Category: Xbox

For the first time since hearing the iconic “World Premiere” catchphrase at the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this year, thousands of fans attending this year’s gamescom will have a unique opportunity to experience Towerborne firsthand. Even though I won’t be attending the show in person, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a build like what fans will be playing, and then chat with Arnie Jorgensen, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Stoic, about the game’s development and what players can expect.

“Gamescom is giving us creative energy and we’re psyched for people to see what we’ve been working on. Players will be battling through a tight experience focused on defeating a titanic enemy who resides deep in the heart of an ancient mycelium forest. Weapon combos and abilities will be honed on the way to this boss by brawling with lesser denizens’ intent on defending their master,” Jorgensen says. “I hope players come away from this experience with a thrilling glimpse into the exciting combat and stunning world that Towerborne has to offer.”

I hope players come away from this experience with a thrilling glimpse into the exciting combat and stunning world that Towerborne has to offer.

Beacon of Hope

If you read a description of Towerborne, you will discover that, “The Belfry stands as a beacon of hope and safety amongst the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers…” Ruins of humanity? That sounds a bit dark and foreboding, but the first thing I noticed about Towerborne is how beautiful the game is. Even with homes burning in the background and death lingering in the air, it’s bright and cheery atmosphere coupled with a delightful and uplifting music score that shifts in tempo depending on whether you’re in the safety of the Belfry or on the battlefield surrounded by enemies truly embodies this message of a beacon of hope. Instead of seeing a world in ruins, the audio and visual design of the game left me feeling optimistic for the City of Numbers.

I asked Jorgensen about Towerborne’s creative style. “We began the art direction by leaning into what we’ve done previously on Banner Saga, meaning that Towerborne should look like you’re playing in a beautifully animated feature film,” explains Jorgensen. “Using Unreal Engine on this title has enabled us to go further and lean into a more updated and modern look, which suits the Towerborne worldbuilding perfectly. It’s simply better than anything I had hoped for in my mind at the start.”

Mash Buttons, Get Loot

Admittedly, I am terrible at games that force me to remember complicated combat maneuvers to chain combos together or pull off a flashy finishing move. But the joy of Towerborne’s combat design is you don’t have to be a pro to feel like one. I can button mash and still have fun, or I can be a bit more tactical with my attacks and dodges and be strategic when deciding to use my special attacks. Either play style you choose – the game is just fun. I asked Jorgensen how they created a game with a combat mechanic that is completely different than all their previous games and made it so enjoyable.

The game is easy to pick up and dive into, and even better with friends…it’s just a good time.

“The game is simply easy to pick up and dive into, and even better with friends. Anyone can grab a controller and have fun mashing buttons and getting loot to improve your character with. The combat is bouncy, and accessible to a wide range of people,” he says. “As you play more and go deeper with the weapon specific combos and abilities, you realize the combat is far deeper than you first thought. You see a boss enemy’s head sticking out of the clouds up ahead on the world map and have a new goal to shoot for, but to defeat it may require reforging your Warclub and leveling up some gear… the game just pulls you in and it’s not a stress simulator, it’s just a good time.”

A Focus on Fun

To gain further understanding of how the game delivers on being one that is easy to learn, fun to master, Jorgensen taps Isaac Torres, the senior combat designer, to dive deeper into the core combat mechanics. “A good portion of the combat team is composed of designers and animators that have worked on action games, beat ‘em ups, and fighting games where this sort of feel is a top priority,” states Torres. “We also have designers that have worked on a large variety of other genres, too, like RPGs and MMOs. It is this sort of team diversity that has allowed us to take inspiration from tons of games while also creating our own identity.”

He continues, “From a gameplay perspective, we made sure that Light Attacks and Heavy Attacks can be used interchangeably no matter which button you use first. If you hit a button, you’re going to do something cool no matter your skill level. Once you find button combinations or moves that you like doing, you will naturally start forming strategies around them.”

Torres closes with, “It’s important to reward you through exploration and discovery, and the combat system is designed with that in mind. Umbra, for example, provides abilities that amplify your combat to do things that aren’t normally possible. Maybe it’s something that holds an enemy in place, something that makes juggling easier, or maybe it’s an Umbra that fires a long-range projectile. Figuring out what each ability does is part of the fun and makes combat feel unique and expansive.”

Adventure Together

I know I just said combat was fun, but don’t be fooled into thinking fun means easy, or that the game’s cute little enemy soldiers aren’t dangerous. Oh sure, you can power through one or two of them at a time, but when you’re trying to defend an objective, like a wagon, and there is half a dozen or more enemies on the battlefield, it can get overwhelming. The big boss battles, even more so. That’s where having a trusty companion comes in handy, and Towerborne achieves this in the form of Umbra. I asked Jorgensen about them since they feel like such an important part of the game. “The Umbra are small spirit beings, each with their own motivations and personalities. In battle they provide you aid by adding stats and abilities to your combat kit,” Jorgensen states. “One may call down spirit energy to smash the ground in front of you with area damage and another may project blistering damage across the screen. You need to seek them out by exploring the world map and in doing so, you will assemble several of them, then choose which will make the best addition to your loadout for the coming battle.”

Home Sweet Home

The Belfry is a hub where you will link up with friends and companions to plan your next adventure, but it’s also home to several interesting non-player characters. I met several of them in my limited playtime but didn’t have the opportunity to learn much about them. I asked Jorgensen if he could share any details about a few of the more popular ones you’ll interact with regularly. “The characters of Towerborne are intended to be exclusive to this particular unfolding storyline and will help give you focus, motivation, and context in the world,” he mentions. “The stalwart Paloma who pulls you back from the Ebb into new life again; Krafft, the no-nonsense military commander; Courage, an Umbra spirit, who will teach you how to use your own fighting spirit. Bumble and Blundt build masterpiece weapons and gear, and Ryx, an Ace who’s died one too many times, intimately understands the spirits of the Ebb, just to name a few.”

Cartography – the Art of Making and Using Maps

I love maps and charts in general, so map functionality is something I always notice in games I play. Towerborne’s map is not only functional and easy to use, but it’s also just as beautiful as the game and an important element of the adventure. I express my adoration on the brilliant map design with Jorgensen.

The map is designed to be a candy shop full of tasty treats for you to enjoy.

“The map is your way of exploring the world of Towerborne. You will battle out from the safety of the Belfry, hex by hex into the wilds to encounter discovery, story, enemy cluster, boss missions and more,” he states. “You will find chests of precious items, seek out Umbra spirits, and unlock pathways to more dangerous areas through Danger License missions. The map is designed to be a candy shop full of tasty treats for you to enjoy.”

From the Makers of Banner Saga

Towerborne is being developed by Stoic, the studio best known for their award-winning tactical role-playing game series, Banner Saga. Towerborne plays completely differently yet shares some subtle parallels. “The largest similarity is the base visual target both share, which is the look of an animated feature film. In the early days of development, the game also was much more of a left to right layout for combat, like Banner Saga travel scenes, but now it’s got a lot more movement and directions to engage with. It also used to be completely 2D, like Banner Saga, but we quickly pivoted to lean into what the Unreal Engine does well, which is 3D,” Jorgensen describes. “So now we get a similar look with a cel shader on the characters and hand painted environments for them to exist on. It has wonderfully designed worldbuilding and characters and is far more optimistic and uplifting than Banner Saga.”

Conclusion

Towerborne reminds me of a few games I’ve played recently, including Tunic, Planet of Lana, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Immortals Fenyx Rising – NOT because they are necessarily similar in gameplay, rather, because they are just beautiful, and fun, and everything you want in a great game. Towerborne is all of these things!

“With Towerborne we really wanted to lean more into a fast-paced combat-based game that was accessible enough to play with your kids but didn’t talk down to adults either. We felt that a brawler style battle system was a great fit as a base that we could then twist into something larger and more modern to excite the current gaming community,” Jorgensen says. “We coupled this base with deep ARPG mechanics, a cool loot system, Stoic worldbuilding, and all wrapped up in a persistent world. We’re adding a lot of new to the genre, but the secret sauce is the world map which is also something players will find new and refreshing.”

Before letting Jorgensen go, so he could focus on gamescom and sharing Towerborne with the fans, I had one personal parting question about games he’s currently playing, which I always find interesting to hear what game developers are playing. “When I have time to actually play a game these days it’s Pillars of Eternity or Songs of Conquest on the PC,” he says. “And the last two I played and finished are the Untitled Goose Game and It Takes Two with my son. Oh, and Clash Royale on the phone of course.”

Towerborne is coming in 2024 to PC and Xbox Series X|S, plus it will be available day one on Game Pass. For more information about Towerborne, check out the official website and follow @Towerborne on Twitter, and check out our exclusive interview with the team from the Xbox Games Showcase.

Related:
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Sea of Stars, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Gris, and Firewatch
Quake II Reintroduces the Legendary FPS to Xbox
Xbox Insiders – Help bring the new Game Pass Core experience to life

Xbox’s biggest-ever gamescom booth opened this morning with a special presentation focused on – what else? – Starfield. In a purpose-built 300-seater theatre, attendees kicked off their gamescom experience with an extended look at the opening of the hugely anticipated new spacefaring RPG from Bethesda Game Studios. And, in a surprise appearance, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer and Game Director on Starfield Todd Howard introduced the game for the press and creators this morning. 

“It’s totally awesome to be back at gamescom,” began Spencer. “It’s been so long, I couldn’t remember the last time I was here, I think it was 2017… It’s nice to see everybody back here at gamescom having a great time.” 

The Head of Xbox went onto dive into why this is Xbox’s biggest ever booth, with over 50,000 square feet of floor space, 30 playable games, 150 demo stations, and multiple theatre spaces. Spencer also introduced some of the games at the show, from first-party titles like Towerborne and Forza Motorsport, to third party titles. He gave a special shout-out to STALKER 2, and the incredible work of its Ukrainian dev team, which received a round of applause from the crowd. 

“I’m going to introduce someone who’s been a friend of mine for an awful long time,” he continued, “a friend of Xbox’s for an awful long time. But more importantly, someone who’s created some of the most amazing games, that literally tens of millions, of not hundreds of millions of players have played his games over the years. 

“Two things when Todd talks about Starfield: ‘Over 25 years in the making’, which isn’t the development schedule – that’s how long Bethesda Games Studios has been around. And he also calls it ‘irresponsibly large’. For those who begin to play and see what he and the team have been building, you’ll see just a massively epic game, so please join me in welcoming Todd Howard to the stage.” 

From here, Howard took the mic to huge applause. “This is the first time I have ever been to Gamescom,” he began. “I’ve heard about it for so many years, and what an incredible group of people come out. 

“Thanks for all of your support – to the games that we’ve done over the years, and especially on this one. We have really poured ourselves into it for a long period of time, and it’s just a really, really special game to us. 

“The other thing to say is how great it’s been to be part of Xbox – coming here and seeing this giant booth and their support. Like Phil was saying, we’ve known each other for a long time, we started working together over 20 years on the original Morrowind on the Xbox. So it’s been this long journey, and it feels like… culminating on a game like this, that I think in many ways we couldn’t have built without doing these other games. So we hope you like it!” 

From there, we settled in for 15 minutes of Starfield, a mixture of gameplay and live-action trailers and, the centrepiece, an extended gameplay segment being shown only at Gamescom. 

The booth itself is dressed in a navy blue galaxy map design, and even the holding screen before the event ran through some key terms from the game, from the Grav Drives that allow explorers to jump between star systems, to the background of the United Colonies’ capital city, New Atlantis. The impact of the musical score and visuals in this theater offer a good reminder: you’re going to want to experience Starfield on the biggest, loudest screen you can. 

And what better way to show off the game than by revealing its opening moments? We’re introduced to the game amid a mining operation, where we see the player-character thrown immediately into the mystery at the heart of the game – and we saw a high-speed runthrough of the character creation process to establish a new member of the explorers’ group, Constellation. 

As an opening to the game, it has a bit of everything – both on-foot and space combat, companions, threats, and even a trademark Bethesda “step-out moment”. Our time with Starfield ends as key character Sarah Morgan introduces herself by saying, “Welcome to Constellation – we have a lot to talk about.” Yes, we very much do. 

Thankfully, you won’t have long to see it for yourself – Starfield will be released on September 6 (with pre-orders offering early access from September 1) on Xbox Series X|S and PC (with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass). 

We’re off to a great start from Cologne, Germany! Please keep checking back with Xbox Wire this week and next as we share news and details for many of the biggest titles at gamescom.

Related:
How to Watch Xbox at gamescom 2023: Live from the Show Floor
gamescom Opening Night Live 2023: Xbox Showcases Starfield, Ara: History Untold, and Age of Empires IV to Xbox
This Week on Xbox: gamescom, New Games, Upcoming Games, and More!

We at CD Projekt Red were thrilled to unveil just some of what we’ve been working on ahead of the launch of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The latest “New Ways to Play” trailer, which premiered at gamescom’s Opening Night Live, took players inside Dogtown to show off some of the new open-world activities, gameplay mechanics, vehicles, and more arriving with the expansion this September 26. But as we mentioned onstage, some of what we showed off will be free to next-gen players as part of Update 2.0! Let’s dive into the trailer to tease out just what cool features are coming to Phantom Liberty — and what to expect for the rest of the game.

Most of the high-octane action in the trailer took place inside the walled-off district of Dogtown, an exclusive Phantom Liberty location and the heart of its spy-thriller story. The crumbling high rises and abandoned construction sites littering the area are a testament to the living conditions under the rule of local warlord Kurt Hansen. Unsurprisingly, a district this deadly and lawless comes with some fun new ways to make eddies.

You may have noticed an interesting orange case spewing smoke in the trailer. Due to its separation from the rest of Night City, Dogtown has some… interesting methods of getting supplies in. And hey, it’s only fair to share the wealth, right? In Phantom Liberty, we’re adding infinitely replayable airdrop missions with a variety of enemies and scenarios to face, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take down scavs and other opportunists in Dogtown.

On top of that, expect a brand-new type of gig: courier missions. Race through the streets of Dogtown and Night City to deliver preem rides — just be careful, you’re not the only one who wants to get their hands on these wheels. We’re going one step further and introducing vehicle-mounted weaponry in Phantom Liberty, meaning you can rule the road like never before. Of course, you can always shoot through your windshield or hack enemy vehicles if you prefer a more subtle approach.

We’ll also be adding a whole new Relic skill tree — the trailer gave a taste of some of the abilities coming with it, including the possibility of upping the ante with various types of cyberware. We can’t show off everything just yet, but it’s the perfect complement to the spy-thriller adventure you’re about to embark on.

The Relic skill tree slots in well to the skills and perks overhaul we’re introducing in Update 2.0, created for the purpose of giving players new ways of developing meaningful and unique builds. Want to knock out your enemies by throwing their downed friends at them? The new Savage Sling perk is perfect for you! For those interested in evasive maneuvers, Dash and Airdash make it harder for enemies to target you while helping you get right into range. And with new, unique finishers, there are plenty of ways to zero an enemy in style.

And vehicle combat isn’t just a Phantom Liberty exclusive — with Update 2.0, expect roadblocks, high-octane shootouts, and of course, MaxTac. Police will respond accordingly to your heat level, setting additional traps, trying to ram you off the road, and eventually calling in the big guns once they’re convinced you’ve gone full cyberpsycho.

From ripperdocs and cyberware to overhauled combat AI and a revamped take on perks, there will be plenty to discover when Update 2.0 launches. And with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty coming out on September 26, we at CD Projekt Red can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this spy-thriller adventure. Stay tuned to our socials for more information ahead of the launch — Dogtown’s waiting!

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty & Quadra Vigilante Pre-Order Bonus

CD PROJEKT RED

☆☆☆☆☆
28

★★★★★

$29.99

Pre-order

Phantom Liberty, a new spy-thriller adventure to Cyberpunk 2077, arrives on 26.09.2023 (CEST) for Xbox Series X|S — pre-order now to get in-game access to the Quadra Sport R-7 “Vigilante” when the expansion launches!

ABOUT THE GAME

Phantom Liberty is a new spy-thriller adventure for Cyberpunk 2077. When the orbital shuttle of the President of the New United States of America is shot down over the deadliest district of Night City, there’s only one person who can save her — you. Become V, a cyberpunk for hire, and dive deep into a tangled web of espionage and political intrigue, unraveling a story that connects the highest echelons of power with the brutal world of black-market mercenaries.

Infiltrate Dogtown, a city-within-a-city run by a trigger-happy militia and ruled by a leader with an iron fist. With the help of NUSA sleeper agent Solomon Reed (Idris Elba) and the support of Johnny Silverhand (Keanu Reeves), unravel a web of shattered loyalties and use your every skill to survive in a fractured world of desperate hustlers, shadowy netrunners, and ruthless mercenaries. Built with the power of next-gen hardware in mind, Phantom Liberty offers brand-new gameplay mechanics, nail-biting courier jobs, gigs, and missions — and a thrilling main quest where freedom and loyalty always come at a price.

Cyberpunk 2077 & Phantom Liberty Bundle

CD PROJEKT RED

☆☆☆☆☆
732

★★★★★

$79.99

Pre-order

Phantom Liberty, a new spy-thriller adventure to Cyberpunk 2077, arrives on 26.09.2023 (CEST) for Xbox Series X|S — pre-order now to get in-game access to the Quadra Sport R-7 “Vigilante” when the expansion launches!

The definitive Cyberpunk 2077 experience! Start your rise to the top of Night City as V, a cyber-enhanced mercenary for hire, and build your legend with every quest the city has to offer.
The bundle contains:
Cyberpunk 2077, an open-world action-adventure RPG set in the deadliest city of the dark future. Accompanied by long-dead rockerboy Johnny Silverhand — played by Keanu Reeves — grow your legend as you explore the secrets of a powerful cybernetic implant.

Phantom Liberty, a new spy-thriller adventure to Cyberpunk 2077. Dive deep into the shadowy world of espionage and enter a political struggle with far-reaching consequences. Together with sleeper agent Solomon Reed (Idris Elba), unravel a web of shattered loyalties and do what it takes to survive in the militia-ruled district of Dogtown.

Cyberpunk 2077

CD PROJEKT RED

☆☆☆☆☆
1790

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

FREE XBOX SERIES X|S UPDATE AVAILABLE!
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG set in the megalopolis of Night City, where you play as a cyberpunk mercenary wrapped up in a do-or-die fight for survival. Improved and featuring all-new free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?

CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK
Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City.

EXPLORE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE
Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there.

BUILD YOUR LEGEND
Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make.

EQUIPPED WITH IMPROVEMENTS
Experience Cyberpunk 2077 with a host of changes and improvements to gameplay and economy, the city, map usage, and more.

INCLUDES FREE ADDITIONAL CONTENT
Get your hands on a haul of free items including new guns and melee weapons, as well as extra customization options and more.

Related:
Going Hands-on With Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 
Edgerunners Update Available for Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
Cyberpunk 2077 Next-Gen Update Now Available for Xbox Series X|S

To celebrate our presence here at gamescom in Cologne, Germany, today we revealed that the local and world-famous Nürburgring GP circuit will be available in Forza Motorsport at launch on October 10. What’s more, as part of our plan to regularly bring new content to the game after release, we are also happy to confirm the iconic 12.9-mile (20.83 km) Nordschleife will be coming in Spring 2024. Both tracks have been completely rebuilt for the Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Forza players attending gamescom are invited to the Forza Motorsport theatre experience from Thursday, August 24 through Sunday, August 27. Here you will be treated to the amazing racing action that awaits in the Builders Cup, the new single-player career mode in Forza Motorsport. We’ll be showcasing brand-new gameplay featuring a group of super-fast German sedans competing at the high-speed Mugello Circuit.

To celebrate Porsche’s 75th anniversary and their partnership with Xbox and the Forza franchise, fans are also invited to visit the Xbox booth to see a custom-wrapped 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S with 6 custom Xbox Series X consoles. 

Experience Forza Motorsport on PC

Starting today, PC players can pre-order Forza Motorsport on Steam and play up to 5 days early from October 5 by pre-purchasing the Premium Edition. With cross-play for online matchmaking and cross-save, you can play with your friends across PC and console and for the first time, continue your racing journey across Xbox Series X|S and Steam with shared progression and achievement unlocks. 

We’ve optimized Forza Motorsport to look and play great across a wide range of PCs, taking advantage of cutting-edge PC hardware and technologies with real-time ray tracing on-track and maximum performance enabled by NVIDIA DLSS 2 and AMD FSR 2.2. We will continue to optimize and improve Forza Motorsport on PC after launch. 

Forza Motorsport on PC supports native resolutions up to 4K and beyond, including ultrawide resolutions during on-track gameplay, HDR calibration, shader pre-compilation and pre-caching, DirectStorage for improved CPU loading, unlocked single-player framerates with or without V-Sync enabled, and more.  

In addition to native support for popular racing wheels from Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec, Forza Motorsport supports the DirectInput API on PC. This allows players to plug in and play with a much wider range of hardware than before. There is also input remapping so you can customize the button layout of your controller, mouse and keyboard, as well as your favorite steering wheels and non-standard gamepads like flight sticks. This level of device extensibility means Forza Motorsport is accessible to more players who use custom hardware setups.  

Forza Motorsport also features rumble vibration on Xbox controllers and improved force-feedback for wheel users. The game takes advantage of advanced wheel features to display RPM, shift lights and race data on custom screens.  

Everything you need to know about Forza Motorsport on PC, including supported steering wheels and peripherals can be found in the Forza.net blog. 

See You at the Starting Line 

Pre-order the Forza Motorsport Premium Edition and play up to 5 days early beginning October 5, 2023. Xbox Game Pass members (PC, Console and Ultimate), as well as Forza Motorsport Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition players, can upgrade to the Premium Add-Ons Bundle to receive early access and all other add-on content included in the Premium Edition.     

To help you decide which version of the game is best for you, check out the contents of the Forza Motorsport Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Editions below: 

Forza Motorsport

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode.
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings. 
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track. 
• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous environments, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living environments with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same. 

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity. 

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode. 

Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.  

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come.

*(online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold, sold separately)

Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$89.99

Pre-order

• The Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition includes the full game and Car Pass (30 cars delivered to your game weekly, one per week).
• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode.
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings.
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track.
• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous environments, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living environments with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same.

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity.

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode.

Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come.

Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition includes the full game and Car Pass.

Car Pass delivers 30, new-to-Forza cars to your game weekly, one per week, for you to collect, build and race (available as released).

*(online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold, sold separately)

Forza Motorsport Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

• The Forza Motorsport Premium Edition includes the full game with 5 DAYS EARLY ACCESS, the Race Day Car Pack, Car Pass (30 cars delivered to your game weekly, one per week), VIP Membership and Welcome Pack. 
• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode. 
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings. 
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track. 
• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous environments, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living environments with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same. 

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity. 

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode. 

Compete the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come. Forza Motorsport Premium Edition includes the full game with 5 days early access, Race Day Car Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership and Welcome Pack. 

Race Day Car Pack features 8, new-to-Forza cars built exclusively for the racetrack including high-performance machines; Car Pass delivers 30, new-to-Forza cars to your game weekly, one per week, for you to collect, build and race (available as released); Welcome Pack jumpstarts your career with 5 immediate car unlocks and $500,000 bonus credits that you can use towards purchasing the car of your dreams; and VIP Membership provides a PERMANENT 2x BOOST to BASE CREDITS, 5 Forza Edition cars reserved for VIP Members, VIP Driver Gear with 5 colorways to choose from, the VIP Player Card, VIP Crown Flair, VIP-exclusive events and more.

*(Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Core, sold separately)

Related:
How Ride 5 Uses Math To Create The Most Authentic Motorcycle Experience Ever
Modern Warfare III’s Campaign Creative Director Discusses Sequels, Open Combat Missions, and More
Megadeth Is The Perfect Heavy Metal Addition to World of Tanks and World of Warships – Here’s How It Happened

Shinobi, slip on your forehead protectors, because you can now preorder Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, out November 17! In the next entry of the action/fighting game Storm series, players can relive the story of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry, or jump into head-to-head fights as more than 130 ninjas from the Naruto and Boruto anime series.

Although there are 130+ playable characters, players may inevitably find themselves in a mirror match to see who is the strongest Naruto, fastest Minato, or deadliest Madara. At times like these, you can let your own personality shine through your favorite ninjas by equipping cosmetic accessories, selecting different forms of the Substitution Jutsu, unlocking special Finish Scenes, and even adjusting their personal background music. Let’s dive in and check out what the Hidden Leaf Village has in store.

By playing the game, players will unlock several cosmetic items by completing various objectives and challenges. Additionally, players will also gain in-game currency as they play that can be spent on a myriad of items adding a bit more style to your favorite characters.

Accessories

Not only does each shinobi have various costumes and colors in their wardrobe, they also have a plethora of cosmetic accessories to truly make them stand out. You will be able to equip up to five different accessories on the head, face, shoulders, back & waist, and arm slots. These can range from simple scrolls and masks to stuffed animals. Shinobi may be silent, but who said their fashion can’t be loud?

Nostalgic Anime BGM and Item Pack

Sprucing up your fashion is not the only way players can tailor their experience in Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections. With the separately purchased Nostalgic Anime Song and Item Pack DLC, you will be able to change in the in-game music and relive your favorite moments from Naruto with iconic songs like “Blue Bird” by Ikimonogakari; “Silhouette” by KANA-BOON; and more. This DLC pack also comes with additional items such as 2 Substitution Jutsu (Microphone and Orange Headphones) and a Ninja Info Card Skin.

Substitution Items

The difference between a genin and a jounin Storm player is strategic use of the Substitution Jutsu. When under attack by an opponent, you can use your Substitution Jutsu to immediately escape their combo and come back with a counterattack. Why not add some flair to your Substitution by customizing its appearance too? Replace the classic log substitution shinobi use with something that speaks to your chosen character, like Anbu masks, dolls, or a bowl of ramen to baffle your opponent.  Peruse the many forms below and find what speaks to you.

Finish Scenes

Finally, we’re finishing up this customization overview with Finish Scenes! When a player wins the battle with a special attack, they can unlock a special Finish Scene. These stills from the anime play out before the victory screen and can change depending on the match-up and a few other factors. From Kakashi and Guy to Jiraiya and Naruto, which character’s Finish Scenes will you try to unlock first?

Pre-Order today and get ready to stand out and show off your style and skills in Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections by customizing your cosmetic accessories, substitution items, background music, and finish scenes! Establish yourself as the strongest and most stylish ultimate ninja when the game releases November 17 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Pre-Order

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now and get the Naruto and Sasuke costume set as a bonus!
• Naruto Uzumaki (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Sasuke Uchiha (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Naruto Uzumaki (The Final Battle)

Plus, pre-order to receive a bonus item set for the NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER game!
• Nanashi T-shirt
• Merz Costume
– Costume: Merz Style
– Hair: Merz

*NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER base game is required to access this content.
*Bonuses may be distributed at a later date.
*Bonuses are not available across different platforms.
*Bonuses are only available for games sold in the same region.

Legendary ninjas reunite in the next exciting entry of the STORM series! NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an action/fighting game with fast-paced ninja battles and two different story modes.

• New playable characters join all past characters of the STORM series for the largest roster of ninjas ever!
Select from more than 130 playable characters to fight in powerful ninja battles! In addition to an improved network battle experience, the new Simple mode option allows players to more easily perform various ninjutsu combos. Whether players are beginners or experts, everyone can enjoy heated battles with their favorite ninjas.

• For the first time ever, the history of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry has been recut and combined into one game!
Combining original scenes from the Naruto anime with the high-quality battle experience expected of the STORM series development team, this game contains highlights from the beginning of Naruto’s story up to the final battle of the series. Relive the paths of two legendary ninjas!

• Experience a special next generation story!
Play a new, original story where Boruto Uzumaki, the son of 7th Hokage and ninja of the new era, is drawn into a great battle involving the entire ninja world after meeting a girl in a popular online game.

NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Deluxe Edition Pre-Order

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$84.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now and get the Naruto and Sasuke costume set as a bonus!
• Naruto Uzumaki (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Sasuke Uchiha (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Naruto Uzumaki (The Final Battle)

Plus, pre-order to receive a bonus item set for the NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER game!
• Nanashi T-shirt
• Merz Costume
– Costume: Merz Style
– Hair: Merz

*NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER base game is required to access this content.
*Bonuses may be distributed at a later date.
*Bonuses are not available across different platforms.
*Bonuses are only available for games sold in the same region.

The Deluxe Edition includes:
• Main Game
• Season Pass
• Naruto Uzumaki (The Great Ninja War: End)
• Kakashi Hatake (Maskless)

Legendary ninjas reunite in the next exciting entry of the STORM series! NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an action/fighting game with fast-paced ninja battles and two different story modes.

• New playable characters join all past characters of the STORM series for the largest roster of ninjas ever!
Select from more than 130 playable characters to fight in powerful ninja battles! In addition to an improved network battle experience, the new Simple mode option allows players to more easily perform various ninjutsu combos. Whether players are beginners or experts, everyone can enjoy heated battles with their favorite ninjas.

• For the first time ever, the history of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry has been recut and combined into one game!
Combining original scenes from the Naruto anime with the high-quality battle experience expected of the STORM series development team, this game contains highlights from the beginning of Naruto’s story up to the final battle of the series. Relive the paths of two legendary ninjas!

• Experience a special next generation story!
Play a new, original story where Boruto Uzumaki, the son of 7th Hokage and ninja of the new era, is drawn into a great battle involving the entire ninja world after meeting a girl in a popular online game.

NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Ultimate Edition Pre-Order

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$94.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now and get the Naruto and Sasuke costume set as a bonus!
• Naruto Uzumaki (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Sasuke Uchiha (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
• Naruto Uzumaki (The Final Battle)

Plus, pre-order to receive a bonus item set for the NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER game!
• Nanashi T-shirt
• Merz Costume
– Costume: Merz Style
– Hair: Merz

*NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER base game is required to access this content.
*Bonuses may be distributed at a later date.
*Bonuses are not available across different platforms.
*Bonuses are only available for games sold in the same region.

The Ultimate Edition includes:
• Main Game
• Season Pass
• Naruto Uzumaki (The Great Ninja War: End)
• Kakashi Hatake (Maskless)
• Costume & Accessory Pack

Legendary ninjas reunite in the next exciting entry of the STORM series! NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an action/fighting game with fast-paced ninja battles and two different story modes.

• New playable characters join all past characters of the STORM series for the largest roster of ninjas ever!
Select from more than 130 playable characters to fight in powerful ninja battles! In addition to an improved network battle experience, the new Simple mode option allows players to more easily perform various ninjutsu combos. Whether players are beginners or experts, everyone can enjoy heated battles with their favorite ninjas.

• For the first time ever, the history of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry has been recut and combined into one game!
Combining original scenes from the Naruto anime with the high-quality battle experience expected of the STORM series development team, this game contains highlights from the beginning of Naruto’s story up to the final battle of the series. Relive the paths of two legendary ninjas!

• Experience a special next generation story!
Play a new, original story where Boruto Uzumaki, the son of 7th Hokage and ninja of the new era, is drawn into a great battle involving the entire ninja world after meeting a girl in a popular online game.

Related:
Anime Month: Game Pass Ultimate Members Get Crunchyroll Premium Perk
Designed for Xbox Summer Collection 2023
Sand Land Isn’t the Manga Adaptation You Expect

As a new day dawns and the Cult’s followers rise from their slumber, they hear a familiar bell calling them to the temple. The Lamb is already there, preparing for the morning sermon but they hear a loud droning. The Lamb rushes outside to find a small black circle spinning in the air. It starts to grow like a tentacle reaching around itself. The liminal space is filled in forming a black and white spiral but there’s something on the other side!

All of us at Massive Monster, Klei Entertainment, and Devolver Digital are so excited to be announcing that the worlds of Cult of the Lamb and Don’t Starve Together are crossing over. For Cult of the Lamb, this is our first in-game collaboration and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Lamb’s first birthday!

Many of us on the Cult of the Lamb side have played an unhealthy amount of Don’t Starve Together. The fear of surviving another night, the triumph of bringing a little more food back to your base, and the frustration of someone “accidentally” burning down everything you’ve been working on. These are familiar memories that we share with so many players. James Pearmain, art director of Cult of the Lamb, says that he loved feeding pigs and making them follow you. He wondered, could he make a whole game out of that?

Our friends at Klei said that their team was engrossed by Cult of the Lamb as well. From questionable marriage arrangements to ascending their followers to a higher plane of existence, it’s a game that makes you feel like you’re really changing lives for the better.

If you think about it, both games involve some horrifying mechanics. So that’s why I don’t think about it. Instead, I look at the Lamb’s cute face and Wilson’s quirky expressions and think “awww, I’d love a plushie of that.”

They both share a similar visual approach, with 2D artwork in a 3D perspective. That’s why I feel like this crossover works so well. Both games have been able to take items from the other game extremely faithfully. The new tabernacle decorations and sealed chest skin fit right into Don’t Starve Together. While cosmetics like the science machine, Deerclops chess piece, and pig head on a stick will look great in your Cult.

On top of new cosmetics, Cult of the Lamb has added a whole new game mode inspired by Don’t Starve Together. This whole time, you’ve needed to care for your followers by feeding them and building them shelter. But now, The Lamb is also subject to these mortal necessities. In Penitence Mode, you must eat and sleep to survive. And did I mention it’s permadeath? Life isn’t easy for the Lamb as this adds another layer of complexity to the dungeon crawling and base management gameplay.

Finally, a few characters have made their way through the crossover portal. You can unlock a Webber follower form for your Cult! It brings its survival instincts with a unique trait, so it never goes hungry. In Don’t Starve Together, Ewelets will look a lot godlier when they are dressed like the Lamb.

Before I sign off, I want to thank all the players of both games. Without you, we wouldn’t get the chance to continue providing more and more updates to improve our creations. After this crossover, Cult of the Lamb is working on a free major content update focusing on Cult gameplay for later this year and Don’t Starve Together will be continuing its new “From Beyond” content arc with events, items, content updates, and more.

Cult of the Lamb

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆
287

★★★★★

$24.99

$16.24

Get it now

Free Trial

*** Relics of the Old Faith Update ***

The Lamb must keep their Cult flourishing, their Followers faithful, and their power unchallenged as they crusade in this free content expansion, Relics of the Old Faith. It adds brand new ways to spread the gospel of the Cult of the Lamb with powerful new abilities, exciting new characters, and thrilling new challenges.

Delve into the shrouded history of the Lands of the Old Faith as the Lamb fights to conquer those who would question their power. New Cult buildings will appease your Followers while new combat abilities will smite opposing heretics. Uncover the secrets of the Old Faith so you can be the God you want to be in this massive content expansion!

New Combat
The expansion brings a deeper layer to dungeon crawling for new and returning players. With powerful Relic abilities, heavy attacks for each weapon class, and dozens of items to find, the Lamb will unleash delightful devastation.

New Postgame
Another challenge awaits after completing the main story. Revamped dungeons, mysterious characters and challenging boss encounters are in your new quest as the God of Death. Along the way, you can unlock Follower forms, fleeces, unchosen doctrines and more.

New Challenges
Put your skills to the test with several new challenge modes for combatively competent Cult leaders. Boss Rush, Permadeath and other unique challenges await after defeating the final boss.

***

Cult of the Lamb casts players in the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger and must repay their debt by building a loyal following in his name. Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland worshippers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.

BUILD YOUR FLOCK
Collect and use resources to build new structures, perform dark rituals to appease the gods, and give sermons to reinforce the faith of your flock.

DESTROY THE NON-BELIEVERS
Explore a sprawling, randomly generated world, fight off hordes of enemies and defeat rival cult leaders in order to absorb their power and assert your cult’s dominance.

SPREAD YOUR WORD
Train your flock and embark on a quest to explore and discover the secrets of four mysterious regions. Cleanse the non-believers, spread enlightenment, and perform mystical rituals on the journey to become the mighty lamb god.

Don’t Starve Together: Console Edition

Klei Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
253

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

Don’t Starve Together: Console Edition is the standalone multiplayer expansion of the uncompromising wilderness survival game, Don’t Starve: Giant Edition.

Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style. Play your way as you unravel the mysteries of this strange land.

Cooperate with your friends in a private game, or take your chances with strangers online. Work with other players to survive the harsh environment, or strike out on your own.

Do whatever it takes, but most importantly, Don’t Starve.

Related:
CyberTD Announced for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows 10 PCs
Boxville: How a Team of New Developers Created their First Game During Wartime
Björka Madness Update: from Bunny Battle Nemeis to Tony and Clyde in the DCF Universe

As a biker, it’s hard to put into words the feelings I experience when I mount my bike. What’s even harder is translating that into numbers, into code, and making it possible for anyone to feel those same emotions through their joystick.

And when we talk about bikes, we also have to consider that there is an extra layer of complexity: their physics are more complex to simulate than cars, as motorcycles’ behavior is strictly connected to the interaction with the rider, with his weight and movements, which need to be taken into account.

It was not easy, but with Ride 5 we managed to capture the sensation of being on a bike like never before, and not only visually. This is the result of long work that started with the first Ride, released in 2015; since then, the gameplay physics have constantly evolved, especially when we moved to Unreal Engine, and have become increasingly true to reality. Here’s how we have used this technology to our advantage.

In Ride 5 we have refined and evolved a specific mathematical model called Pacejka to best simulate the tire grip. The correct calculation of their physics these days may seem obvious, but in a game like Ride 5, aiming for maximum realism, you have to calculate how they wear and deform as well. This can depend on a number of factors;  the temperature of the asphalt or the riding style, or even the weather which is dynamic in Ride 5. It can also be affected differently in Endurance races, which can force a return to the pits to change the tires.

In Ride 5 no variable is left to chance, and a correct simulation of the bike dynamics must make them behave realistically, regardless of whether they are new or historic. To achieve this, we changed the suspension system, and reviewed the chain pull simulation, engine braking, and transmission. We then worked on the brake management, which must be powerful but modulable, so that players can really feel in control of their bikes. We also evolved the electronics that now includes TCS, anti-skid, anti-wheelie, ABS, and cornering ABS, as found in the most recent real bikes. Finally, compared to Ride 4, we progressed the calculation of aerodynamic flaps, which are increasingly present on sports bikes.

Driving a 2023 BMW M 1000 RR or a vintage MV Agusta provides differences not only in performance, but in the handling changes, as well as the speed at which one bike leans into a turn compared to the other. Since the skills required by two wheels of the past may not be within everyone’s reach, we decided to allow the activation of electronics even on historic motorcycles. This choice serves as a gameplay aid, which purists can disable to experience the thrill of taming temperamental beasts that require great sensitivity.

There is also an important point to discuss regarding the sound of the engines. In previous games, we obtained it by putting the bikes on a dyno, but this way we also recorded the friction of the tires on the rollers, which created background noise. Now we rent a track, place microphones near the exhaust and the engine of the bikes and record everything, obtaining audio that is also positional, so that with the helmet’s point of view, you hear the exhaust from the side it is located. However, the acquisition of the audio is actually only half the work: it then has to be processed and interpolated to “hook it” to the physics of the game, and obtain results consistent with what players actually do on the track.

At Milestone, we are engineers and riders because we ‘build’ the bikes, bring them to the virtual track, and fine-tune them until we achieve the results we expect. We create digital bikes that provide the same emotions as their real counterparts, and Ride 5 is the tangible result of our passion and dedication. It combines the thrill of riding a real bike with the accessibility of a video game, and we are proud to offer motorcycle enthusiasts a unique and immersive experience, which will bring them as close as possible to the real sensation of riding a bike.

Ride 5 is available to pre-order now on Xbox Series X|S, and launches on August 24.

RIDE 5 – Pre-order

Milestone S.r.l.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Preorder RIDE 5 now and get the full game together with Far East Pack, which includes two fantastic bikes:
– Kawasaki Z900 – 2021
– Suzuki TL 1000 R Racing Modified – 1998.

Rev up your engine and get ready to hit the track with RIDE 5. An adrenaline-filled gaming experience that is so authentic it will make you feel like you’re truly racing at break-neck speed.

Find your favorite bikes and check out new ones in the ultimate motorcycle game! Race on over 35 tracks and collect more than 200 motorcycles from world-renowned manufacturers, each element is designed to feel like you’re riding a real bike.

IT’S A LONG ROAD
It’s not just speed that wins races – Endurance mode rewards perseverance and strategy. Time is no longer the issue, ride to your heart’s content with the option of saving, exiting and jumping back in later. Just make sure you keep an eye on fuel and pit-stops – these helplines can quickly become your worst nightmare!

FROM ZERO TO HERO
Start out in your garage, climb the ranks and become the best world racer in the new Career mode.
Race against increasingly skilled Rivals, true obstacles who will stand between you and the finish line. Learn to master different bikes and handle every situation.
It won’t be easy though… The road to victory is laden with challenges and it’s up to you to decide which one you want to take – the harder the challenge, the greater the reward!

WIN UNDER ANY CONDITION
It doesn’t matter how good you are, there is always one factor you can’t control: the weather. Clear blue skies can turn into heavy downpours and then back to sunshine, rolling clouds will follow you as you dash through the bends, giving you ever-changing views and landscapes.
You will have to deal with unexpected situations and use your skill to tackle both wet and dry conditions – the improved physics makes for an even more life-like experience!

TEST. LEARN. RIDE.
Not sure which line to follow or when to slam on the brakes? Use the new riding aids and get customized support when needed the most. Learn to better handle the bike and the tricks of the trade to become the best rider you can be.

TAKE CONTROL
You can tell a true motorcycle aficionado not just from the bike but also from their garage – collect your favorite models and customize them to your liking. Share your designs with other players and showcase your style!
Don’t get caught up on cosmetics only. With Race Creator you can build an endless number of scenarios, from single races to complete championships, choose your bikes and tracks, and act as a Race Director to set your own rules.

FEEL THE COMPETITION
Split screen is back! Now you can challenge a friend and win live!
And if you want to show the world what you’re worth, Endurance races will really put you to the test, now even more thrilling thanks to the Crossplay function.

Related:
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for August 21 to 25
Megadeth Is The Perfect Heavy Metal Addition to World of Tanks and World of Warships – Here’s How It Happened
Xbox Introduces Enforcement Strike System