After recent confirmation that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle would be Xbox console exclusive, Xbox Head Phil Spencer explains why it’s now coming to PS5 after Xbox.

On Tuesday, Xbox confirmed that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle would no longer be an Xbox console exclusive, and it would be coming out on the PlayStation 5 platform. This is after the Xbox Head, Phil Spencer himself, said on an Xbox podcast episode back on February 15 that the title would be an Xbox exclusive. On that same podcast, Spencer revealed other Xbox-developed titles would come to the PlayStation platform, leaving Indy as an Xbox exclusive. Today, on a stream at Gamescom 2024, Phil Spencer backtracked Xbox exclusivity when asked to comment on the PS5 release announcement.

Phil Spencer said, “Going to the PlayStation announcement, obviously, last spring we launched four games – two of them on the Switch, four of them on PlayStation – and we said we were going to learn,” continuing with, “I think at the showcase I might have said that from our learning, we’re going to do more” regarding the PS5 Indiana Jones announcement. That announcement can be seen below, courtesy of Bethesda.

Phil Spencer explains that the gaming industry’s pressure, including the obscene amount of layoffs that have happened since the beginning of 2024, has forced gaming companies to run more like “a business.” Spencer then says, “I think for us as fans and players of games, we just have to anticipate there’s going to be more change in how some of the more traditional ways that games were built and distributed – that’s going to change for all of us” concluding with “But the end result needs to be better games that more people can play. If we’re not focused on that, we’re focused on the wrong things.”

Overall, Xbox appears to be rethinking its strategy when it comes to console-exclusive releases, even when it comes to titles they’ve previously announced as Xbox console-exclusive, in favour of an approach to make games more accessible by launching them on as many platforms as possible which echoes the “every screen is an Xbox” statement made by Sarah Bond also ironically on February 15, the same day Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was announced as Xbox exclusive.

• Category: gamescom

August 20, 2024

gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: Everything Xbox Revealed

• Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

At today’s gamescom Opening Night Live, fans were treated to a bevy of new game reveals and amazing trailers that gave a glimpse of what’s in store from Xbox. This included big news like the release date of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, gameplay from the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign, and the announcement of early access starting soon for Towerborne. But that’s not all! Fans were also given more details on Diablo IV, Starfield: Shattered Space, and more!

With Opening Night Live 2024 complete, gamescom is officially underway, and Xbox will be on the ground floor with one of its most dramatic-looking booths ever – we can’t wait for you to see it! Not only will we have many of the games mentioned here on display, but many titles for both Xbox and Windows PC will be playable, like Ara: History Untold and Age of Mythology Retold, as well as games from our partners like Genshin Impact, Star Wars: Outlaws, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, giving you the chance to explore all the different ways you can play your favorite games across Cloud, Console, and PC.

Catch up on all of today’s news and reveals from Xbox below:

Age of Mythology: Retold Heads for Launch with Brand New Trailer

Coming September 4, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, or play it day one with Game Pass.

During Opening Night Live fans around the world were treated to a new Age of Mythology: Retold trailer. Focusing on Arkantos, the hero of the game’s 50+ campaign missions, we hear the voice of Athena, coaxing Arkantos to adventure. Showcasing stunning graphics and mythological magic, the trailer gives us another taste of how much players have to be excited about. The trailer also showed the bacchanal of chaos that comes in the final Wonder Age, a new addition to Retold.

Whether you choose to play through the campaign alone or with friends, vs AI or in ranked multiplayer, every game will be different. Advanced Access starts August 27, 2024, at 5pm PT for those who pre-order the Premium Edition and full global launch kicks off on September 4, 2024, on Steam, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X|S. You can learn more about what it’s store by checking out our hands-on preview of Age of Mythology: Retold here on Xbox Wire.

Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

Pre-order

Embark on a gaming journey of first-class offerings with the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition. Curated to offer an elevated gaming experience at launch and beyond. The Premium Edition includes the full game, up to 7-day advanced access, New Gods Pack: “Freyr”, Legacy Deity Portrait Pack, Expansion 1 (all-new Chinese pantheon expansion) and Expansion 2 (additional new pantheon). * Standard Game: the complete Age of Mythology: Retold experience Up to 7-day Advanced Access: Step into the divine realm before time itself with exclusive early unlock to the game available on Xbox, Steam and PC. * New Gods Pack: “Freyr”: Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition adds Freyr to the Norse pantheon. Unleash the power of the Norse god of prosperity and fertility with the Freyr God Pack. The blessings of Freyr will elevate your reign to unprecedented heights. Legacy Deity Portrait Pack: a nostalgic journey back to the origins of gaming greatness. Relive the glory days of gaming with this special pack, which offers players the option to use iconic deity portraits from the classic game that captivated audiences worldwide. (2) Upcoming Expansions: Prepare to embark on new epic sagas yet untold with two yet to be revealed and highly anticipated upcoming expansions. * Expansion 1: All-New Chinese pantheon expansion Expansion 2: additional new pantheon expansion

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Ara: History Untold Debuts Launch Trailer Ahead of September 24 Release

Windows PC, Steam, or play it day one with Game Pass.

Ara: History Untold helped kick off gamescom 2024 with the world premiere of its launch trailer at Opening Night Live. The trailer, featuring a combination of live action and gameplay, puts the player in focus, inviting you to explore, create, rule, and conquer in the world of your imagination. Ara: History Untold is an upcoming grand strategy game where you build a nation and lead your citizens throughout history as you compete head-to-head with rivals to prove you are the greatest ruler ever known. Create your own story of history when Ara: History Untold launches on September 24, 2024. Pre-order and pre-install today! It’s your world now.

Ara: History Untold Deluxe Edition Preorder Bundle

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Build a nation and lead your people throughout history to the pinnacles of human achievement as you explore new lands, develop arts and culture, conduct diplomacy, and go head-to-head with your rivals to prove you are the greatest ruler ever known. It's Your World Now. The Deluxe Edition Includes • Ara: History Untold Base Game • Exclusive Leader Collection – featuring five exclusive leaders not included in the base game including: Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Yoo Gwan Soon, Hildegard and Boudicca. • Modern Leader Skin Set – enhance five Ara: History Untold leaders (Elizabeth I, Genghis Khan, Nefertiti, Sappho and George Washington) with the Modern Leader Skin Set, featuring modern versions of their in-game costumes. With your pre-order of the Deluxe Edition receive the Gilded Leader Skin Set.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Shows Off the Action-Packed “Most Wanted” Campaign Mission

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or play it day one with Game Pass

We got a look at highlights from one of Black Ops 6’s signature Campaign missions, “Most Wanted”, as Frank Woods’ team attempts to locate and retrieve legendary operative Russell Adler. Beginning with a covert infiltration of a political fundraiser (with a cameo from Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton no less), we then see a descent into a CIA Black Site, and a bike riding escape sequence worthy of a classic action movie.

Along the way, we see how Campaign developer Raven is innovating – while this is a classic set piece-driven CoD mission, player choice is at the forefront. There are multiple options for how to get access to the Black Site, and you can choose to go loud or quiet as you infiltrate – it’s your mission. This is just a taste – we’ll learn much more about Black Ops 6 MultiplayerandZombies when the Call of Duty NEXT event kicks off on August 28, before Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches on October 25.

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4107

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive: – Early access to the Open Beta** — Early Access is August 30 – September 4 — Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9 – Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone and Call of Duty®: Warzone Mobile***: — Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins. — Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies. Includes: – Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 — Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6. Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops. The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity. In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6. Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies. *Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S by October 25th, 2024 to redeem the Woods Operator Pack and Reflect 115 Camo Pack. **Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. ***Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25, 2025. Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players. Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. © 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

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Never Fight Alone – Mercenaries are Coming to Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PC via Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

The first expansion for Diablo IV releases worldwide on October 8, and game director Brent Gibson took to the gamescom stage to introduce the Mercenaries – a new feature coming to Vessel of Hatred. Mercenaries are your companions in battle, who grow in strength and can be customized to support your playstyle. Each mercenary is unique in the role they serve, so no matter your class or build, you’ll find a mercenary that’s right for you!

The team also introduced the Dark Citadel, a new co-op PvE experience that will put everything you know about combat to the test through a gauntlet of cooperative puzzles and mechanics, as well as the Kurast Undercity – an intense new multistage, time-attack dungeon that gives you the control over the challenge as well as the loot you will find!

There’s a lot to uncover with these new upcoming features, as well as across the Diablo universe, so Diablo general manager Rod Fergusson, lead game designer Rex Dickson, systems designer Aislyn Hall, and Diablo Immortal’s executive producer Peiwen Yao will be joining us on the Xbox broadcast live at gamescom to share more about what’s to come.

Diablo® IV: Vessel of Hatred – Standard Edition

Blizzard Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆ 16

★★★★★

$39.99 $35.99

Get it now

Diablo® IV: Vessel of Hatred launches October 8th, 2024. Pre-purchase any digital Edition of Diablo® IV: Vessel of Hatred and receive: – Alkor the Snow Leopard Pet – for immediate use in Diablo® IV* – Mother’s Lament Legendary Gem – for immediate use in Diablo Immortal®** Diablo® IV: Vessel of Hatred – Standard Edition includes: – Vessel of Hatred for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S*** Uncover the next chapter of Diablo® IV in Vessel of Hatred and continue your fight to thwart the diabolical plot of the Prime Evil, Mephisto. Battle as the all-new Spiritborn class and call upon mystical Spirits to empower your battle. Expand your map to the new region of Nahantu and traverse through its lush jungles. Take on new enemies, dungeons, and PvE co-op challenges, recruit new Mercenaries, and more. Plus, explore a plethora of base game updates that will introduce new power and continue to enhance the world of Diablo® IV. *Mount or pet feature (as applicable) must be unlocked in-game before the item can be used. **Diablo Immortal® downloaded separately. ***Available upon Vessel of Hatred release. Diablo® IV base game required to play. Battle.net® account required. Internet connection required. For more information, please visit Diablo.com. © 2024 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries.

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Coming December 9, 2024

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, or play it day one on Game Pass

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam on December 9, 2024. Step into the shoes of the legendary archaeologist as he sets off on his latest global adventure. Play it on day one with Game Pass, or up to three days early by pre-ordering the Premium Edition, Premium Edition Upgrade, or Collector’s Edition.

The release date was revealed alongside a brand-new trailer. Get a new look at Indy’s journey around the world and the tools at his disposal as he faces off against sinister forces. From the whip and revolver to his trusty journal and camera, you’ll need everything he’s got to unravel the mystery of the Great Circle. Learn more here on Xbox Wire.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Digital Premium Edition

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆ 4

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now or Play on Game Pass* to receive The Last Crusade Pack with the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip, as seen in The Last Crusade. *** Live the adventure with the Premium Edition of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle! INCLUDES: • Base Game (digital code) • Up to 3-Day Early Access** • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants Story DLC† • Digital Artbook • Temple of Doom Outfit *** Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery. THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? *Game Pass members get access to all pre-order content as long as Game Pass subscription is active. **Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. †DLC availability to be provided at a later date.

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Starfield’s Shattered Space Arrives on September 30, and the REV-8 Land Vehicle Is Available Today

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam.

To the people of the Settled Systems, House Va’ruun is a mystery. Some call them fanatics. Zealots, even. They are seen as violent aggressors. But there’s so much more to this secretive faction. In Shattered Space, the first major expansion for Starfield, you will visit the homeworld of House Va’ruun, hear their story, and make choices that will determine their future. Shattered Space launches on September 30.

In addition to the Shattered Space release date reveal, Opening Night Live also showed off the new REV-8 land vehicle that’s landing in Starfield in the latest update. The update goes live just a few short hours after Opening Night Live and will be available to all Starfield players. Just visit a ship technician and add the REV-8 module to your ship to start touring planets in a new way.

Starfield Premium Edition

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆ 15623

★★★★★

$99.99 $69.99

Get it now

Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery. *** Premium Edition includes: – Starfield Base Game – Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release) – 1,000 Creation Credits – Constellation Skin Pack: Equinox Laser Rifle, Spacesuit, Helmet and Boost Pack – Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack *** In the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. You will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of space in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game. TELL YOUR STORY In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become. EXPLORE OUTER SPACE Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered. CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection. DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes. LOCK AND LOAD Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.

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Towerborne Announces Early Access Begins September 10

Early Access begins September 10 on Steam. Coming 2025 to Xbox Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Game Pass.

Towerborne showcased a brand-new trailer during Opening Night Live that gave us a fresh look at its striking, vibrant world and crisp, action-packed gameplay. The latest game from Stoic (Banner Saga Trilogy), Towerborne seamlessly blends the best parts of side-scrolling brawlers and action RPGs to create a unique adventure where you take on the role of an Ace, a hero who must protect humanity’s last sanctuary from malevolent forces that lurk outside the tower walls.

You can experience Towerborne starting September 10, 2024, when early access begins on Steam; later via the Xbox Game Preview program on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass in early 2025. To learn more about Towerborne and how Stoic is bringing their latest creation to life, check out our Xbox Wire piece here.

Towerborne

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Belfry stands as a beacon of hope and safety amongst the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers, with monsters lurking right outside the tower’s walls. You are an Ace, born anew from the spirit realm with the skills, the grit, and the determination to protect the people of the Belfry. With spirit companions fighting by your side, you are destined for battle. Can you become the Ace humanity needs to survive? Find out in Towerborne, the newest action-adventure game created by Stoic, the studio that brought you the award-winning Banner Saga trilogy. Adventure Together – Venture out of The Belfry solo or with up to three other Aces* to vanquish the looming terror that surrounds the tower. Either way, you won’t be alone. Aces can recruit Umbra companions to join them in battle, gaining access to enhanced skills and unique abilities tied to each spirit. After fighting your way through enemies, return to The Belfry to turn in quests, reforge gear, and more. Brave the Wilds – Towerborne is designed with player choice in mind. Create your Ace with options to customize your looks, gear and weapons. Switch up your overall gameplay experience at any time by changing your danger level as you venture into the wilds. Find and wield powerful weapons with unique special moves from one of four styles: War Clubs, Gauntlets, Dual Daggers, and Swords & Shields. Mix and match to make your Ace your own! Continue the Fight – With an evolving world map and seasonal content, your Ace will never run out of areas to explore and enemies to defeat. Seasons of Towerborne continue the story of The Belfry by introducing new enemies to battle, regions to discover, abilities to master, and lore to uncover (available as released). *Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Core (subscriptions sold separately).

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The Worldsoul Saga begins August 26 with World of Warcraft: The War Within

PC via Battle.net

2024 is a year of anniversaries for the Warcraft universe, which is turning 30 in the same year. Hearthstone celebrates 10 years, Warcraft Rumble approaches one year, and of course, World of Warcraft… which turns 20 years old in November! Feel old yet?

World of Warcraft: The War Within launches globally on August 26 and is the first installment of The Worldsoul Saga—the most ambitious story arc in WoW history. With four new zones to explore, as well as ongoing gameplay and system updates to support players of all types, this is the perfect time to celebrate the last 20 years of WoW as Blizzard prepares for the next 20 years and beyond!

Overwatch 2 is also getting in on the celebrations, revealing their new in-game collaboration with World of Warcraft. In mid-September, skins featuring some of the most iconic World of Warcraft characters will be made available, including Widowmaker as Sylvanas Windrunner.

Keep an eye on the Warcraft X account for more information about how you can celebrate Warcraft’s anniversaries alongside Blizzard, and join the Xbox broadcast live from the show floor at gamescom where we’ll be speaking to senior game director Ion Hazzikostas and associate art director Tina Wang about all things World of Warcraft!

The post gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: Everything Xbox Revealed appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Hey Insiders, let’s talk Game Pass! Starting today, we’re offering Xbox Insiders the option to try out and provide feedback on our new membership, Xbox Game Pass Standard.

We created a new membership option in the Game Pass family to give players more choice in how they discover and play games and provide different prices and plans so players can find what works best for them. For those looking for a larger library with hundreds of games to play on your console, plus all the benefits of Game Pass Core including multiplayer access, Game Pass Standard may be the option for you. Game Pass Standard also includes select member deals and discounts, including up to 50% off select games.  

Hundreds of great games will be available with Game Pass Standard at launch. Players will get access to select titles as part of the new Game Pass Standard library, with more games being added throughout the preview period. Once you join the preview, you can look up the Game Pass Standard library to find your next favorite game.

During this Xbox Insiders preview, you can sign up for just $1. Any renewals during the preview period will also be $1 per month. At launch, Game Pass Standard will be available for $14.99 USD per month (pricing varies by market).

If you’re looking for other console membership options, Game Pass Core has a select collection of over 25 Game Pass games, online multiplayer access, and select member deals and discounts. Game Pass Standard includes everything available in Game Pass Core, plus hundreds of great games. If you are looking for those benefits plus day one titles, specific entries to Game Pass Ultimate library, access to EA Play, cloud gaming, Perks, Quests, and additional discounts for games in the Game Pass library, Game Pass Ultimate might be the best option for you.

Some games coming to Game Pass Ultimate (day one games or other game entries) will not be immediately available with Game Pass Standard and may be added to the library at a future date (can be up to 12 months or more and will vary by title). We’ll continue to share with all Game Pass members when games are being added and available to play for each plan.

 If you’re interested in joining the Insiders preview, please go to the Xbox Insider app located in the Microsoft Store. Terms and Conditions are located there.  Game Pass Core members with less than 2-months stacked onto their account, Game Pass for Console and PC Game Pass players who are a part of the Xbox Insiders program can participate and share their feedback.

As always, huge thank you to all our Insiders – you are a wonderful community, and we appreciate all your feedback.  If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help.

We’re excited to hear from those that join Game Pass Standard during the preview, and we’ll have more to share on availability for all players coming soon!

The post Xbox Insiders: Everything You Need to Know About Xbox Game Pass Standard appeared first on Xbox Wire.

A new "modern camera" mod is now available for Silent Hill 3 and Silent Hill 4: The Room on PC.

Modder ZealotTormunds has developed a mod that gives Silent Hill players both a first-person perspective and a more contemporary over-the-shoulder camera.

Both Silent Hill 3 and 4 typically use fixed camera angles. By freeing up these locked perspectives, Zealot provides players with the chance to get a closer look at the game's textures, enemies, and environments.

Read more

If you cast your minds back to October 2021, you may recall the news that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was set to make its way to the VR headset, Oculus Quest 2. While details on the project were thin on the ground at this time, it was said to have been "many years in the making".

However, not quite three years since that initial announcement, Meta has now said work on the VR port is "on hold indefinitely".

In response to a YouTube commenter inquiring as to the whereabouts of GTA: San Andreas VR, the official Meta Quest Vr account replied: "GTA: San Andreas is on hold indefinitely while we both focus on other projects."

Read more

Launching a new console is neither easy nor cheap, and in order to remain relevant in the “console wars” a continuing price has to be paid… a price that Microsoft learned the hard way. But while hardware developers like Sega and Google were unwilling to pay the ongoing price and watched their dreams crumble as a result, Xbox doubled-down and continued to invest deeply in their commitment to the home console market every year… because while each iteration of their hardware has sold at a net loss, the only path to the treasure they are seeking is to see the road through to the end.

The act of “taking up our cross” involves more than a one-time event of accepting Christ and His grace… it is an ongoing, self-sacrificial journey that will continue for the rest of our lives. Each step we take as we carry our cross will compel us to shed the layers of selfishness that once defined us, and it is a process that is guaranteed to be uncomfortable… crosses are costly, not cozy. But it is in our choice to carry a cross that we’d rather not carry that shows we’re actually following in His footsteps… and that is where the true treasure is finally found.

Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27-30, 33

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:41-42

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One of the best features Xbox added before their competitors did was the ability to join an Xbox Live “party” with your friends and bounce from one game to another without ever leaving the group. But while this was an incredibly convenient feature to keep players together, the truth is not every player was able or willing to move forward with the party to the next game. Maybe it wasn’t a game they owned or wanted to play, or perhaps while some moved on to play Call of Duty, others preferred to continue running raids on Destiny. It didn’t mean we were no longer friends… it just meant this was the place where our paths diverged because not every teammate was meant to join us on the next part of our adventures.

Christ had 72 who served as ministers for Him, 12 who followed Him closely as disciples, and 3 who He trusted to accompany Him in His garden of prayer… because each was meant to join Him for different parts of His journey. Not every friend is meant to take the next step in our story with us, but let’s not become bitter of disappointed when these times come. Their destiny just lies on a different path than ours

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4-5

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Mark 5:18-20

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Mark 5:36-37 

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As most new consoles typically do, the original Xbox console launched with an entirely new design for their controller that was… well, let’s just say it was unique. The “Duke”, as it was affectionately nicknamed, was nearly THREE times the size of Sony’s PlayStation controller, making it incredibly bulky and difficult to use for gamers with smaller hands. While this over-sized controller certainly had its’ fans (and still does), it wasn’t a fit for every gamer’s hands, forcing Microsoft to pivot to the smaller and more universally accessible “Controller S”. The best games in the world still wouldn’t bring new players to their platform until they made a controller that every player could hold.

In His time here on earth, Christ routinely broke down complicated spiritual concepts by using parables to make His messages accessible to all who were seeking truth, and He’s called us to do the same. As the ambassadors of Christ on earth, we are called to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s leading and share His truth in a manner that fits the learning needs of others, not our personal preferences. Let’s be the light that makes finding Him easier for others today.

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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When Microsoft purchased Mojang, the studio responsible for Minecraft, fans were worried this would mean that this incredibly popular series would become an Xbox exclusive going forward. But Microsoft didn’t purchase this franchise to remove its’ access from other consoles… instead, they saw the value in continuing to support the growth of Minecraft on every platform available, including those they are technically “competing” against. Their goal wasn’t just to grow their Xbox brand… they wanted Minecraft to be successful no matter where or how someone chose to play it.

We are each called to unique ministries and services to the Lord, but we’re all on the same side regardless of our “platform”… to shine the light of Christ in the darkness. Some may be called to positions that offer a larger audience with millions of views and thousands of “likes”, while others of us will quietly plant seeds in places that offer little recognition on this side of eternity… but we’re all working in the same field, just in different positions. Whether we plant or water, let’s serve with joy and support each other as we mine this field together.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6

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Microsoft made several expensive investments into the future with their GamePass service, but giving away their newest games such as Halo Infinite and Starfield on their launch days represents one of the most costly offerings they could make. While Sony waits to place their first-party titles on their PS Plus service for a time that is more convenient to them (and when the games are less relevant), Xbox demonstrates that they are fully invested in by giving every GamePass member the very best games that they possess on “Day One”.

Each day we will be brought into positions to give the Lord the best of our time, energy, and capabilities for the growth of His kingdom, and this honor will rarely come at a moment that we prefer or consider convenient. Following Christ will always come at a cost, and delaying in our obedience is the most expensive choice we can make. In our actions today, are we truly giving Him the best of what we possess or just the rest of what feel we can afford? It is in the price we are willing to pay to obey Him that our love and devotion is demonstrated… let’s give Him the best of ourselves in all we do today.

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24a

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

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Chinese gaming giant NetEase has taken to Gamescom 2024 to announce its latest title, Floatopia. The newly unveiled game promises to expand the selection of Animal Crossing-like life sims on both PC and consoles.

A newly shared Assassin's Creed Shadows clip shows how the game makes a witty change to the iconic "Leap of Faith" when performed by protagonist Yasuke. Although Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't the first in the series to feature dual protagonists, it takes the concept much further with distinctive playstyles for Naoe and Yasuke, with the former being more stealth-focused and the latter offering more combative and action-oriented gameplay.

In a world with no set path, you'll have to forge your own! Hone your exploration skills in The Pathless with this handy guide.

The post Forging Your Path in a Pathless World first appeared on Two Average Gamers.

The post Forging Your Path in a Pathless World appeared first on Two Average Gamers.

Former two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter has been honoured with an induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, a recognition that highlights his storied career from 2009 to 2021. Known for his relentless fighting style and high work rate, Porter’s legacy is cemented not only in the history of boxing but also in the upcoming video game Undisputed, set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 this October.

A Legendary Roster in “Undisputed”

Porter joins an illustrious lineup of boxing legends featured in Undisputed, the first major boxing video game in over a decade. Players will be able to step into the ring as some of the sport’s most iconic figures, including Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, and Joe Louis, among others. The game aims to capture the essence of these fighters with detailed animations, authentic fighting styles, and the high-intensity action that boxing fans have come to love.

Honouring Boxing’s Rich History

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, which inducted Porter, is dedicated to preserving the rich history of boxing in the state, celebrating the achievements of fighters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. The 12th Annual Induction Gala Weekend, held in Las Vegas on August 9-10, 2024, was a fitting tribute to Porter and other legendary figures.

Upcoming Release

Undisputed will officially release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on October 11, 2024, with the WBC Deluxe Edition available three days earlier on October 8. This highly anticipated title offers boxing enthusiasts the chance to relive classic matchups and create new rivalries, all while paying homage to the sport’s greatest athletes.

The post Shawn Porter now in “Undisputed” appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Microbirds’ debut title, Dungeons of Hinterberg, is a delightful blend of genres that offers a refreshing take on the dungeon-crawling experience. Set in the picturesque Austrian Alps, this quirky RPG combines elements of social simulation, action-adventure, and puzzle-solving to create a unique and engaging gameplay loop.

Setting and Premise

The game’s standout feature is undoubtedly its setting. The fictional town of Hinterberg, nestled in the Austrian mountains, serves as a magical tourist destination where players can explore mysterious dungeons that have suddenly appeared. As Luisa, a former lawyer seeking escape from her mundane life, you embark on a ‘slaycation’ that promises both excitement and self-discovery.

Gameplay

Dungeons of Hinterberg cleverly divides each day into four segments, reminiscent of the Persona series. Mornings are for story progression, afternoons for dungeon exploration, evenings for social interactions, and nights for rest. This structure provides a satisfying rhythm to the gameplay, allowing players to balance combat, puzzle-solving, and character development.

The dungeons themselves are the game’s crowning achievement. Each one offers a unique blend of combat challenges and inventive puzzles that make clever use of the magical abilities you acquire. From perspective-shifting mazes to elemental manipulation, the variety and creativity on display is impressive.

Combat and Progression

While the combat system may not reach the heights of its inspirations, it’s serviceable and can be enjoyable, especially when utilising the region-specific magical abilities. The RPG elements, including gear upgrades and character buffs gained through social links, add depth to the progression system.

Visuals and Sound

The game adopts a charming cell-shaded art style that brings the Alpine setting to life. While character animations may lack some polish, the overall aesthetic is pleasing and fits the game’s whimsical tone. The soundtrack, though not particularly memorable, complements the atmosphere well.

Narrative and Themes

Dungeons of Hinterberg tackles some surprisingly complex themes, exploring the impact of tourism on small communities and the search for purpose in life. The writing is generally strong, with well-developed characters and an intriguing mystery surrounding the dungeons’ origins.

Despite some rough edges in combat and occasional technical hiccups, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Its blend of genres, creative dungeon design, and charming setting make it a standout indie title. For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, it’s an easy recommendation, offering a unique adventure that’s well worth your time.

Pros:
– Unique and charming setting
– Clever and varied dungeon design
– Engaging blend of genres
– Well-written characters and story

Cons:
– Combat can feel repetitive
– Some technical polish issues
– Occasional camera problems

Dungeons of Hinterberg is a fantastic surprise that showcases the potential of Microbird Games. It’s a cozy yet thought-provoking adventure that will appeal to fans of RPGs, puzzle games, and anyone looking for something a bit different.

The post Review: Dungeons of Hinterberg | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Executive producer and leather jacket aficionado Todd Howard has long wanted to make an Indiana Jones game. In partnering for it with MachineGames, who, given their work on the new, mostly critically acclaimed, batch of Wolfenstein shooters, have experience in Indy’s favourite pastime, punching Nazis, it would seem that Howard has picked the right people for the right job. And, yet, even after attending an hour-long digital event for what has been titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I am still unsure that giving the reins to MachineGames was the best call to make. But, before I go more in detail with my impressions, let me give the rundown of what was presented to me.

Days before its showing at gamescom ONL 2024, I was fortunate enough to attend an online preview for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle led by game director Jerk Gustaffson and creative director Axel Torvenius. Half of this preview consisted of a gameplay presentation, which will also be shown on the show floor during gamescom, whereas the other was dedicated to a Q&A session with the two.

The presentation began with a montage of footage edited together from previous trailers, upon which Gustaffson and Torvenius revealed the first concept art created for the title. They said that they and their team knew from the get-go that they wanted the player to visit major sites like the Vatican and the Himalayas and that they wanted to include Gina Lombardi, a wholly original companion for Indy.

The overall goal behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, they continued, was to ‘strive to make the gameplay experience as authentic as possible and to make something that will evoke a sense of curiosity.’ As an example of how to best do so, they spoke about how the team at MachineGames looked at drawings and renditions of Thai landmarks such as Wat Si Sawai from around 1937 – the year that The Great Circle was set. Nevertheless, they also created their own points of interest, such as temples meant to host numerous well-guarded secrets.

“The overall goal behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was to ‘strive to make the gameplay experience as authentic as possible and to make something that will evoke a sense of curiosity.'”

Next, I was shown gameplay from the main chamber of, presumably, one of the said temples. At this unspecified point in the story, Indy had just gotten his hands on what I think was a statue of the Egyptian goddess of war, Sekhmet. He then proceeded to break this statue to acquire the next clue necessary for his adventure.

Upon doing so, however, the temple started to crumble, and the chamber he found himself in was rapidly filling up with quicksand. Following this turn of events, the HUD appeared on screen, showing Indy’s stamina bar and the icons for a whip and a pistol, the latter two being part of Indy’s trusty arsenal. Gustafsson and Torvenius had mentioned before that the whip could be used in both traversal and combat, but this was my first time seeing Indy use it to orchestrate a dashing escape.

The next scene I was made privy to flung me back to the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s story, which starts one fateful night in 1937. After falling asleep at his desk inside Marshall College in Boston, Indy was unceremoniously woken up by an intimidating man who proceeded to rob the museum college of a priceless relic. This event sets the stage for a grand conspiracy which features Indy’s main rival, one Emmerich Voss, a Nazi psychologist who is plundering sites around the globe in search of mysterious artifacts.

To help in the fight against Voss, MachineGames emphasized that players must employ Indy’s resourcefulness and, therefore, find clever ways to deploy each of the hero’s many tools. Take the camera, for one, which can be used to snap photos, which will, in turn, reveal clues and insights. These clues and insights are used to inform Indy’s personal journal, which is blank at the start of the game but will eventually contain the records of his adventure.

After demonstrating the journal and the camera, MachineGames returned to the whip, which they described as “the most important tool in Indy’s Arsenal.” The subsequent clip showed Indy in a temple picking up a nearby trident and then throwing it at a nearby cliff, creating a swing. With the trident firmly affixed to the cliff and his whip in hand, Indy was able to use the swing to cross a dangerous chasm.

In the next segment, it was time for a showing of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s combat system. The directing duo made it very clear here that the key to the game’s combat lies in deciding whether to ‘outsmart or overpower’ Indy’s enemies. This being said stealth is possible and perhaps the first option to consider in most cases. ‘What we’ve tried to do is make sure that you understand that there are stealth options,’ Gustafsson said when asked about approaches in combat. ‘It is stealth, the hand-to-hand and the whip that are the go-to’, he stated.

“The transition from Wolfenstein to Indiana Jones was described by MachineGames as a ‘big step’ and their ‘biggest project yet.'”

Fittingly, I then got to see a bit of stealth in a passage of play that had Indy infiltrate the Vatican. To do so, he wore a clerical outfit as his disguise and carefully evaded the gaze of patrolling guards. Moments later, in a different combat encounter entirely, I saw Indy pick up and throw bottles to distract his enemies, eventually subduing them while remaining completely unnoticed.

Moving on from the Vatican, the final piece of footage I got to see was of Indy engaged in a series of fights inside and around the Great Pyramid of Giza. These fights showcased that not only is Indy able to throw combos and whip his enemies, but also that he is capable of using whatever he finds in the environment: sticks, bricks, barrels, etc., to gain the upper hand.

Something that I haven’t mentioned yet, and that changed the tide of a fight that I was shown, is the fact that Indy also has an array of unlockable abilities. The one ability MachineGames showcased was called “True Grit”, which essentially allowed Indy to restore a modicum of health and continue the fight, even though his health bar has just previously been depleted.

MachineGames elaborated that “True Grit” and other abilities can be unlocked using “adventure points,” which the player can earn by taking part in activities such as snapping camera photos and completing optional missions. Gustaffson and Torvenius were coy about giving more details about these optional missions other than suggesting that some locations are more open than others, which would allow players to deviate from the golden path.

The Giza scenario concluded the gameplay portion of the presentation, which was followed by a series of questions from fellow journalists and me. To quickly summarize some of the more salient points covered here, I’ll suffice to write that Gustaffsson and Torvenius spoke about the transition from Wolfenstein as being a “big step” for MachineGames and that The Great Circle, which they confirmed is still slated for this year, is ‘by far the biggest’ project for them yet.

Lastly, and more interestingly to me, when asked whether they ever considered making Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in the third person, Gustafsson responded that ‘first person was the obvious choice for us’ and that it represented something ‘very important for us and for the way we make games in general.’

This last quote by Gustafsson strongly indicates to me that MachineGames is sticking to their guns and to what they do best, which would be rather commendable if it didn’t make me nervous for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This is because, ultimately, I’m not convinced that an unabashedly MachineGames title is a right fit for a franchise like Indiana Jones. To be clear, everything I’ve been shown at this digital event suggests that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be a great entry in the studio’s portfolio, but I am unsure whether or not it will prove to be the kind of game that the typical Indiana Jones fan expects.

“As of right now, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle seems like a gamble, especially at a time when both the storied franchise and Xbox Studios are looking for a surefire hit.”

Speaking for myself, when I think about Indiana Jones video games, I think first and foremost about Emperor’s Tomb, which was created with an entirely different set of guiding principles than Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I suppose, then, that the million-dollar question here is: will players, myself included, accept a different kind of Indy experience? Even after a lengthy preview, I’m still not sure that the answer is a definitive yes. As of right now, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle seems like a gamble, especially at a time when both the storied franchise and Xbox Studies are looking for a surefire hit.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release on Dec 9, 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows and Steam. Available day one for Game Pass subscribers. A Playstation release was also announced today, for spring 2025.

This Dredge The Marrows samples guide will detail what to do to get the correct samples from The Marrows. This is specifically for the latest DLC drop the Iron Rig which has added even more content to this already thrilling title. Dredge is a 2023 release that proved to be a big hit on Steam, the Iron Rig DLC is still new but has been getting good feedback from established players.

Read More: Hellbreach Vegas Achievements Guide

Note: The content in this article is accurate as of the time of writing and does not account for any future updates to the game

Dredge The Marrows Samples Tips

After activating the Iron Rig’s missions you’ll be asked by a scientist to get fish samples after the rig causes an eruption of black ooze to infect the water. You’ll be tasked with The Marrows and soon after the Gale Cliffs but for now I’ll be focusing on The Marrows.

By going back to The Marrows it’s pretty clear what’s changed as their are some oily pools of water to fish in. You will have to use a new fishing rod from this DLC which is given to you by the scientist, this new equipment will need to be levelled up as you play through this new part of the game.

The Infused Rod given to you in this DLC does provide a canon explanation for why you’re able to catch new fish which is a nice touch, not to mention the contamination could cause some fish to be out of their usual places that were outside your depth previously.

By fishing in the oily patches, you should be able to find the new fish samples needed to complete the mission. Specifically though you will be looking for:

• Osteostracan
• Paddlefish
• Sea Cucumber
• Tullimonstrum

You’ll know if you’re in the right spots as the radar will tell you that you’re in disturbed water when you’re in the correct places.

With these fish caught you can bring them back to the scientist to provide all of the necessary samples from The Marrows and continue on to the next part of the DLC content.

Read More: Supermarket Together TV Guide

That is all for this Dredge The Marrows Samples guide. Did we omit anything? Is there any other Dredge content you’d like to see, specifically from the Iron Rig DLC? Be sure to chime in and let us know.

Read More: Supermarket Together Sell Items Guide

Check out the rest of our tips & guides to find our other builds and tips/walkthroughs/explainers for games across all genres including NBA 2K, MLB: The Show, Smalland: Survive the Wilds, DREDGE, Football Manager, Steam indie hits, free-to-play titles and a lot more.

Stay tuned to Last Word on Gaming for all the latest gaming news and reviews You can always count on LWOG to be on top of the major news in the gaming world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the world of video game

The post Dredge The Marrows Samples Guide (Iron Rig) appeared first on Last Word On Gaming.

Seven years is a long time to wait after a cliffhanger ending, but as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 ably proves, it takes a good long time to make a game, these days. Warhorse Studios found great success with the first game, selling millions of copies to allow them to grow both in their ambitions and as a studio. Picking up right where the last game ended, the adventure that awaits Sir Hans and Henry is bigger, more deadly, and will take you from the countryside and into the big city.

Spending several hours with the game, we got to experience the opening region and the events that kick this new narrative arc into gear, before jumping ahead to the big city and some of the politicking and possibilities that this region provides. There’s a pretty stark contrast between the two, most notably in terms of the environment that you’re exploring, but also in terms of pacing.

Dubbed ‘Bohemian Paradise’, the opening area is full of lush greenery and small villages surrounding the hilltop Trosky Castle, but we had only a glimpse of this amidst the narrative upheaval that greets Henry and his lord Sir Hans. They have been entrusted with delivering a message of peace to Lord Bergow, though as they get close, they’re greeted with suspicion and hostility from guards on patrol. There’s bandits in the area and they’re immediately suspicious of you, not least because of the respective allegiances in the war between King Wenceslas and the upstart King Sigismund.

That initial interaction starts to define who your version of Henry is. This is a fresh start from the first game, and Warhorse Studios describe it as a new arc – KCD was Henry becoming a man, while KCD 2 will be him becoming a warrior, but still seeking revenge for the murder of his parents, like he’s starring in a Shenmue game. Seeking to back Sir Hans up and express the honourable nature of our mission, I put my foot in it while trying to navigate the conversation with the guard’s captain, until Sir Hans steps back in and resolves the issue – of course, I doubt you can really start a fight at this point, but it lets you emphasise whether Henry will be a smooth-talking envoy or a strong, battling soldier that will fight to resolve issues, rather than talk too much.

You never make it to the castle, though, those aforementioned bandits ambushing your group and sending Sir Hans and Henry fleeing through the woods with just a pair of britches to hide their modesty. Thankfully the old lady who eventually takes them in, all battered, bruised and bleeding, doesn’t mind their lack of clothing, but once you actually reach Trosky, reality bites hard at Sir Hans, the brattier side to his summery character driving a wedge between the two. Also, you’ve got to go and find your dog, who went missing after the ambush.

It’s a compelling opening hour or so, giving a rather linear introduction to this game, providing you with some fighting practice, a bit of stealth, and revisiting a few of the key plot points via flashbacks, so you can enjoy this and understand Henry’s origins without having played the first game. However, it’s not a true representation of the more than 80 hours that will follow. That will be much more open and free for you to explore as you see fit, with gameplay and quest design that builds upon the style of the original. It’s when we leap ahead to explore Kuttenberg (now known as Kutná Hora in Czech) that we get to see this side of the game play out.

One of the most important cities within Bohemia at the time, Kuttenberg’s reputation was largely built on the silver mines that gave it so much wealth. This was a major economic centre because of it, with a minting press clanging away to produce currency, and people drawn to the area because of this.

Kuttenberg has been recreated in fantastic detail here, with Warhorse getting a lot of support from the city to help them build something authentic to the period. Leaning upon historical references and records, they’re able to peel back the centuries and restore buildings and structures back to what they would have been like – a walking tour through the city lets us see the comparison between the modern and preserved streets and structures, and how they look in the game, as well as educated guesses like an astronomical clock that they know was there, but have modelled after the world famous clock in Prague. While you might have a mental image of a world filled with muddy browns, Kuttenberg’s wealth was shown through colour, artistic construction and finery.

And naturally, with a large population centre, politics come to the fore and create conflict. Menhardt the master swordsman – a Fechter – has come from Frankfurt with a license from the king to found a brotherhood and spread his artistry in combat. But as he arrives in Kuttenberg, he finds another brotherhood from Prague has established itself, and the city council siding with them. All Menhardt wants – you’ll gather from his mixed English and German dialogue (in that Hollywood way that people never actually speak in when using foreign languages) – is the opportunity to fight and prove that he should be allowed to establish a brotherhood, but as they refuse to fight him, he hatches a plan with Henry to steal the Kuttenberg Sword from the local brotherhood and place it at the town hall to open them up to challenges.

There’s bound to be a bunch of ways to pull this off, but by far the easiest and most obvious is to sneak into the brotherhood’s house at night and steal the sword – people have routines through a 24-hour cycle, so you can skip forward to get to the point in time that you need. Nighttime is dictated by rules like needing to walk with a lamp or torch, so that you are above suspicion of being a thief, but you’ll encounter locked doors that need careful (and most importantly quiet) picking with a tricky, but enjoyable minigame, that can alert the people inside. Thankfully, if you are caught, then there’s still a way to trigger the duel and competition, just with the odds in the tournament being stacked against Menhardt and his brotherhood that you can join up to.

There’s been some significant improvements to the combat in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, though it’s building on the same foundations as the original game. You still have the five-pointed star reticule when fighting an opponent, giving you the ability to attack and block from either side, from above, jab down the middle or attack from below – these upward swings are now combined instead of being separate directions. I found it a little easier to grasp the basics in this game than with the first, learning a bit better how to parry and open an opponent’s guard, or to string together a flurry of blows. Don’t get cocky, though, because this is still a tricky style of combat to master.

Is there that much of a difference between Menhardt’s German school of combat and the Prague brotherhood? I couldn’t really say, but with their success and growth over the past seven years, Warhorse has grown the animation team from basically a single person, to having someone dedicated to each weapon and combat style. There should be greater distinction and nuance between them, letting your specialise.

But maybe you don’t want to be up close and personal? Fighting from afar will be perfectly viable, and maybe even preferred when the pitched battles can be much larger and more grand than before. You’ll see full-blown castle assaults, man the ramparts with a crossbow in hand, as opposed to a bow and arrow, and KCD2 will feature the earliest of firearms, including boom sticks that are basically a tube on a stick that you shove gunpowder and a bullet down, before making it go… well… boom!

There’s plenty more aspects to the game, all building upon the original, such as the public perception of Henry which shifts depending on your actions – so if you’re a thief, you’ll be branded as such and treated as one – or the in-depth alchemy system that has you physically mixing healing remedies. Oh, and of course there’s a fun game to sink your time into, though in this case it’s a historically accurate game of dice. It’s actually surprisingly addictive – well, I had to keep playing if I wanted my dog to have a sausage for dinner! – as you roll a bunch of dice and try to find pairs and runs with which you can score points and then keep rolling, but you importantly need to know when to quit, otherwise you’ll end up with no points for a round.

Put it all together and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is shaping up to be a real showcase for how much Warhorse Studios has grown, evolving their take on the historical setting and their approach to role playing games in general.

Our hands on time with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 came thanks to a press trip to Kutná Hora, the modern day Kuttenberg, with travel and accommodation provided by Warhorse and Plaion.

There’s a fair bit of trepidation for what Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will actually be like as a game, in particular with the first person view switching to third person at times, and the blend of combat, puzzling, exploration and other gameplay ideas. It’s ironic that, with Tomb Raider and Uncharted having been compared countless times back to the classic Indiana Jones films, now an Indiana Jones game cannot escape their shadow.

MachineGames are charting their own course, though, taking inspiration from their own history, going back to the founding group’s history at Starbreeze Studios and the similar perspective shifting of Chronicles of Riddick. When viewed in that light, and seeing more and more slices of gameplay, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle starts to make more sense.

Of course, there’s one area that MachineGames doesn’t really have much say in. At Gamescom 2024, the studio has finally confirmed that yes, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to PlayStation 5 after all, despite Microsoft’s best efforts to dodge the leaks and rumours. It’s still coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC first – it’s out in December there, as opposed to Spring 2025 for PS5 owners – but it’s another capitulation in the console rivalry.

Gamescom is also where we visitors can watch a gameplay theatre presentation, which we were privy to (with some exclusive extras) before hand.

Indy might have a roguish tendency to pull a fast one with a pistol, but he’s always been a brawler more than a shooter, and that’s what he seems to be here, mixing together punches, whip strikes and occasional pistol shots. You’ll be able to make use of the environment, whether that’s using a knockout combo to finish a bruising enemy, shoving them down a level in a dig site, or grabbing a rolling pin from a nearby table to clonk them on the head.

All of this will take place in first person, keeping you rooted within the character, but there’s then shifts to third person when climbing or swinging across gaps on Indy’s whip.

I can’t help but wonder if the game might be better to stay in first person the entire time. We’ve had games like Mirror’s Edge which have integrated fast and fluid parkour with a first-person view, and I’m not entirely sold on the value that switching to the third person for a few seconds offers. Especially when stealth, which might benefit from shifting to the third person to give better spatial awareness, and sliding down a slope don’t make the switch. I hope it comes together for the full game.

Indy’s adventure will challenge him with more than just platforming and fighting. Taking place in 1937, between Raiders and The Last Crusade, we have peak Indiana Jones and a fresh Nazi threat to undermine. The story will see Indy piecing together some kind of fanciful archaeological shenanigans surrounding a great circle of temples and historical sites that rings the globe, landing himself in a race against Emmerich Voss. Along the way, he’ll team up with investigative reporter Gina Lombardi, who has her own reasons for trotting across the globe.

And globe-trotting is what they’ll do, with the journey taking them to the Vatican in Rome, the Sukhothai temples, Egyptian pyramids, the Himalayas and more – all created with reference material from the period, when places like the Sukhothai temples were still completely overgrown. All manner of ancient traps and puzzles await within these, and there’s some fun nods back to iconic moments in the film, such as Indy lifting a big statue from a plinth and initially being pleased that nothing bad happens… until sand starts pouring into the floor, forcing a struggle to get to a hatch high up in the wall. Alternatively, it could be Gina that triggers the bad things to happen.

Some of the puzzling will be immediately familiar from action adventures, such as directing beams of light with mirrors, and whipping at weakened stone in the environment to let loose a stream of water, but other puzzles have more of a point & click adventure feel – pour a bottle of wine into an offering plate before a statue and see a number revealed in red, giving you the answer for levers in another room.

Sometimes the puzzles will rely on using a camera to take photos of points of interest to reveal a clue or the next step, and those photos will fill out a journal, creating a record of your journey so far, collating information and thoughts on the adventure, and more. It’s a neat nod back to The Last Crusade, and can be seen as a naturalistic hints system.

Throughout all of this you’ll earn Adventure Points, which feed into the Adventure Books that you can find and unlock abilities with. These can include things like ‘True Grit’, which gives Indy another chance after losing a fight, just so long as you can crawl across the floor and pick up his hat.

Stealth and subterfuge will also play a significant part. On the one hand, sneaking allows you to choose when and how to start a fight, luring enemies away with distractions and then taking them out quickly and/or quietly to even up the odds. Other areas might need you to blend in, donning various disguises like you’re Agent 47 and then trying not to stand out and get noticed when walking through closed-off areas.

These disguises will generally be determined by the flow of the story – dress up as a clergyman to get behind the scenes at the Vatican, for example – but this isn’t a purely linear adventure. There will also be broader environments and places for you to explore and side quests that can take you off the beaten path a little. You will be able to journey back and forth to revisit previous places, potentially put disguises back on if you need them, and discover more Adventure Books and Points.

While MachineGames aren’t putting a figure on the length of this game, they are confidently stating that it’s longer than any game they’ve done before.

As Xbox gamers, we are sometimes late to the party. But that’s ok, as patience is a good quality to have. And patient gamers have been rewarded today as Kena: Bridge of Spirits has finally arrived on Xbox consoles for us all to play. Spirit Guide, guide me Kena: Bridge of Spirits has you playing […]

The post Kena: Bridge of Spirits is now on Xbox appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Developer Funcom released an in-depth look at Dune: Awakening game as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live on Tuesday. It’s a survival MMO game set in the desert world of Arrakis and its larger sci-fi universe. So far, it’s looking like a sleek, but gritty take on Dune that’s all about working your way up the ladder of the world and fighting off other players for spice and other resources.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

According to the trailer, Dune: Awakening is coming to Windows PC in early 2025 and will get release dates for PlayStation and Xbox consoles later down the line.

As shown in the presentation, you start as a nameless poisoner who must survive the scorching dessert heat and monstrous sand worms. The stream showed a scenario where a player made a deal to help another person take out a rival encampment in exchange for some vital resources in the early game. Once you establish a rapport with people, you can form a group and build a base of your own design and craft tech that allows you to drink the blood of your enemies — yummy! After that, your group can even form a guild and you can pledge your allegiance to one of the three houses of Dune.

Just like with anything Dune, spice is the name of the game. It’s a precious commodity and the key to power in the larger world of the game. Because of this, you’ll be constantly at war with hundreds of other players as everyone fights over spice. As far as warfare goes, it looks like anything from flamethrowers to mischievously summoning sand sand worms is fair game.

Other features of gameplay include exploration of the planet via ornithopters and building bases, but unfortunately, none of the gameplay showed any scenarios where you could overthrow Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides.

Mafia maker Hangar 13 is returning to the iconic franchise with Mafia: The Old Country, the developer announced during Gamescom on Tuesday.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

The short teaser trailer is just over a minute long, and begins with dramatic, still-life shots of paintings and weapons. That’s before the camera pans over to what’s presumably the Italian countryside. There is a chapter in Mafia 2 called The Old Country; it takes place in Sicily, Italy in 1943. However, the majority of the Mafia games are set in fictional versions of American cities.

2K Games said in a news release that Mafia: The Old Country is a story about “the origins of organized crime” in the 1900s. “Fight to survive in this dangerous and unforgiving era, with action brought to life by the authentic realism and rich storytelling that the critically acclaimed Mafia series is known for,” 2K wrote.

The first game of the franchise, Mafia, was released in 2002 by Illusion Softworks, followed by Mafia 2 in 2010 from 2K Czech, and Mafia 3 in 2016 from Hangar 13. There have also been several expansion packs, mobile spinoffs, and remastered editions. Most recently, Hangar 13 released Mafia: Definitive Edition, which is a remake of the original game set in Lost Heaven, Illinois, in the 1930s. 2K Games said in a news release that the Mafia franchise has sold more than 34 million copies on console and PC.

Mafia: The Old Country is coming in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X. More information will be revealed in December 2024.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has all the Indy trademarks you’d expect: action, adventure, the archaeologist’s iconic whip and fedora, and a long list of Nazi chuckleheads begging for a knuckle sandwich. The game will have tombs to raid, ancient mysteries to solve, and artifacts to collect. 

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

But Wolfenstein developer MachineGames’ take on Indiana Jones seems to have something incredibly difficult to capture without having direct access to Harrison Ford: charm.

At Gamescom this week, MachineGames and publisher Bethesda Softworks are showing off new gameplay from their upcoming Indiana Jones video game, which Polygon got to see in advance. Two moments stood out to me from watching that new gameplay because of their impressive ability to capture Indy’s character and charisma:

1. In one scene, we saw Indiana Jones try to infiltrate a seminary, dressed as a clergyman, in order to obtain some religious artifacts as part of a stealth mission. Indy will be able to wear disguises at certain points in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s story, calling back to some of the better moments in the films (e.g., Jones trying to pass as a Nazi officer in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jones trying to pass as a ticket taker in The Last Crusade). MachineGames promises to let players choose stealth or direct confrontation in The Great Circle, and I’m looking forward to sneaking around as Indy masquerading (sometimes awkwardly) as someone else.
2. At some point, Indy can unlock an ability called True Grit, which will basically let him revive himself after being knocked down. In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, this is visually represented by Indy picking up his fedora off the ground and dusting himself off. I imagine doing this often — waiting for a Nazi soldier who thinks he’s just gotten the best of me, watching him turn around, then tapping him on the shoulder and handing him a knockout punch.

These may seem like small elements in an incredibly ambitious game — MachineGames calls The Great Circle “by far the biggest game we’ve done” — but they matter for a character with a giant, scene-consuming personality like Indiana Jones.

Even in first-person moments, you can feel Indy’s charm radiating, especially during the excitement that comes from a well-earned discovery. This is a game of puzzle-solving and unlocking mysteries, and Indy will have two instruments that aid him in that regard during his adventure: a journal full of notes, maps, and clues that fills out over time, and a camera with which he can snap photos of important discoveries (which will in turn lead to more discoveries). MachineGames calls the camera “one of the key gameplay mechanics” in The Great Circle. Players will find “clever, unexpected uses” for all of Indy’s tools, the developer says, including that camera and his iconic whip.

The whip can be used in combat to attack and disarm foes, and for traversal. Expect lots of climbing and swinging (which is shown in third-person view, unlike the rest of the game), as well as opportunities to lash Nazi soldiers with the whip. There’s gunplay, of course, but much of the one-on-one combat moments we saw were some combination of whip and fistfighting. Indy can block, parry, and dole out combinations of punches, all of which hit with the meaty thwack heard in the Indiana Jones movies. MachineGames says that pacifists can bypass some of these encounters by carefully using stealth and the environment to sneak around Indy’s enemies.

The story of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, and features a familiar structure: Adolf Hitler’s forces, led by Nazi psychologist Emmerich Voss, are chasing artifacts of great power, and only Indy can stop them. Jones teams up with an Italian journalist named Gina Lombardi, who has a personal stake in their journey. In the gameplay shown at Gamescom, we saw Indy and Gina exploring tombs together, defying deadly traps and solving ancient puzzles — and maybe celebrating a victory a little too early, as what appeared to be a successful attempt at snatching a prized relic triggered an even deadlier trap.

MachineGames appears to be placing a great emphasis on The Great Circle‘s puzzles, which it says are “designed to fit seamlessly in the world.” The ones we were shown appeared to be pretty simple, tasking the player with surveying the environment and studying Indy’s journal for leads. One involved breaking parts of the environment to access a hidden room, and then using switches to unlock a mechanism. The puzzle in which Gina was involved seemed more complex, but she quickly — maybe too quickly — offered a helping hint about how to solve it.

I doubt Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will live and die by its puzzles. Instead, the more memorable moments of escaping certain death, sneaking through Nazi-infested compounds, and enjoying the thrill of discovery, both with and as Indiana Jones, seem like where MachineGames’ game will shine. After seeing more of Indy’s new game, I’m optimistic the Wolfenstein studio can pull it off.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to Windows PC and Xbox Series X on Dec. 9. A PlayStation 5 version is slated for release in spring 2025.

Genshin Impact, the hit open-world adventure starring an anime-esque cast of characters, is coming to Xbox platforms on Nov. 20. Developer Hoyoverse announced the news as part of the Gamescom Opening Night Live stream on Tuesday.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game that utilizes gacha mechanics. As people play, they accrue (or purchase) in-game currency that can be used to gamble for chances to unlock special characters. Since the game’s initial release in the fall of 2020, it’s become a massive commercial success. According to a 2022 report from Sensor Tower, the game had been downloaded more than 110 million times and generated more than $3.6 billion in revenue since release.

The game is currently available to download on mobile devices, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

The announcement comes just before Genshin Impact’s big 5.0 update on Aug. 28. This patch will bring an entire new region to explore called Natlan, a whole bunch of characters, and new quests. Although big updates like these tend to drum up buzz with fans over highly-anticipated characters, Natlan has faced the scrutiny of fans and voice actors who say the developers have “white washed” characters inspired by cultures from Latin America and West Africa.

For more Gamescom news — like the announcement of Borderlands 4 — check out Polygon’s coverage.

Firaxis Games gave Civilization fans their first real look at Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 at Gamescom on Tuesday, showing off an impressive globe- and history-spanning new take on the turn-based 4X strategy game series. Firaxis and publisher 2K Games also had some good news for fans itching to get their hands on Civ 7: It’s coming pretty soon, with a release date of Feb. 11, 2025 revealed at Opening Night Live.

Firaxis promises that players’ decisions will shape the unique cultural lineage of their evolving empires as they take on the roles of legendary historical leaders. “Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world,” Firaxis said in an official game description. “Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.”

More details on Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 are coming soon as part of an official gameplay showcase.

Firaxis will dive deeper into Civ 7 later this week, as part of Xbox’s Gamescom presence, which is streaming from Aug. 21-23.

Civilization 7 will be released simultaneously on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, and Firaxis promises to empower players “to build the greatest empire the world has ever known.”

Don’t Nod, creators of Life is Strange, announced Tuesday at Gamescom Opening Night Live that Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will be released in two parts — called tapes — on Feb. 18, 2025 and March 18, 2025, respectively, on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

The independent developer shared the first gameplay trailer during the event, following the announcement back in 2023. Bloom & Rage is about four teenage girls in a punk band, set in both 1995 and 2022. Like Life is Strange, the game appears to be focused on relationships and narratives between characters, and how those relationships play into the larger, magical realist narrative. Visually, it looks a lot like Life is Strange, too.

“Navigate between dual timelines and shape both narratives – in 1995 and 2022 – with each offering a piece of the larger puzzle: the life-changing secrets they uncovered back then and why they’re reuniting now, after all these years,” Don’t Nod wrote on its website. “Together, in this place, they’re forced to try and remember clearly the fateful memories that have eluded them for the past 27 years.”

The trailer shown Tuesday includes a bit of the gameplay, including a camcorder to film what your friends are up to. There’s a lot of classic coming-of-age shots in the trailer, including the naming of the girls’ band, Bloom & Rage. But that’s where things get weird: Purple lights flicker in 1995, signaling something’s amiss, before cutting to 2022, where something (in a mysterious box) about their past has come back to haunt them.

Bloom & Rage was first announced at The Game Awards in 2023 with an expected release date in late 2024. Don’t Nod narrative director Luc Baghadoust wrote on the Xbox Wire in 2023 that Bloom & Rage is the first game in what will be the Lost Records universe.

Gearbox Software and 2K Games announced that Borderlands 4 will be released in 2025. It’s Geoff Keighley’s first big ol’ world premiere at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on Tuesday.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

The one-minute, 29-second teaser trailer is quite vague, first showing a planet seemingly bursting at its seams with a purple glow, then crashing into a crystallized atmospheric shield. As carnage happens on the ground, the camera zooms into a fiery pile — with a robotic hand reaching out to grab an iconic Borderlands mask.

“In this next installment of the definitive looter shooter, players will assume the role of a legendary Vault Hunter as they blast their way through hordes of enemies in search of new treasures to loot on an all-new planet,” Gearbox wrote in the YouTube trailer’s description.

When it’s released in 2025, Borderlands 4 will come to PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

Borderlands 4 will be the latest mainline game since Borderlands 3 in 2019 — but two spinoffs, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and New Tales from the Borderlands were released in 2022. Notably, the Borderlands movie — called Borderlands — was released in August and landed on “the border between good and bad,” according to Polygon’s review.

One of the first tutorial messages that pops up on the screen in Dustborn is a warning that what you say in conversations will affect your relationship with other characters, but that there’s “no wrong answer” to pick. Introduced as a story-driven experience shaped by your choices, Dustborn riffs on the Telltale-esque formula by having everybody remember your deeds. The concept, however, is taken a step further, since your actions also impact how  you and other characters develop over time. Developed by Red Thread Games and published by Spotlight, Quantic Dream’s publishing branch, the result is an ambitious story that often gets tangled in its aspirations, yet does so without ever abandoning its heartfelt nature.

The road-trip story begins with a group of four 30-year-olds inside a minivan, making their escape after a heist. The mission is to make it across an alternate-reality version of the United States to eventually deliver their stolen package in Nova Scotia, Canada. Your biggest obstacle is avoiding surveillance from Justice, a fascist regime that’s particularly interested in persecuting Anomals. These are people who can speak certain words to invoke special powers after a mysterious event that took place decades ago. As you might have guessed by now, all four people in the van are Anomals, including protagonist Pax.

In order to attempt to make it to Nova Scotia undetected, the cover for the group is to pass as a punk-rock band, despite their music skills being rather lackluster. Making use of fake IDs and forged work permits, the road trip is dictated by gigs, which you play following a standard Guitar Hero-style minigame. When you’re not onstage, you stop at different locations to connect with members of a resistance group, rest at campsites to rehearse and catch up with characters, or compose new songs.

Throughout the 20 hours it took me to see the end credits, Dustborn’s story took a dozen different turns. At first, I was expecting it to unfold in a similar way to Life Is Strange, showcasing people who have access to supernatural abilities in largely grounded depictions of our reality. Dustborn follows this to a certain degree, yet it ultimately favors fiction more often than not.

This alternate America is dictated by the JFK assassination happening to Jackie Kennedy instead, and the various events that ensued after, including the emergence of Anomals. The game takes place in 2030, with an already-established presence of robots and an ever-present commentary about how the reliance on them sucks (a robot goes haywire and steals your vehicle, server problems almost lead to the death of a mechanic who’s stuck underneath a bus, and so on).

With each new location you visit, the world and its inner turmoil continue to expand. Justice isn’t the sole enemy; there are also the Puritans, a group of technology-obsessed fanatics from whom you stole the package, as well as another entity that shows up toward the second half of the story. The game’s story also gets into the origin of the Anomals — with lengthy expositions about the use of language that get close to listening to Skullface in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain — plus flashbacks to Pax’s childhood, her past relationships with some members of the crew, combat sequences, and way more in the spoiler territory. The story is always trying to cast a wider net, and in the process some threads end up underdeveloped at best and forced at worst.

One part of the game that works is its emphasis on different points of view. No matter who you’re speaking to in Dustborn, you’re free to choose the camera’s perspective. Every conversation starts with a default angle, but you can move the camera around the scene, following an invisible path until it stays in place somewhere else, creating another viewpoint.

At times, the camera might start in a place where it’s showing two characters having an intimate conversation on a bench as the rest of the group sits around a campfire in the background. Rotate it, and the scene moves to just the two of them gazing at the moonlight shining on the ocean. During a tense point in the story, the camera angle could signify a chance to rebuild trust in a group that’s been fractured by betrayal, with everybody being in the frame. Or you could change the angle to emphasize said rupture, with the culprit being isolated on one side of the screen as the others listen to them making their case.

At the heart of everything, the characters’ writing and their specific vocal powers (named Vox) are what kept me invested. From the start, it was refreshing to see such a diverse cast that largely ignores media stereotypes and includes characters who are allowed to be angry, messy, and joyful in their own ways.

While I can’t speak with authority about each of the characters’ backgrounds depicted in Dustborn, I was particularly surprised by Theo. Because he’s a Mexican character, I was fully bracing myself to hear constant Spanish quips à la Jackie Wells in Cyberpunk 2077 or the characters in Far Cry 6. Spanglish isn’t uncommon, of course, but as a fellow Latin American, it was gratifying to see Theo following the rule of thumb: When you’re surrounded by English-speaking folks, you have to stick to English to be understood. It was only during moments of surprise that Theo let out a Spanish phrase, until a later sequence where he makes a phone call to a relative. Seen from Pax’s perspective, if you choose to eavesdrop, the subtitles display the conversation in Spanish, while Pax’s thought bubbles “translate” the main bits of it. I’m glad I didn’t have to witness yet another “[ominous mumbling in Spanish]” caption.

The care from the development team for each character is tangible, and speaking to them every chance I had became an imperative after I saw how their personality archetypes could be molded by different actions and conversations. Theo, for example, can stick to his role as the group leader or slowly open up and become more a part of the team, with the lack of impartiality that doing so involves. This feature isn’t flawless, however — while your actions have weight, some of the default story beats feel intrusive, and not always in the best way.

In one instance, a character departed the group after a rant, even though we had had a conversation the night before about how much their relationship with Pax had improved. More often than not, my hand was forced to use Pax’s Vox with the crew, such as bullying or momentarily blocking them off from speaking, despite the clear consensus among the characters that doing so is invasive. These moments didn’t completely obfuscate my sense of player agency — stories need structure, after all — but they did remove the weight of some of my previous actions.

There are ways in which Dustborn challenges its own conventions, such as having other characters use their Vox with Pax without you having a way to prevent it. The one that stood out to me the most was the existence of limited-time dialogue options. The more you listen to certain conversations, the more options appear over time. Meanwhile, the older ones expire. It made me reflect on the importance of knowing when to interrupt someone and when it’s time to just shut up and listen to the other person without saying a word, letting them vent after a stressful event.

Around the midpoint of the story, there’s a conversation with the group in which you’re told how many times you actually listened to somebody, and the impact of your seemingly small actions. After all, throughout the game, small actions can change how scenes unfold. It was funny to see the characters’ dinner end up a bit burned because I had helped the robot in charge of it pick a hat as they were figuring out their identity. I succeeded in healing Pax’s bond with a family member, only for them to ultimately lean on their idealist archetype and follow their own path instead. I chose to support this decision despite knowing they’d eventually part ways with Pax as a result, and it felt good to have that option available.

The biggest culmination of your decisions happens at the very end, when you don’t have a “select your ending” prompt. Instead, a message on the screen says that your choices and actions have been informing how the story would end the whole time. You get to watch Pax’s decision unfold without your input, and who decides to stick with her for what comes next.

As much as Dustborn leans into its science fiction setting, its story is told from a viewpoint that has clear parallels to reality. There are nods to jokes like “my husband and I saw you from across the bar” as well as mentions of “woke mind virus” speeches and how blatantly stupid they are. One of Pax’s Vox even allows her to “cancel” somebody — which is a bit on the nose, considering the contrast between Dustborn‘s queer and BIPOC characters against Quantic Dream’s alleged misogynistic and homophobic responses to a lawsuit alleging the studio was a toxic workplace.

As a whole, Dustborn is as messy and imperfect as the characters you come across. The story beats can be intrusive, and there are multiple threads left unresolved. But it makes sense to not have input on everything, to only have so much influence over the people around you. Dustborn is a reminder of how seemingly innocuous gestures might not always have a tangible impact, but they’re always shaping who we are and how we relate to others. In a game informed by decisions, the most gratifying choices didn’t involve a right answer — they were about getting a different perspective.

Dustborn was released Aug. 20 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PlayStation 5 using a pre-release download code provided by Spotlight by Quantic Dream. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will debut on Xbox, but the adventure game will also make its way to PlayStation 5. Bethesda confirmed at Gamescom 2024 that the game is set to launch on Dec. 9 for Xbox and PC, followed by a PlayStation 5 release in spring.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks like a faithful tribute to the classic movies, while still managing to have its own distinct identity as a game. While the Gamescom trailer shows off lots of dialogue, there’s still a good look at the game’s hand-to-hand combat system, and classic tools like Jones’ whip and revolver.

The Verge reported that Bethesda and Microsoft were considering a PlayStation 5 port of the game in February. The Indiana Jones movies famously inspired the Uncharted franchise, one of the most successful of PlayStation’s original intellectual properties. It seems appropriate to have an Indiana Jones game come to PlayStation to serve as a stand-in for fans who are yearning for a new Uncharted adventure.

This isn’t the first game to make its way from a first-party Xbox developer over to PlayStation 5. Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Pentiment, and Hi-Fi Rush all began as Xbox exclusives, but were released on Sony’s console. Doom: The Dark Ages, another upcoming Bethesda title, will also be ported to PlayStation 5. Exclusivity on consoles was one of the sticking points in Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard in 2023, with exclusivity over games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and the Call of Duty franchise being a point of contention.

Developer Funcom released an in-depth look at Dune: Awakening game as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live on Tuesday. It’s a survival MMO game set in the desert world of Arrakis and its larger sci-fi universe. So far, it’s looking like a sleek, but gritty take on Dune that’s all about working your way up the ladder of the world and fighting off other players for spice and other resources.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

According to the trailer, Dune: Awakening is coming to Windows PC in early 2025 and will get release dates for PlayStation and Xbox consoles later down the line.

As shown in the presentation, you start as a nameless poisoner who must survive the scorching dessert heat and monstrous sand worms. The stream showed a scenario where a player made a deal to help another person take out a rival encampment in exchange for some vital resources in the early game. Once you establish a rapport with people, you can form a group and build a base of your own design and craft tech that allows you to drink the blood of your enemies — yummy! After that, your group can even form a guild and you can pledge your allegiance to one of the three houses of Dune.

Just like with anything Dune, spice is the name of the game. It’s a precious commodity and the key to power in the larger world of the game. Because of this, you’ll be constantly at war with hundreds of other players as everyone fights over spice. As far as warfare goes, it looks like anything from flamethrowers to mischievously summoning sand sand worms is fair game.

Other features of gameplay include exploration of the planet via ornithopters and building bases, but unfortunately, none of the gameplay showed any scenarios where you could overthrow Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides.

Mafia maker Hangar 13 is returning to the iconic franchise with Mafia: The Old Country, the developer announced during Gamescom on Tuesday.

Check out Polygon’s Gamescom 2024 hub page for all our coverage of the world’s biggest games event.

The short teaser trailer is just over a minute long, and begins with dramatic, still-life shots of paintings and weapons. That’s before the camera pans over to what’s presumably the Italian countryside. There is a chapter in Mafia 2 called The Old Country; it takes place in Sicily, Italy in 1943. However, the majority of the Mafia games are set in fictional versions of American cities.

2K Games said in a news release that Mafia: The Old Country is a story about “the origins of organized crime” in the 1900s. “Fight to survive in this dangerous and unforgiving era, with action brought to life by the authentic realism and rich storytelling that the critically acclaimed Mafia series is known for,” 2K wrote.

The first game of the franchise, Mafia, was released in 2002 by Illusion Softworks, followed by Mafia 2 in 2010 from 2K Czech, and Mafia 3 in 2016 from Hangar 13. There have also been several expansion packs, mobile spinoffs, and remastered editions. Most recently, Hangar 13 released Mafia: Definitive Edition, which is a remake of the original game set in Lost Heaven, Illinois, in the 1930s. 2K Games said in a news release that the Mafia franchise has sold more than 34 million copies on console and PC.

Mafia: The Old Country is coming in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X. More information will be revealed in December 2024.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is supposed to be the big console and Game Pass exclusive for Xbox this fall, but it won’t be long until it comes to PlayStation 5 too, according to new reports. The port has been rumored for months and is the latest Xbox game to lose exclusivity amid Microsoft’s new multiplatform…

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Game Pass Standard, a new middle tier in the Netflix-like subscription service’s ever-expanding menu of options, won’t get some games that hit the higher tiers on day one for up to a year or longer, Microsoft revealed today. The cheaper version is going into preview mode for Xbox Insiders for $1 ahead of its official…

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The first time we saw a trailer of Black Myth: Wukong I joked that it looked great and would probably never actually come out. That was August 20, 2020. Exactly four years later the fantasy action game isn’t just available to play, it’s shattering records on Steam for single-player and online games alike.

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Title: Burnout Paradise Remastered
Type of Game: Arcade Racing
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: March 16, 2018
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Level of Maturity: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Reading Time: 7 minutes

Long before the Forza Horizon franchise came along and stole the title of the best arcade racing under the sun, the Burnout brand held that position, along with rival and legendary FlatOut. Burnout Paradise came out sixteen years ago, but many gamers still consider it an unrivaled affair in many ways. It’s all about the sense of speed, the level of mayhem, and the ultimate handling of cars that don’t need an official license to be scrapped ideally. All three of these essential things are 100% preserved in the remaster. All the vehicles handle precisely the same things they did years ago. The physics of crashing and the uncontrollable, very satisfying feeling for the viewer of hurtling down the road with a tail of sparks in your back and being in complete control have also been retained.

The Visual Revamp: A Subtle Transformation

The only thing that has undergone a remastering process is the graphics. The difference is noticeable when you put the old PlayStation 3 version alongside the newer PlayStation 4 version. The textures are much more detailed, especially in the roads and landscapes around you. Not that it’s a difference like night and day, but it counts. Often, it even achieves the desired effect with remasters that the game “looks” like your memories, and thus, you’re subconsciously disappointed because you think they’ve shoved an essentially unchanged title in front of you.

But once you confront your memory with the 16-year-old original, you never want to return to it. Of course, 60fps is retained, and the resolution of text and informational images is increased. We reviewed the game on a PlayStation 4 with a smaller TV, and the difference between the original and the remastered Burnout (running at 720p) was huge.

Preserving the Core: Unchanged for Good Reason

However, the visual upgrade could only go so far that it didn’t ruin the gameplay experience. Of course, as part of the rework, the authors could afford to completely change some parts of the map and tweak the design of the cars or improve the resolution of the civilian traffic that’s meant to get in your way. Thankfully, this isn’t the case, as doing so would have ruined what makes Burnout Burnout.

In this game, everything is subordinate to maximum speed, but you have maximum control over it. However, it may seem like something other than it to the casual passerby. A change in, for example, the lighting conditions or the colors of specific locations would cause the game not to work either. Logically, this raises the question of whether there is any point in remastering such a game when virtually nothing can be changed. Fortunately, it does make sense. And for two reasons. Both are so compelling that you must invest in the game if you’ve played it for the past sixteen years.

Online Mode: Reviving a World of Challenges

The first reason is the online mode. This is seamlessly tied to the single-player skirmishes, and you switch into it with the press of two buttons. Suddenly, a new world opens before you, where you rarely race from A to B. 500 challenges will have you jumping over others on a bridge. Doing 50 drifts around a fountain. Smash 20 billboards around the city. And finally, you’ll get to race now and then. The problem with the old console version was the number of players. Sixteen years later, you occasionally ran into a lone player, but the experience was just half the experience when the lobby was half full.

All the Extras: The Complete Package

The second reason is all the bonus additions that came out as part of “Year of Paradise” twelve months after the original game’s release. That means new cars, new bikes, and new achievements/trophies and challenges associated with them. None of these are significant, including the biggest, Big Surf Island, which adds a new and not-so-small section of the map. However, if you’ve looked forward to them in the past and always justified their no/buy by saying you wouldn’t have anyone to try them with anyway, now you get them in a complete package. You can see why neither reason is compelling enough to make you consider buying them.

The Timeless Magic of Burnout Paradise

But the essence of the whole Burnout Paradise magic is somewhere a little different. It’s primarily that “those” games don’t come out anymore. Even Forza Horizon, which is ideologically closest to it, can’t match the adrenaline rush of a race where everything falls into place, from the choice of car to the opponents to the great soundtrack on the radio. By the way, no song from the original setlist is missing in the remastered version, for which the authors deserve a big thanks.

Although this is indeed a reworked version, in which everything is 1:1 and not even things that we take for granted today have been “fixed” (for example, there is no fast travel, and absolutely all races end in one of the eight locations on the map), Burnout Paradise has something to say to the world even in 2024, especially to those of you who have not enjoyed it so far and are just in the mood to drive at high speed with a high percentage of twisted bodies. Just don’t expect miracles from it. After all, it’s getting on in years.

Conclusion

Games like this just aren’t made anymore, plain and simple. Burnout Paradise Remastered is a sad reminder of the good old days of racing games, but it proves that its design was so timeless that it can still work brilliantly sixteen years later. However, there’s nothing extra to be found here compared to the original version.

Where to Buy Burnout Paradise Remastered

PlayStation Store (PS4): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from the PlayStation Store.
Xbox Store (Xbox One): Available for $19.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store.
Steam (PC): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $19.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.
Nintendo Shop (Switch): Available for $29.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo Shop.

For more content like this, stay tuned on our website!

The post Burnout Paradise Remastered – Olschool Destruction Races appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Game: Black Myth: Wukong
Article Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Chinese studio Game Science will release the highly anticipated Black Myth: Wukong tomorrow. A few days ago, the first reviews were published, suggesting that the gameplay legend of the Monkey King is a success, even if it has yet to escape optimization problems or bugs. However, besides the praise, there was also a controversy – a document was leaked to social networks, which was sent out by Hero Games to streamers and influencers, urging them not to mention “politics,” “feminist propaganda,” or even COVID-19 in their work related to the game.

Censorship Under the Guise of Guidelines

In a positive sense, the appeal is limited to a single bullet point: “Enjoy the game!” The prohibitions section begins sparingly: “Don’t insult other influencers and players. Do not use offensive language or humor.” But then the briefing starts to veer into censorship.

The Forbidden Words List

“Do not include politics, violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishization, or other content that encourages negative discourse in your coverage of the game. Don’t use trigger words such as ‘quarantine,’ ‘isolation’ or ‘COVID-19’. Do not talk about the game in the context of measures, opinions, and news regarding the Chinese gaming industry,” reads the pamphlet, first published by French streamer ExServ, aka Benoit Reinier. He first showed the instructions on the social networking site BlueSky. He later made a video about them and stated that he would not be covering Black Myth: Wukong because of the restrictions and wanted nothing to do with it.

Verifying the Leak: A Silenced Media

VideoGames.si magazine subsequently verified the email’s authenticity, and Forbes journalist Paul Tassi also stood up for it. The UK’s Eurogamer adds. The instructions were given to content creators, streamers, and other influencers. It was not a document intended for reviewers. IGN’s Travis Northup was added to the Bitcast podcast. The publisher tried to intervene in the review process. They wanted to limit the length of the video review to a maximum of 10 minutes due to the size of the medium. They managed to win an exception at some points.

A Troubled Past Resurfaces

Game Science has faced criticism for the toxic work culture and misogyny of studio founder and CEO Feng Ji. Thus, the leaked instructions from the publisher were meant to prevent further airing of the Chinese company’s affairs. Neither Game Science Studio nor publisher Hero Games have commented on the matter— Black Myth: Wukong releases on PC and PlayStation 5 tomorrow, August 20. The Xbox Series X/S version has been delayed indefinitely.

For more information, check the official page here!
Keep an eye out for an upcoming review in the Games Reviews section on our website!

The post Streamers Have Received Controversial Instructions From Black Myth: Wukong’s Publisher appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Article Reading Time: 2 minutes

Embracer Group announced during its first quarter financial results for fiscal year 2024-2025 that they will delay the release of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2”. Warhorse Studio had originally promised the sequel to one of the Czech Republic’s most successful games for this year in a trailer and press releases. That’s why gamers were expecting information about when exactly during the upcoming autumn season the expected RPG will arrive. Still, according to the newly released release date, the game is unfortunately postponed until next year, namely February 11, 2025.

A Strategic Shift to February

The information appeared in a report published at 7 am on August 15. That’s the only thing currently from Embracer because of the date shift in the linked report. Aside from ironing out technical kinks, the motive is supposed to be to give the game enough space, so February is supposed to be the earliest and most convenient date.

Developer Response: Delayed But Determined

However, the Kingdom Come developers have publicly reacted to the release delay via a short video. In it, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling mentions that although the developers tried hard, they fell short of releasing it this year. But he added that at least they have a nice release date based on the anniversary week of the first episode, which was released on February 13, 2018. Furthermore, Tobi confirms that the release date reveal is just the beginning of what fans can imagine as a marathon. He recaps that the game will be at Gamescom, that a lengthy gameplay video will be released, reportedly with minimal cuts, and that impressions of actual gameplay from journalists will arrive.

Pre-orders and Collector’s Edition Tease

Kingdom Come “Pre-orders are also launching, so if you’re planning to buy the game, get your pennies ready; your time is coming,” Tobi added, revealing the Collector’s Edition packaging in the video. For now, though, we’re just seeing the giant box, which will be shown in detail at Gamescom.

Full Czech Localization for an Authentic Experience

Now, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” will launch at a later date for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. The developers will include complete Czech localization, including dubbing, for domestic fans on all platforms. Warhorse recently announced that they will reveal more details about the game at Gamescom. They plan to show a short teaser during Opening Night Live, followed by a 25-minute gameplay video on August 21.
Check out the official page or the second trailer here for more information! Stay tuned to our page for upcoming news!

The post Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Postponed appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.