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Category: Xbox
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
SubwaySim 2
Aerosoft GmbH
SubwaySim 2 – April 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Explore the three most picturesque underground lines in Germany! Immerse yourself in everyday life in the two German metropolises and discover famous sights such as Hamburg’s harbour or Berlin’s Oberbaum Bridge. Master various scenarios and get your passengers to their destination safely and on time. Watch out, though, as disruptions and red signals can suddenly change your workload!
Towerborne (Game Preview)
Xbox Game Studios
Towerborne (Game Preview) – April 29
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
The Belfry stands as a beacon of hope and safety amongst the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers, with monsters lurking right outside the tower’s walls. You are an Ace, born anew from the spirit realm with the skills, grit, and determination to protect the people of the Belfry. With spirit companions fighting by your side, you are destined for battle. Playable on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox Cloud, Game Pass and is an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Blazing Trail
Eastasiasoft Limited, Gamenergy Studio
Blazing Trail – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
An isometric pixel art shooter that requires daring on-the-fly strategy. Use machine guns, missiles and laser power-ups to take down enemy soldiers, demolish buildings and watchtowers, destroy gates, shoot down aircraft and face off against huge bosses across 7 sprawling combat zones.
Circus Interstellar
Ettinsoft LLC
Circus Interstellar – April 30
In the distant future, mankind is at the brink of extinction. Set on a mission to find resources for their dying species, star voyagers encounter a strange, sadistic alien race with a clownish appearance who are hellbent on making them a part of the galactic carnival of horror. Will the survivors escape the gory circus? Or will they be assimilated like all the others…
Cooking Companions
Serenity Forge
$14.99
$11.99
Cooking Companions – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Deep in the woods of the Tatras Mountains, supplies dwindle, and flood waters are rising. It’s up to you to keep spirits high and make the most of your survival skills. Will you butter up the right person? Or will you wind up on the chopping block? Featuring Eastern European folklore in an unexpected package, Cooking Companions is a dating sim mixed with psychological horror title you won’t soon forget.
Icy Gifts Bundle
SilenGames
Icy Gifts (Console & PC) – April 30
A thrilling and engaging chain reaction game that will keep you hooked till the end! Enhance your abilities and discover new ways to trigger even more explosive reactions. As you progress, you’ll encounter a variety of obstacles and opportunities that will test your skills and creativity.
KIBORG
Sobaka Studio
$29.99
Kiborg – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A relentless rogue-lite beat’em up where you enhance your body with new cybernetic implants each run. You’ve been sent to the worst prison in the galaxy for crimes you didn’t commit. Death won’t provide an escape, but a violent reality show may offer a way out.
Meow Moments: Celebrating Geeks & Athletes
Mens Sana Interactive
Meo Moments: Celebrating Geeks & Athletes (Console and PC) – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Step into Olympicats, where feline champions take on thrilling sports — witness skateboard tricks, judo matches, and even a torch relay as competitors and fans unite in an energetic festival of skill and teamwork. Then, dive into Comic Cat Con, a convention filled with cosplaying cats dressed as iconic characters. From heroes to wizards, every corner is packed with references and surprises for pop culture lovers!
MotoGP
25 – Xbox Series X|S
Milestone S.r.l.
$59.99
MotoGP 25 – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Your path to becoming a MotoGP legend starts here. Join the official championship and step into the boots of your favorite riders to master the most iconic bikes and tracks of the season. Live the most realistic race thrills ever thanks to Unreal Engine 5, MotoGP Stewards ensuring fair battles, and an overhauled sound design, recorded on-site from official bikes.
Mystic Pathways Xbox + Windows Bundle
Afil Games
Mystic Pathways (Console & PC) – April 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Embark on a magical journey with Mystic Pathways, a puzzle game that challenges your logic and creativity. Manipulate enchanted trails on a beautifully designed hexagonal board to guide mystical fairies in collecting magical crystals and activating sacred altars.
Nightshade Mysteries: Eternal Moon Collector’s Edition
Ocean Media
Nightshade Mysteries: Eternal Moon Collector’s Edition – April 30
Archaeologist Helena Nightshade gets entangled in the mysteries surrounding an ominous eternal lunar eclipse, prophesied by estranged Moon Worshippers also known as the Anaxagori. Set in 1930s Southern Europe, where technology has eclipsed magic, an estranged group of Moon Worshippers known as the Anaxagori resurfaces with an ominous prophecy: an eternal lunar eclipse.
despelote
Panic
A soccer game about people. Get immersed in the streets and parks of Quito through the eyes and ears of eight-year-old Julián. Dribble, pass, and shoot your soccer ball around town, and see what happens when you kick it someone’s way. Feel the city change as Ecuador comes closer than ever to qualifying for the World Cup.
Fit and Fry Xbox + Windows Bundle
Afil Games
Fit and Fry (Console & PC) – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Cooking here is a delicious puzzle. Each level is a new dish to prepare, and your challenge is to fit all the ingredients perfectly into the pan. But be careful: space is limited, and only the best chefs will be able to complete each recipe without wasting anything.
Peglin
BlitWorks Games
Peglin – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
The dragons have been popping peglins and stealing all your gold for as long as you can remember. Enough is enough. It’s time to venture through the woods, conquer the fortress, and delve into the heart of the dragon’s lair to take back what’s yours and teach those dragons a lesson.
Stasis Valley
Noobles Studio
Stasis Valley – May 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A 2D puzzle-platformer that follows Adam, a young man who has recently experienced a great loss. After this event he descends into a surreal valley within his own mind, where he must attempt to make sense of the world around him (as well as his emotions). Uncover the valley’s secrets and confront the dangers lurking within.
Fruit Adventure (Xbox Series)
JM Neto Game Dev
Fruit Adventure – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The Healthy Forest has been invaded by sweets and chocolates with the aim of harming everyone’s health! Help Super Strawberry pass through obstacles and eliminate sweet enemies to become the bravest Fruit in the Healthy Forest. Find the key and unlock the blocks at the end of each level. Watch out for the thorns and be quick so that time doesn’t run out! Play with the whole family and beat all the challenges!
Golf Up
Super Power Up Games
$6.99
Golf Up – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A fun-loaded golf game you can play with up to four friends in several game modes. In Tournament mode, you can pick between the Classic or Points options, in which you earn points by getting good results in the Holes and making quick decisions for bigger bonuses. You will also be able to play solo in Arcade mode and compare your score in the online ranking with that of your friends and players from around the world.
Helix Jump
QubicGames S.A.
$4.99
$3.99
Helix Jump – May 2
Xbox Play Anywhere
Your ball drops like a brick through colorful helix platforms that block its descent, but if you hit a red spot, it’s over! Your ball shatters to pieces and you have to start your fall all over again. Even traps platforms are no match for a fireball falling at full speed! Choose your strategy: speed up like a madman or stop and wait for your next chance to roll and jump!
Nico Saves The State
Ratalaika Games S.L.
Nico Saves The State – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Followers of the notorious Dr. Voo Doom have taken over a city, demanding his release from prison. But this is merely a diversion as they gather Power Crystals to execute their true plan: teleporting their master to freedom!
PuzzleCar
Rising Moon Games
PuzzleCar – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A minimalist and soothing experience awaits you. Test your skills by strategically moving pieces to create a safe path for your car, all while collecting every item along the way.
Royal Romances: Endless Winter CE Xbox
Legacy Games
Royal Romances: Endless Winter CE Xbox – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Eternal winter has descended upon the magnificent kingdom once filled with vitality and adventure. But now, cold and hunger have divided families and heroes, calling out their ugliest traits and draining their last strength…
Spellcaster University
Red Art Games
$19.99
Spellcaster University – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Become the director of Spellcaster University in a colorful world of heroic fantasy. Will you turn it into a black magic academy? A place in harmony with nature to train druids and shamans? Or something entirely your own?
Spot Challenge Vol. 4
Lucky Raccoon Games
Spot Challenge Vol. 4 – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A game series inspired by the classic “Spot the Differences,” where you need to compare two images and identify the differences between them. With over 245 differences spread across 35 levels, will you be able to find them all? Perfect for playing solo or with friends and family, Spot Challenge is the ultimate challenge to test your attention to details!
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina)
Unreliable Narrators
Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) – May 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A first-person, single-player, narrative-driven experience that presents contrasting perspectives on French and Indigenous first encounters. Be prepared to face the dangers of Canadian wilderness and to make choices that could affect your characters. Experience the intertwining journeys of Jeanne, a French King’s Daughter stranded far from the French colonies, and Maikan, a young Innu hunter trying to uncover what is disturbing his native forest.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 28 to May 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Official Xbox Podcast | Deep(er) Dive Into Towerborne
The post Official Xbox Podcast | Deep(er) Dive Into Towerborne appeared first on Xbox Wire.
How Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Two-Lane Battle System Lets You Relive the Glory Days of the Arcade
Summary
- SNK showcases the new Two-Lane Battle system in the latest entry of their legendary fighting game series, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, available now for Xbox Series X|S.
- Players will be able to freely move between foreground and background lanes during battle and even perform combos across both lanes!
- This marks the first time in 27 years that Two-Lane Battles are back, allowing players to relive the glory days of the arcade!
Hello everyone! Today I want to introduce you to the new Two-Lane Battle system we’ve included in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the first Fatal Fury game in 26 years launching April 24 for Xbox Series X|S.
Battle On Two Lanes
The highly anticipated Two-Land Battle system will feature two lanes on certain stages: a foreground lane and a background lane. By inputting a specific attack, you’ll be able to freely switch between the lanes and move around the battlefield. Since the available actions also depend on what lane you and your opponent are in, this battle system adds a whole new set of mind games and tricks you can use both offensively and defensively to secure victory!
How It Works
First, select the Dream Amusement Park “Morning” stage to get access to this nostalgic battle system; at launch this will be the only stage to have Two-Lane Battles enabled, but we plan on adding more of these stages in the near future.
You and your opponent will start the battle in the same lane, but you can lane switch by pressing X and RB at the same time. If you want to attack while switching lanes, press A and RB at the same time to perform a special jumping lane switch attack.
Once you and your opponent are in different lanes, you’ll gain access to a variety of special attacks. If you want to stay on the ground, pressing X will perform a grounded lane switch attack that will place you in the same lane as your opponent. If you’re looking to attack from the air, pressing A or B will perform a jumping lane switch attack. Pressing Y will perform a special lane pullback attack that will bring your opponent to the same lane you are currently in.
You’ll also be able to use jumping lane switch attacks in the middle of combos to perform cross-lane combos!
Here’s a sample combo with Rock:
X → Y → A + RB → B → Heavy Rising Tackle (Brake) → Heavy Hard Edge
Try using lane switch attacks in your combos to take your game to a whole new level!
The Old in the New
Two-Lane Battles have been a part of Fatal Fury’s identity since the very first game in 1991 and we’re so excited to be able to bring them back for City of the Wolves. We’ve integrated Two-Lane Battles into training mode as well, so we hope players get creative and find new ways to utilize the system. Classic fans can relive what makes Fatal Fury different from other fighting game series, and we’re looking forward to seeing brand new fans enjoy the chaos of Two-Lane Battles as well!
We are so excited to be able to deliver the next game in this legendary series! Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is available now for Xbox Series X|S. To keep up to date on all things Fatal Fury, follow us at our official X account or join our official community Discord server.
Let’s rev it up!
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves – Special Edition
SNK CORPORATION
$59.99
* FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves will only be available in this Special Edition format.
* There are no plans at this time to sell the base game and Season Pass 1 individually.
* There are no plans at this time to sell the base game and Season Pass 1 individually.
Contents:
– Base game
– Season Pass 1
– DLC Character 1 “ANDY BOGARD”(Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
– DLC Character 2 “KEN” (Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
– DLC Character 3 “JOE HIGASHI”(Scheduled for: Fall 2025)
– DLC Character 4 “CHUN-LI” (Scheduled for: Winter 2025)
– DLC Character 5 “Mr. BIG”(Scheduled for: Early 2026)
SNK’s beloved Fatal Fury series first hit the market in 1991, spearheading the fighting game boom of the 1990s that swept the industry thereafter. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES (released in 1999) has, for some time, served as the franchise’s most recent installment. But that is all about to change: 26 years on, a brand-new entry—FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves—is set to arrive on the scene!
■All-new REV System supercharges the excitement!
Introducing the REV System, a brand-new toolset that offers unique offensive options from the moment the battle begins! Use REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows (while S.P.G. is active), and more until you hit your limit and the REV Meter overheats. The all-new REV System—fight at full throttle and supercharge the excitement!
■Two control schemes—fun for newcomers and veterans alike!
Choose from two control schemes: Arcade Style is based on precise, technical inputs, while Smart Style lets you perform flashy special moves and combos using directional inputs and single button presses. From fighting game newcomers to seasoned veterans, there’s plenty of fun and excitement to be had—tailored specifically to your level!
■Memorable fighters from far and wide descend on the streets of South Town!
The action kicks off with a total of 22 characters: a diverse 17-member roster of familiar faces and new blood, plus five DLC fighters in Season Pass 1. Every character is vibrantly presented in CotW’s unique art style, which is guaranteed to stimulate the senses.
■Strive for supremacy in EPISODES OF SOUTH TOWN, a single-player RPG mode!
Introducing “Episodes of South Town” (EOST)—a solo RPG adventure where you’ll square up against contenders under various fight conditions, earning XP and other rewards for your efforts. Level up your fighter, build out a diverse kit of skills, and dominate the opposition on your way to the top. Dreams and ambitions run rampant in South Town; now is the time to chase the city’s crown and carve a legend all of your own!
* To play EOST you’ll first need to connect to the Internet and update the game.
The post How Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Two-Lane Battle System Lets You Relive the Glory Days of the Arcade appeared first on Xbox Wire.
From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2
From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2
Summary
- A new groundbreaking experience for Overwatch 2 is here, and it will change the way you play the game.
- Senior game designer Dylan Snyder talks about how Stadium came to be and shares his favorite Hero builds.
- Stadium is just getting started—keep that feedback coming!
Calling all heroes! As you may have seen, Stadium launched in Overwatch 2 on April 22! As a member of the Overwatch development team, I’m here to share a behind-the-scenes look into how we crafted this new way to play, and I’ll sprinkle in some of my favorite features and builds as well!
Building Stadium
The whole team—including myself! —was so excited about building Stadium from day one. It’s not just another mode; it’s an entirely fresh way to experience Overwatch – and you can learn more about the mode here. Beginning as a passion project, our ultimate goal was to push the boundaries of Hero fantasies and match variety, plus we still wanted it to ultimately feel like Overwatch…no pressure, right?
The idea for Stadium actually started brewing before Overwatch 2 was even launched. During those early brainstorming sessions, one central theme kept bubbling up—we wanted you to have options. Tons of them. Whether it was your strategies, the way you enhance your Hero, or even how you view the game (hello, third-person perspective!), we want to empower you to adapt to your match, team, and individual style on the fly.
This sparked the idea for a long-form “best of” mode, where every skirmish would teach you valuable lessons and allow you to tweak and upgrade your play. That was the beginning of what resulted as Stadium: battles are fast, choices are deep, and the possibilities are endless.
Inspirations That Shaped Stadium
Stadium wouldn’t be what it is without the inspirations it drew from. It owes a lot to our Blizzard neighbor, Hearthstone, and specifically its Battlegrounds mode. But while Hearthstone gave us ideas on fostering deep, strategic builds with downtime planning, we wanted to inject our own Overwatch flair.
Overwatch has always let you become the hero, and in Stadium, we leaned hard into that concept. Here, you can amplify your Hero’s abilities to ridiculous levels. Trust me, watching a Reaper who never has to reload is both terrifying and oddly satisfying (unless you’re on the receiving end!) That being said, balance is key, and we learned not every concept fits (sorry, overpowered lava pools).
The biggest difference between us and Hearthstone’s Battlegrounds? We wanted to remove randomness and hand all the options over to the player. This not only makes the system easier to learn but also enables mastery over time. Nothing beats the feeling of transforming a humble Ana into a nano-boosting, wall-busting legend.
Third-Person Perspective (Finally!)
This might be my favorite part of Stadium. For the first time in Overwatch history, you can flip between first and third-person perspectives. Yes, you read that correctly.
During early playtests, we saw how chaotic Stadium can get, with flying heroes and way too much lava (yes, I kept walking into it, don’t judge). Zooming out your view makes the gameplay more readable and opens new ways to strategically assess battlefield chaos.
The Overwatch team had already done a lot of work making sure third-person silhouettes and animations were clear for opponents. Now, we leveraged that effort to integrate third-person cameras for every character. And if you’re more comfortable in first-person (after all, Overwatch’s roots are deeply FPS), you can toggle back if that’s your preference. Stadium is all about letting you play your way.
My Top 3 Favorite Stadium Builds
To get you started, I want to share my top three favorite Stadium builds. These combos were literal game-changers for me.
1. Reaper’s Shotgun Sweeper
- Hero Item: “Onslaught”: Increase your Max Ammo by 25%. Every third shot costs no ammo, but deals less damage
- Power: “Revolving Ruin”: Close range Shotgun hits increase Attack Speed by 5% for 1s. This stacks up to 8 times.
If you love chaos, this is your dream. Once Reaper becomes an endless shotgun machine, entire enemy lines will melt away. It’s both horrifying and beautiful.
2. Ana’s Ultimate Medic
- Hero Item: “Eye of Horus”: Nano Boost can hit targets through walls
- Power: “Our Turn”: Nano Boost affects all allies in line of sight
Transform Ana into the ultimate clutch queen. Buff your teammates wherever they are, and with amplified healing, turn losing matches into spectacular comebacks.
[Stadium Ana Hero Shot]
3. Ashe’s B.O.B. Jr. Blast
- Hero Item: “B.O.B. Wire Defense”: When B.O.B. stops charging, he gains 300 Armor
- Power: “B.O.B. Jr.”: Reduce your Ultimate cost by 50% and summons a much smaller B.O.B., who has less health and attacks less quickly
B.O.B. has a new look; he’s small, but he’s mighty!
Step Inside the Stadium
Developing Stadium has been all about making sure it feels dynamic, fun, and true to Overwatch’s spirit. And we’re just getting started. We plan to add new heroes, maps, and other experiences into Stadium every season.
With your feedback, we will continue to evolve Stadium so it keeps getting bigger and better. Whether it’s testing new Powers, tweaking balance, or adding surprises along the way, we’re building this Stadium for you!
On behalf of the entire Overwatch team, we can’t wait to meet you on the battlefield. Time to suit up, Heroes—we’ll see you in the Stadium. I’ll be the Reaper that doesn’t need to reload, bahaha!
Overwatch® 2
Blizzard Entertainment
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass
Overwatch® 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatch’s 40 distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes.
Overwatch 2 – Season 16: Stadium
Enter the ultimate battleground with Stadium mode, an all-new experience where customization takes the reigns in a fun, best of seven, round based fight. Then, celebrate the launch with the Stadium: Initiation seasonal event to unlock exclusive rewards. Plus, the relentless bounty hunter Freja arrives as the latest DPS hero, bringing precision and mobility to every match. Meanwhile, the battlefield transforms with stunning skins, from the Dokiwatch team—led by Mythic Heart of Hope Juno—to Legendary Ashe, Genji, Brigitte, Lifeweaver, and Mauga in the Premium Battle Pass. Whether you’re outwitting opponents in Stadium, hunting your prey with Freja, or wielding magic with Dokiwatch, this season is packed with action, strategy, and a whole lot more.
The Overwatch League
Token will no longer be purchasable after December 9, 2024. The OWL shop will remain open until at least December 2025, with limited inventory purchasable with players’ remaining OWL token balances.
The post From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet
Hello, my name is Martin, and I’m the CEO and Creative Director of Flatter Than Earth, the studio behind the theatrical adventure platformer Once Upon a Puppet. Our magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer takes place in a vibrant world of theatre, where classic platforming meets puppet-inspired gameplay in a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
You’ll play as Drev, an ambitious Actor, and Nieve, a talented Stagehand and Tailor. Bound together by magic, they must work as one to navigate the kingdom of theatre, unravel its secrets, and face the Shadow King. But before you step onto the stage, here are five essential tips to help you on your journey.
1. Keep Your Eyes Open for Costumes – They’re More Than Just Fashion
Throughout the world, you’ll find antique sewing devices, which allow Nieve to craft unique story costumes for Drev. All of the outfits are based on important characters you will meet on your adventure. These costumes make you look cool on stage, but several play a role in the game’s storytelling. Just like in real theatre, a character’s attire is often a clue to their role in the performance. In Once Upon a Puppet, certain challenges will require you to wear a specific costume to progress. There are four of these specific costumes that are linked to the game’s progress, and they are easy to come across. However, there are more actor-like cosmetic outfits to unlock, so be on the lookout for them on your travels!
2. Pick Up Collectibles – They Reveal Hidden Stories
As you explore the world, keep an eye out for two types of collectibles: Stained Glass Pieces and Props. The Stained Glass collectibles are broken glass shards of bigger “stained colored glass windows”. Each of these “glass windows” tells a visual story of the kingdom. The Props are personal items of the lead characters in the game, such as The Queen, The King, and The Judge. These personal items always have something interesting to reveal about their owner. Collecting all of these will enhance your understanding of the world. If you’re someone who loves immersive storytelling, make sure to search every corner for these hidden gems!
3. Don’t Skip Cutscenes – They Hold Vital Clues
Each cutscene in Once Upon a Puppet is carefully crafted to deliver not just an emotional impact but also crucial hints about the world and the challenges ahead. The game features 12 rebuilding stages, and your goal is to rebuild and re-enact key moments from the king’s past. Every stage has its own unique story and emotional weight, so watching closely will help you connect the dots and fully grasp the significance of your journey.
If you rush through without paying attention to the cutscenes, you will miss important details about the mysteries behind the Shadow King, the forgotten stories, and the characters’ true destinies. So sit back, enjoy the theatrical storytelling, and let the narrative unfold like a grand stage performance!
4. Experiment with Stage Manipulation – Think Like a Theatre Director
One of the most unique mechanics in Once Upon a Puppet is the ability to rebuild and rearrange theatrical stages. Unlike traditional platformers, where the world remains static, this game allows you to move props, shift backdrops, and reposition platforms to change the scene itself.
Some puzzles require you to think like a stage director, setting up the scene in a way that allows Nieve and Drev to progress. Moving elements strategically can uncover secret paths, activate mechanisms, or create opportunities to outmanoeuvre enemies.
Once you “set the stage”, a Theatrical Cutscene, connected to the stage you just set, will emerge.
5. Spotlights aren’t just for drama
In Once Upon a Puppet, the rules of theatre guide every ray of light. The visual language of the game was built with the same care and discipline found in real stage productions. There are no accidental shadows or randomly placed beams—every light angle, silhouette, and contrast exists to serve the story, emotion, and staging.
This isn’t just lighting for aesthetics—it’s lighting with intention, rooted in the traditions of live theatre. A love letter to stagecraft, told through pixels and puppets. And quite possibly, a guide to secrets to discover.
We hope that with these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to take center stage and face the challenges that await. We can’t wait for you to experience the magic firsthand. Once Upon a Puppet is out now on Xbox series X|S. Good luck!
Once Upon A Puppet
Daedalic Entertainment
$29.99
$23.99
The Grand Opening:
Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Wear the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield control over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically bound to her. As they journey to return to the Frontstage above, they will retell forgotten stories, uncover shadowy secrets, and learn their fate is interwoven with the kingdom of theater itself.
Highlights:
Become Puppet and Puppeteer: Pull the strings and master the art of puppetry in this unique approach to action, movement, and creative puzzle-solving.
A Troupe of Characters: Meet an ensemble cast of dozens of Major and supporting characters, featuring hundreds of lines of handcrafted dialogue.
Deadly Shadows: Face a horde of villainous creatures who will do all they can to snuff out the lights and bring the show to an untimely end.
A Meticulously Crafted World: Marvel at the stylized and detailed graphics that reinforce the magic of theater, with stages that fluctuate between past and present.
Set The Scene: Arrange and move props, backdrops and characters to rebuild theatrical stages, and re-enact scenes to unveil what befell the once proud World Stage.
Enchanting Soundscapes: Be captivated by a rich, theatrical soundtrack and immersive sound effects that bring the world of Once Upon a Puppet to life…
The Leading Actors:
Unwittingly bound together by spool and thread, Drev and Nieve reluctantly embark on a quest to reclaim their place in the theater, against a heartbroken King.
Nieve, a talented Weaver beset by self doubt, builds a strong bond with Drev, a naive yet ambitious Actor. With Drev’s unbridled theatrics and Nieve’s brilliance, they will conquer their deepest held fears to reveal the truth of the void harbored in their hearts.
The post Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet appeared first on Xbox Wire.
How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors
Soulstone Survivors is an action roguelite that rapidly transforms you from a peasant to a god. It’s kind of like if you were playing a Path of Exile character from level 1 to 99, but in about 20 minutes, and no matter what power fantasy you can dream of – from a Wizard who controls the elements, to a holy Paladin, to a nuke-hurling Engineer – you will find it in our game.
After a few years of development, listening closely to our PC community, the game is finally coming to Xbox Series X|S on June 17, 2025.
A demo is also available now on Xbox Series X|S, and we’ve pulled together some tips to inspire some build ideas, as well as how to get the most fun out of them.
The freedom to build your character exactly how you want is what sets Soulstone Survivors apart, and you’ll be able to test it against the dangers of the Void. And, if you didn’t fancy what you tried… just iterate and try again until you find the absolute perfect build.
Soulstone Survivors is designed from the ground up for you to push it to the extreme. For example, when your critical chance exceeds 100%, your attacks start landing multi-crits. We have an attribute called multicast, which allows you to launch multiple copies of the same skill (such as Chain Lightning or the dagger-hurling Flurry) at once – and guess what? As it gets higher and over 100%, you can be launching two, three, or even ten copies of the same skill at once. While many games might cap these stats, Soulstone Survivors gives you the freedom to experience what true god-like power feels like.
While it’s easy to jump in with basic character setups, the game shines when you go deep into the different systems that play off each other to create game-breaking builds, and we are always surprised with the creativity of the community – we love it when someone posts a new build on Discord with some crazy strategy that we didn’t even think was possible!
Buffs Are Your Friends
Buffs are effects applied to your character which give you an advantage against your enemies. For example, each stack of “Prowess” (i.e. each time you gain/improve your “Prowess”) gives you 1% extra damage. Although focusing on a specific buff can be a powerful strategy, it’s a good idea to create a build with a few different buffs that play off each other. There are power-ups that will grant you a chance to gain a buff every time a different buff is applied. “Devastating Strikes”, for example, grants you a chance to gain an Aptitude stack (which increases your critical damage) for every Prowess stack you gain.
Negative Effects Are Your Friends Too
Negative effects are the counterpart to buffs. These are applied onto your enemies, weakening them in some way. These can empower you to do ten times (or even hundreds of times) more damage to your opponents, depending on what combination you get. A particularly good one is “Poison”, which will deal damage over time and, when the enemy dies, a portion of the remaining damage spreads to nearby enemies. Or there’s “Fragility”, which increases damage received by the enemy for each stack. It’s always a good idea to have at least a couple different negative effects instead of going all out in one.
Consider Your Skill Types
Each skill or attack in the game has a particular type, such as Fire or Electric. When you’re trying to maximize your power, you’ll definitely want to think about the skill types. You could do a super focused build, as some power-ups will increase the damage of all skills of a particular type, sometimes by as much as 50%.
On the other hand, you could mix and match different skill types, as there are power-ups that will chain different skill types – for example, when you cast an Electric skill, you would then have a certain chance to also cast a Fire skill. It really depends on the kind of gameplay that suits you best!
Try Out Different Stuff!
There are plenty more factors that influence your build, such as the skill tree, Runes (artifacts you equip before each run with unique effects), your weapons (which you craft as you progress through the game), your character’s ascension skill (a temporary god-like power you gain after unlocking all the core skills).
The important thing is to experiment with different elements until you find the patterns that work and the ones that don’t, finding the play style that suits you best. I don’t know if I should, but here, I’ll share with you my secret Bloody Barbarian build!
The Bloody Barbarian Build
The Barbarian is the first available character in the demo, but don’t mistake him for the weakest – far from it! He specializes in melee combat, having access to Swing, Thrust, Slam, Electric and Earth skills, and all of these are great to make some crazy buff synergies!
The key points for this build are:
- Choose the Barbarian with his first weapon, the Barbaric Cleavers
- Look for skills that buff you with Finesse, such as Double Slash
- Make sure to get the skill Scent of Blood
- Grab some popcorn, as you watch what happens!
Alright, let’s break it down. All Barbarian weapons are great, but for this build we’ll start with the Barbaric Cleavers, the first weapon available, as it comes with “Whirlwind”, which has a large damage area. More importantly, it grants you both “Bulwark” (which increases your block power) and “Finesse” (increases your multicast chance), the core of our build!
Start the game, and be on the lookout for skills with the Swing type, as many of those will also give you more “Finesse”. Earth-type skills also synergise very well with this build, since they grant you “Colossal” which increases the area of effect of your attacks, and you want to be slashing the whole world! Remember to save a skill slot for “Scent of Blood”.This is a skill unique to the Barbarian which increases your attack speed based on the number of “Finesse” stacks you have.
By now, your Swing skills will give you tons of “Finesse” stacks which increase your multicast, which in turn means all your skills are used multiple times, and they will be hitting a huge area because your Earth skills will also be launched multiple times granting you even more “Colossal”. Finally, the cherry on top is “Scent of Blood” as it uses your “Finesse” stacks to grant you even MORE attack speed, which causes your skills to be launched even faster! Do you see where I’m going with this?
The madness that ensues is glorious! You will soon be spinning like a mad man, decimating an entire screenful of enemies every second! You can even add in the skill “Subdue” into the mix as well, which deals damage based on how many stacks of “Finesse” you have, being a great finisher that will be dealing hundreds of thousands of damage in this setup!
In the full game, you can make this build even more extreme by picking up a few runes, such as the Synergetic Rune, as it increases the chances you will get power-ups that chain from one buff to another and the Multicast Mastery Rune, because it increases the effectiveness of the multicasts. Runes aren’t available in the demo, but even without them you will be slicing through enemies like butter.
And this is only one build, of one character, in the demo, without exploring runes, ascensions, skill trees… it barely scratches the surface of what you can do! You could also try the Thor Barbarian build with a bunch of Lightning skills that are great for critical strikes, the nasty Dirty Barbarian that uses Slams and Earth skill for massive damage, or experiment with the Pyromancer (also available in the demo), and bring down a fiery apocalypse onto your enemies!
I hope that this sparks your imagination and encourages you to explore all the build, buffs and power fantasies that are possible in Soulstone Survivors. Hop into the demo on Xbox Series X|S today.
The post How to Become the Bloody Barbarian (and Other Game-Breaking Builds) in Soulstone Survivors appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Xbox App Now Available on LG Smart TVs
Starting today, the Xbox app is available on select LG Smart TV models, making it easier than ever for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in over 25 countries to play games directly from their TVs. This rollout includes 2022 OLED TVs, select 2023 LG Smart TVs, and newer models, along with smart monitors running webOS24 or later versions. It will soon expand to StanbyME screen.
With this update, players can enjoy hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles like Avowed, South of Midnight, and upcoming releases such as Towerborne. Game Pass Ultimate members can also conveniently stream a select catalog of Xbox games they already own, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, NBA 2K25 and Hogwarts Legacy, adding even greater flexibility to the gaming experience. You can find the full list here.
Getting Ready
To experience Xbox on your LG Smart TV, here is what you need:
- A compatible LG Smart TV.
- An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
- Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller such as the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or the DualSense controller.
How to Access the Xbox App on LG TV’s Gaming Portal
Players with 2025 LG TVs can power on their LG Smart TV, find the Xbox app in the new LG Gaming Portal, which can be accessed from the Gaming Q-Card on the TV home page, and start gaming instantly!
For owners of LG TVs running latest webOS 24 and newer – including 2022 OLED TVs and select 2023 LG Smart TVs which received a firmware upgrade – you can download the Xbox app from the app store. Once downloaded, the Xbox app is designed to offer a smooth and seamless cloud gaming experience. Here’s how it works:
- Navigate to the LG Gaming Portal from either Gaming Q-Card or LG Gaming Portal on the Home Page.
- Download and launch the Xbox app.
- Sign into or create your Microsoft account.
- Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.
- Pick a game and start playing!
We’re constantly exploring new ways to invite more people into the world gaming, and with LG Smart TVs, we can do just that. We’re excited to take this new step with LG Electronics to bring more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. And if you are new to gaming, this is an easy way to discover the joy gaming offers.
To learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) and how you can play across TVs and browsers on supported devices like smartphones, Windows PCs, and tablets, visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.
The post Xbox App Now Available on LG Smart TVs appeared first on Xbox Wire.
8 Tips to Help You Get Started in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, available April 24 for Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass, promises exciting, original takes on standards of the RPG genre. While its premise and presentation stood out from its very first trailer, after many hours invested in the review build, I’m pleased to report that Sandfall interactive also refines or re-invents RPG gameplay elements that make every battle in Expedition 33 a lean-forward experience.
That said, some of these new techniques are – by dint of their originality – worth a bit of additional explanation. So, as you prepare to dive into Expedition 33 – and RPG fans should absolutely prioritize this title – here are a few spoiler-free “here’s how it works” elements that I wish we knew before my first trip to The Continent.
Stay Focused
The biggest moment-to-moment difference between Expedition 33 and many turn-based RPGs out there is the level of attention players need to give towards every battle. While your actions (Attack, Skill, etc.) are selected from a menu, once you’ve confirmed your choice, make no mistake – you are now playing an action game requiring your full focus. Each action, from attacks, to spells, to heals, to buffs becomes a timed button press exercise – and the better your timing, the more you maximize its effects. Later in the game, you’ll even have the option to equip high reward skills where a mistimed press could backfire spectacularly. It’s awesome.
While offensive presses are mainly straightforward (and you’ll get used to your moveset over time) dealing with enemy attacks is a continually evolving affair. Iniitally, you’re given the chance to either dodge, using the B button, or parry, utilizing RB. Timing on these is tight; you will need to study enemy movements to learn when to react, but my advice to you: start with Dodge, as its timing is ever so slightly more generous. When you’re dodging consistently, you can begin to experiment with Parries, which – if executed – can lead to powerful counterattacks. But in the early game, Dodge will keep you alive.
Ease Into Combat
If you’ve having trouble getting the precision down on attacks or need some more time to adjust to the style of play that Expedition 33 requires, you can adjust the difficulty of the game at any time to give you a greater window to achieve Parries or Dodges. You can also choose to allow the game to input the QTE moments during combat, taking that responsibility off your plate so you can sit back and enjoy those flashy combat animations.
Be Not Afraid
Early on you will inevitably face down some incredibly tough characters (don’t look down on a mime!) and they *will* kick your ass. Note that many such fights are avoidable – you can always come back later, once you’re stronger! But if you do decide to have a go, know that the penalty for dying generally is just a respawn nearby. This isn’t a Soulslike – go for it, worry free! Also, enemies will respawn when you heal at an Expedition Flag, allowing you to re-run through many of these zones to help level up your party.
Use Those Items – They Regen
Your healing and respawn items – initially so scarce – do replenish every time you rest at an Expedition Flag or campsite, so take the risks, heal liberally, and if you crash out, know that you can always try again.
Another note on items: early on, I collected several items, such as Tints and Chroma Catalysts, and had no idea what to do with them. For the first few hours of the game, just collect, and don’t worry – their use will become apparent later, and you can’t miss it.
Don’t Forget to Shoot
Every character has the ability – both in and out of battle – to free aim and fire, drawing on third-person shooters. Out of battle, this is typically used to interact with the environment, but something I did not initially realize is that you can fire a shot at an enemy Nevron to stun them. This allows you to settle proceedings and initiate battle on your own terms by getting close and pressing RB, beginning battles with a First Strike.
In-battle, however, Free Aim use gets more strategic, as each shot now costs 1 Action Point – and it won’t end your turn. Initially, you’re guided to fire a shot at Nevron weak points (for massive damage, of course). But this move has plenty of utility even when an enemy doesn’t have a weak point; many enemies can be killed solely with Free Aim shots – especially flying enemies. So if a character enters a turn with an abundance of AP, it’s usually worth it to fire off a few shots to soften up your target before launching into a Skill or Attack to finish them off.
The 4D chess version of this is when you couple this technique with the Dead Energy Lumina, gifting 3 AP for every defeated enemy – you may be able to mow through a whole gang in one turn!
Lumina and Pictos – How Do They Work?
One of the most interesting – and initially mystifying – features of Expedition 33 is the Pictos and Lumina systems, which allow for significant boosts and customization for your characters. Here’s how they work:
Pictos are basically an accessory, like a ring that grants an ability or boon. And much like a real ring, if you wear it long enough, it can make an impression on you, even after you take it off. Here’s how that plays out in Expedition 33: after winning 4 battles with a Pictos equipped, it’s considered “mastered.” That means *everyone* in the party can take advantage of that Pictos’ buff, provided they have enough Lumina points. You gain new Lumina points with every level, plus some consumable items that grant even more.
Here’s how that plays out: you’ll want to equip basically any new Pictos you find in the world – and you’ll get a lot – cycling them out as they’re mastered for new ones. Over time, you’ll have dozens of Lumina abilities to choose from and equip; mix and match to further customize your characters. Protip: some Lumina skills can require up to 10 Lumina Points to equip, while others may need as few as one. To get the most bang for your buck, prioritize those useful, lower cost abilities for your Lumina loadout, and simply keep the Pictos equipped for some of those important 10-point passives.
Spend Wisely
In Expedition 33, your characters will level up frequently, each time earning 3 points to invest in Attributes such as Vitality, Might, or Luck, as well as a point for your Skill tree.
On the Attributes side, there is an interesting quirk: sometimes a point in one attribute will upgrade another; for example, a point in Agility will often boost a character’s speed as well as their Defense or Attack Power. So, with each level up, it’s worthwhile to try adding a point into each slot before committing to see which will give you more bang for your buck.
Explore
One last bit of advice: explore – The Continent is mysterious and important, and it’s easy to get lost. But know that most dead ends will result in an item, or an optional enemy with great rewards. There is even some light platforming, so use your jump and poke around everywhere, you never know what you’ll find.
What you will find is one of the most interesting RPGs I’ve played in years, so make sure you preorder/preload today,
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available April 24 for Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Kepler Interactive
$49.99
“Year by year, She erases us.”
Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission – Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again.
We are Expedition 33.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.
Reactive Turn-based Combat
In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat – dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.
“Tomorrow Comes”
With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.
A Hauntingly Beautiful World
Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend. Recruit special companions to access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.
Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.
The post 8 Tips to Help You Get Started in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
How Capcom’s Remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Makes a Classic Game Better
Summary
- We get nostalgic with a hands-on preview of the upcoming remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny.
- Director Motohide Eshiro and Producer Kosuke Tanaka share insights into the development of this remaster.
- Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny launches May 23, 2025, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility. Pre-order today on the Microsoft Store for Xbox.
Beyond the demon slaying, sword slicing, and grand adventuring that I was enjoying with the remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny on Xbox, I think what I’m appreciating most is just how faithfully it sticks to its source material, retaining everything that makes the original such a fan-favorite, without losing any of its survival horror charm.
This thoroughly remastered version of Onimusha 2 puts you back in the shoes of the samurai Jubei Yagyu, battling the undead warlord Nobunaga Oda and his army of demons. Alongside his companions Oyu, Ekei, Magoichi, and Kotaro Fuma, Jubei’s adventure is now a cleaner, higher-res version of the original, with numerous quality-of-life features developed to make it more accessible to those newer to the series, and refined for those original fans who are looking to take a step back in time.
“The game’s unique visual style greatly benefits from an improved HD resolution and 60FPS performance, making the swordplay feel more responsive than ever,” says Director Motohide Eshiro. “Since TV screens have moved onto the widescreen format in the intervening years, we’ve also updated the game’s output to fill a wide display, which zooms the image in, and I think makes the battle scenes feel even more immersive and exciting.”
I agree. Swordplay is extremely responsive – I’m able to effectively strike and block, while the battles feel intimate. That’s especially true within temple corridors, as I slash away at an onslaught of demons, trying to master an issen hit (a powerful counterattack), and absorbing the souls of my enemies to gain XP.
“A new player picking up this remaster in 2025 should feel the same exhilaration as someone did in 2002,” adds Eshiro. “This meant retaining the game’s core features and charm, while bringing certain elements up to the modern standards gamers expect. We had access to the original game’s assets, and to be honest even in 2002 the original team had made them very high quality. If anything, the standard-definition CRT display technology of the time was holding these assets back from being appreciated in their original quality, so we have used a variety of modern upscaling and uprezzing techniques to bring out all their detail on modern HD displays. This includes the moving video elements of backgrounds, so areas such as flowing rivers look better than ever.”
One element that has changed is that you can now choose when to have Jubei transform into an Onimusha, making him invincible with a damage buff for a limited time. Previously this would happen automatically once you’ve acquired enough orbs – another soul-type you can absorb from defeated enemies but appears less frequently. I like this change –being able to save this powerful attack for when I really needed it is incredibly helpful, like when squaring off with a mini-boss or when facing down a particularly tough group of demons.
The affinity system has also returned, where certain items you find or purchase can be used as gifts. Jubei can give them to his companions, affecting who will help him during the game and can influence how the story unfolds. This sub-game remains surprisingly fun, as you work to find the best match for each companion, particularly because you can receive helpful items in return, like herbs for healing.
“There are also QOL features that, if we had not implemented them, would likely be a cause of frustration for modern gamers,” Eshiro explains further. “Although we love the cutscenes, you now have the option to skip them should you choose, and auto-save has been implemented to allow you to more easily play across multiple sessions. And of course, while you can stick to the so-called ‘tank controls’ of the original if you prefer, the ‘normal’ analogue controls have been added and fine-tuned to make for a very natural and direct gameplay experience.”
The sound and music have also been given some significant treatment, utilizing the original uncompressed audio to bring out every detail of the original composer Taro Iwashiro’s music. Eshiro mentions that the sound effects for both cutscenes and gameplay have been remixed in a way that respects the original game while making them feel at home on modern hardware. “Fans of the game’s soundtrack will also be pleased to know that if you pre-order, you can receive the Orchestra Album Selection Pack with beautiful orchestral arrangements of a selection of five tracks from the game,” adds Eshiro.
From what I’ve seen and played, which is roughly the first two hours of the game, I think the work put into Onimusha 2‘s remaster is a great example of modern game preservation. All of this comes across as a passion project for the team at Capcom, retaining the look and feel of the world, its characters, and even its classic UI.
In talking with Producer Kosuke Tanaka, I learned the team’s approach to the remaster of Onimusha 2 was always intended to faithfully recreate the original gameplay experience as closely as possible; a full remake would have been quite different and wasn’t what they were going for – you can expect those bigger changes in the brand-new Onimusha: Way of the Sword next year.
“Capcom has always held the stance that we want players to be able to experience our games as much as possible, and that means bringing them to various hardware platforms as well as remastering and producing compilations of titles that are only playable on defunct platforms,” explains Tanaka. “It’s been great to see how positive the reaction is [to the Onimusha 2 remaster]. It makes me feel the players respect the original game as much as I do.”
It has been a long time since a mainline Onimusha game was released and it’s exciting to see this remaster arriving now in the lead up to the new game’s launch in 2026.“We released a remaster of the first Onimusha in 2019, and various circumstances meant that it’s taken until now to follow it up with Onimusha 2,” explains Tanaka. “However, this project has been running alongside the new title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, so the timing has worked out quite well — players who want a brand new Onimusha have a treat in store.”
There’s no shortage of remasters these days on modern consoles, but few have so effectively blended nostalgia with modern enhancements. There’s plenty here for long-time fans and newcomers to appreciate. Even though the game is over two decades old, it’s clear its original formula of samurai survival horror is one that has been able to stand the test of time.
“While there are more samurai and swordplay-themed games around today than there were when Onimusha 2 originally came out, I think this game still has a quality whose brilliance hasn’t dulled in the almost 25 years since,” says Eshiro. “The combination of Sengoku-era settings and characters with a dark, demonic fantasy theme and ultra-responsive combat, as well as RPG elements such as the character affinity system, make this a unique experience, so please check it out when the remaster releases on May 23!”
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny launches May 23, 2025, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility. Pre-order today on the Microsoft Store for Xbox.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
CAPCOM CO., LTD.
$29.99
Get the Onimusha 2: Orchestra Album Selection Pack when you pre-order Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. It includes five tracks selected from the Onimusha 2 Orchestra Album Taro Iwashiro Selection. Immerse yourself in the world of Onimusha 2 in this beautiful orchestral arrangement.
Track List:
– Truth Of Brave ~Warring mix~
– Truth Of Resolution ~Oyu’s Theme~
– Truth Of Edge ~Magoichi’s Theme~
– Truth Of Loyalty ~Ekei’s Theme~
– Truth Of Desire ~Kotaro’s Theme~
*Select Special Features → Gallery → Original Soundtrack to access these tracks from the title-screen menu.
Also, get this pack of items to use in-game:
– Herb x3
– Medicine x2
– Secret Medicine x1
– Special Magic Liquid x2
– Perfect Medicine x1
– Talisman x1
– Red Soul x10,000
The content will appear after meeting Takajo in the early game. If you have already met Takajo, the content will appear when you select “Load Game”. While you can only get this item pack once, you can also get the items in-game. The content listed in the DLC may become available separately at a later date.
*This content is also available as part of the Onimusha bundle.(Acquire this bundle before June 30, 2025, to receive a limited-time bonus!)
——————————-
Reclaim your destiny.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny returns with HD graphics and modernised controls to perform issen critical counter attacks and intense swordplay. Play as Jubei Yagyu and make your way through feudal Japan with your allies. This game has additional language support adapted from the original script.
Additional features include:
– New Gallery mode with over 100 sketches by the game’s character designer, Keita Amemiya.
– New digital soundtrack selection with all 43 tracks from the original soundtrack of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny.
– Hell mode difficulty.
– The Man in Black, Team Oni, and Puzzle Phantom Realm mini games will be available to play at the very beginning.
– Auto-save feature and easy weapon switch for improved playability.
You can also get a special outfit for Jubei if you have save data from Onimusha: Warlords. To switch Jubei’s outfit select Special Features → Jubei’s Outfit and select between Normal and Special from the title-screen menu. This will only alter the appearance. Your status will be the same as the armour you equip in-game.
©CAPCOM
ONIMUSHA is a trademark and/or registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD and/or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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