Many Dragon Ball games have been released over the years – ranging from 3D arena fighters to action RPGs following Goku’s legendary story.

However, out of the many released, the Xenoverse series has held a grip on fans’ hearts with its unique take on the Dragon Ball universe.

The original Dragon Ball Xenoverse made its debut in 2015, offering a truly original story and the opportunity for fans to create their own customizable characters, where they try to save history (or Goku’s story as they know it) by taking on the role of Time Patrollers who serve to protect the timeline.

In 2016, to the delight of fans, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 launched, and it’s still going strong to this day. As of 2023, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (also referred to as DBXV2) continues to see updates and content drops, and now the game is taking a further step towards the future.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 players will receive a new free big update on October 12, that includes the Festival of Universes event, a new multiplayer battle mode called Cross Versus, and more!

To celebrate, we’ve asked Jun Song, the Producer of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, to answer a few questions about the game and the update.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has been going strong for more than 7 years; what are some challenges you’ve faced when trying to keep the content fresh for the player base?

Jun Song: First of all, I would like to thank everyone who is still playing Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 seven years after its release. Thank you for your continued warm support! It’s not easy to keep meeting expectations over the long term, but we have always tried to keep Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 close to our players.

We have implemented about 17 free updates to date, and by regularly implementing new Raid Quests, customizable items, and other content, we have always strived to provide an environment where players can play the game with a fresh perspective.

We have also released several paid DLC packs, most recently “Conton City Vote Pack,”  which includes characters selected by player votes, and the “Hero of Justice Pack,” which consists of the main characters and original scenario from the latest “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” movie.

Outside the game, a “Super Fashion Contest,” a player-participatory event where players compete to see how fashionable their avatars are, which they created with their own ideas in mind, was also held.

Whether it is updates or events like this, the biggest challenge is knowing what kind of content is sought after, how popular it is, and how players play it. And at the same time, I believe this is the reason why Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has grown so much.

After many years, DBXV2 is receiving an additional multiplayer mode! What inspired Cross Versus, and what should fans look forward to?

Jun Song: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, has, like other games that have been running for a long time, experienced a divide between new players and existing players due to differences in experience and opportunities to play.

We thought that if there was content that both new and existing players could enjoy together, more people could enjoy the world of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, and we came up with the idea of “Cross Versus” content.

Cross Versus is a new battle mode where two teams of 3  compete against one another. The basic rule is that each team must earn mission points in different areas of a map to open a boss area, and the team that defeats the boss faster than the other team, or collects the maximum number of mission points, wins.

However, Cross Versus is not just a team game. For example, all participating players start at the same level and must level up during the battle. How you become stronger depends on your own strengths and preferred style of play, which can be freely changed. There is also a mechanism to interfere with the opposing team’s moves, so it is essential to know how to contribute to the team and to assess the battle situation.

Whether you are good at battles or not so good at battles, the game is designed to allow everyone to play an active role, so please join in and experience the fun. We also offer new badges as rewards for completing various conditions in Cross Versus battles – and you can show them off to other players before you begin, so there’s and incentive to succeed in various different ways.

The update also brings the Festival of Universes event. What can fans can expect from that?

Jun Song: Festival of Universes is a regularly held Universe event that will be implemented starting with this update.

Players choose one universe of their choice, and become a part of a team featuring all players in that universe. Participating in the event earning earns Glory Points for that universe during the event period. Once the event ends, the universe with the most Glory Points wins. Glory Points can be earned by playing almost all modes available in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. Of course, Cross Versus is also eligible. In a minor way, I recommend the Milk Delivery Quest, which also offers a change of pace!

We also have new lobbies and new reward items for this event. Please play the game and check out what new encounters you can expect.

Are there any new player skills that fans can look forward to?

Jun Song: In this update, we will implement the Awoken Skill “Ultra Instinct,” which can be applied to all avatars of all races.

Upon awakening, it consumes energy to evade an opponent’s attack automatically, and with additional input, a counterattack becomes possible. An exclusive technique power recovery skill becomes available, and the Ki Blast attack is transformed into a special one.

We invite you to try it out on your own avatar so that you, too, can become Ultra Instinct!

While DBXV2 has a welcoming community, like any long-running series it can be daunting for new players to come in. Do you have any advice for new players who want to come in and try the new modes? 

Jun Song: The new events and new battle modes that will be implemented in this update can be enjoyed by all players, regardless of their gameplay history.

For example, in Cross Versus, everyone starts at level 1, and the system allows players to level up and gain ultimate skill during battles, so even those who are just starting out in the game can participate. Festival of Universes is also an event that can be enjoyed by playing all kinds of modes, so if you like battles, you can enjoy battles; if you are not that good at battles, you can enjoy quests, and so on.

At this time when Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is going through a major evolution, we hope that new players will join us and have fun with everyone.

Do you have any final comments for the Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 community? 

Jun Song: Even with seven years of updates in place, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will continue to evolve, and we hope you will continue to enjoy the game! The update will be available on October 12!

Represent your universe and compete to be the best in the Festival of Universes or take on the challenge of the new Cross Versus battle mode when the free big update for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 goes live on October 12, 2023.

DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
790

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

Free Trial

DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 gives players the ultimate DRAGON BALL gaming experience! Develop your own warrior, create the perfect avatar, train to learn new skills & help fight new enemies to restore the original story of the DRAGON BALL series. Join 300 players from around the world in the new hub city of Conton & fight with or against them.

And you can now experience some of the key elements of Xenoverse 2 for free, with the DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 Lite (Trial) version!
The following features are available in the Lite (Trial) version:
・ The first 5 episodes of the Story Mode
・ Online Matches
・ All contents of the Hero Colosseum

The post Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Celebrates Its 7th Birthday With a Huge Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.

A Quick Intro to Long Gone Days

Long Gone Days is a JRPG set in a near-future, war-torn version of our world. Through a mixture of traditional exploration, expressive storytelling, and innovative turn-based combat, this game explores human connection during war with a focus on civilians, language barriers, and borders.

You play as Rourke, a young man who has trained all his life to be a sniper for The Core—a secretive and militaristic nation with a charismatic leader. Rourke believes strongly in the ideals of his nation, but on his first mission he stumbles into a vast conspiracy that strains his conscience and drives him to desert.

As an idealistic fugitive, Rourke will go on an odyssey to escape The Core’s clutches and avert the catastrophe they’ve set in motion. This journey will take Rourke across Europe, and in each new country he encounters a language barrier (including German, Polish, and more) that must be deciphered to progress.

Expand Your Skills by Forging Bonds with a Party of Comrades

Luckily, Rourke has help. Along his way, Rourke will forge bonds with a diverse party of colorful and well-rounded characters. Each party member contributes potential story arcs, valuable skills in and out of combat, and, crucially, fluency in new languages that allow Rourke to communicate with locals and achieve his goals. These characters form the heart and soul of Long Gone Days, and they serve as bridges between the player and the distinct communities found in each of the game’s three major cities.

These party members include Adair, a cool and collected fellow soldier who has trained as a medic, and in so doing seems to have made peace with the cost of war. By contrast, players will also meet Lynn and Ivan – civilians who find themselves under attack by the Core. Lynn is quiet but won’t hesitate to fight tooth and nail for those she loves. Meanwhile, Ivan is a pacifist who will not hold a gun but contributes everything he can to support the party—including foreign language skills and some fantastic cooking. Atiye and Pascal are two fan-favorite characters from later chapters in the game, and while we don’t want to spoil too much of their stories, suffice to say each brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and language capabilities to the table.

Overcoming Language Barriers is Key to Progression

As characters join your party and contribute their linguistic skills, a world of possibility opens. When you first arrive in a new city and can’t understand the language, you’ll find yourself feeling a bit alienated and without much freedom—much like in real life. But once you unlock the ability to understand the locals, you can make your way through each town, access shops, and progress storylines. Beyond the main plot, being able to communicate lets you engage with the numerous side-quests in each chapter.

Through both the main and side quests, the ability to speak the local language lets Adair and the party quickly become enmeshed in the lives of others. The game’s quests focus on the small stories of specific characters, but each also feeds into the larger plot. For example, you might evade curfew to bring medicine to a home-bound grandmother, help a local animal shelter search for stray animals before a city is evacuated, or help defang propaganda by covering it in hand-made art. With language as the key, these quests all unlock heartfelt emotional moments rooted in the people and the culture on display in each chapter.

Languages, Borders, and Human Empathy

Language and communication are powerful concepts, and they are at the heart of what Long Gone Days is trying to say. On the one hand, language can feel like an insurmountable, alienating barrier. Yet, the moment one understands another, they can freely access a new world of humanity—they can once again find common ground. In this way, through its unique language mechanics, Long Gone Days consistently highlights the beauty and importance of people, no matter their circumstances or nationality.

 Long Gone Days is out today, October 10^th, on Xbox! We hope you’ll join Rourke on his journey to fight for a future he can believe in. For more updates on the game, follow @SerenityForge on Twitter!

Long Gone Days

Serenity Forge

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

$19.99

Get it now

Long Gone Days is an RPG set in the real world about human connection during war, focusing on civilians, language barriers, and borders.

Follow Rourke, young man trained from birth to be a sniper for The Core— a subterranean paramilitary state.

On his first mission, he is sent to the surface under orders of great significance. Motivated to finally be able to show the fruits of his training, he carries out his first orders to perfection only to find out that The Core was far from being the noble organization he thought he knew.

The post Find Humanity in War with Long Gone Days appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit one of the largest private automobile collections in the world, and as you might expect, the biggest names in the industry were on display – everything from Ferrari and Lamborghini to Jaguar and Bugatti. It even included some of the earliest and rarest American muscle cars like the Yenko Camaro and Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible. The experience was a bit overwhelming, standing there amidst such pristine and treasured cars, knowing most of them were built with a similar purpose – to go fast, but ultimately sharing the same fate – they never would.

As a car enthusiast, that is what makes Forza Motorsport so special to me. I know realistically speaking I will never sit behind the wheel of a Bugatti Chiron or Jaguar XJ220, much less drive one. On a racetrack. At 200+ miles per hour. In the rain. But with Forza Motorsport, I can! I love fast cars as much as I do fun games, so today is one that I have been looking forward to all year as Forza Motorsport, my most anticipated game of 2023, races onto Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.

Cars, Cars, and More Cars

I don’t know what is more impressive, the fact Forza Motorsport shipped with 500 cars, that 100 of them are new to the series, or that Turn 10 Studios will continue to regularly add more. Nearly 100 years of automotive history is represented in this extraordinary collection, with the oldest car in Forza Motorsport being the 1926 Bugatti Type 35 and the newest being the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which is one of this year’s cover cars.

With the Free Play mode, you can rent any car and take it for a drive (free of charge, but you will not earn Car XP). So, if you want to test drive a 1981 Ford Fiesta XR2, you can. Or you can get behind the wheel of the most expensive car (currently) in the game, the 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko. To start out, I chose something I have a little bit of real-world experience with, the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, before switching over to the 2021 Rimac Nevera, the electric hypercar often billeted as the fastest car in the world. It is indeed fast, and with no gas-powered engine noise, it is also a little eerie, as you race down the track at 200 mph and the only thing you hear is your heart beating in your chest (that might be a slight exaggeration). If you love cars as much as I do, you will have no problem finding a car you love in Forza Motorsport. I can’t guarantee you will have an easy time settling on which one to purchase first.

Let’s Go Racing

You can’t have a great racing game without having great places to go racing, and Forza Motorsport features some of the most iconic locations in all of motorsports, with more tracks on the way. The iconic Grand Prix Nürburgring circuit is included, as is the ever-popular Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. One of my personal favorites is Lime Rock Park. I just like the layout and how you can let out of the throttle and roll through most of the turns without having to get on the brakes too hard (and it doesn’t have any of those deceptive turns that sneak up on you).

The tracks all feel so real, you will want to grab a hotdog from the concession stand and a t-shirt from one of the merch trailers before heading to the pits. Adding to the realism is the dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions feature. Obviously, I knew the game was going to include this, but what I did not expect was the range of possibilities. There are ten Time of Day options ranging from sunrise to midnight, and even more weather options. Would you like your rain to be a drizzle, all out thunderstorm, or something in between, because that is the level of detail you can choose from. These variables will impact how the tracks look and feel, and ultimately how you and the other racers will perform. During several rainy training sessions, I would pull over and just listen to the pitter patter of rain drops on the windshield as I contemplated the meaning of life (okay, really I was just looking for the windshield wiper button).

Race How You Want With Who You Want

Turn 10 Studios has always placed accessibility at the forefront of Forza Motorsport’s design and is already receiving high praise for it being one of the most accessible games ever made. But the team also deserves recognition for how approachable they have made Forza Motorsport for players of all skill levels by creating a competitive racing platform that caters to rookie racecar drivers all the way up to those wanting the most realistic, immersive racing experience possible. By fine tuning the difficulty and driving assist settings to your skill level, you can create a racing experience that is both challenging and rewarding. And with the new Risk vs Reward feature, you can even select your starting grid position, which will show your projected finish and podium bonus. I was starting out in the 10^th position on most races but found I was catching the leader within a few laps, so each race I try to go a spot or two deeper in the field to earn even more Car XP.

As you race, you will earn Car XP, and you can use this to upgrade and tune your car by selecting from more than 800 performance upgrades – including fuel and air systems, engine, platform and handling, tires and wheels, and drivetrain. Using Car XP instead of purchasing the parts allows you to try different setups without further expense. And if you would rather race than tinker, you can opt for the Quick Upgrade and let the game handle tuning your car with a balanced setup.

If you want to race alone, in a single-player free play or career mode, those options are available. Or you can join any number of online multiplayer games, including your own private matches, and race against others. For those seeking a combination of the two, you will want to check out the Rivals mode, which allows you to compete against ghost cars to post the fastest lap times on tracked leaderboards. You will see how you stack up against the fastest racers without having to race against them. I really enjoyed the Rivals mode because it’s not only a fun and competitive experience, but it is also a great learning aid to see the cars and settings the faster drivers are using and what line they are taking through the turns.

Let’s Have a Clean Race

Surely, I am not the only one who has (accidentally) taken a shortcut off track, used the retaining wall to slingshot through turns, and pinballed off other cars on my race to the front of the field. Forza Motorsport implements new features and even incentivizes skillful driving to assist you in becoming the best racecar driver you can be…and it is working because I find myself looking at this feedback each lap to improve the next.

Each track is divided into Track Segments and your performance through each of these scoring loops is evaluated and displayed on screen providing you with immediate feedback. Plus, you are rewarded with Car XP based on your performance, so there is an extra incentive to do well. You will also receive Car XP for regular on-track activities like passing cars and improving on previous Track Segment times. Additionally, you can be penalized with time penalties for illegal passes and running off the track for an extended period.

Don’t worry, you will still have “pass in the grass” moments like Dale Earnhardt did at Charlotte Motor Speedway All-Star Race back in 1987 and you can still lean on cars and trade a little paint as you navigate those tight turns, but I applaud Turn 10 for implementing creative ways to inspire clean, competitive racing.

Turn 10 Studios has crafted an innovative racing simulation with iconic cars, incredible photorealistic visuals, realistic physics, and lifelike AI racers, but even more than that, they have created a live, connected, immersive, accessible, and ever-changing competitive racing platform that will evolve and grow with the Forza community.

Play Forza Motorsport today with Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC and be sure to follow @ForzaMotorsport and check out the official website.

Forza Motorsport Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
271

★★★★★

$99.99

Get it now

• Forza Motorsport Premium Edition includes the full game with up to 5 days early access, Race Day Car Pack, Car Pass (30 cars delivered to your game weekly, one per week), VIP Membership and Welcome Pack.
• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous tracks, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.
• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode.
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings.
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt accumulation systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living tracks with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same.

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity.

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode.

Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come.

Forza Motorsport Premium Edition includes the full game with up to 5 days early access, Race Day Car Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership and Welcome Pack.

Race Day Car Pack features 8, new-to-Forza cars built exclusively for the racetrack including high-performance machines; Car Pass delivers 30, new-to-Forza cars to your game weekly, one per week, for you to collect, build and race (available as released); Welcome Pack jumpstarts your career with 5 immediate Showroom car unlocks and 500,000 bonus credits that you can use towards purchasing the car of your dreams; and VIP Membership provides a PERMANENT 2x BOOST to BASE CREDITS, 5 Forza Edition cars reserved for VIP Members, VIP Driver Gear with 5 colorways to choose from, the VIP Player Card, VIP Crown Flair, VIP-exclusive events and more.

*Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Core, sold separately

Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
174

★★★★★

$89.99

Get it now

• Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition includes the full game and Car Pass (30 cars delivered to your game weekly, one per week).
• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous tracks, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.
• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode.
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer* events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings.
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt accumulation systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living tracks with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same.

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity.

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode.

Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come.
Forza Motorsport Deluxe Edition includes the full game and Car Pass.

Car Pass delivers 30, new-to-Forza cars to your game weekly, one per week, for you to collect, build and race (available as released).

*Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Core, sold separately

Forza Motorsport Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
229

★★★★★

$69.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

• Immerse yourself in over 500 real cars across 20 world-famous tracks, including fan favorite locations and multiple track layouts, each featuring fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions.
• Out-build the competition using more than 800 performance upgrades in the all-new, fun and rewarding single-player experience, the Builders Cup Career Mode.
• Race alongside your friends in adjudicated multiplayer* events with tire and fuel strategy, a race weekend inspired structure and new driver and safety ratings.
• Compete with cutting edge AI opponents, advanced physics, powerful assists, new damage and dirt accumulation systems and photorealistic visuals with real-time ray tracing on-track.

Race over 500 real-world cars including modern race cars and more than 100 cars new to Forza Motorsport. Make every lap count across 20 living tracks with fan-favorite locations and multiple track layouts to master, each featuring live on-track scoring, fully dynamic time-of-day with weather and unique driving conditions that ensure no two laps ever look or play the same.

Experience a cutting-edge simulation with incredible photorealistic visuals that deliver real-time ray tracing on-track, new damage and dirt accumulation systems, and massively upgraded physics featuring powerful assists and a 48x improvement in tire fidelity.

Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode.

Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer* events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play. Online racing is safer, more fun and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Immerse yourself in an expanding world of motorsport. New career championships and online events will be regularly introduced offering unique challenges, incredible new cars and tracks, and exciting new gameplay experiences for years to come.

*Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Core, sold separately

The post Forza Motorsport: The Ultimate Racing Game for Car Lovers – Out Now and Included with Game Pass appeared first on Xbox Wire.