Dungeons 4 Heads West in New DLC: The Good, the Bad, and the Evil

David Colbourne, PR and Media Relations Coordinator, Kalypso Media

Summary

Brynnhilde and her army of do-gooder Dwarves gather their forces as the last bastion against Thalya and the uprising of The Absolute Evil.
Contend with powerful new enemies wielding weapons dreamt up by the finest Dwarven blacksmiths.
Dungeons 4 – The Good, the Bad and the Evil releases on August 8, 2024. The base game is available now with Game Pass.

Tell them Thalya’s coming, and Hell’s coming with her! Dungeons 4 is catching a steam engine to the Wild West in its first DLC, The Good, the Bad and the Evil, on August 8, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, taking you through a brand-new, western-inspired area of the overworld known as “The West.” The new frontier is bristling with opportunity for The Absolute Evil, featuring new enemies, environments, and challenges, including a 5-mission campaign that will revisit an old rivalry between the Dark-Elf Thalya and the Dwarf Queen Brynnhild, culminating in a duel at high-noon.

Brynnhilde and her army of do-gooder Dwarves gather their forces as the last bastion against Thalya and the uprising of The Absolute Evil. The feud reaches an epic climax as the minions of Evil battle against Dwarven gunslingers to determine the fate of the Overworld. But it won’t be easy; the Wild West is a dangerous place for even Thalya and her most formidable and evil Little Snots, and you will need to contend with powerful new enemies wielding weapons dreamt up by the finest Dwarven blacksmiths. Check them out below!

The Pistolero is a pistol-wielding outlaw especially adept at close range battles. They draw their guns faster than you can say “Brynnhilde” and unleash their full clip with a fury before needing to reload.
The Machine Dwarf is equipped with rotary guns powerful enough to pierce through even the most well-armoured Evil with maximum efficiency and speed, but with a slow enough reload time you might be able to take them out before they lay waste to larger areas.
The Crack Shot is capable of firing at long distances with extreme precision zoning in on one specific target.
The Brewmaster does more than just brew beer for his thirsty compatriots, but weaponizes the malted grain to damage to enemies and heal nearby allies.

And if these new daunting enemies weren’t enough of a challenge for the Absolute Evil, the mighty (irritating) Dwarves and their new gunslinging factions have turned to the tracks to capitalize on their new steam locomotives, which roar and chug through the prairie. Outfitted with more dynamite than you can shake a stick at, the Dwarves are pulling out all the stops to try and stop Thalya from conquering the Overworld.

But, luckily for Thalya, the Train-Enthusiast Evil is a long-time Railway Empire 2 fan and has been conjuring up an idea for a locomotive of its very own. Traverse the West and research the necessary science to uncover the boundless resources of the dusty plains to build your own locomotive capable of destroying the Dwarves once and for all and put it to use for the good of all that is Evil!

Dungeons 4 – The Good, the Bad and the Evil releases on August 8, 2024, with the base game available to play now on Xbox and PC Game Pass. So, there is only one question left to answer – do you feel evil, punk?

Dungeons 4

Kalypso Media

☆☆☆☆☆
582

★★★★★

$49.99

$39.99

Get it now

Xbox Game Pass

The Absolute Evil and its trusted *cough* servant, the Dark Elf Thalya, return in Dungeons 4 after the events of its fabulous predecessor to bring about their triumph over the forces of good once more.

Build a cozy and comfortable Dungeon to suit your creatures’ needs and rule over them, then send them out into the Overworld to kindly remind the good people living there that the Absolute Evil rules over their lands. Gather your Evilness in new and dynamic ways and unleash it upon the lush green forests and plains of the Overworld to turn them over to the dark side. But make sure that your Dungeon is well-secured by traps and defended by your creatures, for those pesky Overworlders won’t just twiddle their thumbs while you turn their land into the Absolute Evil’s most pleasurable holiday paradise.

But what is that noise? “Gold, gold, gold and gems, gold and gems and gold!” The ancient song echoes throughout the underworld, accompanied by the clanging steel of hammers and axes. The Dwarves have arrived to claim their share of the abundant resources and together with the Elves and Humans of the Overworld, they send out their raiding parties to find the Dungeon’s heart.

Dungeons 4 keeps the spirit of its predecessor, but everything is now bigger, better, and with even more dynamic Evilness.

Features:
• Everything is better with Dwarves: The Dwarves have arrived to build their underground strongholds and the hardy little fellows (although they don’t like being called that) compete with the Ever-Expanding Evil for space and resources.

• It makes your Dungeon great again: Dungeons are up four times larger than before and there are many more creatures who wait for the All-Commanding Evil’s orders to conquer the Overworld. Now the time has come for massive armies and truly sprawling dungeons!

• Ripe for the taking: The Overworld is bigger than ever before. Gain Evilness by beating Mini Bosses like the obsessively harmonious Unicorn and use it to transform the Overworld into stunning biomes of pure evil.

• New and shiny: An ability-based Perk system for Thalya, the Absolute Evil’s trusted *cough* and most loyal subordinate, grants her impressive new powers. The Absolute Evil can now enjoy taking over the world, governing the creatures and slapping subordinates even more with the customizable Evil Hand.

• Minions, everywhere: The Horde, the Undead and the Demons wait to do the Absolute Evil’s bidding, with more creatures than ever eagerly following the gesturing Evil’s orders, and Snots will play a much more prominent role this time.

• Many ways to tell the story: A long campaign, narrated by the beloved English Narrator from previous titles, as well as several skirmish maps all to challenge your rule as the Absolute Evil.

• Change the world: Spread your Evilness across the Overworld to bring lush and green environments over to the dark side, now shining even more vibrantly and beautifully evil as you spread your evilness across many new biomes.

• Work together, slay together: 2-player co-op multiplayer with both players managing one Dungeon together. All maps from the campaign and the skirmish mode are playable in co-op.

Dungeons 4 – Deluxe Edition Upgrade

Kalypso Media

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$9.99

$8.99

Get it now

The Dungeons 4 – Deluxe Edition Upgrade includes the digital artbook and soundtrack, nostalgic Dungeons 3 skins for Thalya and your Evil Hand, as well as a remaster of the classic Dungeons 3 map “The Storming of Dollaran”. See the nostalgic outfits in all their splendour, and the music will surely delight the culture-loving Evil.

The post Dungeons 4 Heads West in New DLC: The Good, the Bad, and the Evil appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess: How Capcom Created a Prequel Story Through Traditional Japanese Puppeteering

Category: Games

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess: How Capcom Created a Prequel Story Through Traditional Japanese Puppeteering

The lush Mt. Kafuku, home of the Goddess.
The source of turmoil, the defilement.
The defilement corrupts the mountain, and the 12 masks containing the power of the Goddess are stolen.
The Maiden Yoshiro & her guardian Soh purge the defilement and perform a ritual.

Embracing the company slogan, “From Osaka to the World,” Capcom will release Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess tomorrow, July 19. An original action-strategy hybrid that weaves its gameplay into a unique Japanese-inspired world, players take on the role of Soh, the guardian of the Maiden Yoshiro, and must protect and fight for her, making use of the two phases; day and night, to prepare for and fend off the looming threat of the Seethe respectively.

The game takes inspiration from several Japanese traditions, helping inform everything from the aesthetic to how Soh fights in a “sword-dancing” style – and the influence is far more than skin-deep. With the release of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess coming on Friday, July 19, Capcom has partnered with practitioners of one of Japan’s oldest traditional performing arts, Ningyo Joruri Bunraku (known more simply as Bunraku) – a comprehensive art form that integrates Tayu (narration), Shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese musical instrument), and puppeteering. A special video titled “Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden’s Destiny,” featuring living national treasure and master puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake the Third, portraying the priestess, has been released as a prequel to invite players into the world of Kunitsugami: Path of the Goddess.

Ahead of the release of the video, the Xbox Wire Japan team participated in an interview at the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka, where the performance was staged and filmed. The interview features Master Kanjuro Kiritake, Kunitsu-Gami director Shuichi Kawata, and Capcom’s Tairoku Nozoe, who scripted for the Bunraku performance. The team talked us through the influence of Bunraku on the game, the unique creation of a Bunraku performance for the game, and more.

First, we’d like to hear more about the background of this collaboration. We understand that the challenge to collaborate began when the Capcom team reached out with the idea, and Master Kanjuro graciously accepted to help out. Could you tell us about the process leading up to this?

Nozoe: If we were to trace things back to its origin, it might be when Kawata, who was developing the concept for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, shared his passion for Bunraku with me. Kawata is a fervent fan of Bunraku, and his enthusiasm led us to attend a performance together. We were both deeply moved by the performance, and it made us realize that such fascinating art form existed out there, convincingly withstanding the test of time. This inspired us to reach out to the National Bunraku Theatre. Kawata’s connection with the world of Bunraku also helped, allowing us to have various discussions and propose the idea for this collab. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess was created with a sense of traditional arts and performances in mind, so I am incredibly moved that this collaboration has come to fruition in such a big way.

Kunitsu-Gami puppeteers and creators Image — From left to right: Capcom’s Suichi Kawata, Master Kanjuro Kiritake, Capcom’s Tairoku Nozoe.

Master Kanjuro, when you first heard about the proposal to work and collaborate with a game through the arts of Bunraku, what were your initial thoughts?

Master Kanjuro: I remember feeling a bit troubled because I couldn’t immediately organize the concept in my mind, and I wasn’t sure how to make the project a reality. However, given my extended experience with various collaborations and my inherent love for collaborations through the art of Bunraku, I offered to help if I could. I believe that by the time of filming, I had managed to clear my mind and focus, resulting in the wonderful video.

Kunitsu-Gami Bunraku Image — The National Bunraku Theatre preparing for the performance of Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden’s Destiny Video.

Master Kanjuro, do you personally play video games? Or do any of the people close to you enjoy playing games?

Master Kanjuro: Games are fascinating because they allow you to immerse yourself in the story happening on the screen, and moreover share various narratives that are embedded in Japanese culture with the world. All of my children love games, and I also enjoyed the early, simple video games when I was younger. I remember having to guide my children to play in moderation, as they tended to play a little too much under the past standards. Now, it’s mainly my grandchildren who play games, and they often invite me to join. When I have time, I enjoy playing with them. I still get very absorbed in gaming, so I try to be a bit careful [laughs].

I heard that when discussing the project, you felt a personal connection with Capcom’s catchphrase, “From Osaka to the world”.

Master Kanjuro: Exactly. Bunraku is an art form that was born and raised in Osaka, just like how Capcom has continued to nurture this same land. I felt a strong connection with the idea of sharing and spreading our efforts further, beyond Osaka, to the rest of the world.

As the project progressed and you saw the game footage and concept art for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, you became very enthusiastic and offered various advice on the creation of the puppets. Could you share your impressions when you first saw the game footage, and your thoughts as the project progressed?

Master Kanjuro: First and foremost, I was captivated by the visual beauty and found the character designs very interesting. Having been away from games for a while, besides playing with my grandchildren, I was honestly amazed by the advancements made in modern games. At the same time, it increased the challenge of figuring out how to create these characters as puppets. My expertise lies in performing in “jidai-mono”, which focuses on historical events and people, and not in fiction. So I initially thought this project would involve simply making and perhaps slightly manipulating the puppets, but when I learned that a full story and script were being written, I realized the collab was transforming into a very profound, enjoyable, and expansive project.

The script was apparently written by none other than Capcom’s Nozoe-san.

Master Kanjuro: At first, I didn’t know who had worked on the script. But after a read-through, I found it to be very profound, packed with just the right ingredients, and felt it was very compelling. What I found particularly interesting about this script was that, unlike many other scripts where it is difficult to pair with a suitable musical accompaniment, I could envision what type of music would be best fit from the first read. Although the final music will always be composed by the shamisen player, I had a strong impression of how the music would feel like, and I believe it turned out to be something truly exceptional.

As a result, I ended up being busy with this project throughout June, a month when I was supposed to be on a break with no performances assigned. However, my original aspiration when I was young was to be a manga artist, and I have always loved illustrating, creating things, drawing, and designing. The feeling of anticipation, seeing the puppets gradually nearing their final forms, made June a truly fulfilling month. Incidentally, the magatama decoration [a ceremonial, comma-shaped object considered sacred] on the Maiden puppet was entirely handcrafted by myself.

Do you have any comments you would like to make, with the collaboration between Bunraku and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess soon coming to a full circle?

Nozoe: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a game that values tradition while also embracing new challenges. For this collaboration project, the focus was not so much on expressing the essence of the game through the world of Bunraku, but rather on how to align and highlight the charm of Bunraku within the world of the game. Given that, what impressed me the most when Master Kanjuro supervised the script was how skillfully he adjusted everything with a keen sense of balance. He knew exactly when to align with the expressions that Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has, and carefully incorporated the elements we felt should retain a Bunraku-esque touch. As a result, I feel the Ningyo Joruri Bunraku that came out of this project maintained a very satisfying balance.

Master Kanjuro: I am very glad that you are happy with the outcome. Would you like to consider a sequel?

Nozoe: Yes, please!

Master Kanjuro: I don’t want to trouble everyone at the theater, but I’d like to try performing this as a full-length play. It would be interesting to turn this into a play and adjust the story to work on the stage. I’m delighted that such new attempts can be made with Ningyo Joruri Bunraku, which originated, rooted, and grew in Osaka. The “3-man manipulation” technique, now considered standard, was devised in 1734, about 290 years ago. It’s both fascinating and gratifying to see that the Ningyo Joruri, which has preserved this technique for so long, is now connected with the latest technology and content in gaming.

Nozoe: During the development of the game, we were always inspired by the direction and movements of Ningyo Joruri Bunraku. Even before discussing the collaboration, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess was already heavily infused with elements of Bunraku. Additionally, the method used to create the environmental elements in the game was quite unique, where we first created miniatures and then digitized them. This emphasis on realism, which is very important to Kawata-san, made our efforts within the collaboration align well.

I am aware that some people may read this blogpost before watching the performance, while others might read the article after having already seen it once and then are motivated to watch again. Could you share any tips for those who are experiencing Bunraku for the first time?

Master Kanjuro: As a puppeteer, I’d like you to carefully observe the synchronized movements of the puppets performed by the three puppeteers. The omozukai (head and right hand), hidarizukai (left hand), and ashizukai (legs) are three entirely different individuals working together in synchronicity to animate a single puppet. This technique has been refined over approximately 290 years, and through this, you can experience just how well-crafted the art of Ningyo Joruri Bunraku is. While it may be challenging to grasp everything in one viewing, I believe that if you watch it multiple times, there will be moments when its beauty may resonate with you. Once that happens, you’ll likely begin to enjoy any performance you watch. Some may feel unsure about what is being said or narrated, but don’t worry. The narration is crafted in the most beautiful Japanese language, and over time, you will be able to deepen your understanding with the help of a synopsis at hand. I hope you will pay close attention to these aspects.

Nozoe: Since Kunitsugami: Path of the Goddess is the focal point for this collaborative development, it might be good to first get to know its story. In the original work, there are the main characters: the guardian, Soh and the Maiden, Yoshiro, and their story is something that has been repeated many, many times. The game itself only highlights one of the many. Given this, “Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden’s Destiny” can be considered a prequel to the main story of Kunitsugami: Path of the Goddess. How does Soh and the Maiden featured in this prequel connect to the main story? That is a mystery you might unveil once you play the game, and then come back to watch the performance again.

Kawata: We have prepared mechanisms that will further your understanding of Kunitsugami: Path of the Goddess when you watch the play after playing the game. Additionally, if you reflect on the ending of the main story while watching the Ningyo Joruri performance, you will find yourself saying, “oh, that’s why”.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be available on July 19 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will be able to play the game from day one. In addition, this title is compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-play and transfer of saved data between Xbox and Windows 10/11.

The post Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess: How Capcom Created a Prequel Story Through Traditional Japanese Puppeteering appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How to Navigate the Shadows in Schim, Out Now on Xbox

After more than four years of working on Schim we are excited to share it with the Xbox community! As two developers (Ewoud van der Werf and Nils Slijkerman) it is amazing to be able to release the game on Xbox as well. Ewoud did all the porting and has very fond memories of playing on his first Xbox (360) many years ago. With this post we want to give you some insights and invite you into the world of our first indie game Schim.

Shadow Jumping in Schim

Schim is a game in which you jump from shadow to shadow to get back to your person. We designed the colorful abstract world with influences from cities in the Netherlands. The levels in Schim invite you to play around. Schim is a very relaxing and forgiving game with optional challenges and a slight difficulty curve. A great game to destress with. We have seen players race through levels and just as many players who take their time and explore all nooks and crannies to experience the little stories that can be witnessed and influenced.

Interacting with Shadows

Shadows are the platforms in Schim but you can also interact with them. Every type of shadow has its own unique interaction that triggers the essence of the object, person or animal. Some things change their state like a traffic light while others make a sound like a car that honks its horn. The interactions influence the flow of the level and at times can create new paths in the world. We added loads of these unique interactions to reward exploring and experimenting in this magical world.

Reunite with Your Shadow

The story of Schim revolves around the Schim and their person. The person starts as a child at the beginning of the game. In the first ten minutes you get to grow up with them. You can hop out of their shadow or run around controlling the person when you are in their shadow. Numerous live events occur in rapid succession and we see them grow up. At a certain point they experience a horrible day where everything just doesn’t go their way. They get fired, their bike stolen and they stumble and fall. This is the moment where you as the Schim get disconnected from your person. You will have to find your way back to them. In most levels you will see your person try to get things in order again in the world as you chase them. It’s up to you to get back to them.

The Shadow Creatures of Schim

Every shadow in the world has its own Schim. In the game you will come across many of them. Some will need your help as they have lost their shadow just like you.

These objects can be found and placed back into the world. They also serve as the collectibles in the game. Some are hidden and give enough room to explore the world to find all of them.

Different Times of Day

Depending on the time of day the shadows are longer or shorter. There are also some levels that you will visit more than once. Multiple of these levels will be experienced both in daylight and in nighttime. During nighttime you will only be able to traverse in shadows that are cast by lights in the level. Anything that is darker but still moonlit does not count as a shadow. This makes these levels feel very different from their daylight versions.

Thank you for reading. We welcome you in the world of Schim!

Available now on Xbox One and Xbox X|S

SCHiM

Extra Nice

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

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SCHiM is a game about jumping from shadow to shadow, while interacting with a relaxing and lively environment.
A schim is the soul and spirit of an object, thing, or living being. Everything in the world has one. A schim should never be separated from their thing! This does happen to your schim, this schim who is attached to a human being is separated from them early on in the game.

Can you get back to him before it’s too late?

The post How to Navigate the Shadows in Schim, Out Now on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

CLeM Backstage Stories: From a 19th Century House to a Puzzlevania Environment

Summary

Explore the 19th century house that inspired CLeM‘s unique;location.
Learn about the women artists whose paintings decorate the halls.
CLeM is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

In our previous Wire post we shared some insights on the origin of the story and the player character of our game CLeM. Now we’d like to share some ideas that influenced the design of one of the most important characters in the game: the house.

Here at Mango Protocol we pride ourselves in the ability to look at the real world and extract wonder, mystery and fun from our sometimes worn and mundane surroundings. Thus, we’ve been turning our gaze to the things around us and injecting tons of these concepts into our games since the inception of the studio.

When developing CLeM, we all agreed that we had to find the perfect environment for our game with escape room vibes to take place in. Luckily, we had access to Torre Elias, which, besides being a hauntingly beautiful 19th century traditional Catalan house, is Mariona’s ancestral home! You would not reject having total access to a protected architectural heritage building, right? Well, neither did we.

Here’s the main street facade, the one that you can see when walking around CLeM’s house garden.

Clem house compaire — (Photo with permission: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local, Diputació de Barcelona)

The house has been inhabited since it was built. Every generation has managed to leave their mark by adapting or rebuilding parts of the house to keep it up to modern living standards. That really helped us to bring that “empty but not really abandoned” look to CLeM’s house. We wanted you to explore the different rooms and halls and have that feeling of a place that, not so long ago, was full of life and provided a nice home for a family.

Torre Elias kitchen is a nice example of furniture that looks old for today’s standards but is definitely modern in contrast to how an 1800s kitchen might have been.

Clem interior compare — (Photo with permission: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local, Diputació de Barcelona)

In that previous picture you can see how Mariona adapted that mix of old and older furniture to the game.

Of course, when you inherit an ancient architectural jewel of a home, you may introduce some changes to make it liveable, but there’s some things that pass the test of time with flying colors and you want to keep at home at all costs. A couple examples of this are, on one side, the marvelous hydraulic tiles and wall paintings resembling wallpaper, both beautiful staples of Catalan Modernism which Mariona managed to translate perfectly into the game’s style.

Clem Interior 2 — (Photo with permission: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local, Diputació de Barcelona)

And, on the other side, there’s the small items, those that bring the personal taste of each inhabitant to the house. Look at these forged iron wall lamps that ended up lighting an in-game corridor along with these pattern wall decorations and even more hydraulic tiling. Turns out these low light corridors and tones were a perfect fit for the mood we wanted for the least modernized rooms in CLeM’s house.

Cem screenshot — (Photo with permission: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local, Diputació de Barcelona)

Speaking of small items, Mariona picked some decorative and artistic objects to fill the house with flair and personality. Some of them I managed to incorporate into puzzles, letting you connect at some level with the characters that lived in that house and coexisted with these particular items. This Bristol glass jar will surely catch your eye in the first stages of CLeM. It is one of these objects that helps bringing a cohesive environment and at the same time end up being relevant to the development of the gameplay.

Clem parlor — (Photo with permission: Servei de Patrimoni Arquitectònic Local, Diputació de Barcelona)

Finally, I’d like to stress the importance of the works of art that you’ll be able to find around the house. Mariona made the effort of filling CLeM’s house walls with some iconic female artists’ works. These pictures also helped to inspire some of the puzzles.

Have a tour around the house and enjoy homages of paintings like Vanessa Bell’s “The Pond at Charleston”, Tamara de Lempicka’s “Plante grasse et fiole” or “Pianist” by cubist artist Maria Blanchard, which inspired part of a musical puzzle in the game.

Clem painting — (Painting reproduced from a public domain source)

I hope you enjoyed this walkthrough along the real-world influences that helped build our beloved house. You can explore it right now, as CLeM, our acclaimed puzzle adventure with escape room vibes and a dark story to unveil, is out now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

CLeM

Mango Protocol

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$15.99

$14.39

Get it now

CLeM is a narrative-driven puzzle adventure game with a dark twist. Wake up in a world where puzzles intertwine with exploration, weaving a unique narrative rooted in alchemy. A voice awakens you. It gives you purpose. To guide you, you find a notebook with mysterious entries and a house to explore.

EXPERIENCE A DARK ADVENTURE FULL OF MYSTERY
You awaken in a cold, dimly lit room, your senses slowly adjusting to the surroundings that, oddly, feel familiar. A strange sensation lingers in you, reminding you that something is not quite right. As you find your bearings, your attention is drawn to a peculiar item on the ground. A notebook labeled “CLeM” lies before you. As you delve into its pages, covered with intricate sketches of insects accompanied by vague symbols, you find a note containing a cryptic message: “Bring me BEAUTY.” Lost in deciphering the contents, a voice interrupts your focus.

SOLVE PUZZLES AND FIND YOUR WAY
Puzzles intertwine with exploration, weaving a unique narrative experience we call “puzzlevania” with a shadowy story to unravel and countless challenges to overcome.

CRAFT ENCHANTED TOYS AND UNCOVER SECRETS
Craft magic toys to unveil hidden secrets, access unreachable spots, and reclaim items from the past as you uncover new revelations in familiar spaces.

DISCOVER A CUTE AND DARK WORLD
Investigate a seemingly desolate house accompanied only by an obscure voice and a notebook full of annotations and drawings on alchemy, insects, and other creepy crawlies.

EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY
Choose your fate in this dark story of manipulation, pride, forgiveness, and redemption.

The post CLeM Backstage Stories: From a 19th Century House to a Puzzlevania Environment appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Unique Gaming DNA – From Souls Games to… Gambling?

Category: Games

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Unique Gaming DNA – From Souls Games to… Gambling?

There’s no doubt that Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn stands as part of a lineage of action-RPGs – developer A44 has been open about calling its new game a “Soulslite” for some time. But having spent several hours with the game, even in its early stages, it’s clear that that’s only a part of the picture.

Flintlock introduces an all-new fantasy world with, for want of a better term, a ‘gunpowder-punk’ aesthetic . You’ll guide the tortured Nor on a quest to reclaim her beleaguered world and exact revenge on vicious gods that have brought armies of the undead along with them. Accompanied in an uneasy alliance by a lesser God, Enki, Nor uses melee axe combat, old-fashioned gunplay, copious explosives and magic to make her way through the world.

And the influences are far from simply coming out of FromSoftware’s Souls series. Flintlock is a true melting pot of gaming ideas, seamlessly combining familiar concepts from some truly unexpected sources. If you think you have a handle on what kind of game this will be, you might be surprised to learn some of the tricks it’s pulling. To help you prepare, here are some of the nods I’ve noticed along the way.

Souls Games

We’ll start with the most obvious – the Souls games are a key text for Flintlock. Like those games, travelling through the world is a case of finding checkpoints (in this case, these can be Campsites or Loadstones), taking on enemies who can take you down in just a few quick hits, and banking currency (here, it’s Reputation) which will be lost upon death and needs to be reclaimed when you return.

Like FromSoftware’s games, Flintlock is exacting, and not afraid to punish you for a lack of concentration (although difficulty levels are offered here). And like those games, it lends a sense of excitement and dread to every new area, every new enemy type and, most particularly, every boss.

Modern Action Classics

Flintlock’s combat may borrow mechanical ideas from Souls games, but in practice there’s a flexibility and snappiness that may remind you more of classic action series, from Devil May Cry to God of War. Combining axe combos, gunplay (which is both a ranged attack and an attack-interrupting parry of sorts), and magic – Enki can be used both for stat debuff attacks and powerful ‘Ultimates’ – is a faster, more frenetic process than most Souls games.

There’s also an element of reward for skilful play here too – the game actively pushes you to chain together long combos and utilize different tactics, which brings me onto the next section…

Gambling

This is where it begins to get truly unexpected. One of Flintlock’s key ideas is in how you collect Reputation. Practically every action you take in combat will offer you a certain amount of Reputation, and defeating enemies offers a chunk each time. But there’s a twist: for every kill, you gain a multiplier to the amount of Reputation you’ll take home. But take a single hit, and all of that is gone. When you’re happy that you’ve done as well as you can, just hold left on the D-pad and you’ll bank all that Reputation.

It effectively adds an aspect of gambling on yourself against the game – do you trust yourself to perfectly take down another enemy after a tough fight, or do you bank and start the process again?

Open World Conquering

Flintlock’s story revolves around reclaiming the world from its invaders, and that’s reflected mechanically, too. Aside from having a slightly more explorable world than many of the games it’s drawing on, Flintlock also introduces an idea we’re more familiar with from the likes of Far Cry or Assassin’s Creed – conquerable enemy outposts.

When you enter an outpost – known as Hamlets here – you’ll be tasked with finding and dispatching the leader of the enemy faction stationed there. When you finally do, you’ll unlock that Hamlet, cleaning up damage, returning its population to the streets, and opening up checkpoints, fast travel, shops, and side quests. It lends a real feeling of progression to your journey, seeing Nor physically taking back lost locations as she goes.

Platformers

To go along with that sense of exploration, Flintlock offers Nor a wider moveset for getting around. In the earliest stages, you gain the magical ability to use gunpowder for double jumps, or longer dodges, which can be combined to help you reach ledges or cross longer gaps. But soon, Enki steps in to offer something more unusual – Rifts.

Rifts are magical warp points, unlocked by finding shrines adorned with skulls – get near a Rift, and press Y, and you’ll transport to it, subsequently offering you to option to drop down, boost out, or jump higher. Soon, you’ll be flying from one Rift to another, and the game will start offering up puzzles about how to reach certain locations by using a network of Rifts. It lends Flintlock an extra string to its bow, not to mention a sense of verticality we don’t often see from this kind of game.

It’s perhaps the clearest marker that A44 are doing things very differently here – I’d recommend you take a look for yourself when this unique action-RPG arrives on Thursday, July 18 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, coming day one with Game Pass.

Flintlock – Deluxe Edition

Kepler Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$44.99

Pre-order

The Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Deluxe Edition includes the base game and three customization packs for Nor.
– Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – Noble Outfit
– Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – Champions Outfit
– Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – Vanguard Outfit

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
From games studio A44, makers of Ashen, comes an explosive Souls-lite, where Gods and guns collide in a battle for the future of humanity.

The Door to the Great Below has been opened unleashing the Gods and their armies of the Dead. The lands of Kian are besieged, the city of Dawn is on the brink of destruction. It’s time for the Coalition army to fight back. Embrace vengeance, gunpowder and magic as you embark on an epic journey to defeat the Gods, close the door and retake the world.

Your battle begins now.
Kill. All. Gods.

The post Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Unique Gaming DNA – From Souls Games to… Gambling? appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Deadpool Designs the Cheekiest Xbox Controller

Category: Sweepstakes

July 17, 2024

Deadpool Designs the Cheekiest Xbox Controller

Marcos Waltenberg, General Manager of Xbox Global Partnerships & Consumer Products

In anticipation of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” coming to theaters on July 26, Deadpool himself has teamed up with Xbox to design a custom Xbox Wireless Controller that everyone will want to get their hands on. Modeled after Deadpool’s much-discussed, perfectly rounded tush, the Deadpool-designed controller is available for one lucky fan to enter for a chance to win via a global sweepstakes alongside other custom Xbox hardware.

On July 22, the first 1,000 fans to purchase an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core from the Microsoft store will receive an exclusive Cable Guys Deadpool Controller Holder by EXG Pro to ‘enhance’ their gaming setup. Deadpool-themed controller holders are only available in North America and Canada and while supplies last.

The appropriately named “Cheeky Controller” channels Deadpool’s buns of steel in its firm (yet surprisingly comfortable) grip. Designed by the Merc with a Mouth himself, it also comes clad in the anti-hero’s instantly recognizable—and might we add, incredibly flattering—red and black tactical suit. Beginning today, fans aged 18+ around the world can enter for a chance to win by following Xbox on X and reposting the official Xbox sweepstakes post.

Gamers could also win custom Xbox hardware, including a custom Deadpool-inspired Xbox Series X and stand featuring foam versions of Deadpool’s trusty katanas, Bea and Arthur, and two Xbox Wireless Controllers. For further details, check out the official sweepstakes terms and conditions.

For additional content, fans can tune in to Twitch Xbox on July 22 for the official live broadcast from the “Deadpool & Wolverine” red carpet premiere. Fans won’t want to miss this star-studded event! Fans can win prizes that even Wolverine will be keen to sink his claws into.

About Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”:

Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throwdown on July 26.

Shawn Levy directs “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, George Dewey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers.

Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy.

The post Deadpool Designs the Cheekiest Xbox Controller appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Asphalt Legends Unite Transforms the Game – and Adds a Brand-New Mode!

Today is an exciting day for fans of the Asphalt series, as Asphalt Legends Unite comes to expand the legacy of Asphalt 9: Legends, which brings a slew of new features and finally breaks down the barriers by bringing cross-play for all platforms – it’s an update so big, so transformative that we changed the name of the whole game.

Cross-play will allow you to race against your friends, no matter what their choice of platform is, and deliver a truly global competitive experience for all. This is the first time we’re bringing cross-play for the main Asphalt series, so we also took the time to bring something truly innovative and exciting for our players: a brand-new co-op mode, Team Pursuit.

With Team Pursuit, players can race for the first time in a team-based game mode, taking the role of Syndicate Drivers or Security Agents. The new game mode will task the Security Team with taking out the Syndicate Drivers before the time expires. If they fail to perform 5 Takedowns before the time expires, then the Syndicate Drivers win and live to race another day.

Both teams will have to outdo each other, by either relying on team tactics or individual brilliance. It’s also a complete break from the norm, as racing towards the finish is not the goal anymore, which opens up a whole new dimension of play. Quick brakes to maneuver behind a chasing enemy are as valid a tactic as outracing your opponents.

It will be also one of the few occasions our players will have a chance to put themselves behind the wheel of our Security cars. These souped-up versions of their street legal counterparts also have a few new tricks hidden in their sleeves. All the Security cars will be fitted with a new Nitro Boost, specifically built to help ram your opposition into submission. Security Nitro will be significantly shorter but allow for a faster charging time and more aggressive use. With increased stats and a mean nitro, the Security team will be something to reckon with.

On the opposite corner, we’ll have the Syndicate Drivers, whose sole purpose is to use all their speed and guile to survive. A handpicked selection of rides will be available on free try, to take on the security team. Feel free to pick your favorite rides, as the Security team’s cars will automatically be adjusted to whatever cars the Syndicate will be using. But be warned… if you choose the fastest cars, so will the security team!

As a team, the Syndicate Drivers will also share a total of 5 lives. Although each driver will have a maximum of 2 lives each, if the Security team manages to make 5 takedowns it will be game over! It will be critical to coordinate with your teammates to make the best out of those chances.

The whole team is excited about unveiling our first co-op mode with our players, as this game mode has been floating around the studio as a concept for a few years now, and we even had some community motivation to help goad us on. Just as we were finalizing our plans for cross-platform, one of our content creators, Admega, approached us to set up his own event using a special version of our private lobbies for him to play with his community.

With some creative use of visual layers, he managed to conjure up a good old fashioned cops’n’robbers game mode during a live stream that everyone really enjoyed. Those infectious good vibes during the stream were the final push we needed to take the project from dream to reality. After all, we finally had all the final puzzle pieces in place, with cross-play, friends lists and parties all coming. This was the perfect storm, and we couldn’t miss the boat, so the entire team really put in the extra effort to bring this exciting new mode to our players early, and just to give us yet another reason why Asphalt Legends Unite will be something you won’t want to miss.

Being such a brand-new mode, we’ll also be paying close attention to our community, sharing in their first impressions and having a feel of how it plays out. For launch, we’ll want to make sure our matches and matchmaking feel as smooth and quick as possible, so players will be randomly assigned to either team, allowing them to get a quicker taste of the action. Queueing with friends and parties will be coming in a future update, so worry not, you’ll soon be able to rally your friends together for some Mayhem!

The release of Asphalt Legends Unite will still offer you plenty of chances to play with your friends. After all, the era of cross-platform also comes with a renewed focus on multiplayer, as not only will our Multiplayer mode come with a revamp but Unite will also bring friends lists and Private Lobbies. This means you’ll finally be able to figure out who’s the king of the track amongst your Xbox friend lists, with no excuses! You’ll be able to race any car in your garage, on the track of your choice, with no fuel involved and up to 8 players.

And to welcome all your new friends into the game, we’ll have a special welcome package you can claim just by logging in during our inaugural seasons. Now the real question is… would you rather hunt with the Security team or run with the Syndicate Drivers?

The post Asphalt Legends Unite Transforms the Game – and Adds a Brand-New Mode! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The Palace on the Hill Blends India’s Culture, Storytelling, and Art

Summary

A slice-of-life adventure roleplaying game set in fictional 90s rural India.
A heartfelt story presented in a vibrant watercolour art style.
Developed by an India based studio Niku Games.

In The Palace on the Hill, out now on Xbox, you play as a teenager living in 90s rural India inspired village. The player character Vir, at the start of his summer vacation, finds himself farming and taking on odd jobs during his summer vacation to help support his father who has suffered farming losses.

The game plays like adventure RPG with life-sim elements. You need to explore locations, forage items, do crafting, run errands, and cooking at the local tea shop to earn money.

With a uniquely set location inspired from rural India, and having a story involving socio-economic struggles of a teenager, the developers aim to tell a tale which is all familiar to many across the world.

Apart from the setting, the game also introduces the players to various cultural elements as small details like the collectible plants, crafting, cooking recipes etc. These things add a bit of surprise and makes it enjoyable to discover all the unique collectibles in the game.

Art of the game is developed by Niku Games’ artist Mala Senwith her previous work being in the field of textile art, she brings a unique handcrafted style to the game’s backgrounds. The vibrant watercolours also give a cozy feel to the environment.

Art plays a major part of the game not just in its development, but in the game’s story as well. The player character Vir is a budding artist who aspires to study in the country’s leading art school. Despite being busy in various game features, the player also progresses the story by collecting special items called References. These items when collected, uncover a little insight about a location, a character, or a legend in the game and helps the player to make paintings. The paintings reveal themselves when all the associated references are collected.

These collectible paintings are inspired by India’s historical miniature art and are a pleasant surprise to the players.

Along the way, you also develop a friendship with Savi, a childhood friend who is now this cool city girl. Savi encourages your passion for art and helps you locate hidden locations in the game.

Together, you explore old ruins dotting the village and make paintings about the stories of a centuries old kingdom. The ruins and the locations in the game are inspired by developers’ own life and travels growing up in the country.

Composer, Srikant Krishna’s music lends an evocative feel to the ambiance of the game with soothing and serene background tracks for each area and for the day-night cycle. The music combines various Indian instruments like the Bansuri Flute, Tabla and the like to create a unique relaxing soundscape. Dive in to the beauty, culture, art and adventure of
The Palace on the Hill, out now on Xbox.

The Palace on the Hill

Niku Games Studio

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

A heartfelt story of ambition, struggle, and friendship told from the perspective of a young boy in fictional 90s rural India. This slice-of-life adventure role-playing game offers a multi-faceted experience of India’s culture, art, history, and stories.

“This is a nice, calming SOL that feels very healing. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something cozy to play. Peak iyashikei vibes as it were.”
starshinesMonet

“A love letter to Indian art, history and stories”
Video Games are Good

“An ‘at your leisure’ pace game with beautiful visual art style: compelling characters and great intro to story.”
jadeyr101

The post The Palace on the Hill Blends India’s Culture, Storytelling, and Art appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Lara Croft Comes To Dead by Daylight in One Of Her Darkest Adventures Yet

Category: Games

July 16, 2024

Lara Croft Comes To Dead by Daylight in One Of Her Darkest Adventures Yet

Mitch Findlay, Senior Copywriter, Behaviour Interactive

Today, Dead by Daylight: Tomb Raider brings Lara Croft into The Fog, plunging the iconic heroine into one of her darkest adventures yet.

Trapped in a nightmarish reality where not even death is an escape, Lara must use every tool at her disposal to survive against a sprawling roster of merciless Killers. Luckily, she’s uniquely positioned to thrive against unfavorable odds, boasting impeccable athleticism, resolute courage, and the willingness to help those in need.

Survive As Lara Croft

The quintessential survivor, Lara arrives with three unique character Perks, each one inspired by her personality and legacy.

The first is Finesse, a Perk that grants a notable advantage while in a chase – at least, until you get hit. Whenever you’re healthy, your fast vaults will be slightly faster. After doing one, and hopefully gaining valuable ground on the Killer, the Perk will have a brief cooldown.

Not even The Fog can dull Lara’s curiosity, nor her willingness to uncover crucial items. Hardened incentivizes engaging with Chests and Totems, granting you a valuable benefit when you open the former and cleanse or bless the latter. From that point on, every time you scream – whether through a Killer’s Perk or in-game action – you will instead see their Aura.

Specialist also encourages seeking out Chests, rewarding a Token (up to a max of 3) for opening or rummaging through one. Those Tokens are consumed with every Great Skill Check, instantly reducing a Generator’s max repair progress.

Releasing alongside Dead by Daylight: Tomb Raider is Tome 20: Mythic, which includes the ominous Wraithskin Outfit for Lara Croft. Designed to instill fear in those who prey upon the weak, purchase the Rift Pass and work your way through the Premium Track to embody the wilderness itself.

Experience The New 2V8 Mode

As it turns out, Lara’s arrival to The Fog is just in time for the brand-new 2V8 game mode. Set to run from July 25 11 AM ET until August 8 11 AM ET, 2v8 will pit 8 Survivors against 2 Killers in a high-stakes, action-packed experience. With unique character abilities and a reimagined Hook system, this is Dead by Daylight like you’ve never seen it before.
Adventure into the unknown with Lara Croft in Dead by Daylight: Tomb Raider, available today on Xbox.

The post Lara Croft Comes To Dead by Daylight in One Of Her Darkest Adventures Yet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Coming to Game Pass: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Dungeons of Hinterberg

Category: Xbox Game Pass

July 16, 2024

Coming to Game Pass: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Dungeons of Hinterberg

Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

If your download queue was feeling a little lonely, we have some updates to fix that. Games available today, games you saw at the Xbox Games Showcase, and everything available day one. Let’s get to the games (and let’s stay in touch, we have another update for you soon)!

Available Today

Magical Delicacy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Available on day one with Game Pass! A wholesome pixel art platformer. Cook magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in your own shop. Explore an unfamiliar town and deliver tasty treats to the townsfolk. Learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique witchy world.

Flock (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Available on day one with Game Pass! Flock is a multiplayer co-op game about the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures with your friends. Soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to your flock.

Coming Soon

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – July 18
Available on day one with Game Pass! Kill all gods in the upcoming action-RPG from the developers of Ashen! Step into the boots of Nor Vanek, an elite member of the Coalition army, joined by Enki, a fox-like companion, in their quest for vengeance against the Gods. Weave in melee, gunpowder, and magic in rhythmic battles where combos chain together to create a deadly dance.

Dungeons of Hinterberg (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – July 18
Available on day one with Game Pass! Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! There are plenty of dungeons to find and adventures to be had in Hinterberg – will you be sent packing on your first day, or remain to become a Master Slayer? Master magic, solve puzzles, slay monsters; all this and more await you in Hinterberg!

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 19
Available on day one with Game Pass: A unique Japanese-inspired, single player Kagura Action Strategy game. The game takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land.

DLC / Game Updates

EA Sports College Football 25 Early Access Trial – Available today
Try EA Sports College Football 25 today with a 10-hour early access trial. Immerse yourself in iconic atmospheres with Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, members score monthly Loyalist Ultimate Team Packs, featuring 4 Gold Players, and save 10% on purchases of EA digital content including pre-orders.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Stumble Guys: Cyborg Dance Bundle – Available now
Join millions of players and stumble to victory in this fun multiplayer knockout battle royale! Claim the bundle so you can look awesome in your Cyborg Legendary Skin and showoff when you win with your Robot Victory Animation. Make sure to cap it off with something great by using your 250 Gems and 50 Stumble Tokens!

The First Descendant: Launch Edition Bundle – Available now
Play the next-generation looter shooter, The First Descendant now and claim your launch bundle for a unique edge in the game, including a back attachment, two weapon skins, and more cosmetic items to customize your Descendent’s appearance!

EA Sports UFC 4: Premium Starter Pack – Available now
The legend of the Kumite has influenced thousands of mixed martial artists, unlock vanity inspired by that same tradition with this premium starter pack available with your EA Play membership.

Leaving July 31

You can pick these up for up to 20% off before they go, or quickly find your save file and get those achievements before they’re gone!

A Short Hike (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Train Sim World 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Venba (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Get your controllers some fresh batteries, find the USB dongle for your mouse, we’re all getting ready to download some games. We’ll be back here soon, or you can keep your eyes on social media for PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox updates for the latest. Cheers!

The post Coming to Game Pass: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Dungeons of Hinterberg appeared first on Xbox Wire.