Recruits, brace yourselves for an exhilarating new challenge as we proudly present From Space – an action-packed co-op game that will take you and your squad on entirely new adventures where you’ll be defending the globe against an alien invasion.

Embark on daring missions across a variety of unique locations, each presenting challenging objectives paired with increasingly fierce waves of pink adversaries. Your skills will be put to the test as you fight to survive and exfil from the intense battles that await your team! Alternatively, you and some friends can kick back in Story mode and help defend the citizens of Earth through a number of daring missions. We need you!

In this post, we sit down for an exclusive developer interview with Remco de Rooji, Studio and Game Director at Triangle Studios to find out more about the game.

How did the development of From Space start? What were your motivations for creating the game?

We started development of From Space with the creation of its prototype the tail end of 2019. It was a very important moment for the studio as it was always our ambition to work on our own ideas for games, and it was like taking a big leap of faith. It took almost a year before we were able to start working on the project full-time. From that moment, it still took about two years until we first launched on Steam in November 2022.

From Space was a way for the studio to reinvent itself. We have really come into our own, and we plan to continue building From Space as well as new co-operative multiplayer games for years to come.

What was the biggest hurdle for the team when creating From Space? How did you overcome it?

Online multiplayer was definitely a big challenge. Up to this point, we had only done couch co-op games, and we really wanted players to have an online experience with From Space. How we overcame this problem? Basically, by spending a lot of time on it!

From Space is visually stunning! What were your inspirations behind the art style of the game?

I’ve personally always loved games that take a stylized approach, but to be honest one of the main reasons for the game’s visual appearance is that we have a relatively small team.  This means that if we are to build an entire game world, we need to carefully decide on how and where to spend our time to get the most out of it.

We are very happy with our incredibly talented artists who have carefully crafted the game’s visuals to where they are today. Even after all this time, I’m still impressed by it!

What made you and your team choose space? What came first – the gameplay or the setting?

Let me return the question: Where else would pink aliens come from? Hah! Actually, old sci-fi movies were an inspiration for From Space, but come to think of it, there is very little actual space in From Space …

Who came up with the design for the aliens? They’re cute and scary in equal measure – how did you find such a great balance between fun and terror?

The original design was done by our previous concept artist Pascal Brander (who still makes fantastic artworks by the way). The alien designs were even more basic at first, but we’ve evolved their appearance and given them different physical abilities so the player can more easily distinguish them when they attack in massive hordes (and believe me, they do attack in hordes).

The game has seen success on Steam already. What differences will be available on launch for the console edition?

We’ve added a brand-new Horde Mode to the game that we call From Space: Resistance. In this mode, you can team up with friends or strangers and fight ever more difficult waves of aliens on different arenas. Each round earns you tokens and energy that you can spend unlocking and upgrading weapons, items and perks. Oh, and there are medals to earn and challenges to complete. You could say that From Space is now two-games-in-one!

On top of that there are many dozens (maybe hundreds) of small improvements that we’ve added. You can definitely say that Xbox players get to experience the best possible version of From Space on day one!

Could you take us through some of the aliens we’ll be fighting? What are some insider tactics to ensure we survive the apocalypse?

Well, first you have your Crawlers. Easy to dispatch but they can overwhelm you when they are in large groups. We have Hoppers, who jump at your face, Slackers who are slow but have a longer reach with their stretchy arms, we have Brawlers who deflect your attacks with their shields and Boomers who will simply run at you and explode in your face. There’s more than that, and they even come in several Possessed Variants, which means that some of your weapons are less or more effective, so you’ll need to think about your loadout before you go into battle.

What are your top tips for Horde Mode?

Learn how to play as a team. You could go running straight into the fight like Leroy Jenkins, but you’re probably not going to last very long. If you’re playing with friends, try to find ways for your weapons, items and perks to complement each other… Or everyone equips a bunch of grenades and see how far you can make it!

What is your favourite loadout to use in Horde Mode?

I’m a simple guy, my approach is to blow things up as quickly as possible. I usually equip a grenade launcher or a rocket launcher to do that job for me. As a side-arm, the new plasma pistol is very effective. I love bringing a turret as one of my items because they harvest a lot of kills, and to top it off I’ll equip a couple of perks that allow me to be a good team player, such as the Quick Revive perk or the Med Kit Crafter perk.

Download From Space on the Xbox store – and it’s also available with Xbox Game Pass.

From Space

Curve Games

☆☆☆☆☆
9

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

That’s no bubblegum army, that’s an endless horde of menacingly pink aliens taking over our planet! Enough sweet talk, grab your gear, we need you and your squad to defeat the pink pests!

YOUR MISSION: Liberate Earth from the Alien horde!

HORDE MODE
We have an emergency on our hands! Resistance is a high-energy “Horde Mode” where you and your (extremely qualified) team will be deployed into unique locations, completing objectives, while surviving waves of pink life forms that increase in difficulty. It’s down to you to save the world.

Collect Tokens to unlock weapons, items, and perks to boost your stats and build the ultimate loadout based on your playstyle. Complete formidable missions and extract with your squad to gain well-earned experience to level up your character. Additionally, for those that love to flaunt, you can show off your skill to other players in the session with 26 different ranks to work towards! Get out there and make us proud, recruit!

STORY MODE
It’s time to save the world! Embark on a journey to meet fellow earthlings that require your assistance, you virtuoso. You’ll be completing a wide range of exciting missions, usually, through chaotic combat, and yes, you have full permission to destroy everything in your path.

MISSION TIP #1: Squad Up!
While you can play From Space solo (if you’re brave enough) you’d be wise to invite some friends to help you out. With online play you can create a four-person squad. Look, there’s a lot of those pink pests out there so the more people, the better. Oh, and with a squad, you’ll have some witnessess to tell everyone how awesome you are. It’s basically a win-win scenario.

MISSION TIP #2: Shoot, Explode & Stab
With a variety of weapons (Rocket Launchers, Miniguns, Flamethrowers and more!) there’s no excuse not to annihilate those aliens! Build your ideal spec and use tactical items such as grenades and mines, or slow down the hordes with barbed wire and machinegun turrets. Remember to scavenge the world for loot, you’ll need it!

MISSION TIP #3: You’re special, so pick your specialist skill!
No matter what type of player you are, there’s a wide range of characters in From Space’s roster, each with their own unique ability and weapons. Find the perfect balance with your friends as you build the ultimate super squad.

MISSION TIP #4: Don’t just stand there, Level-up!
As you level-up, you’ll be able to attach special perks to your character, helping you to master the art of destroying aliens. You’ll need to find ways to combat increasingly more powerful aliens, and perks will help you accomplish all of your pink alien squashing dreams. Need to rethink your strategy? No problem! We like innovators! Perks can be swapped around, even between your squad!

MISSION TIP 5#: The apocalypse has never been so much fun… so have fun!
We’re going to level with you… an alien threat is terrifying, terrifyingly fun! Look, the world is already pretty beat up as it is. Who’s going to notice if you cause a little bit more destruction while saving the day? People have insurance it’s fine…

The post From Space: Battling an Extraterrestrial Menace With Xbox Game Pass appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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.