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Massively Overpowered

- Pantheon Rise of the Fallen eyes its February patch for next week – here are the preliminary patch notes
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Massively Overpowered

- Pax Dei confirms a February 20 release date for its big crafting-focused update
Pax Dei confirms a February 20 release date for its big crafting-focused update
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Massively Overpowered

- First Impressions: Witchspire has charming visuals and promise, but the demo is a bit rough
First Impressions: Witchspire has charming visuals and promise, but the demo is a bit rough
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Massively Overpowered

- Horse mystery MMO Equinox Homecoming opens a free demo and adds controller support
Horse mystery MMO Equinox Homecoming opens a free demo and adds controller support
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eGamers.io - P2E NFT Games Portal
- Grayscale and Canary Capital Launch Spot SUI ETFs with Staking for Web3 Gaming Milestones
Grayscale and Canary Capital Launch Spot SUI ETFs with Staking for Web3 Gaming Milestones
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 23 to 27
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A new era of survival horror arrives with Resident Evil Requiem, the latest and most immersive entry yet in the iconic Resident Evil series. Experience terrifying survival horror with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, and dive into pulse-pounding action with legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy. Both of their journeys and unique gameplay styles intertwine into a heart-stopping, emotional experience that will chill you to your core.
Towerborne – February 26
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Towerborne is an exciting side-scrolling action RPG brawler. Rise again as an Ace, an immortal warrior reborn to defend the Belfry against the darkness beyond its walls. Journey across a crumbling world, uncover the mystery of the fallen City of Numbers, and push back the corruption threatening humanity’s survival.
Tales of Berseria Remastered Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
Tales of Berseria Remastered Pre-Order
Tales of Berseria Remastered – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Engage in the ultimate quest for self-discovery, remastered for the first time. The sacred kingdom awaits the arrival of its savior, and a lone woman named Velvet is marked by traumatic deceit. Join Velvet on her journey for vengeance, along with her cast of eccentric companions, as they sail through the archipelago which comprises the kingdom of Midgand.
Bread & Fred
Bread & Fred – February 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Bread & Fred is a challenging co-op platformer where two players must cooperate to jump and climb to the top of a snowy mountain. Play as both Bread and Fred in their exasperating and sometimes maddening climb that requires precision with every jump. Each time you land you’ll be closer to the peak and one step closer to mastering the platforming, but your fall down the mountain will be even farther.
Capy Spa (Xbox Series)
Capy Spa – February 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Grab your towels because the chillest capybara in gaming is ready for a soak! In Capy Spa, you help Pipa, a relaxation-loving capybara, push herb buckets into hot springs to prepare the perfect bath. With 30 carefully crafted levels, two charming biomes (Savanna River and Forest Onsen), and a soothing soundtrack that blends with the rising steam, every stage invites calm and thoughtful moves.
Dark Farts: Parody Smell Edition – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Emotional Damage Incoming! The most ridiculously epic Souls-like parody ever created meets outrageous humor in this absolutely insane action-RPG! You’re no chosen one – just a blacksmith with questionable bean-eating habits who accidentally gained ancient dragon powers. Now, you’re humanity’s last hope, and it’s time to show these evil corporations what REAL power smells like!
Deep Space Shooter
Deep Space Shooter – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Again you are alone against the hordes of hostile spacecrafts where you can only rely on yourself. It is the victory or the death! An automatic station deep in space has sent an alarm signal and then the connection is disrupted. Your spaceship set off there to carry out reconnaissance. But all of the sudden you encounter huge forces of an unknown enemy. Now there’s no way back – you either defeat them or die. This game is a vertical scroll-shooter with numerous enemies and a gradually increasing level of complexity.
Ghetto Zombies: Graffiti Squad – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A squad of mutant kids from the hood is humanity’s last hope in this colorful, humor-packed zombie apocalypse. Blast freaky zombies with ridiculous guns, spray wild graffiti across the city, and face a monstrous Zombie Boss at the end of every mission. Each hero in the squad offers a unique playstyle: choose yours, dig the weirdest guns out of dumpsters, and enjoy the insane headshot animations.
Journey of Johann: Castle Crusade
Journey of Johann: Castle Crusade – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Journey of Johann is an action-adventure platformer with puzzle elements. Make your way through levels and a boss with different challenges and obstacles. Collect goblets and secrets and beat time trials. Use your weapons as tools such as climbing, blocking hits, and defeating enemies. The game was designed with speedrunning in mind.
One Button Games 5-in-1 vol. 4
One-Button Games 5-in-1 Vol. 4 – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Challenge yourself with these 5 fast-paced one-button games: Ball Bombs, Baroll, Bamboo, Two Faced, and Light Dark.
Pogui – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Safely guide a lovable pup through crazy platforming stages so he can get back to his naptime! Pogui is just a little dog who wants to take a nap, but crazy stuff keeps happening around him! Guide the lovable pug through dreamlike worlds and help him get to bed. Pogui is a side-scrolling precision platformer presented in retro pixel art style. Run, jump and dash your way through colorful but hazardous levels!
UFOphilia – February 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
UFOphilia is a first-person psychological horror game where you explore areas marked by alien phenomena. Use specialized equipment to detect, identify, and photograph aliens, but do so at your own risk… They are watching you too. Equipped with advanced tools, your mission is to detect, identify, and photograph extraterrestrials, each encounter involving unique behaviors and unpredictable dangers.
ChildStory – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A small town in the far north goes about its life: preparing for the Festival of the New Star, decorating streets, celebrating. The festival is inseparable from a cycle that repeats month after month. And Sonya stands at its center. She’s part of a story she’s still trying to understand. A kind girl with a sharp mind and countless questions, she searches for answers among snow and lights. Sonya helps friends, makes new ones, explores hidden corners, fights spirits, and solves puzzles. She acts, hoping her actions will lead to understanding.
Corner Kitchen Fast Food Simulator
Corner Kitchen Fast Food Simulator – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Buy cooking equipment, prepare delicious meals, and serve hungry customers. Upgrade your setup, read customer reviews, and expand your business to become the top fast-food joint in the city.
Golfing Over It with Alva Majo
Golfing Over It with Alva Majo – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Golfing Over It with Alva Majo is a discouraging game about climbing a surreal mountain with a golf ball, a different take on 2017’s hit Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. Experience the challenge of climbing an unyielding mountain without infuriating controls being part of that challenge. Bennett Foddy has played this game and granted it his blessing.
Hunt the Night
Hunt the Night is a retro-style action-RPG that blends fast, skillful combat with dark fantasy lore. Play as Vesper, a member of the Stalkers, and traverse the ruined world of Medhram on a mission to save humanity from a deadly cycle of annihilation. Endure nightmarish overworlds, slash through horrific dungeons, face brutal bosses, and wield an arsenal of powers in a relentless struggle against the Night itself.
Manairons – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Unleash chaos, control magic, and save the village… with a flute. Manairons is a 3D action platformer game inspired by the legends of little creatures living in the Pyrenees. Help Nai face off against the landowner who has taken control of a charming village using the power of the “canut,” with magic, flute, and plenty of chaos.
Mole Cart Mining (Xbox Series)
Mole Cart Mining – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Get ready for an underground adventure full of charm and strategy! In Mole Cart Mining, you guide a determined little mole riding a mine cart while rotating tracks on a hexagonal grid to create the perfect route. The goal is simple and satisfying: collect every mineral and reach the exit in style.
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Iris has been abducted by aliens?! Finding herself on board a mysterious UFO and tasked with completing a bizarre escape game, Iris knows there’s one person who she can always count on for help: Kaname Date, Psyncer! As Date, conduct investigations, solve escape game puzzles, and Psync into the dreams of potential suspects to help Iris escape and unravel the mystery behind The Third Eye Game!
Sands of Aura
Sands of Aura – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Sands of Aura is an open-world action adventure with a fantasy setting of a realm in its twilight–a world buried beneath a sea of sand. Sail across the sandseas to return life to a dying world in an unforgettable experience that is equal parts engaging story and unrelenting, souls-like combat.
Sudoku Relax
A total of 300 questions with easy, normal, and hard difficulties have been included. Complete problems to unlock background effects and BGM tracks. There are 3 background effects and 3 BGM tracks. Sudoku allows you to use your brain while also being soothed by the effects and BGM.
Trials of Olympus
Trials of Olympus – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The gods of Olympus seek a mortal champion to fight against a rising darkness. Only those who endure their trials may be chosen. In Trials of Olympus, you journey through the realms of Ares, Artemis, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Each god’s domain holds three great trials — vast platforming levels filled with traps, enemies, and divine essences to recover. You cannot fight, for no weapon is yet yours. Instead, rely on agility and wit.
WorldNeverland – Elnea Kingdom Deluxe Edition
WorldNeverland – Elnea Kingdom – February 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
What if you could freely choose another life? WorldNeverland – Elnea Kingdom is a sandbox life simulation game where you can move to a fictional kingdom you’ve always dreamed of and enjoy a carefree life. Why not weave a grand story spanning generations with your own hands?
Aquamarine: Explorer’s Edition – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Aquamarine is a turn-based playable comic book about surviving in an alien ocean. Inspired by the psychedelic sci-fi of the ’70s & ’80s, Aquamarine combines the mystery of old-school adventure games and challenging roguelikes with elements of survival, exploration, and puzzle solving. Journey across a water world reclaimed by nature. Overcome survival and navigational challenges as you discover the planet’s lost history. Master your pod’s controls, study the ocean wildlife, and solve environmental puzzles to help you find your way home.
“Buy the Game, I Have a Gun” -Sheesh-Man – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
This game is worth every penny, and you should buy it right now, why? Firstly because the whole story was written during a livestream, which makes the story totally nonsensical! If this doesn’t convince you remember that not only do I have a gun, I also know all your secrets. This is of course a joke, I do not know your secrets, yet.
Emoji Battlefield – Island Warfare
Emoji Battlefield – Island Warfare – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
You’ve washed ashore on a mysterious island where ancient emojis have awakened — and they’re not happy to see you. This rogue-like first-person shooter throws you into wild, fast-paced combat against tiki emojis wearing carved masks and wielding primal powers. Before each run, customize your experience with crazy modifiers: make enemies bounce, wear funny hats, or unleash volcanic chaos for maximum challenge. Choose your arena — from overgrown jungles and hidden beach ruins to ancient temples filled with deadly traps — each location has its own hazards, secrets, and surprises.
Mini Racer Car Shop Simulator – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Manage your mini racer car shop, sell mini cars and spare parts, and unleash your creativity with custom builds. Test drive your creations on the racetrack before putting them up for sale. Transform your shop into a haven for mini car enthusiasts and build a thriving business in the process!
Shopping Mall Girl – February 27
Xbox Play Anywhere
Showcase your style and become a supermodel in one of the best shopping games! No matter what your fashion style may be, this shopping mall has exactly what you’re looking for! Get a fabulous new hairstyle at your favorite hair salon Chic Cuts, and dress up in the latest hot trends from our stylish shops! It’s Black Friday! The excitement is real as you race to grab the clothes you need before they vanish from the shelves! Dress up in shirts, skirts, shoes, and accessories, or get expert advice from your personal shopper!
Solar Machina (Xbox Series X|S)
Solar Machina – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Solar Machina is a vibrant 2D pixel art platformer where you control a robot on a colorful journey through tropical landscapes filled with traps and enemies. As you progress, your robotic suit evolves, granting new movement abilities that transform how you play. With smooth controls, distinct biomes, and a nostalgic chiptune soundtrack, Solar Machina offers a satisfying blend of challenge, rhythm, and exploration that keeps engagement from start to finish.
Soulshard
Soulshard – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
In a realm between life and death, a confused soul seeks redemption and freedom from a past life filled with misguided choices. Playing alone or together via co-op multiplayer, command a soul in search of the exit from this dark and desolate realm. Use the environment to your advantage and avoid treacherous traps to clear 30 challenging levels of hauntingly morose pixel art.
Wild West Tycoon – February 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Welcome to the untamed frontier! In Wild West Tycoon you are tasked with transforming the rugged Wild West into a thriving economic powerhouse. This low-poly style simulation game invites you to master the art of frontier entrepreneurship where every decision counts and every enterprise takes you one step closer to building a legendary empire.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 23 to 27 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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Massively Overpowered

- Elder Scrolls Online details Update 49’s Dragonknight refresh and wealth of quality-of-life features
Elder Scrolls Online details Update 49’s Dragonknight refresh and wealth of quality-of-life features
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Massively Overpowered

- BitCraft adds more localization and chat hyperlinking as it preps today’s New Year’s party
BitCraft adds more localization and chat hyperlinking as it preps today’s New Year’s party
WoW Factor: Nervous and excited for World of Warcraft’s Midnight prepatch
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Massively Overpowered

- Elite Dangerous introduces smarter on-foot enemies and the Caspian Explorer spaceship
Elite Dangerous introduces smarter on-foot enemies and the Caspian Explorer spaceship
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Massively Overpowered

- War Thunder summarizes December update, makes players grumpy with a recent Q&A video
War Thunder summarizes December update, makes players grumpy with a recent Q&A video
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Massively Overpowered

- Fellowship makes small preparations for its Eternal difficulty queue and another round of general tweaks
Fellowship makes small preparations for its Eternal difficulty queue and another round of general tweaks
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Massively Overpowered

- Lost Skies heralds greater ship stability and improved multiplayer sync in latest fixer-upper patch
Lost Skies heralds greater ship stability and improved multiplayer sync in latest fixer-upper patch
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Massively Overpowered

- Black Desert adds naval PvP on PC, new tutorials on mobile, and returns a turkey boss fight
Black Desert adds naval PvP on PC, new tutorials on mobile, and returns a turkey boss fight
Game Quicky – Balatro (PC – Steam) ~ Running Poker Multipliers

Steam store – Official website – Wikipedia page
Sometimes, it’s the simple games that entertain me for hours. Who thought that a new spin on playing Poker could be so refreshing? It even wins several awards at the game awards 2024. Now, my good streaming buddy Klamath bought me this game for my birthday. I decided to give it a go, and I was surprised. In this article, I want to share my honest first impression. I will also discuss what I like about this game. Additionally, I will mention what I don’t like about the game. I have played Balatro on my PC. But, if this game looks interesting to you, feel free to discover it on other platforms like mobile and consoles. Before I dive into this card game, please leave a comment with your thoughts. Share your opinions on this game or the content of this article.
The good

The visual presentation and style of this game is something that blew me away. Visually, this game looks amazing. The subtle animations of the cards, the way the UI hints pop up, the little hints on the planet cards…
The UI offers something nice during boss fights. It gives you hints when a hand isn’t going to score. But there are other little things in this game that are just fun. Like, you can click and drag the bind chip while you are thinking of a next move.
The gist of this game is quite simple. You have to play poker hands from the cards that you are given. You don’t always have to play 5 cards, in case you want to keep a certain card. Each ante has 3 rounds. A small and big blind and a boss fight. Each time, the goal of chips you need to earn raises. In between each blind, you earn money. This money, you can use to buy from a shop where a few joker or other special cards are offered.
These cards add multipliers to certain hands. This is a list of examples:
- The chip’s multiplier doubles. This only happens if you have spades and clubs left in your hand.
- The gained points for a played and scored ace doubles.
- Gain 2 extra chips per card left in your deck after playing each hand.
Some of these Joker cards can be a lifesaver. Especially the free chips ones. Others, force you into a certain playstyle. Each time you hit the shop, it’s a difficult decision. Should I continue with this set of Jokers, or should I replace one? You only have 5 slots. Changing one out might increase your points just enough to survive another round.
This game is the perfect blend of strategy and luck. You need to get lucky with the cards and not use up all your discards quickly. Since, you don’t get them back easily. The rougelite elements in this game give the usual poker game should a fresh spin. How far do you get with all the jokers and how high will you score? Since, it doesn’t matter if you survive a round just barely. Survival is survival, and maybe then you can buy a new joker card that elevates your run.
You restart with zero points and new hand and full deck each round anyway. Or you can gamble it all and skip a round for an interesting bonus. And if you loose, you reset to the start of the game for a whole clean run. Once this game clicked, it became the perfect “one more run” game. Betting with myself how far I would get this time.
This game is quite responsive. In terms of controls, this game is quite easy to control. The UI is perfect as well. I’m also glad that there are various accessibility options in the game. Things like reduced motion and high contrast cards are important. The more people can play the game, the better.
The save system is easy to use. You can just exit the game and restart from where you left off with ease. Also, there are three player profiles. You can also name the profiles, so you easily know which profile is which. Not to mention, you can unlock everything, but then you won’t be able to go for those sweet Steam achievements.
The bad

If you are unfamiliar with the rules of poker, you might be in trouble. Thankfully, the valid poker hands don’t take a long time to learn. You also have the “run info” button to help you. In game, you don’t get too many lessons on making valid poker hands, so keep that in mind.
Now, this is a difficult one to write. While the music in this game is amazing, the track variety is something of a mixed bag. Some of the tracks use the same sound font and melody. Sometimes, I don’t recognize that the pitch and instruments had changed. Don’t get me wrong, the soundtrack in this game is pretty good, but more variety would have been welcome. A few more ambient tracks would do the trick. Now, this is a major nitpick. To be honest, it only bothered me when I started to pay attention to it.
The small tutorial at the start of your first game is extremely helpful at explaining things. Yet, some information will be only told once in that tutorial. So, if you put the game down for a while and don’t remember everything… You have no real way to re-read the rules. Thankfully, most (if not all) concepts in this game aren’t hard to grasp. But a small refresher like having the option to replay the tutorial wouldn’t hurt.
If I may give an extreme nitpick, I think it will be this. In this game, you can modify the picture cards with references to different games. Now, this is per suit and each suit has a different set of games. I wish this was a fleshed out a bit further. Like, I love the art for Cult of the Lamb and Slay the Princess. But only having those face cards in one suit be changed, it didn’t scratch the itch enough for me. Maybe using smaller images on the number cards of the suit would make it even more enjoyable. Then again, how could you do this? It would require massive development time and designing a whole card deck per reference. So, I can totally see why the developers made this choice.
The conclusion
In the end, Balatro is a fantastic blend of strategy. It has elements of luck and engaging roguelite mechanics. These features keep me coming back for “just one more run.” Its polished visuals, clever gameplay twists, and thoughtful accessibility options make it a standout experience. The game has a few minor drawbacks. These include the limited tutorial recall, the music’s slight repetitiveness, and the poker learning curve. Despite these, the issues don’t overshadow the sheer enjoyment this game offers. If you want a new take on poker, try Balatro. It challenges your planning skills and keeps the stakes high.
I’m happy that Klamath gave me this game for my birthday. It took me quite the while to actually give this game a shot, but I’m happy that I did. I can easily play this game during short downtimes. It’s easy to pick up and play. I also think that this game might be even more fun on a tablet or on the go. During long play times, it can become repetitive. However, this is oh, so fun in short bursts. It’s also exciting if you are able to string together a long combo or run.
I want to congratulate the team behind this game. LocalThunk and Playstack, you made an awesome card game. It has a unique spin that makes me come back for more. The praise and awards are totally deserved. I am eager to delve deeper into the game. I am excited to discover what else some jokers I haven’t discovered yet may have in store for me.
And with that, I want to thank you all for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I hope to welcome you in a future article. Until then, have a great rest of your day and take care.
Score: 95/100

