last adventures and discovering the truth of their stories and yours.

F1 22 (Console and PC) EA Play – March 2
PC Game Pass & Ultimate members can get behind the wheel on March 2 as F1 22 joins The Play List with EA Play. Get to grips with the fastest motorsport around. Take your seat in the 2022 season cars, test your skills around Miami International Autodrome, and get a taste of the glitz and glamor in F1 Life.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 3
Available on day one with Game Pass: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Players fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within.

Game Updates

Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update XII: New Zealand – February 23
Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update XII: New Zealand beckons all to experience the expansive beauty that the country has to offer, reproduced in stunning photo-realistic quality including 62 handcrafted points of interest and 10 new missions to bask in the majesty of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes from above. Available for free to all owners and Game Pass members. The sky is calling!

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Apex Legends: Supercharge Revelry Pack – Available now
Join the Apex Games ready for battle with the Supercharge Revelry Pack, available with your EA Play membership until March 14, 2023.

MultiVersus: MVP Pack – Drop 3 – Available now
The MultiVersus MVP Pack is a free in-game bundle only available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Enjoy a new variant, ringout effect, and a banner on us with each pack to further up your game!

Leaving February 28

There’s still time to pick up where you left off or earn some extra Achievements in the following games leaving soon. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on games available in the Game Pass library before they go!

• Alien: Isolation (Console and PC)
• Crown Trick (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Dragon Ball FighterZ (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Far: Changing Tides (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Console and PC)
• Madden NFL 21 (Console and PC) EA Play
• Octopath Traveler (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Remember to use your Xbox Game Pass mobile app to add these games to your download queue (and to turn in your Game Pass Quests)! Stay tuned on Xbox Wire or on Twitter at @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass for more updates.

The Diablo IV open beta and early access weekends have officially been announced! Prepare yourself for the first venture into Sanctuary with an opportunity to dive-in early. The open beta will be available to everyone from March 24 to 26, but those who pre-order Diablo IV on the Xbox Store will get early access to the open beta from March 17 to 19. Sanctuary will be teeming with demons eagerly awaiting your arrival…

Throughout both the open beta and early access weekends, you can experience the first moments of Diablo IV, playing through the Prologue and entirety of Act 1. To get you fully immersed in all the gruesome and glorious elements of Sanctuary, the entire first zone, Fractured Peaks, will be yours to explore. From traversing the rugged landscape to slaying demons with furious might, this will be your chance to adventure through the Mortal Realm and behold what horrors await.

Let no evil thwart you on this journey. Clear hellish hordes from dungeons, complete intriguing quests provided by the locals, and gather powerful loot from fallen enemies on your path to reach Level 25. But make no mistake, you cancontinue todiscover the threats lurking around every turn once this level cap is reached.

This is your opportunity to combat the might of the Burning Hells before the game releases on June 6 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Pre-order your copy of Diablo IV today on the Xbox Store to get in on all the excitement of the open beta next month!

Note: The availability and launch dates of the beta are subject to change and the minimum duration of the open beta will be two days for a limited time. A Battle.net account will also be required to play.

Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition

Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆89

★★★★★

Pre-order Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition digitally and receive Early Access to the Open Beta, starting March 17th*, Light Bearer Mount in Diablo® IV and up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo® IV’s Launch**. Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition also includes: – Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III***
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®****
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™****
– Temptation Mount in Diablo® IV
– Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo® IV
– Wings of the Creator Emote in Diablo® IV
– Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo® IV (includes a Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock plus 20 Tier Skips and a cosmetic) Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms. This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon. *Platform availability and dates subject to change. See Diablo.com for more details. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. Minimum duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection and Battle.net account required. **Up to 4 days based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. ***Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately. ****Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately. Battle.net account required. Internet connection required. For more information, please visit Diablo.com. © 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

Diablo® IV – Digital Deluxe Edition

Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆103

★★★★★

Pre-order Diablo® IV – Digital Deluxe Edition and receive Early Access to the Open Beta, starting March 17th*, Light Bearer Mount in Diablo® IV and up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo® IV’s Launch**. Diablo® IV – Digital Deluxe Edition also includes: – Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III***
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®****
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™****
– Temptation Mount in Diablo® IV
– Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo® IV
– Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo® IV Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms. This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon. *Platform availability and dates subject to change. See Diablo.com for more details. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. Minimum duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection and Battle.net account required. **Up to 4 days based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. ***Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately. ****Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately. Battle.net account required. Internet connection required. For more information, please visit Diablo.com. © 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

Diablo® IV – Standard Edition

Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆100

★★★★★

Pre-order Diablo® IV – Standard Edition digitally and receive Early Access to the Open Beta, starting March 17th* and Light Bearer Mount in Diablo® IV. Diablo® IV – Standard Edition also includes: – Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III**
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®***
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™*** Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms. This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon. *Platform availability and dates subject to change. See Diablo.com for more details. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. Minimum duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection and Battle.net account required. **Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately. ***Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately. Battle.net account required. Internet connection required. For more information, please visit Diablo.com. © 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

Not For Broadcast is an FMV game about making a TV show. As the National Nightly News airs live on screen, you will make the edits, censor the swear words (and later, politically controversial phrases, if you choose), and even pick what plays in the ad breaks.

As tensions rise, a burgeoning resistance movement demands you transmit their anti-government propaganda instead of the regularly scheduled news, to dramatically change the message going out to the masses of avid viewers.

The feeling of making a TV show, of being in control of what the audience at home sees, and impacting the stories of the characters and the world was the experience we want for you, our player.

In a world dominated by the consumption of visual media, it’s time to take a closer look at the power it has over us. And what better way to raise the stakes and give you a keen sense of urgency and power than to make it all live? After all, the news is reported as it happens. There’s no pausing in real life, no rewinding an interview to ask a different question, and certainly no avoiding the barrage of advertising. That experience, the stress, fun and creativity of making choices on the fly to tell your story, to see the narrative developing from the consequences of these decisions; that’s the fun of Not For Broadcast.

Of course, this presented a different problem altogether.

Our biggest challenge was shooting footage as single, continuous takes. Evoking that “Live TV Feeling” meant no cuts at any point… That’s right: not one. You are the editor here, not us. So, while a movie is composed of only the best shots cut from all the takes you got on the day, we don’t have that luxury. We had to nail each scene in one go — some of them approached 20 minutes!

Our incredibly talented cast had to learn relatively long scripts and perform them in one take without a single mistake in front of moving cameras whose operators had their own world of complications to handle. We were fortunate that most of our scenes were shot in ten takes or less, but it wasn’t uncommon for a longer or more complicated scene to run into the teens.

We pulled it off with a powerful combination of planning, exceptional actors and crewmembers, and a very deliberate decision: We ran the shoot more like a theatre show than a film set. Rehearsing an ensemble of actors who were prepared to roll with the punches of live performance and react accordingly until we had a scene that worked.

This meant seriously high pressure for everyone. Fluff your line in minute 12? Drop your camera out of focus? We’re all going back to the top. Though the upside is when you nail that one take, you’re done and you can hit the pub.

There were further wrinkles to this format, too, in the shape of long, complex tracks for our friends doing the Russian and Chinese dubbing of Not For Broadcast, but if you’ve heard our fully produced rap single “Paint It Red” in Russian, I think you’ll agree it was time and money well spent. As it turns out, it made for a record-breaking amount of footage in our game by the end, at over a whopping 41 hours.

So, the next time you’re playing Not For Broadcast, and you get to a sequence that’s over 15 minutes long, take a moment to think about the actors, crew, dubbing teams, and the team at NotGames who’ve taken that piece of flawless, one-take action from script to set to game. We certainly will when we’re planning the next one!

Not For Broadcast

tinyBuild

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99 $22.49

It’s time for the National Nightly News. A nation tunes in, and you get to decide what’s fit for broadcast. Pick the most exciting (or scandalous) camera angles, bleep the swears and determine which ads to run to keep the sponsors happy. No pressure, right? I mean, who pays attention to the news anyway? Not For Broadcast is a darkly comedic game of televised chaos that lets you pick what you want to see on TV, no matter what anybody else wants. Egotistical celebrities, dishonest politicians, and strange sponsors clash on the airwaves. You’re here to ensure that the show goes on uninterrupted. Cut between multiple camera feeds, tweak the headlines, bleep the foul language, all with just moments to spare on a live broadcast! Whether you toe the party line or stir up a scandal is your choice, so long as you can hold the audience’s fickle attention. Frame the picture (and the debate): Keep the general public entertained with your editing skills. You are the artist and the broadcast is your canvas. Keep it PG: Smash that big red CENSOR button to keep rude words (and other sensitive information) off the air. Keep the news safe for children and oppressive political regimes alike. Hand-pick the headlines: There’s more news to see than a single broadcast can possibly contain, so someone (that’s you) gets to choose what goes on air. Frame a footballer as a loving beau or a drunken lout? Your call to make, and just one of many. It’s just TV, right? It’s not like you could change an entire nation’s fate… Cue the ads: Powerful as you are, they’re really not paying you enough here. Some hand-picked (if slightly sketchy) sponsors might help pad that bank balance, and provide some laughs along the way. Customer satisfaction is not guaranteed and absolutely no refunds. The show must go on! Nothing will stop the National Nightly News, not even existential threats! Keep broadcasting no matter how bizarre things get. News stops for no-one, not even a category 5 storm! Keep them laughing as you go: Okay, so the news isn’t all sunshine and celebrity embarrassments. There’s all that talk of war, and the politics are just getting to you. But don’t worry, be happy! Tune out the chaos, turn up the ads, and whatever you do, don’t listen in on the increasingly panicked chatter of the news crew behind the scenes. Everything’s fine.

Jump into the world of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and play as Goku in his journey that many fans know and love. Relive the story from the moment Goku learns his Saiyan name, Kakarot, and all the way through the defeat of Kid Buu. Experience his character growth and developing camaraderie with his allies first-hand!

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot returns as a new release on the Xbox Series X|S, with updated graphics and faster loading time. Fans who own the original on Xbox One can also upgrade to the next-gen version for free!

In this action RPG, you can further immerse yourself in Goku’s life by exploring the world — fly around to different areas, go fishing, collect items, and of course, eat delicious home-cooked meals prepared by his wife, Chi-Chi! Throughout your adventure, you will also encounter familiar faces from the world of Dragon Ball and can build your friendships through quests and gifting. Depending on which arc you are in, you may find yourself playing as different characters, such as Goku’s son, Gohan, or Piccolo the Namekian. You will unlock more characters as you progress through the game. Speaking of new characters…

Not only did Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot receive a next-gen release, but a new DLC featuring Goku’s father, Bardock, is also hitting the store! -Bardock- Alone Against Fate is the newest DLC to launch for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and is available now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S! Fans can purchase the Season Pass to receive -Bardock- Alone Against Fate and the two upcoming DLC teased in the launch trailer.

This is a game for all Dragon Ball fans or anyone who has been curious to learn more! Experience Goku’s story on next-gen today and get your Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Season Pass 2 for more adventures ahead!

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Season Pass 2

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆30

★★★★★

Deepen your DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT experience by grabbing Season Pass 2 which includes 3 additional story arcs! Season Pass 2 Bonus:
• Sea Monster Soup cooking item

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT -BARDOCK- Alone Against Fate

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆23

★★★★★

Experience the story of Goku’s father, Bardock, who fought alone against his fate in this New Story Arc! This is the story of one who stood alone against the scum of the universe. Bardock, warrior of Saiyan race, spent his days invading planets with his fellow soldiers. But an incident on Planet Kanassa would bring to his attention a calamity set to befall his home, Planet Vegeta. The DLC includes:
– New Story Arc
– New Super Attacks
– New Soul Emblems
– Others *BARDOCK- Alone Against Fate can be played without clearing the Main Story.

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆440

★★★★★

Relive the story of Goku and other Z Fighters in DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT! Beyond the epic battles, experience life in the DRAGON BALL Z world as you fight, fish, eat, and train with Goku, Gohan, Vegeta and others. Explore the new areas and adventures as you advance through the story and form powerful bonds with other heroes from the DRAGON BALL Z universe.

Twenty years ago, we experienced the original story of Lloyd Irving and his journey to save the two worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe’alla with his friends. Filled with unforgettable characters and an emotionally charged storyline, it still resonates with longtime fans.

Today, it is our pleasure to bring Tales of Symphonia Remastered to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. As part of the excitement, our production team would like to share a few personal tips with newcomers and returning veterans to set you on the right path. We hope you will enjoy your journey in Sylvarant and Tethe’alla!

The adventures of Lloyd and his friends is a tale to remember. Guide the party by honing your swordsmanship and sorcery skills.

Arts and Techniques

Set up each character to use magic or techniques, which can be called a special technique. As character levels increase, each character will learn magic or techniques. When magic or techniques are used, the character will perform powerful attacks or enable recovery by consuming a character’s TP.

On the menu screen, you can set the magic techniques that the operating character activates with the left stick combination and the magic techniques that you want your companions to perform. For techniques, there are “beginner magic,” “intermediate magic,” and “advanced magic,” while for skills, there are “Lv1. Special Attacks,” “Lv2. Special Attacks,” and “Lv3. Special Attacks. However, not all techniques are earned from character levels.  Some techniques can only be learned by using a lower-level technique 50 times.

EX Skills

Additional abilities can be added to your character. During the game, you may obtain EX Gems, which you can equip on your character to grant them EX Skills.

• Get EX Gems
• Equip on character.
• Select a Skill

When certain EX skills are equipped on the same character, a compound EX skill can be learned at the end of a battle. For example, in the case of Colette, if the level 1 skills Defend and Accuracy are equipped, she can learn a compound EX skill called “Search Item”.

Character Types

EX skills have a function, which allows the character type to be changed. Type determines the arts and techniques a character learns, and the current type is indicated by a gauge on the status screen. This gauge changes with each battle, and the number of EX skill types set determines whether the character will grow into a T-Type or S-Type.

T-Type (Technical)

They learn techniques that have a large number of hits and area effect techniques capable of targeting multiple enemies or allies. For those who emphasize continuous techniques or like to specialize in magic, the T-type is recommended.

S-Type (Strike)

This type learns techniques that are focused on powerful single target damage. The S-Type is recommended for those who want to deliver a powerful blow. It is especially effective against single bosses.

Production Team Tip: For characters who use magic, it is recommended they grow into a T-Type and learn magic with a wide range of effects. For example, Indignation is a lightning type of skill with a large area effect and high power, which will give you the upper hand in battle!

Unison Attack

All four party members are able to combine their techs into a single attack known as a Unison Attack. Techs that are performed during a Unison Attack do not consume any TP and, depending on the combination, can inflict additional damage.

• Set the technique you want to perform.
• Fill the gauge.
• Hit the starting move (right stick pressed in)
• Unison Attack Activation

At the end of the Unison Attack, depending on the combination of techniques used, a compound special technique will occur. For example, a swordsman character like Lloyd, Zelos, or Kratos can activate the compound special technique, “Cross Thrust”, by using “Sonic Thrust” together. If the combination of techniques is powerful, the compound special technique will also be powerful.

Gungnir, a powerful combined technique, can be activated by using Raine’s Ray or Holy Lance ability combined with Hurricane Thrust or Super Sonic Thrust from a swordsman character.

AI Strategy

During battle, characters not controlled by the player will be controlled by AI and act according to a behavior pattern that can be customized. The strategy is divided into three categories with instructions on the selection criteria for priority targets, how many magic and techniques to use, and the range to engage the enemy. The strategy can also be set from the battle menu while in battle. The User Command allows the user to register up to three preset strategies for all members, which can be changed instantly during the battle.

Production Team Tip: Enemies may appear more than once at a time. In such cases, we recommend customizing the strategy according to the battle situation, such as prioritizing the low HP enemies to be defeated first.

Cooking

Rest is important during your journey! Let’s cook to recharge your body and soul. By utilizing cooking, you’ll be able to unlock several ways to recover your party member’s ailments and resources. To cook a dish, select the character in charge of cooking and the dish to be made on the menu screen.

If the necessary ingredients are available, all members can be recovered and treated immediately. It can also be done at the end of a battle, so you’ll want to stock up on frequently used ingredients. However, cooking has a chance to fail, and when it does, its effectiveness is greatly reduced. Let the most skilled characters cook as much as possible.

Cooking skills vary from person to person, and each character has their own proficiency level. Proficiency level increases with each dish, and the higher the level, the higher the success rate and the more effective the dish. There are also secret recipes that you can learn from Wonder chefs hidden around the world. One Wonder chef is hidden in each city and they can be difficult to discover as the chef is disguised as other objects like a pumpkin or a bear statue.

Production Team Tip: We especially recommend Cream Stew and Miso Stew. These two should be mastered before taking on a strong enemy!

• Cream Stew: Cures all Status Effects for the party.

• Miso Stew: Restores a large amount of HP/TP.

With these tips from our production team, we hope that you’ll be able to guide Lloyd on his journey to save the world. Tales of Symphonia Remastered is available now on Xbox X|S and Xbox One.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆21

★★★★★

In a dying world, legend has it that a Chosen One will one day rise from amongst the people and the land will be reborn. The line between good and evil blurs in this epic adventure where the fate of two interlocked worlds hangs in the balance. Follow the journey of Lloyd Irving as he and his friends try to save both worlds. Dive back into Tales of Symphonia, an exciting and beloved action RPG, now with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay!

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!

Akka Arrh – February 21

A cascade of words, color, shapes, and sound flows around your turret as you desperately fight off swarms of inbound attackers. This modern take from the developers at Llamasoft combines the intrigue of an incredibly rare Atari arcade prototype with a unique creative vision that delivers a wave shooter that is incredible fun to play.

Atomic Heart – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! In a mad and sublime utopian world, take part in explosive encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, use your environment and upgrade your equipment to fulfill your mission. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.

Remoteness – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

New York, 2034. You wake up after what seemed to be a terrible nightmare, but it’s not. After an electrical meteor shower hit Earth, the district has been evacuated and isolated overnight by the army. The only option left is to grab your crossbow to fight, explore, survive, and escape from this hell.

Animal Lover – February 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Evil forces have turned these five hunky beefcake time-displaced boys into animals! You’ve got to help cure them and maybe even fall in love along the way! Help Edmund, Frankie, Kyle, Miguel, and Charlie regain their literal humanity while also becoming better people along the way.

Arcadia Fallen – February 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Arcadia Fallen is a roleplaying visual novel where your choices shape the personality of your character. Play the role of a young alchemist apprentice who is unwillingly bound to an illegal spirit. Suddenly drawn into a war between humanity and magic, they must join a group of unlikely heroes to escape their own doom, hopefully saving the world along the way.

Intruders: Hide and Seek – February 22

A first-person stealth game that delivers intense psychological terror from the point of view of a defenseless boy. As Ben, the eldest of the Richter family children, you’re witness to three dangerous intruders slipping into the house and taking your parents hostage. You’ll have to find a way to save your family while you figure out who the three assailants are and what they want.

sCATch: The Painter Cat – February 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A puzzle game where the objective is find the exit after painting all the walls of the maze with the correct combination of colors.

Webgeon Speedrun Edition – February 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Can you finish all 20 levels in the fastest time? As a spider you’ll have to be careful in order to solve every challenging puzzle as fast as possible as each level gets progressively harder.

Blood Bowl 3 – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Strap on your boots, don your helmet, adjust your shoulder guards and chest plate… and slip a sharpened dagger into your belt (discreetly). Take control of a team from one of 12 factions, each with its own unique characteristics, and hobble the progress of your opponents by positioning your players wisely. Dodge or ruthlessly eliminate those who get in your way and reach the end zone to score decisive touchdowns! The cleverest strategists will obviously have the advantage, but will that be enough?

Catan: Console Edition – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Play the official video game of Catan on console! Acquire resources, master new strategies, and build your settlements across a board that comes to life. Challenge friends in your living room or play against smart and dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian, then take these skills online with full cross-play compatibility.

Frog Hop – February 23

A cute and quirky classic adventure platforming game about a frog named Hoppy searching for his frog friend Jumpy. Swing and launch yourself through levels with your tongue ability with a vast array of gimmicks, enemies, and obstacles; there’s always something new you’ll encounter in each level.

Midnight is Lost – February 23

Midnight is a witch’s animal helper. More precisely, he’s a cat that has accidentally ended up on a mysterious island and needs your help to get back home. Midnight is Lost gives you a unique and challenging experience that needs to be solved backward so get ready to challenge your brain!

Planet Cube: Edge – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Planet Cube is being invaded by a mysterious aggressor, and its populace are not ready for a fight. While most cubes run to the nearest exit, one square-headed lab technician named Edge finds it in himself to save the world. Run, gun, jump and dash through an underwater science complex, collecting fire-power to turn the tables on mysterious aggressors.

Remorse: The List – February 23

What secrets lurk in the sleepy, little Hungarian town, Hidegpuszta? That’s for you to find out! Remorse: The List is a survival horror game in the classic sense, with open gameplay, an inventory, and combat. Explore the creepy, dark suburbs of Hidegpuszta and find out what secrets lie within. Your only clue? A mysterious list.

Lootbox Lyfe+ – February 24 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A metroidvania with high-skill movement as the core of its gameplay. Save your species by exploring a desolate, interconnected world riddled with platforming obstacles. Is there a way to bring your species back to its past glory? Or is this world forever in ruins due to the evil Shadowleaf’s monopolistic endeavor?

SimAirport – February 24

You control everything, from the cruise-altitude decisions to the smallest ground-level details. Challenge yourself to create an efficient and profitable international hub in Career Mode or create an artistic masterpiece without credit rating worries in Sandbox Mode. Construct your terminal, hire staff, sign airline contracts, and everything in between.

Hi folks! Since the launch of Slime Rancher 2 into Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11, Monomi Park has been hard at work on expanding Rainbow Island and the roster of wiggly, jiggly residents that call it home. Today, we’re excited to bring you our first major content update, Song of the Sabers, featuring an entirely new wintery wonderland biome to explore.

Your adventure begins when Beatrix LeBeau discovers a mysterious glacier off the coast of Ember Valley known as Powderfall Bluffs. As if it were a giant, icy time capsule, this new biome holds a thriving community of prehistoric Saber Slimes and Thundercluck chickens within, as well as a treasure trove of new resources for crafting and strange, auroral anomalies scattered about the zone.

Here are a few of the new features to discover in Powderfall Bluffs:

Let it Snow!

Take in the beauty of Rainbow Island in ways never seen before with great expanses of pillowy, white snow in every direction. But don’t linger, because this snowy sanctuary is home to Saber Slimes — a ferocious blast from the past! Thought to be long extinct, these prehistoric predators now stalk Thundercluck chickens among the snowdrifts of Powderfall Bluffs.

Take in the Northern Lights

Powderfall Bluffs produces an array of auroral anomalies that paint its world in beautifully haunting lights. Curiously, these phenomena can be walked upon at night when they glow most intensely, allowing you to reach mountainous new heights. But you must act fast before they vanish with the dawn…

New Gadgets to Build

Harvest new resources like Perfect Snowflakes and Sun Sap to build new Gadgets like the Snowball Machine and Snowglobe. Start an icy dust-up anywhere with the Snowball Machine or capture the spirit of winter with the giant Snowglobe. Powderfall Bluffs offers many new rewards for those that can collect precious resources from its frigid peaks.

Snowball Fights!

Slimes love to play in the snow and won’t hesitate to start a snowball fight with you and other slimes! When you toss snowballs at slimes, they’ll toss snowballs right back at you and at each other. Hmm, maybe we should have added a “duck” button…

We hope you enjoy uncovering the mysteries and surprises in our latest expansion of Rainbow Island. Check out the new update in Slime Rancher 2 (Game Preview), available now for Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11 as well as with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).

Slime Rancher 2

Monomi Park

☆☆☆☆☆182

★★★★★

$29.99 $23.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

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. Slime Rancher 2 is a sequel to the award-winning, smash-hit original that has been enjoyed by over 10 million fans worldwide. Continue the adventures of Beatrix LeBeau as she journeys to Rainbow Island, a mysterious land brimming with ancient technology, unknown natural resources, and an avalanche of wiggling, jiggling, new slimes to discover. As Beatrix attempts to unravel the island’s secrets and uncover its true purpose, she’ll build, ranch, and farm within a beautiful conservatory, whose sparkling glass walls give her full view of the prismatic paradise she now calls home.

The Sword and Fairy franchise may not be that well-known internationally, but it’s regarded in China as one of the most iconic RPG series ever made. Since its launch in 1995, Sword and Fairy has grown to include seven official sequels, more than 10 spin-off titles, and two live-action TV shows.

Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the latest game in this series, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, will arrive with Xbox Game Pass on July 6, 2023, and will support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to bring all your saves and achievements with you across Xbox and Windows PC.

For those new to the series, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a standalone story so there’s no need to catch up with all the older games (although if you’ve played them, you’ll definitely see how far the series has come). From a graphics perspective, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a huge step up from its previous games. Running on Unreal Engine 4, it’s filled to the brim with stunning character models, creatures, environments, and architecture.

At its core, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is about the relationships between humans, deities, and demons. Our story revolves around a young woman name Yue Qingshu, one of the last remaining members of the elusive Mingshu Sect; and Xiu Wu, a deity who has lost a divine sword and must remain in the human world. The two young warriors form a symbiotic bond and must stick together throughout their adventure as they discover new allies and mortal enemies.

Gameplay combat is simplified and fast-faced, especially compared to the last games’ turn-based system. Now in real-time, fighting is smooth and straightforward. You’ll also get to switch between party characters and assign elements to customize and balance the team as you progress.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a refreshingly stunning Asian title featuring jaw dropping environments and impressive character models. In this beautiful world, you can explore mountains and fields, while fighting epic characters. To top it off, the official soundtrack is just stellar- you might just add it to chill/study playlist!

We look forward to seeing Xbox Game Pass members dive in and experience this epic franchise with Sword and Fairy: Together Forever on July 6, 2023.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever

E-Home Entertainment Development Co., Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆58

★★★★★

Enter a realm that blends ancient mythology with traditional oriental aesthetics in Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, the latest standalone entry in the nearly 27-year-old RPG franchise! Weaving its tale between the three clans of Human, Deity and Demon, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever puts you in command of a memorable party of characters, each with unique personalities, motives, skills, strengths and weaknesses. Only together can they shape the future! Guide them as one in this compelling standalone chapter that serves as a jumping-on point for those new to Sword and Fairy while paying tribute to the series‘ grand legacy. Sword and Fairy: Together Forever not only features the most advanced graphics in series history, but it also introduces dynamic real-time combat mechanics with total freedom of movement and fluid, screen-filling skill animations. Switch between playable characters and strategize on the fly! Along the way, you can also meet and care for spirit creatures that will aid in your journey. Discover lush interconnected environments, equip your party with new skills, play mini-games and much more as you explore this beautifully crafted action role-playing epic, including exclusive outfits and weapon skins to further enhance the experience! Features: • Fight in real-time and switch between party characters instantly!
• Explore diverse landscapes, towns and more across a vivid mythology-based world.
• Learn and equip new skills as you progress.
• Experience more than 30 hours of story content and optional side quests!
• Capture, tame and feed spirit creatures that aid you in different ways.
• Play card battle mini-games in between intense battles!
• Discover console-exclusive outfits and weapon skins!

While new monster-slaying RPG adventure Wild Hearts gives you an extensive arsenal of weaponry to play with, its most unique system is based around Karakuri, a collectable resource that allows you to craft tools and structures to deploy both in battle and around the world. Here, we’ll dive into how to get started with Karakuri, what it can do, and how you can use the skills to take down monsters in creative ways.

Karakuri is an ancient technology coursing through the land of Azuma, and you have the power to harness it. Karakuri can be used to build structures, coordinate attacks on vicious prey, and unlock more skills and tools that will help you take down the mightiest beasts. It will appear frequently along your journey as a glowing green substance detected with your Hunter’s Vision. You’ll need to stop and collect the resources in order to keep crafting objects that will help you take down the Kemono, the monsters overrunning the land. That ancient power also runs through your AI companion, which can aid you in battle and collect threads of Karakuri from your surroundings.

You’ll not be able to take on the treacherous battles ahead without grasping the fundamentals, so we’ve compiled a guide that will help you get started on the hunt.

Traversing The Wilds with Karakuri

Azuma is a vast, intimidating landscape, and the Kemono lurking within it move great distances. To make your hunts easier, Basic Karakuri can be used to craft items to get around, such as crates that can be used to climb to higher points, and springs that allow you to leap across broken bridges and cavernous chasms.

As you progress, Karakuri will unlock different ways to navigate and explore the world. Karakuri abilities give you the ability to craft Hunting Towers, which reveal Kemono hiding in the immediate area. The Flying Vine is a contraption that creates a zipline, allowing you to soar across great distances on a zipwire, perfect for scaling a cliffside or crossing a river.

Later on, use the Karakuri skill tree to harness even more useful upgrades, like the Wind Vortex to glide high into the sky, the Glider which can be used to gain vantage over an area, or the Launcher, which can fire smaller Karakuri objects (our yourself) into the distance.

Powering Up Your Camp

Karakuri can be used out in the wildness of Azuma to craft camps. When you discover a Dragon Pit, you can awaken it and turn the surrounding area into a camp. These spots serve as permanent resting points in the open world to gear up for a nearby battle, and a handy quick travel point in case you need to return some other time.

Here, Karakuri can used to whip up a few useful resources. A Hunter’s Tent lets you get some much needed rest before or after a figh while a Campfire helps you to plan your next hunt, and wait for fellow adventurers to join you if needed.

If you’re in need of a brand-new weapon or an armor upgrade, you can build the Field Forge, and immediately craft whatever you need for the fight ahead if you have the right materials, whether it’s poison-resistant gauntlets or a giant hammer. The Drying Rack can be used for food, and the Ingredients Chest will allow you to store resources gathered along the way.

Taking Karakuri into Battle

Your Karakuri powers can also be wielded to gain advantage over Azuma’s colossal Kemono. Swiftly place six crates together to form a Bulwark, which can serve as a wall between you and your foe or stun a charging Kemono out of their attack, leaving them open to be damaged.

Use Fusion Karakuri to awaken the Pounder, a powerful hammerhead that can unleash a punishing blow on any Kemono, and destroy any offensive objects it may spawn during an attack. Fusion Karakuri can also unlock the Elemental Lantern, a device that can protect you from the effects of any deadly elemental hits that your foe may strike with.

Your Flying Vine can also be used offensively with the Impaler upgrade; instead of zipping to solid ground, fire the contraption straight into a Kemono to injure them as you move in. All of your basic Karakuri can be crafted in battle too, so be sure to make the most of the mysterious technology in every scenario. Over time, all of your Karakuri resources can be powered up in order to take on bigger, stronger and more rewarding Kemono located all over Azuma.

With that, you should be prepared to embark on your own epic hunts and get to know your prey when Wild Hearts is released for Xbox Series X|S on February 17.

WILD HEARTS™

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Free Trial

WILD HEARTS™ is a unique twist on the hunting genre where technology gives you a fighting chance against fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Take on these creatures alone or hunt with friends in seamless co-op.
No one remembers why the Kemono began their rampage through a once prosperous Azuma. Fueled by desperation, they wield the power of primal nature at its most destructive. For a while, it seemed that none could stand against their overwhelming might. But hope arrives in the form of a formidable hunter, armed with deadly weapons and ancient technology called Karakuri that could turn the tide of battle. HUNT GIANT NATURE-INFUSED BEASTS
Survive their attacks, learn from their behaviors, and use your Karakuri and your weapons in combination to cut these creatures down to size. CRAFT YOUR HUNTING GROUNDS
You are the only one in Azuma able to wield the Karakuri technology. This ancient tech enables you to adapt your environment into creative hunting grounds ideal for taking down the giant Kemono. HUNT IN A PACK, OR BE A LONE WOLF
In WILD HEARTS™ you can face the Kemono alone or unite with up to two friends (or fellow players) to stalk and hunt your prey. GEAR UP TO HUNT, HUNT TO GEAR UP
The more you hunt, the more you progress. Create your character, then gather materials from each hunt and build an array of armor and weapons to bring down even bigger beasts. EXPLORE A FANTASY FEUDAL JAPAN
Experience four season-based hunting grounds – each region with its own beautiful landscapes and dangers. Developed by Omega Force, the Japanese studio behind the DYNASTY WARRIORS franchise, WILD HEARTS™ takes you on an epic adventure set in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan. Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/wild-hearts/wild-hearts/disclaimers for details.
©KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. All rights reserved.

As part of the Elder Scrolls Online Global Reveal Event last month, we got the exciting news that its Necrom update will add the Arcanist – only the third new class added to the MMORPG since its launch 8 years ago. It’s a major moment for the game – and a major undertaking for the developers at Zenimax Online Studios, who have 8 years of existing content to balance it against.

Appearing on the Xbox Podcast last week, Creative Director Rich Lambert explained the process of creating the Arcanist, and dove deep into how the team pulled off the precarious task of adding something so new to a well-established game.

It’s worth emphasizing first how different the Arcanist is to what’s come before. As Lambert put it, it’s “really important for us as developers but also as players that it doesn’t feel like you’re just going, ‘Oh I’ve done this class before but it’s just a different color,’ or, ‘The numbers are slightly different.’ We had to think of a lot of that kind of stuff for sure.”

With that in mind, the Arcanist offers some very different ways to play ESO. “It has three major skill lines just like the other classes,” Lambert explained. “Herald of the Tome – which is essentially like a DPS line – Apocryphal Soldier – which is a tanky line – and then the healing one [is Curative Runeforms]. This class is something that’s very different than anything that we’ve really built before. It’s really tightly integrated into the overarching storyline and themes. So a lot of the inspiration for this class centers around Hermaeus Mora and this thirst for forbidden knowledge. It is a little bit darker, it kind of  hits that cosmic horror vibe, the visuals are really, really cool, the sounds that the audio team came up with are really something you haven’t really heard before.

“And then, even right down to the individual abilities and the core mechanics of this class are different as well. It is more focused around, I guess, a combo point system – we call it Crux – but the general concept here is some abilities are builders of Crux, and some are spenders of Crux, and if you’re spending Crux your abilities do slightly different things or completely different things. And then with the Morphs and how we’ve integrated everything, you can control some abilities that aren’t spenders or builders from the onset but you can Morph them to do that. So there’s just this huge toolchest to really dig into and play with, and lots of interesting choices for the players to make to really get the mastery of this class.”

Making a class this fresh means a lot of work had to go in to ensure it fit seamlessly into the game it was joining. “We have standards that we build everything towards […] But in terms of really digging into the class and its inspirations and themes and how it fits into the world, we talk a lot about basically what are the class defining characteristics, what is the vibe you’re going for with a class and how is that different from anything else we’ve already done.”

ESO is notably story-driven, and that will continue throughout the updates coming to the game this year – which will focus on the Elder Scrolls’ Daedric Prince, Hermaeus Mora. That meant the Arcanist needed to be deeply relevant to that ongoing saga as well.

“This class, this Arcanist, is centered around knowledge, and that’s very much within Hermaeus Mora’s wheelhouse – that’s what Hermaeus Mora does, is hoards this knowledge, and so we leveraged a lot of that,” said Lambert. “And as players saw in some of the Global Reveal stuff, but as they’ll see over the course of the coming months, there’s a lot of influences of Hermaeus Mora on this character and it just ties in so well to this overarching story.”

That overarching story will be everything to the upcoming Scribes of Fate and Necrom updates, which will shift ESO’s ongoing story in fascinating directions. Most notably, it will take us to the Eastern coasts of Morrowind – a location Elder Scrolls haven’t been able to visit since the mid-‘90s. “Yeah, 1994 in The Elder Scrolls: Arena,” Lambert make clear. “So yeah, a lot has changed obviously, technology-wise, games-wise since 1994, so we were able to go in and show players things and explore things that you couldn’t necessarily do back in the ‘90s.”

This balance of new and old is key to ESO, leveraging a quarter of a decade of RPG storytelling, but offering new ways to experience it. With the Arcanist, it feels as though ESO is nailing that balance.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom will launch on June 5 for PC and June 20 for Xbox consoles, and introduces new zones, stories, and updates alongside the Arcanist class. You can pre-purchase the update now.

The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆146

★★★★★

$59.99 $47.99

Begin a unique adventure filled with the unparalleled storytelling and deep lore of The Elder Scrolls. Journey to Tamriel – a living, breathing, fantasy universe of magnitude, where your choices shape your experience. Battle, loot, craft, steal or role-play as an archer, mage, merchant, scholar or warrior. Play solo or with friends and combine equipment and abilities to suit your own play style. No game subscription required – buy once, play anytime. What truths are best left hidden? Discover Necrom and the forbidden secrets of Apocrypha. From the Telvanni Peninsula in Eastern Morrowind to the cosmic realms of the Prince of Fate – fight to uphold reality and unlock the runic power of a new Class – the Arcanist! PRE-PURCHASE Pre-purchase the Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom now to start your adventure immediately within the game (base game or previous Chapter zones), get instant access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed & Pony* pair, plus more items when Necrom launches – as listed below. *Spore Pony pet only available with pre-purchases until 4/18/2023. Unlock instantly:
• Sadrith Mora Steed & Pony* pair Get the following at launch:
• Sadrith Mora Formal Attire costume
• Apocryphal Bookwyrm pet
• x1 Unfeathered crate
• x3 Treasure maps
• x2 Experience scrolls (+100% for 1 hour) COLLECTION The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom is like „8-games-in-one“ and best for adventurers who wish to access all major Chapter zones, biomes and quest arcs from across Tamriel. The Collection: Necrom includes the base game, Necrom and all previous Chapters, as below. • Necrom (NEW for 2023)
• High Isle
• Blackwood
• Greymoor • Elsweyr • Summerset
• Morrowind
• Base game NECROM** UNLOCK THE NEW CLASS – Become empowered by the secrets of Apocrypha and the forbidden knowledge of Hermaeus Mora. The Arcanist is a powerful new Class capable of destructive, restorative, or defensive magic by channelling the arcane, ancient runes, and lost tomes of power. ALL-NEW ZONES – Explore the Telvanni Peninsula, home of colossal mushrooms, arcane magic, rocky spires and the capital city of Necrom, additionally, behold the forbidden books of the endless library of Apocrypha. A COSMIC STORY – The Prince of Fate holds secrets too dangerous for mortals or Daedra to comprehend. Now hidden yet turbulent powers threaten Hermaeus Mora’s realm of Apocrypha and if the Daedric Prince’s secret is uncovered, it could unravel all of reality. NEW WARDEN AND ARCANIST CLASS COMPANIONS – Two new allies seek grand quests and glory! Unlock the Arcanist-power-wielding Redguard and Argonian Warden Companions to battle by your side and keep you company on your journey across Tamriel. **Available when Necrom launches.

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!

Ten Dates – February 14
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ten Dates is the sequel to the interactive rom-com, Five Dates, taking place in the post-pandemic world. Throughout the game, your choices and interactions will either strengthen or weaken your relationship with your date. Amidst a branching, multi-directional chain of conversation topics and deep-dive questions, Misha and Ryan are faced with ice-breaker games, awkward scenarios, and unexpected truths. Will either find love?

Wanted: Dead – February 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A new hybrid slasher/shooter from the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. The game follows a week in life of the Zombie Unit, an elite Hong Kong police squad on a mission to uncover a major corporate conspiracy. Play as Lt. Hannah Stone, a hardboiled Hong Kong cop, and plow through mercenaries, gang members and private military contractors in a spectacular cyberpunk adventure.

Cities: Skylines – Remastered – February 15
Game Pass

An award-winning, best-selling management game now remastered for Xbox Series X|S with all its robust city-simulation gameplay and unique charm along for the ride. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub. Available on Cloud and Console.

Geometric Sniper – Blood in Paris – February 15

As a sniper, you’ll have to pay attention to the details and find the perfect moment to shoot. Your targets know they are wanted and will try to hide in a variety of ways. Have the patience to establish a clear shot, memorizing the information for each mission.

Launcher Heroes – February 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A tactical, artillery, party game where you try to knock your opponents off the world. Use an assortment of items such as bombs, rockets, and jetpacks to help you navigate and destroy the terrain. Play locally or online (up to 6 players in total) in a variety of game modes.

Pocket Witch – February 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A little witch has been locked away in a dungeon filled with traps and deadly roving enemies — and it’s up to you to help her escape! Pocket Witch is a precision platformer presented in retro pixel art style, where the little titular witch must overcome a series of brainteasing challenges to thwart the evil sorcerer who imprisoned her.

W.A.R.P. – February 15

Face inertia, acceleration, and gravity in a challenge that requires pinpoint accuracy. Use each weapon and even the space hazards to your advantage and face the most difficult trials across three different modes: Adventure, Landing, and Survival (Arena) for different challenges!

Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart – February 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Race around Cretacia in a prehistoric kart championship for up to 4 players of all ages, where you can play as your favorite dino friends and even bump into the mysterious Giganotosaurus himself! Outrun dangers like hot lava eruptions from Mount Oblivion or feel the power of the famous Giganotosaurus Roar. Charge through the pack by picking up special skills that give you a shortcut, or a jetpack-powered boost… or a way to knock out your rivals.

Pinball FX – February 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Discover brand new exclusive tables created for Pinball FX, or find your favorites among more than 80 unique and visually enhanced favorites from Zen’s extensive digital pinball library. Relive the most iconic moments from entertainment powerhouses like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Marvel, Universal Studios, and many more. Enjoy accurate re-creations of the most famous pinball machines of all time with Williams Pinball, or have fun with Zen’s original creations.

Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition – February 16
Game Pass

Trek across a mythic Asian land infused with the magic and technology of ancient samurai, now overrun by the demonic yokai from Japanese folklore. Experience the Definitive Edition of Shadow Warrior 3 with tons of new features and modes with fast-paced gunplay, razor-sharp melee combat, and a spectacular free-running movement system. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC.

CometStriker DX – February 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

An arcade action shooter featuring dodging, strategic power-ups, and intense boss fights! A world devouring, living space station has set its sights on your planet. Help Lt. Comet Striker on his journey to recover the Ancient Power Cores from various worlds to power the Planetary Defense Cannon, his world’s only hope against this cosmic menace!

CyberHeroes Arena DX – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Choose your robot, create your build, and destroy all cyber monsters to survive in this mecha-themed rougelite. Collect money to buy skills and items to complete missions and unlock other playable robots.

Dark Burial: Enhanced Edition – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A retro-styled puzzle platformer where you play as a sentinel who must fight his way through enemies and light signal fires, warning people that a dark army that is fast approaching. The Enhanced Edition includes 8 new levels, 1 new boss, partially improved graphics and gameplay.

Rise of the Fox Hero – February 17 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A colorful 3D platformer with fun combat and puzzle elements. Armed with a sword and a shield, you will help the fox jump, fight, and solve puzzles throughout four different chapters and 32 different levels. Explore colorful and beautiful environments and find all the collectibles while battling tons of different enemies. And beware — by the end of each chapter, an epic boss fight awaits!

Road Stones – February 17

Become the savior in this action-packed strategy combining arcade and strategy gameplay inspired by the tower defense genre. Stop the hordes of undead monsters whose sole aim is to destroy any living thing. Can you be the brave and bold hero that is desperately needed in this monster-infested kingdom?

Rooftop Renegade – February 17

An action platformer all about speed and flow. Evade capture by navigating through futuristic skyscrapers, channeling powerful abilities from your hover blades. Boost through levels under constant bombardment, avoid dangerous hazards and make split second decisions that mean the difference between a new personal best or total wipeout.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered – February 17

Dive back into Tales of Symphonia, an exciting and beloved action RPG, now with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay! In a dying world, legend has it that a Chosen One will one day rise from amongst the people and the land will be reborn. The line between good and evil blurs in this epic adventure where the fate of two interlocked worlds hangs in the balance. Follow the journey of Lloyd Irving as he and his friends try to save both worlds.

Wild Hearts – February 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience a unique twist on the hunting genre where technology gives you a fighting chance against fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Take on these creatures alone or hunt with friends in seamless co-op. Pre-order the Karakuri Edition to receive six pre-order exclusive items, the Ferocious Kemono Emote, and five Chat Stamps.

Enthusiast Gaming, EA Sports, Nike, and the Arizona Cardinals partnered with Xbox to deliver incredible gaming experiences and to give back to the community.

Here at Xbox, we love sports just about as much as we love video games. In commemoration of Super Bowl LVII, Xbox partnered with Enthusiast Gaming, TurboTax, EA Sports, Nike, and the Arizona Cardinals to celebrate the gaming and the sports community.

As part of these activities, Xbox joined with Enthusiast Gaming on the season finale of NFL Tuesday Night Gaming during their All-Star Game to reveal that Madden NFL 23 is coming to The Play list on February 9.

Xbox is committed to amplifying representation in sports and gaming. On February 8, Microsoft, Nike, EA Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Arizona Cardinals joined forces with the Phoenix Union School District at Camelback high school to host “Field the Future,” a community event focused on inspiring local youth around their shared love of football. In all, it was an exciting week full of activities, community engagement, and fun. Learn more about all the week’s activities below.

Madden NFL 23 drops into The Play list on February 9

Are you ready for some football?! Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with EA Play can now hit the gridiron with Madden NFL 23 as it drops into The Play list… today! What better way to get excited for the Big Game than taking your favorite NFL team on the virtual field and seeing if you can guide them to the championship. Or if you’re throwing a party, make Madden NFL 23 the centerpiece of your get-together while stuffing your face full of chips and queso. Celebrate with a limited-time reward for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members by giving your Ultimate Team a boost with the EA Play Supercharge Pack — just head to the Game Pass Ultimate Perks page between February 9, 2023, and March 9, 2023, to claim the pack (terms and conditions here). Requires Madden NFL 23 (sold separately), all game updates, internet connection, and an EA account.

Madden NFL 23’s all-new FieldSense gameplay system on Xbox Series X|S delivers consistent, ultra-realistic gameplay and gives players much more control at every position, resulting in competitive WR and DB battles, skill-based passing attacks, and more. Beyond the gameplay, you can call the shots in Franchise mode with free agency and trade logic updates and assemble the most powerful roster in all of Madden NFL Ultimate Team. Learn more here about Madden NFL 23.

Xbox and TurboTax join Enthusiast Gaming for NFL Tuesday Night Gaming All-Star Game

NFL Tuesday Night Gaming (NFL TNG) is the only place to watch popular gaming content creators and NFL stars from all 32 NFL teams compete live in your favorite video games. NFL TNG was created in partnership between the National Football League and Enthusiast Gaming to attract younger audiences to the NFL by connecting the worlds of gaming and sports. Featuring epic Madden NFL show matches, nail-biting Fortnite battles, obstacle course chaos in Fall Guys, acrobatic game-winning goals in Rocket League, and more!

Earlier this week, fan favorite talent from season one competed in a series of epic live matchups (you can see an archive of the livestream even here). As presenting sponsors of the All-Star Game, Xbox and TurboTax were on hand with the Xbox Series X and Series S, announcing that Madden NFL 23 will be available in The Play list for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members starting on February 9.

Also, starting on January 31, be on the lookout for TurboTax banner ads on Xbox for a chance to win exclusive prize packages including custom Madden NFL 23 Xbox Series X|S consoles and more!

Field the Future

In the background of one the biggest sporting events on the planet in Super Bowl LVII, EA Sports Madden NFL, Microsoft, Nike, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Arizona Cardinals showed the power of football to bring people together by hosting the Field the Future event in collaboration with the Phoenix Union School District at Camelback High School with a focus on empowering local youth within the Hispanic and Latino communities and beyond.

The Field the Future event united some of the biggest brands in sport around a shared mission to give back to the local community welcoming the global NFL family into their city, while also inspiring the next generation through a day of meaningful experiences around the love of football.

Thanks again to our partners at Enthusiast Gaming, TurboTax, EA Sports, Nike, and the Arizona Cardinals in celebrating the gaming and the sports community with us.

Madden NFL 23 Xbox Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆602

★★★★★

$69.99 $20.99

Introducing the FieldSENSE™ Gameplay System in Madden NFL 23 Providing the foundation for consistent, ultra-realistic gameplay, and available on Xbox Series X|S Madden NFL 23’s new FieldSENSE™ Gameplay System equips players with more control at all positions in every mode. FieldSENSE leverages animation branching technology and a suite of new user control mechanics for a seamless gameplay flow with authentic results on every play. 360° Cuts
Whether you’re a running back, wide receiver after the catch, or returning a kick, new 360° Cuts give you the freedom and fluidity as the ball-carrier to hit the gaps you want to hit, plant-and-go, and elude defenders to break more big plays. Skill-Based Passing
Lead your receivers open, drop back-shoulder throws into tight windows, and place every pass where only your receiver can catch it with surgical accuracy thanks to this all-new way to pass. New skill-based passing introduces an accuracy reticle and passing meter. Hit Everything
Redefining defensive pursuit, new Hit Everything mechanics let you be more disruptive on defense. New animation branching technology in Madden NFL 23 enables next-gen Hit-Stick physics so you can perform mid-air knockouts, hit the pile to assist in tackles already in progress, blow up blocks, and force turnovers with stand up tackles. Face of the Franchise: The League
The League drops you into your fifth NFL season at a skill position of your choice (QB, WR, RB, CB, MLB) and you’re seeking a fresh start with a new team. Negotiate a one-year “prove-it” contract with one of 32 NFL teams and show out with great on-field performance to earn rewards and level up. New position-specific mechanics brought to life by FieldSENSE* and player-focused cameras bring you closer to the action and add to gameplay depth by allowing you to dominate every snap, from anywhere on the field. The addition of New Drive Goals and Drive Summaries allow you to tweak your experience throughout a game and get feedback and rewards based on how well you play. Get performance boosts from weekly activities and training between games while Madden Ratings Adjustor Chad Johnson guides your career development by providing ratings updates as you strive for the highest level of prestige on your Road to 99. Will your NFL career rank among the all-time greats? It’s up to you. Franchise
Utilize refined scouting, staff management, and weekly strategy features to take your Franchise to the top. New athlete motivations like team location and salary demands factor into contract negotiations and add to the drama of NFL free agency. Updated Trade Logic AI represents the value of star players more accurately for fair and more realistic offers. Madden Ultimate Team
Develop your dream roster of current NFL superstars, Hall of Fame legends, and more. Always have something to play for with the first-ever Field Pass challenge and reward tracker in Madden Ultimate Team. Play to earn MUT Champions entry tokens and compete at your convenience. Simplified Set building lets you navigate your content binder more effectively so you can focus on improving your Ultimate Team roster all season. This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items. CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-23/buy/offer-disclaimers FOR DETAILS.

Madden NFL 23 Xbox One

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆401

★★★★★

$59.99 $17.99

Play your way into the history books in Madden NFL 23! Control your impact with every decision in all-new ways. Call the shots in Franchise with free agency and trade logic updates, play your way into the history books in Face of the Franchise: The League, and assemble the most powerful roster in all of Madden Ultimate Team™. Face of the Franchise: The League
The League drops you into your fifth NFL season at a skill position of your choice (QB, WR, RB, CB, MLB) and you’re seeking a fresh start with a new team. Negotiate a one-year “prove-it” contract with one of 32 NFL teams and show out with great on-field performance to earn rewards and level up. The addition of New Drive Goals and Drive Summaries allow you to tweak your experience throughout a game and get feedback and rewards based on how well you play. Get performance boosts from weekly activities and training between games while Madden Ratings Adjustor Chad Johnson guides your career development by providing ratings updates as you strive for the highest level of prestige on your Road to 99. Will your NFL career rank among the all-time greats? It’s up to you. Franchise
Plan and strategize like an NFL head coach with refined scouting, staff management, and weekly strategy features to take your Franchise to the top. New athlete motivations like team location and salary demands factor into contract negotiations and add to the drama of NFL free agency within Franchise. Updated Trade Logic AI represents the value of star players more accurately for fair and more realistic offers. Madden Ultimate Team
Develop your dream fantasy roster of current NFL superstars, Hall of Fame legends, and more. Always have something to play for with the first-ever Field Pass challenge and reward tracker in Madden Ultimate Team. Play to earn MUT Champions entry tokens and choose to compete at your convenience. Simplified Set building lets you navigate your content binder more effectively so you can focus on improving your Ultimate Team roster all season. This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items. CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-23/buy/offer-disclaimers FOR DETAILS.

Are you ready for intense, multiplayer mechanized combat? SD Gundam Battle Alliance is now available on Xbox Game Pass for you to push your pilot skills to the next level. Do battle in this action RPG where you take control of various Mobile Suits from the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Play with AI or squad up with 2 of your friends to smash foes head-on as you explore a brand new story featuring many familiar faces!

Correct A False World

The G-Universe needs help! Lead a 3-unit squad to correct this distorted timeline and repair the broken history. Along the way, you’ll be able to team up with Mobile Suits and pilots across the Gundam franchise and build the true Battle Alliance. It’s up to you to right the wrong history.

Customize Your Mobile Suit

Completing missions earns you Capital – allowing you to level up your suits and increase the stats that fit your playstyle. Additionally, you can swap parts to enhance various stats to further make your favorite Mobile Suit truly yours.

Launch Into Battle With Friends

Get extra assistance in missions from friends! Multiplayer allows you to play with up to 2 other players to form a 3-person team. Experience intense action with your friends and create the best team to take on foes. Venturing the battlefield is always more enjoyable with friends to back you up!

Featured Mobile Suit Gundam Series

Obtain Mobile Suits from different Gundam series and grab your favorite unit.

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
• Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
• Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack Beltorchika’s Children

Available Now

SD Gundam Battle Alliance brings Mobile Suits and characters across the Mobile Suit Gundam universe into one all-action RPG where you must rewrite the G: Universe and correct history. Build the Battle Alliance that stands the test of time and history with friends or solo.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance is available NOW on the Xbox Game Pass. We await you in the G: Universe, Pilots!

SD GUNDAM BATTLE ALLIANCE

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆192

★★★★★

$59.99 $47.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

In SD Gundam Battle Alliance, Mobile Suits and characters from across Mobile Suit Gundam history take center stage in this all-new action RPG. • A Battle Alliance to Correct a False World
The story takes place in G: Universe, a world where Gundam canon twists and turns in ways no one can predict.
To correct this world’s distorted history, the player leads a 3-unit squadron consisting of Mobile Suits and pilots from across Gundam history – a true Battle Alliance.
What Awaits Beyond False History… • Combo action with stunning visuals and dynamic animation
Indulge in a wide array of Mobile Suit weaponry to crush many foes with! Control Mobile Suits portrayed with realistic weathering that showcases them as weapons of war as they tear across the battlefield with dynamic animations. • Strange phenomena known as Breaks are twisting legendary moments from Gundam history, and you’re in charge to fix them.
Experience Gundam history’s most famous scenes as you develop new Mobile Suits to add to your arsenal. Gather Capital and expansion parts to transform your favorite machine into the ultimate MS. • Tackle missions with friends in multiplayer!
Launch into battle with 2 partners to back you up. In multiplayer, you can play through the game with up to 2 other players in a 3-person team. Enjoy this new SD Gundam action RPG solo, or with friends. • Featured Series
Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack Beltorchika’s Children
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
Mobile Suit Gundam F91
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam
Mobile Suit V Gundam
Mobile Fighter G Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
After War Gundam X
Turn A Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED VS Astray
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Mobile Suit Gundam 00
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie -Awakening of the Trailblazer-
Reconguista in G
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Musha Knight Command: SD Gundam Scramble

Push your riding skills to the limit, survive in a cyberpunk world, or become humanity’s last line of defense. Scarlet Nexus, TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2, and The Ascent are available this weekend for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday, February 9 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, February 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. 

How to Start Playing

Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and enter the Gold member area to locate the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Keep the Fun Going

Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and earned achievements during the event! Please note that discounts and percentages may vary by title and region.

Game Details

• Scarlet Nexus
• TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2
• The Ascent

Scarlet Nexus

Calling all psionics! Deranged mutants known as Others threaten the existence of humanity and we are the last line of defense. Join the Other Suppression Force (OSF) today and unleash the power of your mind! The fun doesn’t end with the weekend. Scarlet Nexus will be available for up to 75% off for a limited time! Suit up today and discover a brain punk future.

TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2

In TT Isle of Man Ride On the Edge 2, prove your worth in different championships before setting out to conquer the Snaefell Mountain Course, a 60 km-long track with both winding and straight sections that will push your riding skills to the limit! With the upcoming release of TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 3 in May 2023, there is no better time to train your motorbike skills than on the Snaefell Mountain Course!

The Ascent

The Ascent is an award winning solo and co-op action-shooter RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Can you survive without it?

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

Video games can use many different styles to create a unique look and feel. For Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, we knew from the beginning that we wanted to use a very colorful and non-realistic one for many reasons: to set it apart from other games in the genre, to allow us to stylize and exaggerate the animation and color palette, and to approximate the illustrations and punk-fantasy art that inspired the creation of the world in the first place.

Stylized rendering is a powerful tool that highlights that “What to draw?” and “How to draw it?” are two different questions. This is the third time we have visited the surreal world of Zenozoik and its primitive humanoid animal inhabitants, but it is the first time we are approaching the “how to draw it” with a really different technique!

There are many ways we could have gone, and we tested several different styles before landing on the one we used. By choosing what to simplify and what to exaggerate, you get very different effects. One of the more interesting styles we tested was a painterly thick brushstroke look (above). It allowed very expressive shapes, a messy almost impressionistic look, and was certainly very different.

We eventually decided against this style because of the excessive simplification it produced: our artists always wanted to add more small details to characters and environments, details which would not really shine in this impressionistic style.

The rendering style we ended up going for is called hatching, or crosshatching. It is a drawing style that creates shading and conveys lighting by drawing closely spaced lines. The closer the lines are together, the darker the area will appear. This style is often used in traditional drawings, illustrations, and comic books, and gives the artwork a hand-drawn look. This technique allowed us to achieve an illustrated style while still preserving detail.

By separating the lighting information and conveying light intensity and detail mostly with the ink pencil linework, we can treat color as a separate layer. This allows us to use more artificial color schemes which would look strange in a realistic rendering style but feel consistent with the look of an illustration. Violet and orange skies, characters with blue or yellow skin, orange dirt, cyan and green mineral deposits in the mountain walls… we intentionally use saturated colors, or color combinations hard to find in nature to convey this is a different world.

One of the main challenges to make the hatching style work was to make sure that it worked at different distances and different levels of detail. It is not just drawing lines on the surfaces, because what works for small details up close might not work for a mountain at a distance. Also some features must be preserved more carefully, like character eyes which are a focus point and must always remain well defined and sharp. The linework needs to be consistent to seem like it was all done with the same tool.

Finally, while we have designed a very specific look for the game, we still chose to enable configuration options for players to personalize the look. Players can choose a cleaner look or add and remove effects. We even left in a comic book inspired black and white mode, which is not ideal for readability, but is still very cool to play with!

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos will be released on March 9 and is available now for pre-order on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. If you are interested in keeping track of all future news, devs blogs and trailers, don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter or join our official Discord server.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos

Nacon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Other words for “revelry” are partying, festivities, merrymaking… and that’s exactly what you can expect from this season of Apex Legends. In the four years since launch, it has steadily flourished with new Legends, weapons, maps, seasons, and more. But with the Revelry update on February 14, this may be one of the most significant years for Apex Legends yet.

Team Deathmatch Replaces Arenas

I was disappointed to hear that Arenas mode is being removed from the game (it’s one of my personal favorites). But in its place, Respawn is bringing Team Deathmatch (TDM) to the game. This iconic game mode will feature 6-player teams competing for the first-to-30 kills in best-of-three matches. You can team up with two friends (or autofill) and join another team of three to battle it out against two other teams of three across Skull Town, Party Crashers, and Habitat 4.

In addition, Apex Legends is getting a Mixtape mode in March, which is a persistent playlist of TDM and fan-favorite limited time modes from previous seasons on a rotating cycle. Team Deathmatch and Mixtape will not have a ranked mode (at least for now). Speaking of ranked modes and map rotations, Ranked Battle Royale will feature a map rotation this season, another longtime fan-requested feature.

Remastered Legend Classes and Perks

One of the biggest reveals from a recent hands-on preview event is that Legends will now be assigned to one of five classes while retaining their individual abilities. The developers discussed how players weren’t selecting Legends based on their roles, largely because the class structure wasn’t impactful enough. This disparity ultimately led to the overhaul of the entire core class system.

The way this will work after the Revelry update is that each class will receive a specific benefit (perk); this will be available to all Legends in that class. Some perks will be similar to abilities that exist in the game today, like supply bins with special compartments and scanning for the next ring location. Others will be new and potentially game-changing, like revealing enemy player locations on the map and crafting fallen teammate banners in the Replicator. This redesign is intended to benefit teams with a blend of offensive and defensive classes and Legends.

Nemesis Burst Assault Rifle

Designed to compete with the R-301 and the Flatline assault rifles, the Nemesis Burst Assault Rifle is a hybrid between the Hemlock and Havoc. It fires a four-round burst with each pull of the trigger, but holding the trigger engages the Auto Trigger function, repeating burst fire automatically. The longer the trigger pull, the shorter the time between bursts until it’s firing like a fully automatic weapon. It’s very powerful and I expect to see a lot of players using it.

Other weapon changes coming this season will include the return of the Rampage Light Machine Gun to the battlefield, and the Volt Submachine Gun and Longbow DMR will be available to craft on the Replicator. Additionally, shotguns are getting some much-needed upgrades. The Peacekeeper and Mastiff can now equip tactical stocks to improve reload speed, handling, and aim drift, plus a gold shotgun bolt will be available, improving rate of fire and the added ability of reloading automatically when you slide.

The Top Three Things I’m Most Excited for in Apex Legends Revelry

• Recovering Ally Banners (Even When Expired) – Of all the new class perks revealed during the preview event, this was the one that excited me the most. Support Legends (Loba, Lifeline, Gibraltar, and Newcastle) will be able to craft teammates’ banners from a Replicator for 30 units of material, even if their Banner Card on their death box has expired. You’ll still need to use one of the stationary or mobile Respawn Beacons to respawn your teammates, but hopefully this change encourages fallen players to stick around for a chance to rejoin the fight.

• Care Package Weapon – Learning the Hemlock Assault Rifle will be part of the Care Package this season was a bit of a surprise since it isn’t one of the more popular weapons – but it’s one of my personal favorites and this augmented version is devastating in combat. It boasts increased damage, especially with headshots, plus it’s equipped with the boosted loaded feature. It’s pretty awesome.

• New Player Experience – I applaud Respawn for improving the onboarding of new players by implementing measures to help them learn the game. Recruits will have to complete a number of orientation matches against a battlefield comprised mostly of bots before access to the public servers will be available. Also, new recruits can earn an Apex 101 badge for completing 10 challenges designed to introduce core gameplay mechanics. While these innovative measures will help welcome newcomers into the game, it will also help experienced players be matched up with competent battle-ready teammates.

As with every new Apex Legends season, Revelry will feature a new Battle Pass complete with Legend and weapon skins, gun charms, banner frames, and emotes. Each of the maps is getting a celebratory makeover with colorful banners decorating the buildings and Chibi balloons of the Legends brightening the sky. Best of all, the return of the Mirage Voyage. Let the Revelry begin!

Apex Legends is a free-to-play shooter available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out everything included in the new Revelry season when it launches on February 14. And if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, don’t forget to redeem your perks and grab the Arc of Gold Weapon Charm available for a limited time with your monthly EA Play Rewards.

The Callisto Protocol was already an unforgiving experience, tasking you with escaping Black Iron Prison amid an outbreak that turns its denizens into horrific biophages – but now it’s offering its sternest challenge yet. As part of a free update, Striking Distance Studios has introduced Hardcore Mode – and I caught up with Creative Director Ben Walker to dive into the new horrors it brings.

“It’s right there in the name – Hardcore Mode is just plain hardcore,” Walker begins. “We designed The Callisto Protocol to be tough, and with this new mode, we’re giving fans of really brutal gameplay a whole new level of challenge to master.

“We’re dramatically lowering the number of enemy drops, giving enemies more attacking power, shortening the time it takes for creatures to mutate, and giving items less resale value at the Reforge to make resources even tighter.  We’re also reducing the damage doled out by the Stun Baton while making GRP charges more expensive.

“We’re also adding three new achievements for players who have what it takes to survive Hardcore Mode.  But don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Hardcore modes are a big part of the survival horror scene – in a genre all about getting through the experience against all odds, it’s perhaps no surprise that the most committed players want those odds made even harder. But even Striking Distance was surprised by how proficient those players could be:

“Hardcore Mode has been on the roadmap for a while,” Walker says, “but after launch, we were blown away by the number of people that were actually beating the game on the Maximum Security mode [previously the toughest difficulty level] – it validated the concept, and we’re thrilled to give it to players.  We didn’t pull any punches here, so we think it’ll offer our hardcore players a hardcore challenge.”

But that’s not say this was simply a case of making the game a one-death game over experience. Striking Distance concentrated on how to make this notably different to Maximum Security mode, without simply adding a more artificial barrier. That means fewer ammo and health drops, reduced contraband value, and enemies even more keen to take you down:

“A lot of other hardcore modes are focused on permadeath,” Walker explains. “We wanted to lean more into the turning and creating scarcity for items.  This mode is all about pushing players’ skills to the limits […] It’s hard as hell, but it’s fair, and it’s a pretty awesome accomplishment for those that can get through it.”

That begs the question: how many people at the studio have actually managed to beat their own Hardcore Mode?

“We’ve spent hundreds of hours playtesting the game, so lots of people around the studio have beaten the game on Hardcore Mode,” says Walker, “but I’ve still found myself sweating during some of the encounters.  Especially with Two Head. I haven’t thrown my controller yet, but I’ve come close once in a while. Beating it always feels like an accomplishment.”

But one key question remains: will you be able to beat it? Find out today.

Hardcore Mode is a free update, available today, for The Callisto Protocol on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Also out today is the Outer Way Skin Collection, the first of four DLC drops, available as part of the game’s Season Pass and sold separately. The Callisto Protocol Season Pass is on sale, with 20% off, until February 13.

The Callisto Protocol™ for Xbox Series X|S – Digital Deluxe Edition

KRAFTON, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆1213

★★★★★

In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon. HORROR ENGINEERING
The Callisto Protocol is a next-generation take on survival horror from the mind of Glen Schofield. Blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality with terrifying moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a pulse-pounding story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNITED JUPITER COMPANY
Set on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol casts players as Jacob Lee, an inmate in Black Iron Prison. When a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos, Jacob must face his darkest fears to defeat the bloodthirsty creatures that stalk him as he unravels the dark mysteries at the heart of the powerful United Jupiter Company. MASTER BRUTAL, STRATEGIC COMBAT
The Callisto Protocol challenges players to master a thrilling blend of hand-to-hand and ranged combat, including a unique gravity weapon once used by Black Iron guards to control the prison population. Players will be forced to get up close and personal with their grotesque opponents, hacking off limbs, blasting off legs, and getting creative with whatever is at their disposal to survive each life-or-death encounter. EXPERIENCE THE ISOLATION OF JUPITER’S DEAD MOON
One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms large over Jacob’s desperate struggle to survive. Players must not only contend with the horrors of Black Iron Prison, but also the centuries-old secrets that plague Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface. Pre-order now to get the following digital content:
– Retro Prisoner Character & Weapons Skin
– Season Pass The Season Pass includes: Outer Way Skin Collection: Bear the armor of the Outer Way, an underground insurgency pitted against the UJC, as you fight to survive the horrors of Callisto. Contagion Bundle: Discover the ultimate survival horror experience with a new mode, Contagion. With reduced ammo and health drops, a customized difficulty and permadeath – there are no second chances to escape Black Iron Prison or the horrors lurking beneath the surface of Callisto. The Contagion Bundle also includes thirteen new Jacob death animations and the Watchtower Skin Collection. Riot Bundle: Venture into a previously undiscovered area of Black Iron Prison and battle through waves of brutal enemies. Gather credits to upgrade your weapons, or forge new ones, and survive the onslaught as long as you can in Riot, an all-new mode. The Riot Bundle also includes twelve new enemy death animations and the Engineer Skin Collection. Story DLC: Dig deeper into the horrifying secrets of The Callisto Protocol.

The Callisto Protocol™ for Xbox Series X|S

KRAFTON, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆1171

★★★★★

In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon. HORROR ENGINEERING
The Callisto Protocol is a next-generation take on survival horror from the mind of Glen Schofield. Blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality with terrifying moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a pulse-pounding story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNITED JUPITER COMPANY
Set on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol casts players as Jacob Lee, an inmate in Black Iron Prison. When a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos, Jacob must face his darkest fears to defeat the bloodthirsty creatures that stalk him as he unravels the dark mysteries at the heart of the powerful United Jupiter Company. MASTER BRUTAL, STRATEGIC COMBAT
The Callisto Protocol challenges players to master a thrilling blend of hand-to-hand and ranged combat, including a unique gravity weapon once used by Black Iron guards to control the prison population. Players will be forced to get up close and personal with their grotesque opponents, hacking off limbs, blasting off legs, and getting creative with whatever is at their disposal to survive each life-or-death encounter. EXPERIENCE THE ISOLATION OF JUPITER’S DEAD MOON
One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms large over Jacob’s desperate struggle to survive. Players must not only contend with the horrors of Black Iron Prison, but also the centuries-old secrets that plague Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface.

Day one, fan favorites, Perks – some of my favorite things for Xbox Game Pass! Clear up some space on your hard drive, we have some more games ready for you to pre-install (shout out to the Xbox Game Pass mobile app that lets you pre-install on your devices remotely). Let’s get to the games!

Coming Soon

Madden NFL 23 (Console and PC) EA Play – February 9
Madden NFL 23 is coming soon to PC Game Pass & Ultimate via EA Play! Give your Ultimate Team a boost and show you’re here to win. EA Play and Ultimate members can score a Supercharge Pack by logging into Madden Ultimate Team between February 9 and March 9, 2023.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 9
Strange phenomena are twisting legendary moments from Gundam history, and you’re in charge of fixing them. SD Gundam Battle Alliance is a multiplayer Gundam action RPG where you can smash foes solo or with friends in thrilling mechanized combat. Acquire new mobile suits, power them up, and take them into battle in various missions!

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 14
Set forth on an epic adventure in a fictional Dark Ages sandbox that combines strategy and action-RPG gameplay. Carve out your own kingdom or champion another’s cause as you explore the vast, reimagined continent of Calradia in this prequel to the critically acclaimed, Mount & Blade: Warband.

Cities: Skylines – Remastered (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) – February 15
Cities: Skylines is an award-winning, best-selling management game, now remastered for Xbox Series X|S with all of its robust city-simulation gameplay and unique charm along for the ride. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub.

Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 16
Trek across a mythic Asian land infused with the magic and technology of ancient samurai, now overrun by the demonic yokai from Japanese folklore. Experience the Definitive Edition of Shadow Warrior 3 with tons of new features and modes with fast-paced gunplay, razor-sharp melee combat, and a spectacular free-running movement system.

Atomic Heart (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 21
Available on day one with Game Pass: In a mad and sublime utopian world, take part in explosive encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, use your environment and upgrade your equipment to fulfill your mission. If you want to reach the truth, you’ll have to pay in blood.

Game Updates

Wild Hearts: EA Play Early Access Trial – February 13
Game Pass Ultimate members can join the hunt in Wild Hearts on February 13 via EA Play. Play up to the gates of Minato – days before launch – with the EA Play early access trial. If you decide to buy, you can save 10% with your member discount and your progress carries over to the full game.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Fallout 76: Modern Living Bundle – Available now
Give your C.A.M.P. a modern look with the Modern Living Bundle. This bundle includes the Modern Home Rug, Modern Home Wallpaper, Repair Kits, and Carry Weight Boosters.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Dragon Slayer Bundle – Available now
Strike fear into the hearts of Tamriel’s most-dangerous predators with the Ancient Dragon Hunter collection. This Perk content requires The Elder Scrolls Online base game to use.

Xbox Game Pass Quests

February Game Pass Quests are available for you to complete and claim! Redeem your completed Quests for points on your console in the Game Pass section, PC, or on the Xbox Game Pass mobile app.

New Quests each week revolve around anime, Valentine’s Day, football, and more. Plus, become a Quest Completionist for 500 points.

Available now:

• Madden NFL (250 points – Ultimate only): Play 4 Online Games
• Opus: Echo of Starsong (5 points): Play
• Earn an Achievement in any Game Pass Game (50 points)

Leaving February 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, but you still have time to jump back in before they go. Don’t forget to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library!

• Besiege (Game Preview) (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• CrossfireX (Cloud and Console)
• Infernax (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Recompile (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Skul: The Hero Slayer (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• The Last Kids on Earth (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Stay tuned here or on twitter to @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass for reminders on what games you can discover next!

Minecraft Legends, the upcoming game from Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive is “not your normal strategy game,” according to Principal Design Director, Craig Leigh. Appearing on the Xbox Podcast last week, Leigh dove into multiple ways the new title (coming on April 18 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam & Windows), Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4|5) offers a very new twist on the genre. “We get that all time,” he explained, “People are like, ‘This is not the game I thought it was, this is an action game!’, and that’s what I love about it.”

When you’re blending genres, you need to come up with fresh ideas for how it will work, not least in Minecraft Legends’ 4v4 PvP mode, which was introduced during the Developer_Direct last month. The developers have come up with multiple ways to do that, and Leigh explained several of the ways PvP has been innovated on in this new twist on the formula.

Fast Travel

Not something you’d necessarily associate with strategy games, Minecraft Legends introduces a fast travel system to help players balance the various activities they’ll need to do to conquer their enemies. While base building is a key part of the picture, players will also need to venture out, explore, gather resources, and attack enemies to win a round – and that means offering them an easy way home to keep their base safe.

“So if you’re out in the world and you’re far away from your base and you hear that you’re under attack, you can fast travel,” Leigh explained. “So you can open the map, click on your base and go ‘whoosh’, be back home really quickly, because we didn’t want players running, panicked, ‘oh I can’t get back home in time’.”

Fast travel doesn’t just apply to player-characters, either. “If you’re at home as well, and you get attacked, you can go to a spawn and recall units, units that are out in thew world that maybe aren’t doing anything, you can call them back quickly to your base,” Leigh added. “You’re not running around looking for them, ‘Where are those Cobblestone Golems?’, you can just pull them back to help you with defence.”

PvPvE

It’s clear that Minecraft Legends will have players doing a lot during rounds, but its NPCs are pretty busy too – and may even offer players new ways to take down their opponents’ base:

“The thing I think people will be most surprised about is the game’s PvP, but there’s a little PvE in there as well,” Leigh revealed. “The Piglins [the enemies in the game’s story-led campaign] are also in PvP, and the Piglins do whatever the Piglins want. So the Piglins are attacking both teams, and there’s a day-night cycle going on during the battles, but the Piglins attack more ferociously at night – so do you time your strategy when the Piglins attack at night and wait for them to break the walls down and sneak in? So you’re not only dealing with the other team, you’re dealing with the Piglins are well.”

The Ping System

With a shared pool of resources, multiple activities to do, and attacks on multiple fronts, communication is key in Minecraft Legends’ PvP. Thankfully, the team has a neat solution for that, beyond the expected:

“We also have ping system,” Leigh said. “It’s really important to work together, because you’re sharing resources and so with the ping system you can say, ‘I want to build a Redstone Launcher’, and the team go, ‘OK, let’s save up our Redstone. Or you could be like, ‘I want coal!’, and so people go ‘OK let’s save up our coal’. You can use voice chat, and it’s great, but also we wanted to make sure there was a system that people could give out the basic commands because you are sharing resources.”

Game Time

Seasoned strategy players will be used to multiplayer matches that can take a very long time to finish, battling through stalemates to earn a hard-earned victory. Minecraft Legends wants to offer that same experience, but in a more manageable time frame, letting players constantly start new games, with procedurally generated maps offering fresh experiences every time they play.

“We’ve worked really hard, so games last between 20 and 30 minutes,” Leigh explained. “It does depend on the strategy; if teams have a crazy strategy they might win earlier if they take the team by surprise, or if both teams decide, ‘We’re going to build bastions with stone walls and massive towers,’ then the games might go on a little bit longer.

“But we’ve been working really hard to balance the games this way, because we don’t want it to be a 14-day siege of the Blue Team, and so our longer games have lasted around 30 minutes. It’s an old-fashioned thing to think about, but we wanted players to get two games in in a lunchtime, be able to play a couple of games in they were playing in their lunch. “

Cross-Platform Ease

Strategy games are traditionally the dominion of PC, but Minecraft Legends is coming out on every major gaming platform, simultaneously. In doing that, the team’s worked to make sure that not only can you play with anyone, on any platform, but that no one will be disadvantaged by playing on a specific machine.

“We thought it was really important, regardless of what platform you’re on that you could play together, we want as many players as possible playing together,” Leigh made clear.

“It doesn’t matter where you play, on launch day you’ll be able to play on any of those platforms in PvP and it plays perfectly on any platform. The way we’ve designed it there’s no advantage to be on a keyboard and mouse versus a controller, it’s not a first-person shooter or anything, so it’s been designed that way, so it’s perfect for cross-platform play. We thought that was really important, so we’ve designed it that way.”

And with a huge pool of players across platforms and continents playing together, that just means there will be more twists to PvP that even the developers can’t see coming.

“I’m particularly excited to see the crazy strategies that people come up with in PvP,” finished Leigh. “Because we think we’ve done everything and then someone will come in and just do something crazy that we haven’t thought of. We all joke on the team that we’re going to be good at the PvP for about and hour and then all the community will just crush us because they’ll come up with new strategies.”

Minecraft Legends launches April 18 on Windows PC (day one with PC Game Pass), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (day one with Xbox Game Pass), Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.

Minecraft Legends – Windows

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

The piglins’ Nether corruption is spreading across the Overworld, scorching everything it touches. Are you the hero who will protect this gentle land? Plan your strategy and face the piglins in epic battles – but be warned: they always fight back. Take on piglin bases by day and defend your allies after dusk. Explore lush biomes filled with treasures and perils, meet new friends, and reunite with familiar mobs. With the allays by your side, all that’s left to do is save the world. Experience an epic legend from the Minecraft universe and the Overworld as you’ve never seen it before Form alliances with new friends and familiar mobs, then lead the charge in epic battles against the fierce piglins to defend the Overworld Traverse a lush, dynamic world that’s rich in resources and different in each playthrough Challenge your friends or team up in intense battles as you defend your village while leading your units to destroy your opponents’ settlements