Category: Xbox

Starfield is finally on our horizon and early access is now live. The game launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC (with Game Pass) on September 6 – and is playable in early access today with the Starfield Premium Edition, Starfield Premium Edition Upgrade, or the Starfield Constellation Edition – and we at Xbox Wire have been lucky enough to play it early. This is an enormous game, full of overlapping systems, mysteries and mechanics.

We’re sure you want to know more and, in the spirit of getting you ready to play it yourself, we’ve put together a series of articles focused on getting you out into the galaxy prepared for what’s to come. Allow us to present Starfield Starters, a four-part, spoiler-free guide to some of the game’s most important, complex, and lesser-known features – and how to succeed with them. For more Starfield Starters, make sure to check out our guides on character customization and planet hopping.

Space isn’t always a friendly place in Starfield. You might come across Spacers, the villainous Crimson Fleet, or the zealots of House Va’ruun – each vying to destroy you for different reasons. Then again, you might not be the friendly one – you may decide upon a life of space piracy, invoking the ire of peaceful travellers, and racking up bounties from Settled Systems’ various peacekeepers.

All of this is to say that you’ll not just need to know how to fly your ship, but how to fight with it. Space combat is a very different proposition to fighting on ground level, with numerous mechanics to consider while trying to survive in the yawning voids between planets. Consider this your first day in flight school, then – this is our guide to succeeding in Starfield’s space combat:

Ship Systems

Key to every piece of your chosen spacecraft is its distinct systems, and more particularly how they’re powered. Your systems are split up into engines, three groups of weapons, shields, and your grav drive. Your ship’s reactor dictates how much power you have to put into each of these systems and, on the game’s earlier ships, you’re unlikely ever to have enough power to go round for all of them to run at full efficiency.

This means that, as you engage enemies, you’ll need to use the D-pad (or arrow keys if playing on mouse and keyboard) to cycle power into and out of each system. With lower power, lasers will fire more slowly, missiles will restock at a sluggish pace, shields won’t reach full charge, and your engines won’t move you as fast. The key, here, is in knowing your enemy.

Against lower level ships, I feel comfortable draining my grav drive (meaning I can’t warp away) and some of my shields, and pumping all my power into weapons, meaning I can take them down quickly and easily (before scooping up their precious cargo once I’ve reduced them to space trash). But if I feel less confident about my chances, I’ll pump up my shields, leave some juice in the grav drive, and accept a knock-down-drag-out fight, soaking up pressure while I whittle away their shields and hull – and if it all gets too frightening, I can initiate a system jump and get away within a few precious seconds.

Learning how best to distribute power turns fights into a frenzy of button presses, turning you into part-Picard on the bridge and part-La Forge in the engine room – it’s far more exciting than “efficient power allocation” has any right to be.

Learn the Dance

But even with a perfect control over power, you need to consider what I call The Dance – space combat is rarely a case of just sinking all your weapons into the hull of an enemy ship, and more a considered sense of what to fire when. Enemy shields naturally soak up damage, and must be dealt with before you can start blowing holes in ships – laser weaponry is particularly effective here.

Once those shields are down, however, lasers are far less effective than ballistic cannons, which are best-placed to knock chunks of healthbar off. Missiles, meanwhile offer huge ballistic damage, but ammo is slow to restock, meaning they’re best used as precision weapons (more on that below).

The Dance, then, is knowing which weapons to power up and take down specific types of enemy defence. It might seem wise to put a bit of power into each type and keep up a sustained assault, but I’ve found it more useful to cycle my lasers up to full power, remove my target’s shields, cycle that power into ballistics and then take down the hull. Your starting ship, the Frontier is set up with a very efficient combo of lasers, ballistics and missiles, and I highly recommend getting to grips with them before experimenting with other weapon types.

But once you have, there are other options available to the enterprising space buccaneer – EMP-type weapons can take down entire systems on the enemy ship in a few good bursts, for example. You’re restricted to three weapon groups per ship, so learning your preferred set-up is key to perfecting a deadly craft.

Target Acquired

If you’re going to go down a space combat-heavy route, I have three helpful words for you: “Targeting Control Systems”. This skill, unlocked on the first tier of the Tech skill tree, unlocks the ability to lock onto enemies, slow down time, and target specific parts of a ship – it’s effectively Starfield’s take on the Fallout VATS system. This is where missiles, with their high damage and homing capabilities, come into their own.

Targeting is useful for multiple reasons. If a ship’s lasers are ripping through your shields, focus on those systems and remove them from the equation. If you’re engaging in a spot of piracy and want to ensure your prey can’t escape, hit their grav drive to prevent a jump. Most excitingly, you can also go straight for their engines, crippling the ship and making it possible to dock with the enemy ship and climb aboard. From here, you’ll be able to enter their ship, take down the crew (on smaller ships they’re usually found in the cockpit, but can pop up in other rooms), steal the contents of the cargo bay and, if you so wish, steal the entire ship itself (which can then be registered, used, upgraded, or simply sold).

It’s worth pointing out that shields need to be taken down before you can effectively hit systems (if you want to prevent this happening again, just shoot out their shield generator), and targeting also comes with a limited window – if you take too long or lose lock-on, you’ll need to target them again. It usually takes two or three solid sessions of targeting to take down a system in my experience with the early game.

Start a Movement

In a 360 combat space, your movement is as important as your ordnance, so make sure to pay attention to how you’re getting around. The key here is in learning how to turn your ship most effectively. While it’s tempting to push your ship’s engines to their limit, going too fast actually reduces some of your mobility – the gauge on the centre-left of the ship combat UI shows how fast you’re going, but it also includes a small section colored in white. This white section is the optimum spot for high speed turns – keep your speed within this window and you’ll be far more nimble, allowing you to wheel round at high velocity and keep a ship in your sights far more easily.

If you want to get even trickier, investing in the first rank of the Piloting skill unlocks thruster control for your ship – switching on thrusters allows you strafe your ship in four directions, helping you to avoid enemy fire while still keeping a bead on the target. I’ve found this particularly beneficial when I’ve been on a head-to-head flight path with an enemy, using thrusters to subtly move my ship and avoid careening missiles by inches.

Finally, boosting (achieved by clicking in the left stick on controller, or pressing Shift on your keyboard) is not just a way of getting places fast. In fact, it’s far more important as a defensive tool – enemy ships also tote missiles, and when they’ve locked on you’ll get a red warning at the top of your screen. Boosting immediately breaks a missile lock, keeping you safe from what’s likely the most damaging weapon enemies can use against you. With this in mind, keep hold of your boost as often as you can while in space combat, to save for a special, dangerous occasion.

Hull-istic Therapy

Amid the thrill of space combat, it can be easy to forget that your ship is vulnerable too – not least because, while shields will recharge, hull damage doesn’t recover naturally. There are a couple of ways to fix this – the more expensive way is to head to a ship-port at any civilized location, speak to a ship technician, and ask for repairs, which come at a cost of 1,000 credits a pop.

The less expensive way is to keep a supply of ship parts on hand. Think of these as medpacks for spaceships – they’re not especially easy to come by, and they take up a weighty amount of inventory or cargo hold space (pro tip – if you don’t understand why your inventory is so full, check the Aid section of you inventory for ship parts!), but they’re the quickest way to make yourself safe to fight again.

Interestingly, one of the easiest ways to ensure you get some ship parts is… engaging in more space combat. You’ll fairly frequently fly into a system and find yourself amid an ongoing battle between friendly forces like the Freestar Collective and more aggressive factions like Spacers. If you take part in the battle, taking down all the aggressors, the surviving side will often hail your ship, asking if they can reward you for your help – and ship parts are one of the available choices to request. Space combat – fun and useful!

Starfield Premium Edition

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
227

★★★★★

$99.99

Get it now

Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

***
Pre-order now and receive “Old Mars Skin Pack” in-game bonus skins:
– Laser Cutter
– Deep Mining Helmet
– Deep Mining Pack

Premium Edition includes:
– Starfield Base Game
– Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
– Up to 5 days early access*
– Constellation Skin Pack: Equinox Laser Rifle, Spacesuit, Helmet and Boost Pack
– Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack

* Actual play time depends on purchase date and is subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
Cloud play not available during Early Access
***

In the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. You will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of space in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

TELL YOUR STORY
In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become.

EXPLORE OUTER SPACE
Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered.

CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS
Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection.

DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD
Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes.

LOCK AND LOAD
Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.

Starfield Standard Edition

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
35

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

In the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. You will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of space in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

***
Pre-order now and receive “Old Mars Skin Pack” in-game bonus skins:
– Laser Cutter
– Deep Mining Helmet
– Deep Mining Pack

Standard Edition Includes:
– Starfield Base Game

***
TELL YOUR STORY
In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become.

EXPLORE OUTER SPACE
Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered.

CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS
Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection.

DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD
Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes.

LOCK AND LOAD
Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.

Related:
Starfield Starters: An Explorer’s Guide to Planet Hopping 
Starfield and Series S 1TB Kick Off an Incredible September
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 4 to 8

Crusader Kings III has sold 3 million copies over the last three years.

It’s kind of hard to conceive. Despite the cult hit status of its predecessor in the series, Crusader Kings III has proven to be a larger success than anyone at Paradox anticipated. And, because of its nature, CKIII has a unique place in the family of Paradox grand strategy games.

Where so many strategy/role-playing games emphasize party-based combat or role-playing as you would find in a tabletop game, Crusader Kings asks you to role-play a leader; in fact many leaders. You never have full control over the situation, because the world moves in real-time around you, and you only have direct influence over the actions of your characters and your armies. And, because the role-playing continues as the heir of your initial character, and so on down the line, the way that you interact with the game changes. And, as the role-playing changes, the strategy changes.

This personal connection to a series of characters in a single family through the generations makes CKIII one of the most approachable grand strategy games in the Paradox catalog, so it’s no surprise that it is the entry point for many thousands of people into the genre. It is important that, as development continues, we expand the game without losing touch with the magic that makes the medieval world of Crusader Kings so appealing and welcoming.

We have been planning updates to Crusader Kings III as “Chapters”, and we are now in the final stages of Chapter II. Each Chapter has a major expansion, a role-playing add-on and a flavor pack that focuses on a specific region or culture. This anniversary is as good a time as any to look at how Chapter II enhances the strengths of Crusader Kings III and fulfills the player promise.

In May, we released Tours & Tournaments, which is, in many ways, the typical CKIII expansion and a good example of what we try to do on the development side. The core of the expansion is adding Grand Activities, which are special occasions that require the player character to plan goals, choose companions and, if they are lucky, improve their situation. In many ways, Tours & Tournaments leans heavily into the popular imagination of the Middle Ages as much as history. Tournaments are scenes of feats of arms and recruiting unknown talents to serve in the army. Grand Weddings are celebrations of the union of great houses, and offer opportunities for the scheming that has become synonymous with the game. Great Hunts challenge characters to track down common game or notable beasts, enhancing courtly camaraderie with just a hint of real danger.

But these role-playing elements are always tied to the greater strategic game. Improving the skills of soldiers in the safe confines of a friendly joust. Throwing a huge wedding party to strengthen alliances. The addition of a true travel system, new regency options for when the ruler is away from home, and attitudes for vassals feeds back into all of these events as well, with the Grand Tour introduced as a key strategic tool for rulers.

In August, the Event Pack Wards & Wardens was released, notable as the first Paradox Grand Strategy expansion whose theme was chosen by the community itself. Event packs are relatively minor, but, if done correctly, a few dozen events can foster even tighter connections between players and games. Wards & Wardens is, at its core, events about childhood, but usually from the perspective of a parent or guardian.

As a game about generations, Crusader Kings III has always asked players to think about what will happen when their active character dies. So, events about raising the heir (or heirs) have been central. Wards & Wardens not only adds more events, but also adds new ways to influence the childhood development of the young people at court. Fairy tale stories of wicked regents usurping the power of underage kings, or loyal wetnurses rearing strong and kind children can be experienced in a realistic setting. Again, a central player experience is improved and heightened.

Later this year, Chapter II comes to a close with Legacy of Persia, which is, like last year’s Fate of Iberia, a flavor pack that centers on a historic struggle or conflict. Legacy of Persia is based on the historic decline and collapse of the Abbasid Caliphate in what is now Iran, Iraq and Central Asia. Struggle centered packs really push the strategic side of the game by presenting historical crises that have different phases – usually cycles of stability and instability as the participant realms achieve certain goals.

But each phase has different rules – in times of great instability, players will have options that are either impossible or less attractive when things are going well. Sometimes this will force players to engage the game in very creative ways, especially when the most viable strategies are ones that run counter to a character’s personality or preferences. (In Crusader Kings, continually defying a character’s inclination risk accruing Stress penaltis, and potentially damaging that character).

I hope this gives you some insight into how we plan each year of Crusader Kings III content. Not everything always goes according to plan, of course, because our ambitions and the game itself are constantly evolving as we learn more about what our players want and expect. With a lot coming up in 2024, we hope we can continue to surprise our audience with new adventures in the distant past.

Crusader Kings III: Royal Edition

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
6

★★★★★

Get it now

The Royal edition of Crusader Kings III is the obvious choice for aspiring nobles looking to create a dynasty that lasts throughout the ages. It includes Crusader Kings III, an Expansion pass covering the first three upcoming expansions and the Expansion Pass bonus Fashion of the Abbasid Court.

Guide a historical dynasty through the centuries. Gather new lands and titles to cement your legacy.
Knights, peasant revolts, pilgrimages, Viking raiders… experience the drama and pageantry of the Middle Ages.
Be a faithful adherent of your religion, embrace heresy, or start your own faith on the wreckage of failed belief systems.

DEVELOP CHARACTER
Adopt one of five different lifestyles, perfecting your skills in military strategy or kingdom management.
Character traits guide your actions and affect outcomes. Characters that act against their nature develop stress that could bring a new host of troubles.
Raise your heirs to be worthy successors, training them yourself, or giving them as ward to a trusted friend or ally. Unworthy heirs are risky, unless you can find a way to get rid of them – legally or otherwise.
Choose to use fear as a weapon, using your dreadful reputation to intimidate vassals and family.

WAGE WAR
Supplement your royal levies with professional infantry, cavalry, and siege weapons, as well as exotic regional units.
Research new technologies to increase the wealth and military might of your realm.
Hire mercenaries and Holy Orders for your major wars.

PLAN INTRIGUES
Spy on your court to discover plots against your dynasty and your rule.
Find allies in the courts of rivals you are targeting for schemes.
Seduce other characters for love or political power.
Do favors for your subjects so they will owe you loyalty – or support for your plots against your enemies.

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Howdy, survivors! Our western-style content update, conveniently named Horsepocalypse, is making its way to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
This free update will be available for Rust Console Edition starting August 31, with the monthly wipe. Y’all wanted this so bad, we couldn’t help but listen. So, brush off them hats and lace up those boots, because we’re gonna take you through each shiny new feature comin’ to town!

Rideable Horses

This game changing feature is about to turn Rust Console Edition into a whole new experience. Horses have been part of the game since we first released it, but now you can ride them and equip them with equipment like Horseshoes and Saddles to make them faster or more durable. With rideable horses, you can travel across the map much faster, making those long-distance journeys easier and more efficient with your time.
Horses come in 10 different breeds. Some are speedy, while others are sturdier. And they’re not just tools — you’ll need to take good care of them! Build them a safe place in or around your base and be sure to feed them if you expect them to survive the night. In return, they’ll be loyal companions, sticking by your side in the toughest of challenges.

New Monument Safe Zones

Also rollin’ into town with this update are two new safe zone monuments. Yep, you heard it right! These new safe zones are the Large Barn and the Ranch, and you must be wondering, “what can I do there?” Well, partner, you can get all sorts of horse gear like Saddles, Horse Armor (of course we made horse armor), and Horseshoes. And guess what? You can even get your hands on one of the six horses hangin’ around the place. All you gotta do is buy a Saddle from the vendor and walk yourself over to the stable. Once there, pick your favorite stallion, slap that saddle on it, and… it’s yours!
Mind you, both the Large Barn and the Ranch are peaceful zones for both survivors and horses, so no weapons are allowed inside. If you decide to act all rowdy, the turrets will quickly put a stop to your mean-spirited acts.

NPC Missions

Horsepocalypse will also introduce NPC missions! Now, don’t you worry, especially if you’re just starting out your survival adventures. These missions are like a friendly guide to help you learn about different aspects of the game, such as gathering resources, hunting ,and fishing. And the real kicker is that some of these missions hand out rewards that can really speed up your progress in-game, putting you ahead of the competition.
So, next time you step onto that island, don’t forget to give some of these missions a try. Trust me, it’s a mighty good time!

More to Come

Don’t ride off into the sunset just yet as we’ve got a couple more surprises hidden up our sleeves for this update, but we’d like you to go out and discover them on your own! With every content update, Rust Console Edition becomes bigger and better and Horsepocalypse is the prime example of that. Round up your teammates, throw some meat on the Barbeque, and see for yourself why this is one of the best survival experiences you can play today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Rust Console Edition

Double Eleven Ltd.

☆☆☆☆☆
922

★★★★★

$49.99

Get it now

Welcome to Rust.

The only aim in Rust is to survive – Overcome struggles such as hunger, thirst and cold. Build a fire. Build a shelter. Kill animals. Protect yourself from other players.

Related:
Call of the Wild: The Angler – Tips for Game Pass Fishing Success
How Digital Eclipse Set the Standard for Preserving Video Game Classics with Their First Gold Master Series Title – The Making of Karateka
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Mêlée Island has need of you once again! It’s time to return to Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island, an incredible crossover that kicked off in July, beginning a journey to reunite players with the legendary Guybrush Threepwood and defeat the villainous Captain LeChuck – all within the world of Sea of Thieves. Today sees the arrival of the second Tall Tale in the trilogy, promising a wave of new excitement and experiences…

The Tale So Far

Players were granted their first foray into this new playground last month in the opening Tall Tale, ‘The Journey to Mêlée Island’. In this initial adventure, taking place deep within the Sea of the Damned, players were introduced to a distorted reflection of the classic Mêlée Island.

With an ominous fog covering much of the island and Guybrush Threepwood installed in the unlikely position of Governor, it was up to players to get to the bottom of things. By working their way through puzzles, befriending locals with small acts of service and finding enough coins to pay their way when they couldn’t, the story gradually took shape.

Eventually, an audience was obtained with the esteemed Governor Guybrush, followed by a fierce battle with the ghost pirate minions of Captain LeChuck and – for pirates who emerged victorious – a final stop with Corina at the International House of Mojo.

Explore New Mechanics

Now the time has come to continue the adventure! Having received word that Corina has found a way to break the spell and free Guybrush from his delusion, Captain Kate is recruiting pirates to carry out the plan. To craft the cure, you’ll need to journey back to Mêlée Island in search of three symbols of true pirate courage. They can only be obtained by the fiercest and most cunning of pirates, so keep your wits about you as you uncover more of the island and its cast of inhabitants.

Packed with new places and faces, ‘The Quest for Guybrush’ offers a major expansion on everything you’ve seen before. This Tall Tale will ask you to master Insult Sword Fighting, confront The Beast, return to your treasure-seeking pirate roots and much more. Expect a host of fresh surprises for long-time and new fans of Monkey Island alike throughout this uproarious new chapter of the story.

As before, you’ll be able to work your way through the Tall Tale alone or in a crew, in an isolated map so you’re free to take your time without engaging with other crews. And with the full expanse of Mêlée Island at your feet, there’s plenty to explore!

Iconic Outfits

Of course, an important part of any pirate’s adventure is being able to dress the part, which is where the Pirate Emporium’s accompanying wave of Monkey Island-inspired cosmetics come in.

With the Mad Monkey ship set, you’ll be able to model your vessel on an infamous Caribbean shipwreck. Fortunately, the design isn’t necessarily a sign that your ship will share the same fate – and to make sure of it, you can supplement your sidearms and guard your loot with the matching Mad Monkey weapons.

In the wardrobe department, the Guybrush Costume Set finally lets you dress up as your favorite mighty pirate, while the Elaine Costume Set offers a chance to emulate the celebrated former Governor. Alternatively, accomplished duellists might prefer the Carla Costume Set, paying tribute to the legendary Sword Master of Mêlée Island.

So, ready to take on the next Tall Tale? Guybrush has need of you, and Mêlée Island isn’t about to save itself. ‘The Quest for Guybrush’ Tall Tale is free for all Sea of Thieves players and available now, so make your preparations, pack your best insults and drop by Capsize Charters to get started…

Find Out More

For more information on the latest Sea of Thieves update, including full release notes, visit the Sea of Thieves website. The update is available for free to all Sea of Thieves players who have bought the game on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC or via Steam, or players who have access to it with Xbox Game Pass. Simply download and install the latest Sea of Thieves update to get access.

New to Sea of Thieves? Find out about the latest free content updates on our What’s New page, get familiar with Who’s Who or pick up some gameplay tips from our Pirate Academy, which provides invaluable information on topics ranging from sailing to swordplay as you prepare for your maiden voyage. Learn more about Sea of Thieves here, or join the ongoing adventure at www.seaofthieves.com where you can embark on an epic journey with one of gaming’s most welcoming communities!

© 2023 MICROSOFT. © & ™ LUCASFILM LTD.

Related:
Under the Waves: A Tale of Hope for the Future
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Persona fans can have a hard time letting go of their favorite characters; after spending upwards of 100 hours with the heroes of Personas 3, 4, or 5, it’s only natural to feel a void once you’ve rolled the credits. Persona publisher Atlus clearly understands we’ve wanted to see more of SEES and the Investigation Team; we’ve brawled in the arena and danced all night with them in follow up titles long after their original releases. In November, Persona 5’s Phantom Thieves get another curtain call in a new genre: tactical RPG.

At gamescom, I got to spend an hour with Persona 5 Tactica (P5T) on Xbox, and it’s no surprise this is shaping up to be one of the most stylish tactics games on the market. Pretty much everything I loved about Persona 5 returns in a remixed fashion: the iconic music played with new instruments, characters like Joker, Ann, and Mona hanging out in Leblanc Coffee Shop, even the endlessly pulsating menu options return in a new, “cuteified” art style. In short, if you loved that world, you’re already going to be predisposed towards this one.

Most notably, the gameplay has been remixed from turn-based RPG to a tactics -focused affair, with its own Persona twists. Early on, weird stuff seems to be happening in Tokyo (again!), and the Phantom Thieves soon find themselves back in the Metaverse, where players begin learning the particular nuances of this system, one battle at a time.

Mainline Persona games focus on sussing out enemies’ elemental weaknesses to launch devastating all-out attacks, P5T has you deploying familiar tools (melee weapons, firearms, and Personas) in a different way: placement and cover are of utmost importance, enabling your team of three to make the most of their turns.

A key tactic revolves around using melee attacks to leave an enemy defenseless, allowing a second character to “down” them, earning “One More” free turn. Surrounding a downed enemy with your characters in a triangle formation enables a Triple Threat attack, stylized in the manner of Persona 5′s All Out Attack, which is a very good thing. Triangle formation: works in basketball, works in soccer, works in P5T.

That said, setting up Triple Threats often forces at least one character to leave cover in a compelling risk/reward scenario.

P5T is rife with this sort of tension: speed is incentivized through rewards for completing matches in fewer turns, but characters who choose to spend a turn without attacking channel their focus in powerful ways. New playable character Erina, for example, can shoot right through cover after hunkering down for a turn. Speed, or patience? Safety or daring? Finding ways to get the best out of both ends of these systems is likely to define your time with P5T.

Well, that and everything else you may love about the world of Persona 5. Hearing hardcore gamer Futaba self-referentially refer to their next adventure as “DLC” while Ryuji and Yusuke argue over a beach trip brought me back to that time spent in the alternate universes of Tokyo, and I’m ready to do it all over again.

Persona 5 Tactica arrives November 17 on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

Persona 5 Tactica

SEGA of America, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Additional Personas will become available to summon in-game. After becoming the Trickster’s masks, picaro versions of two Personas will be added to the Persona Compendium.

Pre-order now to get the following digital bonuses:
• Orpheus Picaro
• Izanagi Picaro

Ignite your heart— An emotional uprising begins!

After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves?

Persona 5 Tactica features an all-new story, the return of fan-favorite characters, and brand-new allies and foes. Join the group as they lead an emotional revolution in this thrilling combat adventure!

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For Ronan Coiffec, the CEO of Parallel Studio, video games are much more than a job: they’re a way of life, something he’s lived with since his early youth. From hardcore gamer to apprentice game designer, this child of the ’80s focused on his sole goal: opening his studio and writing his own stories. Under The Waves is the latest one, closing an almost 4-year development marathon. A major milestone for Ronan and the indie studio he founded in 2015 with writer Sébastien Renard and audio designer Nicolas Bredin.

Under The Waves is the fourth game made by Parallel Studio and it’s been a particularly rewarding project for each of the 19 team members, according to Ronan: “We made some time a few days ago to pull out the technical documents that laid the foundations for the game. We were pleasantly surprised to see that in the end, we didn’t have to restrict ourselves, we pushed every aspect of the project as far as we could, and yet we set ourselves quite a high bar considering the size of the team: the underwater gameplay in a semi-open 3D world, the side quests, the motion capture, the ’70s documentary aesthetic, the messages… We put all our heart into it, it’s a sincere and generous project!”

A game full of content indeed, yet for Ronan, Under The Waves is first and foremost the story of Stan, the taciturn diver who escapes reality by going into the depths of the sea. “We’ve divided the game into chapters,” explains Ronan. “There’s plenty of freedom to wander around and discover this world, but to move forward you must follow the main quest. It was first a technical choice, but in the end, it allowed us to convey smoothly what we wanted and tell our story. You still have room for exploration, both literally and figuratively: that of nature, which surrounds us and on which our impact is visible, for better or for worse, but also the exploration of our own condition as human beings, our flaws, our relationship with others.”

Under The Waves is a tale deeply rooted in Ronan’s childhood. The son of a marine in the French Navy, he crossed the world many times, following his father’s professional assignments. At the other end of the planet, a long way from his native Brittany, he discovered a world where warships, oil rigs and environmental activists collide. “It was during my adolescence that I imagined a video game that would translate these memories,” recalls Ronan. “I scribbled down game design diagrams, drew environments, sketched vehicles and characters. And even though gameplay remains a central affair, my aim has always been to convey intense, human emotions in my stories.” The prototype was evolving around a simple 2D mechanism with a diver and his submersible tasked with cleaning up underwater pollution. Drawing out the darkness to bring out the hope. Quite a symbol. 

From 2020 to 2023, Ronan and Parallel Studio devoted their energy to this emotionally charged development, to which each member of this small group would add their own touch. That too is the strength of a studio on a human scale: soul to spare and clever minds full of ideas! “Under The Waves is both a sum of compromises and an absolute absence of compromise, if that makes sense” smiles Ronan. “I was looking for a way to bring it to life within a team on a reasonable scale, to keep control of the project without abandoning certain ambitions in terms of gameplay. Parallel Studio, with the help of Quantic Dream, was the perfect framework for achieving this result. I’m proud of what we’ve done.”

With dozens of caverns and wrecks to explore, hundreds of marine creatures to admire and countless thoughts for Stan to ponder, Parallel Studio has finally achieved what it set out to do: offer us a moment of escape, far beneath the waves, and gently encourage us to reconsider our point of view on the small things we can do for ourselves, for others and for the planet. “Ecology is in the studio’s DNA. We’ve had our carbon footprint analysed, we use recycled furniture, we’ve even ‘adopted’ a whale to provide financial support for scientists… In fact, the whale in the game is a central element, so it’s no coincidence! And we’re also delighted of the partnership with Surfrider Foundation Europe, who helped us adding real-life context to the marine facts we bring all through the game.”

Time flies, and there is still one major question we need to ask. Mercury, the quirky retro-futuristic on-board computer, what OS does it run on? “Haha, good one! MS-DOS of course, but surely a beta version, given that the real thing was released in 1981, whereas the game is set in 1979! By the way, speaking of MS DOS, it’s actually the reference I suggested to our graphic designer for the sleek interface on Stan’s computer. As for Mercury, that’s the name we’ve also given to a bot on our Discord, at Parallel Studio. It’s able to export our builds, it replies to our holiday requests, and above all, it tells us every day when it’s afterwork time! It’s become our companion, for sure.”

Under The Waves

Quantic Dream

☆☆☆☆☆
7

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Under the Waves is a narrative-driven adventure game about the engulfing power of grief. Set in the depths of the North Sea in a techno-futuristic 1970s, professional diver Stan is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss and embrace a new future. The isolation of the deep sea is a fitting manifestation of his state of mind, and as Stan retreads further into his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events far beneath the waves. He will eventually have to make a difficult choice…

A love letter to the oceans, Under The Waves invites you to dive into a gorgeous underwater world, brought to life in a poetic blend of cinematic visuals and poignant storytelling. Live a gripping story through Stan’s eyes and guide him through an unforeseen series of events that will bring him deeper and deeper into the abyss, the reflection of his own psyche.
Wander the vast seabed piloting Stan’s submarine and encounter the beautiful wildlife, Stan’s only company while he’s trapped in his own mind. Explore caves, wrecks, and underwater plants with Stan’s special wetsuit, following the mysterious manifestations of his memories, to find a way back to the surface and save his life. Collect materials and craft equipment that will help Stan navigate further on this self-discovery expedition. You will have to dare get off the beaten track to experience mesmerizing moments and reveal more about the tragic past he is trying to escape…

Parallel Studio and Quantic Dream are partnering with Surfrider Foundation Europe to support ocean preservation. Know more about Surfrider Foundation at www.surfrider.eu.

KEY FEATURES
– A surreal voyage under the waves — Live a poetic underwater adventure about a man trying to overcome his traumatic past and save his own life, both literally and figuratively. Will Stan ever reach the surface again?
– Explore the depths of the sea – Pilot your submarine over the abyss and swim your way through caves, wrecks, and submerged plants in search of backstory pieces, salvageable waste, collectibles, and more. Craft equipment to help Stan explore further.
– Witness the beauty of the ocean – Dive through gorgeous underwater environments, from unfathomable depths to retro-futuristic facilities, immersed in a contemplative ambiance brought to life by an atmospheric soundtrack.
– A unique setting full of mysteries – Discover an alternate reality of the year 1979 where retro, science-fiction, and fantasy flow together in beautifully-rendered graphics.

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