Free Play Days – WWE 2k23, Phantom Abyss and MX vs ATV Legends

Experience the thrill of wrestling, navigate through treacherous temples, and race to the finish line with Free Play Days! WWE 2k23, Phantom Abyss and MX vs ATV Legends are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday January 25 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, January 28 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals! Read more about Game Pass Core at Xbox Wire.

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 Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to 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 achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.

Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)

WWE 2K23 for Xbox Series X|S

☆☆☆☆☆
278

★★★★★

Get it now

WWE 2k23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Become a WWE Legend in WWE 2K23 during Xbox’s Free Play weekend! As the highest rated game in WWE 2K franchise history, the ultimate wrestling simulation takes you behind the scenes and into the action to experience firsthand what it’s like to compete on the biggest stages in sports entertainment.

WWE 2K23 features a bevy of engaging and immersive modes; ascend from a promising prospect to a WWE Superstar in MyRISE, recreate the greatest matches of John Cena’s career in 2K Showcase, call the shots as a general manager in MyGM, take complete control of your favorite WWE Superstars in Universe mode, and collect WWE Superstars and Legends to assemble a dream team in MyFACTION.

All Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can take advantage of even stronger savings starting January 9 and ending January 30 with a special 50% discount on the Season Pass, featuring five DLC packs with over 20 Superstars and Legends! Enjoy the latest iteration of the WWE 2K franchise like never before and explore all of WWE 2K23’s endlessly fun modes—so you can prepare for the arrival of WWE 2K24.

In case you didn’t hear, WWE 2K24 has officially been announced and you can pre-order it today! Secure your copy of the WWE 2K24 and receive a digital-only version of WWE 2K23, so you can keep the party going even after the Xbox Free Play weekend is over!

Phantom Abyss

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆
161

★★★★★

$24.99

$18.74

Get it now

Xbox Game Pass

Free Trial

Phantom Abyss
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Phantom Abyss is a massive asynchronous multiplayer game that casts players into procedurally generated temples and tasks them with retrieving the sacred relics hidden within deadly chambers. Intrepid adventurers will dodge scores of hidden traps, leap treacherous chasms, and flee relentless guardians through branching paths until one of the relics are claimed or the devices of death overwhelm them. Be warned, you only get one attempt at each temple and failure means you will never see that temple again.

Make Way

Secret Mode

☆☆☆☆☆
11

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

MX vs ATV Legends
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery
Race your way to victory on bikes, ATVs and UTVs in MX vs ATV Legends! Featuring massive new open environments, plus a career mode that lets you experience all the risks and rewards of becoming a world-famous professional rider. Become an off-road racing legend in your own right! Your time is now!

Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! 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. 

The post Free Play Days – WWE 2k23, Phantom Abyss and MX vs ATV Legends appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240122-2000)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

It’s important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

System Update Details:

OS Version: XB_FLT_2402ZN25398.3443.240122-2000
Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 24, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 25, 2024

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

Settings – Access Restrictions

We have updated the Access restrictions page in Settings by moving the existing options under a new menu for Access restrictions options. Additionally, we have added new options to allow use of the Edge web browser, setting Home console, and to delete profiles on sign out. To view these new options, navigate to Settings > System > Access restrictions.

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Installation

Various fixes to further improve unexpected issues when installing or updating games and apps.

System

Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
- Note: Users participating in Preview may see “odd” text across the console. To learn more visit: What’s This? Learn More About Pseudo-Loc in Preview.

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

Audio

We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
- Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
  - When did the issue start?
  - Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
  - Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
  - Does rebooting resolve the issue?
  - What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
  - And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide. Learn more here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240122-2000) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Dynamic and Vibrant Shooter Project Downfall is Coming to Xbox Consoles

Hey there, Xbox fans!

It’s so good to see you in this New Year of 2024! I hope you spent the holiday season in a good atmosphere and your inner batteries are fully charged. If so, buckle up and get ready, because the ride through great, new launches is about to begin. I’m super happy to briefly present to you very interesting project that is going to be released on Xbox consoles next month. Wanna hear one-sentence pitch? Here it goes: A stylized, cyberpunk shooter for fans of Hotline Miami and “John Wick”. This is – Project Downfall!

Rise and Fall

Welcome to a dystopian future, traveler. You’ve just arrived at the Crimson Tide, a symbol of unity between the European Union and the emerging superpower, The Novorussian Federation.

You must know that in this world political parties are a thing of the past, having been replaced by aggressive corporations. Citizens vote with their wallets, and drugs they take enforce obedience.

This is the story of one, ordinary Lakk district resident whose routine day suddenly turns into a complicated game of power and influence in this rotten world. In the reality where corporate influences blurs the lines between what’s right and wrong…

Project Downfall, made by MGP Studios and Solid9 Studio is a unique and dynamic game that successfully blends shooting and action with bits of strategy and tactical thinking, offering players an exciting journey through a dystopian world. You must be prepared to immerse yourself in this hostile world, where your combat skills will be put to the ultimate test. Project Downfall offers a diverse array of weapons and cool skills (eg. superkicks, slammers, adrenaline slides and more!), and each of them is unique, allowing players to customize their playstyle and approach each mission with creativity. Whether you prefer long-range precision, melee combat or tactical tricks with use of gadgets, surely there is something for you to have fun.

However, it must be said that an equally important aspect of the game, and in fact, one of its main features, is the emphasis on non-linear progression. It may seem to be quite a strange design decision, in a project of this caliber, but if you were expecting just a simple, dynamic (let’s say) boomer-shooter, you are mistaken. Depending on the decisions you make in the game, and other factors such as the mental state of the main character, you can experience completely different gameplay sequences as well as entire, previously hidden levels. And all of them can lead you to new story elements and, as a result, to different endings. Thus, each approach to the game can offer a new experience, and you can still discover something fresh in your next playthroughs. Cool!

Dirty Neon Signs and Their Flashing Lights

Project Downfall isn’t just awesome gameplay; it’s a visual journey into surrealism, combining the rough aesthetics of such works as “Falling Down”with Michael Douglas, with the frenetic action of the ‘Hardcore Henry” and “John Wick” movies. Imagine this: the neon-soaked streets of “Crimson Tide” pulsing with cyberpunk energy, where every alley hides secrets and every corner creates chaos from Hotline Miami in a moment’s notice.

Trippy, cyberpunk visuals work in tandem with a dynamic and electrifying soundtrack which adapts to what’s going on-screen and gives a kick and propels you to play. Each track has been carefully crafted to enhance the immersive journey through Crimson Tide, making the game not only a visual and interactive feast, but also a symphony of electronic vibrations that will stay with you even after you put down the controller.

Release Date and Availability

Project Downfall is set to conquer the Xbox console world on February 2, 2024. Save the date in your calendar, but also don’t you worry, I will be happy to remind you about it in the next article, which will include a short interview with the game developers! Stop by our social media if you wanna know more about the project and see you soon.

Project Downfall

©RedDeerGames

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Find yourself in a future city full of gangs, mafias, and other shady people. Become a merciless assassin who works during the day, and gets into a killing frenzy at night. Hop in the car, select a destination, and explore every corner of Crimson Tide.

If you want to feel an adrenaline rush, you can explore the city on foot but watch your back and don’t ask too many questions.

EVERYTHING CAN BE A WEAPON!
Search your surroundings for anything that looks deadly and use it to protect yourself. Throw bottles, knives, or even guns at the enemies.

Nothing around you?

Take some pills and breach doors to stun opponents, or just disarm them by kicking their faces. They will be pleased to drop a weapon for you then. You should definitely find and lick a frog – you will love it.

PLAN YOUR ATTACK
It’s your decision how to enter combat and how to end it. Find your first victim, and go with the flow. Try every possibility and find the best way to get the highest score.

Kick an enemy while sliding to pick his weapon mid-air and land a headshot to defeat him. Creativity is the key to success.

CREATE YOUR OWN STORY
There are 12 available endings waiting for you to be discovered. Each one takes around 4 hours for hardcore players to complete. The path you choose will never be completely the same next time. Also, check and search for collectibles that are hidden all over the city.

The post Dynamic and Vibrant Shooter Project Downfall is Coming to Xbox Consoles appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Design an Original Starfield Spacesuit and it Could Be Yours for Real

Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from the award-winning creators behind Skyrim and Fallout 4, Bethesda Game Studios. Gamers from around the world were excited to jump into this interstellar universe rich with adventure, peril, and excitement. 

But before anyone hops into space, they need something critical: a spacesuit.  

So, Xbox has partnered up with the European Space Agency (ESA) to give Starfield fans around the world a chance to win the spacesuit of their dreams, in real life, in addition to other incredible Xbox prizes. This is a physical, wearable, one-of-a-kind garment, fabricated for the most intrepid explorers.

Whether using a provided template as a base, or pushing their imagination to the limit with any creative format of their choice, fans will be asked to provide both a visual illustration of the suit from all sides—hand-drawn, 3D-rendered, or however their vision sees fit—as well as a description of the inspiration of the suit. More specifically, Xbox, Bethesda and the ESA want to know what you would wear in outer space – how would your spacesuit reflect your personal style, individuality and vision for space travel?

After submitting suits through the campaign webpage, the most creative option—the one that truly gives weight to the phrase “out-of-this-world individual style”—will win a full replica of their design, complete with an authentic ESA patch. The contest opens today and runs until 8pm Pacific Time on February 24, 2024, so make sure to hit that spacesuit workbench soon. After that, the winning suit will enter a two-month intensive fabrication process on the path to becoming reality. To see the full rules, visit here.

Fantastic role-playing games are all about player expression, and this contest allows fans to experience that in a completely different way. Our stories are unique to us, so what we wear while we travel through those stories should be too. So, submit your own design, then while you wait, we suggest downloading and exploring the worlds of Starfield with Xbox Game Pass.

About Starfield  

Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery. Experience it for yourself on Xbox Game Pass.

The post Design an Original Starfield Spacesuit and it Could Be Yours for Real appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Delta (2402.240118-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Delta ring today.

Details can be found below!

System Update Details:

OS Version: XB_FLT_2402ZN25398.3432.240118-2200
Available: 4 p.m. PT – January 23, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 24, 2024

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Delta users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

My Games & Apps – Improved Filtering and Sorting

We’ve added some new filters and sorts to My Games & Apps to help you find exactly what you’re looking for! You can now filter games by Accessibility Options, Supported Languages, and Technical Capabilities. Additionally, subscription tabs have been updated to sort by recently added making it easier to see what’s new. Of course, you can always change the sorting if you prefer something else. Just head to My Games & Apps then Full library where you can find all the new filtering and sorting options.

Xbox Wireless Controller – Thumbstick Calibration

For users in the US who have independently replaced the circuit board on their Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 or users in all regions experiencing minor thumbstick issues, we now offer a user-guided self-calibration tool for thumbsticks through the Xbox Accessories App.

Note: The support article linked at the end of the experience is currently unavailable. This will be available in the future.

Experience Changes

Please be aware this Xbox Update Preview includes the following experience or feature updates.

Capture & Share

Screenshots captured on Xbox Series S consoles will now have a maximum resolution of 1080p, matching the maximum resolution for game clips.

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Home

Fixes to improve unexpected errors loading Home during sign in.

Installation

Various fixes to improve unexpected issues when installing or updating various titles.

System

Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
- Note: Users participating in Preview may see “odd” text across the console. To learn more visit: What’s This? Learn More About Pseudo-Loc in Preview.

Known Issues

Audio

We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
- Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
  - When did the issue start?
  - Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
  - Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
  - Does rebooting resolve the issue?
  - What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
  - And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide. Learn more here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Delta (2402.240118-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Diablo IV Season of the Construct: Diving into the Lore Behind the Sinister Zoltun Kulle

Category: Games

January 23, 2024

Diablo IV Season of the Construct: Diving into the Lore Behind the Sinister Zoltun Kulle

Marcus Kretz, Community Manager, Blizzard

Something sinister stirs – elemental machinations scuttle beneath the sands of Kehjistan. Launching today, Diablo IV’s Season of the Construct arrives. Arm your own Seasonal Companion, battle through Hazards in Vaults (the newest Dungeon type) and fight the fearsome Constructs at every turn.

The source of these Constructs has now been attributed to the malicious plans of the demon Malphas. The demon has taken an ancient power—originally devised by Zoltun Kulle and Ayuzhan of Caldeum to preserve humanity— to magnify his own strength. This power has been corrupted, and you must work with Ayuzhan to defeat Malphas at the source of this power in the Seasonal Questline.

But who was Zoltun Kulle, and why do those within Sanctuary still fear the power his name holds? We’re going to do a Lore deep-dive on Zoltun Kulle, and why his importance in the pages of History is matched only by his polarizing legacy.

Kulle and the Gang

Zoltun Kulle was originally one of the highest-ranking mages of the Ennead mage clan, a cohort of spellcasters specializing in enchantments and transmutation. Kulle became one of the original founding members of the Horadrim, an order of mages tasked by the Archangel Tyrael to hunt down and contain the three Prime Evils who threatened Sanctuary: Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo.

During The Hunt for the Three, Kulle was given the responsibility to wield the soulstones—shards of the infinitely powerful Worldstone—which were specifically created to capture and imprison the Prime Evils. Entrusted with the soulstones for his vast arcane expertise, Kulle studied them obsessively.

He eventually aided the Horadrim in the successful capture of all three Prime Evils, but at great cost. Kulle’s research led him to believe that a damaged soulstone could be used as a conduit to imprison a demon’s essence within a human. This led to the selfless sacrifice of Tal Rasha—leader of the Horadrim—to imprison the Prime Evil Baal after the Amber Soulstone was shattered.

The Dust Settles, and the Plot Thickens

Capturing all three Prime Evils within the soulstones was a great blow to the Burning Hells in the Eternal Conflict, the endless war fought between the Angels and Demons.

After The Hunt for the Three, Kulle’s obsession with the soulstones continued. He abandoned the Horadrim, retreating to the sands of Kehjistan to continue his work. Fearful of the vulnerability of humanity’s place in the Eternal Conflict, Kulle decided to take matters into his own hands. Kulle feared that both the Burning Hells and High Heavens alike could eradicate humanity if they felt it necessary. From the shadows, Kulle created a sinister means to protect them.

Kulle used his great power to build a series of vast archives beneath the desert. It is there he devised the Black Soulstone, capable of imprisoning both Demon and Angel within it. The Horadrim, allied with the High Heavens, sought out Kulle beneath Kehjistan for his blasphemous transgressions.

They were assaulted by many traps and Guardian Constructs that Kulle had set for them in case they tried to meddle in his experiments. Many of Kulle’s former Horadrim brethren died in their quest to hunt him down and deliver justice.

When the Horadrim finally succeeded in capturing Kulle, they discovered he had made himself impossible to kill through the use of dark arcane spells. The Horadrim separated his body and head, sealing them away to prevent any forces from ever attempting to resurrect Kulle ever again.

Kulle’s Constructs

In Season of the Construct, you will come across one of Zoltun’s allies from earlier in his life as a mage. You will need to work with Ayuzhan of Caldeum, who worked with Zoltun long ago to create The Loom.

A device of extraordinary power, the Loom was originally created with the intent to save humanity. Ayuzhan knew Zoltun at a time before his morality was corrupted by the power of the soulstones, a more optimistic young Mage than the one the history books now remember.

With Kulle long since dead, the Loom has been corrupted by Malphas to create the deadly mechanical Constructs now tasked with humanity’s ruin. From January 23, make your final stand against the sinister powers of The Loom in Diablo IV’s Season of the Construct, and earn your own Seneschal Companion and fight against the twisted machinations of Kulle’s legacy.

Diablo® IV

Blizzard Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
649

★★★★★

Get it now

Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.

Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.

For more information, please visit Diablo.com.

© 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

The post Diablo IV Season of the Construct: Diving into the Lore Behind the Sinister Zoltun Kulle appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Tekken 8 Is the Bombastic Return You Want It To Be

Within the first few minutes of Tekken 8’s story mode, I was whooping at the screen as I watched the iconic Jin Kazama sprout wings, throw three cars at his dad with his mind and then proceed to body slam him through a skyscraper. I knew that if the game has started on this foot, I was in a for a good time. Tekken 8 is a rambunctious, over-the-top, callback to the absurdity of the likes of Tekken 3, and you’re going to absolutely love it.

Tekken 8‘s story mode follows Jin Kazama’s journey to take down his father, Kazuya Mishima, who is once again hosting a tournament to find the world’s greatest fighter. Contestants from countries all over the world will compete, and those that fail will face horrible consequences unless Jin puts a stop to his antics, all the while fighting to rediscover his own devilish powers. There is more to this story, of course, but one that you’ll absolutely want to experience for yourself. Don’t worry, if you’re not up to date with the story so far, Tekken 8 offers a series of short videos that’ll catch you up on the main plot.

A combination of 32 old and new characters grace the roster this time; the Mishima family is out in force, capers between Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law are plentiful, and Kuma and Yoshimitsu are here to respectfully squeeze and slash their foes to pieces. Tekken 8 also introduces the dazzling Peruvian MMA fighter Azucena, the sleek leader of the UN independent forces Victor Chevalier, and the fierce Reina, with mysterious ties to the Mishima family fighting style. It’s the perfect combination of recognizable personalities to ease lapsed players back in, standing alongside exciting new options that slot brilliantly into Tekken 8‘s explosive narrative.

On top of the main Story mode, each playable fighter has their own Character Episode, a digestible session consisting of five fights that rewards you with a short cutscene about what they’ve been up to surrounding the events of Tekken 8. This is an excellent return to the silliness of older Tekken instalments; watching these characters indulge in their own wacky escapades outside of the Mishima conflict is infinitely joyous. Spoiling any of these cutscenes would be a disservice to the discerning Tekken fan, so I’ll let you discover them, but I’d recommend you make a beeline for Law’s for a taste of how wacky it can get.

Stepping back into a fighting stance can feel daunting, especially to someone that hasn’t played Tekken for a long time (myself included), but Tekken 8‘s controls are built to feel intuitive and comfortable for every type of player. The first few fights with Jin felt like stepping into an old pair of shoes; familiar moves and combos flew from the deepest recesses of my mind and landed with crystal clarity like I’d never been away. If you don’t have that basic familiarity, the new Special Style Mode is here to support newcomers and returning players one step further – pressing LB switches your controls to a much simpler style, and allows your character to perform complex, powerful moves with less need to memorize and hit the right buttons, which is a massive, welcome win for accessibility.

While a robust single-player experience has been offered up, it’s Tekken 8‘s multiplayer and competitive modes that will entice many players. The online area feels like a whole new game in itself – you’ll need to create a custom cartoon avatar before heading to an online plaza. Here, you’ll find Arcade Quest, a hybrid of tutorial and challenge that pits you against increasingly difficult computer-controlled foes, while the new Super Ghost Battle mode lets you take on fights against an AI that will replicate your playstyle in order to help you improve. Tekken has a highly competitive multiplayer scene, so this addition makes for a nice entry into online play for the uninitiated.

Once you’re ready to take on the world, those hunting for a simple PvP experience can head over to a set of different arcade machines; two players can sit down opposite each other and engage in a three-round fight, with options to rematch, switch characters or simply wander off after a shameful defeat. It’s a sleek, interactive system that replicates the feel of hanging out in a real arcade, rather than sitting in a static menu waiting for a match. If a player quits, you’re left to practise your moves until you’re matched with another player. In-between matches, you can explore the plaza, spectate other battles, or spend a little time customizing your avatar or Tekken fighters.

A familiar mode also makes its return – Tekken Ball. First introduced in Tekken 3, the object of the mini-game is to defeat your opponent by thwacking a big ball towards them, using your regular moves to power up the impact of the hit. It feels exactly as I remember it; and its inclusion feels like yet another nod back to classic Tekken.

The Tekken team has built an incredible step up for this iconic series, and it’s the perfect time to jump back in. Committed players will find more of the game they love; a belting story, stylish and fulfilling combat, wrapped up in a number of breathtaking settings and stages. This is Tekken at its very best; high-voltage, endlessly enjoyable and pushed to the absolute limit of its own rampant silliness.

But Tekken 8 also has its eyes on the back of the room, the lapsed fans and the retired fighters. One particular battle in the Story Mode hits a crescendo as the electrifying riffs of Jin’s theme, first heard in Tekken 3, erupt into the arena. If you’re a long-time fan, or a casual onlooker from the ringside, Tekken 8 sees you, and it’s saying ‘welcome home.’

Fist Meets Fate on January 26. Tekken 8 is available on Xbox Series X|S.

TEKKEN 8

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The TEKKEN series is breaking into a new era!
The longest-running story in a video game franchise is coming back with state-of-the-art graphics and powerful new rivalries.
Stay tuned for TEKKEN 8!

The post Tekken 8 Is the Bombastic Return You Want It To Be appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Diving Deeper into the World of Avowed

Category: Developer_Direct

January 22, 2024

Diving Deeper into the World of Avowed

Jeff Rubenstein

At the recent Xbox Developer_Direct 2024 broadcast, Obsidian Entertainment shared its most comprehensive look yet at its upcoming fantasy-action RPG, Avowed.

But even that only scratched at the surface of what’s coming your way this fall. On today’s special episode of The Official Xbox Podcast, Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel and Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo shared an extended look at the quest showcased during Developer_Direct, providing more detail on the moment-to-moment experience of the flexible combat system, and where this side quest fits in the larger narrative of Avowed.

This latest look at Avowed gives us a good idea of what to expect from Shatterscarp, one part of the ecologically diverse island of The Living Lands, all in the same universe as Obsidian’s CRPG series Pillars of Eternity. But what makes Avowed a very ‘Obsidian game’ goes far beyond the commonality of setting in the world of Eora.

“It’s really about our player-centric approach to role play,” Patel shared during this week’s Podcast. “The way we really approach consequence and choice is giving players the opportunities to define who they are in this world, how they want to behave – what fantasy, what challenges they want to undertake.”

It’s all part of Obsidian’s “your worlds, your way” approach, and players will feel the weight of their choices moment-to-moment with every slash, parry, and spell cast.

What stands out is not just the variety of ways you can tackle combat – examples include the classic ‘sword and board [shield]’, samurai-esque sword and gun, and dual-wielding wands like a wizard in the Old West – but also how you’ll frequently want to (or need to) change your loadout to best suit what you find yourself up against. These loadouts are also complemented by skills, and Obsidian had a deep well of moves to pull from out of the Pillars of Eternity universe.

“We wanted to be able to grab as many abilities from the trees as possible – and categorize them a little bit differently so that the player doesn‘t feel locked into a single choice at the start of the game,” said Gabe Paramo, Gameplay Director. “They can mix and match between different abilities to get some variety. You can commit to being a fighter, but it’s not an enforced class setup.” And if you want to try out a new suite of abilities, you can always respec your character.

We saw great examples of this in the Developer_Direct: dual-wielding wands served as effective crowd control when a group of smaller Xaurips swarmed the player. But in a more one-on-one encounter with a slightly larger enemy, using an ice-imbued wand to freeze an enemy, then shattering the newly-frozen block with a charged power attack of an off-hand sword was supremely effective.

Paramo cited another devious combo: “With ‘Into the Fray,’ you can use a fireball ability that creates an AOE [area of effect] ability on the ground, and then pull the enemy into the fire.”

It’s all part of a comprehensive elemental system that comes into play both in and out of combat. Paramo continues, “you can light guys on fire, you can freeze them, you can shock them, you have objects in the environment you can interact with. They’re not just on weapons, on wands – you might find it on swords, certain abilities might cause elemental damage. And your companions [can] as well.”

Patel shared more about those companions – your hero won’t be wandering the Living Lands alone. “They all have deep ties to different regions of the Living Lands, and they all have their own personal reasons for wanting to ally with the player and help them resolve the big conflicts that you’re encountering over the course of the game. They’re your allies – in some ways your advisors, your local guides. They provide a lot of additional commentary and context that reveals something about their character, but also about the corner of the world you’re exploring.”

They’re also your allies in battle; Kai, who we saw in the Developer_Direct, played a tanky role, drawing aggro, while Giatta, who also makes an appearance, keeps the party healed up. Expect to meet more in your journeys across the Living Lands.

‘Playing your way’ expands beyond moment-to-moment action; as demonstrated in the Developer_Direct, you’ll be making meaningful decisions that affect the story.

“For us, creating these choices, like the big ones that affect the outcome of a quest, or the wellbeing of certain characters or communities are just as important as the smaller choices that you make in navigating a dialogue and, in subtle ways, influencing your relationship with another character,” said Patel. “All of it is really centered around letting the player be the main character in this setting.”

It’s important to note that for all we’ve now seen of Avowed, there’s much, much more to explore throughout the Living Lands. In fact, the specific quest in Shatterscarp we covered “is entirely discoverable, which means it’s also entirely missable.” In terms of scope of the game, Paramo compares with another recent Obsidian title, “it’s open-zone, size comparable to The Outer Worlds areas on the larger side, and [with] multiple paths essentially to tackle combat situations, or avoid them.”

According to Patel, sharp-eyed players will have much more to seek out throughout their time with Avowed: “One of the big delights of being a developer on a game like this is creating so much for players to find, and knowing that not everybody’s going to seek it out, and not everybody’s gonna find it, but knowing that the players who do are really going to enjoy the secrets they discover.”

Avowed launches this fall on Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC – for more information please visit the Avowed website.

Avowed

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?

The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.

Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.

Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.

The post Diving Deeper into the World of Avowed appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240117-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

Details can be found below!

System Update Details:

OS Version: XB_FLT_2402ZN25398.3429.240117-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 19, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 20, 2024

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

My Games & Apps – Improved Filtering and Sorting

Xbox Guide

Starting today, a random subset of users will notice a new experience in some areas of the guide. If you have feedback, be sure to submit it via Report a Problem!

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Home

Fixes to improve unexpected errors loading Home during sign in.

System

Fixed an issue where recently added profiles were being removed after the console was restarted.
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
- Note: Users participating in Preview may see “odd” text across the console. To learn more visit: What’s This? Learn More About Pseudo-Loc in Preview.

Known Issues

Audio

We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
- Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
  - When did the issue start?
  - Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
  - Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
  - Does rebooting resolve the issue?
  - What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
  - And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide. Learn more here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240117-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Embark on a Heroic Quest in Knights of Braveland, Coming to Xbox

Knights of Braveland brings an epic action RPG experience to Xbox, offering players an endlessly replayable adventure set in the mesmerizing Braveland universe. Whether venturing solo or teaming up with up to four knights, the journey from a rookie to a kingdom hero is filled with excitement and unpredictable challenges.

Unique Gameplay Mechanics

In Knights of Braveland, each quest is uniquely crafted from hundreds of different events, creating a distinct story every time. The game’s innovative mechanics allow for diverse playstyles, thanks to an extensive array of equipment including swords, magic staffs, and more. The four-player co-op mode adds a communal dimension, enabling friends to battle together on the same screen.

Expansive World and Upgradeable Castle

Players can immerse themselves in the richly detailed world of Braveland, where knights reveal secret paths and ordinary characters may hold extraordinary secrets. The option to upgrade your castle before each raid adds a strategic layer, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Becoming a Hero

Choose your origin – be it a peasant, blacksmith, tracker, or rogue – and embark on a journey to become Braveland’s most renowned knight. Each choice impacts your path, making every playthrough unique.

Exciting DLCs Released with the Main Game

Alongside the main game, we are launching four DLC packs on February 1:

Fantastic Beasts DLC: Battle new bosses, play as the Wizard, and collect unique gear.
Fun And Memes DLC: Introduces whimsical items like a pigeon mask or a carrot sword for a humorous twist.
Around The World DLC: Offers globally inspired weapons and hats, along with a new hero, the Pirate.
Hero Pack DLC: Adds two new characters, Monk and Blacksmith, with additional gear.

Preorder Today

Knights of Braveland, along with its exciting DLCs, is available for pre-order today, offering players early access to this captivating world, and will launch on Xbox on February 1st, 2024. .

Get ready to dive into the action-packed universe of Knights of Braveland and carve your path to glory. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or a team player, a grand quest awaits you on Xbox!

Knights of Braveland

Ellada Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

$17.99

Pre-order

Xbox One X Enhanced

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

Smash your way to victory solo or in a team up to 4 knights. Infinite replayable action RPG in Braveland universe.

Join the Heroes Guild and travel the path from a rookie to the hero of the kingdom. Head on a hunt for the vicious boss solo or with your friends. Your adventure will be randomly generated from hundreds of different events.

Once you sign up a contract to catch the villain, you’ll head into an adventure. Each quest is created from hundreds of particular events, melding into a unique story. The Elves will reveal secret paths to you and the ordinary pub owner might very well turn out to be a werewolf.

The post Embark on a Heroic Quest in Knights of Braveland, Coming to Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.