Finding Humanity in a Mechanical World

Summary

  • From Sketch to Soul: How We Created Zoe in Steel Seed.
  • The face of Steel Seed: Crafting Zoe’s story, style, and spirit.
  • Behind the scenes of Steel Seed.

After five years in development, Steel Seed has officially launched on Xbox Series X|S — and whether you’re just starting your journey or well into the story, there’s more beneath the surface worth exploring. In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, we’re diving into the creative and technical process behind Zoe, the game’s central character. You’ll learn how Storm in a Teacup — a small team of around 20 developers based in Italy — approached the challenge of building a protagonist who is both machine and deeply human.

From early concept art to animation and narrative design, this article unpacks how Zoe’s robotic form was carefully balanced with emotional depth. These design choices don’t just affect how she looks or moves — they directly shape how players engage with the world, make decisions, and connect with the game’s story. Steel Seed isn’t just a sci-fi action title; it’s a layered experience about identity, resilience, and the personal cost of survival.

Steel Seed zoe prototype

Character Core: From Concept to Conflict

Zoe’s story begins in mystery: she awakens alone in a robotic body deep within an AI-dominated facility, with no memory of how she got there. This setup posed an immediate creative challenge — how do you design a character that players can emotionally relate to while she herself is unsure of what she is?

Our solution was to emphasize vulnerability in her animations and body language. We intentionally contrasted mechanical precision with subtle, human-like motion — shaky breaths, cautious glances, hesitant footsteps — so players would instinctively connect with Zoe before even hearing her motivations.

Steel Seed mockups

Design Influences & Visual Language

Zoe’s look was heavily inspired by a blend of cyberpunk and anime sources: “Alita”, “Casshern”, and “Blame!” formed the visual backbone. But more importantly, her design needed to serve gameplay readability. Her glowing joints, for example, are not only stylistic but also provide feedback in low-light environments. Her expressive eyes — built with an advanced eye-tracking rig — became a key storytelling tool for in-game cinematics.

Steel Seed Koby design

Emotional Anchors: Koby’s Narrative Purpose

No character like Zoe could exist in isolation. Enter Koby — a small, expressive drone initially designed as a gameplay mechanic. Very quickly, however, Koby became much more: an emotional anchor. His design language evolved to reflect that. His “face,” for example, is an LED screen that shows simple emoticons in real time, allowing him to “talk” in tones and visuals, which helps Zoe (and players) feel less alone.

Creating Koby meant fusing function and emotion. He helps solve puzzles, unlocks doors, and scouts ahead — but he also beeps in concern when Zoe is hurt and celebrates small victories. It’s AI companionship by way of empathy. He’s based on a robot originally designed and modeled by the Storm in a Teacup head when he was just 19 years old.

Steel Seed screenshot

Bringing the Bay: Designing Cinematic Action

Steel Seed features cinematic action moments we internally dubbed “Michael Bay Sequences.” These were built to break tension and change pacing through high-octane gameplay: collapsing bridges, high-speed chases, massive explosions. But even here, storytelling was key.

Each of these sequences was crafted not just to look great, but to show how Zoe reacts under pressure. We used dynamic camera systems and occasional 2D perspective shifts to amplify spectacle without sacrificing player control. These scenes are also crucial moments for Koby to shine — rescuing Zoe, alerting her to hazards, or navigating tight quarters at speed.

Steel Seed zoe

Tips & Tricks for Players: Reading Zoe’s World

While Zoe’s enhanced mobility (wall runs, air dashes, silent takedowns) gives her an edge, surviving the Facility is all about environmental awareness.

  • Look for Koby’s cues: He often highlights hidden routes or dangers you might miss.
  • Use sound: Footsteps, enemy drones, and power surges all emit unique audio—you can use them to time movement and stealth.
  • Read the lighting: We use subtle visual language—flickering bulbs, red vs blue tones—to help players intuit enemy activity and puzzle mechanics.

These soft cues are all part of what we call passive storytelling—immersing players without pausing the action.

Legacy of Zoe

At its core, Steel Seed is not just about survival — it’s about what defines us as human beings. What makes Zoe work isn’t just that she’s cool or capable — it’s that she’s scared, conflicted, and trying anyway. Her journey isn’t just about defeating enemies—it’s about reclaiming agency. Players may see a machine, but what we hope they feel is a very human soul.

Steel Seed is more than an action game — it’s an emotional blueprint of identity told through pixels, motion, and sound. And Zoe, more than anyone, carries that blueprint.

On behalf of the developer, Storm in a Teacup and all of ESDigital Games, thanks for all of the support during all these years! Steel Seed is finally here and it’s time to save humanity.

Steel Seed

ESDigital Games


13


$39.99

$33.99

Steel Seed is a single player stealth-action adventure game set in a dark sci-fi world. In her epic journey inside a hostile underground facility run by AIs, Zoe is alone with Koby, a flying drone, as her only companion.

The post Finding Humanity in a Mechanical World appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The Real-World Inspirations Behind Spirit of the North 2, Available Now

The Real-World Inspirations Behind Spirit of the North 2, Available Now

Summary

  • Spirit of the North 2 is out now for Xbox Series X|S
  • Lead Developer Tayler Christensen explores finding inspiration for the sequel and bringing more of the game’s vision to the world.
  • The prequel, Spirit of the North, is available on Game Pass.
     

Today is the day I’ve been looking forward to for five years, the release day of our second game, Spirit of the North 2. To celebrate its launch, I’d love to share the story behind how (and why) we made this game.

A Vast World, A Tiny Hero

Back in 2016, I was at a crossroads. I was an architecture graduate training in 3D environment art, but I was also working as a general manager for an ice sculpting company. I’d always enjoyed creating spaces for people to enjoy, and that remained true through all my work. But how could my expertise in snow, ice, and environments be brought to life in a video game?

The answer came during a holiday in Reykjavík, Iceland.

The Fox Leads The Way

Iceland’s landscapes stunned me: volcanic rock fields, glacial lagoons, geothermal pools, and basalt columns that looked designed by nature. Everywhere I turned, I had the inspiration I was looking for.  Stone became sentinels guarding secret passageways. Geysers became dynamic obstacles. The glaciers became slides with hidden chambers lost to time. Even the folklore seeped into my imagination, especially when I later discovered a book about Tulikettu.

The Tulikettu is what the Finnish call a fox whose tail sparks in the air, sending flames to float to the sky and form the Northern Lights, (Or The Revontulet, the ‘Fox Fires’ as the Finnish call them). This enigmatic little creature encapsulated the essence of awe, something I felt in these nordic landscapes. The idea of an Aurora touched fox that roams the lands, healing spirits and being this guardian of nordic culture was the perfect tug on all of the threads, on all of these ideas, to bring everything together.

Story and Allure

Spirit of the North grew from those artifacts: a fox’s adventure through scarred landscapes, where players uncover stories of war, lost spirituality, and environmental ruin, not through dialogue, but through exploration. The sequel expands this vision, with richer lore, deeper mysteries, and guardians like the sorrowful Stag and the brooding Raven, each hiding tales of their own.

Spirit of the North is far more than a game to me.  Its world is an extension of myself, my team, and encapsulates everything that inspires and uplifts us.  We hope that it’s story, music, and environment create wonderment for you.  Thank you always. Spirit of the North 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S.

Spirit of the North 2

Silver Lining Interactive


4


$29.99

$25.49

Embrace the Aurora, Save the Guardians.

In an ancient world left in ruin, embark on the journey of an isolated fox far from home. With the help of a wise Raven companion, seek out the lost legendary guardians and release them from the grasp of the dark shaman Grimnir.

A VAST OPEN WORLD
Roam freely through a vast and ancient open world, rich with long-forgotten history. Explore unique and visually captivating biomes, each with its own challenges and secrets to uncover.

SEEK OUT POWERFUL RUNES
Discover potent runes that enhance your abilities as your quest takes you from dense forests, through snow-capped peaks and to dark & ancient crypts to save the lost guardians.

EXTENSIVE CUSTOMIZATION
Tailor your fox’s appearance and skills to suit your playstyle, making each playthrough unique.

ANCIENT GUARDIANS
Face off against formidable foes as you save the legendary guardian beasts in thrilling, puzzle-based encounters.

The post The Real-World Inspirations Behind Spirit of the North 2, Available Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 12 to 16

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 12 to 16

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Xbox Play Anywhere

CyberCorp

Megame LLC


$19.99

$15.99

CyberCorp – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Brutal, fast-paced isometric co-op looter shooter in a cyberpunk world. Master equipment-based combos and discover exotic weapons and armor. Easy to start, hard to master. Play solo or team up with friends in multiplayer. Everyone can create their own build – whether it’s close combat, skill-based gameplay, or long-range sniping. If you enjoy action games with diverse loot, then CyberCorp is exactly what you’re looking for.


Gore Doctor

Ultimate Games S.A.

Gore Doctor – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An immersive horror game packed with spine-chilling thrills. You wake up inside the twisted institute of a desperate doctor who’s broken all the rules to save his wife, Scarlett, from a deadly illness. You must navigate the nightmarish corridors of the doctor’s institute, confronting grotesque horrors, uncovering dark secrets, and striving to escape with their lives intact.


Labyrinth Of The Demon King

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

Labyrinth of the Demon King – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A challenging first-person dungeon crawler with survival horror elements, set against the backdrop of a mythical feudal Japan besieged by demons. As a lone foot soldier, embark on a quest to track down and slay the Demon King who killed your Lord. But will you have the skill, resources and stamina needed to survive through all the horrors this brutal world will throw at you?


Palia

Singularity 6

Palia – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Discover a welcoming world in Palia, a free-to-play fantasy life sim adventure where you can craft, explore, and create the life and home of your dreams. With nearly endless ways to make Palia your home, you’ll find relaxation and joy in every corner of this vibrant, heartwarming world.


The Precinct

Kwalee


1

The Precinct – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You are Officer Nick Cordell Jr. As a rookie beat cop fresh out of the Academy, you’re on the front line of defense for Averno’s citizens. Dive into a world of thrilling car chases, sandbox crimes, and a healthy dose of 1980s noir as you protect the populace and solve the mystery of your father’s murder in the line of duty.


Anima Flux

JollyCo

Anima Flux – May 14

Anima Flux is a co-op metroidvania with two genetically enhanced soldiers, special agents of a theocratic dictatorial regime. Fight your way through swarms of mutants through a desolate, dystopian space city and save humanity’s last stronghold, if, of course, anyone is still alive…


Hidden Kittens: Kingdom of Cats

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Hidden Kittens: Kingdom of Cats – May 14

Purrr! Prepare for a delightful mission in a fantasy landscape – many cats can be found across this magical realm… Every corner hides a fluffy surprise just waiting to be discovered – over 350 of them, to be somewhat precise… Pick your favorite colors for your game’s look and feel, and keep your eyes peeled for any balls of joy that wait to be pet!


Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy

Penguin Pop Games LLC

Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy is a 16-bit styled RPG featuring turn-based combat, a large cast of characters, and tons of hilarious dialogue! This is an officially licensed game based on the live-action monster wrestling group Kaiju Big Battel, who have been performing their Godzilla-meets-WWE act for over 20 years.


Recycle Bin Battle

overgamestudio


$11.99

$10.79

Recycle Bin Battle – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Recycle Bin Battle is a unique and entertaining arcade puzzle game featuring three distinct gameplay styles. Players catch falling rubbish from a machine, sorting them by type and color to make them disappear and form balls for the next phase. These balls are then used in a breakout-style game to break through invaders’ defenses and gather energy. Finally, the collected energy is used to shoot at Kaiju, saving humanity from destruction.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC

Eastasiasoft Limited

Super Engine GT Turbo Spec – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready for adrenaline-fueled racing fun as you climb your way through the motorsports ranks in pure arcade style! Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC is all about speed and pushing your driving skills to the limit. Choose from Novice, Junior, Senior and Pro event series, select from 8 unique venues and a variety of touring cars, then burn up the asphalt as you race from the back of the pack all the way to podium position!


Garten of Banban 0

Feardemic

Garten of Banban 0 – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

What is this place? Who are you? These mysteries await discovery as you journey through the facility. Piece together clues to unveil the truth behind what’s really happening. Travel back in time to uncover the dark past of Banban’s Kindergarten and explore its origins. Only you can connect the dots to reveal its true nature.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Preserve

Grindstone

Preserve – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

A puzzle nature-building game that takes players on a journey into a harmonious ecosystem. The objective is to foster and sustain a thriving and diverse biomes, where each component coexists in a symbiotic harmony. By utilizing strategic thinking and a keen eye for balance, players are granted the power to position a wide array of plants and animals, curating an environment that caters to their preferences and aspirations.


Shovel Knight Dig

Yacht Club Games

Shovel Knight Dig – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

When Drill Knight and his dastardly digging crew blast apart Shovel Knight’s peaceful campsite and steal his loot, he grabs his trusty Shovel Blade and starts tunneling after them! Meet new friends and foes, visit strange lands, and outfit yourself in your quest to keep the entire land from collapsing underfoot! Jump, slash, and dig your way down an ever-changing chasm of mystery in Shovel Knight Dig, an all-new Shovel Knight adventure!


American Arcadia

Raw Fury

American Arcadia – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome to Arcadia! A ‘70s retro-futuristic metropolis where all its citizens enjoy a life of luxury and comfort… unaware that they’re being broadcast live 24/7! Arcadia is not an ordinary city, but the most watched reality show on the planet – where a drop in popularity ratings comes at the highest cost: death.


City Bus Manager

Aerosoft GmbH

$29.99

City Bus Manager – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Build your own depot from scratch and create your personal bus routes in City Bus Manager. Play in your own hometown or any famous city in the world. Recreate the official bus network or change it completely to your preference.


Xbox Play Anywhere

DOOM: The Dark Ages Standard Edition

Bethesda Softworks


13

$69.99


DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Upgrade

Bethesda Softworks


7


$34.99

$31.49


Xbox Play Anywhere

DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition

Bethesda Softworks


4

$99.99

DOOM: The Dark Ages – May 15
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass! DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. Get a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Upgrade, including up to 2-Day Early Access, the campaign DLC at launch, and more.


Forgotten Fields

Nejcraft

Forgotten Fields – May 15

Sid is a writer struggling with writer’s block, attempting to recapture the feelings of inspiration he felt when he was younger. In order to pay the bills, he needs to think up a story and apply for a grant – the deadline is today – a lazy Sunday in the middle of summer.


Hunt and Fight: Action RPG

Two Cakes Studio


$9.99

$8.49

Hunt and Fight – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

After your ship was caught in a terrifyingly powerful storm and wrecked, you found yourself on the shore of an unknown island full of monsters, undead, and bandits. Explore the island, upgrade your weapons and armor, improve your fighting skills, and defeat the most dangerous monsters on this island. Don’t forget that your main goal is to find a way to get home.


Into the Restless Ruins

Wales Interactive


$14.99

$13.49

Into the Restless Ruins – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A roguelike deckbuilder where you use your deck of cards, representing rooms and corridors, to grow the labyrinth of the ruins. Then auto-battle your way through them, harvesting as much Glimour as you can from the cursed residents before darkness overcomes your torch.


Stunt Flyer

Ultimate Games S.A.

Stunt Flyer – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A vibrant flying adventure led by sibling duo Jimmy and Sophie. Take to the skies in a world filled with wild inventions and fantastic flying machines. From UFOs and gyrocopters to nimble jets, each aircraft is unique—and fully customizable with a variety of gadgets and gear.


Wings of Endless

JanduSoft

$12.49

Wings of Endless – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

An epic 2D ARPG adventure awaits in the world of Wings of Endless! Discover the secret of a forgotten war in Wings of Endless, a platforming Action-RPG with a captivating Pixelart style that will draw you in from start to finish. Step into the role of Hariku, a brash bounty hunter who boasts of being the best at his craft.


Capcom Fighting Collection 2

CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

$39.99

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – May 16

Capcom’s new fighting collection hits the stage! Choose from fan-favorite games like Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 and Project Justice to 3D action games like Power Stone and Power Stone 2 in this collection of eight classic fighting games! Each game in the collection can be played online or co-op! Get back in the ring and duke it out in battles that everyone rumored, but no one believed! Whether it’s with a rival new or old, give it your all and strive for victory!


Death Park: 4k Remaster

EpiXR Games

$5.99

Death Park: 4k Remaster – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Are you ready to face the true evil – the scary killer clown? Will you be able to solve all the puzzles that are waiting for you on the path to escape in these horror stories? You will have to play hide and seek with that monster and go through all the hard quests in order to survive throughout the night!


Hannah’s Day

OverGamez

$7.99

Hannah’s Day – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Hannah loves three things more than anything – singing, friends and her skateboard. But her parents are not supportive of Hannah’s decision to tie her life to music. None of this matters. Music and imagination will get Hannah through the challenges! Overcome the obstacles, reunite with Hannah’s friends, and set the stage on fire! And beware, fears and doubts can poison even the brightest dreams…


Xbox Play Anywhere

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo

Fellow Traveller

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass! Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo is a papercraft adventure game where you’ll meet the many good and not-so-good folks of Limbo, a place where souls with deep regrets are cursed into repeating the same day on a loop. Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.


Meowsterpiece Museum

Gray Boss Game Studio

Meowsterpiece Museum – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Great painters love cats and hid them in their masterpieces. Your mission is to find them and make the paintings even more beautiful.


Plumber Hero

Gametry LLC

Plumber Hero – May 16

Plumber Hero is an exciting way to test your creativity. There are 3 main stages, 40 levels each, so there’s no shortage of content for you to enjoy. Each one gets increasingly difficult, so you must use all your skills and work hard to pass them all.


SYNESTHESIA

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Synesthesia – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

The year is 2029. The Huntley Scientific Research Institute has opened its doors to a select few young individuals gifted with extraordinary mental powers and mysterious abilities. Among them is Ziek, a university student with a rare form of “synesthesia” — a perception that allows him to see the hidden significance of objects through vibrant splashes of color. But what begins as an exciting opportunity quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.


Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit

Numskull Games

Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome to the Neon Apex, open only to the most elite racers, both human and other, prove that you can handle breakneck speeds and perilous racecourses to win it all. Humanities finest have gathered to prove that a human mind behind the wheel will always be best. They’ll be up against cybernetically enhanced humans as well as AI driven androids.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 12 to 16 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Solo Dev. Two Kids. One Wacom Tablet. The Making of The Abandoned Planet

Between wrangling a full-time job and parenting two young kids (including one born smack in the middle of development), I built The Abandoned Planet from a tiny corner of a Florida bedroom that doubles as office, nursery, and general chaos zone. Picture a Moleskine notebook taking up the last bit of empty space on a small desk, each page scribbled with little hand-drawn rooms and arrows mapping every corridor, while my toddler occasionally “helped” by crawling over my laptop. What I optimistically pegged as a one-year passion project stretched into two and a half years of solo dev hustle—coding, drawing, animating, composing the soundtrack, and even conjuring a semi-functional base-7 number system and a bespoke alien alphabet to pepper through the in-game journal and subtitles.

Every pixel in The Abandoned Planet was drawn on my Wacom tablet. I poured over the detailed pixel-art, the frame-by-frame animation, and the eerie soundscape. Movement feels delightfully retro—four-way D-Pad navigation—yet polished with a certain snappiness and dynamic touch. As you progress through this alien world, you decipher cryptic glyphs and pick up bizarre objects. It’s 90s-style adventure nostalgia, reimagined for the modern gamer.

  • Modern Yet Retro: Immerse yourself in gorgeous pixel art enhanced by a sleek, high-definition UI.
  • Quick Gameplay: A responsive navigation system which gives a nimble feel to the gameplay.
  • Classic Point & Click Adventure: Leverage your items and the environment to awaken ancient totems, power up forgotten devices, and journey boldly into dangerous territories.
  • An Expansive World: Five Acts with over 300 unique areas to explore.
  • Haunting Animated Cutscenes: Dynamic, yet brief, cutscenes intersperse the gameplay, enriching the narrative.
  • Fully Voiced: Enjoy the game in 11 world languages, complemented by complete voiceovers in English…and a unique alien language!

While The Abandoned Planet is a standalone game, it fits into a greater saga following Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space and hinting at more spacey escapades to come. Every puzzle twist and every scrawled alien symbol traces back to my crowded bedroom-nursery office, which kept development delightfully unpredictable. If you’re craving an adventure that’s as much about exploring a lost civilization as it is celebrating the odd joys of solo game creation, splash down on The Abandoned Planet for your next weekend escape.

The Abandoned Planet

Snapbreak Games


$14.99

$13.49

When a wormhole tears open in space, an astronaut is hurled down and crashes on a distant planet. But where is she? Where are all the inhabitants of the planet? And how is she going to get back home? Solve the puzzle and piece together the mystery in this 2D, pixel art, first person, point and click adventure.

Inspired by games like Myst and Riven with a dash of the LucasArt adventures of the 90s, The Abandoned Planet is sure to scratch that old-school, adventure game itch.

• Beautiful chunky pixel art
• Hundreds of locations to explore
• Classic point and click adventure
• Fully voiced in English

Text localized into the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Italian
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Chinese Simplified
• Chinese Traditional

The post Solo Dev. Two Kids. One Wacom Tablet. The Making of The Abandoned Planet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remastered Makes Me Feel Young Again

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remastered Makes Me Feel Young Again

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Screenshot

Among my many endeavors as a teenager, from learning to drive and how to play guitar, one stood alone on a mountain of impossibilities: landing an Ollie. It would come in time after a lot of practice and many bumps and scrapes. From there I’d move on to landing Shov Its, pulling off the occasional Manual, landing an Ollie down some stairs, and grind on a few curbs. The kick-flip, though, remains elusive to this day.

Among the many things skateboarding taught me, like perseverance and how to “walk it off,” it also taught me how to look at the world around me in a different way. Where someone would just see an empty parking lot, I would see endless possibilities of curb grinds. Stairs? I bet I could Ollie down them. That rail? Not a chance.

This is what the Tony Hawk games dialed up to 11, creating elaborate levels loosely inspired by real-world locations, encouraging you to examine its surroundings and assemble your own “run” while pulling off tricks you could only dream of. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 , launching July 11 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, and day one with Game Pass, brings us back to this world with some of the most elaborate levels the series has ever put out, now with a significant boost in overall quality and playability – the game has never felt more fun.

It’s seriously impressive what developer Iron Galaxy has pulled off here in bringing these games back to life. Revitalized locations like Foundry, Canada, Los Angeles and Suburbia as well as College, San Francisco, and Alcatraz look better than ever, which have been rebuilt from the ground up. It’s still a blast to grind rails over scolding pits of molten metal in Foundry, or skate around a (loose) recreation of one of the most iconic skating spots in the world along San Francisco’s waterfront, and even the wackier elements like unlocking the haunted house in Suburbia. It’s all a tremendous homage to not only the classic Tony Hawk video games, but to the world of skateboarding.

New for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be the Waterpark level. Set within the Mojave Desert, this location is directly inspired by Tony Hawk and his crew who used to sneak in and skate abandoned waterparks growing up. This soon-to-be legendary skating spot is a tremendously fun creation from Iron Galaxy, with a variety of pools to carve up, unique challenges to complete (try restoring power to the Arcade), and huge water tubes to skate down — grinding the Bowl Slide, weaving down the Twister Slide, or pulling off a loop inside the Funnel Slide are all worthwhile efforts you should undertake here.

Like real-life skateboarding, playing a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game takes some practice — it’s practically a fighting game on wheels, where you combine button presses while pushing your analog stick in a particular direction to pull off a variety of tricks. String a couple of these together and you start to charge your Special meter, which then unlocks more advanced tricks for you to attempt that yield many points; wipe out, the meter resets.

It can be punishing at times, especially when you’ve tied together a 9,000+ point combo only to miss the landing. Thankfully, getting back on your board is nearly instantaneous so you can start up a new combo. Personally, I’ve always had the most fun grinding rails while executing flip tricks to build up my score, but I still struggle to this day with the more vertical challenges on the half-pipes, something I’m still pushing myself to perfect. And when the game looks and plays this well, I don’t mind having to repeat these challenges time and time again.

Landing tricks are only part of the fun. Scattered throughout every level are a series of challenges that range from a collect-a-thon, like finding all the letters to spell S-K-A-T-E, to landing some insane jumps found throughout the level, or harassing some of the onlookers. There’s a ton to do here on every level to keep you busy. Also, the game has an excellent in-depth tutorial narrated by Tony Hawk himself to walk you through how to play – highly recommended for new players to check this out or those looking for a refresher on how all this works.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will also launch with a tremendous number of professional skaters to play as, with specific attributes that seemingly tie into their own real-life counterparts. For example, playing as Tony Hawk, who is a master at vert, can gain some serious air in the game with incredible spin control. Whereas someone like Rodney Mullen, who has pulled off some incredible flip tricks in his day, can execute these much more quickly.

Finding one of these legends that compliments your specific style of play in-game is the first step in getting a handle on it. Personally, I liked rolling with Eric Koston who has some balanced stats across the board, meaning I could approach just about anything in most of the levels and have some degree of success. The roster is also full of new and upcoming skaters like Rayssa Leal, Yuto Horigome, Nora Vasconcellos, and many more — you’re sure to find someone that can fit your approach. You’ll also have the option to create your own skater, but this wasn’t available for our hands-on time.

The Tony Hawk series has not only been a gateway to the world of skateboarding, but also a showcase for a lot of artists across the punk rock, hardcore, metal, and hip-hop scenes. Music has always been integral to skating and so many musicians themselves have tied themselves to it as well (Ian MacKaye is someone who immediately comes to mind). And the soundtrack this time around is no exception, mixing a blend of artists from the previous games, like Motorhead, The Faction, and Run-D.M.C., while weaving in modern alt musicians like Idles, Thee Oh Sees, and Fontaines D.C., all blend seamlessly with the feel of something you’d put on your headphones while skating around the park.

I love that the core gameplay loop still feels fresh and challenging in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 , figuring out the ideal run while building up your Special meter, discovering wild combinations and occasionally finding yourself asking, “How the hell did I just do that?” It’s that perseverance of wanting to try and try again until I could land that trick just right – that’s what keeps me wanting to come back for more and I can’t wait to dive into the full package when it launches July 11.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is available for pre-order today on the Xbox Store for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox PC with support for Smart Delivery, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Play Anywhere. Pre-ordering Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Digital Deluxe Edition on the Xbox Store will grant you three days of Early Access and the ability to play as both the Doom Slayer or a Revenant along with themed skate decks, Create-A-Skater items, and bonus soundtracks. Pre-orders will also grant you access to the Foundry Demo that’s set to arrive in June.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4 – Digital Deluxe Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.


455

$69.99

Pre-purchase and receive:

– Early Access – get the game 3 days early*
– Access to the Foundry Demo**
– Wireframe Tony Shader

Purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition to skate as the Doom Slayer and rip and tear through a ton of additional content.

The Digital Deluxe Edition includes:

– Cross-Gen Bundle of Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4
— Includes Xbox One, Xbox X|S and PC (Microsoft Store) versions of the game
– The Doom Slayer and The Revenant playable skaters, each includes 2 secret moves. The Doom Slayer includes 2 unique outfits and the Unmaykr Hoverboard skate deck.
– Additional songs included with the in-game soundtrack
– Exclusive Doom Slayer, Revenant, and Create-a-Skater skate decks
– Exclusive themed Create-a-Skater Items

Get hyped for the legendary franchise to return with Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4. Everything you loved is back, but revamped with more skaters, new parks, gnarlier tricks, eardrum shattering music, plus a whole lot more.

– Reunite the crew with cross-platform online Multiplayer*** for up to 8 skaters in new and returning game modes.
– Drop in to new parks or tear it up across the timeless parks from both Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 & Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 4, authentically remade in jaw dropping 4K**** resolution with streamlined goals and the epic 2-minute format.
– Hit ‘em with some drip in the expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes, including the ability to create custom goals to share with friends for the first time ever.
– Shred harder than ever with more challenging goals and an enhanced New Game+ mode.
– Whether you’re a total casual or a grungy pro, the same smooth handling and simple-to-learn controls from Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2 will have you shredding like a Pro.

Alert the neighborhood watch and grab your skate buddies because the shred’s not dead. It’s back and better than ever.

*Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.

**Foundry Demo availability and launch date(s) subject to change. Internet connection required. This pre-purchase will grant you access to that demo, when released. See www.tonyhawkthegame.com for details.

***Activision account and internet required for online Multiplayer and other features. A Game Pass subscription may be required for Multiplayer and other features (sold separately). Activision may modify or discontinue online services in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued to to factors including number of players.

****The Xbox Series X version of the game will run native 4K at 60FPS in Fidelity Mode. The Xbox Series S version will render at 1440P and upscale to 4K. 4K output requires a 4K compatible device or display.

For more information, please see www.tonyhawkthegame.com.

© 2025 Activision Publishing Inc. ACTIVISION and PRO SKATER are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. TONY HAWK is a registered trademark of Tony Hawk, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4

Activision Publishing Inc.


225

Get hyped for the legendary franchise to return with Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4. Everything you loved is back, but revamped with more skaters, new parks, gnarlier tricks, eardrum shattering music, plus a whole lot more.

– Reunite the crew with cross-platform online Multiplayer* for up to 8 skaters in new and returning game modes.
– Drop in to new parks or tear it up across the timeless parks from both Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 & Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 4, authentically remade in jaw dropping 4K** resolution with streamlined goals and the epic 2-minute format.
– Hit ‘em with some drip in the expanded Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes, including the ability to create custom goals to share with friends for the first time ever.
– Shred harder than ever with more challenging goals and an enhanced New Game+ mode.
– Whether you’re a total casual or a grungy pro, the same smooth handling and simple-to-learn controls from Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2 will have you shredding like a Pro.

Alert the neighborhood watch and grab your skate buddies because the shred’s not dead. It’s back and better than ever.

*Activision account and internet required for online Multiplayer and other features. A Game Pass subscription may be required for Multiplayer and other features (sold separately). Activision may modify or discontinue online services in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued to to factors including number of players.

**The Xbox Series X version of the game will run native 4K at 60FPS in Fidelity Mode. The Xbox Series S version will render at 1440P and upscale to 4K. 4K output requires a 4K compatible device or display.

For more information, please see www.tonyhawkthegame.com.

© 2025 Activision Publishing Inc. ACTIVISION and PRO SKATER are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. TONY HAWK is a registered trademark of Tony Hawk, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.


The post Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remastered Makes Me Feel Young Again appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Overwatch 2: Introducing Freja – The Most Challenging and Rewarding Hero Yet

Overwatch 2: Introducing Freja – The Most Challenging and Rewarding Hero Yet

Summary

  • Freja is a challenging Hero designed to reward strategic movement and precise aiming, offering a highly rewarding experience for dedicated players. 
  • Senior game producer for Overwatch, Kenny Hudson, takes a closer look at Freja’s kit. 
  • Freja joins Overwatch 2’s Stadium on May 20. 

Hey Heroes! Ready your Revdraw Crossbows because Freja, the 43rd Hero to join Overwatch 2, is here to make her mark (literally). She’s a bounty hunter with deadly precision and is said to have one of the most exciting—and challenging—kits we’ve developed yet. But does she live up to that rather specific hype? Let’s take a closer look.  

Where Freja Began 

Freja isn’t just your average DPS; she’s a projectile powerhouse with mobility, control, and a knack for lighting up the battlefield. From concept to combat-ready, Freja was built to resonate with both the high-skill players craving a challenge and the community of lower-ranked players missing the thrill of projectile DPS. We leaned into the fantasy of a high-mobility projectile Hero, combining movement finesse and precision to create a gameplay style that feels rewarding for those who dare to master it.  

Her backstory is just as awesome. Freja was once a search-and-rescue operative known for her unwavering determination to save others. But her hardened heart and relentless drive turned her into a feared bounty hunter, delivering justice on her own terms and always hitting her mark.  

But Freja isn’t just a rogue with a cool leather jacket. Her kit reflects who she is—equal parts seeker, hunter, and explosive force of nature.  

Breaking Down Freja’s Kit 

Freja’s kit is where the magic happens. Her abilities reward precision and punish hesitation, making her a unique and formidable DPS Hero. Here’s what you need to know to dominate the battlefield with her arsenal.  

Revdraw Crossbow  

You can unload rapid-fire bolts to keep the pressure on, or play the patience game to land deadly accurate shots. Mastering this weapon means balancing speed and precision for optimal damage output.  

Take Aim (Explosive Bolt)  

Think of this as Freja’s bread and butter. Line up the perfect shot and watch your enemies scatter like confetti. The explosive bolt isn’t just flashy; it’s a key damage-dealing tool, especially when you use it in tandem with her Quick Dash.  

Quick Dash  

This ability is a game-changer. Quick Dash lets you move in any direction while reloading your explosive bolt, giving you unparalleled mobility and positioning options. Use it cleverly to outmaneuver opponents or reset your ability cooldowns.  

Updraft  

Time to take to the skies! Updraft launches you high, making rooftop campers and high-ground enemies quake. It’s mobility with a purpose, offering new angles of attack or a quick getaway when things heat up.  

Bola Shot  

A nod to Freja’s bounty hunter roots, the Bola Shot snags your enemy, briefly restraining their movement and dragging nearby teammates into chaos. Use it to disrupt key enemy plays or set up a devastating combo.  

Every ability in Freja’s kit serves to reward clever positioning, calculated aim, and quick-thinking agility. The combination of mechanics makes her a difficult—but highly satisfying—to master Hero for players ready to level up their projectile DPS skills.  

A Kit Designed to Challenge

But is Freja really challenging? Absolutely. And that’s by design. When we set out to create her, the team wanted to craft a Hero who rewarded synergy between movement and aim. Freja requires thinking strategically at all times, balancing rapid mobility with carefully placed shots.  

More importantly, we wanted her to be fun. The Updraft ability? That’s us saying, “Go ahead, explore new ways to ambush your enemies or escape danger.” Bola Shot? That’s pure chaos and crowd control, giving rise to moments you’ll be clipping to show off to your friends.  

Freja is the type of Hero built for those who enjoy pressing a lot of buttons (but pressing them smartly) while juggling movement and precision at the same time. She’s not necessarily forgiving—but for players willing to invest the time, she’s incredibly rewarding.  

Some Pro Tips

Here are a few tricks from our dev team to help you get started with Freja:  

Combo Your Abilities. Use Quick Dash to reset your Explosive Bolt cooldown, allowing you to fire it more frequently. Bonus points if you use Updraft to gain a better angle for your shot!

Predict Your Targets. Since Freja’s primary fire uses projectiles, you’ll want to aim slightly ahead of where your target is moving. If you’re struggling with leading your shots, spend some time using AI bots to practice in the Practice Range.

Maximize Your Perks. If cooldowns are getting you down, try equipping the Ready to Hunt perk. It grants you an extra Quick Dash charge, so you’ll have more chances to reset your abilities during frantic fights.

Stay Agile. Freja thrives off movement, so standing still is a no-go. Use her Quick Dash and Updraft to reposition constantly, keeping enemies guessing and giving you better angles to deliver those clutch shots.

So, Is Freja the Most Challenging Hero Yet?

We think so! Freja is much more than Overwatch’s newest Hero; she’s a testament to the game’s continued evolution in rewarding precision, creativity, and skill. Her kit showcases the best of what a DPS Hero can be, built to test and excite even the most seasoned players.  

Whether you’re a Grandmaster looking for a Hero to conquer or a Gold player rediscovering the joys of projectile DPS, Freja is here to deliver a versatile, high-skill experience. Now it’s time to grab your Revdraw Crossbow, hop into the battlefield, and see what she’s capable of.  

Want More Freja?

Dig deeper into her lore, learn pro-level tips, or peek behind the scenes with developer insights on the Overwatch 2 Blog. Or skip the reading and head straight to Quick Play—Freja isn’t waiting around to be figured out. Got a killer Bola Shot moment? Share it with us! We love watching the chaos you create.  

Stay sharp, Heroes. Freja isn’t missing her mark, and neither should you. 

Freja is live in the game now and joins Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode beginning May 20. For more information about Overwatch 2, visit PlayOverwatch.com.  

Overwatch® 2

Blizzard Entertainment


2002

Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass

Overwatch® 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatch’s 40 distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes.

Overwatch 2 – Season 16: Stadium

Enter the ultimate battleground with Stadium mode, an all-new experience where customization takes the reigns in a fun, best of seven, round based fight. Then, celebrate the launch with the Stadium: Initiation seasonal event to unlock exclusive rewards. Plus, the relentless bounty hunter Freja arrives as the latest DPS hero, bringing precision and mobility to every match. Meanwhile, the battlefield transforms with stunning skins, from the Dokiwatch team—led by Mythic Heart of Hope Juno—to Legendary Ashe, Genji, Brigitte, Lifeweaver, and Mauga in the Premium Battle Pass. Whether you’re outwitting opponents in Stadium, hunting your prey with Freja, or wielding magic with Dokiwatch, this season is packed with action, strategy, and a whole lot more.

The Overwatch League™ Token will no longer be purchasable after December 9, 2024. The OWL shop will remain open until at least December 2025, with limited inventory purchasable with players’ remaining OWL token balances.

The post Overwatch 2: Introducing Freja – The Most Challenging and Rewarding Hero Yet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Meet the Cast of Empyreal – How Your Choices Can Create A Powerful Ally or Sworn Enemy

Meet the Cast of Empyreal – How Your Choices Can Create A Powerful Ally or Sworn Enemy

Summary

  • Empyreal is available on Xbox Series X|S on May 8
  • In Empyreal, character questlines and outcomes can differ wildly depending on your actions (or inaction).
  • New Game+ is a big focus for Silent Games – discover what the team is doing to make it a standout experience.

This week, everyone at Silent Games is preparing for the launch of our debut game. It’s been a long time in development and it’s a little surreal knowing that players will finally start exploring the world we’ve created.

Empyreal is an Action RPG set in a brand-new universe. The game begins “in medias res” as you arrive on an uninhabited planet to assist an Expedition that is attempting to explore a colossal Monolith built by an unknown, ancient, lost civilisation. Many of the Expedition Members believe they have found something that will have profound ramifications for all of humanity, but without your help they will not be able to realize their ambition in uncovering its final secrets.

So far much of the information we’ve shared pre-release has somewhat focussed on the Gameplay Mechanics and RPG Systems (of which there are many!). But today we are sharing a brand new “Character Trailer” highlighting the cast of Empyreal exclusively here on Xbox Wire.

This new trailer hints at the relationships you might build and some of the possible pathways in which their stories can unfold, each one featuring multiple – and wildly different – endings.

When the original story and structure of Empyreal was being refined, we had a clear distinction between “Story Characters” and “Vendor NPCs”. The latter intended to merely provide the player with various gameplay functionalities.

In the game code and our internal documentation, these “Story Characters” were designated as “VINPCS” – Very Important Non-Player Characters. This designation meant that these characters had lengthy personal questlines, offering the player character missions to run in parallel to the main story quest.

As we continued building Empyreal, we understood just how important these individual questlines were to the player’s journey and to fleshing out the universe. So, we ultimately did away with this distinction and created bespoke questlines for every character in the game, essentially upgrading them all to that “VIP” status.

The characters you’ll meet all have their own official role in the game as well as their own idiosyncrasies. Some might ask you for help right away, some might be very unimpressed with you, and you will need to work very hard to earn their respect while others have altogether more murky and questionable ambitions which you will only learn if you gain their trust.

Each of these “Character Questlines” explores a different facet of the human condition, based on the ideals of the individual themselves, the challenges they have faced, and what they hope to ultimately achieve.

You’ll also find that these characters are more likely to open up to you should you find their favourite drink to share with them in the Mess Hall at night. There are eight alcohols to find, each one corresponding to a specific character with  a fondness for that particular drink.

Character Questlines in Empyreal all feature multiple endings, with powerful unique abilities and mechanics to acquire if you manage to reach their conclusions. Depending on your actions (or inactions), the fates of these characters can be vastly different; one character may end up fighting by your side as a sworn ally but make different choices and that same character could ambush you and fight you to the death as a boss encounter!

These questlines a huge part of the game. It was very important to us to make every one of your many choices impactful. How each Quests ends very much depends on how you treat the Characters and your level of engagement with them. To have just the one outcome would mean your choices were just not very impactful. These Quests were also built to add more to the story. Bringing in the themes of each Questline allows the player the freedom to try different paths, depending on their own style, and to experience alternate outcomes in subsequent playthroughs if they wish.

To see them all, you’ll need to dive into Empyreal’s New Game+ mode. Rewards obtained from one ending to a Questline are kept in NG+ so it’s possible to collect all Rewards eventually.

NG+ has been a big focus for us at Silent Games, we wanted to ensure players have plenty to discover and experiment with during a second playthrough. You’ll be able toexperience all the quest endings you didn’t see during the first playthrough,as well as several features exclusive to NG+ which offer significant challenges, so you can really push your End Game Builds to the limit.

The narrative of Empyreal draws heavily from classical and existentialist philosophy, theology, and history and this is nowhere better reflected than in the character questlines. As you progress these quests and dig deeper into Empyreal’s themes and lore, perhaps you may even come across a little detail that piques your curiosity enough to look up its inspiration online and learn about the facts – or concepts – behind the ideas presented in the game. 

We can’t wait for you to jump into the world of Empyreal and start meeting the characters and uncovering their stories. Empyreal launches on Xbox Series X|S on May 8.

Empyreal

Secret Mode

Empyreal is a complex, challenging, feature-rich action RPG.
In a far-flung corner of the galaxy an Expedition arrives on a hitherto unexplored planet to find a colossal Monolith built by a lost civilisation.

These are no mere ruins: the Monolith is filled with danger, and the Expedition is ill-equipped to unearth the secrets within.
All eyes turn towards an elite mercenary who may succeed where others have failed.
Venture inside the Monolith and face the automatons that yet remain, remnants of the impossibly ancient civilisation that built this unknowable structure. Survive and uncover revelations that transform our understanding of humanity itself.

Gameplay & Combat:
-Choose one of three weapon archetypes: The Glaive, The Mace & Shield or the Cannon. Each weapon has its own core move set giving each their own unique playstyle.
-Empyreal features a unique blend of RPG Systems and Skill-based Combat. Master the flow of combat with perfectly timed attacks, deflects, parries and even many Abilities that gain additional effects when perfectly timed.
-Find powerful new Equipment, adjust your stats via an extensive modification system and refine your build to perfection.

Abilities System:
-Empyreal features dozens of Abilities with a huge variety of effects including dealing damage, providing defence or healing, extra movement options and other utility.
-Find new Abilities as you progress through the game, many of the most powerful are well-hidden or locked behind lengthy Quests.

Extensive character customisations.
-Experiment with a multitude of Character Creation options or choose one of the 30 presets to jump straight into the action with.
-Choose your character’s background giving you a unique backstory and starting set of equipment. You will also occasionally have the chance to respond with special dialogue options which are specific to your background.

NPC Character Questlines:
-Each member of the expedition has their own personal questline. All of these questlines have multiple endings depending on your choices. It is even possible to fail them entirely…
-Paying close attention to your fellow expedition members will eventually grant powerful rewards but only if you stay the course.

Cartograms:
-One of the most important and unique features in the game. These ancient artifacts are blueprints for aspects you encounter in each level inside the Monolith.
-What enemies you face, what loot you find, how many lives you get, what elements you need a matching resistance to (and more) are all randomly generated. There are many ways each level is different depending on the attributes of the cartogram you use to access it.
-The levels themselves are all designed by hand, and you are rewarded for exploring; so find hidden details, shortcuts and seek out the secrets within.

Boss Battles:
-Each Cartogram contains an end boss. The selected Cartogram defines the loot table of the boss, and the chance of a drop. Epic boss battles enable you to target items you may need for future cartograms.

Sharing & Trading:
-Items including Cartograms can be shared with other players via a Mail system and a Trading Post.

Asynchronous Features:
-Although a single player game, Empyreal has a number of asynchronous features allowing you to feel the presence of other players inside the Monolith. One of these features is ‘Into the Aether’ allowing you to gift an item through a tear in the aether to another player, where it becomes “Aether Touched” and gains a significant stat boost.

The post Meet the Cast of Empyreal – How Your Choices Can Create A Powerful Ally or Sworn Enemy appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Choose Your Own Adventure with the New Challenges Mode for PGA Tour 2K25

Choose Your Own Adventure with the New Challenges Mode for PGA Tour 2K25

PGA Tour 2K25 - Season 2 Key Art

Summary

  • PGA Tour 2K25 – Season 2, launching May 14, includes an all-new Challenges mode that brings bite-sized contests which push your golf skills to the limit. Challenges will continue to evolve with regular updates and new content added throughout each season.
  • Season 2 adds the Old Course at St Andrews Links, a new shot type, and resets the Ranked Ladders—with more exciting content coming soon.
  • Even with a whole new season in full-swing, players can still work on obtaining Season 1 Clubhouse Pass Rewards at any time.

PGA Tour 2K25 is on a mission to maximize golf fun for both golf fans and gamers alike. With Season 2, HB Studios and 2K deliver the kind of post-launch support players deserve, keeping gameplay fresh and exciting well beyond day one.

This season introduces a completely new mode, Challenges, coming May 14, which drops you into bite-sized gameplay moments that will force you to adapt, strategize, and rise to each unique contest. These moments help improve your play—and even better—earn rewards along the way.

Dig Deeper: Challenges

Challenges are inspired by the spirit of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” progression system that lets you carve your own path, pick your rewards, chart your course across the maps, and dive into short gameplay vignettes to test your skills. HB’s goal is to keep the gameplay experience grounded in authentic golf while layering in some arcade feel.

Each Challenge has a set of unique objectives, like finishing with an eagle or better, and pairs it with inventive gameplay modifiers to increase the complexity of that objective. For example, thread your shot through floating rings; land within a specific target on the fairway; or be stuck with only one type of club. These snackable moments are perfect for players who love a quick, focused challenge.

The new Challenges mode is packed with variety, including Trials for tougher gameplay and Spotlight Challenges that put you into iconic moments from golf history. You might find yourself recreating legendary shots like Max Homa’s hole-out eagle from last year, or reliving unforgettable moments played at Quail Hollow. A Technical Skills Challenge might test your precision with tricky uphill putts. This mode is made to keep you on your toes, with each map offering a fun twist—whether you’re chasing mastery or making the highlight reel.

The Charles Schwab Challenge

Challenges will continue to evolve with each season, with new challenges added throughout the year. An all-new 3-hole course built specifically for this mode, in partnership with Charles Schwab, is set to drop in the coming weeks.

The Charles Schwab Challenge course was designed as a 3-Hole “Challenge Course”. So, we wanted to make sure we had 3 different pars for each of the holes.

The course’s 1st Hole starts with a long Par 4 with a challenging approach over a ravine. Hitting the fairway of this hole will be critical if you want to be able to reach the green and control your golf ball.

The 2nd Hole is a daunting, long par 3 over a river, rocks and waste area, forcing the player to focus on the shot at hand and make sure they select the correct club to keep the ball on the putting surface. The better miss will be short in the bunkers, rather than long of the green.

The 3rd and final hole is a long, dogleg left par 5. We wanted a par 5 finishing hole to give the players who hit the perfect tee shot and chance to reach the green and give themselves a look at an Eagle putt. The tee shot bend around to the left and the more the player challenges the left side the close and better chance they will have to reach the green

If you’re a player just looking for a fun, fast way to improve your skills, Challenges are the perfect pit stop between full rounds, with a ton more content planned for the future.

What Else Is Coming in Season 2?

There are many things to be excited about, but golf fans young and old will be absolutely chuffed to hear that the Old Course at St Andrews Links is making its official PGA Tour 2K debut in Season 2! Season 2 also re-ups the rewards with a whole new set of upgrades, enhancements, and gear for you to earn as you play.

Along with Greenskeeper-specific cosmetics to make your friends jealous, one of the best rewards is a new shot type: The Long Flop. As with a standard Flop Shot, this shot is performed with a wedge and features a high trajectory, plenty of spin, and a short run. This shot is designed to pack a little more oomph—perfect for when your last shot came up just short. No one will ever know.

PGA Tour 2K25 is available for all players on Xbox Series X|S, from May 14. For now, you can read more about Season 2 here!


PGA TOUR 2K25 Legend Edition

2K


168

$119.99

Be at the top of your game with PGA TOUR 2K25 Legend Edition! Dress like the best with Tiger’s own Sun Day Red Pack. In addition, get playable Chris McDonald, powerful upgrades, a whole lot more in a staggering FIVE additional content packs.

Legend Edition includes:
•PGA TOUR 2K25
•Sun Day Red Pack: Red Polo, Black Hat, Black Pants and White Glove + Tiger’s TaylorMade Driver Qi10 LS
•Malbon Bucket Ball Pack: 3 Malbon Golf Balls
•Member’s Pass: Clubhouse Pass Premium (Seasons 1-5), Clubhouse Gear Pack—1 outfit per body type per season
•Birdie Pack: Titleist GT4 Driver, Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball, FootJoy Premiere Series – Field Shoes, and Umbrella Hat
•Starter Pack: 1 Evo Tool, 5 Level-Up Tokens, 5 Club Fittings, 3 Ball Fittings, and 1800 VC
•Extra Butter x adidas Pack: Playable Chris McDonald and Extra Butter x adidas cosmetic hat, jacket, and shoes

REAL FEEL
New EvoSwing mechanics give more club control than ever! Swing your swing and play your game with new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements.

MAKE HISTORY IN MAJOR TOURNAMENTS
The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship make their PGA TOUR 2K franchise debut.

MyCAREER AND MyPLAYER, YOUR WAY
Step into the most immersive MyCAREER yet. Dynamically simulate rounds, play through training and pre-tournament events. Be your authentic self in MyPLAYER with diverse customizations, upgraded Skill Trees, plus new Attribute Point and Equipment Progression systems.

SEASONS—BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
Power increases for equipment progression, Ranked leaderboard resets, regular content updates + more. Progress at your own pace—play through past Seasons even when a new one is live.

GRAB A CLUB, GRAB A FRIEND
Robust multiplayer match types include Match Play, Scramble, or Skins—online or local. Earn season rewards in daily and weekly tournaments. Compete with friends wherever they play with cross-platform societies.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER COURSE ARCHITECT
Design your dream course with Course Designer! Show off your courses in all their natural beauty with an all-new camera system, plus new tools, surfaces and more control with higher-res terrain.

PGA TOUR 2K25: NEXT ROUND, BEST ROUND

Certain features of the game, including the in-game store, may not be accessible by child accounts. A child means players under the age of 13, unless local laws specify differently.


PGA TOUR 2K25 Deluxe Edition

2K


191

$99.99

Elevate your game with PGA TOUR 2K25 Deluxe Edition, the newest iteration of the highest-rated golf sim franchise of the decade*. Play as Chris McDonald, gain an edge with extra upgrades, and show your personal style with more cosmetics. In a 2K-first, hit the green in three prestigious Majors: The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. More options than ever in MyCAREER, MyPLAYER and Course Designer. Challenge friends with cross-platform multiplayer!

Deluxe Edition includes:
•PGA TOUR 2K25
•Birdie Pack: Titleist GT4 Driver, Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball, FootJoy Premiere Series – Field Shoes, and an Umbrella Hat
•Starter Pack: 1 Evo Tool, 5 Level-Up Tokens, 5 Club Fittings, 3 Ball Fittings, and 1800 VC
•Extra Butter x adidas Pack: Playable Chris McDonald and Extra Butter x adidas cosmetic hat, jacket, and shoes

REAL FEEL
New EvoSwing mechanics give more club control than ever! Swing your swing and play your game with new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements.

MAKE HISTORY IN MAJOR TOURNAMENTS
The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship make their PGA TOUR 2K franchise debut.

MyCAREER AND MyPLAYER, YOUR WAY
Step into the most immersive MyCAREER yet. Dynamically simulate rounds, play through training and pre-tournament events. Be your authentic self in MyPLAYER with diverse customizations, upgraded Skill Trees, plus new Attribute Point and Equipment Progression systems.

SEASONS—BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
Power increases for equipment progression, Ranked leaderboard resets, regular content updates + more. Progress at your own pace—play through past Seasons even when a new one is live.

GRAB A CLUB, GRAB A FRIEND
Robust multiplayer match types include Match Play, Scramble, or Skins—online or local. Earn season rewards in daily and weekly tournaments. Compete with friends wherever they play with cross-platform societies.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER COURSE ARCHITECT
Design your dream course with Course Designer! Show off your courses in all their natural beauty with an all-new camera system, plus new tools, surfaces and more control with higher-res terrain.

PGA TOUR 2K25: NEXT ROUND, BEST ROUND

*Based on average Metascore from Metacritic as of February 28 2025.

Certain features of the game, including the in-game store, may not be accessible by child accounts. A child means players under the age of 13, unless local laws specify differently.


PGA TOUR 2K25

2K


205

$69.99

Enjoy putts, pars, and precision like never before with PGA TOUR 2K25, the newest iteration of the highest-rated golf sim franchise of the decade*. In a 2K franchise-first, make a name for yourself in three prestigious Majors: The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. Personalize your game with expanded MyCAREER, MyPLAYER and Course Designer options, and challenge friends across ranked, casual, and cross-platform multiplayer.

REAL FEEL
Swing your swing and play your game with new EvoSwing mechanics—new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements.

MAJOR TOURNAMENTS HAVE ARRIVED
The U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship make their 2K Franchise debut.

MyCAREER AND MyPLAYER, YOUR WAY
Step into the most immersive MyCAREER yet. Dynamically simulate rounds, play through training and pre-tournament events. Be your authentic self in MyPLAYER with diverse customizations, a new Attributes Points system, upgraded Skill Trees, and an all-new Equipment Progression system.

SEASONS—BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
Power increases for equipment progression, Ranked leaderboard resets, regular content updates + more. Progress at your own pace—play through past Seasons even when a new one is live.

GRAB A CLUB, GRAB A FRIEND
Robust multiplayer match types include Stroke Play, Match Play, or Scramble—online or local. Challenge friends wherever they play with cross-platform societies.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER COURSE ARCHITECT
Design your dream course with Course Designer! New tools, surfaces, objects, and more control with higher-res terrain. Show off your courses in all their natural beauty with an all-new camera system.

Unlimited golfing possibilities await! Reserve your tee time now.

*Based on average Metascore from Metacritic as of January 1 2025.

Certain features of the game, including the in-game store, may not be accessible by child accounts. A child means players under the age of 13, unless local laws specify differently.


PGA TOUR 2K25 First Look

2K


101

Your climb to the top starts with the PGA TOUR 2K25 First Look!

Step up to the first tee and get started on your journey in the newest iteration of the best-selling and highest-rated golf sim franchise of the decade.* Create your custom golfer and play the tight fairways, tough bunkers and stunning bodies of water at the famous TPC Sawgrass. Make your debut drive in this First Look—then carry your progress over to the full game!**

PGA TOUR 2K25 First Look Features:
•MyPLAYER—Build up to 3 MyPLAYERS and express yourself in the most customizable experience yet
•9 Holes—Enjoy 9 Holes of a select course to practice your game***
•EvoSwing—New mechanics nail the feel of swinging a golf club in a way that no other title has
•Earned Edge—Carry your MyPLAYER progress over to the full game

Take your first swing at golf greatness—DOWNLOAD NOW

*Based on average Metascore from Metacritic and NPD and GSD sales data as of January 1, 2025.
**Requires 2K Account and full game purchase on the same platform. Terms apply.
***Select course may be subject to change over time.


The post Choose Your Own Adventure with the New Challenges Mode for PGA Tour 2K25 appeared first on Xbox Wire.