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MLB The Show 23 is Bringing the Heat with Tons of New Updates and Features

Summary

Get a full breakdown from the MLB The Show team on all the new changes and features in store for this year’s game.
Xbox Game Pass members can play four days early with the Xbox Game Pass Early Access Bundle for MLB The Show 23.
MLB The Show 23 is available for pre-order today on the Xbox Store and will launch day one with Xbox Game Pass on March 28.

Following up from our previous coverage about the upcoming MLB The Show 23, including a detailed look at the new Storylines: Negro Leagues feature, we’re back with even more info about some of the exciting gameplay improvements and features that will be in store when MLB The Show 23 launches March 28 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and day one with Xbox Game Pass. Let’s dive in!

Defense

High fielding attribute matters more now than ever before. The disparity between players in-game with high vs low fielding attributes is more noticeable. Players with a lower Fielding attribute will react slower to contact made off the bat compared to players with a high Fielding attribute.

When it comes to our throwing interfaces, we have a couple to select from depending on your skill and engagement level. Our more approachable interfaces, Buttons and Analog, rely heavily on the Arm Accuracy attribute which has been tuned to be in line with MLB statistics. Or you can elevate your game with the Button Accuracy Meter where you are in complete control of your throws.

If using Button Accuracy throwing interface, consistent with last year’s game, the green portion of the meter (indicates a throw that will be accurate to the fielder), scales based on the Arm Accuracy attribute. However, the functionality of the meter has changed. Universally, the speed of the meter needle is slower than in years past. This is intended, as it will help to facilitate the upcoming changes.

In previous years of The Show, the meter was consistent, meaning the green spot was always in the middle. Repetition with this mechanic led to ease of use for many of you. Now, on difficult Infield plays and long outfield throws, the green portion of the meter will dynamically move. This change increases realism while also adding additional skill to defense.

On force throws to first base, you will experience a yellow portion of the meter. This section indicates the dirt ball region of the meter, leading to balls being thrown in the dirt. The frequency of the play being made is based on the first baseman’s Fielding attribute. Visit custom practice to experience and perfect the changes to fielding and throwing.

Two new quirks have been added/revamped on defense. These two quirks are Break Outlier and Pick Off Artist. A pitcher with Break Outlier loses break at a slower rate than those without the quirk. A pitcher with Pick Off Artist leads to 2x the chance of a successful pick-off.

Offense

The pitcher-batter dynamic is better than ever with the revamped competitive gameplay engine. And don’t worry Casual or Simulation fans, we have also tuned and balanced those gameplay styles as well.

One of the major attribute updates to MLB The Show 23 is we have redefined the Clutch attribute. With runners in scoring position, Clutch attribute directly replaces contact. This helps to facilitate more realism. The battle between a batter’s Contact attribute and a pitcher’s Hits per 9 innings (H/9) attribute is directly replaced with batter Clutch and Pitcher Clutch with Runners in scoring position (RISP).

Two new quirks have been added on offense. These are Bad Ball Hitter and Table Setter. A batter with Bad Ball Hitter will excel at hitting pitches outside of the Strike Zone. A batter with Table Setter excels with no runners on base.

Animations

We’ve added over 5,000 gameplay animations to MLB The Show 23! We have hundreds of new animations ranging from robbing foul balls, dives, hot shot variety at the corners, and as always animations for urgency and efficiency.

Gameplay Styles

Gameplay styles are meant to create unique experiences for all players out there. Gameplay style tuning for Casual and Simulation are continuously taking place. However, the biggest gameplay style change revolves around Competitive gameplay style.

Competitive gameplay style is the default for all Online Head-to-Head* games and all Diamond Dynasty* modes. Competitive Gameplay Style can also be accessed by visiting the gameplay settings and toggling the Gameplay Style setting under General Difficulty.

The goal of this gameplay style is to increase the consistency of good input for producing good results and bad input for producing bad results, without going too far from baseball strategy and basics. Players will notice more swings and misses, fewer popups and choppers, and the hits put into play are slightly better to make up for fewer being put into play.

Player Clarity, Visual Updates In-game, and Functionality Improvements

Updates to the in-game displays have been made. The largest focus for visual display updates revolved around increasing clarity amongst the player base.

Swing Feedback

Swing feedback is a piece of art that appears in the bottom left corner of the screen after a swing attempt is made. This feedback displays Batter Attributes, Pitch Location, Pitch Type, Swing Timing, and Plate Coverage Indicator Placement. It is meant to help describe the outcome of the hit. Although it is difficult to achieve perfection through this art, strides were made to increase precision and accuracy of the art. Previous versions of MLBTS swing feedback displayed Swing Inputs on the left and displayed the outputs on the right. Now, the swing feedback is a story that can be read from left to right, top to bottom.

In Game D-pad functionality

Left on the Directional Buttons now display live, up to date, Statcast numbers. Right on the Directional Buttons now display important Pitcher/Batter matchups, attempting to present all factors that impact the At-Bat. This includes vital attributes that dynamically swap in and all active quirks. Up on the Directional Buttons remains relatively consistent to previous years of MLB The Show, with slight functionality updates, including the ability to bring in a pitcher that’s being warmed up without needing to navigate back into the bullpen.

Settings Updates

Settings terminology, organization, and descriptions have been updated to better inform players as for what each gameplay setting does. There are now two new settings that allow for increased customization of Pre-Pitch displays while on Offense and Defense. These new settings can be found under Display and aim to allow for increased control over what information is presented on screen prior to a pitch being thrown. These two settings are Pitch Select Displays and Batter Controls Display.

Additional Visual Updates

The runner windows displayed in the top right for a first base runner and top left for a third base runner no longer appear. This camera can now be seen in the top right baserunning diamond during pre-pitch. Logic is tied to which runner is shown in the camera, leading to the most viable runner displaying based on the bases currently occupied. Now that space has been created in the top left corner of the screen, important information can be displayed here such as Road to The Show base gains increase or decrease, moment tracking, and Dynamic Difficulty updates.

Custom Practice Updates

We’ve added some important functionality to Custom Practice. It now has a couple important additions. While Batting, players now can finetune specific pitch locations around the Strike Zone. This tool is very useful for improving your eye and improving at specific problem areas. In previous years, players could solely turn specific pitches Off or On. This functionality has been expanded upon, allowing players to choose the frequency of pitches thrown through a slider mechanism.

Attribute Descriptions

MLB The Show has a lot of attributes and if you’re new to the franchise you might not know what they all mean. Be sure to check out the handbook/strategy guide located in the pause menu in-game. The attribute descriptions can now also be found in the Diamond Dynasty Handbook. These descriptions provide insightful information as for how each attribute functions and interacts with gameplay. The goal here is to ensure all players have the information needed to make the best possible decision when forming a squad or making an important managerial decision in game.

Passive Quirks Changes

We’ve removed passive quirks from MLB The Show 23. Simplifying the quirk system seems to be the best approach here, as there was generally confusion as for what Active Quirks did vs Passive Quirks. Universally, we hope this change leads to more clarity since only the quirks that impact gameplay is displayed.

Updated Options Explorer

The options explorer audio and art has been updated. This is a great area for players to learn the mechanics offered within MLB The Show. The general rule of thumb for gameplay mechanics is that the more control a player has over the mechanic, the less ability the CPU must influence gameplay.

MLB Rule Changes

Changes to Extreme Left and Extreme Right shifts are now implemented into MLB The Show 23. These changes set a good baseline but will need tuning based on real life strategy seen throughout the MLB season.

Online H2H/Co-Op

Improvements to Online Stability are continuously being worked on to provide the best experience possible. For those Co-Op players, Play Now Co-Op now offers the ability to toggle the rotational patterns prior to loading into game. Rather than being locked into rotating roles per inning on defense and rotating per at-bat on offense, teams can now choose additional rotation patterns. (Online features require internet connection).

Xbox Game Pass Members Can Play Four Days Early with the Xbox Game Pass Early Access Bundle

We’re excited to announce the return of the Xbox Game Pass Early Access Bundle, allowing members to join in on the fun and play four days early! In addition to playing early, players will receive two Gold Choice Packs, 10 The Show Packs, one Ballplayer Pack, double daily rewards, and 10K Stubs. If you pre-order the Early Access Bundle for Xbox Game Pass, you will receive an additional Gold Choice Pack.

Note: This bundle is exclusively designed for Xbox Game Pass members to play MLB The Show 23 early. If you’re not an Xbox Game Pass member and you purchase this bundle, you will not be able to play MLB The Show 23. For those fans, we recommend the MLB The Show 23: Digital Deluxe Edition.

We could not be more excited for MLB The Show 23 coming out March 28 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and available day one with Xbox Game Pass! Look forward to new ways to play, a new class of legends and much more! Check TheShow.com and follow our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for the latest updates about MLB The Show 23. For more detailed information on MLB The Show 23, read here.

MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox Game Pass Early Access Bundle

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

$44.99

Pre-order

GAME NOT INCLUDED. For Xbox Game Pass subscribers interested in playing MLB The Show 23 during Early Access, this is for you.

Purchasers of the MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox Game Pass Early Access Bundle will get access to MLB The Show 23 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on March 24th 2023 – four days early – as well as the following additional items:
Four Days Early Access for Xbox Game Pass Users.
2 Gold Choice Pack.
10 Show Packs.
1 Ballplayer Pack.
Double Daily login rewards.
10k Stubs™.

MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox One

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆
6

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack.

This edition includes:
• Full game.
• 5K Stubs™.

MLB® The Show™ 23 gets you closer than ever to living your Baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock The Game and Own The Show with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB moments.

Buy the MLB® The Show™ 23 digital version for Xbox One and when ready, upgrade to the MLB® The Show™ 23 digital version for Xbox Series X|S for an additional cost.

MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox Series X|S

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆
6

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack.

This edition includes:
• Full game for Xbox Series X|S
• Full game for Xbox One
• Five The Show Packs.
• 10K Stubs™.

Get the next-generation MLB The Show 23 experience when you play on Xbox Series X|S, including the return of Stadium Creator mode, and face your friends with cross-platform play* or continue your progress on other platforms with cross progression**.

Xbox and Lucasfilm launch ‘The Mandalorian’-themed gaming gear for Season 3

The Mandalorian and Grogu are back in action. From exploring new worlds to battling fantastical creatures, Xbox and ‘The Mandalorian’ fans share a love of epic stories based in galaxies far, far away. In celebration of today’s highly anticipated release of Season 3 of the hit Star Wars series, Xbox and Lucasfilm are teaming up to give lucky gamers the chance to win their very own Mandalorian-inspired Xbox gear. Coinciding with the launch of Season 3, fans can enter a sweepstakes for a limited-edition, Mandalorian-inspired Xbox Series S & X bundle featuring a custom Grogu Xbox Controller and Hoodie with a simple retweet of the official Xbox Twitter account. The sweepstakes will run from March 1 through May 11, and is open to fans globally*

New episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ follow Grogu as he reunites with Din Djardin for more planet-trotting quests — and this exclusive gear is ready for the adventure. And once you’re ready to make the jump to hyperspace, the color-coordinated controller and hoodie is the perfect accessory for wherever your mission takes you. 

Just like a Jedi’s lightsaber or a Mandalorian’s Beskar suit, Grogu has his own iconic gear: the armored floating pram. That’s why, in addition to the custom controller and accompanying hoodies, we are also offering gamers a fully immersive experience in their very own Pram XL. Fans in the US can enter with Microsoft Rewards for the chance to win a full entertainment package that bundles a Grogu-themed Series S console and custom Grogu Xbox Controller and Hoodie with a human-sized pram replica — while it may not be able to hover, it is a fully operational gaming station where you can both game and stream the new season of ‘The Mandalorian’, now streaming on Disney+. Featuring massaging cushions, cupholders, LED lights, and holders for your controllers and headphones, it’s the greatest gaming seat in any galaxy. The Pram XL sweepstakes runs from March 16 through May 11, to enter and for Official Rules (including free entry method), visit Microsoft Rewards.**

Experience Star Wars with Xbox Game Pass – enjoy playable adventures across fan-favorite titles like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order via EA Play. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can save 10% on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor launching April 28th, 2023.

About Disney Studios’ ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3

In the third season of ‘The Mandalorian’, the journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together. The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors for this season include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard. Jon Favreau is the showrunner and is executive producing along with Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck serve as co-executive producers.

*Retweet to Win Sweepstakes Rules: No purchase necessary, ends at 8:00pm on May 11, 2023. Open only to Xbox supported regions. Must be 18+ to enter. See official rules for full details.

**Microsoft Rewards Sweepstakes Rules: No purchase necessary. Ends May 11, 2023. To enter and for Official Rules (including free entry method), visit Microsoft Rewards.

Scars Above: How Classic Sci-Fi and Modern Storytelling Combined for a New Narrative Adventure

All of us in the studio have been great sci-fi fans since we were kids, and with some of us now in our forties, that means we’ve been into science fiction for several decades at this point.

A lot of things have changed since some of these classic tales were first told; but the core themes seem to stay just as thought-provoking and stories seem just as current today as they were back then, even if they missed the mark in certain details. For example, an Xbox console is probably several orders of magnitude more powerful than the central computer of the original Enterprise judging by its response time to Mr. Spock’s queries.

We injected this love of science fiction into our game – Scars Above, a single-player 3rd person action adventure. Scars combines the rewarding feel of overcoming difficulty with a compelling sci-fi story. In fact, the challenge itself is woven into the narrative, as are the game’s core mechanics. Set on a mysterious alien world, you play a stranded astronaut faced with overwhelming odds, having to use every resource at her disposal to survive. From crafting and using elemental weapons and gadgets, to exploiting the weaknesses of hostile fauna and flora, and opportunities found in the environment – the approach to combat is not only a design decision but also a storytelling one.

When writing Scars Above, we wanted to capture an old-school sci-fi feel; partly due to our love for these stories, but also due to their continued relevance, thrill, and imagination-building that stands the test of time. Of course, we gave our story a modern spin and hopefully managed to sneak in a few surprises here and there too.

While Scars draws inspiration from many sources – and there are too many to note here – a few of genre-defining works were stuck in my mind while coming up with the game’s original concept: the ethical dilemmas of science and the dangers of unchecked technological progress in Foundation by Asimov; the mission-oriented AI devoid of ethical restraints from Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey; and, perhaps surprisingly, the strangeness and the unexpectedness found beyond the rabbit hole in Carrol’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, all left their mark on Kate’s journey on the mysterious extrasolar planet.

When it comes to the cult classics on the screen, the comparison to Alien is, of course, obvious; from the resourcefulness of Ellen Ripley to the biological horror of the Xenomorph. A less obvious inspiration can be found in a movie before my time (I remember watching it on TCM as a kid, it was an “old classic” even then) – “Forbidden Planet” from 1956. It was the first science fiction movie set entirely on another planet, far from Earth. It also featured one of the first AI characters with its own personality.

Finally, the idea of protagonists being explorers and scientists instead of soldiers and warriors stems from Star Trek – a continuing source of inspiration for our entire studio. In fact, here’s some trivia for you: Kate is named after the actress Kate Mulgrew – Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager.

Good sci-fi is timeless and we hope to have captured some of its essence in the story of Scars Above, giving it a bit of that enduring quality. Of course, it’s a modern story in a modern story-driven action game, following current trends in both gameplay and storytelling. Our plan has always been to have an interplay between the story and game mechanics. For example, the way Scars is challenging reflects the scale between Kate and the terrifying biological monstrosities that she must face. Kate’s engineering and scientific skills, rather than combat training, translate to gadgets and weapons players need to rely on as part of the tactical combat in the game.

When she’s not fighting, Kate is solving the mystery of the planet and revealing the story through research and scientific exploration, also depicted through gameplay. We made gameplay mechanics a part of the story (even the “respawn” mechanic is a narrative element), and we used the story to drive the design of the mechanics. It’s a modern story, told by modern gameplay – inspired by sci-fi classics and everlasting themes of human curiosity, exploration, and science; and alien planets filled with scary monsters, of course.

We can’t wait for you to beat the odds using knowledge, experimentation, tactical thinking, and sharp shooting skills – as you struggle to stay calm and precise during intense moments of terror. Scars Above comes out today, February 28^th for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Scars Above

Prime Matter

☆☆☆☆☆
5

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

Scars Above is a challenging sci-fi third-person action adventure shooter combining the rewarding feel of overcoming difficulty with a compelling and intricate story, set in a mysterious alien world to explore.

Some things were not meant to be discovered…

A colossal and enigmatic alien structure appears in Earth’s orbit and stuns the entire world; humanity names it ‘The Metahedron’. The Sentient Contact Assessment and Response team (SCAR) – consisting of scientists and engineers – is sent to investigate.

Things don’t go as planned and the Metahedron hauls the team across space onto a mysterious extrasolar planet. Playing the role of Dr Kate Ward – a SCAR member – who wakes up dazed, alone in a strange, hostile environment. Determined to survive, you set out to find your crew and unravel the mystery behind what’s happened.

SURVIVE AGAINST ALL ODDS:
Kate is an astronaut and a scientist – not a soldier – but she’s resourceful and determined to do anything to survive.
Use a combination of ranged weapons, devices, consumables and melee attacks, you need to manage stamina as you run, dodge, exploit weak points and discover effective tactics to defeat your foes
Combine different elemental attacks to beat the odds and break through otherwise impassable obstacles.
Craft different items and gadgets to aid you against the countless threats in this exoplanet.

EXPLORE A MYSTERIOUS EXOPLANET:
Immerse yourself in a carefully crafted adventure, inspired by the sci-fi classics.
Explore an alien world filled with countless threats, gorgeous landscapes and ruins hinting of an ancient – yet advanced – civilisation that somehow disappeared.
Journey through different biomes, such as marshlands, freezing wastelands, underground caverns and alien facilities – all with their own set of challenges, enemies, secrets and environmental hazards.

EMBARK ON A RESEARCH JOURNEY:
Kate is a scientist to her core and you’ll use that scientific expertise to extract information from your surroundings by scanning artifacts, materials and creatures in order to learn about their features, properties and weaknesses.
As you explore your surroundings, you will conduct analysis and gain knowledge which will allow you to craft new gadgets, weapons and unlock abilities in Xenobiology and Engineering trees.

THRILLING BOSS FIGHTS:
Ghastly enemy designs – with diverse strategies and tactics – will keep encounters fresh, forcing you to find creative ways to defeat them.

The Scars Above Experience:
[*] Immerse yourself in an exciting sci-fi adventure inspired by the classics of the genre
[*] Explore an enigmatic and intricate alien world – with plenty of mysteries to uncover
[*] Fight tactically, using a combination of elemental attacks, gadgets and items, exploit the environment and enemy weaknesses
[*] Engage exciting and challenging enemies and bosses, from hulking rock-covered monstrosities to nightmarish creatures lurking in the dark
[*] Gain knowledge and acquire new skills
[* ]Scan enemies to learn about their weaknesses and behaviours
[*] Use your scientific skills to conduct research and extrapolate information

Mature Content Description:
The developers describe the content like this:
Violence, Depictions mutated human bodies, Depictions of dead and mutilated aliens.

New Games with Gold for March 2023

Travel across eras this March in Games with Gold! On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, start the month with a visit to a 1960s-era set sci-fi mystery in Trüberbrook or strategize WWII battles in Sudden Strike 4- Complete Collection, and then midmonth survive 19^th century supernatural horrors in Lamentum.

Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. So will Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, who receive all the fantastic benefits of Gold plus access to hundreds of high-quality games with Xbox Game Pass.

Trüberbrook ($29.99 ERP): Available March 1 to 31
Sudden Strike 4 – Complete Collection ($39.99 ERP): Available March 1 to March 31
Lamentum ($15.99 ERP): Available March 16 to April 15

Trüberbrook

Explore the charming 1960s German village of Trüberbrook where not all is as it seems. Get trippy in this single-player Sci-Fi mystery adventure game. The world of the game is beautifully built using meticulously handmade miniature scenery. Discover reality rifts, encounter crazy scientists, and fight for true love as you step up to save the world!

Sudden Strike 4 – Complete Collection

Play the original World War Two RTS classic and all five previously released DLCs. Command forces from all sides in iconic battles including on the Road to Dunkirk, across the snowy landscape of Finland, the rugged deserts of Africa, or engaging in the naval battles of the Pacific. You can play single-player or multiplayer leading over one hundred different units into battle across eleven campaigns.

Lamentum

Delve deep into nightmare-fueled madness. How far would you go to save the one you love? For young aristocrat Victor Hartwell the cost to save his ailing wife might be unthinkable. Explore the mystery and encounter horrific creatures. Who will you choose to trust? How will you ever hope to survive? Spending one night in Grau Hill Mansion may be the last night you ever see.

Read more about our Games with Gold program here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire for all the latest news on Xbox. Like we said before, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you get all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, hundreds of high-quality games you can play on console, PC, and across devices from the cloud, and access to EA Play at no extra cost. New games are added all the time, so you’re never without something new to try when you’re looking to find your next favorite game. If you’re new, or if you’re an existing Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for Console member, join or upgrade today.

Trüberbrook

Headup GmbH

☆☆☆☆☆
31

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

»Trüberbrook« is a thrilling mystery-sci-fi adventure game. Enjoy an adventurous vacation to a 1960’s parallel universe! A Sci-Fi-Mystery Adventure Game with handmade scenery.

Imagine yourself on a vacation to Europe in the late sixties. Now, picture yourself as a young American scientist; Hans Tannhauser. While you’re at it, think of Trüberbrook, a remote village in rural Germany. Because, that’s where you end up after hitting the continent. But who cares, you won the trip in a lottery! Or at least, that’s how it seems. But don’t fear, instead of getting some rest, you could find yourself having to save the world …

Sudden Strike 4 – Complete Collection

Kalypso Media

☆☆☆☆☆
31

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

The Sudden Strike 4: Complete Collection offers fans the ultimate World War II strategy experience, containing the main Sudden Strike 4 game plus all five previously released DLCs: Battle of Kursk, Road to Dunkirk, Finland – Winter Storm, Africa – Desert War and The Pacific War.
Sudden Strike 4 sends you off on three extensive campaigns set amongst the battlefields of World War II. Command the British and American, German or Soviet troops in the most iconic conflicts of the war, leading over 100 different units into battle. Prove your strategic expertise in over 20 demanding singleplayer scenarios, the challenge-focused skirmish mode and the ultra-competitive multiplayer mode.
In Road to Dunkirk, relive the battles leading up to one of the world‘s most daring military rescue missions ever – the evacuation of British Expeditionary Forces and French soldiers from German superior numbers in 1940.
Advance the Soviet forces into Finland during the Winter War’s Vyborg Offensive, and take part in some of the most infamous Finnish vs. Soviet military conflicts in Finland – Winter Storm. Fight as the Finnish against an overwhelming threat, or play as the Soviets and crush the last Finnish defensive lines.
Africa – Desert War shifts the setting from the cold north to the unforgiving and harsh deserts of Africa. Lead the Axis powers in their mission to invade Libya, Tunisia and Egypt to crush the unprepared American forces, or take command of the Allies and relive the battles that turned the tide of the Western Desert campaign.
Gather your forces for an all-out attack on the Pacific shores. Experience the fiercest battles of the South East Asian campaign like never before, as the The Pacific War throws you right into the conflict between the Allied Forces and the Imperial Japanese Army.

Features:
• Sudden Strike 4: Complete Collection offers realistic real-time strategy gameplay with tactical depth and a historical setting
across 11 campaigns with over 45 missions and more than 200 different units in a complete package.
• Contains all free content updates available, with over 10 new maps and gameplay refinements.
• Command German and Soviet forces in the Battle of Kursk – one of the largest tank battles of World War II!
• Road to Dunkirk features 4 new missions, 2 new commanders and 10 all-new units, as well as additional buildings and ships.
• Finland – Winter Storm features 6 new missions, 3 new commanders, and 19 all-new vehicles, along with additional buildings
and units.
• Africa – Desert Storm features 6 new missions, 5 new commanders, and 30 new vehicles, including a medical truck.
• The Pacific War features 10 new missions, 6 new commanders, and over 50 new vehicles, including aircraft carriers.
• Adapt and refine the military doctrines of more than 20 renowned commanders, such as Heinz Guderian, George S. Patton or
Charles de Gaulle for a different strategic and tactical approach to each scenario.
• Pit yourself against other commanders or challenging enemy AI enemies in competitive multiplayer modes.

Lamentum

Neon Doctrine

☆☆☆☆☆
18

★★★★★

$15.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

Guide Victor Hartwell, a young aristocrat on a desperate journey to cure the deadly disease that afflicts his beloved wife, Alissa. Their last hope resides in the darkened halls of Grau Hill Mansion whose Earl has uncovered ancient secrets and forgotten sciences. He claims he can heal Alissa, but… at what price? Grau Hill mansion will open its doors and immerse you in a world of nightmares where you may be trapped forever.

Lamentum is a pixel art survival-horror game set in New England in the mid-nineteenth century. To solve the dark secret at the heart of Grau Hill Mansion, you will have to immerse yourself in a nightmare world full of terrible creatures.

Choose well in whom to trust, every decision you make may alter the course of the story.

Will you survive?

Lamentum is inspired by classic survival horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill along with cosmic horror masterpieces, especially the Cthulhu mythos.

Lamentum is a dark and adult-themed game, in which the player can enjoy classic survival-horror gameplay.

PC Game Pass Preview is Available for Insiders in 40 New Countries

As a part of our mission to expand the joy and community of gaming to every player in the world, we’re excited to announce we’re bringing a preview of PC Game Pass to 40 new countries for the first time ever, comprising:

Albania
Algeria
Bahrain
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Georgia
Guatemala
Honduras
Iceland
Kuwait
Latvia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Nicaragua
North Macedonia
Oman
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia
Tunisia
Ukraine
Uruguay

Beginning on February 28, gamers in these new markets can sign up for PC Game Pass Preview program giving them immediate access to a library of hundreds of high-quality PC games on Windows including new Xbox Game Studios releases on day one, iconic Bethesda games, an EA Play membership, and member-only benefits in Riot Games. It only takes a few minutes to download the Xbox Insider Hub app and sign up to join the Insider Program. Once registered, players can join the preview of PC Game Pass for a special testing price for the first month.

The PC Game Pass library adds new games all the time, and more great games from Xbox and Bethesda are coming to PC Game Pass soon. The upcoming action-strategy game Minecraft Legends will be released on Tuesday, April 18; Redfall, Arkane Austin’s story-driven first-person shooter, hits on May 2; and more great games are coming soon.

In the coming months, PC Game Pass will launch in these countries for all players to experience. This means that Game Pass community members from 86 countries around the world can play hundreds of games together with their friends and family.

We look forward to welcoming more players from around the world to the Game Pass community.

Battle your Way through the Void in Neo-Noir Love Story El Paso, Elsewhere

Summary

From the mind behind Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator comes a neo-noir third-person shooter about killing the monster you loved.
Battle supernatural creatures from across space and time with an arsenal of deadly weapons.
El Paso, Elsewhere is coming to Xbox consoles and PC this Fall.

Sometimes, your greatest enemies are your own memories.

We’re telling a new kind of love story in El Paso, Elsewhere, the latest title from my studio, the developers behind Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, Strange Scaffold. A nightmarish one-way trip set deep beneath a motel in El Paso, Texas, you’ll unravel a tale about addiction and heartbreak as you shoot and stake monsters from horror movies and our own minds. El Paso, Elsewhere is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this Fall.

The setup is, after learning that the world as we know it is going to be destroyed in an arcane ritual, recovering drug addict and Black folklore researcher James Savage returns to his hometown of El Paso, Texas. In a fight to save reality itself from being consumed by the Forces Beyond, he has to travel to a strange motel, clearing the floors that have mysteriously appeared beneath it of horrific creatures while saving hostages along the way. The lord of the vampires – and his ex – Draculae, is behind the plot, opening old wounds and abandoned coping mechanisms.

Inspired by the Max Payne-era of games, El Paso, Elsewhere is combining raw third-person action with a heavy, neo-noir narrative. As James Savage, you’ll be able to mow down the monstrous creatures you come across with a variety of weapons, including dual pistols, uzis, shotguns and – naturally – stakes. When you run out of ammo, you can always smash the wooden furniture located throughout the dimension-hopping biomes under the motel for more stakes. But you have to be careful: staking a creature means getting painfully close to the monsters guarding Draculae.

Savage also has some extra tricks up his sleeve, including Bullet Time. By diving or with the press of a single button, you can make the world slow down, letting you aim precise headshots or dodge attacks with ease. You can also leap into the air and bounce off of nearby walls to give your dive more airtime or a better vantage point. With near-inhuman movements and the ammo littering the floors you’ll explore, you will be able to tear through Draculae’s army.

But not every battle can be fought with guns. Through his descent, Savage will battle with his own memories – coming to terms with everything that brought him back to his hometown of El Paso, Texas and the fact that he might have to kill the monster he once loved. Through lush, minimal 3D cinematics, you’ll learn the tragic story of James and Draculae, and the roads they traveled to end up once again facing each other—this time, as enemies at the end of the world.

El Paso, Elsewhere is set to launch this Fall on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Follow us on Twitter at @StrangeScaffold or visit https://linktr.ee/strangescaffold for more.

This Week on Xbox: New Game Releases, Microsoft Flight Sim Goes to Hobbiton, and More

Seven Things to Know Before Playing the Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Demo

Summary

These are some key tips and strategies to know before you jump into the world of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, launching March 3 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.
From Morale Rank, to counter-attacks, and more, we prepare you for the fight that’s in store.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is available for pre-order on the Xbox Store and will be available day one with Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.

We know you’re eager to get your hands on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty when launches day one with Game Pass on March 3. But before Team Ninja’s latest action RPG arrives, we’re dropping a new two-chapter demo today on the Xbox Store that showcases the thrilling combat and intense fighting of a demon-plagued, dark fantasy-infused Three Kingdoms.

Here you’ll be tasked to defy the odds using a mix of magic and Chinese martial arts as an anonymous militia soldier, battling your way through waves of monsters and enemy soldiers in this Later Han Dynasty epic. It’s a great opportunity to see what the game has in store, and best of all your saved data from the Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Demo will carry over to the full game starting on March 3. If you manage to complete the first chapter, you’ll even be rewarded with the Crouching Dragon Helmet to equip in-game.

Before you jump into the action, though, I wanted to break down seven things to know before you awaken your inner strength in the full game.

Morale to the Story

The first thing you’ll need to understand about the game is Morale Rank. Morale Rank is a growth element used during missions that is different from your character’s level. The higher your Morale Rank, the less damage you’ll receive from enemies and the more battle elements are made available. Morale Points can be earned by defeating enemies or by landing Martial Arts attacks, Spirit attacks, or a Fatal Strike. Your Morale Rank can increase to a maximum level of 25.

Enemy Morale

Enemy Morale Ranks are displayed in the UI above their heads. The higher your Morale Rank is compared to the enemy’s, the greater the damage they will deal. In addition, the color of the Morale Rank icon indicates their threat level, with green Morale Ranks being lower or equal to your character, yellow being 1-4 points higher, and red being 5+ points higher. Basically, if you see an enemy with a red Morale Rank, you might want to raise your own level a bit before fighting them, or you could be in for a swift death.

Spirit Squad

Beyond Morale, you’ll also need to keep an eye on your Spirit Gauge. Spirit is the strength of an individual’s willpower during battle and can be used to strike down enemies using Martial Arts, Wizardry Spells, and Spirit attacks. Increase your Spirit Gauge by landing normal attacks or deflecting an enemy attack, but beware, getting hit by enemies will decrease your Spirit, leaving you vulnerable against some of the tougher soldiers and monsters in-game.

Deflect! Deflect! Deflect!

While you’re able to block most attacks, the key to making enemies miss or even stagger, while setting them up for even bigger blows, is the ability to Deflect. Wait for your opponent to set up for their strike, and as they move in for their attack, use just the right timing to press B in order to Deflect the assault, setting yourself up for your own maneuver. And remember, Deflects also help increase your Spirit!

Wizards and Warriors

Wizardry Spells are special skills that align with the elements of the Five Phases. You can set up to four different Wizardry Spells for use during combat. By targeting the enemy’s weak elements and status effects, you can gain the upper hand in battle. Successful use of Wizardry Spells can nullify an enemy’s elemental attack. For example, a Flame area (of the Fire Phase) created by an enemy can be extinguished by a Water Phase Spell.

Death From Above

When climbing up cliffs or alongside a building, look down and check for enemies. Press Y while jumping down to perform a Fatal Strike against an unaware soldier or demon! Fatal Strikes can also be performed from behind by sneaking up on an enemy and pressing Y. The lock-on marker will turn red if it’s possible to perform a Fatal Strike on a target.

Part Destruction

Demons have hardened body parts that can be destroyed. You can destroy the hardened part by attacking it or by deflecting an enemy’s Critical Blow. If you successfully perform part destruction, the enemy will no longer be able to perform a Critical Blow or other attacks with that part. Part destruction also reduces the enemy’s maximum Spirit limit, which will then increase your chance to launch a Fatal Strike.

These seven tips are just the start to the depth of Wo Long’s gameplay. From Divine Beasts to the various weapon types and Chinese martial arts, there are layers upon layers upon layers to learn, and this demo will give you a taste of what’s to come when the game launches March 3 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available day one with Game Pass on console and PC.

Until then, jump into the demo and see how many demons you can destroy. And don’t forget to check out the exciting new launch trailer released today, showcasing just some of the famous faces from the Three Kingdoms you’ll encounter along the way.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Adds New Plane To Local Legend Series

Microsoft Flight Simulator has released another aircraft as part of its Local Legends Series, in conjunction with World Update XII: New Zealand, the DHC-4 Caribou.

From aerospace manufacturer de Havilland Canada, the DHC-4 Caribou is the eighth addition to the Series, a twin-engine, short takeoff and landing (STOL) cargo aircraft originally developed as a military cargo and troop carrier. The Caribou was conceptually based on the STOL performance of the smaller de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter, but with greater cargo capacity.

The Caribou first flew on July 30, 1958, and was introduced into mainline service in 1961. De Havilland built a total of 307 Caribou planes, with the majority going into military service, and the rest serving civil missions. 32 countries’ militaries flew the Caribou, including that of the United States. Designated first as the CV-2 and then as the C-7, the United States Army and the United States Air Force operated a total of 159 of the planes. Spain, Kenya, India, and Australia also used the airframe until 2009.

The DHC-4, crewed by two pilots, can carry up to 32 troops and their gear along with 8,000 pounds of cargo or some combination thereof. The Caribou has a distinct, utilitarian look, featuring a long, narrow fuselage with a rear cargo ramp and elevated tail section, allowing for easy and efficient loading and offloading of equipment and personnel.

It can also execute in-flight drops of equipment and/or paratroops on demand. The empennage is a cruciform design, with a large vertical stabilizer and rudder for low-speed yaw authority and it has a retractable tricycle undercarriage with long landing gear legs for use in remote, rustic airfields. The high aspect ratio design of the main wing is mounted on the forward of the fuselage and has full-span, double-slotted flaps.

The wing has a polyhedral, inverted gull form and supports its two radial engines in nacelles that also serve as mounts for the main landing gear. Finally, the aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial piston engines that each deliver 1,450 horsepower and turn a 3-blade Hamilton Standard constant-speed, reversible-pitch propeller.

The Caribou served in several combat zones and has been used for a variety of humanitarian assistance missions through the years, most notably in Vietnam, Vanuatu, and on the Line of Control along the India-Pakistan border region. In these harsh operating arenas, the Caribou earned its legendary status, as it took off from and landed on short, rugged runways in as little as 1,000 feet of ground roll.

The DHC-4 features a range of 1,300 miles, climbs at 1,355 feet per minute, and has a service ceiling of 24,800 feet above sea level. It cruises at 182 miles per hour, stalls at 68 mph, and has a top speed of 215 mph.

The DHC-4 Caribou by de Havilland Canada is a beast of an aircraft that is a true aviator’s machine. It can fly into and out of almost any airstrip and responds confidently to every pilot input.

Available today in the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace for $14.99, the DHC-4 Caribou comes with seven liveries:

Default
Blue with Red Stripe
Blue with White and Red Accents
Blue with Yellow Stripe
Camouflage 1
Camouflage 2
White

Join the more than 10 million pilots in Microsoft Flight Simulator today! The sky is calling!Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on Twitter.

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Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.

Free Play Days – Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, and Dragon Ball: The Breakers

Battle through a demon invested castle, discover what secrets lie await in Savathûn’s Throne world, or try to survive as ordinary citizens against some of Dragon Balls biggest bad guys! Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, and Dragon Ball: The Breakers are available this weekend for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member to play from Thursday, February 23 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, February 26 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

How to Start Playing

Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and enter the Gold member area to locate the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Keep the Fun Going

Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and earned achievements during the event! Please note that discounts and percentages may vary by title and region.

Game Details

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
- Standard Edition (~~$39.99 SRP~~) at 65% off: $13.99 (Free Play Days)
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
- Standard Edition ($39.99 SRP) (Free Play Days)
- Deluxe Edition (~~$79.99 SRP~~)at 75% off: $19.99
Dragon Ball: The Breakers
- Standard Edition (~~$19.99~~)at 25% off: $14.99 (Free Play Days)
- Special Edition (~~$29.99~~) at 35% off: $19.49

Blood Stained: Ritual of the Night

Experience the beautifully crafted gothic world filled with challenging enemies, powerful abilities, and fascinating characters. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist curse, as she journeys through a demon-infested castle. With its beautiful 2D art style, challenging gameplay, and fantastic soundtrack, Bloodstained is a must-play for those seeking non-stop side scrolling action. You can buy Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S at a 65% discount during Xbox Free Play Days.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

The Witch Queen expansion will be open to all players until February 26, 2023. This is a great time to get your friends or the old fireteam together to explore the Throne World and earn Exotics that can be used after the free weekend is over or going into Destiny 2: Lightfall.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is an online asymmetrical action game in which a team of seven ordinary citizens try to survive the Raider (a classic Dragon Ball rival such as Cell, Frieza, and Buu), who will hunt them down and evolve during the game into an unstoppable force. Escaping will not be so easy! Cooperate with others while there is still time, but the Raider or other Survivors’ decisions might force you to go at it alone. What will be your playstyle? Dragon Ball: The Breakers is 35% off during Xbox Anime Month in February!

Don’t miss out on this exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.