Category: Xbox

Our story in Everspace 2 begins with Adam, an escaped clone pilot seeking his way in a cold and dangerous universe. What he’ll soon discover is that the events of his past self are on a collision course with the ambitions of many of the region’s corporate bosses and outlaw overlords. To survive and buy his way free of the demilitarized zone of Cluster 34, he’ll need to team up with a new crew while exploring relatively uncharted star systems.

As a studio, we wanted to write a love letter to the games that inspired us — the gameplay of space shooters like Freelancer and Wing Commander can very much be seen in the DNA of our games, but with modern conveniences and game features meant to bring something new to players. Fans of the first game in the series will have a deeper understanding of the world and characters of Everspace 2, but we’ve crafted this story so that newcomers will have little difficulty getting up to speed.

Cluster 34 is a hostile place for a lone pilot. Though there are pockets of civilization where traders make port and settlers call home, Outlaw attacks are common and it takes skills to survive. The arcade-style combat of Everspace 2 is fast-paced, but easy to pick up so pilots new to the game can take off and destroy their first enemy drone within minutes. When a challenge becomes too great, escape, explore, level up, gear up, and try again.

Adam isn’t in this entirely alone though! Over the course of the story, players will gather together a rag-tag group of mercenaries, aliens, outcasts, and adventurers who will help out by providing ship upgrades, navigation support, and other perks at Home Base. A few companions will even help out in battle, showing up to distract and destroy enemies when the going gets tough.

The first Everspace made gravitational waves in the roguelike community for its fast-paced combat and innovative use combining die-and-repeat gameplay with storytelling. In Everspace 2, we hop genres, taking space game fans into the realm of semi-open world RPGs where exploration, leveling up, crafting and managing equipment, buying new ships, and upgrading perks become nearly as important as a player’s piloting skill. With this new focus on RPG mechanics comes a wide range of options for pilots as combinations of new gear, ships, and perks unlock all kinds of ways to create and accommodate different play styles.

Everspace 2 is huge. The team here at Rockfish has created more than one hundred handcrafted areas in space and on planets to explore spread across six star systems. Each star system has its own distinct personality and while you may explore a variety of asteroids and debris fields over the course of your adventure, each is packed with secrets to find and enemies bent on hunting you down. From ruined space stations orbiting decaying stars, to space storms surrounding ancient structures, to space jellyfish haunting the bones of a starfaring Leviathan, there are so many sights to discover.

With nine different ship types, each with different available perks, there are all kinds of ways to destroy attacking outlaws. Want to play a sneaky sniper? The stealth cloak of the Scout and a long-distance charged coil gun makes for a powerful combo. Players who prefer to be able to take and throw big punches may enjoy the Gunship with its auto turret ultimate attack, multiple weapon hardpoints, and high armor value. Others may prefer the Vindicator, a heavy fighter that reanimates battlefield wreckage to repair or replace its fleet of drones. The “unlimited power”-style lightning special attack of the Sentinel that strikes multiple nearby enemies is a fan favorite.

As with many RPGs, equipment is central to a player’s survival and with all the weapon types and gear modifiers in Everspace 2, you can tune your build to your preferred playstyle. Primary weapons such as the Autocannon, Pulse Laser, and shotgun-like Flak Cannon deal kinetic and energy damage while a myriad of secondary missile and mine secondary weapons can inflict status effects or simply hammer in to deal massive damage. More defensive equipment like plating, generators, thrusters, sensors, and storage increase survivability by providing more energy, speed, armor, item detection range, and more. And don’t forget one-time use items — the healing, damage amplification, and other effects they can provide are frequently handy for getting out of a tight spot. 

Xbox space pilots can prep their engines for departure on August 15 when Everspace 2 launches on Xbox Series X|S with Xbox Game Pass. Can’t wait? Everspace 2 is already available for Windows with PC Game Pass with support for Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to start your adventure on PC today and continue it on console later. Game Pass members can also make Everspace 2 their own today with a 20% discount.

EVERSPACE™ 2

ROCKFISH Games

☆☆☆☆☆
6

★★★★★

Get it now

PC Game Pass

EVERSPACE™ 2 is a fast-paced single-player spaceship shooter with worthwhile exploration in space and on planets, tons of loot, RPG elements, mining, and crafting. Experience a thoughtful sci-fi story, set in a vivid, handcrafted open world full of secrets, puzzles, and perils.

In the campaign, you will make some friends with their own story to tell. They will join you on side missions and provide certain benefits in the endgame, where vicious encounters and brutal challenges will stand between you and that next epic loot drop.

EMBARK ON AN EXCITING JOURNEY
Discover alien species, unveil mysteries, find hidden treasures, and defend your valuables against outlaw gangs. But don’t get cocky: there will be some high-risk/high-reward areas waiting for you where grabbing that ultra-special gear and getting out alive will require some serious piloting skills and all your talent for improvisation.

LET THE LASERS DO THE TALKING
Annihilate your foes the EVERSPACE™ way: Dodge, dash, roll, and boost guns blazing into frantic dogfights, leaving only a trail of space scrap behind. Use a wide range of weaponry and abilities to defeat a large variety of opponents like drones, fighters, heavy bombers, and powerful gunships all the way to massive capital vessels. Always look around and use your environment to your advantage, and gain the upper hand even if you are outnumbered.

MAKE THE WORLD YOUR OWN
Enter the world of EVERSPACE and explore it at your leisure. Cluster 34 is brimming with main and side missions, activities, events and secrets to be uncovered. So fire up your hyperdrive and shape your legacy among the stars.

HAVE IT YOUR OWN WAY
Expand your private ship collection from a virtually endless supply of ships, composed of various unique ship classes and optimize your build to perfection. Cleverly combine modules, weapons, devices, and perks to fit your individual playstyle and the current objective.

EPIC LOOT AWAITS
Hunt for the next better gear and be ready to constantly re-evaluate your current setup. Look for loot that fits your playstyle but be willing to leave your comfort zone and try something new. Be ready to find and exploit synergistic effects between equipment, perks, devices, and ships to fully maximize their potential.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES
Roam the world looking for the best deals on certain commodities, becoming the part-time trader you always wanted to be. However, prices will vary based on supply and demand, so you better check about the latest offerings before you set course to the next trading station. Always be on the look-out against ambushes during interstellar travel.

Related:
IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase Shows Off 20 Upcoming Games – Find Out More About Every Single One
History You Can Play: The Making of Karateka Is the First in a Series of Interactive Documentaries
Stray Souls Interview: Legendary Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka Joins the Team

When we started brainstorming the game design for Ride 5, creating the Career mode was one of the most important moments. It’s not easy to design a video game that can satisfy all potential riders who will hop on our bikes. Whether they are novice gamers or seasoned champions, everyone should have fun and find something that fulfills them, offering the right level of challenge. The game must also be able to reward the time invested in it to both those who have a lot of time to dedicate and those who approach it casually, enjoying a few hours a week.

Now that Ride 5 is in an advanced stage of development and looking at its Career mode, I believe the above-mentioned requirements have been met. In fact, the game offers two paths: the main one, the Tour, is divided into four acts with events ranging from championships to various types of competitions, such as single races or time attacks. The optional one, the Limitless Challenges, offers four acts, each unlockable by clearing the corresponding main act, featuring a higher difficulty level.

In Career mode, it is not necessary to win every race in order to clear groups; it is sufficient to reach a minimum score. Initially it is quite low, but it progressively increases as players advance in the game. On the other hand, Limitless Challenges do not have a surpassing threshold but only a completion threshold: in other words, to finish them, all races must be won!

The adaptability of Ride 5 to players’ inclinations is therefore evident and is also reflected in the qualifications, that can be time-based or single lap. The former corresponds to a more casual (and usual) approach, while the latter represents a more hardcore experience as it provides only one lap to determine the race placement. Consequently, players must be skilled at giving their best immediately, while also keeping in mind that going off-track results in penalties.

Another challenge we wanted to tackle when conceptualizing Ride 5 was longevity. Unlike annual releases, we wanted to provide virtual bikers with an experience that could entertain them for years to come. The Race Creator is a highly customizable tool that allows players to create their own races. They have control over various aspects, including the logo, name, and format of the competition (single event or championship), as well as driving aids, competition type, number of riders, number of events, scoring, and more. This level of customization extends to the AI-managed riders as well, where players can personalize their bikes, suits, and even choose their opponents with meticulous detail, setting a new standard in Milestone’s games.

Among the races to be won, there will also be Endurances. Their duration can be set from a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of 24 hours, thus replicating some of the most iconic races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Winning each group of races rewards players with credits, experience, and unique bikes. Endurance races played in the Race Creator, on the other hand, only reward players with credits and experience.

Speaking of rewards, Ride 5‘s Career mode rewards players with powerful bikes at the end of each group of races. They serve as prizes and are crucial for tackling future challenges, ensuring that riders always have the appropriate motorcycle for competition. This means that players have the freedom to spend their credits as they wish. They can purchase better bikes than the ones they’ve won, upgrade their existing ones through the customization system, or indulge in cosmetic purchases for their rider’s attire. In the event that players mismanage their funds, they can still compete with a loaned bike obtained for free. However, credits earned at the end of the race are reduced.

Winning a competition brings satisfaction only if the opponent is a worthy opponent, and that’s why the Career mode in Ride 5 introduces Rivals, opponents with unique backgrounds and dedicated cutscenes and voiceovers. Each Rival has a distinct outfit and preferred track, bike, and manufacturer. For example, Charles Nolan races on a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600, which players can win by defeating him. Rivals exhibit greater aggression, are the best riders in the game, and progress in the rankings to intersect with the player’s career at crucial moments, becoming recurring antagonists.

The effort exerted by players in Ride 5 will be rewarded not only with bikes, credits, and points but also with the evolution of their headquarters, which will change based on their position in the world rankings. It will offer three different environments of increasing beauty, symbolizing the journey towards becoming top-ranked drivers. Over time, the scenarios become more prestigious, and new team members will be added. Additionally, players will start their travels on a pickup and eventually progress to a van, ultimately culminating with a fully equipped truck!

But how long will the Career last? For only the four acts of the Tour, without completing all the races but simply reaching the event’s surpassing thresholds, players can expect a longevity of approximately 17 hours. However, completing all the events in the four acts of the Tour will require around 30 hours. For completionists who engage with the additional content provided by Limitless Challenges, the fun extends by an extra 20 hours, resulting in a total of 50 hours of gameplay.

With its immersive Career mode, customizable races, rewards, and captivating gameplay, we have designed a game that transcends skill levels and provides endless hours of entertainment. Ride 5 is ready to ignite the passion for two-wheeled adventures in each and every player and we invite all gamers, from casual to enthusiasts, to join us on this high-speed journey.

Ride 5 is available for pre-order and releases for Xbox Series X|S on August 24. For more information about the game, check out the official website.

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:
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged Has Been Announced – Here are the Biggest Changes
Mark Your Kalenders: Mortal Kombat 1 Hits Xbox Series X|S on September 19
From Blind Driving Assists to One Touch Driving, Meet The Most Accessible Forza Motorsport Ever

Players come to Xbox to build friendships, be competitive, and to experience incredible games – and they expect to be treated fairly, for interactions to be free of hate or harassment. Our investments in safety have helped players feel safer across text, video, and image – and our new voice reporting experience is the latest addition to our robust suite of family and online safety features.   

Starting this week, we are releasing a new platform-wide voice reporting feature to Alpha and Alpha-skip Xbox Insiders, that gives players the option to capture and report inappropriate in-game voice chats. More specifically, this feature equips Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One players with the ability to capture a 60-second video clip of an in-game voice incident that they believe violates our Community Standards and submit it as evidence to our Xbox Safety Team for review. This feature is purpose-built to support the broadest arena of in-game interactions between players and works across thousands of games that offer in-game multiplayer voice chat, including Xbox 360 backward-compatible titles.  

Targeting In-Game Voice Chat  

When we looked at the next important step in our safety innovation, our team targeted in-game chat because it is often the place where players have the highest opportunity to interact with players outside of their friend network. Making the feature available across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One ensures that players have this feature available to them in any multiplayer in-game chat.  

The new reporting experience helps the Xbox Safety Team in their enforcement process, with more context to make decisions that reinforce our Community Standards. Evidence capture empowers each of us to actively support one another, report incidents that are inappropriate, and ultimately provide better protection for all players. We want players to feel comfortable jumping into any multiplayer chat feeling supported and welcome – and if they experience or witness inappropriate conduct, they can take action. We also ensured that players and their data are protected and secure in accordance with our Microsoft Privacy Statement.

With reactive voice reporting, Xbox continues to help players feel protected. Empowering players with easy-to-use tools helps foster togetherness, while improving the greater health of the gaming community on Xbox. With measures like this in place, players can feel confident they are in a safe, welcoming environment. – Stephen Balkam, CEO, Family Online Safety Institute

It was important to hear directly from our community about their unique experiences and what would help them feel protected and more empowered on our platform. We consulted with a range of community members – including Xbox Ambassadors – of different identities, backgrounds, and cultures.  

“Implementing voice moderation is a huge step in keeping the community at Xbox safer. I feel more confident knowing that Xbox has gone a step further to ensure we experience a positive environment not just through text chat, but through voice chat as well.”

SammieChaos, Xbox Ambassador

“Xbox is again leading the way in terms of player experience. By taking actions to reduce toxicity that is usually very difficult to track— players of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can be confident that Xbox has their back.”

Secret Asian 29, Xbox Ambassador

“As a woman online, I often find myself staying silent in online multiplayer to avoid abuse and harassment. I am excited for features like this that can help give people like me their voices back. Nobody should miss out on interaction with their fellow gamers because they are afraid to speak.”

CamicaziBoss, Xbox Ambassador

The reactive voice reporting feature will be available to console players in select English-language markets (US, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) via the Xbox Insiders program – and we encourage all players to share feedback to help us improve this feature. We are actively working toward supporting additional languages as we continue our investment in voice moderation. 

How it Works  

Reactive voice reporting on Xbox is designed to be quick and easy to use with minimal impact to gameplay. The feature is designed so players can capture quickly and jump back into their gameplay and finalize the report when their game is over.  

Players have full control – you choose what to capture and report. Our feature is designed so that only you, the player, can initiate the capture of the last 60-seconds of gameplay activity that occurred for content moderation purposes. While this feature works similarly to how you’d capture a game video, any captured clips using the voice moderation feature are only for content moderation purposes – they will not appear in your recent captures and clips cannot be downloaded, modified, or shared. Only you have access to the clip until you submit it with your report – Xbox is not saving or uploading any voice clips without you, the player, choosing to start the reporting process.  

The clip lives on your console for 24 online hours, giving you the flexibility to either submit immediately or wait until you’re ready. We’ll also send you a reminder to report if you haven’t completed one within the 24 online hour period. If you decide not to report, the clip will be erased from your console automatically. We’ve also made updates to our notification features so the player that submitted the report will get a notification about whether or not Xbox took action on the report submitted.

The Importance of Active Allyship  

Each of us has an important role to play in our community – and I am asking everyone, from the seasoned competitor to the first-time player, to stand up for one another, be active allies and to report any experiences of toxicity. The improvements we are making to reactive voice moderation are for everyone – those who experience toxicity, and for those who witness it. We cannot be bystanders of bad behavior; we must do the right thing, have empathy for our fellow players, and build a safer and more inclusive community together. 

Our work is never done, and we will continue to innovate and improve upon our community safety measures to protect each other and our community at large. This feature is one of many we are working on, the first in our voice moderation work, and we look forward to sharing more in the future. As players use the feature, we’ll share data and updates in our bi-annual Transparency Report. If even one player feels safer with this measure, then we are on the right track.   

In the meantime, below are some helpful safety resources:  

• Share feedback via the Xbox Insiders program or on the Xbox Support website 
• Join Xbox Ambassadors and become part of our community working to make gaming fun for everyone  
• Read our Xbox Community Standards 
• Read our latest Xbox Transparency Report  
• Remain informed on How to Report a Player and How to Submit a Case Review 
• Need help? Request a Call, Chat Online, and More 

Related:
IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase Shows Off 20 Upcoming Games – Find Out More About Every Single One
History You Can Play: The Making of Karateka Is the First in a Series of Interactive Documentaries
Stray Souls Interview: Legendary Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka Joins the Team

The first-ever IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase just wrapped up, and we had a lot of news about our upcoming indie games to share with you. With games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Cloud Gaming – not to mention classic RPGs, Silent Hill-inspired horror, party games, and even groundbreaking interactive documentaries – there’s something here for you no matter what kind of player you are.

Read on for a full rundown of all 20 games we brought along during the showcase – including some world premieres – and get those hard drives ready!

Axiom Verge 2

Axiom Verge 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Axiom Verge, is now available on Xbox! Explore an alternate Earth-like world, replete with the ruins of an ancient, high-tech civilization. Hack machines. Battle monsters. Use your remote drone to enter the Breach, a parallel but connected reality that is filled with its own dangers. You’ll want to search every inch for the hidden items and upgrades you need to survive.

Unleash your curiosity, embrace the unexpected, and get ready to lose yourself in the enigmatic realms of Axiom Verge 2, available now on Xbox!

Birth

Birth is a little game about living alone in a large city. In order to quell your loneliness, you decide to create a friend from spare bones & organs found around the city. Solve physics-based puzzles & discover secrets in lovingly hand-drawn museums, bakeries, bookstores and more. Birth launches on Xbox on July 28!

Dreamers

We are thrilled to introduce Dreamers, an exciting new adventure game coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One developed by PlaySys, which invites players to embark on a captivating journey filled with wonder, puzzles, and unforgettable stories. Set for release on September 1, this visually stunning game features a colourful low-poly 3D graphic style that exudes charm and uniqueness. Dreamers features three protagonists: a curious boy, a brave girl, and a visionary robot, as they form an unbreakable bond of friendship and take on daring escapades together. Expect a refreshingly unique main quest, numerous side quests, mini-games and upgradeable vehicles. Pre-orders open on July 9, and will offer a 10% discount and gain exclusive access to a special demo.

Everspace 2

Everspace 2 will come to Xbox Series X|S (with Xbox Game Pass) on August 15. Building on the success of the original game, this spacefaring adventure will bring a 30+ hour campaign, over 100 handcrafted locations, 9 ship types, 7 companions, and much more. The first Everspace made gravitational waves in the roguelike community for its fast-paced combat, combining die-and-repeat gameplay with storytelling. In Everspace 2, the series hops genres, taking space game fans into the realm of semi-open world RPGs where exploration, leveling up, crafting and managing equipment, buying new ships, and upgrading perks are all critical to surviving in uncharted space.

Follow Everspace 2 on Twitter, Facebook, and join the community on the official Discord server for the latest updates.

Hellboy Web of Wyrd

We saw the world premiere of the new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Hellboy Web of Wyrd, an action-brawler-roguelite from Upstream Arcade and Good Shepherd Entertainment. Play as Hellboy and punch, dodge, and blast your way through the mysterious Web of Wyrd in this all-new adventure crafted in partnership with Dark Horse Comics and series creator Mike Mignola.

Jackbox Party Pack 10

The showcase revealed two new games coming in the latest installment of the world’s favorite party game series, Jackbox Party Pack:

Timejinx

What would you do if you had a time machine? Would you go back and try to fix some or travel to the future to see who you’ve become? No! You’d use it to play a high-stakes trivia game! Introducing Timejinx, a trivia game about the things you know you knew. You’ll play the role of a time traveler who meets up with their friends for trivia night at the residence of our acerbic host, Jerri Rigg. But this is not your typical game night filled with tattered cards and stale pretzels. Jerri may not care much about you, but she does care about creating an immersive trivia experience. 

Hypnotorious

Hypnotorious is a game where you and your fellow players take part in a virtual stage show where our host, a mysterious hypnotist, mesmerizes you, then gives you a character to play. So thoroughly do you take on this new persona, that when he asks you a question, you will answer as that character! Each player will be keeping their characters somewhat secret because the game is all about deducing each other’s identities. The characters all fit into one of three, secret categories. The categories might be as simple as “Dogs, Cats or Mice,” or they might be something a bit more challenging like “Popular in the 80s, 90s or 2000s.” It’s up to you to figure it out.

Karateka

Digital Eclipse unveiled the next step in its journey: the Gold Master Series. It’s a new line of independent, self-published games that are best described as “interactive documentaries.” Game number one in the Gold Master Series is titled The Making of Karateka, and it’s all about the fascinating story behind a game that changed the industry – the deepest, most exhaustive exploration of the making of a single video game that’s ever been attempted in a video game itself.

The Making of Karateka will include multiple playable versions of the original game, video interviews, design documents, and even unreleased playable prototypes from the game’s creator, Jordan Mechner. Find out more in our full post on Xbox Wire.

Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients

Adventure awaits! Witness the beginning of Astor’s extraordinary journey through the world premiere announcement trailer for Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients. Immerse yourself in the mystical world of Gliese, where dark forces threaten its very existence. Fear not, for a hero is destined to rise and become the planet’s ultimate savior. Guided by an enigmatic presence, Astor must unlock the secrets of the past while collecting legendary weapons that will aid him in his mission to thwart an unholy ritual.

Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients presents a captivating combat system that will leave you fulfilled and craving more. Engage in exhilarating combo-based battles, wielding an array of legendary weapons and harnessing the arcane Runic Swarm to summon powerful constructs, crush adversaries with colossal boulders, or shield yourself behind solid rock formations. Master the art of precision with light, heavy, and ranged attacks, seamlessly swap between armaments, skilfully block, and dodge incoming threats, and build up your combo meter to unleash devastating finishing moves.

MythForce

Saturday morning cartoons are back! MythForce is a roguelike adventure featuring four-player online cooperative multiplayer set in the ever-changing Cursed Lands of Eldryth. Assemble your team and gather your arms, for many perilous foes await you. Will you stand victorious by the power…of teamwork!? MythForce ventures onto Xbox Series X|S from September 12, 2023! For more information on MythForce, visit www.MythForce.com, and follow along for the latest updates on Discord, Twitter and Facebook.

Rain World: Downpour

In Rain World, you are a nomadic slugcat, a cunning and clever animal in a broken ecosystem. Grab your spear and brave the industrial wastes, hunting enough food to survive, but be wary— other, bigger creatures have the same plan… and slugcats look delicious.

In Rain World: Downpour, the slugcat has evolved– alongside some of its most terrifying predators. Five new slugcats travel the haunting landscape/deathscape of a vast, ancient civilization, driven by curiosity, revenge, hunger, and mysterious, higher truths. Will they find what they truly seek? Or is their fate preordained to another meal in its unforgiving food chain?

Roman Sands

Today, Serenity Forge and Arbitrary Metric announced that Roman Sands RE:Build is heading to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S this winter. In this exciting and beautiful adventure, you’ll find yourself stranded on the luxurious shores of a timeless retreat, where the eccentric inhabitants anxiously await the world’s end. As you navigate their whimsical requests, a hidden truth about this place begins to emerge. Will you uncover your escape route?

In this surreal and mind-bending adventure, you must manage a decaying zoological research facility, where survival becomes paramount amidst a crumbling world. Guided by a distant voice on the radio, you must adapt to a new existence. Prepare for two broken realities to intertwine in Roman Sands RE:Build, a genre-blending masterpiece by the creators of the IGF award-winning Paratopic. Roman Sands RE:Build is a delirium-charged journey into apocalypse which collides through visual novel, adventure, puzzle solving, horror, and survival simulation.

Scarlet Deer Inn

Scarlet Deer Inn is an embroidered narrative platformer. Players will experience an emotional story, an interesting cast of characters, a dark dungeon full of monsters, and branching dialogues leading to optional backstories and bonus locations in a unique mix of an adventure game and a fast-paced platformer. The game stands out with its actually embroidered character frames and hand-painted backgrounds inspired by Studio Ghibli movies, Slavic folklore, and medieval Europe.

Sea of Stars

A Sea of Stars demo is now available, and pre-orders are open on the Xbox Store! Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.

While the demo features areas that will be part of the final game, it does not reveal any major spoilers from the main story. It is designed to give a hint of context, but mostly showcase some gameplay systems and mechanics around dungeon crawling and combat. It aims to provide a sense of the tone and vibe without giving away major points of the journey.

Second Wave

Second Wave is a free-to-play online multiplayer hero-based shooter MOBA set in the world of Armantia, offering players an easy-to-play but hard-to-master experience. Players take on the role of a legendary hero or exile to fight an endless war for the Arcane Stone, a mystical artifact that has helped Armantia advance in both Science and Technology. There are currently two game modes for players to choose from, Domination and 3-Way Battle, with additional modes in active development.

Solace State

Can you retain your humanity while fighting against a corporate biotech conspiracy? Play as the young hacker Chloe who confronts political plots as she fights for her friends and her neighbors. Your choices in building up relationships and communities can revolutionize into more or less freedoms. In a game with 31 fully illustrated characters and over 200,000 words, meet Torrent, a local who shares Chloe’s intuitive hacking abilities, Sueli, a community leader who grapples with expectations with different levels of governance, and Alden, a socialite who was Chloe’s first love. In a world where humanity’s rights are fracturing through biotech greed, how can Chloe restore hope for the people?

Stray Souls

It’s no secret that the team at Jukai Studio are huge fans of the Silent Hill series, and has no doubt been a major influence on Stray Souls. Which is also why we’re extremely excited to announce that we’re collaborating with the legendary Akira Yamaoka as a special guest composer! Akira’s work on Silent Hill is iconic, and we are honored to have him contributing new original music to the Stray Souls soundtrack. Listen to the world premiere of Akira’s track “Splintered Minds” featured in our brand-new trailer!

Stumble Guys

Players will soon discover the joys of Stumbling when Stumble Guys races to console. The fast-paced, frenetic and highly-social fun of Stumble Guys will launch first on Xbox, giving the game’s massive community more ways to battle with friends in an epic quest to be the last Stumbler standing.

Stumble Guys is a worldwide phenomenon on mobile, known for its accessible and competitive play style that is constantly evolving with varied events, tournaments, and imaginative levels. Stumble Guys regularly adds new mechanics, offering Stumblers more ways to cross the finish line, whether on foot, in vehicles, or through a high-stakes First-Person Stumbler mode. The game is enjoyed by tens of millions of players every week and was one of the top 10 most downloaded apps in the world in 2022.

Xbox players can pre-register now on StumbleGuys.com to join the party on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One and lock in launch benefits, including early Beta access and free launch gifts.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims, in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a third-person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. Texas. Early 1973. Ana and a group of close friends embark on a journey to the small dusty town of Newt, TX, the last known location of Ana’s missing sister, Maria. The group’s search quickly turns into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions when they mistakenly invade the home of Leatherface and his cannibalistic family. Tied up, tortured, and left for dead, the group must find the strength to fight back and escape before it’s too late. 

Featuring strategic 3v4 team-based multiplayer gameplay, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will allow players to truly experience this iconic franchise for the first time in video game history. The only question is, who will survive and what will be left of them?

Vampire Survivors

After extensive research, developer poncle has concluded that everything in life is better with friends: That’s why Vampire Survivors is getting a local 4-player couch co-op mode! Be the bullet hell with your besties!

In local couch co-op mode, you can continue your current game or; if you’re new to Vampire Survivors, begin your session with up to 4 local players. Players can seamlessly switch between single and co-op play between stages and unleash chaos. Like every good co-op game, Vampire Survivors will also offer opportunities to test your friendship… and stretch the definition of the word “co-op”.

Worldless

Worldless is a stylised 2D adventure platformer with turn-based combat and a mind-bending, interpretative narrative. Players will walk the line between physical and astral planes within a shapeless world, embarking on a journey of self-growth where the possibilities are infinite, the challenges are immense, and transcendence awaits those brave enough to embrace the unknown.

Related:
History You Can Play: The Making of Karateka Is the First in a Series of Interactive Documentaries
Stray Souls Interview: Legendary Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka Joins the Team
A Deeper Dive into Vampire Survivors’ New Couch Co-op Mode

It’s finally here! We are kicking off our summer plans with over 40 exciting game demos on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Just like last year’s ID@Xbox Demo Fest event, you can download and play these in the comfort of your own home between July 11-17.

Demos are playable starting today, and we encourage you to continue to check them out all week. You can find them in the special ID@Xbox Demo Fest collection on the Xbox Store online and on console. Don’t forget that you can provide feedback to the devs too! Keep in mind that most of these demos are an early look at gameplay and may not represent the full game at their release, including the availability in each country as developers continue to update and refine their title ahead of launch.

We’re also excited to share that 7 newly announced games below are coming to Xbox!

Alchemist: The Potion Monger (Art Games Studio)

Alchemist: The Potion Monger is a first-person simulation game where players gather and process the necessary ingredients to brew magical potions – and can leave their lab, venture into the world, and change it with their brews. Alchemists will use unique mechanics such as the Alchemy Wheel to combine their creations – which can then be sold, or used on NPCs, or even on yourself to offer yourself new powers. Alchemist will also let you decorate your house, adopt pets, and more.

Alisa (Casper Croes/Top Hat Studios)

Alisa is a horror-themed action-adventure game and a genuine throwback to the golden age of ’90s 3D games.

Dynacat (Replayne)

Dynacat is a fast-paced 3D isometric action platformer. Join Dynacat on an adventure to save his home from the incoming army of robots lead by the Spherons. Dash to the goal, find secrets, defeat the Spherons and earn points by doing it all in style!

Knights of Braveland (Ellada Games)

Knights of Braveland is a cooperative beat ’em up action game with a generated story. You will hack, slash, and smash your way to victory. And with your friends, it is much more fun. Play local or online.

Marble It Up! Ultra (Marble It Up)

From the minds behind Marble Blast comes Marble It Up! Ultra – the ultimate marble platformer. Roll, jump, and boost your way through a massive single-player campaign – or team up to out-blast your opponents across five exhilarating multiplayer modes! From smashing weekly challenges to unlocking hidden marbles… How will you roll?

Metal Mind (Whirllaxy Studio/E-Home Entertainment)

Metal Wind fuses transforming mecha and roguelite gameplay elements and combine game mechanics, such as weight, armor pieces, heat, and power for you to forge a unique weapon of war to fuel your killing spree!

The Night of the Rabbit (Daedalic Entertainment)

Lose yourself in a tale of magic and wonder, where anything is possible and where nothing is quite as it seems: join young Jerry and follow a peculiar white rabbit to the wondrous realm of Mousewood, a land where critters can speak and where mystery abounds.

Along with those titles, there are a variety of unique and creative games that will be available to try! Below is a list of games, and their developers, participating in the ID@Xbox Demo Fest:

• A Duel Hand Disaster: Trackher (Ask An Enemy Studios)
• Aaero2 (Mad Fellows)

• Alchemist: The Potion Monger (Art Games Studio)
• Alisa (Casper Croes)
• Astrea: The Six-Sided Oracles (Little Leo Games)

• Bang-On Balls: Chronicles (Exit Plan Games)
• BattleCakes (Volcano Bean)
• Black Skylands (Hungry Couch)
• Born of Bread (WildArts)

• Boxville (Triomatica Games)
• Cell Scientists: Beyond (R-Next)
• Cross Tails (Rideon)
• Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle (Invader Studios)
• Death Relives (Nyctophile Studios)

• Demonschool (Necrosoft Game)
• Deserted (Zebik Media Interactive)
• Dynacat (Replayne)
• Evil Wizard (Rubber Duck Games)
• Exhausted Man (Candleman Games)
• Fall of Porcupine (Critical Rabbit)
• Frank and Drake (Appnormals Team)

• Knights of Braveland (Ellada Games)
• Let’s Cook Togther 2 (Yellow Dot)
• Lies of P (Neowitz)
• Lunark (Canari Games)
• Marble It Up! Ultra (Marble It Up)
• Metaball (Bucketplay)

• Metal Mind (Whirllaxy Studio)
• Overpass: Rhythm Roadtrip (Studio Bean)
• Pixel Cafe (Baltoro Games)

• Pocket Bravery (Statera Studio)
• PolyFury (Wayfarer Games)
• Punch Club 2: Fast Forward (Lazy Bear Games)
• Raging Bytes (Hit-Point)
• Rain World (Videocult)

• Sea of Stars (Sabotage Studio)
• Sker Ritual (Wales Interactive)
• Slave Zero X (Poppy Works)
• Space Boat (Recombobulator Games)
• Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde (Creature Cauldron)

• Spirit of the Island (1 Million Bits Horde)
• Stonks-9800: Stock Market Simulator (Ternox)
• The Isle Tide Hotel (Wales Interactive/Interflix Media)
• The Night of the Rabbit (Daedalic Entertainment)
• The Wandering Village (Stray Fawn Studio)
• Trinity Fusion (Angry Mob Games)

• Worldless (Noname)
• WrestleQuest (Mega Cat Studios)

Head over to your Xbox and start enjoying these incredible game demos on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S! And yes, we’d love to hear what you think. Connect with us on Twitter,  Instagram,  Discord, Twitch, and YouTube. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned and of course, have an amazing fun summer of gaming!

Related:
Naraka: Bladepoint – Here’s What Game Pass Owners Get When the Game Goes Free-to-Play
Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized: Ravenlok
Gylt is a Delicate Horror Game for All

People. Technology. Under threat. From dinosaurs. Exoprimal’s launch is nearly here. On behalf of Aibius World News and Aibius PR, we’d like to share details about the game’s launch this Friday and juicy new updates on what to expect in the weeks beyond!  Sink your teeth into details about new Alpha variant Exosuits that change how each suit plays, start planning your strategies for the intense Savage Gauntlet PvE mode, and learn about new options to switch between a PvP or PvE-focused experience in Dino Survival. Plus, monstrous crossover content is coming to the game in a future update!

Set in a near-future world, vortexes can open at any time in any place and dump hundreds or even thousands of dinosaurs out. Thanks to breakthroughs from Aibius Corporation, humanity has been able to fight back using the power of Exosuits, powered armor that can withstand these blasts from the past. In the game’s main mode, Dino Survival, you’ll be thrust into a never-ending war game run by the next-generation artificial intelligence, Leviathan, who will put squads to the test with ever-evolving missions in a race against an opposing team. At its core, Exoprimal is all about working together with your five-person squad to suit up, adapt, and survive against both dinosaurs and, on occasion, other Exofighters.

With that in mind, at launch, the game will include a feature that was added thanks to player feedback. The Final Mission Selection feature gives players three options to choose from when it comes to matchmaking in Dino Survival: PvP, PvE, and Random. The PvP setting will be what players who participated in or watched our previous Open Beta Tests are already familiar with. Leviathan hands down missions for squads of five players to complete. The end of the match puts squads in direct competition with each other to see which team will survive, and which team will be flagged for… mortal sunset.

Newly added is the PvE setting, which typically does not involve direct PvP elements. Instead, victory is decided based on which team can complete Leviathan’s objectives the fastest. In addition, Aibius encourages Exofighters who are interested in mixing it up to select Random, which will place them in either a PvP or PvE match while awarding an experience point bonus. You can change this setting at any time before starting matchmaking for a Dino Survival match, so select whatever suits your mood!

Exoprimal will also receive seasonal content updates that introduce new features, new Exosuit variants, and new crossovers! Things kick off with Season 1 at launch on July 14, followed by a new game mode called Savage Gauntlet on July 28. This purely PvE mode will put squads to the test with challenging late-game missions that rotate out weekly. This mode is for experienced players who are familiar with what the game has to offer and who have spent some time kitting out their Exosuits with various enhancements called “modules”. Since we’re on the topic, modules give you both active and passive abilities and stat boosts based on what you equip, allowing you to customize and change how a suit plays to suit your playstyle and needs. Some modules are universal, allowing you to use them across multiple Exosuits, too! Is there anything Aibius technology can’t do?

Each Savage Gauntlet mission can be played multiple times, so get your squad together, take your Exosuit to the next level with modules, and go for the best time possible! Outstanding Exofighters may even be rewarded for their efforts.

Next up is what we teased up top. On August 17, Exoprimal will see its first major title update! This update introduces 10 Alpha Variant Exosuits that change up how each suit plays, complete with alternate designs and weapons compared to their base models. The best part? They’ll all be available at once, adding a whole new dimension to gameplay.

After that we’ll have Season 2, which kicks off in mid-October and brings the next Title Update along with it. World Warriors and time travelers collide with the Street Fighter 6 collaboration we announced a few weeks back, and you’ll also see a new map, a new Final Mission, and additional rigs (weapons and abilities that you can change out at-will during a match) and modules that will authorize even further customization of your Exosuits.

In January 2024, Season 3 will include a monstrous content drop, too. Aibius is pleased to share that additional Beta variants for Exosuits be added while also introducing the Neo Triceratops… and a collaboration with the Monster Hunter series! We’ll have more information on that down the line, but for now, get ready to lock, load, and explode some dinosaur hordes when Exoprimal launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, and Windows on July 14. We’ll see you in the war games — it’ll be massively fun!

Exoprimal

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Contains the following content:

– Shark’s Mouth (Gray) exosuit skin for Deadeye
– Stone Golem exosuit skin for Roadblock
– Bush Camo exosuit skin for Witchdoctor

Note: Skins are cosmetic items that change the appearance of an exosuit and have no other effect.
This special bonus is only available for those who pre-order the standard edition of Exoprimal or the Exoprimal Deluxe Edition.
This special bonus may be made available for purchase at a later date.
Visit the official website for more details.

Exoprimal is an online, team-based action game that pits humanity’s cutting-edge exosuit technology against history’s most ferocious beasts – dinosaurs.​​

Exosuits are grouped into different roles, and players will pilot these exosuits to hold firm against overwhelming dinosaur swarms in online-only, team-based action game modes.
Dino Survival, the main game mode, sees two teams of five players compete in a variety of PvE and PvP missions.
Players will be transported to the scene of the latest dinosaur outbreak and follow Leviathan’s guidance to complete objectives. The team that completes the mission first will emerge victorious.
Whether players are engaging the other team directly, or fighting alongside them against a common enemy, the aim is to accomplish objectives as quickly as possible. Missions vary depending on player skill and other factors, meaning no two matches will unfold the same way.

Online Play
* A Capcom ID and internet connection is required to play this game.
* For information on the services related to Capcom ID and how to use it, please visit the official Capcom ID website cid.capcom.com. Please note that there may be cases wherein use of Capcom ID is age-restricted.
* Capcom may temporarily suspend online services in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Exoprimal Deluxe Edition

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Contains the following content:

– Shark’s Mouth (Gray) exosuit skin for Deadeye
– Stone Golem exosuit skin for Roadblock
– Bush Camo exosuit skin for Witchdoctor

Note: Skins are cosmetic items that change the appearance of an exosuit and have no other effect.
This special bonus is only available for those who pre-order the standard edition of Exoprimal or the Exoprimal Deluxe Edition.
This special bonus may be made available for purchase at a later date.
Visit the official website for more details.

Exoprimal is an online, team-based action game that pits humanity’s cutting-edge exosuit technology against history’s most ferocious beasts – dinosaurs.​​

Exosuits are grouped into different roles, and players will pilot these exosuits to hold firm against overwhelming dinosaur swarms in online-only, team-based action game modes.
Dino Survival, the main game mode, sees two teams of five players compete in a variety of PvE and PvP missions.
Players will be transported to the scene of the latest dinosaur outbreak and follow Leviathan’s guidance to complete objectives. The team that completes the mission first will emerge victorious.
Whether players are engaging the other team directly, or fighting alongside them against a common enemy, the aim is to accomplish objectives as quickly as possible. Missions vary depending on player skill and other factors, meaning no two matches will unfold the same way.

Product Information
– Exoprimal
– Head Start Kit **
– Vigilant Early Unlock Ticket
– Murasame Early Unlock Ticket
– Nimbus Early Unlock Ticket
– Paladin exosuit skin (Vigilant)
– White Guardian exosuit skin (Murasame)
– Wonderland exosuit skin (Nimbus)

Limited Time Bonus
– Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier **

** Note: This DLC is only playable on the Microsoft account that purchases it. Even if you are the organizer of a family group, family member accounts will not receive it.

Note: Early Unlock Tickets can be purchased even if you have already unlocked the corresponding exosuit, or if you already satisfy its unlock conditions. Be careful not to purchase an Early Unlock Ticket for an exosuit you have unlocked.
Skins are cosmetic items that change the appearance of an exosuit and have no other effect.
Survival Pass rewards will change from season to season. Rewards cannot be obtained after a season has concluded.
Each season’s Premium Tier may be made available for purchase again at a later date.
The limited special bonus may be obtained by pre-ordering the Exoprimal Deluxe Edition or purchasing Exoprimal during season 1.
The Head Start Kit and the Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier may be purchased separately. Be careful not to purchase these products if you already own them.
Visit the official website for more details about the Head Start Kit and the Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier.

Online Play
* A Capcom ID and internet connection is required to play this game.
* For information on the services related to Capcom ID and how to use it, please visit the official Capcom ID website cid.capcom.com. Please note that there may be cases wherein use of Capcom ID is age-restricted.
* Capcom may temporarily suspend online services in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Related:
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 10 to 14
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Exoprimal, Grand Theft Auto V, Techtonica, and More
This Week’s Deals with Gold and Spotlight Sale

Our journey on Xbox started back in August of last year, with our first milestone of Naraka: Bladepoint hitting one million players on Game Pass in its first month on the service. It’s been an incredible pleasure for our team to witness and we can’t thank the Xbox player community enough!

To keep the action flowing, we recently announced that the game is going will be free-to-play on Xbox starting from July 13. All Game Pass members will get free conversion from the current Standard Edition to the new Deluxe Edition, along with in-game rewards. Here is everything that Game Pass members will be able to claim for free when Naraka: Bladepoint goes free-to-play.

• Two legendary weapon skins: Dual Blades Lacerator and White Viper Spear. These two amazing skins will help players on their early cosmetic journey in Naraka.
• 300 Hero Coins: Players can use hero coins in-game to redeem any desired hero.
• 10 Immortal Treasures: The treasures contain numerous types of cosmetics. There’s a chance to get the rarest “Extreme” level skins!

For more detailed differences between Free players and Deluxe players, please check the FAQ on www.narakathegame.com.

More Rewards!

Veteran rewards will be available to players who previously purchased the game or obtained the game through Game Pass. They will receive in-game gold equivalent to what the edition they currently possess and more. Various anniversary in-game events and rewards will also be unveiled in more detail very soon.

Other Cool Stuff!

• New weapon: Players will have gain access to a Dual Halberds weapon, which combines a spear and a dagger into one. It can stab straight and also strike horizontally with the ability to lock other weapons.
• New mode: Select the new mode “Capture the Spirit Well” to enter a 12v12 gang wars battle that allows players to capture locations to earn points. There is also a Justice Chamber update to guild mode, offering a much more feature-rich update to the current guild system.
• New hero: Meet Tessa – she is a 1000-year-old fox demon, who can charm her enemies and capture their souls.
• 3D Lobby: Players can grapple around and explore while queuing.
• New season skin theme: Classic of Mountains and Seas and the god of four seasons.
• Collaboration with Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (based on a famous Chinese painting).

We are very thrilled that players have enjoyed their time with Naraka: Bladepoint, and while we are on the cusp of celebrating its second anniversary, we are excited to assure players that the team is hard at work to create new seasonal content and constantly provide updates to the game to make it the most unique and special melee battle royale title out there. Make sure to keep an eye out for information about these upcoming features!

NARAKA: BLADEPOINT – Deluxe Edition

NetEase

☆☆☆☆☆
1077

★★★★★

$34.99

$27.99

Get it now

Season of Xbox is here! Over the holiday season there will be plenty of festive fighting fun. NARAKA: BLADEPOINT will host a series of winter events starting with the Snowy Ruins Challenge, offering exclusive rewards for those who find the hidden maze location and vanquish the Snow Lord. Until January 6, you will also find Gingerbread scattered throughout the battlefield which can be exchanged for legendary prizes. Finally, to ring in the new year, there will be special login rewards up for grabs.

Deluxe Edition includes:
-Base Game
-Hero: Yoto Hime
-Limited-edition Dual Blades Skin: Lacerator
-Exclusive Spear Skin [White Viper]
-Immortal Treasure*10
*You will receive your Immortal Treasure*10 2 hours after you start the game.
*Exclusive items can not be purchased in-game.

NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is a 60-player PVP mythical action combat experience with martial arts inspired melee combat, gravity defying mobility, vast arsenals of melee & ranged weapons, legendary customizable heroes with epic abilities.

BATTLE REIMAGINED
A first of its kind melee focused, movement based, mythical multiplayer action combat experience.

AGILE SWORDPLAY
Poetically violent melee combat where Katanas and Greatswords, Bows and Muskets, hero skills and ultimates clash in brutal player battles.

TRAVEL BEYOND LIMITS
Move lightning fast using your grappling hook whether traversing the highest mountain or launching onto an unsuspecting opponent.

UNTOLD POWER
Customize and master a growing roster of legendary heroes, each imbues with their own skills, ultimates, and deadly playstyles.

KINGDOM IN RUINS
Explore the mysterious and breathtaking battlefield of war-torn Morus with a striking aesthetic inspired by Far Eastern legends and history.

ADAPT OR DIE
Elevate your playstyle in a constantly evolving multiplayer battlefield featuring 1v1 Duels, Arena Brawls, all the way up to 60-player battles with unique Sky.

This game contains optional in-game purchases for virtual items, including a random selection of virtual in-game cosmetics.
See drop rate here: www.narakathegame.com/droprate/

Related:
Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized: Ravenlok
Crack Open Hi-Fi Rush’s Newest Update with Tips from the Game Director
It’s A Jungle Out There! Discover The Exciting New Update Coming to Stranded: Alien Dawn 

One of the biggest benefits of all that power in the hardware is giving developers the ability to make games that are Xbox Series X|S Optimized. This means that they’ve taken full advantage of the unique capabilities of Xbox Series X|S, both for new titles built natively using the Xbox Series X|S development environment as well as previously released titles that have been rebuilt specifically for the console.

In our Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized series, these creators will share the behind-the-scenes accounts of how they’re optimizing their titles for Xbox Series X|S and what that means for the future of gaming. Today, we’ll be chatting with Martin Gauvreau, Lead Programmer and Director at Cococucumber about optimizing Ravenlok for Xbox Series X|S.

Q: What excites you most about developing and bringing Ravenlok to life on this generation of hardware?

A: One of the most exciting things for us was to bring to life the magical world of Ravenlok at 4K resolution and 60fps on the Xbox Series X and at 1440p resolution and 60fps on Xbox Series S. This allows our signature voxel art style to look sharp, and players are treated to visuals with much higher levels of detail and immersion than on previous gen hardware. At 60fps, Ravenlok runs very smoothly so the overall experience is not only visually stunning, but also responsive during real-time combat.

Q: In addition to benefiting from the power and performance of Xbox Series X|S for quicker load times etc. what Xbox Series X|S features were you most excited to explore leveraging in the development of Ravenlok?

A: Since Ravenlok is set in a stylized fairy tale world, our goal was to fully immerse the player in the stunning environments, charming characters, and heartfelt story. We were excited about being able to push our levels beyond our previous capabilities with the new power and performance while staying above the target frame rate and load times. As the structure of Ravenlok is designed to be a series of levels that connect to each other, we leveraged the SSD technology in the Xbox Series X|S to create seamless transitions between levels. We know that no one likes loading times, so we are glad to provide players a more continuous and immersive experience.

Q: How will these enhancements impact a player’s experience with Ravenlok?

A: Players love it! For Ravenlok, we are careful to hit certain benchmarks for the frame rate on the current gen, Xbox Series X|S, as well as previous gen consoles like Xbox One X, Xbox One S and Xbox One. On the Xbox Series X, players are plunged into the vibrant and detailed environments in full 4K resolution. On both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the gameplay feels smooth at 60fps and with virtually no load times between levels, they can fully experience the fantastical world and enjoy the game at its highest visual quality.

Q: What’s it like to have over half a million people playing Ravenlok? 

A: It’s a dream come true for us to have so many people playing Ravenlok on Game Pass. With over 500,000 players in six weeks, this is an incredible milestone and we’re grateful to all Ravenlok players and fans on Xbox. Thank you for playing Ravenlok, we hope that you enjoy your adventure!

Q: Why did your team choose to focus on higher resolution and frame rates as enhancement areas for Ravenlok?

A: Even though Ravenlok has a very nostalgic feel with its fairytale setting and voxel art style, we wanted to make sure that it is also balanced with a modern gameplay experience and fast, responsive combat. With 4K resolution, players can see all the details that we have crafted into the environment and the high frame rate makes it a joy to play. Epic boss fights are a huge part of the combat experience in Ravenlok, and being able to defeat a towering boss at smooth 60fps feels extremely satisfying.

Q: How do you expect fans of Ravenlok will respond to playing it on Xbox Series X|S with these enhancements? A: A lot of what we do on the tech and optimization side is often invisible — when it works, and works well, the player should not notice it at all. We hope that fans will be fully immersed in the world of Ravenlok, following their curiosity to explore all the corners of the world and going on an incredible adventure. This has always been our goal for Ravenlok and we hope that the enhancements like higher resolution and frame rates on the Xbox Series X|S serves this well.

Q: What is it like developing on Xbox Series X|S?           

A: The tech and features in the Xbox Series X|S open up a lot of possibilities during game development, but they also demand that we rethink some of our previous approaches to make full use of the console’s capabilities. We are always learning and trying new ideas, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see our vision for Ravenlok come to life in ways that weren’t possible before.

Since Ravenlok is the final title in our Voxel Trilogy [also including Echo Generation and Riverbond], we have improved our pipeline to work with the Xbox Series X|S. This has saved us considerable time during production and QA, allowing us to focus on making the game better instead of fighting with technical limitations.

Q: What does Smart Delivery mean for your game and how you’re bringing Ravenlok to fans?

A: Since Ravenlok supports all generations of consoles from Xbox One to Xbox Series X, we can really leverage Smart Delivery to deliver the best available version of the game to the player. If a player started Ravenlok on the Xbox One and later decides to switch to playing on the Xbox Series X, they can continue playing without having to buy any additional copies of the game, while keeping their save game and achievements. We love that fans can have this experience and not be limited in getting hands on with the best version of Ravenlok.

Q: What does Xbox Series X|S development enable in current or future projects that you could not have achieved with the previous generation of consoles?

A: As game developers, we are continually pushing the boundaries of what we are capable of in terms of performance and features, but also through our creativity. With the Xbox Series X|S, we can create larger, more detailed and dynamic game worlds, implement more advanced AI, and deliver smoother gameplay with higher frame rates to fulfill the vision that we have for our game. Looking into the future, we are excited for the trajectory and to continue to innovate and bring even more immersive, creative, and fun games to our fans!

Ravenlok

Cococucumber

☆☆☆☆☆
257

★★★★★

$24.99

$22.49

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Embark on an enchanting journey in Ravenlok, an action-packed fairytale adventure about a young heroine destined to fulfill a perilous prophecy.

Upon encountering a mystical mirror, Ravenlok is whisked away to a whimsical world plagued by the sinister darkness of a tyrannical queen. Destiny awaits all in an unforgettable and heartfelt adventure.

THRILLING ACTION ADVENTURE
Battles against fearsome beasts and formidable monsters using real-time combat. Wield your sword and shield, and use the magical skills bestowed to you, along with an arsenal of bombs, to vanquish foes in epic boss encounters!

ENCHANTED WORLD
Meet curious creatures and help them with their troubles to fight back against the encroaching darkness. Discover the whimsical Mushroom Forest, tackle puzzles in the Mask Mansion and unravel the mysteries of the Labyrinth in a wonderful world turned upside down!

GRAND FINALE
By the creators of critically-acclaimed adventure “Echo Generation”, this enchanting fairytale marks the grand finale of the Cococucumber Voxel Trilogy. Immerse in a delightful and captivating indie game filled with heart.

Related:
Gylt is a Delicate Horror Game for All
ID@Xbox Demo Fest Is Back from July 11
Crack Open Hi-Fi Rush’s Newest Update with Tips from the Game Director