Avowed, the highly anticipated fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, set to release on February 18th, promises to offer players a rich and immersive experience within the Pillars of Eternity universe. The creators of Fallout: New Vegas are designing a world that focuses on meaningful decisions that will influence the game’s narrative, an aspect that fans have been eagerly awaiting. The reason for not having an open world: the narrative component In a recent interview with Xbox Wire, Obsidian explained that Avowed will not be an open-world game. Instead, the map will […]
Avowed, the highly anticipated fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment releasing on February 18th, promises to offer players a rich and immersive experience within the Pillars of Eternity universe. The creators of Fallout: New Vegas are designing a world that focuses on meaningful decisions that will influence the game’s narrative, an aspect that fans have been eagerly awaiting.
The reason for no open world: the narrative component
In a recent interview with Xbox Wire, Obsidian explained that Avowed will not be an open-world game. Instead, the map will be divided into zones densely populated with content, similar to the model used in The Outer Worlds. Kate Dollarhye, the narrative designer, emphasized that this structure aims to improve the pacing of the story, allowing developers more detailed control over mission progression. “Pacing is really complicated in open-world games, as it’s difficult to know where the player is at any given time,” commented Dollarhye.
Berto Ritger, director of regions of Avowed, also emphasized that this organization in sequential zones helps maintain the game’s pace, ensuring that the protagonists always know which side missions they have completed before advancing in the main narrative. Although the areas are extensive and allow freedom in exploration, they do not extend as a continuous world, which could hinder narrative cohesion.
Even more, Obsidian ensures that the combat in Avowed is deep and complex, incorporating elements that will keep players on their toes. According to recent statements, “there are unknown elements… and a little bit of danger,” hinting that the promised experience will be more than just a simple journey through a fantasy landscape. Without a doubt, Avowed is shaping up to be a solid alternative to iconic titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, offering a narrative supported by meaningful decisions and an engaging combat system.
The highly anticipated release of DOOM: The Dark Ages is set for May 15, 2024, and will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC platforms, as well as being accessible on Game Pass from day one. This new installment of the iconic id Software franchise has been the subject of great anticipation, especially after showcasing new gameplay snippets at the Xbox Developer Direct. For the first time, without a multiplayer mode: although for good reasons Unlike its predecessors, DOOM: The Dark Ages will not feature a multiplayer mode. According to Marty Stratton, […]
The highly anticipated release of DOOM: The Dark Ages is set for May 15, 2024, and will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, in addition to being available on Game Pass from day one. This new installment of the iconic id Software franchise has been the subject of great expectation, especially after showcasing new gameplay footage at the Xbox Developer Direct.
For the first time, without a multiplayer mode: although for good reasons
Unlike its predecessors, DOOM: The Dark Ages will not feature a multiplayer mode. According to Marty Stratton, the studio director, this decision was made to allow the team to focus on delivering a more ambitious and complete campaign experience. Stratton emphasized that the goal was to create elements like “the robot and the dragon,” which function as mini-games within the main narrative.
Regarding the game’s structure, id Software has confirmed that it will not be an open-world title, although it will feature more extensive levels than previous installments. The design will allow exploration areas, but with a more traditional structure, which will facilitate the focus on large battlefields and multiple objectives that players can tackle in any order.
Additionally, the customization system has been simplified, aiming to avoid the complexity that was present in DOOM Eternal, where the overload of skills and resources complicated the gaming experience. This approach seeks to optimize gameplay and make it more accessible for users.
Finally, regarding the future of the saga, id Software has not ruled out that DOOM: The Dark Ages could be the end of this era within the franchise. According to creative director Hugo Martin, the game “is not designed to be the end of something,” suggesting that there is still much to explore in the DOOM universe.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highly anticipated RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive, will be released on April 24th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. One of the most notable news is that it will also be available from day one through Xbox Game Pass, which represents an excellent opportunity for subscribers of this service. During the recent Xbox Developer Direct, the game showed significant advancements that have generated very positive expectations among fans of the genre. In terms of gameplay, Clair Obscur stands out as a turn-based RPG with intense combat that incorporates […]
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highly anticipated RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive, will be released on April 24th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. One of the most notable news is that it will also be available from day one through Xbox Game Pass, which represents an excellent opportunity for subscribers of this service. During the recent Xbox Developer Direct, the game showcased significant advancements that have generated very positive expectations among fans of the genre.
In terms of gameplay, Clair Obscur stands out as a turn-based RPG with intense battles that incorporate real-time actions, such as dodging and blocking enemy attacks. This mechanic will require constant attention, ensuring that players do not let their guard down in the middle of combat. Each character in the game will offer a unique play style, allowing for a diversified experience through different skill trees. The developers have confirmed that there will be a total of 20 selectable skills and hundreds of passive skills, adding a level of depth and strategy to the gameplay.
A challenge for novices and veterans alike
Players will also find various difficulty levels, which will influence the time available to perform dodges and blocks. The higher the difficulty, the more severe the penalties for failures in actions during combat will be. This promises an attractive challenge for veterans of the genre. In addition to pure action, Clair Obscur will feature an extensive 3D world to explore, with hidden bosses and secrets scattered throughout the map. There will also be moments of rest in camps, where merchants and other surprises can be found, thus enriching the gaming experience.
As Sandfall Interactive finalizes the last details of this ambitious project, the gaming community remains attentive and eager for the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, promising an epic adventure full of discoveries and challenges.
A new trailer for the fan-created expansion, Halo New Covenant, has been released, showcasing impressive graphics that have excited the gaming community. This mod is an expansion of the acclaimed Halo 3: ODST, released in 2009, and its narrative is set after the events of Halo 3, promising to take the story in a new direction. Although the Halo series hasn’t had the same impact in recent years, it remains one of the most iconic properties in video game history. Even though Halo Infinite has faced ups and downs since its release, it has shown […]
A new trailer for the fan-created expansion, Halo New Covenant, has been released, showcasing impressive graphics that have excited the gaming community. This mod is an expansion of the acclaimed Halo 3: ODST, released in 2009, and its narrative is set after the events of Halo 3, promising to take the story in a new direction.
Despite the fact that the Halo series has not had the same impact in recent years, it remains one of the most iconic properties in video game history. Although Halo Infinite has faced ups and downs since its release, it has shown significant improvements over time. With the recent rebranding of 343 Industries to Halo Studios by Microsoft, the company seems determined to revitalize the franchise.
Halo New Covenant is in the final stages of development, with three of its four missions already complete and scheduled for release on January 29, 2025. Fans of the game will be able to download this expansion exclusively for PC through the Halo 3: ODST Steam Workshop. This release strategy reinforces the potential of the modding community, which continues to be a vital source of new and exciting content within the Halo universe.
Microsoft has not yet said anything about its future plans with Halo
Meanwhile, players who are not PC users can still access the franchise through an Xbox Game Pass subscription, allowing them to enjoy games like the Master Chief Collection, while they await the arrival of new adventures in the Halo universe. With the future of the game in the balance, the Halo community continues to show strong commitment and enthusiasm towards the series, hoping that recent changes in its development will lead to positive results in the coming years.
Microsoft is currently not making friends with its Game Pass pricing policies, which have increased across the board. Users are unhappy about the price increases, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has pointed out that they have been lying about their true interests, and that the standard Game Pass is losing features, forcing users to purchase more expensive tiers.
But why did Microsoft raise the price of Game Pass? Because they bought Activision Blizzard, and somehow they have to recoup the investment. They are doing so by taking advantage of the fact that today, Wednesday, July 24, the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III appears on Game Pass.
The first Activision Blizzard game, Diablo IV, was added last March, and has been the highest-profile game published so far. With the addition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will pay more for the tier that allows it will be able to access all game modes, enjoying the full experience of it.
Of course, this has not surprised anyone. We all knew that Call of Duty would come to Game Pass. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard, along with its mobile division King, aimed to bring high-profile games like this franchise, to the service. This has led to a price increase, as well as criticism from the FTC.
What has surprised everyone is the timing. Microsoft didn’t release the Call of Duty games at the end of last year as expected. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 will be released on October 24, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC, being the first Call of Duty game to be released on day one of the Xbox Game Pass.
Palworld continues to seek success, breaking records, this time reaching 25 million players across all its platforms.
Palworld is one of the big releases of 2024. With staggering numbers of users that keep breaking records, it continues to surprise because it seems to gracefully withstand its initial momentum. Perhaps because, being in early access, it is gaining new content regularly. Something that has resulted in an impressive new milestone.
According to the latest information from Pocketpair, the studio behind the game, Palworld has already surpassed 25 million players since its release. This means that it has sold an impressive 15 million copies on Steam, while on Xbox it has had 10 million players. A somewhat biased mix of figures, but it still provides a perspective on the scale of this phenomenon.
Furthermore, Pocketpair has ensured that they will continue to evolve the game over time. With plans to introduce a PvP mode, new islands, and new Pals in future updates, it seems like the game still has a lot of work ahead for the studio.
Palworld is available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC. It is also available on Xbox Game Pass.
The best Xbox Game Pass games you can play now, from the latest releases of this year to timeless video game classics.
One of the great gifts of this Christmas has been the Xbox. Whether it’s the Series X or the Series S, this has been a year where, thanks to the offers and a catalog that is settling, it begins to shine on its own. But let’s not fool ourselves. A good reason to switch to Xbox is GamePass. But it can be intimidating. There are many games. Too much to choose from. Where to start? Well, here we make a selection of the best games to jump into right now so you don’t have to navigate for hours without knowing what to play.
Sometimes you feel like playing a simple, sweet game that makes you feel comfortable and warm. A Short Hike is exactly that. An adventure of reaching the top of a mountain by the route that seems most suitable to us. With a simple open world, many possibilities, and never forcing us to go on a specific path or even reach the top, it is a game that encourages us to simply live in the moment.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Sometimes you feel like playing a simple game, sometimes you feel like embarking on a dozens of hours epic where you can get lost and feel like you will never get out of there if you don’t want to. That’s what Assassin’s Creed Odyssey offers you, a huge game, full of collectibles, mysteries and most importantly: a great story and even better characters. The best Assasin’s Creed to get into today, and it’s even available on GamePass.
Cocoon
During this year that is ending in Xbox Game Pass, some great games have appeared. One of them has been Cocoon. An excellent third-person puzzle game created by the designer of Limbo and Inside. It lasts only five or six hours, but it is designed with an absolutely insane finesse. And if you want more, you also have Limbo and Inside on the platform.
Although nostalgia is a trap, sometimes you can make a burrow in the trap. That happens with GoldenEye007. The version available on Xbox Game Pass not only serves to check how shooters have evolved in the last twenty-five years, but also to enjoy a game that you may have enjoyed during your childhood. The first shooter that, for many, was the excuse to get together with friends and shoot each other.
Hi-Fi Rush
Although surprise releases are becoming more common, surprise announcements and releases are still extremely rare. Even more so in a game the size of Hi-Fi Rush. But it turns out that this game from Tango Gameworks, a mix of action and rhythm game, is an absolute delight. Fun, clever, and very dynamic, it’s the perfect game to spend a weekend laughing and rocking out.
Jusant
Sometimes all you need is a game with excellent mechanics and a carefully crafted environmental narrative. Although we could be talking about a game from From Software, we are actually talking about a game from Don’t Nod. Because Jusant perfectly accomplishes both things: introducing perfect climbing mechanics that make you want to keep going forever, and a delicate and well-thought-out narrative that rewards paying attention and taking your time with the game. A delight that you shouldn’t miss.
Lies of P
Talking about From Software games, this year there has finally been a studio capable of making a Soulslike that can satisfy us. Andits name is Lies of P. With an extravagant reinterpretation of Pinocchio’s story, it builds a very satisfying Dark Souls-style game that has its own twist based on those foundations. Adjusted through patches, it is still not as good as From Software’s games, but it is almost as good as them. And that’s not saying little.
Although it hasn’t turned out as we expected, Starfield is a very interesting game if you are a fan of Bethesda games. Although “Skyrim in space” is a title that is too big for it, it is true that, after 40 hours of story, a universe of very interesting possibilities opens up in a game that is somewhat lacking in all its aspects. Bad? Not exactly. But even more than Skyrim, it is a game that you have to discover how to find fun in it. And if you are capable, it can be fun like no other.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
We live in a problematic world in certain aspects, so it’s okay to be able to immerse ourselves in power fantasies that allow us to do what we can’t in reality. For example, Wolfenstein: The New Order. A game where we embody a soldier who faces the Nazis after they have won the Second World War. In this game, MachineGames managed to perfect a heavy and brutal shooter style that, even today, remains extremely satisfying. That, and killing Nazis, is clearly the ultimate power fantasy for 2024.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The Yakuza saga has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. The problem is that knowing where to start can be very complex. We’ll make it easy for you: play Yakuza: Like A Dragon. That will leave you ready to play the next installment of the saga, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and jump into the previous titles of the franchise. All of them available on GamePass, so you can immerse yourself in literally 200 or 300 hours of an epic yakuza epic, if that’s what you want. Or just stick with the new ones, because they are semi-independent.
The wonderful Like A Dragon: Ishin! arrives on Game Pass, the remake of the popular samurai game part of the Yakuza saga that you should be playing
In the west, samurai stories fascinate us. We won’t lie: in Japan, they are equally captivated. There’s something incredibly alluring about the samurai figure. It’s not just the honor, the swords, or the tales of revenge and loss. It’s the aura that surrounds them. All that exotic and fascinating ambiance, different yet oddly familiar. Something that still surprises the Japanese when we, in the West, appreciate it. Even though, if anything, it would be odd if we didn’t.
Fortunately, that hasn’t prevented one of the most interesting games of the year from reaching us. Because Like A Dragon: Ishin!, the remake of the Yakuza series set in the samurai era, arrived on Xbox Game Pass on October 17th.
Originally released exclusively in Japan in 2014 under the name Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin, it takes characters from the Yakuza franchise to tell a fascinating samurai story with a highly engaging drama and combat that might not match the latest installments but is still satisfying. Being able to fight unarmed, with our katana, dual-wielding katanas, or firearms, the game carries the spirit of a Yakuza game. This means that while the main story will captivate us with unexpected twists, the abundance of hilarious side missions will keep us hooked for as many hours as we want.
That’s why Like A Dragon: Ishin! is perfect as an entry point to the Yakuza series, but also for those already familiar with it. Especially because of all the nods to the franchise and its characters, entangled in a situation that lays the foundation for Japan’s current state. Something you can enjoy right now on Game Pass, whether in the cloud, on consoles, or PC.
Quake II will have a remaster announced today for all modern platforms at an extremely competitive price.
The pioneers of the shooter genre as we know it today never rest. One might think that after creating Doom, id Software would simply lie back and bask in the fame it brought them. However, what they did instead was craft a cult classic that drew inspiration from Doom, adopted its essence, and forged something new, naming it Quake. The various iterations of both games forever shaped the world of video games, which is why it should come as no surprise that QuakeCon, taking place these days, serves as a pilgrimage site for thousands of enthusiasts. It’s clear that at id Software, they have never forgotten their classics.
That’s why, through Bilbilkun, we’ve come to know that a remastered version of Quake II will be announced today. Originally released in December 1997, the second installment of Quake slowed down the pace compared to its predecessor and introduced crouching, ultimately giving it a distinct identity separate from that of Doom. Nevertheless, its standout features were the inclusion of CGI scenes and a free multiplayer mode that would go on to shape what is likely the first professional competitive league for a video game: the Cyberathlete Professional League.
While Quake II has seen numerous ports and an overwhelming amount of unofficial mods and engine modifications, it had never received a remastered version in the past. This marks the first occasion that an official new version of the game is being released, following in the footsteps of Quake Remastered, which was launched in 2021.
Quake II Remastered will be announced today and will be available from today to tomorrow for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It will be priced at €9.99 and will be available on launch day on Xbox Game Pass. This makes it a golden opportunity to experience an authentic video game classic.
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Xbox Live Gold will cease to exist on September 1, but Microsoft has already announced the service that will replace it shortly after.
Xbox Live Gold has been on a downward trend for a few years now. What was once the flagship service for Xbox and paved the way for other popular services like PlayStation Plus, has been offering lesser-known games for quite some time while charging a price that was not justified solely for online play. While it made sense as resources were primarily directed towards Xbox Game Pass, it always felt like Xbox Live Gold was destined to disappear. And now, that is being confirmed.
Microsoft has announced that Xbox Live Gold will be discontinued on September 1st. But don’t worry. For those still using this service, Microsoft has created an alternative: on September 14th, Xbox Game Pass Core will be launched. Priced at $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year, it will offer online play for all games on Xbox Live, along with a collection of 25 Microsoft games. These 25 games include:
All Xbox Live Gold members will automatically become Game Pass Core members on September 14th, with no change in their subscription prices and respecting the remaining months of Gold they have in their account. Additionally, all games claimed through Games with Gold can still be played as long as a Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate subscription is maintained. While new monthly games will no longer be received, members will have a permanent catalog of 25 high-quality games, which will also serve as a showcase for Microsoft’s Game Pass library. It remains to be seen if this move will satisfy current Xbox Live Gold members.
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