Sniper Elite Invites You to Join the Resistance, with Tips to Get Started

Sniper Elite Invites You to Join the Resistance, with Tips to Get Started

With Sniper Elite: Resistance available from today on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox and Windows PC, we thought it would be a great time to give you some hints and tips for when you join the Resistance.

Find Your Playstyle

One of the key tenants of the Sniper Elite franchise is the freedom we give to you, the player. We want you to be able to approach every mission, objective and scenario in a way that suits how you want to play the game. You may be the kind of player who is extremely stealthy, taking their time to plan out each and every attack. Using binoculars to mark every enemy you see, planning your assault and taking out the enemies you need to from distance and cover.

Conversely you may be more “shock and awe” in your approach as you blow up a nearby vehicle and let the bullets fly as you steam in. The choice is completely up to you.

Adapt to Achieve Your Objective

The key here is being able to adapt on the fly, no matter your approach. Make sure you have a balanced loadout and are prepared for the scenario you are about to face. Even if you are a ‘run and gun’ style player, it never hurts to plan – even just a little.

Use the tools at your disposal, including your binoculars and focus, mark your enemies by hovering over them and then choose your approach before executing. But, be prepared for things to go wrong. Know where the alarms are and have an exit strategy, even if that’s just to let the bullets fly from an SMG as you run for cover.

Take Time to Understand Your Hunting Ground

The main Campaign in Sniper Elite: Resistance encompasses eight missions – all playable in single player and with a friend via online co-op. Each mission in is set in its own large, sprawling map in different locations behind enemy lines in France. While your primary objective will be clearly marked, there is so much more for you to discover.

Taking the time to explore the map, search enemy soldiers, and keeping an eagle eye for opportunities and hidden secrets will bring its rewards. You can discover additional objectives, unlock new insertion points, gain additional back story and mission information as well as discovering easter eggs.

Propaganda Missions

Each mission also has a Resistance poster hidden within the map. Once you find it you will unlock a separate Propaganda Mission. Here you play as a member of the Resistance in a variety of challenges, all against the clock. These smaller, repeatable levels will test your stealth, combat or sniping.

Each of the challenges has its own set of rules, weapons and scoring to vary the experience. Keep on playing to get the highest score possible and unlock medals and new weapons. We think you are really going to enjoy them.

Choose Your Weapon

As you would expect from a Sniper Elite game you have an arsenal of authentic World War 2 weaponry at your disposal, including some old favourites and new entries to the series. These weapons are combined with our best-in-class ballistics and the series defining X-Ray Kill Cam which lets you reveal in the destruction caused by your sniping prowess.

Weapon unlocks can be earned by finding the workbenches that are hidden within each of the Campaign maps. These workbenches will not only give you access to new weaponry, but they also unlock a number of customisation options. They allow you to alter your loadout, which can be incredibly helpful mid-mission. You may find that you need to increase the zoom capability of your scope or add a silencer to your side arm, all options are open.

Take the Fight Online

Again, this is where exploring and gathering as much intel as possible is vital to success.

Knowing the maps and the various vantage points and hiding places can also be hugely advantageous, especially when Invasion mode is enabled. This optional game mode allows players to ‘invade’ another person’s campaign mission as an enemy sniper tasked with eliminating the lead player.

No matter which side you are on, there are additional tools you can utilise to gain information on your opponent’s location. As the invader you can instruct the AI soldier’s to be extra vigilant and report back if they spot the host player to reveal their position. As the host player you can use the telephones dotted around the map to gain intel on the invader. However, be careful when you use them as overuse will in-turn give away your position.

On top of this, we have a suite of adversarial online multiplayer options for up to 16 players, including a favourite for the snipers amongst us, No Cross. You can also join up to three other players to take on waves of enemies in Survival Mode.

There’s certainly a lot for you to get stuck into so grab your rifle and join the Resistance! We really hope you enjoy the game. Sniper Elite: Resistance is available today on Game Pass, Xbox and Windows PC.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

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Pre-order the Sniper Elite: Resistance standard edition now and receive:
• Target Führer – Lights, Camera, Achtung campaign mission
• 1x weapon skin
• Karabiner 98 Rifle

NEW OPERATIVE, NEW THREAT, NEW EPIC CAMPAIGN
Offering unparalleled sniping mechanics, stealth and tactical third-person combat, Sniper Elite: Resistance turns the attention of the award-winning series towards a hidden war, far from the front lines, deep within the heart of occupied France.
In a gripping new story that runs parallel with Sniper Elite 5, Harry Hawker, agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), takes the lead for the first time as he discovers an insidious new Wunderwaffe – something so powerful, it guarantees the Nazis will win the war.
Working with the French Resistance, this deadly addition to the Reich’s arsenal must be eliminated.
Multiple Kill List targets, and different infiltration and extraction points give you an unequalled choice with how to accomplish objectives and create your own playstyle.
The full campaign can also be experienced in co-op. Fight against the Nazi war machine with an ally to share weapons, items and tactical know-how, as well as help each other get back in the fight when you go down during firefights.
VISCERAL X-RAY KILL CAM AND ADVANCED GUNPLAY PHYSICS
The trademark X-ray kill cam returns, showing the true destructive power of every one of your signature shots. Bones deflect bullets to unpredictably rip new paths through enemy bodies and SMGs and pistols also trigger kill cams, showing multiple bullet shots in dramatic slow motion.
To land that shot you will need to think like a true sniper. Factor in rifle stock and barrel options along with gravity, wind and heart rate while you zero your sights on the target.
AUTHENTIC WORLD WAR II WEAPONS AND CUSTOMISATION
The arsenal at your disposal will feature returning franchise favourites as well as a host of new authentic WWII weapons. Picking your loadout will be key to striking down the Reich’s nefarious plans!
Customise your weapon to suit your operating style. Find workbenches scattered around the campaign to customise and upgrade your rifles, secondaries and pistols with new scopes, stocks, barrels, magazines and more. Also remember to pick the right ammo for the right job, whether you need armour-piercing shells or a non-lethal takedown.
PROPAGANDA MISSIONS – BE THE RESISTANCE
Locate unique Propaganda posters across the main campaign and step into the shoes of a French Resistance fighter in all new Propaganda missions. During these scenarios, sneak, snipe and take down enemies to complete time-sensitive objectives and help end the Nazi occupation.
AXIS INVASION MODE
The fan-favourite Axis Invasion mode is back! invade another player’s Campaign as an Axis sniper and engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Whether you stalk your prey, lay an ambush, or run in guns blazing, the threat of invasion provides a new dimension to the campaign’s challenge.
TENSE ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
When you’ve mastered your rifle, customise your character and loadout as you take the fight online in competitive 16-player battles to earn XP, medals and ribbons.
If competition isn’t your style, you can also team up with up to 3 other players against waves of enemies in Survival mode.

The post Sniper Elite Invites You to Join the Resistance, with Tips to Get Started appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Citizen Sleeper 2 Makes You The Protagonist Of Your Own Space Odyssey 

Citizen Sleeper 2 Makes You The Protagonist Of Your Own Space Odyssey 

Typically, if I’m holding my breath while playing a game, it’s because I’m focused on the rhythm of say, an intense combat sequence or platforming section. The tension stems from the precise, real-time input needed to triumph in those situations, a perfectly-aligned leap or parry. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, an RPG in which the main mechanic is placing dice into a slot at your leisure, does not require the lightning fast touch of a button, and that in itself is a testament to how exhilarating the game can be.

Citizen Sleeper 2 is the sequel to 2022’s Citizen Sleeper, and a compelling evolution to the first instalment that introduces new characters, stories and mechanics. You don’t necessarily need to have played the first game, but it does help in understanding the nuance and complexities of the unforgiving, dystopian world that Citizen Sleeper is set in. While the first game often felt like an isolated journey where helping yourself was often a zero-sum game, Citizen Sleeper 2 introduces a crew system, alongside some other clever new features, allowing your Sleeper to become the quirky, unappointed protagonist of your very own episodic sci-fi adventure.

Mechanically, the sequel feels fresh but familiar. Like the first game, Citizen Sleeper 2 is driven by ‘Cycles’, and at the start of each, you’ll roll a set of six-sided dice that will determine your output during any given Cycle. These dice will then slot into numerous activities, and the higher the roll, the higher the chance of success. Where Citizen Sleeper 2 builds on this is in a brand-new ‘Glitch’ system, a quirk that can debuff one or multiple of your dice rolls substantially, and the ‘Push’ system, which allows you to decrease the risk of using a specific dice to accrue Stress, another new feature. 

Stress is an exchange, letting you exchange short term success for further complications later on like ‘breaking’ a die, rendering it useless for a Cycle. This system forces you to gamble, to analyse whether success in the moment is worth whatever damage you’ll do to yourself in the long run. This is where those tense, exhilarating moments come into play, Citizen Sleeper 2 is at its best when a critical success or punishing failure hinges on an unpredictable dice roll.

It’s a much more engaging system, turning the act of simply rolling dice into a wider risk/reward system that enables you to essentially push through a difficult situation and pay for it later. Citizen Sleeper 2 is effectively a game about being alive in a body that doesn’t quite work as you’d like it to, and its mechanics are masterfully built to force you to wrestle with that at all times, yet it never feels a burden to play.

Another new addition that impacts how you play is the class system, which introduces three distinct Sleeper archetypes with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each class starts with strength in one skill, with the ability to unlock points and build out other skills as you play. However, each of these has one skill completely blocked off, you’ll not be able to build on it and will always be at a disadvantage on activities that require it. For example, I went with the Machinist role, a pragmatic archetype that excels with the ‘Engineer’ skill and falls short with the ‘Engage’ skill. In short, great at fixing things, not so great at socialising. It’s a balanced system, but one that drives a natural instinct to play a role, which will also impact how you build your party, another excellent addition to Citizen Sleeper 2.

As you progress, you’ll meet new characters that can be recruited as part of your crew, and each of these new additions comes with their own skills. This changes the dynamic of Citizen Sleeper 2 dramatically – you’re no longer only dependent on your own dice rolls, your crew members can contribute additional die in certain moments. 

However, these characters are more than just tactical additions to your tabletop arsenal. Citizen Sleeper 2‘s colorful cast is compelling to follow, because they’re not merely compelled to follow you. They’re individual personalities, each with their own drives and dreams. Sometimes, crew members will be indisposed on errands of their own making, and sometimes their actions will put you in interesting positions, and sometimes those situations may conflict with how you have chosen to roleplay your Sleeper. These characters are not written to be necessarily “good” or “bad” personalities, but everyone you meet has been molded by the dystopian landscape they all share in some way. There’s moral ambiguity in characters that have been shaped by loneliness, conflict and desperation, and there’s a muted cordiality in everyone just trying to survive.

One thing to really heed is that there is no right or wrong way to play Citizen Sleeper 2. Progression is not confined by the binaries of success and failure here, there is no “game over” if you find yourself stumbling through a run of bad luck and poor dice rolls. The decisions that you or your crew decide or deign are the ones that truly matter, and your priorities may change as you uncover new threads to pull on. 

The main story of Citizen Sleeper 2 is propelled forward by Major Drives, main missions that’ll advance the plot, but you’ll also pick up Minor Drives, side quests that are optional but will uncover integral additions such as new crew members and valuable items, some of which will pertain to the personal goals of your crew members. However, the new Contract system is where Citizen Sleeper 2 really shines in its homage to the episodic television format the game draws influence from. Contracts are little missions that your crew can embark on with their own engaging narratives and rewards, and they’re also where camaraderie with your crew is key to survival. Opportunities are often shrouded behind inconspicuous interactions that require good use of every skill, and not just your own.

Contracts are accessed via a new map layout, which allows your crew to travel freely between several locations. Citizen Sleeper 2 is far less linear, some Minor Drives will take you to new locations, or you can just choose to spend a few Cycles exploring a place with no specific goal. While its predecessor kept you isolated and tied to one place, Citizen Sleeper 2 extends an open invitation to explore a sprawling galaxy, as long as you have the supplies to get where you’re going.

There is, however, a constant clock running in the background as you partake in all of this wild-eyed wandering. The next narrative beat will often be forced upon you after a certain number of Cycles, and the way to keep failure at bay is to always be moving around. Again, this isn’t a pending failure, but a persistent reminder that there are consequences to your actions in this unrelenting universe.

Citizen Sleeper 2 constantly dances on the line between a calm, controlled stroll and a high-octane sprint. While you may be engaging in some non-important churn, taking your time with its many engaging dialogue sequences, the everpresent thrum of danger is always creeping up to you, making sure you can never truly relax wherever you are. It’s a masterful feat of thoughtful worldbuilding, where your success is often either clutched through chaos or entirely incalculable, which is also a salient question that Citizen Sleeper‘s world poses about existence: What if everything just went wrong anyway, and that was okay?

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is out January 31 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and is available day one with Xbox Game Pass.

The post Citizen Sleeper 2 Makes You The Protagonist Of Your Own Space Odyssey  appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Free-To-Play Frenzy: More Games, More Wins, More Adventures!

Xbox Free-To-Play Frenzy: More Games, More Wins, More Adventures!

Free to Play Frenzy Hero Image

Xbox is your ultimate destination for free-to-play excitement! From January 28 through February 10,  join the Free-To-Play Frenzy and immerse yourself in thrilling worlds, epic quests, and intense battles with millions of players worldwide. Take advantage of fantastic discounts and special Perks offers to elevate your gaming experience (perks and offers may vary by region and title. Check the Xbox console or app for the latest details).

Whether you’re into international pop stars, exploring expansive mountain ranges, or flushing out enemies, Xbox has the perfect free-to-play game for you. But don’t wait—the collection is only available until February 10!  Enjoy new experiences in popular titles like Genshin Impact, Fortnite Festival and Valorant. Here’s what’s new in each game:

  • Genshin Impact: Version 5.3, “Incandescent Ode of Resurrection”, is now available! Fight for Natlan’s future alongside Mavuika and Citlali, and welcome Teyvat’s new year with the joy and tradition of Lantern Rite!
  • Fortnite Festival: Mikufans, it’s time to grab your glowsticks (or should we say leeks?!). Hatsune Miku (初音ミク), one of the biggest virtual pop stars in the world, is bringing her futuristic sounds to Fortnite as the Icon for Festival Season 7!  
  • Valorant: Say hello to our newest Agent, Tejo, who’s joining the roster from Colombia. As part of the Initiator class, Tejo specializes in flushing out enemies. Tejo, like all Valorant Agents, is unlocked with a Game Pass membership. Learn more about his abilities on Xbox Wire.

Exclusive Perks for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Members

Level up your gaming with exclusive Perks for games like Throne & Liberty, War Thunder and Crossout. From bonus loot to unique skins, these rewards will enhance your gameplay experience. Visit the Perks gallery on your Xbox console or app to claim these exciting offers.

  • Throne & Liberty – Lottie and Percy Bundle (Xbox Exclusive): Join the Resistance in this Xbox exclusive colored Lottie Outfit and get a Fuzzy Percy Amitoi to tag along on your adventures.  
  • Crossout – Midgar 2.0 Bundle: Get a unique armored car, “Fenrir 2.0”, a character portrait, “Wotan”, a paint can: “Red grid”, 1500 in-game coins, and a premium account for 21 days.
  • War Thunder – Year of the Snake Bundle: Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Snake with a mighty tank, the Sherman Jumbo “Cobra King”, and a versatile fighter plane, the P-63C-5 “King Cobra”.

Get Ready for Non-Stop Fun

Xbox Free-To-Play Frenzy is your gateway to endless adventures. Whether you’re trying new games, revisiting old favorites, or creating your own stories, there’s something for everyone. Grab your controller, hit play, and let the fun begin!

Check out our Free-to-Play Frenzy collection here.

The post Xbox Free-To-Play Frenzy: More Games, More Wins, More Adventures! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

No Man’s Sky Worlds Part II Update Brings New Planets, Life and Stories to Discover

No Man’s Sky Worlds Part II Update Brings New Planets, Life and Stories to Discover

Summary

  • Worlds Part II introduces billions of new stars and planets to No Man’s Sky, each teeming with new life to discover.
  • New gameplay, missions and lore tie up loose ends from long-unanswered narrative strands.
  • Worlds Part II arrives on Xbox and Xbox Game Pass today, and is free for existing players.

Today, I’m super proud to announce that Worlds Part II is coming No Man’s Sky today, is free to download for all existing Xbox and Game Pass players today, and is one of the biggest updates we’ve ever released.

Across the universe we’ve introduced billions of new star systems, home to trillions of wholly new planets have been generated with new terrain technology. Enormous and foreboding Gas Giant planets can be seen for the first time, ten times bigger than our biggest planet, providing dramatic new environments to explore.

Innovative water technology has enabled us to spawn all-new water planets with new biomes and oceans that are kilometres deep. Deep sea gameplay has been introduced, and there’s a huge variety of new life to be discovered in the depths.

Water now responds to players as they travel through them and ripples and foams as spaceships skirt above them. Water surfaces are now more realistic and reflect the ever-changing cloud systems above and the glorious expanse of the night skies.

No Man's Sky screenshot

A new lightning system makes the seas and oceans look so different with new caustics, light shafts and the deeper you explore the darker it gets. In fact, every element of our lighting has been rewritten. Even on dry land, shadows show more details, light flickers through leaves, caves are dark and immersive

New terrain technology enables the creation of huge mountain ranges and deep canyons never possible before. All this technology combines to create that feeling of wonder in an infinite universe as you gaze up at a mountain peak miles above you, or stared down into the abyss of a dizzyingly cavernous gorge.

No Man's Sky screenshot

Every planet is different and no one has seen it before you, not even us, for us that’s what makes No Man’s Sky unique and why the emotions of exploring our universe just hit differently. 

As the team continues work on our next big game, Light No Fire, we learn new things, develop new tech and can’t resist sharing that with our No Man’s Sky players.

No Man's Sky screenshot

To accompany all this new technology and variety, there’s a whole host of new gameplay, lore and missions to dig into. There is a mission strand which explores the mystery of the Gas Giants and links up some narrative threads which have been left teasingly unanswered for a long time. 

There’s a new expedition which is like a guided tour through the best of what Worlds Part II has to offer, with a generous suite of rewards including a new starship which is part living ship, and part jet fighter!

No Man's Sky screenshot

To celebrate the release of Worlds Part II, we’re running another Twitch Drops campaign from Thursday 30th January to Monday 3rd February. Tune in to your favourite No Man’s Sky streamers on Twitch to unlock exclusive ships, multi-tools, pets and more just by watching them play. 

No Man's Sky screenshot

Worlds Part II takes the No Man’s Sky universe to a whole new level. It is way beyond what I ever thought possible when we first sat down to code our crazy little universe. Nine years later and this update is another step in the journey of this game that we truly love.

Xbox Play Anywhere

No Man’s Sky

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$59.99

$23.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

The post No Man’s Sky Worlds Part II Update Brings New Planets, Life and Stories to Discover appeared first on Xbox Wire.

MLB The Show 25: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson Are Your Cover Athletes

MLB The Show 25: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson Are Your Cover Athletes

MLB The Show 25 Key Art

Summary

  • A triple play of talent: MLB The Show 25 features three cover athletes for the first time ever with Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson.
  • MLB The Show 25 launches March 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S; early access begins March 14.
  • Check out the Gameplay Trailer next Tuesday, February 4, at 9:00 am PT on San Diego Studio and MLB The Show social channels.

In 2025, MLB The Show is celebrating its monumental 20th anniversary, a milestone that honors two decades of baseball history, innovation, and unforgettable memories for baseball fans around the world.

To mark this special occasion for San Diego Studio and PlayStation Studios, MLB The Show 25 proudly features not one, nor two, but three cover athletes for the first time ever: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson. These rising stars join a rich history of legendary cover athletes, symbolizing the future of baseball as we celebrate 20 incredible years of the franchise. Here’s some more information about each of our cover athletes:

Paul Skenes

Paul Skenes’ journey began in high school and continued throughout college, where he cemented his status as one of most talented young pitchers in baseball by winning a national championship before being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft. The following season, Skenes made his MLB debut and became the first player in MLB history to start the 2024 MLB All-Star Game just one year after being drafted. He capped off an incredible 2024 season by earning National League Rookie of the Year honors and being named to the All-MLB First Team. His story and skillset align perfectly with Road to the Show, where you can chart your own path to greatness.

Elly De La Cruz

Elly De La Cruz’s meteoric rise from the minors to the majors perfectly captures the excitement of working up to a big league debut and becoming a star. Since making his Major League debut in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds, Elly has consistently proven to be one of the most electrifying players on the field. He became one of the youngest players in MLB history to hit for the cycle and is renowned for his blazing speed on the bases and his cannon-like arm, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most promising talents. The 2024 All-Star showcases an impressive five-tool skillset and a dynamic switch-hitting approach — exactly what MLB The Show fans dream of when developing or acquiring their starting shortstop in Franchise mode.

Gunnar Henderson

Rounding out this triple play of talent is the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year, Gunnar Henderson. Selected 42nd overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, Gunnar quickly ascended through the Orioles’ farm system, making his MLB debut late in the 2022 season. Heading into 2023, he was named the #1 prospect on MLB’s Top 100 list. In his first full season in the majors, Gunnar became a cornerstone of the Orioles’ young core, helping lead the team to its first postseason appearance in seven years. His outstanding performance earned him AL Rookie of the Year honors and a Silver Slugger Award. Gunnar’s star continued to rise in 2024, as he was selected to start in the MLB All-Star Game and compete in the Home Run Derby. His MLB journey resonates deeply with MLB The Show fans who strive to dominate head-to-head competition in their pursuit of greatness on the diamond.

Play Ball Starting March 18, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S

We are also thrilled to announce that MLB The Show 25 will launch on March 18, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S. Early Access begins on March 14, 2025, for anyone who purchases the Digital Deluxe Edition on the Microsoft Store for Xbox. Pre-orders for all editions (Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition) will open on February 4 at 6:00 am PST on TheShow.com and Microsoft Store for Xbox.

We’ll also have a first-look at our first Gameplay Trailer next Tuesday, February 4 at 9:00 am PT on San Diego Studio and MLB The Show social channels. You can also look forward to even more weekly feature reveals, including Feature Trailer Deep Dives featuring MLB Network host Robert Flores, and the return of Feature Premieres from the development team at San Diego Studios.

MLB The Show Scouting Report Asset

For all the fans, make sure to sign up for the MLB The Show Scouting Report to stay updated on all the latest features, updates, and legends coming to MLB The Show 25, while unlocking amazing rewards along the way. Starting in April 2025, subscribers will receive an exclusive pack every month through December 2025 (internet connection required), packed with incredible in-game rewards. Plus, the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes will return in 2025, with winners selected every month for amazing prizes like Packs, Stubs, clothing, autographed items from Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, and Paul Skenes, along with even more surprises we can’t wait to reveal. Don’t miss out — sign up today on TheShow.com!

While you’re there, don’t forget to also set up your MLB The Show account and prepare for Opening Day. MLB The Show 25 allows you to easily move from platform to platform and keep access to your entire inventory of cards (learn more here). Head over to https://account.theshow.com/ and create your MLB The Show Account. After creating your MLB The Show account, login with your platform account and link it to your MLB The Show account, and you are all set.

For all the latest information on MLB The Show, be sure to head over to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The post MLB The Show 25: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson Are Your Cover Athletes appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Try Out The Latest Baldur’s Gate 3 Update With The Patch 8 Stress Test

Hello gang!

We heard you like Baldur’s Gate 3 and breaking things.

Well, we have good news for you: The Patch 8 Stress Test is now live and available to all Xbox Insiders who own the game!

Not into breaking things but still want to know what this is all about? Read to the end to find out what’s coming in Patch 8.

Patch 8 Stress Test

The final major patch for Baldur’s Gate 3 is right around the corner, but with an update so packed full of bug fixes, new features, and additions, we’re enlisting your help to go beyond our internal testing and help us catch things before release.

How to Join the Stress Test on Xbox: 

The Patch 8 stress test is a separate application from the main game and can be accessed via the Xbox Insider Hub. If you’re planning on joining us, you’ll need to already own Baldur’s Gate 3 and make sure your Xbox has enough storage available to download the game!

Follow these steps to download the Patch 8 stress test app:

  1. Open (or, install if necessary) the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S.
  2. Navigate to Previews > Baldur’s Gate 3
  3. Select Join.
  4. You should then be directed to the correct Store Page to install the stress test version!

To return to the Patch 7 version of Baldur’s Gate 3, you will need to exit the Stress Test version via the Xbox Insider Hub. This will prompt an update and will revert your game to the previous version. Please bear in mind that any saves made within the stress test will not be compatible with the Patch 7 version once you revert back.

Share your experience with us by reaching out to our support team to report any bugs, and be sure to state “Patch 8” in the Game Version field!

Try Out Cross-Play!

Patch 8 is bringing cross-play to Baldur’s Gate 3, allowing players on all platforms to join each other in multiplayer sessions! So grab your friends on other platforms and get ready to fight… over who will romance each companion.

To set up your own cross-play session, head to the multiplayer menu:

  1. Select Cross-Play from the tab options.
  2. Then Select “Create”.
  3. Customise your game options then choose “Launch”.

Join a cross-play multiplayer session by following these steps:

  1. On the main menu, click on Multiplayer.
  2. Select the “Cross-Play” tab.
  3. Wait for your friend’s lobby to appear, then go ahead and join them!
  4. If you or the host use mods and there are any discrepancies, a Verification Window will open to inform you which mods need installing, uninstalling, or updating.

Want to get your friends on other platforms involved in testing cross-play? Share the link below!

You can also join the Larian Studios Discord Server to find other players in our Patch 8 Looking For Group channel!

What else is new in Patch 8?

Alongside many fixes and improvements, Patch 8 also includes two other big additions: photo mode and 12 new subclasses!

Photo Mode

Whether you plan on lining up the perfect action shots or filling a whole folder with 50GB worth of photos of Lae’zel’s sweet smile, photo mode is here to make all of that a reality.

Adjust the camera angles, zoom in, select from a large list of facial expressions and poses, and add the finishing touches with filters, frames and stickers!

Want to see what the Baldur’s Gate 3 Photo Mode can do? Check out our recreations of memorable community moments.

New Subclasses

Patch 8 also brings 12 new subclasses – one per each existing class! Explode nearby corpses with a Death Domain Cleric, discover new ways to keep (or break) your new Oath of the Crown as a Paladin, or send a legion of bees towards your enemies as a Swarmkeeper Ranger.

You can learn more about each new subclass and photo mode in Community Update #30, so definitely give it a read.

Continue your adventure in the Patch 8 stress test, now live!

The post Try Out The Latest Baldur’s Gate 3 Update With The Patch 8 Stress Test appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Cuisineer Plates Up a Buffet of New Features on Xbox

Cuisineer Plates Up a Buffet of New Features on Xbox

Cuisineer Hero Image

Summary

  • Cuisineer is out January 28!
  • New features on Xbox include seasonal festivals with event-exclusive delights, a new wardrobe feature to collect and change your costume, new weapons for your battles in dungeons, and more.
  • Get a deeper look at four of the seasonal festivals and their bonuses.

The cozy roguelite dungeon crawler and restaurant simulation game Cuisineer makes its way to Xbox today, bringing a buffet of new features to hungry players. Whether you want to try a new outfit for protagonist Pom, swing new weapons like the Salt ‘n’ Pepper Shakers while adventuring, or set the perfect ambiance in your restaurant with the gramophone, there are layers of flavor in this Xbox offering.

One feature I’m especially excited for you to sink your teeth into are the new seasonal festivals. With this release, Pom’s hometown of Paell will celebrate eight brand-new festivals, and I’m going to prepare you to make the most of them by highlighting four festivals today. For each one, I’ll let you in on the goodies you can grab and showcase an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some cute concept art.

Spring Reunion

Cuisineer Screenshot

Each season has two festivals, and one of Spring’s is known as the aptly named Spring Reunion, which takes place on the date of Spring 9. The townsfolk of Paell decorate the town and hide eggs in unexpected places, and they’re all up for grabs. This is an egg-cellent opportunity to gather some last-minute supplies before opening your shop as customers today are in the mood for egg-based dishes.

If you want to take these bright and cheery colors with you into the seasons ahead, then make sure you have some profits saved up to purchase a set of Spring Reunion furniture, and the Spring Bunny outfit, made available by merchants in town for a limited time.

Fireflame Festival

Cuisineer Screenshot

The Summer festival I want to spotlight is the Fireflame Festival, which takes place on Summer 19. The Cuisineer developers are a small team based in Singapore, which makes sense if you’ve seen the dishes and delicious food illustrations in this game. The Fireflame Festival brings another helping of cultural inspiration from Asia.

Summer is hot and that means spicy. During this festival, customers crave meals with Tasty Spice and Flaming Spice ingredients. Luckily you can search around the Cheelee lanterns in town for these ingredients. Make this occasion extra special by visiting town at night to release beautiful lanterns or fireworks to light up the sky. But make sure you save some time to grab the Fireflame restaurant decorations and Festive Dragon outfit from town merchants before the festival comes to a close.

Harvest Jubilee

Cuisineer Screenshot

Fall promises a bountiful harvest. See for yourself during the Harvest Jubilee, which takes place on Autumn 7. The trees of Paell take on an autumnal hue, and your fellow residents have even decorated the fountain in front of your restaurant as a giant pumpkin. And while harvests are important, so is candy. Check the numerous candy baskets around town to gather up some sugar in the form of Sweet Sap ingredients that will be perfect for satisfying the sweet tooth your customers bring to your restaurant on this day.

If you’re the type that wants to bring this farm-to-table energy to your restaurant even after fall ends, the merchants in town have you covered with the Farmer outfit and Harvest Jubilee furniture. Fun fact: dressing up in the Farmer outfit will have you matching Pom’s best friend, Biscotti.

Solanum Gala

Cuisineer Screenshot

The year closes strong with Solanum Gala on Winter 17, one of the coziest festivals yet. Red, green, and white abound in the snowy town of Paell, and a giant Solanum tree is right outside your restaurant. Your customers keep the color theme by asking for dishes with red and green Tomato ingredients, and yes, you can gather free Tomatoes around town.

My absolute favorite part of Solanum Gala is the festive outfit you can purchase. Turn Pom into a ‘Santa cat’ with the Nyanta outfit. The hood fits Pom’s cat ears! For those who want to hold on to the holidays for as long as possible even after Solanum Gala has ended, you can purchase some merry furniture for your restaurant on this day only.

Preview the Outfits

In closing, here is the adorable concept art for each of the seasonal outfits I mentioned. The festivals I showcased today are just scratching the surface of the new features available in Cuisineer’s Xbox release, out tomorrow, January 28. Happy cooking!

  • Cuisineer Outfit Concept Art
  • Cuisineer Outfit Concept Art
  • Cuisineer Outfit Concept Art
  • Cuisineer Outfit Concept Art

Xbox Play Anywhere

Cuisineer

XSEED Games

$29.99

Upon receiving a startling letter from her parents, the independent adventurer Pom swiftly returns home to Paell, only to find her parents gone and their beloved restaurant abandoned. Now left with mounting debts and a village in dire need of some fine cooking, Pom will have to delve into the deepest dungeons for the scarcest spices, rarest meats, and the most valuable vegetables she can find to keep her parents’ dream alive.

Dive into dungeons and cook up a storm as Pom, an adventurer-turned-restaurateur! Cuisineer‘s food-focused action challenges you to build your dinner the hard way: by dungeon-diving for materials and ingredients. Wield your cooking utensils against giant chickens, artillery shrimps, fire-breathing peppers, and other pesky perils, sipping boba tea along the way. Work with local artisans to customize your kitchen, and tailor your dining hall to the needs of loyal patrons eager to experience the rare recipes you’ve cooked up.

The Xbox Series X/S and Windows Store release of Cuisineer plates its enticing gameplay with fresh ingredients like new weapons, year-round festivals, a wardrobe feature, and more tasty inclusions that are sure to spice things up.

A Smorgasbord of Dungeons
Explore procedurally generated biomes such as the Green Ruins, Frozen Fjord, and Konpeito Swamps that change their size, shape, and resources every time you visit.

Craft Your Own Culinary Experience
Cook over 100 different recipes from around the world, from crunchy Popiah rolls to rich Kaya jam, from double-fried crispy chicken with zesty lemon, to sweet treats piled high with berries. Get the right dishes to the right customers and customize your kitchen and dining hall with the help of local artisans.

Master the Flavors of Fighting
Knock out monsters and rivals with Salty, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Umami, Frosty and Toasty powers that unleash flame, poison, chain lightning, and other fantastic effects. You can also fight with unique utensils and gourmet gear, like Spatula, Smackerel, Swordfish, and the newly added Konpeito Fist weapons!

Take Quests to Go
From Naicha the Bubble Tea seller to Alder the big friendly carpenter, Paell is full of sweet and spicy townsfolk to befriend. While you’re dungeon diving, be on the lookout for items the townsfolk need. You’ll be rewarded with gold, new items, and even more recipes to take your cooking and adventuring to new heights.

The post Cuisineer Plates Up a Buffet of New Features on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How Tails of Iron 2 Builds Upon Its Predecessor with Brutal Combat, Powerful Magic, and More

How Tails of Iron 2 Builds Upon Its Predecessor with Brutal Combat, Powerful Magic, and More

Tails of Iron 2 Asset

Summary

  • Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter releases tomorrow, January 28, bringing players back to its medieval, anthropomorphic world.
  • The story follows Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, as he battles a devastating ancient evil.
  • Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter introduces new gameplay mechanics, revised systems, and fearsome challenges while retaining the brutal charm of the original game.

The wait is nearly over! Tomorrow, on January 28, our new game, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, will be released into the wild, returning players to its gritty, medieval, and anthropomorphic world of epic battles and visceral executions.

Set several rat years after the conclusion of the original, the story follows the paws of Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, as he journeys across the far stretches of the Ratdom’s northern frontier in a valiant effort to overcome a devastating and ancient evil that’s spreading across the land.

When Tails of Iron first launched in 2021, we were blown away by the overwhelming support from players and critics alike; it was truly humbling. So, when it came to developing the second instalment in the Tails of Iron saga, we wanted to expand the experience in several ways – and that’s what we’ve done! 

We’ve added further gameplay and combat mechanics, revised systems, and introduced fearsome new challenges, while keeping the same brutal charm you loved in the first game. There’s much to gnaw on in this sequel, but today we’re going to briefly look at the new beast hunt gameplay, how Arlo is preparing to fight back against the giant creatures and the Dark Wings.

Elementa: Magic from the Gods

As the ice-cold shadow of the Dark Wings, an old and near-mythical enemy of the Rats, drapes across the northern frontier, leaving a wanton trail of destruction, the Rat gods of old grow ever fearful. And so, in a desperate attempt to turn the tide, they gift their elemental powers to Arlo.

One of the new additions we’re bringing to combat in Tails of Iron 2 is the Elementa spellcasting system, which brings a further layer of strategy to combat. Unlocked during Arlo’s quest across the Wastes and beyond, he’ll be able to harness four devastating forces to help vanquish his foes:

  • Electric: Summon lightning from the heavens to stun multiple foes in their tracks.
  • Fire: Launch fireballs at enemies in a straight path, leaving trails of devastation.
  • Ice: Unleash freezing gusts that immobilize foes with a chilling grip.
  • Poison: Inflict a slow but deadly damage-over-time effect on groups of enemies.

Elementa abilities can also become more powerful when their upgrade shines are discovered, giving Arlo more devastating powers to wield against enemies. 

Elemental Strategies and Tactical Combat

Spellcasting isn’t the only combat system embracing the power of the elements. Enemies in Tails of Iron 2 have specific weaknesses to certain types of elemental damage, making tactical preparation crucial. Knowing when to equip a fire-infused weapon or wear poison-resistant armor can mean the difference between glorious victory and deadly defeat. The same goes for in-game crafting: Weapons and armor will need to be forged and tailored to an enemy’s weaknesses to support Arlo in battle.

We’ve also introduced elemental traps into the game, essential for trying to control the impending onslaught from a group of enemies. With the expanded arsenal of weapons and armor types, from venomous swords to frost-resistant plate mail, it’s crucial to think strategically to dominate the battlefield. The Northern Wastes demand cunning as much as strength!

The Thrill of the Hunt

Across the Northern Wastes are colossal monsters that antagonise and threaten the peoples of the frontier, and naturally, as you’d expect from any hero, Arlo’s journey wouldn’t be truly complete without taking on these terrifying beasts. As he explores the world beyond Winter’s Edge, from The Golden Forest to the White Whiskers and further afar, Arlo can accept contracts from locals and embark on epic monster hunts to rid the land of its most deadly threats.

And these hunts are no pushover. Each is a battle for survival, with cunning enemies that will test Arlo’s skills and resolve. But the rewards are worth every risk. Defeating these beasts yields rare resources to craft some of the game’s rarest and most powerful equipment, strengthening more than Arlo’s resolve against the tyrannical Dark Wings. And of course, every victory comes with the glory of solidifying a legacy as the ultimate monster hunter!

Ready to Defend the Ratdom?

We’re really excited for the release of Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One tomorrow, January 28, and we hope you enjoy experiencing the expanded combat and gameplay we’ve touched upon. There’s more across the Ratdom to discover, so whether you’re wielding elemental magic, rebuilding Winter’s Edge, or hunting ferocious beasts, this is a ‘tail’ for the ages. The Northern Wastes await!


Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – Deluxe Edition

United Label


$29.99

$23.99

Prepare for the chilling clash against the Dark Wings with the Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter Deluxe Edition, combining the brutal action-RPG base game with both the ‘Augur of the Draugr’ armour and weapon pack and ‘Hair to the Throne’ cosmetic DLC.

Step into the fray clad in the legendary Draugr armour of old, forged in the fires of the elder wars between Rat and Bat, before choosing between six different, warrior-worthy hair and beard styles. For those who seek to claim victory over winter’s shadow, only the fiercest attire will do.

Deluxe Edition
• Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter base game
• Augur of the Draugr pack: Features exclusive items, including three new helms, three armours, and three pauldrons, together with three new shields and three new axes.
• Hair to the Throne pack: An exclusive collection of six beards and hairstyles to further customise Arlo’s battle-readiness.


Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

United Label


$24.99

$19.99

Just as the Rats of the South start to piece their lives together, following the great war between Rodent and Frog, an old and unspeakable evil stirs in the North; wings black as death; fangs sharp as steel; and a thirst for blood rivalled only by their insatiable hunger… for vengeance.

As Arlo, young heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts. Unite disparate clans. Upgrade your settlement. And discover a terrible secret of blood and crown…

The time for heroes is over. For the Kingdom needs a warrior; forged of the North and as cold as the snow that shrouds these lands. A rat… carved from iron.

And so, a new tail begins.

Explore a Vast, Wintry Kingdom
Fully narrated by RPG-legend, Doug Cockle, prepare to embark on an epic adventure across the northern realms of the Ratdom; an expansive, frost-bitten land on the brink of all-out war.

Hunt down Giant Beasts
Track down and defeat the legendary monsters of this realm, and be rewarded with rare resources with which to craft devastating equipment. But be warned, these colossal creatures won’t go down without a fight… and then some.

Master Brutal Combat
The lands of the North are a perilous place, so you’ll need to master the fast, challenging combat for any chance of survival. Evade attacks with a dodge roll, nail split-second parry bashes, and unleash an array of gruesome executions.

Customise your Attack
Craft your own extensive arsenal of upgradeable weaponry, ready to fight as you see fit; strike quick with a spear, afar with a bow, or go claw-to-claw with a heavy-hitting mace. Alternativity, gain a tactical advantage with a range of new, deadly traps…

Upgrade your Settlement
As Warden of the Wastes, defending your lands is only half the battle. Construct and upgrade your settlement with hard-earned gold to gain access to more powerful items from the Smithy, tastier meals at the Kitchen, a wider range of powerful traps from the shoppe, and more!


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