Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17

Summary

  • A magical roguelike deckbuilder where strategy is king and cats are the pawns.
  • Innovative card gameplay featuring a diverse deck of 100 unique magical cats.
  • Enchanting narrative set in a world where cats wield elemental powers.

Experience a magical convergence of strategy and chance in Spellcats, where mystical felines rule and tactics triumph. In this innovative roguelike deckbuilder, you are the catalyst in a spellbound world dominated by a group of humans called Nekocasters. Dare to venture into mysterious dungeons and the shadowy lairs where you must use your strategic skills to overcome your adversaries and free your four-legged siblings. Traverse mysterious dungeons, make card combos, and free your companions combining cards and cats.

Spellcats deck 2

As the Only Cat with Free Will, You are the Hope for Your Species.

Harness the raw power of over 100 diverse cat cards. Each cat comes to life with extraordinary abilities, from the stealthy Alley Pouncer to the majestic Thunderclaw. Build your deck with a mix of tactical prowess and random fortune, ensuring each dungeon run is filled with thrilling unpredictability.

Spellcats deck

Five Elements, Twenty Amulets, and Endless Meows

Spellcats also offers a unique gaming experience with five different elements: Water, Electricity, Fire, Ice, and Earth, each with its unique gameplay style that enriches the player’s experience through a myriad of mystical landscapes. Additionally, over 20 amulets await to be discovered and used. These will enhance the army of kittens and give an advantage in battles.

Spellcats screenshot

Strategy and Magic Combined in a Unique Rogueline Card Game

Empower your journey with unique trinkets, each adding layers of depth to your strategic maneuvers. These artifacts are imbued with capabilities that amplify your feline summons, turning the tide of battles. Dive into the heart of darkness and light in Spellcats, where each play is a step towards liberation or doom. The fate of the Nekos rests upon your shoulders—will you rise as their savior, or will the shadows of Nekocasters eclipse the land forever? Prepare to cast, conquer, and ascend in this enchanting saga of survival and sorcery, launching this May. Are you ready to unleash the true power of the paw?

Xbox Live

Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics

NintaiStudios

$13.99

Calling all cat lovers and card game aficionados!
Step into the paws of the only sentient feline in a human-dominated world. Gifted with the extraordinary magic power to summon other cats, you alone hold the key to freeing your kind. Fight the Nekocasters, a cadre of humans exploiting innocent ‘Nekos’ for their own nefarious gains, serving a greater evil.

Embark on an enchanting journey through mysterious dungeons, the grim lairs of the Nekocasters. Outplay your adversaries with a powerful combo of summoned kittens.

As the world’s only self-aware cat, uncover the mystery behind your origins. Are you the product of an ancient spell, a botched experiment, or something more profound? This vibrant, cat-filled world teems with secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Brave through the perilous dungeons, outsmart the cunning Nekocasters, and liberate your feline brethren in ‘Spellcats’. The future of the Nekos rests in your paws.

A Vibrant Deck of 60 Diverse Cats

Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command!

Five Elements with Unique Gameplay

Dive into the diverse mechanics of five unique elements: Water, Electric, Fire, Ice, and Earth. Each element offers a distinct playstyle that adds to the richness of the gameplay. The strategy you employ is entirely up to you!

Roguelike Trinkets

Discover and utilize over 20 unique trinkets to enhance your gameplay experience. These powerful items can power up your kitten army, granting them new abilities or augmenting their existing ones, giving you the upper hand in battles. Each trinket’s unique effect adds an extra layer of strategy to your dungeon runs, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.

The post Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17

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


Xbox Live

The Land Beneath Us

Dear Villagers

The Land Between Us – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A turn-based, rogue-lite action dungeon crawler. Use powerful skill combos and stylish weaponry to battle your way through the Underworld known as Annwn. Enjoy challenging dynamic encounters and discover the mysteries of this mythological world.


Xbox Live

Athenian Rhapsody

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

Athenian Rhapsody – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A comedy RPG in which you’ll explore the World of Athens. Your goal is to build your very own Rhapsody – the story of you (the player) and your epic tale in this world. You’ll be faced with many challenges, and you’ll have to fight (or hug) your way through the world by either battling, or awkwardly trying to make friends with your opponents through esoteric knowledge, abstract jokes, memory games, and other strange and funny interactions.


Xbox Live

Chip and Charge

Weakfish Studio Publishing

Chip and Charge – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery6

A classic arcade-style tennis game with customizable characters and equipment as well as a wide variety of game modes to choose from, like Bomb mode where you don’t let the ball hit the ground. You can also play co-op with your friends.


Xbox Live

Ziggy

Afil Games

Ziggy – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Get ready to jump, slide, and unleash the power of the dash in a game that will test your abilities and your capacity for triumph. Conquer the 30 challenging levels and become the ultimate master of Ziggy!


Xbox Live

Awesome Pea 3

Sometimes You


$4.99

$3.99
Xbox One X Enhanced

Awesome Pea 3 – May 15
Xbox One X Enhanced

The final chapter, now in shape of a fast precision platformer where you must run and jump through a series of challenging stages. What you’ll definitely find in this game: nearly 70 different stages to show your skill, stylish pixel graphics, and a chiptune soundtrack.


Xbox Live

Braid, Anniversary Edition

Thekla, Inc.

Braid Anniversary Edition – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Control the flow of time to solve subtle platform puzzles in this update of the indie classic Braid, featuring refreshed artwork and seriously in-depth creator commentary. Travel from a city house through a series of interconnected worlds where time behaves strangely, searching for an elusive Princess.


Xbox Live

Electronics Puzzle Lab

Eastasiasoft Limited

Electronics Puzzle Lab – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Awaken your inner engineer with the brainteasing circuitry of Electronics Puzzle Lab! In this fun and educational 3D puzzle game, your task is to inspect circuit boards and adjust power LED lights. Take a seat at your workbench, cut wires, flip switches and more as you trace the path of the current.


Xbox Live

Please Fix The Road

Silesia Games

Please Fix The Road – May 15

The roads are broken again. And so are paths. Sidewalks. Lakes. Oh dear. And now it’s your job to fix them all! Each level gives you a limited set of tools that will help you get all the cars, boats, trains or animals from point A to point B. The mentioned animals include, of course, kittens, dogs and… cute ‘ol pink llamas.


Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered

Two Cakes Studio

$9.99

Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Time Trap is a hidden object game telling a detective story with distinct realistic visuals, puzzles, and challenges. A journalist has gone missing after investigating a hazardous disaster. Now it is your job to follow in his steps and uncover the secrets of the danger zone.


Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing

Midnight Works

$9.99

Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing – May 15
Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush with our action-packed kart racing game. Choose your champion driver, customize your ride, and dominate challenging tracks to become the undisputed ruler of the asphalt jungle! Buckle up for a heart-pounding adventure where strategy and skill meet lightning-fast laps.


Xbox Live

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER

Chorus Worldwide Games

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver – May 16

ES88 is an esper tasked with capturing Golden Butterfly, a psychic entity hiding in the memories of others. Play as ES88 and join her cyborg colleague GATE, and the creature known as a NEURODIVER to help repair the memories Golden has damaged and stop them in their tracks in this “psy-fi” adventure!


Xbox Live

PO’ed: Definitive Edition

Nightdive Studios

PO’ed: Definitive Edition – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

An adrenaline-pumping space shooter that features gameplay elements inspired by generational powerhouses Doom and Quake. Play as a chef who crash lands on an alien planet infested with extraterrestrial foes.


Xbox Live

Musashi vs Cthulhu

QUByte Interactive

Musashi vs. Cthulhu – May 16

A fast-paced action game where you take control of Musashi, the most famous warrior from feudal Japan, as he fights for his life against unspeakable monsters. The enemies come from both sides of the screen and must be attacked with precise blows to bulging weak spots shown in their bodies. Challenge your friends to see who the most precise warrior.


Xbox Live

Claws & Feathers 3

ChiliDog Interactive

$5.99

Claws & Feathers 3 – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

The birds and cats are back in an all-new puzzle adventure that sends them soaring across the galaxy in search of a new home! When a zombie apocalypse ravages their home planet, the birds set off for the stars. But they’re not alone. Their eternal rivals, the cats, snuck on board and will do everything they can to make the journey an unpleasant one!


Xbox Live

FoxyRush

Ratalaika Games S.L.

FoxyRush – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Foxy is a little fox who loves to eat cherries. One day, his supplies were stolen! Now he must go through many levels and collect all the cherries to get his supplies back. Run, jump, slide on walls, cling to ropes, and dodge various traps and enemies!


Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Not Not – A Brain Buster

naptime.games

Not Not – A Brain Buster – May 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ready to push the limits of your brain and challenge your intelligence? The ultimate brain-busting challenge is finally here! Do exactly what the cube says in a limited amount of time to test your reflexes and your thought processing speed.


Xbox Live

Morbid: The Lords of Ire

Merge Games

Mordbid: The Lords of Ire – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Morbid: The Lords of Ire is a continuation and reinvention of the critically acclaimed isometric Souls-like ARPG Morbid: The Seven Acolytes with the heroic Striver returning once more to do battle with horrific creatures in a dark and twisted world of pain and suffering


Xbox Live

Outbreak The Fedora Files What Lydia Knows

Dead Drop Studios LLC


$19.99

$15.99

Outbreak The Fedora Files: What Lydia Knows – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Super and extra-natural phenomena around the world are officially disavowed. In the United States, these phenomena are unofficially investigated by an elite squad of agents known as the Federal Disaster Organic Response Agency, FEDORA. These are their stories…


Xbox Live

Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics

NintaiStudios

$13.99

Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command!


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Cat’s Eye: How to Navigate the World of Little Kitty, Big City

Cat’s Eye: How to Navigate the World of Little Kitty, Big City

Little Kitty Big City Hero Image

Summary

  • Enjoy this guide to help you think more like a cat and get the most out of your shenanigans in Little Kitty Big City.
  • Is there anyone more curious than a cat? We don’t think so!
  • Little Kitty Big City is available now for Xbox, Windows, and with Game Pass.

Little Kitty Big City is an open-world exploration game which lets you play as an adventurous — and willful — little cat. You’ll make your way back home eventually, but not before you find distractions aplenty, a cast of quirky animals to befriend and so much mischief to get into! But we know it can be hard to let go of human ideas like “responding to emails” and “not tripping people up to see what’s in their briefcases,” so here is a little guide to help you think more like a cat and get the most out of your cat shenanigans. 

Engage Your Curiosity

Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

Is there anyone more curious than a cat? We don’t think so! In the world of Little Kitty, Big City, there are always new places, people, and collectibles to discover. You just have to stay curious to find them all, and the best way to stay curious is to keep asking yourself questions! What’s under that wall? What happens if I tread painty paw prints all over this human’s art canvas? Will this thing smash when I push it off a ledge? Finding the answers is a vital part of being a little cat.

Interact With Humans

Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

If you’ve ever met a cat, you’ll know that they each have their own unique personality and their own way of interacting with humans. Being a cat in Little Kitty, Big City is no different — how you interact with the people around you is up to you. Are you feeling a little mischievous? Time to trip an innocent pedestrian by weaving between their legs in a very unhelpful way and then steal their phone! Feeling in need of affection? You can rub against those human legs instead and give a little purr. Humans eat that stuff up. And if you’re feeling annoying, you can meow meow meow the day away! Who doesn’t love a very noisy cat following them around for no reason?

Navigate The World

Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

Cats are graceful (sometimes), small, can climb ivy walls, squeeze into tight spaces and always land on their feet! Since you’re no longer a clumsy human in this game, all those tiny little spots you never thought you’d be able to fit into are now open to you as a little kitty. From the rooftops to ground below, all the vents, awnings, cars, and fences are your domain. Except those big puddles. Let’s just stay far away from those…

Express Yourself

Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

As you explore the city, you will meet other cats who will offer new ways to immerse yourself in the mind of a cat. You’ll learn crucial kitty emotes like how to make muffins, have a biiiiig stretch, take naps, sits where you fit, and even gag at gross smells or unpalatable tasks! These gestures are an invaluable part of your toolkit for self-expression and can be combined with Kitty’s extensive wardrobe of collectible hats to create the perfect reaction to a situation.

Try the Sunflower hat with the biiiiiiig stretch for Kitty’s attempt at the traditional Sun Salutation yoga flow. Follow that up by swapping to the Crab hat and making a yuck face in the greengrocer’s – you must protest her lack of seafood. Then round off the day by donning the Sheriff’s hat and lashing out with a paw swipe at a board game. How else will the humans know that you’re not into chess?

Relax

Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

Humans don’t understand how hard cats work to find the perfect nap spot. In fact, if cats didn’t spend so much energy looking for new places to sleep, perhaps they wouldn’t be so sleepy in the first place…? But that’s a topic for a different blog! What you need to know for Little Kitty, Big City is that, when you find a good nap spot, you want to get in there immediately, and in whatever pose fills the space. After all, when a nap is at stake, who cares which way the humans say your spine and limbs are “supposed” to be facing!

Little Kitty Big City is available now for Xbox, Windows, and with Game Pass.

Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Little Kitty, Big City

Double Dagger Studio


12

$24.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? I mean, getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it’s one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline… It’s definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration!

The post Cat’s Eye: How to Navigate the World of Little Kitty, Big City appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Use Your Powers of De-duck-tion in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Summary

  • Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store.
  • Interrogate suspects and pilfer evidence to find clues and quack the case!
  • Two to three hours of light-hearted narrative adventure mystery.
  • Fully voice-acted cast of eccentric suspects to inspect and interrogate.

Solving crime is no walk in the pond.

We’re very excited to announce that Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store! Duck Detective is Aggretsuko meets Return of the Obra Dinn, in a cozy mystery setting where a down-on-his-luck duck is tasked with exposing a sinister sausage-based conspiracy.

DuckD screenshot

You play as Eugene McQuacklin, part-time private investigator, full-time duck. As a recent divorcee and ex-police detective, you must use your supreme powers of deduc(k)tion to save your ailing career and maybe, just maybe, pay next month’s rent.

DuckD screenshot

Our small team at Happy Broccoli Games have been greatly inspired by the classic Agatha Christie novels. While they take a darker and more suspenseful approach, we wanted to create something that would keep you guessing as much as it will make you smile. It has been fantastic fun for our team to write such an energetic and twisty tale. A pompous detective, mismatched characters, and cramped environment, all mixed together surely makes for a big hoot!

DuckD screenshot

    Justice is a dish best served at the bottom of a pond. And you’re sure to get your flippers wet when it comes to the case of The Secret Salami.

    We are very much looking forward to having all you detectives quack the case on release! We don’t have a firm date just yet, but we’ll work hard to get it in your hands as quackly as possible. Please look forward to more puns and more fun when the game launches on Xbox!

    The post Use Your Powers of De-duck-tion in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC

    Jump back in comes to Compact Mode 

    In November, we introduced Compact Mode, a feature available via the Xbox app on PC that enhances your gaming experience by providing a more intuitive user interface on smaller screens, including Windows handhelds. We’re excited to announce that the Jump back in feature and enhancements to the Friends panel are rolling out to all Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview starting today! 

    When we launched Compact Mode, we focused on giving you more space to browse content by simplifying the sidebar. We are now taking it further with Jump back in, our latest feature that allows you to quickly access the games you have recently played on your Windows device when you are immersed in Compact Mode. 

    Jump back in will feature the last nine games you played from the app. When you click on any game card, you will go directly to its game hub where you can jump into game play. You can also right-click or press the menu button on your controller to launch directly into game play from the context menu.  

    Enhancements to the Friends panel 

    With Compact Mode, we have also made it easier to access the Friends panel via controller navigation, with quick access directly from the sidebar, and consistent with other panels like Notifications. We are looking forward to hearing your feedback as we continue to improve the experiences related to Friends in the app. 

    Starting next week, a new survey will be available in the Xbox Insider Hub (open or install clicking here) for players enrolled in the PC Gaming preview to give us your feedback on Jump back in and the updated Friends panel access with Compact Mode. As a reminder, you can always give us suggestions for the app or leave feedback by clicking on your Profile card inside the Xbox App and then selecting Feedback from the dropdown menu. We can’t wait to hear from you as we work to bring more enhancements to Compact Mode and the Xbox App on PC for you to enjoy seamless Xbox gaming experiences across all your Windows devices. 

    How to get Xbox Insider support and share your feedback 

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, you can provide direct feedback to Team Xbox by following the steps here under the “Report a problem online” section. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding the PC Gaming Preview

    Like what you see but not an Xbox Insider? 

    If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. (Note: The features outlined in this article are currently only available for PC-based Xbox Insiders.) 

    The post Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Athenian Rhapsody Brings Laughs, Community, and IBS

    Welcome to the colorful and unpredictable world of Athens. Athenian Rhapsody releases May 14 on Xbox One & Series X|S systems, and with it, the chance to build your very own Rhapsody! Inspired heavily by a mixture of retro RPGs, choose-your-own-adventure books, and numerous other inspirations, Athenian Rhapsody is a unique blend of traditional RPG mechanics, player-focused narrative and exploration, and surprises such as varied minigames and a unique online system. No playthroughs will be the same – find out why in the brand new launch trailer above!

    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.

    AR Screenshot 1

    The game also features a unique combat system, which mixes traditional JRPG-esque turn-based combat alongside real-time bullet-hell elements. However, that’s not all! The game throws a monkey wrench in this formula by introducing a vast assortment of distinct ways of battling through an eclectic mix of unique minigames. This may include playing basketball, cooking, dancing your heart out, working out, playing old arcade games, drawing pictures, and more! And that’s not even mentioning the unique conversations and personalities of each enemy you can find throughout the game.

    AR Screenshot 2

    As you explore Athens, you’ll come across tons of different biomes, all with their own unique feel and residents (both friendly and not)! Not only will your party members play a role in how you explore these biomes, but so will the choices you make throughout the game and how you interact with those around you. You’ll find yourself in situations that range from odd (such as fighting an arrogant fly) to utterly bizarre (helping out in an Italian restaurant). What other secrets does the world of Athens hold? You’ll have to explore every nook and cranny to find out!

    AR Screenshot 3

    Last but not least, what’s up with that online system we mentioned? The complexity and deep variety of the game’s design means no two playthroughs will ever be the same. As you wrap up each playthrough of the game, you’ll be awarded your very own “rhapsody”, something of a unique memento that contains your player character and each and every nuance of how you experienced Athens. These rhapsodies can be collected and viewed, but also traded to friends! Collected rhapsodies can also be stacked/combined to give them additional effects. Plus, some rare rhapsodies exist, which may grant special in-game bonuses or allow for unique experiences to pop up in game.

    AR screenshot 4

    Developed by Nico Papalia with co-development help, porting assistance for Xbox, and publishing by Top Hat Studios, Athenian Rhapsody is launching May 14 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, with a 15% launch discount until May 28th.

    Xbox Live

    Athenian Rhapsody

    Top Hat Studios, Inc.

    ARE YOU READY FOR THE CRAZIEST GAME EVER? CAN THE DEVELOPER OF THE GAME DO A BACKFLIP??? No, he can’t. Maybe one day, but for now he’s too scared!

    …anyway, Athenian Rhapsody is a super-fresh, one-of-a-kind comedy RPG in which you’ll explore the World of Athens! Your goal is to build your very own Rhapsody – the story of you (the player) and your epic tale in this world. You’ll be faced with many challenges, and you’ll have to fight (or hug) your way through the world by either battling, or awkwardly trying to make friends with your opponents through esoteric knowledge, abstract jokes, memory games, and other strange and funny interactions.

    If you want more of the meat’n’cheese, well feast your eyes upon these rather dry feature descriptions, written by someone who’s probably a little bit boring:

    – Each character in the world of Athens has a bold personality, and a large amount of depth for you to discover. You can choose to adventure with whoever you’d like! There truly is a favorite for everyone to bond with, I promise.

    – This world has no shortage of intense battles with opponents that range from weird, wacky, tough, cute, and outright goofy!

    – On your journey, you may face mind-bendingly difficult challenges such as “Spell Richard” and “Carry A Feather” throughout your Rhapsody. Would you dare come face to face with the infamous 3×3 slide puzzle?

    – Many characters will switch up the tactics of battle, you’ll be faced with various minigames based on the scenario you find yourself in.

    – This game is fast paced, action packed, and full of zany and ironic humor that anyone can have a nice laugh at.

    – You will NOT run out of things to do. If you do, you probably haven’t seen the sunlight in quite some time!

    – Nothing substantial in this game is up to RNG. You choose your pathway from start to finish, creating an extremely specific pathway which’ll then be recorded – this is your playthrough’s Rhapsody, a narrated story of your journey through Athens! When you come to the end of the line and reflect upon your Rhapsody, could you say you did your best?

    – You’ll be able to share Rhapsodies between your friends. Share, combine, read through, and maybe even delete your friend’s Rhapsodies!

    The post Athenian Rhapsody Brings Laughs, Community, and IBS appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Feel the Burn Today with the Fire Vapor Special Edition Controller

    Xbox Wireless Controller – Fire Vapor Special Edition Hero Image

    Feel the Burn Today with the Fire Vapor Special Edition Controller

    Introducing the Xbox Wireless Controller – Fire Vapor Special Edition, the latest and boldest addition to our Vapor Series alongside Stormcloud Vapor, Dream Vapor, and Nocturnal Vapor. Inspired by flames, every red and orange color swirl is an expression of blazing fire with a mesmerizing design that’s unique to each controller. Feel the power of fire in your hands and hold on to the heat with rubberized, red diamond-pattern grips on the back case. With vibrant flashes of color, the Fire Vapor controller is guaranteed to add some heat to your gaming setup. Get your today exclusively at the Microsoft Store.

    Xbox Wireless Controller Vapor Collection

    Experience peak performance and style with the Fire Vapor controller. With textured side and back grips, it ensures a firm hold during intense gameplay. Seamlessly connect to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, iOS, and Android devices via Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth technology (see xbox.com/controller-compatibility for more details) and enjoy up to 40 hours of battery life (varies with usage and other factors). Utilize the 3.5mm audio jack to plug in your favorite compatible headset, perfect for listening to your game or chatting with friends. Share your gaming moments effortlessly with the dedicated share button, and customize your experience with the Xbox Accessories app, giving you endless potential to elevate your play.

    Elevate your Xbox experience with Fire Vapor’s exclusive dynamic background! Simply connect your new controller to your Xbox Series X|S console to unlock a vibrant display of red and orange swirls, instantly adding a fresh, exciting theme to your gaming setup. To access this feature, select the Settings button on your console dashboard. Under the General tab, hit the Personalization button and find the “My Background” button. Once there, you’ll be able to see Dynamic Backgrounds and can choose between this or other dynamic looks to customize your Xbox experience even further.

    The Xbox Wireless Controller – Fire Vapor Special Edition is available today in select Xbox markets worldwide and sold exclusively through the Microsoft Store at $69.99 USD ERP. Visit Xbox.com or Microsoft.com for more information.

    The post Feel the Burn Today with the Fire Vapor Special Edition Controller appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Broken Roads: The NPCs We Love to Hate

    Broken Roads Hero

    Broken Roads: The NPCs We Love to Hate

    Summary

    • Broken Roads was released on April 10.
    • This party-based RPG takes place in a post-apocalyptic Australian setting.
    • Come and meet the most controversial characters in the game.

    Broken Roads is the recent party-based RPG released by Australian studio Drop Bear Bytes. In this game, players meet all sorts of characters along their journey, and not all of them are a pleasure to be around. There are distant parents, egotistical buffoons, narcissistic mercenaries, and unfeeling killers out on the roads. Most of them wouldn’t look at you twice, but some would be more than happy to put you in the dirt.

    As the game’s narrative designer, I have worked with the team to pick just a few of the NPCs we love to hate, and give you a taste of some of the characters you’ll meet in our post-apocalyptic world.

    Louise Evans

    As a meat and produce merchant for the farming town of Aldersyde, Louise Evans has never been shy about saying what she thinks in the most uncharming, inflammatory way possible. Louise has always considered everyone to be beneath her, especially her son, Charlie, and his run-away father. She only ordered the Alderman of Aldersyde to take over the town’s leadership because she got sick of the farmers and their endless whinging.

    Louise never wanted to stay in Aldersyde, and if you ask her, it was all Charlie’s fault that she was even in this dung-smelling town to begin with. To Louise, Charlie is spineless, useless, and a waste of space.

    Louise is a (not so) shining figure of motherhood and kindness in the world of Broken Roads. And, depending on your choices, you may get to discuss the moralities of parenthood and what it means to be a ‘good parent’.

    Malcolm Hogan

    Malcolm Hogan, of the Hogan House in Merredin, is a boastful man who has only gotten so far in life thanks to nepotism. If he was outside the walls of Merredin, someone would’ve shut his gob with a bullet a long time ago.

    Malcolm is always scheming and on the lookout for a lackey he can use to strengthen his election campaign against Governor Angela Smith. He’s a man who relies on confidence and “charm” to cover up his stupidity and inability to really do anything right, besides getting on everyone’s bad side.

    You’ll have multiple chances to morally agree or question Malcolm’s schemes and who he may or may not be benefitting with his choices that could change the entirety of Merredin. Vote for Hogan!

    Ian Mason

    The leader of the aptly named ‘Mason Gang’, Ian is the sleaziest of them all and would win first place five years in a row for the “most punchable face” award. A mercenary for hire, Ian is a narcissist who thinks everyone who doesn’t kiss his feet is jealous of him and wants him dead.

    In reality, ‘Deadeye Mason’ as he’s called by everyone else (and not for his marksmanship), is the butt of everyone’s jokes and is only alive because no one reckons he’s worth the bullet. Alive or dead, Ian Mason is a waste of space, through and through.

    You can use your Moral Leaning on the Moral Compass to intimidate him and discuss the meaning of contracts and obligations with him, though it may be more of a one-sided conversation.

    James Wakefield

    James Wakefield is a bad omen. Under all his bravado is a cruel man who kills without mercy, and it’s done in the name of his home city, Brookton.

    The problem is, his unwavering loyalty to his people is the whole reason Brookton went up in smoke. If anything, the Brookton townsfolk should be grateful they got James knocking at their door: at least he killed them quickly.

    Depending on how hellbent you are on finding him, you may just get the chance to put up your fists and settle the score


    These are just a few of the colorful characters you’ll need to keep an eye out for during your time with Broken Roads. We can’t wait to see who else gets on our player’s nerves, and hope you enjoyed this look into the types of people that make up our narrative.

    Xbox Live

    Broken Roads

    Versus Evil, LLC


    19

    $39.99

    Born of a love for traditional computer role-playing, Broken Roads provides a rich, engaging narrative in which players make their way across a desolated future Australia. Blending together traditional and all-new role-playing elements on top of a classless system offering nearly unlimited character development options, Broken Roads presents players with an original morality system: the Moral Compass. This novel design sees dialogue options and questing decisions influence, and be influenced by, a character’s philosophical leaning.

    Features

    • All-new post-apocalyptic setting
    • Unique morality system influencing dialogue, quests and character development
    • Authentic Australian locations and environments
    • Blend of traditional and original RPG mechanics
    • Up to 5 party members
    • Turn-based tactical combat
    • Hand-drawn artwork
    • A content-rich and densely-crafted world

    The post Broken Roads: The NPCs We Love to Hate appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Xbox Grows Support of Veterans, Military Service Members and their Families

    Xbox Grows Support of Veterans, Military Service Members and their Families

    A smiling military service member uses a laptop at a table while three people in the background sit on a couch and view a tablet together.

    Summary

    • Xbox reviews a year of partnership with the USO.
    • Call of Duty Endowment announces new operator packs.
    • Microsoft supports veterans, transitioning service members, and now military spouses with free technical career training through MSSA

    Last year marked the beginning of a memorable journey as we joined forces with the United Service Organizations (USO) to bring the joy of gaming directly to you, even when your service takes you across the world. It’s our honor to provide a digital bridge back to your families and friends, ensuring that distance does not diminish the bonds that matter most.

    This year, we’re proud to deepen our commitment as a premier gaming partner of the USO, ensuring that Xbox gaming is a staple wherever the USO Gaming program reaches. We understand that being away from loved ones is the most significant challenge of military life for many of you. We’re inspired by all the ways we’ve learned from you how video games can positively influence your lives, offering a tangible connection to your loved ones and the broader military community.

    We recognize that deployments and remote assignments can be challenging, and the absence of friends and family can feel profound. Video games are more than entertainment ― they’re a conduit for camaraderie, a momentary escape from the rigors of duty, and a tool to remain engaged with life back home. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can continue your gaming adventures seamlessly across Xbox console and Windows 10/11 PC, ensuring you can stay connected with loved ones, whether near or far you can stay connected with loved ones, whether near or far.

    Xbox is excited to expand our gaming offerings, host more communal events, and introduce new initiatives designed to elevate your gaming experiences and strengthen the connections with your loved ones.  Read on to discover the Call of Duty Endowment update, new career training for military spouses, and more ways we’re connecting with the military community:

    Xbox and USO: A Year of Partnership

    A military service person and two children sit together on a couch while using a laptop together

    Last year, we announced our partnership with the USO to further its mission delivery capabilities by providing more substantial access to services like Xbox Game Pass and gaming equipment, and through partnership in events and program collaboration. This year, we’ve expanded our partnership as a premier gaming partner of the USO and providing Xbox gaming wherever the USO Gaming program is. With 50% of service members citing time spent away from family as their number one issue in military life, it’s heartening to witness the real, positive impact gaming can have in the lives of service members by keeping them connected with their loved ones and the broader military community.

    For many service members, being deployed overseas or stationed on remote bases can be an isolating experience. Separation from friends and family can leave them feeling disconnected from their civilian lives. That’s why video games can be a lifeline, providing a way to stay in touch, have fun, and decompress after a stressful day. As an example, last year, Xbox donated 500 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate codes to the USO for their gaming centers, enabling service members to play hundreds of games on their preferred platform, with access on multiple devices in many regions across the globe.

    Last year, the USO and Xbox also collaborated on USOCON, an event at Fort Knox where families and cadets stepped away from the stressful challenges of their day-to-day lives and relaxed at their own mini-gaming convention. During USOCON, the partnership with Xbox was a standout feature that not only provided fantastic prizes but also created the “F.O.B. Xbox Area.” This unique space was designed to resemble a forward operating base, offering attendees a fun, free-to-play environment filled with Xbox consoles. An immersive setup allowed soldiers and their families to play a variety of games, enhancing the feeling of community during the event and demonstrating Xbox’s commitment to supporting our troops through interactive and engaging gaming experiences.

    In September 2023, Xbox worked with the USO to facilitate a pop-up gaming activation on an aircraft carrier during a family day. This activation provided a unique opportunity to bring gaming to the seven seas, where service members and their families could sit back, relax, and enjoy themselves while underway. This collaboration demonstrates the value of the partnership between Xbox and the USO to not just our nation’s service members, but their families and loved ones as well.

    In addition to our well-received virtual Xbox series in partnership with USO in 2023, we hosted a partnered session at the Game Developers Conference in March 2024 entitled “Operation Innovation: How Xbox Employs Military Talents in Gaming,” featuring Xbox and USO expert panelists who shared their insights on how Xbox and USO approach supporting U.S. vets and active-duty military in career development. More than 70 GDC guests attended the session, including both active military and former military across most U.S. forces. 

    Transitioning to Video Game Careers

    The USO Transition Program extends the USO experience to active duty, Reserve, National Guard and military spouses by offering professional development services throughout the duration of military service as well as in preparation for life post-military. Your military role doesn’t dictate what you do when you transition from the service or capture how the skills developed in that role translate to other industries.

    Xbox partnered with the USO Transition Program to host a series of panels showcasing different career paths within the video game industry. More than 340 attendees joined to attend sessions from 219 locations across the world, to learn about the daily work and career paths of panelists with careers in video game engineering, production, and communications.

    Panelists shared key points on their pathways to their rewarding careers in the game industry and included military veterans who joined Xbox by way of the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA), Microsoft’s 17-week training program enabling veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful careers in tech. U.S. service members can apply through SkillBridge or as a veteran for a spot in Microsoft’s rigorous, fully-funded program, designed to build the technical and career-building skills to equip military professionals to get started in IT.

    After 10 years working with over 3,700 transitioning and former service members, let’s just say we’ve learned a thing or two about the enormous skillset developed by many in military service, by service members of all MOSs―and also by military families. Juggling the logistics of the military lifestyle, like family obligations amid multiple deployments, is a monumental skillset that’s tough to capture on a resume. In April Microsoft Military Affairs announced the pilot cohort of MSSA–Military Spouse and a new Technical Program Management (TPM) learning path designed to do just that! This free 17-week program uses live virtual instruction to equip military spouses with the technical skills to access remote, portable employment as a TPM. Applications are accepted from May 13–27, so learn more about this exciting opportunity for military spouses and other success stories.

    Call of Duty: Endowment

    Knight Recon Operator holding a sniper rifle aiming on a target while lightning storm strikes in the background.

    Make a legendary difference to U.S. and U.K. military veterans by purchasing the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Knight Recon: Tracer Pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone. The full purchase price for this special item, less VAT/sales tax, will be donated to the Call of Duty Endowment, which provides grants to registered charities that place unemployed and underemployed veterans in the U.K. and U.S. into high-quality jobs. By purchasing this pack, you will directly contribute to the Endowment’s mission. Get it now in the Xbox Store.

    Gaming and Impact with Rewards  

    A reminder that Rewards members can earn and donate Rewards points to the USO and Call of Duty Endowment in specific marketplaces.

    Xbox players can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Start earning today and redeem your points for great rewards. Donate your points on the Rewards hub or on the Microsoft Rewards redeem page.   

    The post Xbox Grows Support of Veterans, Military Service Members and their Families appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 6 to 10

    Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 6 to 10

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


    Xbox Live

    Brocula

    DESTROYER DOGGO

    Brocula – May 7

    Embark on an epic journey as Brocula, a vampire awoken from a 500-year slumber in a world unrecognizable to him. Stripped of his wealth, he must navigate the daunting maze of capitalism, taking on part-time jobs at the local garage, coffee shop, and restaurant to earn a meager living.


    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    15in1 Solitaire

    Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

    15in1 Solitaire – May 8
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Dive deep into the world of Solitaire in the largest Solitaire combo released yet. The common goal of all the solitaire variants is to eliminate all the cards, which are on the table. Move them to the corresponding pile based on the rules of particular mode. Every variant have different rules and allows different card movements.


    Xbox Live

    Gift (Xbox Series X|S Edition)

    Toydium Inc., Million Edge Inc., Bushiroad Inc.

    $24.99

    Gift – May 8
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    An old man wakes up and finds himself on a luxury cruise ship. He encounters passengers that he feels nostalgic for as he attempts to escape from the sinking ship. Make strategic use of these changes to construct an escape route.


    Xbox Live

    I Am Your President

    Ultimate Games S.A.

    I Am Your President – May 8

    Get into the character of Mister President and choose the answers that best suit the situation. Different options can help you make allies, but also enrage your previous supporters. Be careful with words and make sure that you don’t neglect any of the prominent groups or important people… or do and deal with the problems later.


    Xbox Live

    INDIKA

    11 bit studios

    Indika – May 8
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    A third-person, story-driven game set in a strange world where religious visions clash with harsh reality. It tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual, horn-headed companion by her side.


    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    MIDNIGHT Remastered

    Mad Jackal Games

    $1.99

    Midnight Remastered – May 8
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    A remastered version of the 2017 web game Midnight, where you collect the seven letters of the deadly sins and repent your past offences in this horror game. Featuring a non-linear storyline where the game takes place after major events, you must collect and read optional documents if you wish to understand the story.


    Xbox Live

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs

    Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

    Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs – May 8
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is an online-only Pac-Man eating competition! Eat your way through multiple interconnected mazes using Power Pellets and a variety of Power Items to chomp the Ghosts and opponent Pac-Man players! Be the last Pac standing at the end of each match in this 64-player battle royale to be the Chomp Champ!


    Xbox Live

    Prison of Illusion

    DERIK D.F

    Prison of Illusion – May 8

    A young white-haired vampire was walking through the darkness of the forest and saw a large castle on top of the mountain. He then decides to go inside and explore the environment. But he discovers that the magic present in the castle makes him trapped. Help the young vampire overcome traps, challenges and find the way out in this platforming adventure.


    Xbox Live

    Tennis Elbow 4

    Mana Games

    Tennis Elbow 4 – May 8

    Created by and for tennis fans, Tennis Elbow 4 is a tennis simulation with an easy and intuitive learning curve, but with exceptional gameplay depth. Show all your tactical skills, use an iron mind and quick reflexes, as well as a sharp eye to guess the ball trajectories, all of this to choose your next strike wisely.


    Xbox Live

    The Prisoner of the Night

    Eastasiasoft Limited

    The Prisoner of the Night – May 8
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    The Prisoner of the Night is a side-scrolling action platformer presented in nightmarish 2.5D style, where the lovely girl Nartide must survive terrible monsters and traps in the darkest, scariest night of her life. Prepare to guide little Nartide through 159 insane and terrifying stages, where every step could lead to a painful death!


    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    CorpoNation: The Sorting Process

    Playtonic Friends


    $14.49

    $11.59

    CorpoNation: The Sorting Process – May 9
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

    You have been tasked with sorting the Ringo CorpoNation’s genetic samples. With the credits that you earn, you can shop, game and pay your bills on time. Rogue workers may try to entice you into betraying your beloved employer, but we know you’ll give 110%.


    Xbox Live

    Crow Country

    SFB Games

    Crow Country – May 9
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    A survival horror game where you’ll test yourself against puzzles and riddles as you investigate the eerie tranquility of the abandoned theme park. Don’t be deceived by the whimsical surroundings; something is awfully wrong in Crow Country.


    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Little Kitty, Big City

    Double Dagger Studio

    Little Kitty, Big City – May 9
    Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

    Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? Getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it’s one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline… It’s definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration!


    Xbox Live

    Rainbow Cotton

    ININ GAMES

    $19.99

    Rainbow Cotton – May 9

    Originally released in 2000 on Sega’s Dreamcast, Rainbow Cotton takes you on an arcade-inspired journey through a number of fantastically designed, enchanting stages. Clothed in charming 3D graphics these levels include massive bosses as well as alternative routes to explore.


    Xbox Live

    Aquarium Designer

    RockGame S.A., Games Operators

    Aquarium Designer – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Aquarium Designer gives you an opportunity to create the aquarium of your dreams! Become a professional whose job is to design it, build it, and fill it with the various underwater wildlife! All types, all sizes – your creativity is your only limit.


    Xbox Live

    Chronicles of Magic: Divided Kingdom (Xbox Version)

    Artifex Mundi

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Chronicles of Magic: Divided Kingdom – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox One X Enhanced

    Long ago, the twin kingdoms destroyed each other in war. During your dangerous journey you will meet the inhabitants of both the White and Black Kingdoms. It won’t be immediately clear who is trustworthy. The boundaries between good and evil, magic and technology, and black and white will begin to blur in this hidden object adventure game.


    Xbox Live

    Farlands Journey

    Desert Water Games

    Farlands Journey – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    A colorful classic adventure platformer game where you play as a little witch fighting the evil forces. Embark on an adventure to recover the stolen heart of your Magical Academy. Discover various magic spells and hats with unique effects. Defeat monsters and their bosses. Solve puzzles by combining platforming skills and magical spells. Collect gems and spend them on upgrades in Magical Academy.


    Xbox Live

    Kinduo 2 – Frostbite

    Ratalaika Games S.L.

    Kinduo 2 – Frostbite – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    A local co-op game where two elemental friends with unique abilities need to help each other to overcome obstacles! Create blocks of ice, burn or melt things, and combine your skills to create plants in this cute and colorful co-op game! Each character has their unique skill which makes the game more challenging and fun.


    Xbox Live

    Paper Flight – Future Battles

    EpiXR Games

    $9.99

    Paper Flight – Future Battles – May 10

    jump into the role of a little paper plane that is supposed to rescue the world from evil balloon demons by dashing through them. You are free to enjoy the game any way you see fit as the only enemies of the game are balloons which generally are not well known for being too dangerous.


    Xbox Live

    THE ORIGIN: Blind Maid

    Waraní Studios

    The Origin: Blind Maid – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Decades after the events that generated The Origin, a corrupt politician on the run from justice takes refuge in an inhospitable region plagued by terrible legends. His assistant disappears with the car keys he needs to escape. During the search for him, he will be confronted with space and time, being forced to return to the past and find the Origin of the Blind Maiden as he seeks redemption from him.



    Xbox Live

    WW2 Rebuilder

    PlayWay S.A.

    WW2 Rebuilder – May 10
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    It’s 1945, the end of World War II. Now people must leave their hometowns to rebuild their countries. Motivated by different reasons, they get set on the same quest – to repair and renovate places completely destroyed during the war.


    The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 6 to 10 appeared first on Xbox Wire.