Hello, my name is Martin, and I’m the CEO and Creative Director of Flatter Than Earth, the studio behind the theatrical adventure platformer Once Upon a Puppet. Our magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer takes place in a vibrant world of theatre, where classic platforming meets puppet-inspired gameplay in a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.

You’ll play as Drev, an ambitious Actor, and Nieve, a talented Stagehand and Tailor. Bound together by magic, they must work as one to navigate the kingdom of theatre, unravel its secrets, and face the Shadow King. But before you step onto the stage, here are five essential tips to help you on your journey.

1. Keep Your Eyes Open for Costumes – They’re More Than Just Fashion

Throughout the world, you’ll find antique sewing devices, which allow Nieve to craft unique story costumes for Drev. All of the outfits are based on important characters you will meet on your adventure. These costumes make you look cool on stage, but several play a role in the game’s storytelling. Just like in real theatre, a character’s attire is often a clue to their role in the performance. In Once Upon a Puppet, certain challenges will require you to wear a specific costume to progress. There are four of these specific costumes that are linked to the game’s progress, and they are easy to come across. However, there are more actor-like cosmetic outfits to unlock, so be on the lookout for them on your travels!

2. Pick Up Collectibles – They Reveal Hidden Stories

As you explore the world, keep an eye out for two types of collectibles: Stained Glass Pieces and Props. The Stained Glass collectibles are broken glass shards of bigger “stained colored glass windows”. Each of these “glass windows” tells a visual story of the kingdom. The Props are personal items of the lead characters in the game, such as The Queen, The King, and The Judge. These personal items always have something interesting to reveal about their owner. Collecting all of these will enhance your understanding of the world. If you’re someone who loves immersive storytelling, make sure to search every corner for these hidden gems!

3. Don’t Skip Cutscenes – They Hold Vital Clues

Each cutscene in Once Upon a Puppet is carefully crafted to deliver not just an emotional impact but also crucial hints about the world and the challenges ahead. The game features 12 rebuilding stages, and your goal is to rebuild and re-enact key moments from the king’s past. Every stage has its own unique story and emotional weight, so watching closely will help you connect the dots and fully grasp the significance of your journey.

If you rush through without paying attention to the cutscenes, you will miss important details about the mysteries behind the Shadow King, the forgotten stories, and the characters’ true destinies. So sit back, enjoy the theatrical storytelling, and let the narrative unfold like a grand stage performance!

4. Experiment with Stage Manipulation – Think Like a Theatre Director

One of the most unique mechanics in Once Upon a Puppet is the ability to rebuild and rearrange theatrical stages. Unlike traditional platformers, where the world remains static, this game allows you to move props, shift backdrops, and reposition platforms to change the scene itself.

Some puzzles require you to think like a stage director, setting up the scene in a way that allows Nieve and Drev to progress. Moving elements strategically can uncover secret paths, activate mechanisms, or create opportunities to outmanoeuvre enemies.

Once you “set the stage”, a Theatrical Cutscene, connected to the stage you just set, will emerge.

5.  Spotlights aren’t just for drama

In Once Upon a Puppet, the rules of theatre guide every ray of light. The visual language of the game was built with the same care and discipline found in real stage productions. There are no accidental shadows or randomly placed beams—every light angle, silhouette, and contrast exists to serve the story, emotion, and staging.

This isn’t just lighting for aesthetics—it’s lighting with intention, rooted in the traditions of live theatre. A love letter to stagecraft, told through pixels and puppets. And quite possibly, a guide to secrets to discover.

We hope that with these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to take center stage and face the challenges that await. We can’t wait for you to experience the magic firsthand. Once Upon a Puppet is out now on Xbox series X|S. Good luck!

Once Upon A Puppet

Daedalic Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

$23.99

Get it now

The Grand Opening:
Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.

Wear the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield control over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically bound to her. As they journey to return to the Frontstage above, they will retell forgotten stories, uncover shadowy secrets, and learn their fate is interwoven with the kingdom of theater itself.

Highlights:
Become Puppet and Puppeteer: Pull the strings and master the art of puppetry in this unique approach to action, movement, and creative puzzle-solving.
A Troupe of Characters: Meet an ensemble cast of dozens of Major and supporting characters, featuring hundreds of lines of handcrafted dialogue.
Deadly Shadows: Face a horde of villainous creatures who will do all they can to snuff out the lights and bring the show to an untimely end.
A Meticulously Crafted World: Marvel at the stylized and detailed graphics that reinforce the magic of theater, with stages that fluctuate between past and present.
Set The Scene: Arrange and move props, backdrops and characters to rebuild theatrical stages, and re-enact scenes to unveil what befell the once proud World Stage.
Enchanting Soundscapes: Be captivated by a rich, theatrical soundtrack and immersive sound effects that bring the world of Once Upon a Puppet to life…

The Leading Actors:
Unwittingly bound together by spool and thread, Drev and Nieve reluctantly embark on a quest to reclaim their place in the theater, against a heartbroken King.

Nieve, a talented Weaver beset by self doubt, builds a strong bond with Drev, a naive yet ambitious Actor. With Drev’s unbridled theatrics and Nieve’s brilliance, they will conquer their deepest held fears to reveal the truth of the void harbored in their hearts.

The post Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Category: Games

April 23, 2025

How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors

• Allan Smith, Programmer & Game Designer, Soulstone Survivors

Soulstone Survivors is an action roguelite that rapidly transforms you from a peasant to a god. It’s kind of like if you were playing a Path of Exile character from level 1 to 99, but in about 20 minutes, and no matter what power fantasy you can dream of – from a Wizard who controls the elements, to a holy Paladin, to a nuke-hurling Engineer – you will find it in our game.

After a few years of development, listening closely to our PC community, the game is finally coming to Xbox Series X|S on June 17, 2025.

A demo is also available now on Xbox Series X|S, and we’ve pulled together some tips to inspire some build ideas, as well as how to get the most fun out of them.

The freedom to build your character exactly how you want is what sets Soulstone Survivors apart, and you’ll be able to test it against the dangers of the Void. And, if you didn’t fancy what you tried… just iterate and try again until you find the absolute perfect build.

Soulstone Survivors is designed from the ground up for you to push it to the extreme. For example, when your critical chance exceeds 100%, your attacks start landing multi-crits. We have an attribute called multicast, which allows you to launch multiple copies of the same skill (such as Chain Lightning or the dagger-hurling Flurry) at once – and guess what? As it gets higher and over 100%, you can be launching two, three, or even ten copies of the same skill at once. While many games might cap these stats, Soulstone Survivors gives you the freedom to experience what true god-like power feels like.

While it’s easy to jump in with basic character setups, the game shines when you go deep into the different systems that play off each other to create game-breaking builds, and we are always surprised with the creativity of the community – we love it when someone posts a new build on Discord with some crazy strategy that we didn’t even think was possible!

Buffs Are Your Friends

Buffs are effects applied to your character which give you an advantage against your enemies. For example, each stack of  “Prowess” (i.e. each time you gain/improve your “Prowess”) gives you 1% extra damage. Although focusing on a specific buff can be a powerful strategy, it’s a good idea to create a build with a few different buffs that play off each other. There are power-ups that will grant you a chance to gain a buff every time a different buff is applied. “Devastating Strikes”, for example, grants you a chance to gain an Aptitude stack (which increases your critical damage) for every Prowess stack you gain.

Negative Effects Are Your Friends Too

Negative effects are the counterpart to buffs. These are applied onto your enemies, weakening them in some way. These can empower you to do ten times (or even hundreds of times) more damage to your opponents, depending on what combination you get. A particularly good one is “Poison”, which will deal damage over time and, when the enemy dies, a portion of the remaining damage spreads to nearby enemies. Or there’s “Fragility”, which increases damage received by the enemy for each stack. It’s always a good idea to have at least a couple different negative effects instead of going all out in one.

Consider Your Skill Types

Each skill or attack in the game has a particular type, such as Fire or Electric. When you’re trying to maximize your power, you’ll definitely want to think about the skill types. You could do a super focused build, as some power-ups will increase the damage of all skills of a particular type, sometimes by as much as 50%.

On the other hand, you could mix and match different skill types, as there are power-ups that will chain different skill types – for example, when you cast an Electric skill, you would then have a certain chance to also cast a Fire skill. It really depends on the kind of gameplay that suits you best!

Try Out Different Stuff!

There are plenty more factors that influence your build, such as the skill tree, Runes (artifacts you equip before each run with unique effects), your weapons (which you craft as you progress through the game), your character’s ascension skill (a temporary god-like power you gain after unlocking all the core skills).

The important thing is to experiment with different elements until you find the patterns that work and the ones that don’t, finding the play style that suits you best. I don’t know if I should, but here, I’ll share with you my secret Bloody Barbarian build!

The Bloody Barbarian Build

The Barbarian is the first available character in the demo, but don’t mistake him for the weakest – far from it! He specializes in melee combat, having access to Swing, Thrust, Slam, Electric and Earth skills, and all of these are great to make some crazy buff synergies!

The key points for this build are:

• Choose the Barbarian with his first weapon, the Barbaric Cleavers
• Look for skills that buff you with Finesse, such as Double Slash
• Make sure to get the skill Scent of Blood
• Grab some popcorn, as you watch what happens!

Alright, let’s break it down. All Barbarian weapons are great, but for this build we’ll start with the Barbaric Cleavers, the first weapon available, as it comes with “Whirlwind”, which has a large damage area. More importantly, it grants you both “Bulwark” (which increases your block power) and “Finesse” (increases your multicast chance), the core of our build!

Start the game, and be on the lookout for skills with the Swing type, as many of those will also give you more “Finesse”. Earth-type skills also synergise very well with this build, since they grant you “Colossal” which increases the area of effect of your attacks, and you want to be slashing the whole world! Remember to save a skill slot for “Scent of Blood”.This is a skill unique to the Barbarian which increases your attack speed based on the number of “Finesse” stacks you have.

By now, your Swing skills will give you tons of “Finesse” stacks which increase your multicast, which in turn means all your skills are used multiple times, and they will be hitting a huge area because your Earth skills will also be launched multiple times granting you even more “Colossal”. Finally, the cherry on top is “Scent of Blood” as it uses your “Finesse” stacks to grant you even MORE attack speed, which causes your skills to be launched even faster! Do you see where I’m going with this?

The madness that ensues is glorious! You will soon be spinning like a mad man, decimating an entire screenful of enemies every second! You can even add in the skill “Subdue” into the mix as well, which deals damage based on how many stacks of “Finesse” you have, being a great finisher that will be dealing hundreds of thousands of damage in this setup!

In the full game, you can make this build even more extreme by picking up a few runes, such as the Synergetic Rune, as it increases the chances you will get power-ups that chain from one buff to another and the Multicast Mastery Rune, because it increases the effectiveness of the multicasts. Runes aren’t available in the demo, but even without them you will be slicing through enemies like butter.

And this is only one build, of one character, in the demo, without exploring runes, ascensions, skill trees… it barely scratches the surface of what you can do! You could also try the Thor Barbarian build with a bunch of Lightning skills that are great for critical strikes, the nasty Dirty Barbarian that uses Slams and Earth skill for massive damage, or experiment with the Pyromancer (also available in the demo), and bring down a fiery apocalypse onto your enemies!

I hope that this sparks your imagination and encourages you to explore all the build, buffs and power fantasies that are possible in Soulstone Survivors. Hop into the demo on Xbox Series X|S today.

The post How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Category: Announcements

April 23, 2025

Xbox App Now Available on LG Smart TVs

• Lori WrightCorporate Vice President, Xbox Marketing, Partnerships and Business Development

Starting today, the Xbox app is available on select LG Smart TV models, making it easier than ever for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in over 25 countries to play games directly from their TVs. This rollout includes 2022 OLED TVs, select 2023 LG Smart TVs, and newer models, along with smart monitors running webOS24 or later versions. It will soon expand to StanbyME screen.

With this update, players can enjoy hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles like Avowed, South of Midnight, and upcoming releases such as Towerborne. Game Pass Ultimate members can also conveniently stream a select catalog of Xbox games they already own, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, NBA 2K25 and Hogwarts Legacy, adding even greater flexibility to the gaming experience. You can find the full list here.

Getting Ready

To experience Xbox on your LG Smart TV, here is what you need:

• A compatible LG Smart TV.
• An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
• Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller such as the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or the DualSense controller.

How to Access the Xbox App on LG TV’s Gaming Portal

Players with 2025 LG TVs can power on their LG Smart TV, find the Xbox app in the new LG Gaming Portal, which can be accessed from the Gaming Q-Card on the TV home page, and start gaming instantly!

For owners of LG TVs running latest webOS 24 and newer – including 2022 OLED TVs and select 2023 LG Smart TVs which received a firmware upgrade – you can download the Xbox app from the app store. Once downloaded, the Xbox app is designed to offer a smooth and seamless cloud gaming experience. Here’s how it works:

1. Navigate to the LG Gaming Portal from either Gaming Q-Card or LG Gaming Portal on the Home Page.
2. Download and launch the Xbox app.
3. Sign into or create your Microsoft account.
4. Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.
5. Pick a game and start playing!

We’re constantly exploring new ways to invite more people into the world gaming, and with LG Smart TVs, we can do just that. We’re excited to take this new step with LG Electronics to bring more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. And if you are new to gaming, this is an easy way to discover the joy gaming offers.

To learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) and how you can play across TVs and browsers on supported devices like smartphones, Windows PCs, and tablets, visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.

The post Xbox App Now Available on LG Smart TVs appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Category: Games

April 23, 2025

8 Tips to Help You Get Started in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Jeff Rubenstein, Seasoned Expeditioner

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, available April 24 for Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass, promises exciting, original takes on standards of the RPG genre. While its premise and presentation stood out from its very first trailer, after many hours invested in the review build, I’m pleased to report that Sandfall interactive also refines or re-invents RPG gameplay elements that make every battle in Expedition 33 a lean-forward experience.

That said, some of these new techniques are – by dint of their originality – worth a bit of additional explanation. So, as you prepare to dive into Expedition 33 – and RPG fans should absolutely prioritize this title – here are a few spoiler-free “here’s how it works” elements that I wish we knew before my first trip to The Continent.

Stay Focused

The biggest moment-to-moment difference between Expedition 33 and many turn-based RPGs out there is the level of attention players need to give towards every battle. While your actions (Attack, Skill, etc.) are selected from a menu, once you’ve confirmed your choice, make no mistake – you are now playing an action game requiring your full focus. Each action, from attacks, to spells, to heals, to buffs becomes a timed button press exercise – and the better your timing, the more you maximize its effects. Later in the game, you’ll even have the option to equip high reward skills where a mistimed press could backfire spectacularly. It’s awesome.

While offensive presses are mainly straightforward (and you’ll get used to your moveset over time) dealing with enemy attacks is a continually evolving affair. Iniitally, you’re given the chance to either dodge, using the B button, or parry, utilizing RB. Timing on these is tight; you will need to study enemy movements to learn when to react, but my advice to you: start with Dodge, as its timing is ever so slightly more generous. When you’re dodging consistently, you can begin to experiment with Parries, which – if executed – can lead to powerful counterattacks. But in the early game, Dodge will keep you alive.

Ease Into Combat

If you’ve having trouble getting the precision down on attacks or need some more time to adjust to the style of play that Expedition 33 requires, you can adjust the difficulty of the game at any time to give you a greater window to achieve Parries or Dodges. You can also choose to allow the game to input the QTE moments during combat, taking that responsibility off your plate so you can sit back and enjoy those flashy combat animations.

Be Not Afraid

Early on you will inevitably face down some incredibly tough characters (don’t look down on a mime!) and they *will* kick your ass. Note that many such fights are avoidable – you can always come back later, once you’re stronger! But if you do decide to have a go, know that the penalty for dying generally is just a respawn nearby. This isn’t a Soulslike – go for it, worry free! Also, enemies will respawn when you heal at an Expedition Flag, allowing you to re-run through many of these zones to help level up your party.

Use Those Items – They Regen

Your healing and respawn items – initially so scarce – do replenish every time you rest at an Expedition Flag or campsite, so take the risks, heal liberally, and if you crash out, know that you can always try again.

Another note on items: early on, I collected several items, such as Tints and Chroma Catalysts, and had no idea what to do with them. For the first few hours of the game, just collect, and don’t worry – their use will become apparent later, and you can’t miss it.

Don’t Forget to Shoot

Every character has the ability – both in and out of battle – to free aim and fire, drawing on third-person shooters. Out of battle, this is typically used to interact with the environment, but something I did not initially realize is that you can fire a shot at an enemy Nevron to stun them. This allows you to settle proceedings and initiate battle on your own terms by getting close and pressing RB, beginning battles with a First Strike.

In-battle, however, Free Aim use gets more strategic, as each shot now costs 1 Action Point – and it won’t end your turn. Initially, you’re guided to fire a shot at Nevron weak points (for massive damage, of course). But this move has plenty of utility even when an enemy doesn’t have a weak point; many enemies can be killed solely with Free Aim shots – especially flying enemies. So if a character enters a turn with an abundance of AP, it’s usually worth it to fire off a few shots to soften up your target before launching into a Skill or Attack to finish them off.

The 4D chess version of this is when you couple this technique with the Dead Energy Lumina, gifting 3 AP for every defeated enemy – you may be able to mow through a whole gang in one turn!

Lumina and Pictos – How Do They Work?

One of the most interesting – and initially mystifying – features of Expedition 33 is the Pictos and Lumina systems, which allow for significant boosts and customization for your characters. Here’s how they work:

Pictos are basically an accessory, like a ring that grants an ability or boon. And much like a real ring, if you wear it long enough, it can make an impression on you, even after you take it off. Here’s how that plays out in Expedition 33: after winning 4 battles with a Pictos equipped, it’s considered “mastered.” That means *everyone* in the party can take advantage of that Pictos’ buff, provided they have enough Lumina points. You gain new Lumina points with every level, plus some consumable items that grant even more.

Here’s how that plays out: you’ll want to equip basically any new Pictos you find in the world – and you’ll get a lot – cycling them out as they’re mastered for new ones. Over time, you’ll have dozens of Lumina abilities to choose from and equip; mix and match to further customize your characters. Protip: some Lumina skills can require up to 10 Lumina Points to equip, while others may need as few as one. To get the most bang for your buck, prioritize those useful, lower cost abilities for your Lumina loadout, and simply keep the Pictos equipped for some of those important 10-point passives.

Spend Wisely

In Expedition 33, your characters will level up frequently, each time earning 3 points to invest in Attributes such as Vitality, Might, or Luck, as well as a point for your Skill tree.

On the Attributes side, there is an interesting quirk: sometimes a point in one attribute will upgrade another; for example, a point in Agility will often boost a character’s speed as well as their Defense or Attack Power. So, with each level up, it’s worthwhile to try adding a point into each slot before committing to see which will give you more bang for your buck.

Explore

One last bit of advice: explore – The Continent is mysterious and important, and it’s easy to get lost. But know that most dead ends will result in an item, or an optional enemy with great rewards. There is even some light platforming, so use your jump and poke around everywhere, you never know what you’ll find.

What you will find is one of the most interesting RPGs I’ve played in years, so make sure you preorder/preload today,

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available April 24 for Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Kepler Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

Pre-order

“Year by year, She erases us.”

Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission – Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again.

We are Expedition 33.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.

Reactive Turn-based Combat
In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat – dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.

“Tomorrow Comes”
With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.

A Hauntingly Beautiful World
Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend. Recruit special companions to access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.

Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.

The post 8 Tips to Help You Get Started in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Not only is the world of Labyrinth of the Demon King uniquely cold, oppressive, and brutal – but it is also a meticulously crafted narrative experience that weaves together elements of classic dungeon crawler titles, action RPGs, and the survival horror genre. In this challenging first-person dungeon-crawler set in a mythical re-interpretation of feudal Japan, you’ll need every resource you can find to overcome the demons that block your path. Prepare yourself to enter into the ubiquitous labyrinth yourself on May 13^th, when Labyrinth of the Demon King launches on Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One systems.

The world of Athens is weird, highly unusual, and filled with a host of surprises. Along the way, you’ll meet tons of friends (and foes!) as you navigate the world in your own unique way, you’ll decide how you want to interact not only with those you meet, but also the world itself. As the world shifts and you interact with denizens, you’ll begin to flesh out your very own rhapsody. You can meet 16 potential party members, all with tons of depth – the very world will change depending on who you have in your party when. Plus, every single enemy can be fought or befriended! You’ll also find smaller friends and foes to commune with, and find tons of unlockable outfits to deck yourself and your party out with.

The world of Labyrinth of the Demon King is brought to life (so to speak, anyway) through its unique “retro-grim” art style. The game’s dark, foreboding world takes inspiration from authentic Japanese folklore and tradition; the developer spent extensive time in Japan studying architecture and history. Inspired by a mixture of mythologized feudal history and supernatural folklore, the setting of Labyrinth is as gorgeous as it is brutal. Venture through sprawling castles, idyllic teahouses, dilapidated bath houses and more as you make your way towards the Demon King himself.

As a foot soldier of your former Lord, you must be not only well trained in the art of combat, but on your toes at all times for possible threats Labyrinth of the Demon King features brutal, challenging combat that emphasizes patience, strategy, and diligence. As you explore the labyrinth, you’ll come across a slew of weapons, including an axe, naginata, bow, and more – on top of your trusty katana, of course. Face off against the numerous Yokai of ancient myth that roam the earth, and put your skills to the test. You’ll need to study the moves of each monster you come across. Be assured however, that any victory – no matter how small – is an accomplishment.

As the name suggests, the Demon King’s Labyrinth is complex, confusing, and full of twisted nooks and crannies full of monsters, treasure, traps, and sometimes…friends? As you adventure through the Labyrinth, carefully managing your resources, you’ll come across a handful of other denizens; some trekking throughout the lands like yourself and others with more…cautious goals and morals. Be careful who you trust – it could affect your fate!

Developed by J.R. Hudepohl with co-development help, porting assistance for Xbox, and publishing by Top Hat Studios, Labyrinth of the Demon King lands on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One May 13.

The post Venture Into the Labyrinth of the Demon King appeared first on Xbox Wire.

After three years of development, Post Trauma is now available on Xbox Series X|S.

While it’s finally time to visit The Gloom, the question is can players find their way back out?

When playing Post Trauma, you will need to keep the old school classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill in mind. In addition to the fixed camera angles and top down, third person views, your enemies are a fearsome bunch, and the puzzles are pretty fiendish too.

The developer, Roberto Serra of Red Soul Games has focused on atmosphere and story-telling to drive Post Trauma forward, and as part artist, part programmer, has used fixed-camera angles to showcase the game’s striking cinematic sequences.

From the very beginning, having a pen and paper next to your controller will prove to be just as useful as arming Roman with a crowbar or shotgun. Studying the environment carefully is going to be essential to progress, from the opening moments where looking at unusual highlights on old subway maps reveals clues to a padlock combination to carefully reading through documents to discover critical information.

The game’s puzzles have purposefully been designed to be a challenge and the aim is to fill you with a sense of reward when you solve them. Just like the classics it’s inspired by, Red Soul Games have opted to build tension through storytelling while maintaining an authentic feeling 90s style survival horror experience.

You will also need to think on their feet in heart-pounding confrontations that will test Roman’s willpower and endurance. Rather than opt for the traditionally athletic super cop in this setting, Roman is just an average man, who doesn’t really know how to fight and gets tired if he runs for too long. As a character, Roman is better equipped for escape-room style situations, but with that comes its own unique set of challenges for you.

Not every encounter needs to be fought and won, though. Sometimes it’s in Roman’s best interests to run for safety and use radios in conveniently placed ‘Save Rooms’ scattered around The Gloom.  Opting not to use these rooms could lead to Roman’s eventual downfall, though, and potentially put him right back at the beginning of a challenging encounter he only just scraped through.

In the trailers, you’ve caught a glimpse of the horrors that lie in wait in this twisted reality. Enemies such as the affectionately known ‘Potato Head’ are definitely not a friendly bunch, nor are more traditionally named enemies like ‘Henry’.

Fortunately for Roman, he will not be alone. Finding unlikely allies in the face of grave danger could make all the difference as to whether he stays trapped in The Gloom forever or finds a way home. You might even find yourself stepping into their shoes from time to time.

Bringing these characters to life is an all-star voice acting cast. Having previously worked withRaw Furyon Wolfstride, this time Togo Igawa voices Roman, a retired train driver who is unsure of where he is or how he got there, bravely attempting to piece together the mysteries of The Gloom.

Alongside him is Autumn Ivy, who plays the enigmatic ‘Jill’, and Hyoie O’Grady who delivers a chilling performance as Carlos.

And rounding out the cast is an unnannounced actor who plays an undisclosed role in the game. This person has a deep connection to the horror community and plays a character that hasn’t been featured in any of the trailers or screenshots to date. We’ll keep this a surprise for you for now, but the best way to find out more is to play Post Trauma!

With an emotionally charged soundtrack from the extremely talented Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu) and an unpredictable world that feels ominously real, built from the ground up by Roberto Serra and Red Soul Games in Unreal Engine 5, Post Trauma continually builds tension rather than simply opting for jump scares.

Post Trauma started out as a solo developer project but a small team has grown over course of development, from a 2D artist to a writer, animator and audio designer, all in the name of making the game better and providing players with a truly memorable experience.

On behalf of the developer, Red Soul Games and all of Raw Fury, thanks for all of the support since the initial reveal at The Game Awards! Post Trauma is finally here and the world of horror will never be quite the same again!

Post Trauma

Raw Fury

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

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.

The post Title: Post Trauma Taxes and Terrifies Xbox Series X|S Players Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Category: Games

Spring Blooms in Monster Hunter Wilds with the First Seasonal Festival!

Head to the Grand Hub in Monster Hunter Wilds and celebrate with your fellow hunters in the game’s inaugural seasonal festival – the Festival of Accord: Blossomdance – taking place starting today, April 22, to May 6!

In the recently added Grand Hub introduced in Free Title Update 1, you’ll find members of the Grand Hub dressed in spring themed attire, and the entire area decorated to match the season. Collect tickets to obtain special gear, take on limited time Event Quests, and enjoy the spring season to it’s fullest with hunters from around the world.

Join the Festival of Accord: Blossomdance from April 22, 2025, 5pm PT – May 6, 2025, 4:59pm PT (schedule subject to change). Be sure to update to the latest version of the game and reach Hunter Rank 16 or higher in the main story to access the Grand Hub.

Spring Has Arrived in the Grand Hub!

Bask in the splendor of the Grand Hub, themed with special décor to ring in the blossoming of spring. Songs performed by the illustrious Diva will change to match the seasonal event. You’ll also be able to order special meals at the Grand Hub using new vouchers, which are obtainable in-game through various ways, such as receiving your daily login bonus!

Forge Special Seasonal Event Armor!

New special equipment can be forged using tickets earned during the seasonal event! Obtain your login bonus each day and participate in special limited time Event Quests to earn them and craft these special themed armor sets!

Login Each Day to Receive Bonuses!

Throughout the entirety of the event, you’ll be able to receive daily special login bonuses to forge a variety of equipment and order special meals.

Use the special tickets to forge the free Sakuratide α series hunter armor, and the Felyne Papier-Mâché α series Palico armor.

During the seasonal event, certain quests will now reward tickets and Blossom Barrel Bombs if you have the Sakuratide α series hunter armor equipped! Take advantage of the armor’s special skill to gather those tickets and Blossom Barrel Bombs!

Regular login bonuses are also increased during the seasonal event! Each time you login, you’ll receive 2 Lucky Vouchers and 3 Barrel Bowling Vouchers. Special tickets and items will also be available through a Daily Limited Bounty, and the Provisions Stockpile will be holding a sale throughout the event!

The large barrel bomb in Barrel Bowling has a special seasonal design!

Let loose an explosion of fluttering cherry blossoms with the Blossom Barrel Bomb, available as a login bonus and through other activities!

Those who receive the login bonus during the event period will also receive the following limited contents:

Get special Seikret decorations to change the look and feel of your Seikret!

Get special Nameplates, Backgrounds, Poses, and Titles to use in your Hunter Profile!

Bring the spring season to the hunt by customizing your pop-up camp with special items!

Express yourself with new free gestures!

New pendants and additional music (BGM) will also be available!

New and Returning Event Quests!

During the seasonal event, most of the previously released event quests will be returning, in addition to new limited-time event quests. Take on these Event Quests during the seasonal event!

Event Quest: “ Daughters of Carabosse”

Gather special materials to obtain equipment Blossom α series and Palico equipment Felyne Butterfly α!

• Locale: Wounded Hollow
• Condition: HR 16 or higher
• Completion Conditions: Hunt 2 Lala Barina

Event Quest: “That Won’t Work on Me!”

Gather special materials and obtain headgear like Sealed Eyepatch α as well as an outfit for Alma (Note: Game progression required to customize Alma’s outfit).

• Locale: Ruins of Wyveria
• Conditions: HR 31 or higher
• Completion Conditions: Hunt the Tempered Xu Wu

With the materials available in this event quest, Shadow Shades α and Round Glasses α can be forged, in addition to Sealed Eyepatch α head armor!

Once the Shadow Shades α and Round Glasses α are forged, they can also be used to give Alma a stylish new look!

Visit the official Monster Hunter Wilds website to see the latest event quest schedule. The period of quests is subject to change without notice. This content may return after the event period.

Check Out Alma’s New Outfit for Free During the Event!

During the seasonal event, Alma will wear a special new outfit – the Spring Blossom Kimono! After the event ends, the outfit can be obtained as paid DLC as part of the Blossomdance DLC Pack, or as an individual item.

The Blossomdance DLC Pack will be available when the event starts and includes a variety of cosmetic items such as Seikret decorations and pendants, in addition to Alma’s costume. Please note: it may take some time for the contents to be reflected in the store.

Learn more about the lineup of DLC on the official website.

Monster Hunter Wilds

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
389

★★★★★

$69.99

Get it now

The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next.
This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.
Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.
The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Story
A few years past, a young boy named Nata was rescued at the border of the Forbidden Lands, an unexplored region the guild has yet to survey.
After hearing the boy’s tale of his lone escape from a mysterious monster that attacked his village, the Guild organized an expedition into the Forbidden Lands to investigate.
A Living World
Environments within the Forbidden Lands can drastically change as the weather shifts constantly and suddenly. During the harsh Fallow and perilous Inclemency periods, ravenous monsters will venture out to hunt in packs, yet during the Plenty periods, wildlife is rich and abundant.
Monsters
The monsters who inhabit these environments have been forced to adapt to the dynamic changes that occur, using their unique characteristics to survive and thrive.
Hunting
As the world around them changes, so must the hunters and their tactics. Not only will hunters have a multitude of weapons and armor to choose from, but the art of the hunt itself has evolved as hunters learn to anticipate monsters’ behavior and familiarize themselves with their environment.
Characters
From hunting partners to fellow expedition members, you’ll encounter plenty of those who will support you on your journey.

The post Spring Blooms in Monster Hunter Wilds with the First Seasonal Festival! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

To celebrate the release of Lunar Remastered Collection, out today for Xbox One (compatible with Xbox Series X|S), I sat down with our Senior Graphic Designer, Amy Nguyen, and talked to her about how this remaster’s logo came to be. I asked her about her inspirations, her design process, and more!

Hi Amy! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me. Can you tell us about your artistic background and some notable projects you’ve taken on while at GungHo?

Hello! I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from designing the assets for one of our title’s national tournaments to collaborations with world-renowned IPs. The recent port of Grandia on consoles in 2024 was my first big project as the creative lead.

What was your initial reaction when you were asked to design the logo?

When I was presented with this project, I was excited and a little bit nervous about working on the Lunar logo, as it plays a key role in representing the game’s brand identity. I began with a few different variations, and once I had a clearer idea of where I wanted to take the logo, it then became a cycle of receiving feedback and applying that feedback until we landed on the final design.

Regarding your design process and how this version ended up becoming the official logo, did you consider the original logos when designing the new one?

I always start off by conducting some preliminary research. Since we are releasing a remaster, I wanted the main logo design to reflect the brand image of Lunar that longtime players have held dear to their hearts. Using that as my foundation, I brainstormed and sketched out as many ideas as I could think of. I went through several variations of the logo, from slight tweaks to large changes. In the end, we decided to move forward with the above logo as the final design; the iconic red of Lunar with the inner shine, paired with new gold accents as a nod to the remastered qualities of the games.

The logo went through quite a few iterations before the final one was decided. Where did you draw inspiration from when designing each version?

My primary focus was on maintaining the nostalgic shape language and color of the original “Lunar” text, as well as incorporating the fact that it is a remaster. We made most of the sketch variations to test out various design directions to narrow down what we liked and didn’t like. For example, variations two and three focused on color, mixing the red from Lunar: Silver Star Story with the blue from Lunar 2: Eternal Blue. Variations six through eleven and 17-18 focused on different accents, specifically the dragon sword and the ribbon from Lunar 2: Eternal Blue‘s Sega CD logo, along with visual elements from the games, such as a blue star. Finally, 12-16 tested out different shape languages for the font, from adding dragon accents to exaggerating the arcs and lengths of some letters. Eventually, a mix of one and five became what is now the official logo!

Are there any details on the final logo design that you’d like to highlight?

I personally love the extended tail in the ‘R’ of “Remastered,” which reflects the original Lunar logo’s ‘R’. For selected letters in “Remastered Collection,” such as the R, E, and N, I exaggerated the serifs a little more to refine the shape language and make it more interesting.

Original Lunar artist, Toshiyuki Kubooka, contributed two new key visuals to remaster. What were your impressions and how did they inform your design process for the packaging?

I was dazzled by the detail that Mr. Kubooka put into the composition of the overall key visual for each game. It was a refreshing twist to previous Lunar art to see a darker background with a collaged composition. As for the front packaging, the layout was simple to complete, since the original key visual almost perfectly fit within the cover. There were only a few areas with slight placement changes, just to ensure everything was within the safety zone.

Flipping over to the back cover, I understand you had a little more freedom with its design. What was your thought process in the assets you chose and the layout?

One of the first things I knew I wanted to do was add some of the pixel sprites onto the back cover because pixel graphics have a nostalgic charm and portray a lot of personality in each character despite the limited canvas size. To pair with the sprites, I added some screenshots to show a general overview of what the game content looks like. Design-wise, I made sure to tie in elements of the “Remastered” part of the logo, such as the gold coloring and the font, to keep everything on-brand. For the background, I wanted to make the sections distinct enough to showcase the two different games while maintaining the unified feeling of it being a collection, so I added a gradient transition. With all of the assets and composition in mind, this was the final layout I ended up on.

What is your favorite aspect of the package design?

The opportunity to work with Mr. Kubooka under his art direction, along with the collaboration that designing the package fostered for each section. I worked on the design and visual aesthetic of the overall package but had a lot of support from GungHo’s Marketing and Production teams, and from original developer Game Arts as well. Overall, this package design is a culmination of everyone’s hard work that came together to make something that I hope you will all enjoy!

Lunar: Remastered Collection is available right now on Xbox.

LUNAR Remastered Collection

GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4

★★★★★

$49.99

Get it now

Dive into the enchanting worlds of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, two beloved JRPGs that have captured the hearts of gamers for generations.

LUNAR: Silver Star Story introduces Alex, an aspiring Dragonmaster who bands together with his friends to combat the perilous emergence of the Magic Emperor and stop him from taking over the world.

LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue picks up a thousand years later, and follows Hiro and his friends as they set out in search of the Goddess Althena alongside an enigmatic girl named Lucia. On this grand quest, fend off enemies like Borgan and White Knight Leo, who hunt down the group to eradicate what they deem to be the “Destroyer of Lunar.”

This definitive remastered edition features enhanced graphics, audio, and quality-of-life improvements that will satiate that hunger for 90s nostalgia–better than you remember! Embark on these two adventures with updated language support, now available in English, Japanese, French, and German.

The post Lunar Remastered Collection: How Its Stellar Logo & Package Design Came to Be appeared first on Xbox Wire.