Critically Acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2024.
Boasting 4K support on Xbox Series X and faster loading times on both consoles, with an open beta coming soon.
Duty Support system allows single-player fans to enjoy the story at their own pace.
After much anticipation, it’s finally confirmed – critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S.
First announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, let’s break down the announcement and reveal and what it means for Xbox gamers now that one of gaming’s most welcoming communities is set to get even bigger!
What is Final Fantasy XIV Online?
Firstly, if you’re not familiar with Final Fantasy XIV Online, as the name would suggest, it’s the fourteenth mainline game in the highly esteemed Final Fantasy series. As with all mainline numbered Final Fantasy games however, each entry is a standalone game that doesn’t require any previous experience with the franchise. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game before, FFXIV is the perfect place to jump in!
FFXIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn – a vibrant planet blessed by the Light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents, there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Her name — Eorzea. It is here that your tale begins to unfold. Beckoned by the Mothercrystal — the source of all life — you must embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.
As an online massively multiplayer role-playing game, FFXIV offers a realm where you and 27 million adventurers worldwide can embark on epic quests together. Filled with bustling cities, towering forests, and deadly deserts, FFXIV’s constantly updated, and ever-engaging world takes you to the far reaches of the land and beyond, with a captivating and ongoing story. But it isn’t just about defeating massive monsters with your personalized Warrior of Light. You can also gather materials and craft items, enjoy series staples including Chocobos, Moogles, and Airships, enjoy a day of mini-games and mahjong at the Gold Saucer, and even buy a house.
Your adventure, played your way!
If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, never fear! Though initially designed to be played online with others, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. In fact, by the time the open beta launches it’ll be possible to complete all the main story dungeons from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker solo, enabling you to comfortably experience the stories of Eorzea on their own.
When can I play it…and what have I heard about a Free Trial?
Final Fantasy XIV Online is set to launch in open beta on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Patch 6.5x series, which means you can expect it very soon indeed! Alongside 4K support on Xbox Series X, both consoles will enjoy fast loading times, making sure your time in Eorzea looks and plays great.
Additionally, you may have seen some copypasta lurking around the internet pertaining to a certain free trial… well, rest assured, the Final Fantasy XIV Online Expanded Free Trial will indeed be coming to Xbox Series X|S, meaning you too will be able to enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!
We’re thrilled to finally be launching on Xbox Series X|S, and this is just the beginning of our journey together. We’re looking forward to sharing much more information in the run-up to launch and welcoming you all to Eorzea! Until then, may you ever walk in the light of the Crystal!
David Adams, President of Gunfire Games, answers our questions about the launch of Remnant II and what players can expect in this third-person survival action shooter.
Equip yourself with specialized abilities, items, and weapons (ranged and melee), and experience frenetic combat as you face swarms of enemies and epic large-scale boss battles.
Play the campaign solo or team up with up to two other players on your journey, with a new expanded archetype system that can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles.
Just when you think the post-apocalyptic world being overrun by hordes of deadly enemies couldn’t get any worse, along comes Remnant II with a whole new terrifying world of deadly creatures and god-like bosses. Remnant II is the continuation of the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes, and we connected with David Adams, President of Gunfire Games, to talk about what you can expect from this intense Remnant combat experience.
Since this is a sequel, the first and most obvious question is, how does Remnant II align with everything we experienced in Remnant: From the Ashes, and what do those players who never played the first game need to know? “Story wise it picks up from the end of the first game’s final DLC. The main threat has been seemingly defeated, and mankind is starting to fight back and take back the Earth,” shares Adams. “However, something is obviously not perfect, or we wouldn’t have a sequel. We try to keep the stories in our games simple, so players should have no trouble picking it up.”
New Worlds to Explore
I’ve only scratched the surface of Remnant II but can confirm the transition was seamless and the experience is quite reminiscent of the former game, but with some notable improvements. I asked about the similarities and differences between the original and Remnant II, and Adams had this to say. “There are two things we wanted to lean into heavily in the sequel. One was the randomness of the world, and the uniqueness of the events found in the world.
The fact that two people can play the sequel and start on completely different worlds, with completely different storylines is a cool aspect of the game.
The fact that two people can play the sequel and start on completely different worlds, with completely different storylines is a cool aspect of the game. On top of that, the number of random events and secrets in the game provide for both a compelling first time playthrough of the game, but also an incentive to play the game multiple times to see all the content you missed the first time.” Adams continues, “The second thing we wanted to work on was player variety of abilities, items, and weapons. We added an Archetype system so that players could further specialize their characters and would have a large amount of build variety to try different archetype/weapon/trait combos.”
Archetype System
While Remnant: From the Ashes did use an Archetype system (essentially player classes), they were overhauled in Remnant II, with the addition of new types, each with their own unique features. Given the importance of this feature, I asked Adams if he could further explain Remnant II’s Archetype system. “We had archetypes in the first game, but they were no more than a set of armor and weapons. In Remnant II they are much more extensive with passive abilities, unique traits, and skills unique to the Archetype,” explains Adams. “On top of that, at a point in your character’s progression you can equip two separate archetypes to create unique combinations of abilities. We brought back every archetype from the first game and added a bunch of new ones to discover.” When asked about his personal favorite, Adams mentions the Challenger, because it has a passive ability that allows you to get back up after dying, an ability many of us will need, especially on the harder difficulty setting.
Endless Replayability
Remnant II incorporates branching quest lines and dynamically generated dungeons, which means not only is each of your playthroughs unique, but everyone else playing the game has a unique experience too, including potentially starting on an entirely different world. “At the top level we randomly generate the order of the biomes that you encounter. Then inside each biome we generate one of two unique storylines. Then you have all the mini bosses, side quests, events, etc. that get randomized inside of that framework”, explains Adams. “This means that two players will likely have completely different storylines, different bosses, mini bosses, found items, etc. You won’t even necessarily start on the same world. The main story doesn’t have alternate endings, but the biome stories – which is really the meat of the game – often have alternate rewards and outcomes.”
Multiplayer
A popular feature from Remnant: From the Ashes was the ability to play through the game with up to two other players, and this feature returns in Remnant II. “We took the Multiplayer aspects from the original game and polished them for Remnant II,” says Adams. “But overall, the ability to seamless jump in and jump out of games with friends – or to matchmake into public games – has remained similar to Remnant: From the Ashes. One of the coolest aspects of multiplayer is jumping into someone’s game just to see what quests, bosses, items they have in their world.”
The Soulslike Comparison
Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant II are often described as being “Soulslike”, the subgenre of action role-playing games known for, among other things, as having a high difficulty level and big boss fights. When asked about this comparison, Adams responded, “Well, I personally love Souls games so if people want to call it Soulslike that’s fine. I think the difficulty, and the fact that we have checkpoints that reset the world are probably what drive people to make that comparison. But beyond that there is a lot about Remnant II that is different than a Souls game. We have guns, archetypes (with passive abilities and skills), randomly generated worlds, seamless drop/in – drop/out coop, truckloads of secrets, traits, etc. There is a lot to discover in the game that you would never see in a Souls game.”
There is a lot about Remnant II that is different than a Souls game. We have guns, archetypes (with passive abilities and skills), randomly generated worlds, seamless drop/in – drop/out coop, truckloads of secrets, traits, etc.
Unimaginable Worlds
One of the most interesting features of the Remnant games is a principle often associated with the Chaos Theory, and that’s to expect the unexpected. Everything in the world, from the weapons to the creatures, has a degree of randomness to it. “One of the best things about Remnant is that we can make up whatever worlds and lore we want. The basic premise of the game – the multiverse hopping aspect – gives us unlimited freedom. One world can be dark Victorian, and another science fiction,” explains Adams. “One thing we try to do when crafting each world’s quests, bosses and events is to try and inject as many ‘aha’ water cooler moments as we can. We want memorable moments for players to share with friends or other gamers, and this is further enhanced by the random nature of the game because you may encounter some cool moment that literally doesn’t even exist in your friends’ game.”
Completion Time
Completion time for Remnant: From the Ashes ranges anywhere from 15-20 hours for the main objective to 50-60 hours to complete everything, so it’s a reasonable assumption Remnant II would offer a similar experience. Adams confirms this and says, “Remnant II is a bit longer than the first game, you are looking at 20+ hours for the main story, then probably another 60-100 hours to complete everything, maybe even longer. There is more of everything: quests, story quests, events, gear, etc.”
Conclusion
Remnant II is a worthy successor to Remnant: From the Ashes. It’s dark and gritty gameplay coupled with interesting characters and mysterious storyline lured me in and kept me wanting more. Some may compare it to a Soulslike game due to the difficulty and big boss battles, but personally I feel it is more unique than that and almost in a genre all on its own.
Even though I already knew, I couldn’t let Adams go without asking what has become a popular question in video game culture, especially for any game that features a dog or other similar pet-like creature. You see, I started my journey in Remnant II choosing one of the new archetypes – the Handler – solely because it includes a dog companion. Therefore, the obvious (and for some, perhaps the most important) question is – can you pet the dog? Adams replied, “You can definitely pet the dog!”
Remnant II is now available for Xbox One Series X|S and includes a Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Edition. To learn more about the game, check out the official website and follow @Remnant_Game on Twitter.
REMNANT II STANDARD EDITION
INCLUDES REMNANT II GAME
Unimaginable Worlds. Unrelenting Odds
Remnant 2 is the sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.
Intense Remnant Combat Experience
A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards
New Worlds to Explore
Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
Endless Replayability
Branching quest lines, augments, crafting, and loot rewards will test the resolve of even the most hardened players in dynamically generated dungeons and areas. Playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds. Various stories are woven throughout the different worlds, encouraging exploration and multiple revisits
New Archetypical Progression
Expanded Archetype system provides players with unique passive bonuses and stunning powers. Multiple Archetypes can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles
REMNANT II DELUXE EDITION
INCLUDES REMNANT II GAME
INCLUDES EARLY ACCESS TO 3 REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES ARMOR SETS
ELDER ARMOR SET
RADIANT ARMOR SET
VOID ARMOR SET
UNIMAGINABLE WORLDS. UNRELENTING ODDS
REMNANT II is the sequel to the best-selling game REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.
Features:
Intense Remnant Combat Experience
A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards
New Worlds to Explore
Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
Endless Replayability
Branching quest lines, augments, crafting, and loot rewards will test the resolve of even the most hardened players in dynamically generated dungeons and areas. Playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds. Various stories are woven throughout the different worlds, encouraging exploration and multiple revisits
New Archetypical Progression
Expanded Archetype system provides players with unique passive bonuses and stunning powers. Multiple Archetypes can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles
REMNANT II ULTIMATE EDITION
INCLUDES REMNANT II GAME
INCLUDES EARLY ACCESS TO 3 REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES ARMOR SETS
ELDER ARMOR SET
RADIANT ARMOR SET
VOID ARMOR SET
INCLUDES SURVIVAL PACK
2 Mudtooth Elixir (EXP Bonus)
5 Bloodroot
3 Ammo Boxes
1000 Scrap, 10 Iron
INCLUDES REMNANT II DLC BUNDLE (3 DLC PACKS)
THE REMNANT II DLC BUNDLE INCLUDES 3 DLC PACKS THAT ADD EVEN MORE TO THE REMNANT II EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING NEW STORY ELEMENTS, CREATURES, AND ENVIRONMENTS. DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED. ALL DLC RELEASED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF LAUNCH.
UNIMAGINABLE WORLDS. UNRELENTING ODDS
REMNANT II is the sequel to the best-selling game REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.
Features:
Intense Remnant Combat Experience
A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards
New Worlds to Explore
Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
Endless Replayability
Branching quest lines, augments, crafting, and loot rewards will test the resolve of even the most hardened players in dynamically generated dungeons and areas. Playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds. Various stories are woven throughout the different worlds, encouraging exploration and multiple revisits
New Archetypical Progression
Expanded Archetype system provides players with unique passive bonuses and stunning powers. Multiple Archetypes can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
F1 Manager 2023 challenges you to manage the F1 team of your choice and on your terms. Start your career as Team Principal at one of the 10 F1 teams and manage every aspect – from the factory, to the garage, to the starting grid. Experience broadcast-quality presentation as you take your team through practice, qualifying, and a thrilling race day for each race of the season and beyond!
Venba – July 31 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Available on day one with Game Pass: Venba is a short narrative cooking game where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Players will cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations, and explore in this story about family, love, loss, and more.
Night Reverie is a puzzle/adventure game in which a child must solve the mystery behind the distortion of his house. Enjoy a variety of dream-like environments and discover the truth behind this bizarre place. There must be an answer to all of this and a way to return things back to normal.
After a large-scale catastrophe, the remnants of humanity took refuge underground where they founded a new religious society. Forgetting sunlight, they blindly worship the god of the new world — the great Hand. Every few years the great Hand descends to the Central Station and takes chosen newborns to the world hidden behind the huge Temple gates. The protagonist goes on a dangerous journey through a hostile world, hoping to find a way to open the gates of the Temple and return his child.
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, set a thousand years before the events of the first chapter, takes you on a magical journey across the vast world of Gaia, brimming with mythology and lore. A young Knight faces an impossible challenge, as Warlock Mesmeroth has returned with a formidable Dark Army. Will our hero be able to unite the Owrus, Gillfolk, and men in a fight for the fate of the world?
This adventure platformer tells a story of a young witch exploring fairy forests to find herself and save her home. Join her quest now! Immerse yourself into a picture-perfect fantasy – solve numerous puzzles, fight enemies, reveal all the secrets… and don’t forget to save the world!
Embark on an incredible journey through the various locations of Ancient Greece, rich in ancient monuments and legendary creatures, in this exciting but casual strategy game. Includes many diverse tasks, more than 40 levels, a comical plot, simple and addictive gameplay, as well as a fantastic world! Find treasures, restore historical monuments, defeat monsters from the legends of old, and employ resourceful management.
In Save Koch, you play as a mafia Godfather, who is basically besieged inside his own panic room. Someone in the city decided to take your place, and there is a sleeper “mole” inside your family, who is acting as we speak. Time is running out! You only have six days to solve the plot, discover who is behind this conspiracy, resolve the problem, and send the challenger to feed the fish.
First-person survival horror gets a roguelike twist in The Red Exile, where every playthrough is randomized across a procedurally generated map to keep you on your toes, while elements of hand-crafted puzzles and level design are layered within. Your task is to perform an exile rite to rid this realm of your maniac pursuer before he can kill you first.
Adore is a monster-taming action game where the main character, Lukha, can summon and control creatures to fight by his side in a simple and innovative way! Customize your gameplay according to the creatures you capture. Each of them has very different characteristics and abilities.
Cultivate the strongest monster in this horde survivor farming game! Fight against waves of creatures to beef up your Whispike and use its seeds to create even stronger hybrids! Whispike Survivors blends two trendy game genres: horde survivor and farm simulator. In this game you will control one of Sword of the Necromancer’s monsters and make it fight other critters to make it the strongest!
Inspired by turn-based JRPGs, games, and anime, with a touch of American sitcom somewhere in between, Astralojia starts as a comedy slice-of-life series that follows the lives of the students of a martial arts and magic school as they deal with the trials and tribulations of everyday life in the world of Astralojia.
Death BecomesYou is a murder mystery visual novel set in a magical university. Who murdered your best friend? You find 4 suspicious students at the scene. As all of them turn on you and accuse you of the murder, how can you find the truth and prove your innocence? Untangle the reasons behind Lyra’s death by building friendships with 4 of your fellow magic students.
Sapu – August 04 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Sapu is a young frog who lives in the frog village located in the frog forest. On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, Sapu is awakened by other villagers informing him that his grandfather had been bitten by a poisonous carnivorous plant while catching fireflies for dinner, and that he was on the brink of death. Sapu despairs but soon has an idea of how to save his grandfather and goes on an adventure in the forest.
Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.
Ultimate General: Gettysburg is a critically acclaimed tactical battle simulator that allows you to lead thousands of soldiers in the battle of Gettysburg as commander of either the Union or Confederate army. The game features the most accurately created map, complex morale, innovative control mechanics, and smart AI. Your decisions and military performance play a crucial role in the result.
In WildTrax Racing, you will enjoy the wildest and most spectacular races in natural environments, featuring several game modes such as arcade and 4-player multiplayer. Plus, you will be able to compare your best times with friends and players around the world on the online ranking chart.
Last month, we announced the start of Summer of Horrors, which promised updates, additions, events and crossovers! It all kicked off with the Good Night, Good Luck update at the end of June, which brought with it a new scarier, darker night experience with Volatiles, the series’ apex predators, roaming the streets come nightfall, a more realistic form of parkour and even more. But as we said then, this was just the start…
Today, we’re pleased to announce our crossover collaboration with The Walking Dead comics. Celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year, the comic book series has spawned an award-winning TV series (and spin-offs), as well as the critically acclaimed video game series developed by Telltale Games and Skybound Games. The comic’s 193-issue run redefined the post-apocalyptic genre and the franchise has since has become a pop-culture phenomenon!
From quotes to memes, The Walking Dead has truly become part of our culture. That’s exactly why we wanted to have a crossover event with this legendary franchise. Post-apocalyptic worlds left devastated by a horrifying outbreak are our settings, the undead are threats to our characters’ survival (even if the humans we find along the way could be considered more dangerous) and The Walking Dead is a franchise instantly recognizable to our players.
So, what can players expect as part of this crossover? There are two key parts: the event and the bundle. During the event, you will be able to get your hands on some of the most iconic weapons from The Walking Dead universe, starting with the ultimate event reward – Negan’s own barbwired bat, Lucille. To get it, you’ll have to have a thirst for blood that would rival the former leader of the Saviors’. For the community’s efforts, you will be rewarded with Rick’s sheriff hat. All you have to do is collectively kill a hell of a lot of infected!
Additionally, we are introducing daily goals for this event – something not seen before in the game. Each day you will have a set challenge to achieve. The daily rewards will be collectible in-game versions of select covers of The Walking Dead comic book series, but with a small Dying Light 2 Stay Human twist! For collecting all seven covers, you’ll be rewarded with a unique TWD charm. By the way, you can see a few of the comic book covers that were designed for the crossover throughout this post.
But that’s not all. You’ll be able to get your hands on even more items from The Walking Dead universe with our special crossover bundle. Featuring Michonne’s trusty katana, Rick’s sheriff’s deputy outfit and Negan’s knife (together with the blueprint for it), The Walking Dead bundle also contains Lucille, for those who weren’t able to earn her during the event.
Pilgrims will be able to take on The Walking Dead event from July 26 until August 2. Attack your foes with Lucille and crack some infected heads, maybe even a few human ones, too. You’ll just have to channel your inner Negan to do so. Dying Light 2 Stay Human’s Summer of Horrors is starting to heat up. And there’s plenty more crossovers coming. You probably want to know more, but we can’t say anything just yet.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Upgrade your experience with Smart Delivery. Buy the game once to both play it on Xbox One and get its optimized version for Xbox Series X | S
It’s been 20 years since the events of the original game. The virus won, and humanity is slowly dying. You play as Aiden Caldwell, a wandering Pilgrim who delivers goods, brings news, and connects the few remaining survivor settlements in barren lands devastated by the zombie virus. However, your true goal is to find your little sister Mia, who you left behind as a kid to escape Dr. Waltz’s torturous experiments. Haunted by the past, you eventually make the decision to confront it when you learn that Mia may still be alive in Villedor — the last city standing on Earth.
You quickly find yourself in a settlement torn by conflict. You’ll need to engage in creative and gory combat, so hone your skills to defeat hordes of zombies and make allies. Roam the city, free run across Villedor’s buildings and rooftops in search of loot in remote areas, and be wary of the night. With every sunset, monsters take control of the streets.
A WORLD AFTER THE APOCALYPSE
Fifteen years ago, humanity was devastated by the Fall — a catastrophic event that would change the world forever. With the Harran virus spreading around the globe, people quickly found out that all hope for tomorrow is lost. By 2036, only a few settlements remain, and humanity is slowly dying, making way for the new species out there — a horde of relentless zombies.
DAY’S FOR THE LIVING, NIGHT’S FOR THE DEAD
Welcome to Villedor, one of the last bastions of humanity. During the day, survivors still try to have a life here and find a false sense of normalcy. Relationships are formed, dreams are dreamed, and life carries on. On the surface, everything seems… fine. Until sunset, that is. With the last ray of light dying out, other, more dreadful, dwellers of The City crawl out of their gloomy interiors, taking over the streets. If you are not vigilant and stay out too long in the dark, you may never return.
YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO SURVIVE
Not all fights can be won. Sometimes it’s best to run and, thankfully, you have the skills for it. Parkour lets you escape when odds are not in your favor. Jump from rooftop to rooftop, swing across the cityscape, ride ziplines, and much more. Whatever you do, experience a unique sense of freedom as you free run across Villedor’s buildings and rooftops in search of loot or while running away from the dangers of the night.
GET BRUTAL AND BE CREATIVE ABOUT IT
In a world as dangerous as this one, only the strongest survive. Whether you prefer to smash, slice or dismember those who stand in your way, you have to be creative about it to make it through. And who says you need weapons? Utilize the entirety of your parkour moveset to get the jump on your enemies. Learn the ways of combat and parkour to feel the crunch of skulls and slices of flesh as you swing weapons or use your moves to fend off any forms of danger. And let’s not forget that Villedor has weapons that put the most advanced post-apocalyptic armories to shame.
FOUR PILGRIMS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Surviving in Villedor is easier with friends. Team up with up to 3 other players and increase your chances out there. Unravel the story together, take on Pilgrim Outpost challenges, or simply wreak havoc on the city streets.
Have you ever found yourself thinking you could do better than the F1 Team Principals during an action-packed race? Or do you want to immerse yourself in the strategy and high-octane drama of an F1 race weekend? F1 Manager 23 lets you do just that, and it’s available from today.
With broadcast quality presentation, and a more authentic recreation of an F1 race weekend than ever before, you can jump right into the action and manage your chosen F1 team on your terms.
An Immersive Broadcast Experience
If you’re an F1 regular, you’ll be immediately familiar with the broadcast experience in F1 Manager 23. We’ve gone to great lengths to replicate what you see on TV, from the timing tower which allows you to view important information like intervals and tyre compounds, to instant replays of key incidents in the race, with commentary from real-world commentators David Croft and Karun Chandhok.
Rarely does an F1 race go exactly to plan, and that’s something you need to consider as a Team Principal. Crashes, spins, and more can affect the outcome of the race. A safety car could drastically alter your strategy, or a red flag could bring a pause to the session, giving you a chance to rethink your plans.
Also new this year is the exhilarating visor camera. As introduced recently in real-world F1 broadcasts, you can now get closer to the action than ever before and see through the eyes of your drivers as they execute your every command. Alongside visor camera, our broadcast camera angles closely resemble those you would see during a live race on TV, allowing you to watch the race unfold on a broader scale.
The introduction of the DHL Fastest Pit Stop award to the game brings with it a new challenge for you to consider when managing your team. Make use of your Sporting Director and the brand-new pit crew training schedule to strike that perfect balance between executing fast pitstops, eliminating costly mistakes, and avoiding team fatigue.
Enhanced Detail on and off the Track
F1 Manager 23 is the most authentic F1 management experience ever made, and our Art team has put in outstanding work to recreate the cars and tracks in more detail than you’ve ever seen in a motorsport management game. We work closely with F1 and all the teams to make sure their latest high-speed marvels of engineering are represented as accurately as possible within the game.
A fast car is nothing without a driver however, and with face scanned 3D models for each F1 driver, updated helmets and team overalls, your star drivers will look the part on the track. That’s not all though, we’ve added up to 4 times the amount of driver team radio than in last year’s game, so you’ll hear your Race Engineer and driver react to more moments and decisions you make throughout the race weekend.
The 2023 F1 calendar is full of iconic circuits, and you get to experience them all in F1 Manager 23. With 23 races in the season, and the new addition of F1 Sprint events, you need to be ready for every type of track. Some tracks benefit from a focus on your car’s downforce, whereas outright power is key on others. We’ve used Airbus’ satellite technology to accurately recreate all these tracks within the game, as well as all the latest changes to tracks like Barcelona, and the addition of new circuits like the dazzling Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
New Race Replay Mode
All this comes together in our brand-new Race Replay mode, which takes our authenticity to the next level. Utilising real-world data, you’ll be able to relive thrilling races and key moments from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Starting Grid replicates the race conditions and starting positions of every race from the 2023 season, allowing you to select any team, create your strategy, and see if you can outperform the real-world Team Principals.
Race Moments puts you in charge of pivotal moments from real races in the season. Can you give Alonso his first win of the season in Monaco, or guide McLaren to an unexpected victory at Silverstone? Your decisions in the moments that matter will make all the difference here.
With Starting Grids and a Race Moment added for every race in the 2023 season, Race Replay offers a whole new way to play along with the season in F1 Manager 23.
F1 Manager 23 immerses you in the world of F1, putting you on the pitwall of one of the 10 F1 teams in more authentic detail than ever seen before in a motorsport management experience. Start building your legacy when the game launches on Xbox on July 31, or get a head start with the Deluxe Edition, which includes 12 exclusive scenarios to test your skills even further, and up to 4 days early unlock, allowing you to play from July 27.
Pre-order the Deluxe Edition of F1® Manager 2023 now to receive:
Early unlock, allowing you to play from 27th July
Deluxe Upgrade Pack
Three exclusive race moments including one for the all-new Las Vegas Strip Circuit
The Deluxe Upgrade Pack offers 12 unique scenario challenges, including both starting grid and race moments, that will put even the most strategic Team Principal to the test.
The intense world of Formula 1® comes alive for a new season in F1® Manager 2023. 23 races, six F1® Sprint events, new cars, new circuits including the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, new drivers, new challenges… Your legacy begins here.
• F1® Manager 2023 challenges you to manage the F1® team of your choice on your terms. Start your career as Team Principal at one of the 10 F1® teams and manage every aspect from the factory to the garage, to the starting grid
• Experience broadcast-quality presentation as you take your team through practice, qualifying and a thrilling race day for each race of the season, and beyond
• Detailed management systems give you control over your drivers, staff and car. Your decisions determine how your season unfolds
NEW RACE REPLAY MODE
Relive thrilling races and key moments from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship™ in Race Replay, a brand-new mode which brings you even closer to the excitement and drama of F1®.
Utilising real world F1® data taken from the live races, Starting Grid replicates the race conditions and driver starting positions of every race from the 2023 season, and Race Moments allow you to take control of a specific team during a pivotal moment of a real race from the 2023 season.
Whether it’s taking control of Aston Martin at Monaco and trying to get Alonso his first win of the season or trying to keep McLaren in the points after a chaotic Australian GP, Race Moments challenges you to make those defining split-second decisions in the moments that matter.
FINE-TUNED RACING SIMULATION
Races are more dramatic and dynamic than ever with refinements to racing lines, overtakes and incidents. Improved driver AI, rival team decision making, and an enhanced tyre temperature simulation will pose a greater challenge across fully-realised F1® races.
Get closer to the racing action than ever before with all-new visor camera, jump on board with any of the 20 drivers on track and experience the thrill of a Formula 1® race from their point of view.
DRIVER TACTICS & CONFIDENCE
Feel the emotional highs and lows of the drivers as they compete for victory. A spin, pit stop error or failed overtake may affect your driver’s confidence. Weigh up the risks and use the new Driver Tactics options to instruct your drivers on how to approach the racing action and come out on top of important battles for positions.
ENHANCED MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Compete at the highest level of motorsport with more depth and detail than ever before. Older drivers will regress as they age, so scout the simulated F2™ and F3™ championships for the next generational talent. In order to catch the enhanced race AI, making the next breakthrough in car development is more important than ever. Balance the push for performance against the need to replace less durable parts.
Hire an experienced Sporting Director, opening up the ability to manage your pit crew’s training regime and hone their skills, crucial for a successful race weekend, avoiding costly errors and winning the Fastest Pit Stop award.
Discover dark worlds or drift through August in Games with Gold! On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, embark on a journey thru a desolated kingdom in Blue Fire, and then race thru a retro 90s arcade style game in Inertial Drift.
Inertial Drift($19.99 ERP): Available August 1 to August 31
Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. So will Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, who receive all the fantastic benefits of Gold plus access to hundreds of high-quality games with Xbox Game Pass.
Evil forces have taken over the world of Penumbra. They need a warrior of light and darkness! Embark on a journey to explore temples filled with 3D platforming challenges, battle wild enemies, and go on side quests. Master the art of movement as you face increasingly challenging Void Puzzles and unlock the secrets that will save the day.
Can you master the perfect drift? Drive through a 90s retro future in this arcade racing game that leverages a unique handling model and twin-stick drift mechanices. Choose from 16 unique cars across 20 wild tracks to tear through the neon streets. Rev up your skills in single-player story move and then prove you’re the best in multiplayer.
If you currently have an Xbox Live Gold subscription, beginning September 14, your Xbox Live Gold membership will automatically transition to Xbox Game Pass Core with no change in price. Xbox Game Pass Core will continue to provide online console multiplayer, plus immediate access to a new library of over 25 high-quality games from the Game Pass catalog to play on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One at no additional cost, and member deals and discounts.
Games with Gold will come to an end on September 1. You can continue to access any Games with Gold games previously redeemed while remaining an Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member. If you currently have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, you will continue on the same plan.
Director Takuro Hiraoka spoke to Xbox Wire about the excitement around the recent launch of Exoprimalinto Game Pass.
Exoprimal revolves around the radical concept of a small number of allies working together to take down massive hordes of dinosaurs.
You can play Exoprimal today on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows. It’s also available to play now with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Exoprimallaunched day one with Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows on July 14, bringing its thrilling blend of team-based multiplayer, exosuits, and dinosaurs to players across console and PC. Being available with Game Pass at launch helped ensure there would be plenty of eager players ready to jump in and start playing together right away — since launch, the game has seen more than one million players join the wargames in Exoprimal.
We caught up with Director Takuro Hiraoka shortly after Exoprimal’s launch to talk about the game’s success over its first week, where the wild idea of fighting dinosaurs in exosuits came from, and what might be in store for this fresh new gaming universe for us to explore.
“We’re both elated and excited so many players were able to become Exofighters and participate in Exoprimal’s wargames starting on launch day (with Game Pass),” Exoprimal Director Takuro Hiraoka said. “Exoprimal was developed so that players can enjoy the game’s exhilarating gameplay on either consoles or PC.”
Personally, we love how Exoprimal has been able to tap into a mix of outrageousness with compelling gameplay (and of course, dinosaurs!). Hiraoka told us that with it being a brand-new IP, crafting the world of Exoprimal was an extremely enjoyable experience.
“We’re both elated and excited so many players were able to become Exofighters and participate in Exoprimal‘s wargames starting on launch day (with Game Pass).”
“Every day was exciting. We were able to try out a variety of challenging ideas such as combining PvE and PvP components into a single game mode and incorporating many of the developers’ interests (e.g., dinosaurs, powered suits, etc.) into the game. I distinctly remember how excited I felt seeing footage of a massive number of dinosaurs falling from the sky, as well as the experience of witnessing those dinosaurs and exosuits going head-to-head in-game. I thought to myself, ‘This is Exoprimal! How awesome!’”
Hiraoka told us that it was decided early in the game’s development to focus on dinosaurs that existed during prehistoric times – that fact plays a critical role in the development of the story. Once that decision was made, they opted to use futuristic exosuits (powered suits) as a means for humans to compete with history’s strongest and most ferocious beasts.
“Other options such as large mechs and cyborgs were taken into consideration, but we ultimately landed on exosuits because we felt these were the best match for the in-game action we envisioned for Exoprimal. As a young boy, I loved everything about dinosaurs… I was pretty excited that we were able to incorporate mechs, dinosaurs, and more into the game.”
Exoprimal revolves around the concept of a small number of allies working together to take down massive hordes of dinosaurs. Straightforward, right? The controls are also intentionally designed to make it easy for you to pull off flashy, exhilarating exosuit attacks and enjoy the sensation of clashing with these epic, prehistoric beasts.
“As a young boy, I loved everything about dinosaurs… I was pretty excited that we were able to incorporate mechs, dinosaurs, and more into the game.”
“The game may appear difficult at first glance, but don’t worry,” explains Hiraoka. “The controls are user-friendly, and Leviathan will help navigate players through each mission in the wargames. Find an exosuit you like based on aesthetics or combat style. If you keep using exosuits that you like, you’ll be able to make a significant impact on the battlefield.”
Teamwork and collaboration were important considerations when developing Exoprimal, and every mission can be cleared if each member of the team contributes – there’s no specific composition of exosuit types required for success. The key component — if there is one — is to just have fun.
To help with this, during combat, exosuits will speak when performing key actions like active skills. By listening to these cues, you’ll be able to understand what your teammates are doing and adjust your gameplay accordingly. Signal pins and stamps are another way to relay information to allies, giving you a variety of ways to communicate quickly and effectively to achieve success.
Still, we wanted to know if there was a “right way” for us to play Exoprimal. How free were we to find our own method of success (e.g., if everyone wanted to play as a Tank)?
“Teams can achieve victory as long as mission objectives and other conditions are achieved, even if all players are using tank-type exosuits.”
“Dino Survival missions are designed with specific exosuits or team compositions in mind, but all missions can be completed with any of the exosuits available in-game — teams don’t need to have specific compositions to succeed and enjoy the game,” Hiraoka says. “Teams can achieve victory as long as mission objectives and other conditions are achieved, even if all players are using tank-type exosuits. See what works best for your team and go from there!”
One of the more unique things with Exoprimal compared to similar action games is the ability to change exosuits at any time during battle. Hiraoka explained that this made it possible for the development team to create missions and challenges that require adaptability, and mid-game changes to team compositions and combat strategies help maintain a steady pacing throughout each match.
“One feature we wanted to explore when developing Exoprimal was providing players with a unique gameplay experience in every match. Maps, missions, and enemies that players encounter will vary every time you play, meaning players will need to adjust their gameplay strategies based on current objectives. The experience of collaborating with teammates to take on and overcome challenging obstacles in unpredictable settings offers added levels of enjoyment and accomplishment to the Capcom-style action of the game… I think the animations when players change exosuits look pretty cool, too! *laughs* “
The world of Exoprimal is a very exciting universe that we’d love to see more from, so we couldn’t resist asking Hiraoka if there’s anything we can look forward to more from this fresh gaming universe.
“If we get a lot of positive feedback from players, there may be opportunities to expand upon the world of Exoprimal in the future.”
“We put a lot of thought into building out both the gameplay and the world of Exoprimal, and Capcom has a ‘Single Content, Multiple Usage’ strategy for its IP. If we get a lot of positive feedback from players, there may be opportunities to expand upon the world of Exoprimal in the future. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
“The development team is proud to have created this project. We hope future Exofighters will take the opportunity to witness hundreds of dinosaurs flooding on screen and experience the satisfaction of combatting them in Leviathan’s wargames. We’re sure you’ll love it!”
You can play Exoprimal today on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows. It’s also available to play now with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Exoprimal is an online, team-based action game that pits humanity’s cutting-edge exosuit technology against history’s most ferocious beasts – dinosaurs.
Exosuits are grouped into different roles, and players will pilot these exosuits to hold firm against overwhelming dinosaur swarms in online-only, team-based action game modes.
Dino Survival, the main game mode, sees two teams of five players compete in a variety of PvE and PvP missions.
Players will be transported to the scene of the latest dinosaur outbreak and follow Leviathan’s guidance to complete objectives. The team that completes the mission first will emerge victorious.
Whether players are engaging the other team directly, or fighting alongside them against a common enemy, the aim is to accomplish objectives as quickly as possible. Missions vary depending on player skill and other factors, meaning no two matches will unfold the same way.
Product Information
– Exoprimal
– Head Start Kit **
– Vigilant Early Unlock Ticket
– Murasame Early Unlock Ticket
– Nimbus Early Unlock Ticket
– Paladin exosuit skin (Vigilant)
– White Guardian exosuit skin (Murasame)
– Wonderland exosuit skin (Nimbus)
Limited Time Bonus
– Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier **
** Note: This DLC is only playable on the Microsoft account that purchases it. Even if you are the organizer of a family group, family member accounts will not receive it.
Note: Early Unlock Tickets can be purchased even if you have already unlocked the corresponding exosuit, or if you already satisfy its unlock conditions. Be careful not to purchase an Early Unlock Ticket for an exosuit you have unlocked.
Skins are cosmetic items that change the appearance of an exosuit and have no other effect.
Survival Pass rewards will change from season to season. Rewards cannot be obtained after a season has concluded.
Each season’s Premium Tier may be made available for purchase again at a later date.
The limited special bonus may be obtained by pre-ordering the Exoprimal Deluxe Edition or purchasing Exoprimal during season 1.
The Head Start Kit and the Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier may be purchased separately. Be careful not to purchase these products if you already own them.
Visit the official website for more details about the Head Start Kit and the Survival Pass Season 1: Premium Tier.
Online Play
* A Capcom ID and internet connection is required to play this game.
* For information on the services related to Capcom ID and how to use it, please visit the official Capcom ID website cid.capcom.com. Please note that there may be cases wherein use of Capcom ID is age-restricted.
* Capcom may temporarily suspend online services in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Exoprimal is an online, team-based action game that pits humanity’s cutting-edge exosuit technology against history’s most ferocious beasts – dinosaurs.
Exosuits are grouped into different roles, and players will pilot these exosuits to hold firm against overwhelming dinosaur swarms in online-only, team-based action game modes.
Dino Survival, the main game mode, sees two teams of five players compete in a variety of PvE and PvP missions.
Players will be transported to the scene of the latest dinosaur outbreak and follow Leviathan’s guidance to complete objectives. The team that completes the mission first will emerge victorious.
Whether players are engaging the other team directly, or fighting alongside them against a common enemy, the aim is to accomplish objectives as quickly as possible. Missions vary depending on player skill and other factors, meaning no two matches will unfold the same way.
Welcome to the dark and merciless realm of our action-adventure RPG There Is No Light, coming to Xbox on August 1, 2023. Get ready to embark on a treacherous journey through the grim Underground world. Brace yourself for intense battles, ruthless enemies, formidable bosses, and the freedom to explore the vast world of the game the way you want.
In today’s post, we’d like to bring you a concise and easily digestible summary of the game’s captivating lore. Hopefully, it will offer you a clearer understanding of the enigmatic Underworld and the path our valiant Hero treads.
From the outset, the Church swiftly seized control over Central Station, establishing an iron grip on the heart of this desolate realm. Bolstered by the indomitable Sun Corps, the Church’s formidable army, they possessed unrivaled strength, thanks to their access to an infinite reserve of the mystical substance known as Wax. This extraordinary resource bestowed upon them unparalleled vigor and vitality, surpassing all others who inhabited the Station.
To this day, Central Station stands as the most coveted place within the entire Underworld, beckoning countless souls who yearn for its relative comfort and refuge. Alas, such aspirations are often thwarted, for the Station remains closed to visitors for the majority of the year, with a single exception—the fateful day of Ascension.
Once in a great while, within the majestic confines of the Great Hand’s temple, nestled in the heart of Central Station, an arcane ritual unfolds. This solemn ceremony demands the sacrifice of innocent newborns. The Father, the revered leader of the Church, personally selects the children who will be offered to their God, the Hand, invoking ancient powers beyond mortal comprehension. These very gates, which once ushered the Church’s faithful into this world, now accept the innocent infants, leading them to an unknown fate.
Tragically, the child of our Hero, the central figure in this tale, falls victim to one of these chilling rituals. Driven by unwavering determination, our protagonist embarks on a daring quest to disrupt the sacred Ascension at any cost. Little does he know that his actions will set in motion a cataclysmic chain of events that will reshape this world forever.
As you dive deeper into the rich tapestry of our game’s lore and story, you will unravel the intricacies of the Underworld, understand the Hero’s noble purpose, and witness a captivating tale of heroism and defiance.
Pre-order There Is No Light starting today, and prepare yourself for an adrenaline-fueled journey, where every choice and action holds weight, and the fate of the Underworld hangs in the balance.
After a large-scale catastrophe, the remnants of humanity took refuge underground, where they founded a new religious society. Forgetting sunlight, they blindly worship the god of the new world — the great Hand, which once every few years descends to the Central Station to people and takes the chosen newborns to itself, to the world hidden behind the huge gates of the Temple. The protagonist goes on a dangerous journey through a hostile world, hoping to find a way to open the gates of the Temple and return his child.
Features
Ashes of the Old World
Visit human settlements and unearthly ruins to unveil the secrets of the past.
Fight for Your Life
Blast your way through the hordes of various enemies.
Filled with Rage
The Rage system forces you to play aggressively. You won’t hide from the battle.
Weapons of the Underworld
Create your own playstyle with different weapons and upgrades.
Non-linear Narrative
Explore the story the way you want.
Good Intentions
The world around you changes according to your actions.
Danger in the Shadows
Encounter dangerous and powerful bosses.
Starting today, a new Home experience is rolling out to all Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. This update is designed from player feedback and makes it easier to discover new games, rediscover games you already love, connect with communities, and create a more personalized experience.
We’re excited to share more about the journey that led us here, and what you can expect with this new update.
Your new Xbox Home
1: Makes it easy to go to your Library, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Search, and Settings at the very top of your Home by introducing a quick access menu.
2: Creates more space for your personalized background by simplifying the layout and putting the games you recently played and other content and apps towards the bottom of the screen.
3: Adds an option to change your background to match the game you are highlighting in the recently played list.
4: Improves game discovery by introducing lists of games curated and personalized for you.
5: Allows you to customize your experience by pinning your favorite games, curated groups, and system groups like Quick Resume to Home.
6: Helps you find what’s going on in your community through the updated Friends & Community Updates row.
7: Shows you what media apps and content are available to you via a Watch & Listen spotlight and list of entertainment apps
The journey to update Home
Improving the Home Experience has been truly a Team Xbox effort —from engineers to designers to researchers and many more. We started by investing in infrastructure that would allow us to try different layouts of the page with different content for different situations and customers. We then evaluated many different elements of the design process including what people interact with in the experience, how easy it is for people to complete the action they want to take, and how satisfied they are with the overall experience. Once we had a version that was ready to share, we started to roll it out to our Xbox Insiders.
When we first showed Xbox Insiders what we were working on we heard your feedback clearly – you wanted more room to show off custom backgrounds or game art, quicker navigation options, and more personalization. Over the last 8 months since initial release, we’ve implemented changes to meet those requests and have a new Home that feels fresh, puts the focus on your games and apps, and creates space for beautiful backgrounds.
How to try the new Home UI on your Xbox
We’re currently rolling the new Home experience out to a subset of all Xbox consoles. This means that some customers will need to wait a few weeks to get their hands on it. Rest assured over the next few weeks, it’s coming to a console near you! If you’re seeing the new Home on your console and you want to customize it to your liking, our guide has you covered.
Thank you for all your feedback, and your patience as we built your new Xbox Home. We look forward to hearing what you think!
