Category: Xbox

World of Warcraft: The War Within Is Coming – Why Now Is the Time to Play for the First Time

World of Warcraft: The War Within Is Coming – Why Now Is the Time to Play for the First Time

World of Warcraft’s The War Within expansion got a release date during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 – coming to PC via Battle.net on August 26, this expansion will be the first part of a trilogy of expansions known as The Worldsoul Saga, diving deep into the mythology of World of Warcraft.

To celebrate, Official Xbox Podcast host Malik Prince teamed up with World of Warcraft community manager and WoWCast host Bethany Stout to interview World of Warcraft Executive Producer Holly Longdale and Game Director Ion Hazzikostas, finding out more about this expansion, and why now is a perfect moment to jump into the game for the very first time. You can watch the entire interview below, or read on for all the key details.

Of course, it’s something new to see World of Warcraft on an Xbox podcast. “We’re just super excited to be part of Xbox now, coming from Blizzard,” said Longdale. “And we’re representing a PC game, World of Warcraft, so we’re super excited to be here, and we want to share with all the Xbox fans that we’re here to stay. We’ve been around for 20 [years] – we’re not your dad’s game, we’re not your mom’s game – and we’re going to be around for 20 more at least. We want to invite everybody into this incredible experience.”

Part of that invitation comes with the game’s free trial, allowing you to explore the world and level up all the way to level 20. But there’s a new option to do so with the Welcome to Azeroth bundle. Including everything players need to begin their adventure in Azeroth, this offers the current expansion, Dragonflight, a level 60 character boost, and 60 days of game time for $24.99 USD.

That bundle has been carefully-chosen to help you get ready for the upcoming expansion: “We’ve really done a lot over the last 20 years to ensure that 20 years of content is not 20 years of obstacles that you have to overcome to get to the latest, coolest thing,” said Hazzikostas. “When War Within comes out, Dragonflight, the current expansion, will be what you play through to level up and jump right into War Within. That will give you the power, give you an understanding of the mechanics, you’ll have a dragon companion that you’ll earn very early on […] and it’s also going to prepare you story-wise for what The War Within is going to bring.”

It all makes The War Within a great marker for when to start playing WoW – as the beginning of a brand-new, three-expansion saga, this is a new story that even seasoned veterans will be discovering for the first time. And that story is already being told ahead of the expansion’s August 26 launch:

“In the lead-up to War Within, there’s already stuff going on in World of Warcraft at this very minute,” said Hazzikostas. “Xal’atath – the villain that you saw at the end of that [Xbox Games Showcase] cinematic – has emerged into the world, and her tendrils are branching throughout Azeroth, weaving dark plans that are going to threaten us. It’s exciting to have that build-up to that launch moment.”

When it does kick off, The War Within will introduce brand new zones to explore: leading players under the surface of Azeroth into Dwarven caverns, taking them to the beautiful Hallowfall Canyon (with airship travel to get around), and into Azj-Kahet, the home of one of World of Warcraft’s most powerful civilizations, the Nerubian Empire. Incidentally, Nerubians are an intelligent race of arachnids  – and The War Within will offer an arachnophobia option to replace their models with (friendlier-looking) crabs.

We’ll also get a new feature called Warbands, which will allow players to switch between multiple characters without having to replay swathes of the expansion. Delves will offer a new dungeon experience, allowing for smaller, shorter dungeon crawls, even for solo players. For bigger dungeons, which often require you to play with others, The War Within will offer AI characters for those who can’t play with a party.

The War Within is doubly special for Blizzard, as it marks the 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft, and it’s an opportunity to look at how different kinds of players approach the game, and build something for all of them: “This is a huge year for World of Warcraft in general,” said Hazzikostas. “It’s really humbling to reflect upon my own relationship with the game, but really just to look back at the journey that we’ve taken as a development team with our community. We’re a game that has grown and evolved as our community has.

“I think not everyone has that time to spare these days – we’re all busy, we all have a lot of responsibilities, but we want to maintain a relationship, or build a new one, with this world that’s been special for so many people. [It’s] evolved over the years to keep that depth for those who want to seek it, but [we’re] making sure that there’s a wide range of levels of commitment and relationship you can have with the game and still have an epic, fulfilling experience.”

“What you saw [in the Xbox Games Showcase] cinematic was a celebration of the past 20 years, and the journey of our story over the past 20 years,” said Longdale. If you want to join in those celebrations – whether you’re a committed player, someone looking to return, or a total newcomer – now’s the time.

The post World of Warcraft: The War Within Is Coming – Why Now Is the Time to Play for the First Time appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Palworld Update Preview Available on Xbox Insider Program – Try Out Dedicated Servers Today!

The Xbox Insider Program is excited to announce that—starting today—the Palworld Update Preview is available for all Xbox Insiders. Joining the Palworld Update Preview will give Xbox Insiders early access to new features and game updates. This version of Palworld is fully compatible with existing saves, so everyone can continue exploring Palpagos with your already collected (and leveled!) Pals!

New content in Palworld Update Preview!

Pocketpair has been hard at work and are now ready to deliver the much-requested dedicated server feature to all Palworld Update Preview participants on both Xbox and Windows. Players can now connect to both Official and Community Dedicated Servers. Create your own server, invite your friends, and adventure across Palpagos in your very own private Palworld instance. The Pocketpair team is very excited to bring this feature to the Xbox ecosystem, and they can’t wait for Xbox Insiders to try it out, along with gathering feedback.

Sounds cool, but what’s Palworld?

Great question! Palworld is an open-world, survival, and crafting game by the wonderful folks over at Pocketpair. In Palworld, you will collect and work alongside mysterious creatures known as “Pals” to explore the Palpagos Islands. Build a base of operations, farm for rare resources and materials, and battle other Pal tamers with over 100 unique Pals that can join your adventures. You can even bring your friends along too as Palworld supports multiplayer for the ultimate Palworld experience.

Awesome! How do I join?

NOTE: To participate in the Palworld Update Preview, you will need to either own Palworld OR have access to the title via an active Game Pass subscription.

  1. Open (or, install if necessary) the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S or Windows PC.
  2. Navigate to Previews > Palword Update Preview.
  3. Select Join.
  4. Wait for registration to complete, and you should be directed to the correct Store Page to install the preview.

NOTE: If you already have Palworld installed, please restart your console or PC after the registration has completed to ensure you get prompted to update to the Palworld Update Preview version.

NOTE: If you wish to revert to the publicly available version of Palworld, you will need to leave the Palworld Update Preview via the Xbox Insider Hub. This will prompt an update reversion to occur.

I’d like one dedicated server please!

If you’re looking to set up a dedicated server, please refer to this documentation provided by Pocketpair.

NOTE: Launching the dedicated server software might require updating to the latest DirectX and/or C++ Runtimes dependent upon user’s machine.

Something isn’t working. I need help!

If you experience any issues while playing Palworld Update Preview, please use “Report a problem” so we can investigate. (Note: This is only for Xbox consoles.)

  1. Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
  2. Select Report a problem.
  3. Select the Games category and the Palworld Update Preview subcategory.
  4. Fill out the form, in detail, and select Submit.

Want to stay up to date?

Palworld on X/Twitter || Discord

Xbox Insider on X/Twitter || Reddit

The post Palworld Update Preview Available on Xbox Insider Program – Try Out Dedicated Servers Today! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Age of Mythology: Retold – Explore New Gameplay, Graphics and God Powers With the Official Xbox Podcast

Age of Mythology: Retold – Explore New Gameplay, Graphics and God Powers With the Official Xbox Podcast

Last weekend, Age of Mythology: Retold made an appearance at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, revealing in-game footage for the very first time, as well as a launch date of September 4, 2024. As part of the Official Xbox Podcast’s deep-dive series, hosts Malik Prince and Jenn Panattoni sat down with Emma Bridle and Earnest Yuen from World’s Edge to share some insight into this exciting, modern reimaging of the 2002 strategy classic. 

Watch the full podcast below – the Age of Mythology: Retold section begins at 25:40:

For those unfamiliar, Age of Mythology: Retold is a faithful retelling of the original title, a real-time strategy game where humans live and fight alongside monsters and gods. “It’s a fantastical, magical, chaotic world that you get to control,” says Bridle. 

During the trailer, we got a first look at one of the campaign missions, set in the Egyptian Pantheon (the name for the playable factions). Playing as Amanra, your primary goal is to destroy the Migdol Stronghold, and to do that, you’ll need to amass an army. Here, we see Amanra collecting units from temples scattered around the surroundings, but they’re not your typical sword and bow wielding soldiers. We see units of monsters that are directly inspired by Egyptian mythology – Petsuchos (or ‘laser crocs as Bridle jovially refers to them), large, bejeweled crocodiles that fire devastating long-range beams of sunlight at their enemies, as well as what Yuen calls “Kaiju Scarabs,” dealing close-range damage to structures.  

Theoretically, you’d expect a humongous crocodile with a radiant sniper to outwit any little human charging at it with a sword, but Age of Mythology is finely balanced to ensure humans, monsters and gods all share an equal shot at victory. According to Yuen, there’s a triangle of ability – the mythological units are often very good against human units, but then you have the Hero units, which are especially good against mythological enemies. 

“As a player, it really makes you think about where to place your units as you move through the levels,” Yuen adds. 

The backdrop of this action is also draped in gorgeous environmental design that matches the setting. Bridle explains that each Pantheon (the name given to playable factions) has its own distinct biome and architecture – golden sands and light, angular buildings grace the Egyptian campaign, while a blanket of snow settles on the mountains and thatched huts of the Norse setting. This is a game that weaves in elements of magic, but everything looks and feels authentic to the period your Pantheon is playing in.

Bridle adds that all of the original game’s art has been completely remade, in line with creating this modern, fantastic looking recreation of the original title. During the podcast, this was showcased with images and animations comparing 2002’s Age of Mythology to the upcoming Retold. A screenshot from one of the campaign missions comes to life in incredible detail, and Bridle adds that “the whole world has been redone.” This included seeing original models for two Heroes, Arkantos and Athena, both now super-refined and realistic, and the Atlantean Titan, now with blazing lava veins woven between scorching rock – quite literally a “glow-up” for the creature, Bridle adds. 

“When we compare these units, they’re showing more definition, you can see the particle effects, they’re really coming to life more,” Bridle says.  

One core goal for Age of Mythology: Retold is that it’s going beyond the already impressive blueprint set by the recent ‘Definitive Edition’ Age of Empires titles. “The goal for the Definitive Editions is to build the awesome game that people remember in your head, but not necessarily how it really was,” Yuen explains.  

“With Age of Mythology: Retold, we’re going beyond that to add new features and mechanics to the game. It’s not just about preservation, we also now have the technology to do this concept the justice it deserves.” 

Yuen details one new feature coming to the game, which is that God Powers are now rechargeable, meaning that they can be used multiple times during a game. In the original Age of Mythology, most of the God Powers could only be used once, but Yuen shares insight on why that might not have been the optimal approach for Retold. 

“Because you could only use that God Power once, people would try to save it for the right moment, but what actually ends up happening is that the match would end before they get to use it,” Yuen explains. “God Powers are the coolest thing you can do in the game, so we’re making it so they can be used multiple times, and you can think about how to do it strategically.” 

Even better, Age of Mythology: Retold includes an additional age at the end of the game – the Wonder age. Here, God Powers are cheaper to use, so the option to use them even more is available during this in-game period. “It’s just chaos,” Bridle adds. “You can just unleash everything you’ve got, and it’s so much fun.” 

The pair delved into loads more topics in the podcast, including where to get started in Retold as a brand-new player, and how Age of Mythology and Age of Empires’ long-running fanbases have been instrumental to the development of new entries. Be sure to check it out! 

Age of Mythology: Retold launches on September 4, and is available day one across PC, Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass.  

The post Age of Mythology: Retold – Explore New Gameplay, Graphics and God Powers With the Official Xbox Podcast appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Mecha Break Coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2025, Apply for the Closed Beta Today

Mecha Break Coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2025, Apply for the Closed Beta Today

  • Brett Buren, ÜberStrategist PR, Amazing Seasun Games

Mecha Break Hero Image

Summary

  • Mecha Break will be available in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, with a closed beta test coming only to Xbox Series X in August 2024.
  • The game features three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP (unavailable for the upcoming beta).
  • Experience an arsenal of unique mechs with diverse playstyles and customization; play how you want and master your mech’s abilities.

Oozing with high-tech style and full of fast-paced battles, Mecha Break is multiplayer mech-based shooter that puts you in the pilot seat of your very own towering mech as you dive into a clash of steel and plasma unlike any other. Now, after two successful closed beta tests on PC, developer Amazing Seasun Games is proud to announce that Mecha Break’s next closed beta test will be coming to Xbox Series X in August 2024!

While the impressive mechs and break-neck speed of Mecha Break’s combat is the flashy initial draw, the room for personal expression through cosmetic customization and diverse combat tactics will let you build an attachment to your favorite mech. The full release game will feature three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP.

Mecha Break features customizable mechs, player-created mech pilots, a wide array of mech and weapon types, and three distinct game modes where you can discover an array of attacker, brawler, defender, sniper, and support mechs each with unique playstyles and toolsets.

For the upcoming closed beta test in August on Xbox Series X, the highlighted game modes will be the 3v3 Arena mode and 6v6 Battlefield mode. Here you’ll work together with your team and engage in intense aerial and ground combat as you fight for the objective. Employ strategic tactics for close and long-range encounters, unleash devastating firepower, cleave mechs in half with giant melee weapons, and rain missiles upon the battlefield as you and your team fight to win.

Strategic planning is key in Mecha Break, so effective communication with teammates will be essential to lead them to victory. Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightning-fast maneuvers, and explosive firepower. Experience the colossal power and thrilling movement of your towering mech. Mecha Break’s closed beta test on Xbox Series X will begin in August 2024. Stay up to date on all Mecha Break news on Discord, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).


Mecha BREAK
Xbox Live

Mecha BREAK

Amazing Seasun

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Mecha BREAK is a multiplayer mech game that allows players to choose from diverse mechs, customize appearances, and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain. Get ready for the ultimate showdown—blitz, brawl, blaze!

The post Mecha Break Coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2025, Apply for the Closed Beta Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Reignites an Iconic Classic  

Summary

  • Learn about new controls and mechanics  
  • Improved audio and visuals elevate gameplay 
  • Familiar characters and plotlines remain pristine 
  • Check out our interview with the developers on the Official Xbox Podcast 

No two players will have the same experience when they step into the combat boots of Snake in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater. 

From the moment players make their first HALO jump behind enemy lines, some will come out of firefights and close encounters with wildlife with barely a scratch. Meanwhile, other players will see Snake covered in knife slashes, bullet wounds, and burns by the time the end credits roll. These visual battle scars are thanks to our new damage system, and are just one part of the visual and audio improvements that have been brought to life in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater. 

To find out more, check out our interview with the developers on the Official Xbox Podcast: 

Ultimate reality and immersion were two major goals our development team sought out to achieve. Naked Snake, our enduring protagonist, can be seen drenched in mud as players dive into cover to avoid enemy detection. Rain pitter-patters on the lush foliage as thunder clouds roll in from a distance. A snake slithering nearby provides a potential snack for the player. The thick vegetation of the jungles, forests, and swamps have been completely remade with cutting edge-detail in Unreal Engine 5 while retaining the original landscape. 

To allow you to take in the new visual changes, we’ve also introduced a new third-person camera and control system. Aiming down sights and swapping between third person and first person while zeroing down an enemy will come across more naturally. Coupled with clever ways of hiding, players can engage enemy guards, either through lethal means or creative non-lethal ways – the choice is yours. These intuitive controls help ease newcomers starting their Metal Gear journey in this riveting origin story. For players looking for a more classic feel, Legacy Style offers the original camera and gameplay options at any time.  

A keystone throughout the production of Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater has always been to keep the original feel of the game intact. This means including the over-head camera and controls veterans of the franchise will remember. You can easily swap between both control systems throughout the gaming session. No matter what control and camera style you choose to play with, both will deliver that classic stealth espionage action. 

The Metal Gear Solid series has always had a roster of colorful characters with deep storylines that fans have come to cherish, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is no different. We’ve kept the original voice lines in the game, so the scruffy voice of David Hayter as Snake will greet players to the iconic universe of Metal Gear Solid once again. 

Every cutscene is enriched with dynamic lighting, detailed facial animation and improved sound design. Yet they remain completely faithful, shot for shot. Even for long time fans, watching these updated scenes is like experiencing them for the first time. Original voiceover actors were brought back to the recording booth to help update in-game button prompts to keep up with the latest gaming hardware. 

Since its release, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater has defined itself as one of the most influential and impactful video games of all time. With an unbelievably detailed update to this classic, both newcomers and longtime players alike can experience this masterpiece like never before. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is the definitive, once-in-a-generation remake you do not want to miss. 

The post How Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Reignites an Iconic Classic   appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Arrives on July 18 – Learn More About the (Literally) Explosive Souls-lite

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Arrives on July 18 – Learn More About the (Literally) Explosive Souls-lite

  • Simon Dasan, Creative Director, A44 Games

Hi, I’m Simon Dasan, Creative Director at A44. For those of you who don’t know us, we’re an indie studio from New Zealand and released our first game, Ashen, back in 2018. I’m excited to say we’ve announced the release date for our upcoming explosive souls-lite adventure, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. Mark your calendars, because your journey begins on July 18, 2024! Flintlock is coming to Xbox Series X|S with pre-orders available now and will also be available at launch for anyone with Game Pass. 

Flintlock is a thrilling action-RPG that takes the knowledge and experience we gained from Ashen and elevates it. While it retains elements of the Souls genre, it infuses it with rapid mobility, creating a rhythmic combat dance reminiscent of more action-oriented gameplay styles. You can weave in flintlock weapons, axe combat and magic to chain combos together, while using jumps and dodge abilities to quickly get to safety or rain attacks down on your enemies from above. It’s a style we like to call Souls-lite!  

The story of Flintlock is set in the world of Kian, 10 years after the Door to the Great Below was opened, unleashing the gods and their armies of the dead. The lands of Kian are overrun, and the Coalition Army is tied up in an increasingly hopeless siege outside the city of Dawn’s walls. And just as the army sends in its elite sapper troops to try and turn the tide of war by breaching the walls, it seems that they meddled where they shouldn’t have.  

By breaching the walls, Nor Vanek, a Flintlock weapons expert, and her comrades have also freed Uru, the Guardian of the Door, and nothing can now prevent the gods and the dead from ravaging the surrounding regions. Only by teaming up with a fox-like creature – now revealed to also be a God called Enki – can Nor hope to find both vengeance and redemption by venturing on a quest to kill all Gods. The enemy of my enemy… 

While Flintlock provides enhanced mobility to combat, it will nonetheless demand quite a bit of training before you can master its combat. But if you desire a greater test of skill, the game enables you to challenge yourself on the demanding Possessed difficulty mode, with more aggressive and powerful enemies. Perfect for the true challenge-seekers… Or a second run? 

We can’t wait for you to get your hands on Flintlock when it’s released in July. We’re grateful for the support of all the Flintlock fans, and are excited to see all of you take on the cruel Gods to rid Kian of their domination.

For those eager to further customize Nor, a Deluxe Edition is also available to pre-order, which includes three alternative outfits for Nor – the Noble, Vanguard & Champion outfits – as well as a new customization set for your axe & pistol. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launches on Xbox Series X|S July 18.


Flintlock – Deluxe Edition
Xbox Live

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 independent 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 Arrives on July 18 – Learn More About the (Literally) Explosive Souls-lite appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Introducing FragPunk: A Fast, Futuristic Hero Shooter That Bends All the Rules 

Summary

  • Brand new 5v5 hero FPS FragPunk will keep you on your toes thanks to its unique rule bending gameplay mechanic: Shard Cards!  
  • With 10 heroes, their unique abilities and 15 weapons to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from to find your fun! 
  • FragPunk releases in 2025 on Xbox and PC. Wishlist and sign up now for more updates! 

We are thrilled to have unveiled FragPunk at the Xbox Summer Showcase 2024. FragPunk is a shooter that wants to carve its own space in the competitive FPS genre with its unique blend of fast-paced combat and dynamic rule changes. In FragPunk, every round brings a new challenge, thanks to its unique shard card system.  

As part of an action-packed announcement trailer at the Xbox Games Showcase, FragPunk showcased its innovative power-up cards, a feature primed to shake up the Hero Shooter genre with a fresh, everchanging experience for players. 

In this free-to-play game, players will be divided into two teams of 5 and will get to select gameplay modifying cards before entering each round. Their goal for each round will either be to plant a converter in the zones defended by the other team or to defend against oncoming attackers. To that end, players will be able to mix and match 10 heroes, 15 weapons, and over 70 cards on 4 different maps, ensuring that no two rounds are ever alike. More cards, heroes, weapons and maps are also on the way to keep the game fresh when it goes live! 

A Look at the Powerful Shard Card System 

The trailer offers a glimpse into the intense gunfights and counter-attacks enabled by shard cards. Featured cards include “Chain Reaction,” which releases chain lightning upon firing bullets. Meanwhile, “World Flip” turns the world upside down, demonstrating the game’s dynamic and exhilarating gameplay. These cards add an element of surprise and strategy to each match, encouraging players to adapt and evolve their tactics. The announcement trailer showcases the variety and unexpectedness that can be brought to the battlefield, hinting at even more cards to come, promising to further enhance the player experience.  

A Uniquely Dynamic 5v5 FPS 

With its unique blend of features, FragPunk has a whole lot to offer players alongside the game-changing Shard Card System. Here’s a broader look at some of FragPunk’s core details 

  • Shard Cards themselves are central to the game, but they go beyond their effect alone! Indeed, synergies and counterplay between cards, heroes, weapons and maps add an exciting layer above how matches are played.  
  • A FragPunk match lasts 7 rounds, and each round lasts 2.5 minutes, as you navigate through a fierce battlefield. So no time to waste, hone your reflexes and get that win!  
  • Each of the original 4 maps feature distinct environments with plenty of details, offering you a one of a kind view while the bullets fly. 
  • Arm yourself with an arsenal of weapons ranging from Assault Rifles to Sniper Rifles, each with its own unique attributes and capabilities. Whether you prefer to unleash rapid-fire attacks or take down enemies from afar, FragPunk has something for every playstyle.  

“We wanted to create a game that breaks the mold and offers something truly unique to players,” says Xin, FragPunk producer.  “With FragPunk, every match offers a new challenge, thanks to our innovative card-based gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a seasoned FPS veteran or a newcomer to the genre, there’s something here for everyone.” 

FragPunk is coming to Xbox in 2025, follow @PlayFragPunk on X (formerly Twitter) to keep up to date on development. 

The post Introducing FragPunk: A Fast, Futuristic Hero Shooter That Bends All the Rules  appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Explore a World of Wonders in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Hi future Expeditioners! We are Sandfall Interactive, a team of around 30 passionate developers based in Montpellier, France and we are thrilled to reveal our project to you today: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, coming to Xbox Series X|S next year and available day one with Xbox Game Pass. We poured our hearts and souls into creating the game of our dreams, so we sincerely hope you will enjoy our reveal trailer just below. 

The Paintress’ Cycle of Death 

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or just Expedition 33, is a brand-new reactive turn-based RPG that will transport you to a beautiful, surrealist new world inspired by France’s La Belle Epoque — a period famous for its stunning and lavish contributions to the country’s world-renowned culture of art. 

Expedition 33 opens in the city of Lumière, the last city of humanity, where everyone knows the age when they will die. Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints a number on her Monolith. This number represents an age — the age of everyone who will soon be erased. Year by year, this number ticks down, more people die, and old age is not so old anymore. 

Soon the Paintress will wake again and paints 33, condemning everyone of that age to a gentle death. But with only one year left to live, the members of Expedition 33 embark on a quest to destroy the Paintress. 

The Expedition’s Hopeless Quest 

You’ll play as Gustave and his fellow Expeditioners on their impossible quest to end the Paintress’ cycle of death. Your journey will take you through a vast and beautiful fantasy world, where you’ll battle deadly adversaries, befriend fabled creatures, and discover traces of the Expeditioners who came before you. 

Along the way, you’ll grow your bond with your fellow Expeditioners and piece together their personal stories of heart and heartache. Together, you’ll strive to unravel the mystery of the Paintress – a desperate and seemingly hopeless undertaking that has eluded generations of Expeditioners.  

Our Reactive Turn-Based Battle System 

At Sandfall, we’re huge fans of turn-based RPGs, action games, and Souls-likes. For Expedition 33 we wanted to create something unique that combines the depth of a turn-based game with the thrill of executing a dodge or a perfect parry. And so was born our unique reactive turn-based battle system. 

Each member of the Expedition has a distinct playstyle with their own unique mechanic. You will be able to further customize each character’s stat growth, expansive skill tree, and gear alongside a wide range of learnable passive traits, offering endless opportunities to fine-tune your preferred strategies. We can’t wait to see what crazy builds you will come up with. 

But strategy alone won’t suffice. To reach the Paintress you will also need to master the defense systems. During the enemy’s turn, you can dodge, parry, or jump above enemy attacks in real time, allowing you to land devastating counterattacks. Mastering enemy patterns will ensure your victory and who knows, maybe you’ll even finish the battle without taking any damage and earn additional experience? 

Additionally, the free-aim system allows you to shoot at enemies’ weak points, offering you a substantial advantage against the hardest foes or flying enemies. 

We believe that whether you are an action RPG fan or a turn-based fan (or both), you will enjoy the unique combination that Expedition 33 offers. We’ve focused on creating a challenging, rewarding combat system that will make every battle an enthralling encounter. 

Expedition 33 has been developed using Unreal Engine 5 to bring incredible fidelity and beautiful graphics on Xbox Series X|S. You’ll explore an enchanting realm and wander through breathtaking landscapes. From the somber, Paris-inspired city of Lumière, to the stunning Island of Visages, and to the haunting Forgotten Battlefield discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. 

We can’t wait to show you more of our debut game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and we hope you’re excited to learn more about its world, characters, and gameplay. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released on Xbox Series X|S in 2025 and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass – you can wishlist the game today on the Xbox Store. We’ll be revealing more details and updates over the next few months, so be sure to follow us at @Expedition33 to stay up to date. 

The post Explore a World of Wonders in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 appeared first on Xbox Wire.