Deliver Us Mars is the sequel to 2019’s Deliver Us The Moon, and it’s out now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Join a desperate mission to Mars and uncover the mystery of an abandoned colony.
Experience a rich narrative and all-new gameplay mechanics as you help save our planet.
In 2019’s Deliver Us The Moon, developer KeokeN Interactive sent players to the Moon to reactivate a vital energy source and pull Earth back from the brink of disaster. In its sequel Deliver Us Mars, out today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, the goal is to give our planet a fighting chance at a bright future – and the only way to do that involves a small crew journeying to Mars on a do-or-die mission.
Developed by a core team of around 20 people, Deliver Us Mars takes their grand vision to an even bigger canvas. Where Deliver Us The Moon had a silent protagonist witnessing events from the past, Deliver Us Mars has a voiced lead who plays a key role in the story, as well as a full cast of supporting characters. New gameplay mechanics like a thrillingly realistic climbing system, first-person zero-G sections and challenging puzzles give that adventure even more variety this time around.
In the near future, Earth has been ravaged by terrible flooding and wild storms as a result of climate change. Only the ARKs – enormous ships with the power to restore plant life and the planet’s atmosphere – can give humanity a shot at safeguarding the world for future generations. Those ARKs, though, are currently in the possession of the shadowy group Outward, who fled with the vessels to Mars and deliberately left the rest of mankind behind to start anew. Discovering the fate of the Outward colonists and the whereabouts of the ARKs are what drive your journey across Mars in this sci-fi adventure.
But that larger save-the-world story is just one layer of Deliver Us Mars’ powerful and emotional narrative. At the heart of the game is the relationship between a father and a daughter. You take on the role of young astronaut Kathy Johanson, whose father, Isaac, abandoned her years earlier to join the Outward group as they escaped to Mars. In the present, a mysterious message suggests that Isaac may still be alive – and Kathy is determined to join the World Space Agency’s mission to the Red Planet and discover the truth, even though her father is a wanted fugitive on Earth.
“It was important to have the impact of that relationship bubbling underneath the surface the entire time,” says Ellise Chappell (‘Poldark’, ‘Young Wallander’), who plays Kathy and lends her likeness to the character. “Kathy has been living with unanswered questions for years which I think influences the way she carries herself. This broken relationship informs her interests, her drive, and even her sense of humor, which I think she uses to hide a deep sadness and insecurity. It also makes Kathy feel quite unpredictable as a character – where do her loyalties lie?”
That tension of Kathy’s true motivations will keep players guessing throughout the game: has she truly journeyed to Mars to find the ARKs and save humanity, or does she selfishly want to find her father, a goal not shared by her crewmates? Or does she want both at the same time, possibly jeopardizing the mission?
“Apart from being a grand space opera mixed with a psychological family drama, which is in itself and unusual combination – one that works brilliantly – Deliver Us Mars is a game of suspense and wonder and mystery exploring the Red Planet,” says actor and Performance Director Neil Newbon (Resident Evil Village, Baldur’s Gate 3), who plays Kathy’s father, Isaac, and helped bring the motion-captured cutscenes to life in collaboration with KeokeN Interactive. “It has violent undertones without being overtly violent. I think it makes it a thoughtful and well observed piece whilst still being thrilling and captivating as a piece of storytelling. The danger and threat of violence is ever present but not glorified – and that underlying current adds to the tense experience of Kathy’s journey.”
Newbon was such a huge fan of Deliver Us The Moon that he reached out to KeokeN Interactive after completing the game. “I emailed them shortly after its release to ask to work with them about 4 years ago,” he says. Now, he’s one of the sequel’s stars, bringing a great deal of inner conflict to the role of Isaac Johanson, who players will learn about in holographic diaries once they arrive on Mars. Isaac’s regret over leaving Kathy behind years before is a key piece of the overall narrative. “I charted his life and the events that brought him to this terrible decision. It was not an easy moment but as an actor I loved working on these scenes.”
Deliver Us Mars is a game that asks players to make their own minds up about the story, and what’s worth sacrificing for the greater good. While the Outward group initially seem like the villains of the piece, Kathy’s journey across their colonies on Mars exposes a faction that was fraught with infighting and conflict about what they’ve done. Players will experience this parallel story while recovering the ARKs, and retrace Outward’s steps as they endured the harsh realities of attempting to colonize Mars (which, even with the power of the ARKs, was far from easy).
“I think Kathy, like most of the characters in Deliver Us Mars, doesn’t fall into either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ archetypes,” says Chappell. “No one is a hero or a villain in this game; each character is a complex representation of what it means to be a human, flaws and all. Kathy is an anti-hero; despite being brave, determined and highly intelligent. She can also be deceptive, short-sighted and reckless. She’s a character who has to make difficult choices which will throw what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ into question for the player.”
Players will build a strong connection with Kathy as she endures immense odds to achieve her mission. KeokeN Interactive’s goal is to create a protagonist who feels like a real person, reflecting their grounded approach to sci-fi storytelling that is consistent with the style of the first game.
Today, they can take that journey to Mars themselves, experiencing gorgeous environments, a huge variety of gameplay types and a finale that’ll stay with them for years to come.
Newbon explains how he hopes players will feel about Deliver Us Mars once they’ve finished the game. “Transported. Moved and wanting to immediately call their closest human beings and tell them that they love them.”
Sequel to the award-winning Deliver Us The Moon, Deliver Us Mars is an atmospheric sci-fi adventure offering an immersive astronaut experience. Explore new frontiers on a suspense-fuelled, high-stakes mission to recover the ARK colony ships stolen by the mysterious Outward.
A BOLD NEW MISSION
Ten years after the Fortuna mission, humanity is closer than ever to extinction. After a mysterious distress call from Mars, Earth’s youngest astronaut Kathy Johanson joins the Zephyr and its crew on one last mission: to recover the ARK colony ships stolen by the mysterious Outward, and with them, ensure the survival of the human race.
OUT OF THIS WORLD GAMEPLAY
Board the Zephyr as you journey from Earth to the surface of Mars. Traverse and endure its harsh and unforgiving terrain as you quest to discover the secrets left behind by Outward. Use both brains and brawn to overcome mental and physical challenges, find the ARKs, and uncover the motivations of those behind the distress call that brought you here.
A HANDCRAFTED EXPERIENCE
Experience a highly polished and absorbing narrative experience packed with engaging gameplay. Every moment is handcrafted, delivering a suspense-filled, emotion-fuelled narrative alongside music from award-winning composer Sander Van Zanten, state-of-the-art motion capture, and stunning graphics, powered by Unreal Engine.
Season 3 of Gundam Evolution, dubbed ‘Defencer’, is arriving today, February 1, where new and veteran Mobile Suit Pilots can join the fray. This season is bringing all-new add-on content to enjoy: a new Mobile Suit, regional servers, and a whole lot more!
New Mobile Suit: Hyperion Gundam
Hyperion Gundam hails from the ‘Mobile Suit Gundam SEED X Astray’manga and marks the newest addition to the Gundam Evolution roster. Pilots will be able to attain this Mobile Suit through the store or via the Hyperion Gundam Item Pack. It’s perfect for Gundam SEED fans!
Hyperion Gundam excels in holding the frontlines as well as being able to break through enemy forces. Let’s go over what makes this unit so special!
Hyperion’s primary attack is a Beam Submachine Gun for both close and mid-range combat.
Using the secondary attack causes Hyperion Gundam to hold up a shield to prevent damage and hold the line.
“Forfanterie” will fire a beam that will penetrate enemy units, making it perfect for stopping an advance or making defense more difficult.
“Armure Lumiere” deploys a barrier for quick defense in an area, perfect for holding the line or advancing without fear.
Hyperion Gundam’s G Maneuver “Armure Lumiere Lancer” will cause this unit to charge forward while dealing damage and causing a stun on affected enemies!
Unlock Hyperion Gundam by purchasing Evo Coins or completing challenges to earn Capital in-game.
All Systems Are Ready To Go!
Gundam Evolution is an immersive, fast-paced 6v6 team shooter where you’re able to pilot iconic Mobile Suits from the smash hit ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ anime series. Jump into combat as Hyperion Gundam, Unicorn Gundam, and more from this expanding roster.
Gundam Evolution also has three different game modes that allow you to show off your teamwork and tactical skills: Point Capture, Domination, and Destruction. Coordinate with your team and align your G-Maneuvers to come out on top!
Can’t wait to start piloting your own Mobile Suit? Play Gundam Evolution now and experience these exciting Mobile Suit battles first-hand. We’ll see you in the Hangar, Pilots!
In the new Season MOBIUS, the popular Nu Gundam and more are added! Make full use of the Fin Funnel like Amuro and aim for team victory!
Many fan-favorite items related to Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack are also available.
In addition, a new MAP Colony CargoBay has been added and new elements have been implemented to make GUNDAM EVOLUTION even more powerful, so experience it now!
GUNDAM EVOLUTION is an online FPS title in which players take control of mobile suits from the hit Gundam anime and fight other online players in six-versus-six battles. Features fast-paced action and immersive controls. Switch between mobile suits with their own unique characteristics and cooperate with teammates to win matches.
2023 promises to be a big year for Xbox and Windows PC games, with major new titles from Xbox Game Studios and our partners set to jostle for space on your hard drives and cloud devices. From ultra-anticipated RPGs like Starfield, to long-awaited blockbusters such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, to indie hits-in-waiting, there’s something for everyone coming this year — and a huge portion of this list will be available from day one as part of your Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass membership.
With that in mind, the Xbox Wire team has come together to offer up our personal picks (in no particular order) for the year ahead. Below is just a snapshot of the big picture for 2023 — it’s clear it’s going to be a good year.
I’m far from alone in my anticipation for Starfield, and for good reason. Bethesda’s upcoming RPG introduces an entirely new frontier to explore — space. As a member of space exploring outfit Constellation, you’re tasked with adventuring across the Settled Systems in your own custom ship, seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy. Starfield is set to include over 1,000 planets to discover, and if my Skyrim playtime is anything to go by, you know I’m going to poke every single one. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
I own no fewer than five versions of Resident Evil 4 across my personal game collection, yet I’ve never actually finished the game. It’s one of my biggest “black marks” as a gamer, and one that I’m excited to finally rectify this year with its upcoming remake – it’s a big reason why I have this down as one of my Most Anticipated Games of 2023. Following on the heels of two great remakes (Resident Evil 2 (2019) and Resident Evil 3 (2020), RE4 remake has a high bar to hit. But from everything I’ve seen so far, this is shaping up to be a modern classic that I’m excited to add to my ever-growing game collection. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor
Minecraft Legends – April 18, 2023 – Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Windows and Steam), Cloud, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5
Minecraft has always been about allowing for creativity from its players — Minecraft Legends shows a similar level of unbridled creativity from its developers. This action-strategy game is being built to appeal simultaneously to both Minecraft fans and brand-new players — and does so through the ingenious take of familiar Minecraft ideas in new forms. Harnessing a procedurally-generated world, familiar items, focus on resources, and the frequently terrifying mobs that fans know and turning them into something wholly new (and wholly approachable for those who haven’t played the original) is a fascinating moment for this series — and one I cannot wait experience myself. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
I was unfairly cynical about Cal Kestis’ debut at first – of all those cool alien races available, you’ve given us a human? However, Fallen Order quickly became one of my all-time favourite Star Wars adventures – in game or film. The first game (which is available as part of an EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership if you need to catch up) set us up against the rising threat of the Empire and took us to some incredible worlds, and I’m confident that Jedi: Survivor will expand on those gorgeous destinations and deliver an epic new story – one that Cal deserves to be the epicentre of. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor
Redfall – May 2, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, PC (Game Pass)
Arkane is that rare thing, a studio that commands attention for its name as much as for its game concepts. If I see ‘Arkane Austin’ pop up before a trailer plays, I already want to play that game, and Redfall does not mark an exception. The studio’s rich history with immersive sims has led to some of the most fascinating worlds, mechanical tricks and level designs of recent years – Redfall’s setting across the length and breadth of a whole fictional town and its wildly unusual character classes (with the promise of more to come after launch) only point to more classic moments yet to come. But it’s the differences that really hold my attention, this close to release. A focus on co-op play (only increasing the opportunities for that now-expected Arkane mechanical magic), a strengthened interest in gunplay, and its open world setting have me snarling to end a vampire incursion with my friends. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Yes, this just came out – but I haven’t had a chance to play it just yet, so I’m technically still anticipating it. I’m normally not a fan of the horror genre, but I love science fiction, which is a bit ironic since space is in and of itself a terrifying place. The original version of Dead Space wonderfully captures that fear and couples it with an unassuming but likable protagonist struggling to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of his beloved partner and the crew of the USG Ishimura. Whether it’s my unfulfilled dreams of being an astronaut or the thought of facing unimaginable odds for the ones I love, Dead Space isn’t just one of my favorite games of all time, it’s arguably one of the greatest sci-fi horror games in the universe. It’s no surprise, then, that I’m ready to revisit this modern classic rebuilt from the ground up for next-gen hardware when it launches later this month – and the additions Motive Studios has made to weapons, loot, and exploration, I might even feel more ready to tackle the horrors of deep space head-on. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor
Forza Motorsport– 2023 –Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Game Pass)
I love video games as much as I love cars. Or maybe it’s cars as much as video games. Whichever, I’m a huge fan of Forza and tend to favor the simulation of Forza Motorsport over the open-world freedom of Forza Horizon, so I’m particularly excited for the upcoming next instalment of the classic racing series. Previous versions have treated us to photorealistic looking cars, beautifully rendered tracks, and breath-taking effects, yet the developers at Turn 10 Studios are already calling the next Forza Motorsport the most technically advanced and authentic racing game they’ve ever made. I have no idea how they can make the game any better but can’t wait to find out. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Since dropping onto Xbox Game Pass and into my life in 2020, the Yakuza series (now re-titled Like a Dragon for all future installments) has taken me on a sweeping tour of Japan, from snowy Sapporo to tropical Okinawa. Like a Dragon: Ishin!, RGG Studio’s remake of a 2014 only-in-Japan spinoff, isn’t merely content to shift locations; it transports players back in time to 1860s Kyoto, where things couldn’t be more different. Or are they? While Ishin’s story follows real life samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, your adventure is populated by familiar faces and voices from across the Yakuza universe. Ryoma may not realize he’s a dead ringer for Kazuma Kiryu, but recurring feelings of déjà vu ensure players will feel at home, even if they’ve never been further from it. And fear not, even if you don’t have experience with this game, or even the series as a whole, Like a Dragon: Ishin! has been designed to be self-contained – even if you don’t get the references, you’re still getting a brand-new samurai tale to play through. Check out our first preview here on Xbox Wire to learn more about the upcoming Like a Dragon: Ishin!– Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast
At the end of the workday, I rarely want to sit at my PC for more hours, no matter how good a game is. Me and my back pain don’t have to worry about that, now that Age of Empires IV is heading to consoles this year! Age of Empires IV feels like a truly modernised, slick rediscovery of the classic RTS, whether you’re storming through the single campaign or jousting with friends online. Following in the footsteps of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, which has seamlessly made its transition to Xbox consoles, I can’t wait to conquer from the comfort of my couch, and with the support of Xbox Play Anywhere, I can switch back over to the PC (or even my mobile through Xbox Cloud Gaming) if things get too serious… which they often do. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor
It’s been a minute since a new, mainline Street Fighter entry debuted on Xbox, when the seminal Street Fighter IV launched back in 2009. If you’ve lost track of the series, Street Fighter 6 is likely to blow you away when it arrives in June. SF6 has already confirmed its technical chops in a closed beta featuring older and wiser versions of Ryu, Chun Li, and Guile, and inspired new characters like Luke and soon-to-be fan-favorite Kimberly. The presentation is a stunning visual treat, including the veritable monster factory that is the game’s avatar creator. But it’s my anticipation of the single-player story mode World Tour that already has me prepping combos in excitement. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast
Bloodborne and Ninja Gaiden are some of my favorite games, even though I’m not that great at playing them. Their haunting visuals and slick combat are what I fondly remember, not all the times I was brutally and repeatedly defeated. So, when I heard that the creative talent behind those games were working on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, I was immediately intrigued and was fortunate enough to chat with Team Ninja’s Fumihiko Yasuda and Masaaki Yamagiwa to learn more. Will I be crushed into a pulp when I start playing? Likely. But this blend of dark fantasy, Chinese martial arts swordplay, and creative gaming talent has me incredibly excited to see how it all unfolds starting on March 3. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – May 26, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S
Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad) contains many of the most layered and iconic anti-heroes in DC Comics, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League lets you play as four of the most notorious of them – Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. The Squad must take on an impossible mission to save Earth and kill the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes – the Justice League. Combined with the gaming pedigree of Rocksteady, the studio behind the amazing Batman: Arkham games, and this has all the ingredients to be something truly special — even though we don’t know that much about it (yet). For now, we’re left largely to our imaginations and a few awesome trailers, which is why it’s one of my Most Anticipated Games of 2023 because… well… I want to know more about it! Hopefully all will be revealed soon and we can dive into another one of Rocksteady’s masterpieces later this year. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor
Diablo IV– June 6, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Sometimes, looking back is just as important as looking forward – a lesson Diablo IV is demonstrating months before release. Blizzard’s latest action-RPG returns to some of the series’ most fundamental ideas – a laser focus on full-bore, high-gore action-RPG combat, perilously deep customization, and a grimdark fantasy tale. But in embracing those old ideas, what I particularly love about Diablo 4 so far (not least when I played hours of the game ahead of launch), is in how it’s allowing itself to try new, complementary ideas. A truly open world allows for more loot, more combat, and more fulfilling co-op. A more cinematic approach to storytelling lets that pitch-black story at its core sing. A sharpened, high-gloss look allows for better legibility of spells, even in the thick of battle. Diablo IV is simultaneously old and new, and I’m delighted by both of those aspects. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief
Dead Island 2– April 28, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
When I think about all the zombie games I’ve played over the years, the ones that stand out have a few elements in common: great characters, exciting locations, and entertaining gameplay. The original Dead Island followed this formula over a decade ago, and the long-awaited sequel is demonstrating it will too. Dead Island 2 has a cast of unlikely heroesand takes place in a zombie-infested Los Angeles, (dubbed HELL-A). Add in some dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, who could ask for more? Looks like I’m moving to Beverly Hills. Swimming Pools. Movie stars. Survival against all odds. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor
To me, a sequel to Hollow Knight almost feels like an unnecessary pleasure – in 2017, developer Team Cherry managed to come out of the gates with a debut that felt unnaturally complete, from its art, to its moment-to-moment interactions, to its cloaked depths of story. And yet, Silksong already feels vital. By switching focus to bit-part character Hornet, we’re promised an entire new skillset and perspective, but built on the near-peerless foundations of the first game. My excitement is that we’re getting is less of a sequel and more of a companion piece. I cannot wait to find out what that feels like. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Lies of P – 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Game Pass)
If I told you that Lies of P, a Souls-like action RPG starring fairy tale Pinocchio wasn’t the biggest surprise of Gamescom 2022, my nose might start growing. It’s not just the shock factor; Just typing “Pinocchio” and “Soulslike” in the same sentence is enough to furrow the brow of anyone hearing about Lies of P for the first time, it’s how well Korean developer Neowiz is turning this concept into an awesome looking game. As you might expect, choosing whether or not Pinocchio tells the truth will have an impact in the story. However, the Pinocchio I’m familiar with wasn’t equipped with a ‘Legion Arm’, allowing players to journey through Lies of P in the way of their choosing as they seek out Geppetto. Definitely an improvement. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast
I’ve been on an Assassin’s Creed cooldown for about five years now, and I’m just about ready for my next historical roof-hopping adventure. Mirage promises to take us back to basics, with a more focused scope and more straightforward story beat. It’s also set in ancient Baghdad, a culture and world I’m looking forward to exploring, and a lovely throwback to the environments I grew to love in the very first game in the series. I’m super excited about this reprisal of a more manageable Assassin’s Creed game, and am looking forward to a gorgeous new world that feels like an old favourite. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor
The original Space Marine, for me, was a gateway into the massive Warhammer universe. At the time, it had been a while since something supplied such an amazing premise to such a rich and detailed world. It also helped that the game kicked ass, coupled with some truly amazing voice acting performances. Since then, I’ve explored a myriad of other Warhammer games, from Vermintide to Dawn of War to Total War: Warhammer. So, when the reveal trailer for Space Marine 2 dropped at the Game Awards 2021, my jaw hit the floor. It has been over a decade since the original game and from everything we’ve seen so far, it’s shaping up to be well worth the wait. I’m ready to heed the call of battle once again! – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor
Replaced– 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (Game Pass)
Full transparency, Replaced wasn’t a game on my radar until fairly recently. But after watching the trailers and doing a little reading, it’s definitely a title I’m now hugely looking forward to playing this year, especially since it’s launching into Game Pass as an Xbox console exclusive. This action-platformer has a Shadow Complex and Deadlight vibe (both games I thoroughly enjoyed) but is set in an alternative 1980s dystopian world. The art style is beautifully crafted with a blend of pixel art and realistic looking backdrops, and the atmosphere conveys the dark and foreboding setting you’d expect from a world on the verge of collapse. Plus, there’s a dog, and it looks like you may be able to pet it. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor
Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
It’s difficult to look forward to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 without recognizing the challenges its Ukrainian developers have endured the past year, but they have continued working on the game, and fans like me are excited to get our hands on it, and to celebrate something made against such a backdrop. In purely gaming terms, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is a fascinating location to set your game, and with a gritty tale, immersive sim elements, and beautiful technical execution, you have me hooked. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor
If you were looking for a series to thank for keeping the RTS genre alive, Company of Heroes 1 & 2 would be near the top of that list in my opinion, right up there with StarCraft II. These games have done a tremendous job of mixing a compelling and dramatic World War II narrative with stellar real-time strategy gameplay. Plus, the amazing destruction engine brought it all together to make these battles feel truly lived in. Now with this series returning for the first time in 10 years, on both PC and console, I’m incredibly excited to see how Company of Heroes 3 translates to the power of Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out this recent preview on Xbox Wire to get a sense of the hard work being put into this version of the game. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor
Alan Wake 2– 2023 –Xbox Series X|S
After spending a full decade atop my pile of shame, I finally took advantage of Xbox backward compatibility to enjoy the original Alan Wake in summer of 2020. I was immediately drawn into Remedy’s intentionally disorienting storytelling – something they’ve since taken even further with the truly excellent Control. Despite being nearly two generations behind technologically, Alan Wake’s light-wary enemies freaked me out enough that I exclusively played during daylight hours. For the long-awaited Alan Wake 2, Remedy says they’re crafting a survival horror game – the original AW was merely a “psychological thriller” (which you can catch up on too, with the even more accomplished Alan Wake Remastered) I can’t wait… to sleep with the lights on. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast
Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon – 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
It took until Elden Ring for me to fully get to grips with FromSoftware’s action-RPG Souls masterworks, but I’ve been an Armored Core player since day one. This grand old mech-battling series has had its gunmetal claws in the pleasure centers of my brain since I was a child, its measured tactical action and gloriously in-depth machine tinkering combining to make for something functionally unique. That Armored Core VI is seemingly a return to that formula, rather than the futuristic Soulslike many expected, is all I could have asked for. There’s no doubt we’ll see more Souls games come along, so this is a more-than welcome diversion. I’ll be knee-deep in leg units and shoulder-mounted missile launchers come launch day. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is commencing its 1st Anniversary on January 31, 2023. The celebration event will commemorate the launch of the ultimate post-apocalyptic survival horror game. Our developer team has created a chock-full slate of exciting new features and content.
The 1st Anniversary will have a stacked celebration schedule, starting with in-game events, which have always played a substantial role in the post-launch support of Dying Light 2 Stay Human. Bloody Anniversary (January 31 – February 8) will allow players to experience the game with a greater chance of dismembering foes. Dropkick Weekend (February 09 – 13) is going to base an entire event around the signature Dying Light move with amped-up ragdolls and damage. Both will provide additional community objectives with extra Anniversary-themed rewards via techlandgg.com.
Dying Light veterans can look forward to collecting all three skins of characters from the original game. For the first time, it will be possible to play in the shoes of Rais or Brecken and make a comeback as the legendary hero, Kyle Crane. Their likeness will come into play with their very own weapons and paraglider skins. To receive the Rais Bundle at no cost, players must earn it via the Bloody Anniversary. The Brecken Bundle requires similar participation in the Dropkick Weekend. Finally, the Crane Bundle is going to be an exclusive reward on TechlandGG for all proud owners of our two games: Dying Light and Dying Light 2 Stay Human.
The Community Update 2.0 will once again prove to place the fans of the series at the forefront by making some of their most requested features a reality. This includes multiple quality of life updates, improvements, fixes, and notable additions to the co-op mode, such as the long-awaited cross-gen! At last, it is time to grab your friends, regardless of the console generation of your choice, to save The City together.
There is going to be a new and exciting end-game progression system in Dying Light 2 Stay Human called Legend Levels. Players will be able to earn Legend Points by completing quests, activities, and challenges to level up. With each level, they can receive Upgrade Points to boost skills, new weapons and more rewards. The new feature can be accessed after unlocking the whole skill tree in the base game.
We plan to make more announcements and teases for the entire year of 2023. This will include the reveal of a new roadmap, content updates, community activities, information about the 2nd story DLC and so much more. For more information on the 1st Anniversary and all things Dying Light 2 Stay Human, visit techlandgg.com or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a first-person survival horror game. The virus won and civilization entered what many are now calling the Modern Dark Ages. As a wandering Pilgrim bound by no ethics or rules, travel to one of the remaining bastions of humanity, enter its strongholds, restore hope to its people and unwind the past that may now come back to haunt you.
Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners of Dying Light 2 Stay Human automatically receive Bloody Ties DLC. Separate purchase is not required.
Bloody Ties is the first official story DLC for Dying Light 2 Stay Human – a thrilling first-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world.
Who doesn’t want hundreds of fans chanting their name in perfect unison? Or feel like they are loved and admired while obtaining unimaginable riches at the same time? But what if to have it all, one must first pay the highest of prices?
As Aiden, you are encouraged by a promise of wealth, fame, and access to the best gear to enter a tournament where people sacrifice everything just for status. Hone your skills to defeat your enemies and make allies to obtain glory.
You will quickly realize that the quest for fame is just the beginning and you will find yourself involved in a plot for power and revenge.
Features:
NEW STORY
Embark on a new adventure. Secure yourself a spot in the Pantheon of the best fighters, help your new friend Ciro in his quest to avenge his brother’s death and discover the true nature of the tournament.
NEW LOCATION
Enter Carnage Hall – a place filled with wealth and splendor, where every fight is a narrative spectacle and the strongest seek fortune and fame.
NEW WEAPON: SHIELD GLOVE
Discover a new way to play with the Shield Glove, and make creative combat even more creative.
NEW GEAR
Obtain new gear in the tournament where strength matters the most and weapons are a symbol of status.
SPECTACLES & SHOWS
Play the role of your life in Spectacles – multi-objective arena shows with unique stories narrated by Astrid herself, each resembling traditional tales and fables with a wicked twist.
Test your skill in arena challenges – special trials where you’ll that fight new mutated enemies, face murderous hordes and get to perform daredevil action.
Upgrade your experience with Smart Delivery. Buy the game once to both play it on Xbox One and get its optimized version for Xbox Series X | S
Over twenty years ago in Harran, we fought the virus—and lost. Now, we’re losing again. The City, one of the last large human settlements, is torn by conflict. Civilization has fallen back into the Dark Ages. And yet, we still have hope.
You are a wanderer with the power to change the fate of The City. But your exceptional abilities come at a price. Haunted by memories you cannot decipher, you set out to learn the truth… and find yourself in a combat zone. Hone your skills, as to defeat your enemies and make allies, you’ll need both fists and wits. Unravel the dark secrets behind the wielders of power, choose sides and decide your destiny. But wherever your actions take you, there’s one thing you can never forget—stay human.
VAST OPEN WORLD
Participate in the life of a city engulfed in a new dark era. Discover different paths and hidden passages, as you explore its multiple levels and locations.
CREATIVE & BRUTAL COMBAT
Take advantage of your parkour skills to tip the scales of even the most brutal encounter. Clever thinking, traps and creative weapons will be your best friends.
DAY AND NIGHT CYCLE
Wait for night to venture into dark hideouts of the Infected. Sunlight keeps them at bay, but once it’s gone, monsters begin the hunt, leaving their lairs free to explore.
CHOICES & CONSEQUENCES
Shape the future of The City with your actions and watch how it changes. Determine the balance of power by making choices in a growing conflict and forge your own experience.
2-4 PLAYER CO-OP GAMEPLAY
Play in up to four-player co-op. Host your own games or join others and see how their choices have played out differently than yours.
Starting today, Xbox and Windows PC players will be able to blast away decades of dirt in the new Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator, available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass!
Walk in Lara’s footsteps as you traverse the illustrious halls of Croft Manor and its sprawling grounds. Tarnished treasures, muddy motors… even dirty dinosaurs – you’ll find them all here.
The Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator contains five all-new maps to wash and explore.
Deciding which locations to feature from Tomb Raider was no easy feat, but after whittling down a list of environments that were both iconic and rife with cleaning potential, Croft Manor’s undeniable appeal won our designers’ hearts. Not only is it a nostalgic place for fans of the franchise, but its owner is often too busy elsewhere to take care of the cleaning…
Speaking of which, you are summoned to Croft Manor for this very reason. While Lara is away, it’s time to spray! The revered residence has been somewhat neglected recently, and while Winston has tried his hand at buffing the odd brick, the sheer extent of the mess requires more power.
From the announcement trailer, eagle-eyed Tomb Raider fans will have recognized Croft Manor, the Obstacle Course, the Treasure Room, and vehicles such as Lara’s trusty jeep, motorboat, and quad bike. We decided to keep one level under wraps, Croft Manor’s Maze; we did send a cameraman in there, but he hasn’t found his way out yet. We hope you enjoy navigating the maze and its secrets with fresh eyes.
The Obstacle Course is a great opportunity to test your parkour skills (we’re sure Lara won’t mind) while the various vehicles will have Lady Croft regaling you with tales of close scrapes and narrow escapes.
Collecting treasures is Lara’s prize but cleaning them is yours! The Treasure room was a great opportunity to feature lots of the artifacts Lara encountered and collected in Tomb Raider’s early years – channel your inner architect as you uncover precious artifacts lost to layers of dust and grime. Well, maybe you’re not quite as delicate as an architect should be, but you’ll get the job done!
So, pack up your power washing provisions, fire up the blue van, and head on over to Croft Manor in the Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator. We can’t wait to see what you do with the place!
Whilst some seek the thrill of adventure, others prefer good clean fun – that’s where you come in! Grapple with grime in the ultimate quest to defeat all dirt covering Croft Manor and its grounds, along with Lara’s trusty vehicles.
Lara’s childhood home is impressive but in need of some serious TLC to restore it to its full potential – rumour has it, the owner much prefers a life of danger to domesticity. You’ve been commissioned to undertake the ultimate cleaning caper.
Your client may be used to less-than-ideal conditions out on the trail, but only the very best will do when it comes to the Croft residence. Unwind and blast away every speck of dirt you can track down, whilst Lara regales you with tales of past adventures.
Wash and explore five new levels, including:
– The illustrious Croft Manor
– The iconic Obstacle Course
– The mysterious Croft Manor Maze
– Lara’s trusty Jeep and Motorboat
– Lara’s majestic Treasure Room
Release the Pressure with PowerWash Simulator! Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish.
TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play.
POWERWASH AND CHILL
Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed.
KEEP IT CLEAN
For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
GOOD CLEAN FUN
Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS
Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!
Today marked the second annual broadcast of The Spawnies, an award show presented by the award-winning gaming podcast Spawn On Me. The Spawnies is dedicated to providing a spotlight for underrepresented voices in gaming.
Xbox is a proud sponsor of the award show, which highlights both new and established game developers and creates a space to recognize and celebrate their work. If you missed the show hosted by Kahlief Adams and Riana Manuel-Peña, be sure to check out twitch.tv/spawnonme.
ID@Xbox was featured in a segment during the show that highlighted a few game creators and their upcoming titles. Check out the video below and fill up on details of these awesome titles coming soon to Xbox below.
Treachery in Beatdown City: Ultra Remix (NuChallenger) – April 27, 2023
Treachery in Beatdown City : Ultra Remix is a tactical beat ’em up, where you explore an angry city, meet the worst people, and beat ’em up stylishly. Take to the streets, freeze time, build your combos, and knock ’em out, all to save the president!
Super Space Club (GrahamofLegend) – Coming 2023
Super Space Club is a lo-fi arcade space shooter to chill to. Defend a vibrant galaxy as a club of misfit heroes and battle endless waves of spacecrafts to the tune of atmospheric beats. Outlast your enemies and vibe to the rhythm of the stars.
A Perfect Day (Perfect Day Studio – Coming 2023
Revisit the final moments of 1999 for an eternity. Come face to face with your dreams and regrets. Explore a deep and interwoven narrative, solve perplexing riddles, and even play a few nostalgic minigames. Immerse yourself in happiness and sorrow with friends of ages past in your Perfect Day.
She Dreams Elsewhere (Studio Zevere) – Coming 2023
She Dreams Elsewhere is a surreal adventure RPG about subconscious imagery and the extent to which it mirrors reality. You play as Thalia, an anxiety-ridden, comatose woman who delves into her dreams and confronts her inner nightmares in order to finally wake up. Unfortunately, some nightmares are harder to confront than others… It’s a deeply personal narrative dealing with real world themes such as mental health and self-identity combined with strategic turn-based combat, mind-bending levels, as well as a surreal, visually striking world ripe for exploration. Welcome to your nightmare- enjoy your stay!
Virgo Versus the Zodiac (Moonana) – Coming 2023
Virgo Versus the Zodiac is a sci-fi/fantasy JRPG in which you play as an obsessed villain. The game features traditional turn-based combat with real-time execution of moves: blocking, countering and timing your attacks carefully as well as predicting your foes’ moves is essential to succeed in Virgo’s twisted and unforgiving cosmic quest to bring back the Golden Age, a period of peace, symmetry and balance, or so she thinks. In this galaxy where every action means a reaction, you’ll play as Virgo, the Holy Queen, often called Dreadful Queen by heretics, bringing mayhem to the Zodiac Realms and leaving a trail of stardust on the way, all to fit her excessively righteous worldview.
Sopa (StudioBando) – Early 2024
When Miho steps into the pantry to get a potato for his grandmother’s soup, he’s pulled into a distant fantastical land where he must retrace the steps of a mysterious great traveler before him. He must venture through a world of endless deserts, floating mountains, and talking beasts, outsmarting thieves and meeting quirky characters along the way. But each time he returns to the kitchen with an ingredient, he finds things have changed in unexpected ways…
Love Shore (Perfect Garbage Studios) – Spring 2023
Love Shore is a cyberpunk noir visual novel developed and published by Perfect Garbage Studios. Set in the cyberpunk city of Love Shore, play as Sam or Farah as they attempt to navigate the neon thrills of their cyberpunk city Love Shore, solve murders, fight gods and maybe fall in love.
Samudra (Khayalan Arts) – Coming 2023
Samudra is a hand-illustrated, 2D adventure game that follows a child’s adventure across a polluted sea. Experience an atmospheric post-apocalyptic underwater world filled with majestic creatures, ethereal locations and escape the grasp of the deep-sea salarymen.
ProtodroidDeLTA (Adam Kareem) – Coming 2023
Protodroid DeLTA is a fast and fluid 3D action-platformer set in a beautiful and hopeful solarpunk world. Take on challenging bosses, upgrade your systems, and show humanity the promise of AI! Developer Adam Kareem was one of the first developers to receive funding from Humble’s Black Game Developer Fund, and will be the first BGDF partner to launch under Humble Games.
Grid force – Mask of the Goddess (Dreamnauts Studios) – March 2023
Conquer the grid in real-time in this tactical bullet-hell RPG with a large, diverse roster of heroes to recruit and evolve, lightning-fast combat, and a deep story that adapts to your choices. Play as Donna, a fighter in search of the perfect team who can defeat the goddesses and save the future. Build your squad from dozens of playable characters, upgrade their unique abilities, and utilize their varied playstyles to take down your foes as you form the perfect team.
Kabaret (Persona Theory Games) – Coming 2023
Kabaret is a dark fantasy folklore adventure game. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jebat, a cursed boy who is uprooted from his small town to a mystical, violent, and unforgiving monster realm.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s electric personality, play, and love for all things baseball made him a great choice to be on the cover of MLB The Show 23.
Have access to all your progress and card inventory in MLB The Show 23 on every platform you own with Cross-Platform Play, Cross Saves, and Cross Progression.
MLB The Show 23 launches March 28, 2023, and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass. Pre-orders start February 6.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s electric personality, play, and love for all things baseball made him a great choice to be on the cover of MLB The Show 23. Jazz grew up in Nassau, Bahamas, playing sandlot baseball with friends. As Jazz puts it, “No umpires, no catchers; just hitting bombs and having fun we just played to play.” He never thought a kid like him from the Bahamas would make it to The Show, let alone end up on the cover of MLB The Show!
Today, we are thrilled to announce that MLB The Show 23 launches March 28, 2023, and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass. The standard edition on Xbox One is $59.99 USD/$69.99 CAD. Standard edition on Xbox Series X|S is $69.99 USD/$79.99 CAD.
Cross-Platform Play, Cross Saves, and Cross Progression continue for MLB The Show 23!
Have access to all your progress and card inventory in MLB The Show 23 on every platform you own. Cross-Platform Play, Cross Saves, and Cross Progression return, allowing you to share your progress on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch (see FAQ). Cross progression allows you to earn and use any earned content on any platform or generation (this excludes PS5 and Xbox Series X|S exclusive features like Stadium Creator). With cross saves you can transfer a save file for Road to the Show or Franchise mode to a different console (see FAQ).
MLB The Show Account, Account Linking, and The Scouting Report
You can easily move from platform to platform and keep access to your entire inventory of cards and the MLB The Show Account allows you to do so. Just create your MLB The Show Account on TheShow.com and link your PlayStation, Xbox, and/or Switch and you are all set.
While you are creating your new linked account, make sure you sign-up for The Scouting Report so we can send you all the latest MLB The Show 23 information and subscribers also get an exclusive pack each month starting in April. So, head over to TheShow.com to get your account set up.
MLB The Show 23 Feature Premieres Schedule
Feature Premieres return to give you a look into new features in MLB The Show 23. You can watch episodes live on Twitch and YouTube. If you can’t watch them live, catch up on every episode on-demand at your own connivence as we get closer to launch. We have several Feature Premiere episodes in the works, so be on the lookout on TheShow.com and our social channels for episode schedule and information.
Pre-orders Open February 6 on Xbox Store
Note: All Collector’s Edition(s) of MLB The Show 23 revealed on February 2 include dual entitlement. If you plan on purchasing the Standard Edition of MLB The Show 23 on Xbox One and have plans of upgrading to the Xbox Series X|S version, you will need to purchase the digital edition to take advantage of the $10 USD upgrade offer.
We could not be more excited for Jazz to join the roster of cover athletes and for MLB The Show 23 coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and with Xbox Game Pass on March 28, 2023! Look forward to new ways to play, a new class of legends, and much more! Check TheShow.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok accounts for the latest updates about MLB The Show 23. For more detailed information, read the official FAQ here.
Dragons, dragons everywhere! The Year of the Rabbit is upon us and World of Warships: Legends is a great place to celebrate the arrival of the new symbol of the year. The themed range includes a new gorgeously looking port, Pan-Asian Tier VII Premium Destroyer Northern Dragon, special Commander guise Celestial Guardian with absolutely menacing unique roaring voiceover, and a dedicated container with chances for various content, including some from the previous celebrations of the Lunar New Year.
Besides, more Pan-Asian content will become available for the players in form of…
Pan-Asian Cruisers in Early Access
A brand-new tech tree range makes its debut in this update. Pan-Asian cruisers wielding deepwater torpedoes as their primary weapon backed by the Smoke Generator consumable available for Tiers IV-VII, earnable through regular and Big Early Access crates, with a personal mission for each of those. Besides, the apex predator of the branch Tier VIII Sejong will be available with the start of the next update, meaning other Pan-Asian cruisers will become obtainable for credits through tech tree research. A new Pan-Asian dedicated Commander, Chen Shaokuan, is reinforcing the officer roster to provide more choice at the helm of the ships of the new branch.
Azur Lane: Wave IV
The newest iteration of Azur Lane collaboration arrives on February 6! It includes as many as five new Commanders:
Tier VIII Premium battleship Pommern is the ultimate reward of the newest campaign, available with Admiralty Backing active. Besides a ton of in-game goods, including crates, Commander Progression Items, camos and more, you’ll get a powerful German ship with a huge HP pool, powerful secondary armament, and AP shells hitting like a train. With such potent package all set and ready to go, Pommern is a solid contender for a high-ranked place on the German battleship roster.
Gryphon of the Baltic runs for 5 weeks, through March 6, and includes a traditional number of 100 milestones, with catch-up mechanic available, as well as Heroic Effort and Battle Prowess missions (coming with Admiralty Backing) for earning additional renown.
The First Italian Legendary Ship is Here
The Italian Navy, also known as Regia Marina, finally makes its debut at the Legendary tier! Featuring as the ultimate prize of a free Bureau project, cruiser Napoli brings a whole lot of interesting wrinkles to the heat of battle. Those include high speed paired with great concealment combo, Exhaust Smoke Generator, which is a signature consumable of Italian ships, and Semi-Armor-Piercing shells for her secondary caliber gun batteries. That’s a very solid selection of battle-ready options: consider getting this armored monster!
Competitive Seasons Arrive in Numbers
Rejoice, captains with a desire for rivalry! This update, you’ll have plenty of chances – actually, more than ever – to prove your skill on the high seas, and win prizes in process, of course. As many as 3 Ranked Battles seasons and 2 Brawls will be open for everyone to fight in, covering most of the update’s time in the sun. Prizes, including Steel, crates, Commander Progression Items, and more in-game content, will be distributed as soon as you hit certain rank (or number of wins for Brawl): go out there and fight, starting February 1 with 5vs5 battles of Ranked season 36.
Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends—a global multiplayer free-to-play online game in which you can conquer the seas on the decks of history’s greatest warships! Recruit Legendary Commanders, upgrade your vessels, and stake your claim to naval domination alongside and against players from around the world.
CHOOSE YOUR COMBAT STYLE
Take control of over 350 destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers—a range of ships that’s perfect for every playstyle, whether it’s an all-guns-blazing approach, more careful and methodical attacks, or tactics that are unique to you.
FREQUENT UPDATES
New content in form of ships, Campaigns, events, Bureau Projects and more arrives regularly! Each update brings new features to shake things up in the game.
FEATURE RICH
Develop Legendary vessels such as Yamato from the ground up in the Bureau, finish epic Campaigns to gain exclusive patches and powerful new ships, and compete in Ranked Battles Seasons for a ton of rewards!
TURN THE TIDE IN EPIC 9V9 BATTLES
Join forces with friends to challenge players around the world, and work together across consoles to devise strategies and plan attacks via voice chat. Cooperate to outgun your opponents and Turn the Tide of battle!
World of Warships: Legends features loot boxes known as “containers” and “Crates.” These provide various items to boost your in-game progress.
We are so thrilled to finally release Shoulders of Giants! Since we just launched, the whole team here at Moving Pieces are all feeling pretty reflective (as well as slightly terrified/excited in equal measures!), so I thought it might be nice to share a few thoughts on an aspect of the game that we are particularly proud of: its stylized visual graphics. I thought it might be nice to take this opportunity to talk about our inspirations behind the look of the game.
While it’s amazing to see how far photorealistic graphics can be pushed with the latest Xbox hardware, what really excited us was creating something that combined the latest graphics technologies like physically based rendering with a more stylized shading approach like cel shading. This was the basis behind our technical and aesthetic approach to the visuals for Shoulders of Giants.
We started by experimenting with what this might look like by taking early concept art and making basic worlds without any gameplay. Initially we went further into more of a traditional cel shaded look, but found that when we mixed some photoreal rendering techniques with that is where nice details really started to shine.
In terms of setting, we knew that we wanted the game to take place in a sci-fi universe, which meant having a cosmic skybox full of planets, stars and swirly clouds. We were heavily inspired by the style of sci-fi art from the 1970s and loved how it often contained giant planets in the background to help keep the horizon interesting.
The basic story of the game is that the dark and cold forces of Entropy have taken over the Universe, and it’s the players’ job to restore life and balance. One of the game’s main NPCs is an all-powerful Owl from an ancient order, and many of the levels and props found throughout the game are inspired by that of ancient civilizations, like Ancient Egypt and Greece.
We imagined levels with abandoned ruins from an ancient order scattered throughout levels that the player could explore. This was a main inspiration behind the look of the levels and their layout.
Some of the props and levels of the game also take inspiration from surrealist paintings, particularly in the last act of the game. We thought of rumbling clouds, and stairs going off into the horizon.
Taking advantage of a stylized look, we put emphasis on using color to tell the story of Shoulders of Giants. One of the biggest themes in the game is dark versus light.
The player starts every level off with the world covered in darkness and as you progress and eventually beat the level, you restore it with life and light.
Making the “light” version of our landscapes pop with color was straightforward, but making the cold, dark versions of these alien worlds sing with color was not trivial. Our art director and I spent days pouring over palettes, and eventually decided we had to re-evaluate what “dark” really meant. We decided to lean more into darkness as a concept of cold, or lack of life.
Eventually we found colors and lighting combinations that still looked vibrant and eye-catching, but still allowed us to express our themes. We created sandy deserts, white fields of snow, and caustic acid worlds glowing with green.
We can’t wait for players to hop into the world we created!
Simultaneously control a sword-wielding robot and a gunslinging space frog in Shoulders of Giants, an explosively colorful sci-fi roguelike. Play alone, with a friend, or as part of a four-person team, cutting through waves of enemies on a quest to rescue the galaxy!
The forces of Entropy are spreading chaos through the stars, corrupting living planets and urging on the heat death of the universe. Led by the psychic Owl, one scrappy team of space survivors are fighting to restore the balance. A mysterious mech! A sharpshooting amphibian! Together they must cut through waves of enemies and restore light and life to the galaxy!
Pre-order the game for access to limited-edition dye sets with special visual effects. Dazzle your friends!
