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Category: Xbox
Towerborne Arrives on Xbox Today – Five Tips to Help You “Ace” Your Adventure
It’s finally time –Towerborne arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox Cloud and with Game Pass today! To celebrate the looter-brawler’s entrance into Xbox Game Preview, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks to get you started on your Ace adventure.
Experiment!
While Towerborne is easy for anyone to pick up and play, there is a satisfying depth to its combat systems – and combinations of skills and attacks you’ll only uncover by experimenting with each of the four classes. While each class has a “theme” defined by the weapon type, there’s versatility in how you can play with them. Even if you think you’ll prefer a certain loadout, it’s worth giving them all a go, and with Towerborne’s frictionless class-swapping and re-spec options, changing your mind (and your build) is an absolute breeze.
Build for Success
The new Class Mastery Update (which we covered in-depth last week) gives even more versatility to each class in Towerborne. There’s now countless more ways to play with each weapon, with the addition of new skill trees that let you hone a specific playstyle. Sentinel can be a fast and offensive frontline attacker, but it can also be sturdy and defensive. Some builds can focus heavily on dealing raw damage, while others can lean more towards a support build, lifting your teammates. Here’s a few examples across each of the available classes:
Bleed Build: The Sentinel class comes with several skills that deal or enhance bleed, which deals slow damage to enemies you’ve hit over time. The ‘Bloodlust’ skill lets you deal 10% more damage against bleeding enemies, and the ‘Sanguine Burst’ skill enables your heavy combo to consume all bleed stacks, triggering an explosion that deals massive damage.
Sear Build: The Pyroclast is all about inflicting burndamage, but there’s a few ways to build upon that. The skill ‘Persistent Pyre’ will increase the duration of your Sear damage, and when your Sear skill is active, you’ll be able to pull off moves like ‘Ember Cyclone’, a stylish airborne attack, and ‘Ember Spike’, which delivers a long-range tremor that explodes on the closest enemy.
Powderkeg Build: The Rockbreaker already packs a punch, but you can amplify its impact even more now. Stacking “Quick Charge” skills to make your Powderkeg Punch charge faster, which is always great. The skill “Cracking Skulls” gives you a fully charged Powderkeg Punch if you break an enemy’s Break Bar. Couple that with “Cracking Knuckles” and you’re able to gain a full charge by Block Breaking an enemy. You can even do the weapon mechanic in the air now or transform it into a lunging attack with the “Bare Knuckles Blast” skill. If you’re a fan of big punches, then this is a great way to build your Rockbreaker.
Projectile Frenzy Build: This is a super fun Shadowstriker that revolves around the power of projectiles. The “Shooting Stars” skill unlocks a handful of kunai, and the “Shadow Feint Ammo” skills increase your ammo count so that you can use your Weapon Mechanic more often, allowing you to launch projectiles all over the place. The “Shadowsting” Skill is what really sets this build apart though – this modifies your Weapon Mechanic in a way where you no longer teleport, but it costs half the weapon meter to use and deals poison. If you’re the type of player who likes to alternate between mid to long range combat, this is the skill set for you.
Support Build: Healers are the underrated heroes of any party, but in Towerborne, any of the four available classes can spec out into a support character. There are skills that can upgrade how much health your healing flasks give back, increase how many you carry, and even an ability that lets other players benefit from your healing if they’re nearby. Anyone can pick up these skills providing they’re a high enough level, and the ability to swap and change skills at the click of a button means no one is indefinitely locked into that support role (unless you want to be, of course!).
Take Your Time, Memorize The Moves
Gobos are not stealthy or subtle creatures, but some of the nastier ones do pack quite a punch. In more difficult fights, there’s no shame in holding back for just a moment to work out how your enemy is going to attack, and what you can do to combat it. Lots of Gobo moves come with signals that indicate what they’re about to do, whether it’s a long-range projectile, a swift claw hit or a sluggish tail thwack. Keeping an eye on the battlefield and recognising their patterns means you’ll be able to dodge and weave, find windows to attack, and most importantly, avoid taking damage so you can save your Mender’s (healing) Flasks for more unpredictable battles later in the mission.
Taste of Their Own Medicine
It’s not just your weapons that can deal damage to gobos and goons – you can take advantage of their gear too. As an example, some gobos carry bombs to throw at you, and a swift enough hit will knock them off course, causing them to drop the projectile at their own feet. The gobos also won’t move to avoid the damage, instead opting to cover their eyes and pray, so it’s a great way to finish a few off, or buy some time while you’re cleaning up the field. Some levels will also include environmental hazards, like thorns or exploding barrels. Baiting a gobo into hitting a barrel will not end well for them, and that’s another way to deal big damage if your weapon is preoccupied with other targets. It’s also just extremely satisfying, every single time.
Umbra Abilities
Not only are Umbra cute little companions, they also come loaded with different powerful abilities that’ll assist your Ace in battle. Your first Umbra, Iska, offers a long-range projectile to complement the close-range combat that most classes start with. As you progress, you’ll uncover opportunities to earn new Umbra. Pox, for example, unlocks new aerial combos, while Picus can ignite the environment around them in a ring of fire. Each one is super unique, and their abilities can either enhance your playstyle, or add a refreshing contrasting perk to your skillset.
We can’t wait to see you in the Belfry and hope these tips will aid you well on your first adventures throughout the world of Towerborne. Play Towerborne now on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC in the Xbox App, Xbox Cloud, via Game Pass, and on Steam.
Towerborne (Game Preview)
Xbox Game Studios
Towerborne is a new kind of Looter Brawler, combining side-scrolling combat with action RPG loot progression and endless customization.* You are an Ace, born anew from the spirit realm with special skills, grit, and determination. Unite with other Aces** and fight as one to defend the Belfry, humanity’s last refuge, from the dark forces outside its walls. Can you become the Ace humanity needs to survive? Explore, fight, and grow stronger – together
Explore Together – With an evolving world map and ongoing updates, your adventure continues with new enemies, regions, rewards, and story. Venture solo or with up to three other Aces** and recruit Umbra allies with unique abilities to join your fight. Return to the Belfry to reforge gear and continue your journey.
Fight Your Way – Jump into satisfying, pick-up-and-play brawler combat that’s easy to learn but challenging to master. Towerborne delivers fast-paced, thrilling battles with deep, evolving strategy. Every fight is a chance to sharpen your skills and face tougher challenges.
Endless Customization* – Customize your Ace’s appearance, gear, and weapons. Set your preferred danger level in the Wilds, wield powerful weapons with special moves, and mix gear and Umbra companions to create a playstyle that’s uniquely yours.
This game is a work in progress. Some content and features may change over time before full release of the game. Please purchase only if you are comfortable with the game in its current state.
Full details on the latest status of the game, and how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://www.Towerborne.com/.
* This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items.
**Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Core (subscriptions sold separately).
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Explore Horizon Realms in Forza Horizon 5 – Available Today for Players on All Platforms
The post Explore Horizon Realms in Forza Horizon 5 – Available Today for Players on All Platforms appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2
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 PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
SubwaySim 2
Aerosoft GmbH
SubwaySim 2 – April 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Explore the three most picturesque underground lines in Germany! Immerse yourself in everyday life in the two German metropolises and discover famous sights such as Hamburg’s harbour or Berlin’s Oberbaum Bridge. Master various scenarios and get your passengers to their destination safely and on time. Watch out, though, as disruptions and red signals can suddenly change your workload!
Towerborne (Game Preview)
Xbox Game Studios
Towerborne (Game Preview) – April 29
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
The Belfry stands as a beacon of hope and safety amongst the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers, with monsters lurking right outside the tower’s walls. You are an Ace, born anew from the spirit realm with the skills, grit, and determination to protect the people of the Belfry. With spirit companions fighting by your side, you are destined for battle. Playable on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox Cloud, Game Pass and is an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Blazing Trail
Eastasiasoft Limited, Gamenergy Studio
Blazing Trail – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
An isometric pixel art shooter that requires daring on-the-fly strategy. Use machine guns, missiles and laser power-ups to take down enemy soldiers, demolish buildings and watchtowers, destroy gates, shoot down aircraft and face off against huge bosses across 7 sprawling combat zones.
Circus Interstellar
Ettinsoft LLC
Circus Interstellar – April 30
In the distant future, mankind is at the brink of extinction. Set on a mission to find resources for their dying species, star voyagers encounter a strange, sadistic alien race with a clownish appearance who are hellbent on making them a part of the galactic carnival of horror. Will the survivors escape the gory circus? Or will they be assimilated like all the others…
Cooking Companions
Serenity Forge
$14.99
$11.99
Cooking Companions – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Deep in the woods of the Tatras Mountains, supplies dwindle, and flood waters are rising. It’s up to you to keep spirits high and make the most of your survival skills. Will you butter up the right person? Or will you wind up on the chopping block? Featuring Eastern European folklore in an unexpected package, Cooking Companions is a dating sim mixed with psychological horror title you won’t soon forget.
Icy Gifts Bundle
SilenGames
Icy Gifts (Console & PC) – April 30
A thrilling and engaging chain reaction game that will keep you hooked till the end! Enhance your abilities and discover new ways to trigger even more explosive reactions. As you progress, you’ll encounter a variety of obstacles and opportunities that will test your skills and creativity.
KIBORG
Sobaka Studio
$29.99
Kiborg – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A relentless rogue-lite beat’em up where you enhance your body with new cybernetic implants each run. You’ve been sent to the worst prison in the galaxy for crimes you didn’t commit. Death won’t provide an escape, but a violent reality show may offer a way out.
Meow Moments: Celebrating Geeks & Athletes
Mens Sana Interactive
Meo Moments: Celebrating Geeks & Athletes (Console and PC) – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Step into Olympicats, where feline champions take on thrilling sports — witness skateboard tricks, judo matches, and even a torch relay as competitors and fans unite in an energetic festival of skill and teamwork. Then, dive into Comic Cat Con, a convention filled with cosplaying cats dressed as iconic characters. From heroes to wizards, every corner is packed with references and surprises for pop culture lovers!
MotoGP
25 – Xbox Series X|S
Milestone S.r.l.
$59.99
MotoGP 25 – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Your path to becoming a MotoGP legend starts here. Join the official championship and step into the boots of your favorite riders to master the most iconic bikes and tracks of the season. Live the most realistic race thrills ever thanks to Unreal Engine 5, MotoGP Stewards ensuring fair battles, and an overhauled sound design, recorded on-site from official bikes.
Mystic Pathways Xbox + Windows Bundle
Afil Games
Mystic Pathways (Console & PC) – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Embark on a magical journey with Mystic Pathways, a puzzle game that challenges your logic and creativity. Manipulate enchanted trails on a beautifully designed hexagonal board to guide mystical fairies in collecting magical crystals and activating sacred altars.
Nightshade Mysteries: Eternal Moon Collector’s Edition
Ocean Media
Nightshade Mysteries: Eternal Moon Collector’s Edition – April 30
Archaeologist Helena Nightshade gets entangled in the mysteries surrounding an ominous eternal lunar eclipse, prophesied by estranged Moon Worshippers also known as the Anaxagori. Set in 1930s Southern Europe, where technology has eclipsed magic, an estranged group of Moon Worshippers known as the Anaxagori resurfaces with an ominous prophecy: an eternal lunar eclipse.
despelote
Panic
A soccer game about people. Get immersed in the streets and parks of Quito through the eyes and ears of eight-year-old Julián. Dribble, pass, and shoot your soccer ball around town, and see what happens when you kick it someone’s way. Feel the city change as Ecuador comes closer than ever to qualifying for the World Cup.
Fit and Fry Xbox + Windows Bundle
Afil Games
Fit and Fry (Console & PC) – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Cooking here is a delicious puzzle. Each level is a new dish to prepare, and your challenge is to fit all the ingredients perfectly into the pan. But be careful: space is limited, and only the best chefs will be able to complete each recipe without wasting anything.
Peglin
BlitWorks Games
Peglin – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
The dragons have been popping peglins and stealing all your gold for as long as you can remember. Enough is enough. It’s time to venture through the woods, conquer the fortress, and delve into the heart of the dragon’s lair to take back what’s yours and teach those dragons a lesson.
Stasis Valley
Noobles Studio
Stasis Valley – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A 2D puzzle-platformer that follows Adam, a young man who has recently experienced a great loss. After this event he descends into a surreal valley within his own mind, where he must attempt to make sense of the world around him (as well as his emotions). Uncover the valley’s secrets and confront the dangers lurking within.
Fruit Adventure (Xbox Series)
JM Neto Game Dev
Fruit Adventure – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The Healthy Forest has been invaded by sweets and chocolates with the aim of harming everyone’s health! Help Super Strawberry pass through obstacles and eliminate sweet enemies to become the bravest Fruit in the Healthy Forest. Find the key and unlock the blocks at the end of each level. Watch out for the thorns and be quick so that time doesn’t run out! Play with the whole family and beat all the challenges!
Golf Up
Super Power Up Games
$6.99
Golf Up – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A fun-loaded golf game you can play with up to four friends in several game modes. In Tournament mode, you can pick between the Classic or Points options, in which you earn points by getting good results in the Holes and making quick decisions for bigger bonuses. You will also be able to play solo in Arcade mode and compare your score in the online ranking with that of your friends and players from around the world.
Helix Jump
QubicGames S.A.
$4.99
$3.99
Helix Jump – May 2
Xbox Play Anywhere
Your ball drops like a brick through colorful helix platforms that block its descent, but if you hit a red spot, it’s over! Your ball shatters to pieces and you have to start your fall all over again. Even traps platforms are no match for a fireball falling at full speed! Choose your strategy: speed up like a madman or stop and wait for your next chance to roll and jump!
Nico Saves The State
Ratalaika Games S.L.
Nico Saves The State – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Followers of the notorious Dr. Voo Doom have taken over a city, demanding his release from prison. But this is merely a diversion as they gather Power Crystals to execute their true plan: teleporting their master to freedom!
PuzzleCar
Rising Moon Games
PuzzleCar – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A minimalist and soothing experience awaits you. Test your skills by strategically moving pieces to create a safe path for your car, all while collecting every item along the way.
Royal Romances: Endless Winter CE Xbox
Legacy Games
Royal Romances: Endless Winter CE Xbox – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Eternal winter has descended upon the magnificent kingdom once filled with vitality and adventure. But now, cold and hunger have divided families and heroes, calling out their ugliest traits and draining their last strength…
Spellcaster University
Red Art Games
$19.99
Spellcaster University – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Become the director of Spellcaster University in a colorful world of heroic fantasy. Will you turn it into a black magic academy? A place in harmony with nature to train druids and shamans? Or something entirely your own?
Spot Challenge Vol. 4
Lucky Raccoon Games
Spot Challenge Vol. 4 – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A game series inspired by the classic “Spot the Differences,” where you need to compare two images and identify the differences between them. With over 245 differences spread across 35 levels, will you be able to find them all? Perfect for playing solo or with friends and family, Spot Challenge is the ultimate challenge to test your attention to details!
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina)
Unreliable Narrators
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A first-person, single-player, narrative-driven experience that presents contrasting perspectives on French and Indigenous first encounters. Be prepared to face the dangers of Canadian wilderness and to make choices that could affect your characters. Experience the intertwining journeys of Jeanne, a French King’s Daughter stranded far from the French colonies, and Maikan, a young Innu hunter trying to uncover what is disturbing his native forest.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Official Xbox Podcast | Deep(er) Dive Into Towerborne
The post Official Xbox Podcast | Deep(er) Dive Into Towerborne appeared first on Xbox Wire.
How Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Two-Lane Battle System Lets You Relive the Glory Days of the Arcade
Summary
- SNK showcases the new Two-Lane Battle system in the latest entry of their legendary fighting game series, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, available now for Xbox Series X|S.
- Players will be able to freely move between foreground and background lanes during battle and even perform combos across both lanes!
- This marks the first time in 27 years that Two-Lane Battles are back, allowing players to relive the glory days of the arcade!
Hello everyone! Today I want to introduce you to the new Two-Lane Battle system we’ve included in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the first Fatal Fury game in 26 years launching April 24 for Xbox Series X|S.
Battle On Two Lanes
The highly anticipated Two-Land Battle system will feature two lanes on certain stages: a foreground lane and a background lane. By inputting a specific attack, you’ll be able to freely switch between the lanes and move around the battlefield. Since the available actions also depend on what lane you and your opponent are in, this battle system adds a whole new set of mind games and tricks you can use both offensively and defensively to secure victory!
How It Works
First, select the Dream Amusement Park “Morning” stage to get access to this nostalgic battle system; at launch this will be the only stage to have Two-Lane Battles enabled, but we plan on adding more of these stages in the near future.
You and your opponent will start the battle in the same lane, but you can lane switch by pressing X and RB at the same time. If you want to attack while switching lanes, press A and RB at the same time to perform a special jumping lane switch attack.
Once you and your opponent are in different lanes, you’ll gain access to a variety of special attacks. If you want to stay on the ground, pressing X will perform a grounded lane switch attack that will place you in the same lane as your opponent. If you’re looking to attack from the air, pressing A or B will perform a jumping lane switch attack. Pressing Y will perform a special lane pullback attack that will bring your opponent to the same lane you are currently in.
You’ll also be able to use jumping lane switch attacks in the middle of combos to perform cross-lane combos!
Here’s a sample combo with Rock:
X → Y → A + RB → B → Heavy Rising Tackle (Brake) → Heavy Hard Edge
Try using lane switch attacks in your combos to take your game to a whole new level!
The Old in the New
Two-Lane Battles have been a part of Fatal Fury’s identity since the very first game in 1991 and we’re so excited to be able to bring them back for City of the Wolves. We’ve integrated Two-Lane Battles into training mode as well, so we hope players get creative and find new ways to utilize the system. Classic fans can relive what makes Fatal Fury different from other fighting game series, and we’re looking forward to seeing brand new fans enjoy the chaos of Two-Lane Battles as well!
We are so excited to be able to deliver the next game in this legendary series! Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is available now for Xbox Series X|S. To keep up to date on all things Fatal Fury, follow us at our official X account or join our official community Discord server.
Let’s rev it up!
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves – Special Edition
SNK CORPORATION
$59.99
* FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves will only be available in this Special Edition format.
* There are no plans at this time to sell the base game and Season Pass 1 individually.
* There are no plans at this time to sell the base game and Season Pass 1 individually.
Contents:
– Base game
– Season Pass 1
– DLC Character 1 “ANDY BOGARD”(Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
– DLC Character 2 “KEN” (Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
– DLC Character 3 “JOE HIGASHI”(Scheduled for: Fall 2025)
– DLC Character 4 “CHUN-LI” (Scheduled for: Winter 2025)
– DLC Character 5 “Mr. BIG”(Scheduled for: Early 2026)
SNK’s beloved Fatal Fury series first hit the market in 1991, spearheading the fighting game boom of the 1990s that swept the industry thereafter. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES (released in 1999) has, for some time, served as the franchise’s most recent installment. But that is all about to change: 26 years on, a brand-new entry—FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves—is set to arrive on the scene!
■All-new REV System supercharges the excitement!
Introducing the REV System, a brand-new toolset that offers unique offensive options from the moment the battle begins! Use REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows (while S.P.G. is active), and more until you hit your limit and the REV Meter overheats. The all-new REV System—fight at full throttle and supercharge the excitement!
■Two control schemes—fun for newcomers and veterans alike!
Choose from two control schemes: Arcade Style is based on precise, technical inputs, while Smart Style lets you perform flashy special moves and combos using directional inputs and single button presses. From fighting game newcomers to seasoned veterans, there’s plenty of fun and excitement to be had—tailored specifically to your level!
■Memorable fighters from far and wide descend on the streets of South Town!
The action kicks off with a total of 22 characters: a diverse 17-member roster of familiar faces and new blood, plus five DLC fighters in Season Pass 1. Every character is vibrantly presented in CotW’s unique art style, which is guaranteed to stimulate the senses.
■Strive for supremacy in EPISODES OF SOUTH TOWN, a single-player RPG mode!
Introducing “Episodes of South Town” (EOST)—a solo RPG adventure where you’ll square up against contenders under various fight conditions, earning XP and other rewards for your efforts. Level up your fighter, build out a diverse kit of skills, and dominate the opposition on your way to the top. Dreams and ambitions run rampant in South Town; now is the time to chase the city’s crown and carve a legend all of your own!
* To play EOST you’ll first need to connect to the Internet and update the game.
The post How Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Two-Lane Battle System Lets You Relive the Glory Days of the Arcade appeared first on Xbox Wire.
From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2
From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2
Summary
- A new groundbreaking experience for Overwatch 2 is here, and it will change the way you play the game.
- Senior game designer Dylan Snyder talks about how Stadium came to be and shares his favorite Hero builds.
- Stadium is just getting started—keep that feedback coming!
Calling all heroes! As you may have seen, Stadium launched in Overwatch 2 on April 22! As a member of the Overwatch development team, I’m here to share a behind-the-scenes look into how we crafted this new way to play, and I’ll sprinkle in some of my favorite features and builds as well!
Building Stadium
The whole team—including myself! —was so excited about building Stadium from day one. It’s not just another mode; it’s an entirely fresh way to experience Overwatch – and you can learn more about the mode here. Beginning as a passion project, our ultimate goal was to push the boundaries of Hero fantasies and match variety, plus we still wanted it to ultimately feel like Overwatch…no pressure, right?
The idea for Stadium actually started brewing before Overwatch 2 was even launched. During those early brainstorming sessions, one central theme kept bubbling up—we wanted you to have options. Tons of them. Whether it was your strategies, the way you enhance your Hero, or even how you view the game (hello, third-person perspective!), we want to empower you to adapt to your match, team, and individual style on the fly.
This sparked the idea for a long-form “best of” mode, where every skirmish would teach you valuable lessons and allow you to tweak and upgrade your play. That was the beginning of what resulted as Stadium: battles are fast, choices are deep, and the possibilities are endless.
Inspirations That Shaped Stadium
Stadium wouldn’t be what it is without the inspirations it drew from. It owes a lot to our Blizzard neighbor, Hearthstone, and specifically its Battlegrounds mode. But while Hearthstone gave us ideas on fostering deep, strategic builds with downtime planning, we wanted to inject our own Overwatch flair.
Overwatch has always let you become the hero, and in Stadium, we leaned hard into that concept. Here, you can amplify your Hero’s abilities to ridiculous levels. Trust me, watching a Reaper who never has to reload is both terrifying and oddly satisfying (unless you’re on the receiving end!) That being said, balance is key, and we learned not every concept fits (sorry, overpowered lava pools).
The biggest difference between us and Hearthstone’s Battlegrounds? We wanted to remove randomness and hand all the options over to the player. This not only makes the system easier to learn but also enables mastery over time. Nothing beats the feeling of transforming a humble Ana into a nano-boosting, wall-busting legend.
Third-Person Perspective (Finally!)
This might be my favorite part of Stadium. For the first time in Overwatch history, you can flip between first and third-person perspectives. Yes, you read that correctly.
During early playtests, we saw how chaotic Stadium can get, with flying heroes and way too much lava (yes, I kept walking into it, don’t judge). Zooming out your view makes the gameplay more readable and opens new ways to strategically assess battlefield chaos.
The Overwatch team had already done a lot of work making sure third-person silhouettes and animations were clear for opponents. Now, we leveraged that effort to integrate third-person cameras for every character. And if you’re more comfortable in first-person (after all, Overwatch’s roots are deeply FPS), you can toggle back if that’s your preference. Stadium is all about letting you play your way.
My Top 3 Favorite Stadium Builds
To get you started, I want to share my top three favorite Stadium builds. These combos were literal game-changers for me.
1. Reaper’s Shotgun Sweeper
- Hero Item: “Onslaught”: Increase your Max Ammo by 25%. Every third shot costs no ammo, but deals less damage
- Power: “Revolving Ruin”: Close range Shotgun hits increase Attack Speed by 5% for 1s. This stacks up to 8 times.
If you love chaos, this is your dream. Once Reaper becomes an endless shotgun machine, entire enemy lines will melt away. It’s both horrifying and beautiful.
2. Ana’s Ultimate Medic
- Hero Item: “Eye of Horus”: Nano Boost can hit targets through walls
- Power: “Our Turn”: Nano Boost affects all allies in line of sight
Transform Ana into the ultimate clutch queen. Buff your teammates wherever they are, and with amplified healing, turn losing matches into spectacular comebacks.
[Stadium Ana Hero Shot]
3. Ashe’s B.O.B. Jr. Blast
- Hero Item: “B.O.B. Wire Defense”: When B.O.B. stops charging, he gains 300 Armor
- Power: “B.O.B. Jr.”: Reduce your Ultimate cost by 50% and summons a much smaller B.O.B., who has less health and attacks less quickly
B.O.B. has a new look; he’s small, but he’s mighty!
Step Inside the Stadium
Developing Stadium has been all about making sure it feels dynamic, fun, and true to Overwatch’s spirit. And we’re just getting started. We plan to add new heroes, maps, and other experiences into Stadium every season.
With your feedback, we will continue to evolve Stadium so it keeps getting bigger and better. Whether it’s testing new Powers, tweaking balance, or adding surprises along the way, we’re building this Stadium for you!
On behalf of the entire Overwatch team, we can’t wait to meet you on the battlefield. Time to suit up, Heroes—we’ll see you in the Stadium. I’ll be the Reaper that doesn’t need to reload, bahaha!
Overwatch® 2
Blizzard Entertainment
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass
Overwatch® 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatch’s 40 distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes.
Overwatch 2 – Season 16: Stadium
Enter the ultimate battleground with Stadium mode, an all-new experience where customization takes the reigns in a fun, best of seven, round based fight. Then, celebrate the launch with the Stadium: Initiation seasonal event to unlock exclusive rewards. Plus, the relentless bounty hunter Freja arrives as the latest DPS hero, bringing precision and mobility to every match. Meanwhile, the battlefield transforms with stunning skins, from the Dokiwatch team—led by Mythic Heart of Hope Juno—to Legendary Ashe, Genji, Brigitte, Lifeweaver, and Mauga in the Premium Battle Pass. Whether you’re outwitting opponents in Stadium, hunting your prey with Freja, or wielding magic with Dokiwatch, this season is packed with action, strategy, and a whole lot more.
The Overwatch League
Token will no longer be purchasable after December 9, 2024. The OWL shop will remain open until at least December 2025, with limited inventory purchasable with players’ remaining OWL token balances.
The post From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet
Hello, my name is Martin, and I’m the CEO and Creative Director of Flatter Than Earth, the studio behind the theatrical adventure platformer Once Upon a Puppet. Our magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer takes place in a vibrant world of theatre, where classic platforming meets puppet-inspired gameplay in a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
You’ll play as Drev, an ambitious Actor, and Nieve, a talented Stagehand and Tailor. Bound together by magic, they must work as one to navigate the kingdom of theatre, unravel its secrets, and face the Shadow King. But before you step onto the stage, here are five essential tips to help you on your journey.
1. Keep Your Eyes Open for Costumes – They’re More Than Just Fashion
Throughout the world, you’ll find antique sewing devices, which allow Nieve to craft unique story costumes for Drev. All of the outfits are based on important characters you will meet on your adventure. These costumes make you look cool on stage, but several play a role in the game’s storytelling. Just like in real theatre, a character’s attire is often a clue to their role in the performance. In Once Upon a Puppet, certain challenges will require you to wear a specific costume to progress. There are four of these specific costumes that are linked to the game’s progress, and they are easy to come across. However, there are more actor-like cosmetic outfits to unlock, so be on the lookout for them on your travels!
2. Pick Up Collectibles – They Reveal Hidden Stories
As you explore the world, keep an eye out for two types of collectibles: Stained Glass Pieces and Props. The Stained Glass collectibles are broken glass shards of bigger “stained colored glass windows”. Each of these “glass windows” tells a visual story of the kingdom. The Props are personal items of the lead characters in the game, such as The Queen, The King, and The Judge. These personal items always have something interesting to reveal about their owner. Collecting all of these will enhance your understanding of the world. If you’re someone who loves immersive storytelling, make sure to search every corner for these hidden gems!
3. Don’t Skip Cutscenes – They Hold Vital Clues
Each cutscene in Once Upon a Puppet is carefully crafted to deliver not just an emotional impact but also crucial hints about the world and the challenges ahead. The game features 12 rebuilding stages, and your goal is to rebuild and re-enact key moments from the king’s past. Every stage has its own unique story and emotional weight, so watching closely will help you connect the dots and fully grasp the significance of your journey.
If you rush through without paying attention to the cutscenes, you will miss important details about the mysteries behind the Shadow King, the forgotten stories, and the characters’ true destinies. So sit back, enjoy the theatrical storytelling, and let the narrative unfold like a grand stage performance!
4. Experiment with Stage Manipulation – Think Like a Theatre Director
One of the most unique mechanics in Once Upon a Puppet is the ability to rebuild and rearrange theatrical stages. Unlike traditional platformers, where the world remains static, this game allows you to move props, shift backdrops, and reposition platforms to change the scene itself.
Some puzzles require you to think like a stage director, setting up the scene in a way that allows Nieve and Drev to progress. Moving elements strategically can uncover secret paths, activate mechanisms, or create opportunities to outmanoeuvre enemies.
Once you “set the stage”, a Theatrical Cutscene, connected to the stage you just set, will emerge.
5. Spotlights aren’t just for drama
In Once Upon a Puppet, the rules of theatre guide every ray of light. The visual language of the game was built with the same care and discipline found in real stage productions. There are no accidental shadows or randomly placed beams—every light angle, silhouette, and contrast exists to serve the story, emotion, and staging.
This isn’t just lighting for aesthetics—it’s lighting with intention, rooted in the traditions of live theatre. A love letter to stagecraft, told through pixels and puppets. And quite possibly, a guide to secrets to discover.
We hope that with these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to take center stage and face the challenges that await. We can’t wait for you to experience the magic firsthand. Once Upon a Puppet is out now on Xbox series X|S. Good luck!
Once Upon A Puppet
Daedalic Entertainment
$29.99
$23.99
The Grand Opening:
Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Wear the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield control over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically bound to her. As they journey to return to the Frontstage above, they will retell forgotten stories, uncover shadowy secrets, and learn their fate is interwoven with the kingdom of theater itself.
Highlights:
Become Puppet and Puppeteer: Pull the strings and master the art of puppetry in this unique approach to action, movement, and creative puzzle-solving.
A Troupe of Characters: Meet an ensemble cast of dozens of Major and supporting characters, featuring hundreds of lines of handcrafted dialogue.
Deadly Shadows: Face a horde of villainous creatures who will do all they can to snuff out the lights and bring the show to an untimely end.
A Meticulously Crafted World: Marvel at the stylized and detailed graphics that reinforce the magic of theater, with stages that fluctuate between past and present.
Set The Scene: Arrange and move props, backdrops and characters to rebuild theatrical stages, and re-enact scenes to unveil what befell the once proud World Stage.
Enchanting Soundscapes: Be captivated by a rich, theatrical soundtrack and immersive sound effects that bring the world of Once Upon a Puppet to life…
The Leading Actors:
Unwittingly bound together by spool and thread, Drev and Nieve reluctantly embark on a quest to reclaim their place in the theater, against a heartbroken King.
Nieve, a talented Weaver beset by self doubt, builds a strong bond with Drev, a naive yet ambitious Actor. With Drev’s unbridled theatrics and Nieve’s brilliance, they will conquer their deepest held fears to reveal the truth of the void harbored in their hearts.
The post Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet appeared first on Xbox Wire.
How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors
Soulstone Survivors is an action roguelite that rapidly transforms you from a peasant to a god. It’s kind of like if you were playing a Path of Exile character from level 1 to 99, but in about 20 minutes, and no matter what power fantasy you can dream of – from a Wizard who controls the elements, to a holy Paladin, to a nuke-hurling Engineer – you will find it in our game.
After a few years of development, listening closely to our PC community, the game is finally coming to Xbox Series X|S on June 17, 2025.
A demo is also available now on Xbox Series X|S, and we’ve pulled together some tips to inspire some build ideas, as well as how to get the most fun out of them.
The freedom to build your character exactly how you want is what sets Soulstone Survivors apart, and you’ll be able to test it against the dangers of the Void. And, if you didn’t fancy what you tried… just iterate and try again until you find the absolute perfect build.
Soulstone Survivors is designed from the ground up for you to push it to the extreme. For example, when your critical chance exceeds 100%, your attacks start landing multi-crits. We have an attribute called multicast, which allows you to launch multiple copies of the same skill (such as Chain Lightning or the dagger-hurling Flurry) at once – and guess what? As it gets higher and over 100%, you can be launching two, three, or even ten copies of the same skill at once. While many games might cap these stats, Soulstone Survivors gives you the freedom to experience what true god-like power feels like.
While it’s easy to jump in with basic character setups, the game shines when you go deep into the different systems that play off each other to create game-breaking builds, and we are always surprised with the creativity of the community – we love it when someone posts a new build on Discord with some crazy strategy that we didn’t even think was possible!
Buffs Are Your Friends
Buffs are effects applied to your character which give you an advantage against your enemies. For example, each stack of “Prowess” (i.e. each time you gain/improve your “Prowess”) gives you 1% extra damage. Although focusing on a specific buff can be a powerful strategy, it’s a good idea to create a build with a few different buffs that play off each other. There are power-ups that will grant you a chance to gain a buff every time a different buff is applied. “Devastating Strikes”, for example, grants you a chance to gain an Aptitude stack (which increases your critical damage) for every Prowess stack you gain.
Negative Effects Are Your Friends Too
Negative effects are the counterpart to buffs. These are applied onto your enemies, weakening them in some way. These can empower you to do ten times (or even hundreds of times) more damage to your opponents, depending on what combination you get. A particularly good one is “Poison”, which will deal damage over time and, when the enemy dies, a portion of the remaining damage spreads to nearby enemies. Or there’s “Fragility”, which increases damage received by the enemy for each stack. It’s always a good idea to have at least a couple different negative effects instead of going all out in one.
Consider Your Skill Types
Each skill or attack in the game has a particular type, such as Fire or Electric. When you’re trying to maximize your power, you’ll definitely want to think about the skill types. You could do a super focused build, as some power-ups will increase the damage of all skills of a particular type, sometimes by as much as 50%.
On the other hand, you could mix and match different skill types, as there are power-ups that will chain different skill types – for example, when you cast an Electric skill, you would then have a certain chance to also cast a Fire skill. It really depends on the kind of gameplay that suits you best!
Try Out Different Stuff!
There are plenty more factors that influence your build, such as the skill tree, Runes (artifacts you equip before each run with unique effects), your weapons (which you craft as you progress through the game), your character’s ascension skill (a temporary god-like power you gain after unlocking all the core skills).
The important thing is to experiment with different elements until you find the patterns that work and the ones that don’t, finding the play style that suits you best. I don’t know if I should, but here, I’ll share with you my secret Bloody Barbarian build!
The Bloody Barbarian Build
The Barbarian is the first available character in the demo, but don’t mistake him for the weakest – far from it! He specializes in melee combat, having access to Swing, Thrust, Slam, Electric and Earth skills, and all of these are great to make some crazy buff synergies!
The key points for this build are:
- Choose the Barbarian with his first weapon, the Barbaric Cleavers
- Look for skills that buff you with Finesse, such as Double Slash
- Make sure to get the skill Scent of Blood
- Grab some popcorn, as you watch what happens!
Alright, let’s break it down. All Barbarian weapons are great, but for this build we’ll start with the Barbaric Cleavers, the first weapon available, as it comes with “Whirlwind”, which has a large damage area. More importantly, it grants you both “Bulwark” (which increases your block power) and “Finesse” (increases your multicast chance), the core of our build!
Start the game, and be on the lookout for skills with the Swing type, as many of those will also give you more “Finesse”. Earth-type skills also synergise very well with this build, since they grant you “Colossal” which increases the area of effect of your attacks, and you want to be slashing the whole world! Remember to save a skill slot for “Scent of Blood”.This is a skill unique to the Barbarian which increases your attack speed based on the number of “Finesse” stacks you have.
By now, your Swing skills will give you tons of “Finesse” stacks which increase your multicast, which in turn means all your skills are used multiple times, and they will be hitting a huge area because your Earth skills will also be launched multiple times granting you even more “Colossal”. Finally, the cherry on top is “Scent of Blood” as it uses your “Finesse” stacks to grant you even MORE attack speed, which causes your skills to be launched even faster! Do you see where I’m going with this?
The madness that ensues is glorious! You will soon be spinning like a mad man, decimating an entire screenful of enemies every second! You can even add in the skill “Subdue” into the mix as well, which deals damage based on how many stacks of “Finesse” you have, being a great finisher that will be dealing hundreds of thousands of damage in this setup!
In the full game, you can make this build even more extreme by picking up a few runes, such as the Synergetic Rune, as it increases the chances you will get power-ups that chain from one buff to another and the Multicast Mastery Rune, because it increases the effectiveness of the multicasts. Runes aren’t available in the demo, but even without them you will be slicing through enemies like butter.
And this is only one build, of one character, in the demo, without exploring runes, ascensions, skill trees… it barely scratches the surface of what you can do! You could also try the Thor Barbarian build with a bunch of Lightning skills that are great for critical strikes, the nasty Dirty Barbarian that uses Slams and Earth skill for massive damage, or experiment with the Pyromancer (also available in the demo), and bring down a fiery apocalypse onto your enemies!
I hope that this sparks your imagination and encourages you to explore all the build, buffs and power fantasies that are possible in Soulstone Survivors. Hop into the demo on Xbox Series X|S today.
The post How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Xbox App Now Available on LG Smart TVs
Starting today, the Xbox app is available on select LG Smart TV models, making it easier than ever for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in over 25 countries to play games directly from their TVs. This rollout includes 2022 OLED TVs, select 2023 LG Smart TVs, and newer models, along with smart monitors running webOS24 or later versions. It will soon expand to StanbyME screen.
With this update, players can enjoy hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles like Avowed, South of Midnight, and upcoming releases such as Towerborne. Game Pass Ultimate members can also conveniently stream a select catalog of Xbox games they already own, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, NBA 2K25 and Hogwarts Legacy, adding even greater flexibility to the gaming experience. You can find the full list here.
Getting Ready
To experience Xbox on your LG Smart TV, here is what you need:
- A compatible LG Smart TV.
- An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
- Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller such as the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or the DualSense controller.
How to Access the Xbox App on LG TV’s Gaming Portal
Players with 2025 LG TVs can power on their LG Smart TV, find the Xbox app in the new LG Gaming Portal, which can be accessed from the Gaming Q-Card on the TV home page, and start gaming instantly!
For owners of LG TVs running latest webOS 24 and newer – including 2022 OLED TVs and select 2023 LG Smart TVs which received a firmware upgrade – you can download the Xbox app from the app store. Once downloaded, the Xbox app is designed to offer a smooth and seamless cloud gaming experience. Here’s how it works:
- Navigate to the LG Gaming Portal from either Gaming Q-Card or LG Gaming Portal on the Home Page.
- Download and launch the Xbox app.
- Sign into or create your Microsoft account.
- Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.
- Pick a game and start playing!
We’re constantly exploring new ways to invite more people into the world gaming, and with LG Smart TVs, we can do just that. We’re excited to take this new step with LG Electronics to bring more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. And if you are new to gaming, this is an easy way to discover the joy gaming offers.
To learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) and how you can play across TVs and browsers on supported devices like smartphones, Windows PCs, and tablets, visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.
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