How to Survive Your First Run in Elden Ring Nightreign
As the saying goes, the night is dark and full of terrors. That adage is proven true time and time again in Elden Ring Nightreign, the latest game from the merciless game design wizards at FromSoftware. Taking a page (or, rather, multiple pages) from their entire catalog dating back to the first Dark Souls, Nightreign somehow manages to offer an experience that simultaneously feels familiar and brand-new.
A lot of the familiarity is due to the fact that the environments, weapons, and combat look and feel a lot like Elden Ring. On the flip side, the game’s multiplayer-only focus and its bevy of new gameplay mechanics, from wall-jumping up cliffsides to sprinting around the countryside, almost make Nightreign feel like a totally different game than anything From has made before. Of course, there’s one way in which Nightreign feels like every other game in FromSoftware’s oeuvre: It’s going to kick your butt and it’s going to kick it often.
The basic gist of the game is this: three players swoop into Limveld to survive for two in-game nights as they battle their way around the map, leveling up and collecting gear so they can eventually defeat the Night Lord on the third night. It’s obviously much, much more detailed than that, so we’ll leave it to you to read the Elden Ring Nightreign: Answering 20 Burning Questions feature we wrote earlier this year while we focus on something more important. Namely, helping you to stay alive.
Hopefully these tips will not only help you survive the night’s terrors but can even give you a fighting chance at taking down the first Night Lord on your first try. [Editor’s Note: you won’t, but it’s nice to have dreams.]
Take a Few Minutes to Get Acclimated
As mentioned above, there are a number of new gameplay mechanics introduced in Elden Ring Nightreign that might take longtime players some time to get used to. You can sprint, you can climb up to high areas thanks to a double wall jump, and you’ve got a number of new attacks like Character Skills and Ultimate Arts to play with. Thankfully, the game does offer a tutorial of sorts when you fire it up for the first time, so you can learn the basics.
The Roundtable Hold has also returned from Elden Ring, offering a new area to test your skills against dummies (while also allowing you to tweak the combat settings to your heart’s desire). Finally, you can also launch a solo mission from the Hold; while we can essentially guarantee you won’t survive the first night, it’s a great way to get your bearings and figure out the new mechanics.
Find Your Fighter (and Your Friends)
When you start Nightreign, you’ll see that there are six different characters to choose from, each with a different gameplay style (there are two more that are unlocked after you defeat your first Night Lord). A very quick breakdown: Ironeye is a ranged fighter, Guardian is the defensive bulwark, Raider acts as massive, up-close-and-person brawler, Executor is a high-dexterity Cuisinart, Recluse is an elemental sorceress, and Wylder is an all-around, middle-of-the-road fighter.
It’s worth experimenting at the aforementioned training ground to see if any of them strike your fancy, but a lot of your decision will boil down to choosing a character that compliments the others in your group of three. We found great success in using two melee fighters in Raider and Wylder, with Ironeye hanging back and reviving us with his arrows whenever we fell (in addition to taking off big chunks of enemy health with his Ultimate Art). It’s definitely worth experimenting and mixing things up the more you play though. Or, hey, try going with three of the same character just to see what happens!
Use Your Map and Plot a Course
After you land in Limveld, it’s natural to want to get fighting. After all, you’ve got a storm closing in on you! However, it’s always good to take a minute to check your map to see what’s nearby. Flask upgrades found in chapels always come in very handy, as do easy-to-defeat mini-bosses (lol “easy”) often found under churches that can help you get a few levels right off the bat. The pin system in Nightreign works quite well, as your teammates can essentially accept your pin to prioritize it on the directional map at the top of their screen. While plotting a course is helpful, the most important survival tip is knowing when you’re better off turning tail and running away from a mini-boss that’s too powerful – or any time you’re stuck in a bad situation.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
If RPGs have taught us gamers anything over the years, we should always pick up gear with bigger numbers. While that might sometimes be the case when it comes to Nightreign’s weapons(particularly the ones you get from defeating bosses and mini-bosses), there’s a new strategy at play here. In addition to raw attack power, each weapon possesses passive bonuses that you’ll get just for having them in your inventory. So take a minute to look past that red number that’s lower than the one you’re already holding and see if this so-called weaker weapon can provide an advantage to your build – even if you never swing it – that might help you make it just a little further.
Communication is Key
We all know that communication is essential in multiplayer games, but I’m convinced that it might be more important in Nightreign than any other. Breaking free from the group and going your own way is almost always a recipe for disaster, both for you and for whatever unfortunate teammate comes to rescue you (I’ve been on both sides of that equation). There will also be plenty of times when you’ll pick up an item that would be better suited to a teammate’s character. And while Nightreign does offer a number of great, easy-to-use non-verbal communication tools (like the pins mentioned above), they’ll never be as good as good old-fashioned microphones and party chat.
Cooperation? Collaboration? Yep, Do Those
Sticking together and communicating won’t matter much if you’re not actually working together. There are plenty of examples in Nightreign where three heads are better than one. For example, we found great success when our Ironeye plinked away at an enemy’s shield from the front, allowing us melee gents to circle around and attack from the back. There were also a number of occasions in which one of us would find an item that would provide a minor passive upgrade to our character but would be much better in the hands of another. Timing our Ultimate Arts made a huge difference in some boss battles, as one Ultimate would stun the boss and allow the others to land theirs without the risk of missing and wasting it.
If at First You Don’t Succeed…
The tips above are definitely going to be helpful, but let’s be real: you’re probably going to die a few times before you even get to the first Night Lord (a three-headed, sword-wielding canine named Gladius) – and then die again a few times before you can defeat him.
It’s OK though! Not only will every run reward you with precious Relics that can give your character a boost heading into the next run, you’re almost guaranteed to learn something along the way that will help you the next time.
We’ll see you in Limveld, Nightfarer!
[Editor’s Note: a tip of the cap to Will for not try to work “Night Train” by Guns N’ Roses or “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and The Pips into this Nightreign feature. Woo woo!]
ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.
RISE TOGETHER
Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.
BECOME A HERO
Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair. While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.
TAKE ON THE NIGHT
Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!
*There is also a Deluxe Edition product available. Please be careful not to purchase the same content twice.
Cryptmaster, a narrative adventure where your words are your power, had a popular in-universe card minigame, “Whatever,” that you could play against certain characters to win more cards to add to your deck. First, let’s take a look at Whatever and understand how this deckbuilding minigame became so popular.
In Whatever, your goal is to eliminate your opponent’s life before they destroy yours. This is accomplished by playing letter tabs (think the letters in Scrabble!) that match the letters in the names of the cards in your hand. If you complete a card’s name, then its ability goes into effect, which ranges from healing yourself, dealing damage to the opponent, increasing your hand size, and way more.
If you defeat your opponent, you can win a card to integrate into your deck and win souls that can be used in the main game for powerful attacks. This is why it’s a minigame– Whatever card battles break up the flow of your progression through the dungeon crawler and provide resources for you to continue progressing. What we never expected was how much players would get into it.
In the Anniversary Update, there are a few improvements to Whatever which shake up the minigame, add more opportunities to strategize and strengthen your deck, and face new opponents bringing their own strengths and weaknesses to challenge you. We thought of this as “maximizing the minigame.” What if a player wanted to play Cryptmaster entirely for Whatever? How could we serve that player best?
First off, we added so many new cards to the minigame. I’m talking triple digits amounts! Over 100 new cards with new effects and combinations for players to play with. Part of it is giving new tools for players to play with but we also wanted to maximize card synergies to making deck construction more compelling. Do you go risky and have many cards share the same letters? You’d deal more damage and get more effects off but you could spend entire turns missing your needed letters. Or you could play more conservatively where you’re more likely to hit your letters but less likely to hit multiple cards at a time. I’ll be curious how players will play with the new cards.
With so many new cards, we also brought a new place to play Whatever and meet new characters to play with. The tavern was built in the Downwood area and many familiar faces come there to play. If players defeat all five opponents, they move onto the next floor to face off against the more competitive players of the dastardly card game. Meet the Innkeeper who runs the building and the mysterious Highwayman who hides in the shadows but is willing to keep their side of the deal. More opponents means more decks to play against, more challenges and puzzles to solve so players can continue to collect the cards and refine their strategies.
When we saw people connecting with Whatever and how much they enjoyed playing the minigame, we were ecstatic to think of new ideas and new content to support the growing love for Whatever. With new characters each with their own stories, over 100 new cards with unique abilities, new locations to play in, and more, there are hours of new content to dive into for the in-universe card minigame, Whatever. Simply type “whatever” and deal the cards.
Whatever…direction you choose, you’re sure to find new challenges in the Cryptmaster Anniversary Update, out now on Xbox.
SAY ANYTHING in this bizarre dungeon adventure where words control everything. Fill in the blanks with text or voice to uncover lost abilities, embark on strange quests, and solve mindbending riddles. Can you conquer the crypt and uncover the mystery at the heart of CRYPTMASTER?
In the ancient past, four brave heroes banded together to destroy a terrible evil, giving their lives to save countless others. But now their eternal rest has been disturbed by the Cryptmaster, a capricious necromancer in whose thrall they must ascend through the buried strata of the city above them – the gloomy Bonehouses, mysterious Sunken Sea and freakish Downwood.
With the enigmatic Soulstone in hand, the four adventurers must recover their memories, solve whimsical puzzles and defeat outlandish enemies. From fishing and card games to bardic rap battles, finding the right word is the key to success. Who knows, maybe you’ll even remember a little more than you bargained for…
Raymond Estrada, Deron Mann, Jairo Lopes, Steven Allen, Jessica Ronnell, Oscar Polanco – ID@Xbox Gaming Gurus
Games are an excellent, though sometimes unexpected, medium for feeling connected. Obviously, there are online multiplayer games that by definition connect us, but that word, connection, has completely differing, nuanced meanings to us all. Whether you think of the connections we have to our culture, to nature, to warm memories, or even just enjoying quality time with friends and family, we seek connectivity to enrich our lives. Even though they were as different as you could possibly imagine, looking at the six indie games our ID@Xbox team handpicked for this month, it was clear that if there was a theme that tied them together, it was connection.
And as with every month, our team is connecting you with some of our favorite new indie titles. Whether you’re in the mood for nostalgic game design and characters, narratives about growing up during a pivotal moment in history, an immersive journey joined together by two contrasting perspectives, or the literal sense of connecting your phone to your Xbox to fire up a game with your friends, each title we’re presenting to you this month offers a unique way for you to experience a connection in one way or another. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
Set in Quito in 2001, as Ecuador nears qualification for its first men’s World Cup while still reeling from an economic crisis, this first-person narrative tells a deeply personal, pseudo-autobiographical story about soccer, community, and growing up through the eyes of the two developers, Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena. It powerfully illustrates how soccer (or football, however you want to call it) often serves as a release valve—a thread of hope woven through challenging times.
The ball-kicking mechanics are the game’s beating heart, and it’s very well connected to the intuitive and light controls. The game is played from a first-person perspective, unfolding over a handful of days, each connected to Ecuador’s World Cup qualifying matches. You’ll see echoes of those key moments scattered throughout the world—on radios, in street chatter and televisions. The gameplay gently blends small narrative quests with the ever-present distraction of a ball, or anything else that you’re able to kick, bounce off walls or tap between people’s legs, which can lead to consequences and some very fine writing.
Maybe I’m so drawn to Despelote because soccer was a big part of my life growing up in Brazil. I still remember rushing out of school to play on the street with friends until my mom called me in for dinner. I’ve also seen firsthand how sport becomes a lifeline during political instability, economic hardship, and social inequality. To me, Despelote beautifully highlights those two things. And even if you’ve never felt that kind of bond with the sport, don’t worry, this can still be a game for you – and it might help you understand what it means to those of us who have. – Jairo Lopes
Despelote is a soccer game about people. Get immersed in the streets and parks of Quito through the eyes and ears of eight year old Julián. Dribble, pass and shoot your soccer ball around town, and see what happens when you kick it someone’s way. Feel the city change as Ecuador comes closer than ever to qualifying for the World Cup.
In-person game nights with friends are a ton of fun, but can be a bit intimidating for some if the games begin to lean into more layered, strategic gameplay. Enter Sunderfolk, a couch co-op, turn-based tactical RPG with a surprising twist through the inclusion of some innovative phone controls. On the surface, the gameplay is reminiscent of popular tabletop games like ‘Gloomhaven’, with incredibly dense mechanics, goals, events, modifiers, and so on. These are great games, but that level of intense, knowledge-based gameplay can seem nearly unapproachable for novice players like me. This is where Sunderfolk stands apart by streamlining a lot of those elements.
You load up the game, everyone downloads the mobile app via the onscreen QR code, and you each pick from six familiar, pre-built classes represented by an awesomely designed anthropomorphic animal. I mean, who doesn’t want to play a giant bearserker? No character sheets to customize, everyone’s just ready to go from the off, and thrown right into the campaign. Each class fills a specific role that can either aid your group while maneuvering on the hex-grid board, damaging and pushing enemies around, or giving buffs/debuffs.
There are weapons, items, and skills that can be equipped to affect stats, and some deckbuilding elements, but you won’t have a wall of text to memorize. But just because the set-up is simple doesn’t mean Sunderfolk comes without complexity. As you level up, you gain new abilities but have to choose which ones to bring to each mission. Missions themselves can have a number of objectives that go beyond “go kill this thing” – sometimes you will need to escort NPCs to safety or solve a puzzle. There are also some competitive aspects in the game, as gold and treasure are not shared. So, while you are prioritizing getting an enemy down, someone else might be spending their turn heading to the shiny treasure chest you wanted.
There are so many elements that I was pleasantly surprised to have seen done so well. The main and most apparent highlight is the fact that jumping into a campaign with a phone was just as easy as setting up a Jackbox Party game. However, my two favorite things were not what I expected. The first is naming things in game. Occasionally, you will have the opportunity to name things like the Town’s Market, Shrines, enemy classes, food at the tavern, and more. Safe to say, things got unhinged rather quickly. On top of that, I have to mention the VO actor, Anjali Bhimani, playing the role of the GM (Game Master – The one who builds and runs the campaigns). This was a welcome, charming addition that elevates a by-the-book, typical adventure story into something so memorable. I am sure playing the game solo would be a fun experience, but it’s been such a thrill playing with a group, that I have to recommend this as an experience to share with friends. – Raymond Estrada
Sunderfolk requires a free smartphone or tablet app to play. More details below.
Rediscover Game Night with the magic of Sunderfolk, a shared turn-based tactical RPG adventure where your mobile device becomes the controller*. Built with a couch co-op experience in mind, up to four players adventure through the magical and dangerous Sunderlands.
*The free mobile app is required to play the game.
Each player picks one of six classes (Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger, or Rogue). Together, players venture out into the Sunderlands and engage in turn-based tactical combat. During combat, there is no set player turn order, so your strategy can adapt at a moment’s notice to react to evolving battlefield conditions. With new enemies appearing at every turn, it’s up to your party to co-operatively find the best path to success.
Between missions, players return to Arden and help improve their home village. Unlock and upgrade different local vendors, build relationships with other Sunderfolk to earn rewards, and outfit characters with new Skills, Weapons, Trinkets, and more.
As heroes of Arden, protect the town and its Brightshard from the corruption of shadowstone and defeat threats from the surrounding Sunderlands.
Couch Co-Op First
The best adventures are meant to be shared. Up to four players can play together in this new tactical RPG adventure where your mobile device becomes the controller.
Step into a New World
Scan a QR code on the display, download the free Sunderfolk phone app* (on both iOS and Android), and transform your phone or tablet into a controller, hand of cards, rule book, inventory, and more. All friends and family can learn to play quickly, since all they need will be in-hand.
Six Unique Heroes
Traditional RPG classes have been reimagined in Sunderfolk. Take up the mantle of an Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger or Rogue – each with their own playstyle. Tailor your character’s strengths with Skill Cards. Power up with Trinkets and Weapons to craft your character’s build quest-to-quest.
Tactical Combat Inspired by the Tabletop
Each player takes their turn one at a time by choosing one of their Skill Cards to determine their character’s actions. Enemies lurk around every corner, each with their own abilities and strategies, and they will challenge your party to change its approach from one encounter to the next.
Rebuild the Village of Arden
The village of Arden grew around the remnant of a magical substance known as brightstone, but unknown forces from lands outside have started to threaten this community’s very existence. Between quests, return to Arden village to upgrade vendors, acquire new items and equipment, and befriend townsfolk for additional rewards.
Four Players, One Game
Share the experience of Sunderfolk with friends at no extra cost. Our rather unique mobile device as a controller mechanic lets one gamer share the adventure with three friends at no additional cost. A host can even stream a session and have friends join remotely.
Developed by Red Soul Games, Post Trauma is a survival horror game that takes a deep dive into the human psyche. You play as Roman, a retired train conductor who wakes up in a strange, unsettling world that feels like a nightmare brought to life. As you explore, solve puzzles, and piece together Roman’s past, the game slowly but surely pulls you into a chilling and poignant story that really sticks with you.
Right from the beginning, the atmosphere had me hooked. The visuals are hauntingly beautiful, with each environment feeling deliberately crafted to make you feel uneasy in the best way. The sound design was also an exceptional touch. From eerie ambient noises to those sudden musical stings that send a chill down your spine, everything works together to keep you on edge. By the end of my playthrough, I was surprised by how attached I’d become to the story. Though it’s easy to focus on jump scares or creepy creatures (and there are plenty of each to go around), it’s really about Roman’s journey—his trauma, his memories, and the weight he carries. The puzzles add to that sense of immersion too. They’re challenging but not overly frustrating and solving them feels genuinely satisfying.
For Silent Hill or early Resident Evil veterans, Post Trauma will feel familiar in all the right ways in terms of gameplay and atmosphere, while still bringing its own fresh voice and style with its narrative. Post Trauma was a surprisingly emotional, gripping experience that stood with me long after the credits rolled. Grab your controller, kill the lights, and see where Roman’s story takes you. Just… maybe don’t play it alone. – Steven Allen
Post Trauma is a modern interpretation of genre-defining survival horror classics. As you venture deeper into the unknown, you’ll strive to solve the mysteries of your unfamiliar surroundings, hoping to discover hidden truths while trying to stay alive.
Players will explore a terrifying, twisted reality that constantly unsettles as its story shifts and unravels.
Fight or Flight?
In Post Trauma, players control Roman (Togo Igawa), a tormented train conductor who awakes to find himself in a surreal dimension following a terrible panic attack. Faced with horrifying architecture and nightmarish abominations, Roman can choose to defend himself with an array of weapons or try to find the path of least resistance.
A new world of horror that pays homage to the greats
Inspired by key staples of the Survival Horror genre, Post Trauma blends fixed camera angles with stunning visuals through Unreal Engine 5 to create a truly unsettling, yet familiar horror experience. But just when you think you have the answers, this hellscape changes the questions as you enter the unknown to face your greatest fears.
Can you find a way home?
To survive this cruel world, you must piece together an ongoing mystery across several, seemingly unrelated settings. Deducing your environments to find unlikely hints and discovering precious tools in unexpected places will help you make continued progress.
As you find clues and solve puzzles, you’ll gradually learn more about where you are and how you can escape, using a delicate mix of patience and cunning to stay alive. And maybe a pad and paper too.
Built and enriched by world-class talent
Featuring a fully voice acted cast (Togo Igawa, Autumn Ivy, Hyoie O’Grady) and a captivating, ambient audioscape, elevated by a hypnotic score from Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu), Post Trauma has been crafted to be a homage to beloved franchises and a new merging of playstyles. The intent is to create a truly special, unforgettable horror experience fuelled by pure passion and incredible talent.
Lushfoil Photography Sim is a serene first-person exploration and photography game by Matt Newell. Using Unreal Engine 5, it features real-world environments where you can explore and capture stunning photos with an in-game DSLR camera. In a world that seldom slows down, this offers a rare sanctuary: peace.
Playing this game felt like a virtual retreat. No missions, no pressure. Just me, a camera, and some of the most breathtaking virtual landscapes I’ve ever seen. From the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps to the tranquil serenity of a Japanese temple, each environment felt alive and profoundly meditative. It wasn’t merely about snapping photos; it was about learning to see. Adjusting aperture, experimenting with focus, and chasing the perfect light—the camera mechanics were so realistic, I often forgot I was in a game.
What truly resonated with me was the stillness. I would pause to listen to the wind or watch the clouds drift by. I discovered hidden paths, found delightful surprises, and curated a gallery that felt like a personal travelogue. Despite its name, Lushfoil Photography Sim isn’t just a simulator—it’s a gentle reminder to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the beauty in the quiet moments. – Jessica Ronnell
Experience detailed, true-to-life recreations of beautiful and diverse locations around the world. Trek through and explore environments to capture stunning vistas and landscapes with your fully-featured in-game camera. Each environment is filled with objectives to reward players that have a good eye for angles and perspectives, and hidden secrets for those who are patient and observant.
The rich atmosphere of Lushfoil Photography Sim is enhanced by an ambient, ethereal soundtrack featuring licensed music from artists around the world.
Capture the Perfect Shot
The in-game camera includes an abundance of settings that you’d expect from a real-world professional DSLR camera. The camera simulates settings such as Auto/Manual Focus, Flash, Exposure, Contrast, White Balance, Aperture, Burst Shot and other effects for full creative control over your photography. The game further provides tools that allow for manipulation of the environmental conditions for your photos, such as manual adjustment of light angles, fog, snow, wind, and rain.
Off the Beaten Path
Dive deeper into the game’s many locations to find unlockable cameras and experience the world from unique perspectives. Find a first-person drone that allows you to soar above the landscape and capture the world from above, or find a hidden rowboat that allows you to traverse still waters in pursuit of the perfect shot.
Very Efficiently Optimised
Each environment has been created in Unreal Engine 5 and is built from the ground up to be both efficiently optimized and showcase the game’s locations in stunning visual fidelity. There are extensive custom settings that will help the game run on a wide range of PCs, while taking full advantage of high-end graphics cards.
About Me
My name is Matt, I’m from Perth in West Australia and I’ve been working on this project solo for about 4 years (as of April 2023). As an avid hiker and photographer I hope you’re able to appreciate the atmosphere and details I have tried to encapsulate in these environments. I sincerely hope you have a great experience :’)
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is a narrative-driven walking sim set in the 17th century, deep into the wilderness of what is now Canada. This first-person episodic game is an emotional, atmospheric journey told through two distinct perspectives.
You begin the story as Jeanne, a young French woman, along with her loyal dog Capitaine, the only survivors of a shipwreck. The choices you make shape her story – not just the events, but how she perceives the world around her. Lean into faith, and she grows more devout and dogmatic. Focus on survival and pragmatism, and her worldview shifts. The game makes you feel the weight of every decision.
But soon you’ll play as Maikan, a hunter from the Innu people with a different view of the land. His story revolves around the survival of his people, their traditions, and the looming threat of cultural erasure brought by colonizers.
One of my favorite things from Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is the subtle ways it presents different perspectives. For example, Jeanne sees the environment in a more monochromatic, fearful way, while Maikan sees the environment as more colorful and welcoming. This dual perspective is powerful and creates a deep bond with the characters. What I loved most is how the game doesn’t beat you over the head with its themes but trusts you to notice the nuances.
The world is rich with exploration and environmental storytelling. You unravel a mystical mystery through enveloping visuals, and haunting sound design that draws you deeper into the setting. The art style is gorgeous and complements the pace of the gameplay. It reminded me of Firewatch in how it slowly builds atmosphere and connection, not just through dialogue but with the environment and supportive characters being as important to the story as the main protagonists.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience that challenges your perspectives in a beautifully and authentic crafted story and with a mystical mystery to unravel, Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is worth the journey. – Oscar Polanco
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is a first-person single player, narrative-driven experience that presents contrasting perspectives on French and Indigenous first encounters. Be prepared to face the dangers of Canadian wilderness and to make choices that could affect your characters.
Explore 17th century Canadian wilderness in this 3D linear game and experience the intertwining journeys of Jeanne, a French King’s Daughter stranded far from the French colonies and Maikan, a young Innu hunter trying to uncover what is disturbing his native forest, land of his ancestors.
As you play through Two Falls, you’ll uncover the distinct realities and cultures of Jeanne and Maikan, each with their unique perspective on life. With two distinct artistic and musical directions, you’ll interpret the events from their points of view and discover that a single event can have vastly different meanings for each character.
While the story of Two Falls follows a linear path, your choices and actions within the game will have an impact on how Jeanne and Maikan evolve throughout their journey. As they come to terms with the upheaval of their familiar world, you’ll feel their struggles and triumphs in a deeply immersive experience.
Ever wondered what it’d be like if your favorite childhood cartoons took a dark turn? Bendy and the Ink Machine does exactly that – and trust me, it’s as creepy as it is captivating. Initially released back in 2018, Joey Drew Studios has recently released an enhanced version for Xbox Series X|S boosting both graphics and performance. It’s a perfect opportunity for those that missed it the first time around.
This first-person puzzle horror game drops you into an old, abandoned animation studio where something has clearly gone very, very wrong. You play as Henry, a former animator returning to uncover the secrets behind a mysterious ink machine – and the nightmarish cartoon characters it’s brought to life. From the start, Bendy pulls you in with its sepia-toned visuals, vintage cartoon style, and eerie soundtrack. It feels like stepping into a twisted version of a 1930s cartoon reel. As I explored the dimly lit hallways and solved puzzles, I felt a mix of nostalgia and unease – like reliving a memory that had somehow gone rotten.
The gameplay blends horror, puzzles, and exploration in a way that keeps you constantly on your toes. While you are mostly limited to running and hiding from ink monsters, at some point you’ll be able to fend them off with a pipe or axe, though honestly it sometimes felt like you were better off dodging attacks and running like hell. It reminded me a lot of Five Nights at Freddy’s or Little Nightmares, with that same heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat, fight-or-flight feeling that I got playing those games. But what I loved most was how the story slowly unravels, keeping you guessing until the end. Whether you enjoy horror games or are simply looking for something unique and memorable, Bendy will be there… possibly even right behind you. – Steven Allen
Bendy and the Ink Machine® is a first-person puzzle action horror game that begins in the far days past of animation and ends in a very dark future.
Play as Henry as he revisits the demons of his past by exploring the abandoned animator’s workshop of Joey Drew Studios. With twists and turns around every corner, Bendy and the Ink Machine® is sure to thrill you… and decimate your childhood.
PowerWash Simulator: The Muckingham Files Part 6 and New Special Pack Bundles Coming to Xbox
Jess Green, Marketing Manager, FuturLab
Hello Washers! The time has come for our final update for PowerWash Simulator, and what a journey it has been! The Muckingham Files has taken us to Mauka Aitu Desert, with stops at a sunny villa, a quick trip to the Crab Bay Aquarium, and stopping for some paintball along the way.
For our last content drop we will be hopping on the Muckingham Line to clean up the Subway Train, before departing for a trip to the Sculpture Park, where some pesky graffiti needs to be cleaned off for a pristine finish. We hope you enjoy this final free PowerWash Simulator update as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
The Ultimate Satisfaction Bundle is also now available with all 100 levels from the course of the game in one convenient download. If you already own the game, the Satisfying Specials Bundle contains every paid add-on with a discounted price to quickly complete your collection and open up storylines from beloved universes like Shrek, Back to the Future, SpongeBob SquarePants and more.
Whether you’ve been with us busting the grime from the start, or hopped aboard the hype train somewhere down the line, we’d love to say a huge thank you for enjoying this adventure with us and we’d like to share some thoughts and memories from our team at FuturLab as we look back over the years…
Will Dyball, a Multiplayer Programmer at FuturLab: “One of my favourite memories was the first larger inhouse multiplayer test. It was on the monster truck and once everyone joined my group, we started drawing on the truck and I was so relieved it was working. Thank you for not only enjoying playing the game, but creating some amazing content with it!”
Abbas Kahn, a Programmer at FuturLab: “The release of the Warhammer 40,000 Special Pack was a pretty big moment for me personally. It was the first time I had contributed to a game on consoles! Thank you for playing, without our fans PowerWash wouldn’t be where it is today! I hope you’re looking forward to all the cool new features in PWS2!”
Hannah Fisher, QA Tester at FuturLab: “My best memory was the first time I saw my name added in the credits after I started working here – it was such an exciting moment and really made it sink in that I was actually a part of this game! Also working with so many lovely people here at FuturLab. Thank you so much for playing our game and experiencing this journey with us!”
Bara Sigmundardóttir, a 3D Artist at FuturLab: “When we released the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack, it was the first big scene I had worked on mostly solo and the first job that Nick P had created beautiful concept art for. To see how well received the whole pack was and watching people interact with all the little details was just wonderful (especially all the little carrots and bunny ears in the Rabbit house level). Thank you all for continuously enjoying and hyping up our Splish Splash wholesome game, we get to have the coolest jobs because of all of you eager Power Washers!”
Jordan Lewis, a Programmer at FuturLab: “Getting to contribute to a game that so many people find helps them destress and calm down and knowing that I work on a game that helps players various mental health issues really makes all the problems with ladders worth while. Thank you for being one of the most wholesome game communities I have ever seen! “
Elliot Greenwood of Business Development & Licensing at FuturLab: “When nobody batted an eye at power washing under the sea in Bikini Bottom, that opened the floodgates of opportunity for where we could go with our DLCs. It has been so much fun working behind the scenes to get these agreements locked in, and I’d just like to thank you all for letting us run wild with our ambitions.”
We’d again like to thank you for being a part of our PowerWash Simulator community. It has been a smashing time building up a virtual world everyone can enjoy, in little bursts or larger blasts. We wouldn’t be where we are without you all, and your support means more to us at FuturLab than we could ever tell you. The team have poured their hearts and souls into creating a world for you all to escape to and clean, somewhere for you to relax and solo rinse, or a place to gather with friends and catch up over a satisfying wash. We love to see you enjoying all aspects of PowerWash Simulator, from the Gnomes, the friends we’ve made along the way, and not forgetting… The LORE! Thank for embracing our quirky story, this may be the final stop for PowerWash Simulator, but we hope you’ll continue the journey with us on our sequel.
Xbox Game Pass members can play the base game, PowerWash Simulator, as part of their membership. The Muckingham Files – Part 6 is available now for as a free update on the Xbox Store (a copy of PowerWash Simulator is required to play).
The Ultimate Satisfaction Bundle and Satisfying Specials Bundle are available now for a separate purchase on the Xbox Store. The individual special packs have all been released previously, please be careful not to purchase anything in duplicate.
Heavy Riffs, Heavy Hits – Kramer and DOOM: The Dark Ages Team Up to Launch Custom Guitars
Jenny MillerSenior Manager, Xbox Global Brand Partnerships
Get ready to shred through Hell. Kramer Guitars, the iconic brand known for its raw power and rock ‘n’ roll attitude, has teamed up with Bethesda’s DOOM: The Dark Ages to unleash three limited-edition, custom-designed guitars inspired by the brutal and legendary world of DOOM.
In celebration of the launch of DOOM: The Dark Ages, Xbox and Bethesda are giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of metal history. Three custom Kramer guitars, each uniquely crafted to reflect the gritty, medieval aesthetic of the new instalment of DOOM, will be up for grabs in an exclusive giveaway, launching today.
Designed by renowned artist and illustrator, Luke Preece, each guitar’s design was designed and mapped out digitally, before being stencilled onto each guitar and hand painted. The unique designs were carefully applied with multiple layers of paint across several weeks, and each focus on one of the powerful weapons in your arsenal: The Atlan, Serrat The Dragon, and The DOOM Slayer himself.
“DOOM and metal go hand in hand,” explains Preece. “The Kramer brand has such a vast history with heavy music – just like DOOM has with video games – and so collaborating with Kramer is a perfect fit. I actually played guitar for many years before being a full-time illustrator. If I could go back and tell my younger self that I would be working on this, I’m sure he wouldn’t believe it.”
Fans in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands can enter the giveaway starting today by liking and commenting #DOOMGuitarSweepstakes on the announce video hosted on the @xboxuk, @xboxDACH, @xboxfrance, and @xbox_nederland Instagram accounts, for a chance to win one of the three guitars, as well as a selection of limited edition DOOM: The Dark Ages prizes. The winners will be selected at random and announced on June 30, 2025. Check out the full rules, terms and conditions here.
We’re excited to invite all Xbox Insiders on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC to join the Rematch – Final Beta starting today, May 28. Limited space is available so join now to secure your spot for the playtest!
About the Game:
Rematch offers a fresh take on football with third-person, skill-based gameplay where every move—tackle, dribble, aim, and shoot—puts you at the center of the action. With no player stats, success depends entirely on your skill and teamwork. Rematch blends credible football mechanics with an arcade twist, delivering fast-paced, uninterrupted matches. Designed for online multiplayer, it features competitive modes, seasonal content, and deep tactical play that’s easy to pick up but hard to master.
Start: Wednesday, May 28, 5 AM PT (8 AM ET / 12 PM UTC)
End: Saturday, May 31, 5 AM PT (8 AM ET / 12 PM UTC)
How to Participate:
Sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console or Windows PC and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
Navigate to Previews > Rematch Beta
Select Join
Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install REMATCH – Closed Beta
NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.
NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X|S consoles and Windows PC.
How to Provide Feedback:
If you experience any issues while playing Rematch, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:
Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
Select Report a problem.
Select the Games category and Rematch subcategory.
Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.
For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.
The Bark Ages Returns — Raising Hell for a Good Cause
Team Xbox
Summary
Xbox and Bethesda are donating $32,000 to three animal welfare locations (Nebraska, Seattle, and Montgomery Co., MD) in honor of DOOM’s 32-year legacy.
A new “The Bark Ages” charity t-shirt will launch on May 28 at 9am PT / 12pm ET, with all net proceeds going to support the same shelters.
The shirt is available for two weeks only via the Bethesda Gear Store, shipping to the US and select international locations.
For over three decades, DOOM has been about facing demons head-on. Now, we’re channeling that same spirit into fighting for something even more meaningful: animals in need.
To celebrate the recent launch of DOOM: The Dark Ages, Xbox and Bethesda are teaming up with three animal shelters to support shelters across the country — and unleashing a brand-new wave of chaos-turned-compassion with an updated version of our fan-favorite The Bark Ages charity t-shirt.
Last year, fans at QuakeCon rallied behind the original Bark Ages design, raising thousands for Dallas Pets Alive with a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the world’s most ferocious (and adorable) four-legged fighters. This year, we’re going even bigger: Xbox is donating $32,000 — one thousand for every year since DOOM first rocked the world — to three animal welfare organizations; Nebraska Humane Society, Seattle Humane, and Montgomery County Humane Society.
And on May 28 at 9am PT / 12pm ET, we’re officially launching the new Bark Ages t-shirt on the Bethesda Gear Store. The net proceeds from sales will go directly to support those same animal welfare organizations locations. The shirt will only be available for two weeks, so act fast — and do good.
Whether you’re a DOOM Slayer or a dog lover (or both), this is your chance to gear up and give back.
Because every good Slayer deserves a loyal companion.
DISCOVER
Seattle Humane – Seattle Humane is more than a shelter – they are a pet resource center for the region, providing adoption services, a pet food bank and support for pet owners, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary care, dog training, humane education for all ages and more. With the support of their generous community, Seattle Humane save lives, complete families and keep pets with the people who love them. Learn more at SeattleHumane.org.
Montgomery County Humane Society– For over six decades, the Montgomery County Humane Society has been rescuing, caring for and adopting out homeless pets, with unwavering compassion and dedication. But today, we’re more than just an animal rescue. We’re building a more humane future, one paw at a time. In addition to saving hundreds of lives every year, we’re supporting pets and their people with affordable spay/neuter, vaccinations and other care, and we offer a pet food pantry that gives a lifeline to families who are facing hardship. And, we continuously seek new programs to add that are designed to strengthen the human-animal bond and promote the welfare of all animals in our community. Learn more at: www.mchumane.org
Nebraska Humane Society– The Nebraska Humane Society protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities they serve. Sheltering has evolved to not just include those within the Nebraska Humane Society’s walls, but also those needing help in the community. They have established several programs to assist those in need, educate about proper pet ownership and improve the wellbeing of all pets in the Omaha area. Learn more atwww.nehumanesociety.org
Dead by Daylight: Five Nights At Freddy’s Brings Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria To The Fog
Mitch Findlay Brown, Senior Copywriter, Dead by Daylight
Five Nights At Freddy’s has cemented its place in the horror gaming hall-of-fame. From its beginnings as a breakout hit to its explosion into a massive multimedia franchise, it’s safe to say that the Animatronics of Freddy’s have invaded the homes and minds of millions of gamers around the world.
Today, Dead by Daylight has brought Five Nights At Freddy’s into The Fog in a major way, with a new Chapter featuring Springtrap as a playable Killer. Not only can players deliver brutal jump scares with an incredible Power and 3 character-specific Perks, but they can do so in an immersive and detailed recreation of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.
Welcome To Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place
The atmosphere of Five Nights At Freddy’s is an integral part of its horror, and it was imperative that the Level Design team captured that in their recreation of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place.
While players will certainly be keen to enter the notorious building, there’s still plenty to accomplish outside, with Generators to repair and Hooks to serve The Entity. In fact, having access to internal and exterior areas was an intentional design choice for gameplay balance purposes, allowing the team to create larger, more dynamic loops.
Upon entering Freddy Fazbear’s, players will immediately be swept into a nostalgia-tinted nightmare. Don’t let the festive balloons lull you into a false sense of security. Remember how quickly the laughter turned to screams, and know that history has a way of repeating itself.
“It’s such a fun idea to have juxtaposing ideas in horror,” explains Associate Art Director Chase Toole. “We have a children’s pizzeria juxtaposed with all the gruesome imagery and backstory associated with the FNAF license. It’s something that really taps into a familiar sort of fear.”
Into The Dining Hall
Delving deeper into Fazbear’s will bring you into the Dining Hall, where closer inspection will reveal blood spattered across the stage, barely covered by a shredded curtain.
“When you first look at the Map, it almost seems like a fun place for the whole family – until you start to notice the terrible things everywhere,” continues Toole. “We always love using environmental storytelling to really fuel the imagination.”
Amidst the birthday decor, you’ll notice that The Entity’s influence has already begun to seep into the Map. For those unfamiliar with Dead by Daylight’s lore, each Map is conjured by The Entity, drawn from the memories of Its victims. That’s why you’ll often see disturbing pustules and various deformations, manifested because of Its eldritch influence.
It’s a symbolic representation of two worlds colliding, and the team always looks for exciting way make The Entity’s presence felt in any crossover Map or Realm.
“We’re always looking to fold in lore from Five Nights At Freddy’s into our own,” continues Toole. “It really helps cement the fantasy that this is a new way to experience being stalked in a settling that players may be used to spending time in.”
“We’re always looking to fold in lore from Five Nights At Freddy’s into our own,” continues Toole. “It really helps cement the fantasy that this is a new way to experience being stalked in a settling that players may be used to spending time in.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Fazbear party without Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie – even if they are lurking in the shadows, keeping to themselves. Don’t be shy, and consider saying a quick hello. They’d certainly love the company.
“Recreating the animatronics was super fun, and required a lot of fun research,” says Toole. “The team spent time trying to find broken or malfunctioning animatronics as references, so we could create realistic animations. Having that tangible feeling really drives home the horror.”
Onward to the kitchen, which players of the first game may enjoy seeing recreated – given that the kitchen camera has remained for the entirety of the series. While the days of serving fresh pies are long gone, there’s still plenty of slicing happening beneath the dilapidated rooftop. Whatever you hear, it’s best to stay away from the stove.
“We took reference from the first game and attempted to reconstruct what a pizzeria would realistically be built like. That’s why we have things like air ducts, mechanical rooms, and of course, the kitchen you see in-game. They reference FNAF, but they also work toward the immersion and believability of the space itself.”
While you’re busy looking at every intricate detail, keep an eye out for some of the Easter Eggs hidden throughout the building. Rest assured there’s plenty of nods to the beloved series, and we hope fans enjoy discovering them all.
So concludes our tour of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place, opening its doors to Killers and Survivors alike at an all-new location – The Fog. If you’re lucky, you might even meet Springtrap!
Dead by Daylight: Five Nights At Freddy’s is available today on Xbox.
Dragon Quest Day is Here – How the Iconic RPG Series Gained Legendary Status
Melanie GordonMarketing Manager, Square Enix
Summary
May 27 is Dragon Quest Day – learn all about the legendary franchise that created the JRPG genre.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is available now on Xbox – start your journey in the Erdrick Trilogy.
Get ready for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake – the continuation of the Erdrick Trilogy. Available October 30, 2025 on Xbox and PC.
Dragon Quest is the beloved series that’s widely credited for founding the entire JPRG (Japanese role-playing game) genre. Every year, fans around the world celebrate Dragon Quest Day on May 27 – the release date of the very first game in 1986. And so: Happy Dragon Quest Day!
Whether this is your first time hearing about the series or you’re a longtime fan, today’s the perfect day to step into the world of these amazing games! So, celebrate with us as we tell you all about the wonders of Dragon Quest.
Introducing Legendary Creators
The Dragon Quest franchise was brought to life by a trio of legendary creators. Yuji Horii is the visionary game designer and creator of the series and has shaped its direction since the original title’s release in 1986. The distinctive character designs were crafted by the late Akira Toriyama, the world-renowned manga artist. Complementing visuals and storytelling is the iconic music composed by the late Koichi Sugiyama.
Together, these three pioneers established a legacy that continues to inspire RPGs today, and each of their specific elements have become the defining traits of the Dragon Quest experience.
Dragon, Quest, Warrior – oh my!
Yuji Horii has stated that the name Dragon Quest is derived from combining the impactful and familiar name “dragon” with “quest,” a word that was relatively unfamiliar in Japan at the time. When Dragon Quest games first came to North America, it was renamed to “Dragon Warrior” because Dragon Quest was already trademarked!
The series continued under that name in the West until Dragon Quest VIII (2005), which marked the first time the Western Market was able to use the Dragon Quest name. Fun fact: this game was also the first Dragon Quest game released in Europe! The franchise has gone by that title globally ever since.
An RPG For Everyone to Enjoy
The first Dragon Quest was designed to be an RPG that anyone could enjoy. Players become the main character on an epic adventure, where they travel through a fantasy world and take on many different threats, from the humble and iconic slimes to the powerful Dragon Lord that threatens all.
The turn-based combat experience meant that battles hinged on careful planning, character roles, and turn order strategy. The game was a critical hit and, as the franchise grew, it gained such popularity that it’s become a true phenomenon in Japan.
Since that first release, right through to the exceptional Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age S – Definitive Edition, the series has maintained a clear identity. While each entry adds new stories, modern gameplay mechanics and other features, they all share the same key traits: that delightful turn-based RPG feel – and an unwavering level of quality.
Remaking the Legendary Erdrick Trilogy in HD-2D
Last year saw a very special release for the series – Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake! The original Dragon Quest III is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful JRPGs of all time. Not only is it beloved by fans, but it also continues to inspire game creators to this day.
Last year’s release reimagined this legendary game with modern features, new content and a beautiful makeover in the HD-2D art style pioneered by games like Octopath Traveller I and II. It’s also a part of the ‘Erdrick Trilogy’ – a saga about a legendary hero and their legacy within the Dragon Quest lore. While each of the three games in the trilogy work as standalone adventures, there are threads and connections between them. As Dragon Quest III is chronologically first, it made sense to release it before the upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.
Of course, remaking such an important and beloved game was no simple task, as producer Masaaki Hayasaka told us:
“I was of course aware that this was a legendary title, so my first thought was, ‘If this fails, I won’t be able to stay in this industry. I would be branded as the man who botched the remake of a legendary title for the rest of my life [laughs]. However, I never felt constrained by that pressure – in fact, I think it served as a constant source of discipline in a positive sense. The choice to use the HD-2D graphical style was born out of a desire to maintain the game’s original identity – while still giving it the visual glow-up that people want.
“Dragon Quest has what you might call a Dragon Quest-ness, characterized by its vivid hues and colorfulness. We knew that if we created the game in the same manner as our previous titles, we would lose some of that distinctiveness.
“Even if we were to sum up the Dragon Quest-ness in one word, each member of the development team had their own ideas, so it was quite a challenge to coordinate our ideas and to make sure that we were all on the same page”
The hard work paid off and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was a critical success – an epic, approachable RPG that feels classic and modern at the same time! It left many players wondering what’s next for the series. The answer is, of course, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.
Celebrate Dragon Quest Day & Start Your Journey
Each year, the Dragon Quest team looks forward to celebrating Dragon Quest Day with fans, who express their fandom with congratulatory messages, art and excitement for upcoming games.
The team will continue to do their best to live up to fan expectations – and as such, we are excited to announce the official release date of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remakeon October 30, 2025. Pre-order now on Xbox! Can’t wait? Neither can we!
In the meantime, we recommend you start playing the first chronological title in the Erdrick Trilogy, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake – available on Xbox right now!
With that, we thank you for taking the time to learn about Dragon Quest Day and the legacy of a franchise that inspired a genre. We hope you tune in to Dragon Quest Day from now on – that would be slime-tastic!
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.
Story:
Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their sixteenth birthday, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.
Build your perfect party:
Recruit a variety of allies, with three able to join your party to aid you on your quest. Choose their vocations, appearances and their voices. There’s even a brand new vocation exclusive to this remake: the monster wrangler!
Travel across an expansive open world:
Explore a wealth of towns, castles, caves, towers and dungeons to explore on your adventure, with hidden secrets waiting to be discovered.
Strategic, turn-based battles:
Battle a vast array of monsters in classic DRAGON QUEST turn-based battles. Set party tactics and switch up weapons, abilities and spells to take on all of the challenging foes that await you.
