Play Metaphor: ReFantazio Today! Here’s What You Need to Know Before Heading In

Play Metaphor: ReFantazio Today! Here’s What You Need to Know Before Heading In

Metaphor Hero

To celebrate the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, Katsura Hashino, Director of the fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, hosted a 30-minute livestream yesterday to dive into the everything from the game’s setting, the United Kingdom of Euchronia, the monsters you’ll face, and how you can fight to see another day. Read on to learn more about Euchronia before jumping into Metaphor: ReFantazio, available now on Xbox!

Hashino-san kicked off the livestream by giving us a quick rundown of where our story begins. The United Kingdom of Euchronia hangs in the balance as usurpers vie for the throne and political upheaval swells. Amidst this chaos, our story follows a young protagonist and his fairy companion Gallica as they embark on a secret mission that could determine the entire nation’s fate.

Metaphor Screenshot

After setting the scene, Hashino-san gives us some advice on how to take on the variety of creatures you’ll face on your journey. When approaching potential threats, you can use Gallica to help scan an enemy’s danger level so you can strike down easy foes or prepare for more challenging opponents. Hashino-san also recommends leveraging surprise attacks and enemy weaknesses to increase your number of actions. However, the United Kingdom of Euchronia is not for the faint of heart – the enemies in Metaphor: ReFantazio were made to pose a challenge to even the most experienced RPG fans. Keep this in mind as you set your difficulty at the start of the game, or adjust the setting as you play through your journey if you find yourself overwhelmed.

While advantages and weaknesses are vital to coming out on top, the greatest tools in your arsenal are the Archetypes – special powers that awaken in various forms. Fourteen core Archetype lineages branch into over 40 total Archetypes, each with special powers that can be swapped across your party based on your combat strategy – and which will dictate which weapon is selected in real-time combat. You’ll need to interact and create bonds with followers throughout your journey to awaken and strengthen these Archetypes.

Metaphor Screenshot

As you learn the ins and outs of combat and Archetypes, keep an eye on the in-game calendar. The story is tied to a day and night cycle, which is progressed by your choices and actions, so choose your next steps wisely. How you spend your time is completely up to you – move through dungeons, interact with friends, improve virtues – but time is always limited.

This is just scratching the surface of all there is to do in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but now you can jump into the race to the throne yourself! Metaphor: ReFantazio is available now on Xbox, and for those who want to try it before they buy it, a free Prologue demo is available. The demo gives you a chance to experience the early hours of Metaphor: ReFantazio, with all progress carrying over to the full game.

Metaphor Screenshot

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a commemoration and culmination of Atlus’ 35-year history and accomplishments, and we are so excited to share our next creative endeavor with you. Our game is currently sitting at a 92 on Metacritic for Xbox and we are thrilled about the response from all our fans. We hope to see you in Euchronia!

If you want to learn more, please watch the full livestream on the Atlus YouTube channel or purchase the game here on Xbox. Also stay tuned to the Atlus West official channels Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Xbox Play Anywhere

Metaphor: ReFantazio

SEGA


43

Pre-order and receive consumable in-game item sets.
Utilize them on the epic adventure you’re about to embark on.

1. Archetype EXP Chest Set
・10x Hero’s Incenses (Increases Archetype Experiences by 100)
・5x Hero’s Fruits (Increases Archetype Experiences by 500)

2. Adventurer’s Journey Pack
・30,000 Reeve (In-game currency)
・5x Expensive Medicines (Restores 200 HP to one ally)
・5x Revival Medicines (Revives an ally)
・3x Magical Breads (Gradually recover MP while in dungeon)
・2x Stale Blackbreads (Deals 300 Almighty damage to one enemy)

*Available as the story progresses.
*Available for purchase through October 10, 2024 at 23:59 Local

From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince. Control your destiny, face your fears and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.

Key Features:
-Go on quests, dungeon dive, & hunt for treasures by day. Strengthen relationships, build bonds, & increase virtues by night. Choose your actions wisely, time management is key to achieving your goal.

-Ride your gauntlet runner to faraway dungeons & towns across an expansive world. Discover beautiful landscapes  accompanied by captivating music, immersive UI, & anime cutscenes.

-An exhilarating turn-based combat system with a blend of real-time action. Party customization through “Archetype” powers provides the freedom to personalize your adventure.

-A mysterious & exciting story unfolds in a world where people must fight their own anxiety. Join the high-stakes Royal Tournament that promises hours of captivating exploration and discovery.

From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince. Control your destiny, face your fears and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.

The post Play Metaphor: ReFantazio Today! Here’s What You Need to Know Before Heading In appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 14 to 18

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 14 to 18

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!


Aaero2

Mad Fellows

$14.99

Aaero2 – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Trace ribbons of light to release the energy in the music as you speed through stunning alien worlds. Fly solo or team up with a friend. Encounter strange enemies and giant boss creatures. Unleash devastating missile barrages and rain heavy cannon fire to the beat of the epic soundtrack from Monstercat.


Drova – Forsaken Kin

Deck13 Spotlight

Drova – Forsaken Kin – October 15

A pixel art action RPG inspired by the grim dark classics of the genre and the mystical allure of Celtic mythology. Dive into a handcrafted open world where your choices and actions shape the environment. A society has discovered the power of a dead empire: to capture the spirits that govern nature and rule over them instead. However, the anger of the remaining spirits divided them. Where will you stand?


Neva

Devolver Digital

Neva – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An emotionally charged action adventure from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed Gris. Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them.


New World: Aeternum Deluxe Edition

Amazon Games


4

$79.99

New World: Aeternum – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience a thrilling action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity.


Nikoderiko: The Magical World

Knights Peak Interactive

$29.99

Nikoderiko: The Magical World – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Join Niko and Luna on their quest in Nikoderiko, a vibrant platform adventure. With family-friendly design, couch co-op, and various gameplay themes such as minecarts, chase levels, expansive 3D areas and underwater adventures, Nikoderiko promises a magical journey for all ages!


8-Bit Adventures 2

Critical Games

8-Bit Adventures 2 – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

8-Bit Adventures 2 features everything you love about classic JRPGs. An earnest, engaging storyline; relatable, easy-to-love characters; strategic turn-based combat; deep party customization; an unforgettable soundtrack; and a large, fantastical world – traversed by Airship, and brought to life by vibrant 8-Bit inspired visuals.


Beyond Border

Afil Games

Beyond Border – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Beyond Border offers an engaging and action-packed gaming experience you won’t want to miss. Get ready to face monsters, conquer territories, and help Aki the alligator find his way home.


Escape from the Dungeon

JM Neto Game Dev

Escape From The Dungeon – October 16

Anthony, an adventurer with the ability to perform “Dashes”, gets lost while exploring an unknown world. During his exploration, he falls into a huge hole and ends up trapped in a dungeon full of traps. Help him overcome the traps and find the way out of the dungeon before it’s too late!


Purpose 1951

Eastasiasoft Limited

Purpose 1951 – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A thought-provoking, first-person adventure guided by voiced narration and an atmospheric soundtrack. In the shoes of the aging doctor, you must venture through the wilderness and beyond, across mountains and into dimly lit caves, through a crumbling city and more as you learn the tale of your waning existence.


Quartz Caverns

Merakidev

Quartz Caverns – October 16

An action adventure puzzle game where you guide the main character through a series of ancient caves in search of mystical crystals. The caverns are filled with tricky puzzles, dangerous slimes, and other hazards that test your wits and reflexes. As you explore, you’ll uncover hidden paths, discover powerful relics, and face numerous threats lurking in the shadows.


A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead

Saber Interactive Inc.


5

$29.99

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead – October 17

A single-player horror adventure game inspired by the critically acclaimed blockbuster movie franchise that highlights a unique survivor story after an invasion of deadly creatures. Experience the journey of a young woman who must endure a treacherous apocalypse amid interpersonal family conflicts, all while coming to terms with her own inner fears.


Arsene Lupin – Once A Thief

Microids

$29.99

Arsene Lupin – Once A Thief – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dive into a captivating journey through this adventure-puzzle game that explores the early life, loves, and crimes of the iconic gentleman thief. Immerse yourself in Maurice Leblanc’s famous tales, playing as both Lupin and his tireless antagonist Detective Ganimard and gaining unique perspectives on legendary stories like “The Arrest of Arsène Lupin” and “Herlock Sholmes Arrives Too Late.”


DreadHaunt

Digital Happiness

DreadHaunt – October 17

A survival horror and deception game that can be played solo or in multiplayer. While designed with multiplayer in mind, a single-player story mode reveals the chilling origins of the supernatural events from a decade ago.


Killing Time: Resurrected

Nightdive Studios, Ziggurat Interactive

Killing Time: Resurrected – October 17

Journey into a mansion on the Island of Matinicus where you’ll arrive to find the mansion full of hellacious demonic creatures. Solve deadly puzzles, uncover the secrets behind a famous mystery and discover an ancient artifact from the Pharaoh Ramses, if you can live long enough to find it.


Xbox Play Anywhere

MechWarrior 5: Clans

Piranha Games Inc.

MechWarrior 5: Clans – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Take on the role of a newly graduated pilot from the Smoke Jaguar cadet program, thrust into the heart of the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere during Operation Revival. Armed with customizable BattleMechs featuring cutting-edge technologies, exploring a wealth of tactical options and strategic possibilities. The game leverages the power of the Unreal Engine to deliver stunning environmental details and visceral destruction, making every battle against the tyrants of the Inner Sphere an epic experience.


MetroLand

QUByte Interactive

MetroLand – October 17

An arcade game where you run and dodge obstacles at full speed trying to get as far as you can. It’s an endless runner that follows the heritage of the classics of the genre to deliver a game with endless action and lots of power-ups.


Tinkertown

Headup

Tinkertown – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A relaxed and refreshing new multiplayer sandbox gaming experience! Grab a shovel, pickaxe, or sword and enter a realm full of treasures, magic, and dangers. A magical place awaits you, where you can let your imagination run wild. Create your little fantasy kingdom – from a cosy adventurer’s hut with a garden to small towns with their own parks.


Aery – Midnight Hour

EpiXR Games

$11.99

Aery – Midnight Hour – October 18

Play a little bird on its journey to the Devil’s Halloween party. Explore a whole world filled with beautiful and scary little secrets. Within every area of the world, you must find a certain amount of memory shards to remember the path that leads to your destination and advance with the story.


Galactic Loader

Desert Water Games

Galactic Loader – October 18

Galactic Loader is an action-platformer about a space loader who is forgotten on a hostile alien planet which is abandoned by people. The game has various power-ups, big bosses and many monsters that the player needs to defeat. On his journey, the hero finds leftover equipment that provides new abilities for the player. Fight through hordes of alien, giant monsters and escape the planet!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem™

GameMill Entertainment

$39.99

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are ready to go big and perform insane stunts while smashing and bashing through fantastical arenas in a new game that brings your favorite monster trucks to your fingertips.


It Could Happen To You

Ratalaika Games S.L.

It Could Happen to You – October 18

Your peaceful holiday is interrupted when the small village you’re staying in becomes terrorized by strange lights roaming the night and bizarre cattle mutilations. Enigmatic men in black are stalking the villagers, and some have gone missing. You are their only chance to find them. Will you be able to save everyone and learn what is really happening when the sun goes down?


Xbox Play Anywhere

My Bakery Empire

QubicGames S.A.


$7.99

$6.39

My Bakery Empire – October 18

Learn how to bake delicious, mouth-watering desserts like cupcakes, smoothies, donuts and cakes! With your assistance as a cake maker, Lizzie will become the most talented pastry chef ever! Take specific orders from customers and serve them with a smile. Make sure they get what they asked for, whether it’s cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles, donuts with colored glaze, or rainbow cakes!


RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead – Pre-Order

Boss Team Games


3

$24.99

RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A 16-bit pixel art world, featuring the iconic horror hero Ash Williams! Battle Deadite hordes across multiple levels of terrifying platformer action filled with enemies from the “Ash vs Evil Dead” series. Use your special powers to overcome horrifying challenges and save humanity from the Necronomicon and legions of undead in this groovy throwback to classic arcade action.


RetroRealms: Halloween – Pre-Order

Boss Team Games


3

$24.99

RetroRealms: Halloween – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A 16-bit pixel art world, featuring horror icon Michael Myers! Become The Shape and slice your way across multiple levels of terrifying platformer gameplay filled with familiar sights and sounds from the original Halloween film. Test your skills, upgrade your abilities, and confront twisted and fiendish versions of iconic Halloween characters. Engage in epic encounters to overcome the ultimate evil in this sprawling adventure filled with over-the-top action!


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed

Outright Games Ltd.

$39.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Join the legendary Turtle brothers straight from the sewer and slide into this new adventure of shell-shocking proportions. With the help of April’s insightful reports from the streets and Splinter’s sage guidance, gear up to fight crime and unravel an epic saga of justice and chaos!


UDO – Unidentified Drilling Object

Short N Sweet

UDO – Unidentified Drilling Object – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dig through a mysterious planet in a delicious arcade down-scroller roguelike that basically challenges you to dig deeper and deeper into a creepy hole with an oversized drill! Find mysterious technologies, improve your drill and suit, and make each run unique while being surrounded by creatures that don’t want you anywhere near their world.


Unknown 9: Awakening Pre-Order

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

$49.99

Unknown 9: Awakening – October 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S /Smart Delivery

You are Haroona, a Quaestor born with the ability to venture into a mysterious dimension that overlaps our own, known only as the Fold. On her quest for powerful hidden knowledge, Haroona will learn to master her unique connection to the Fold, which allows her to channel its powers into our world… But such power does not go unnoticed and Haroona quickly becomes the target of a splinter faction calling themselves the Ascendants, who want to use the Fold to alter the course of human history.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 14 to 18 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Join The First Berserker: Khazan Closed Beta Oct 11 – 20!

Xbox Insiders on Xbox Series X consoles are invited to join The First Berserker: Khazan – Technical Closed Beta starting today. Play as the protagonist “Khazan,” as you survive the relentless pursuit of imperial forces, navigate conspiracies aimed at killing you, and overcome the harsh environments. The closed beta is available until October 20 with limited space available, so join now to experience this hardcore action role-playing game!

Key Features:

  1. Thrilling Action Excitement
    – Experience dazzling and hardcore action based on skill.
  2. Epic Boss Battles
    – Engage in hardcore and challenging boss fights.
  3. Khazan’s Ruthless Revenge Saga
    – Dive into Khazan’s epic revenge story set in the DNF (Dungeon&Fighter) Universe.
  4. 3D Cel Animation Graphics
    – Enjoy comic-inspired intricate graphics and spectacular action.

If you want to learn more, please visit The First Berserker: Khazan official website.

Playtest Times:

Start: Friday, October 11, 0:00 Midnight PT (3:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM GMT)
End: Sunday, October 20, 11:59 PM PT (Oct 21 2:59 AM ET / Oct 21 6:59 AM GMT)

How to Participate:

  1. Sign-in on your Xbox Series X console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
  2. Navigate to Previews > The First Berserker: Khazan
  3. Select Join
  4. Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install The First Berserker: Khazan TCBT

NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.

NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X consoles.

NOTE: An internet connection is required to participate in the Technical Closed Beta

How to Provide Feedback:

If you experience any issues while playing The First Berserker: Khazan, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:

  • Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
  • Select Report a problem.
  • Select the Games category and The First Berserker: Khazan TCBT subcategory.
  • Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.

Other resources:

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

The post Join The First Berserker: Khazan Closed Beta Oct 11 – 20! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Free Play Days – Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2, Destiny 2 Expansions and Conan Exiles

Free Play Days – Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2, Destiny 2 Expansions and Conan Exiles

Free Play Days October 10

Gear up for another epic gaming weekend with Free Play Days, featuring the gritty revenge tale of Mafia III: Definitive Edition, the chaotic fun of Moving Out 2, the cosmic adventures of Destiny 2‘s Witch Queen and Lightfall expansions, and the brutal survival challenges of Conan Exiles.

Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2 and Conan Exiles are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday October 10, 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, October 13, 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Additionally, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen and Destiny 2: Lightfall are free to play for all from October 8, 10 AM PDT until October 15, 10 AM PDT.

How To Start Playing


Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.


Keep The Fun Going


Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.


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


Mafia III: Definitive Edition

2K


930


$29.99

$7.49
Xbox One X Enhanced

Mafia III: Definitive Edition
Part three of the Mafia crime saga – 1968, New Bordeaux, LA. After years of combat in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay knows this truth: family isn’t who you’re born with, it’s who you die for. When his surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and wiped out by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family on the ashes of the old and blazes a path of military-grade revenge through the Mafioso responsible.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Moving Out 2

Team17


128


$29.99

$15
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Moving Out 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery
Moving Out is back and wackier than ever, and now with online play! Return to Packmore and use your moving skills across brand new dimensions and some old favorites. Help rebuild Smooth Moves and become an all-star F.A.R.T. (Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician)!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Conan Exiles

Funcom


640


$49.99

$12.49
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Conan Exiles
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer.


Free Play Days For All


Destiny 2: Lightfall

Bungie


241


$29.99

$7.49

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall
Experience the Definitive Destiny Campaigns. Delve into Savathûn’s Throne World to uncover the mystery of how she and her Lucent Hive stole the Light. In Lightfall, uncover new rewards, explore Neptune, and master a new subclass.


Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news. 

The post Free Play Days – Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2, Destiny 2 Expansions and Conan Exiles appeared first on Xbox Wire.

A Guided Tour of Duloc from the Shrek Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator

A Guided Tour of Duloc from the Shrek Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator

PowerWash Simulator - Shrek Special Pack Screenshot

Hey Washers!

You are hereby summoned to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away on a guided tour of Duloc, hosted by the devs of PowerWash Simulator. Kick back with a mug of warm swamp-mud and let us regale you with some behind-the-scenes insight on the development of the Duloc level in the new Shrek Special Pack – Available now!

We collaborated with Universal Products & Experiences to  bring  the world of DreamWorks’ Animations Shrek to life in PowerWash Simulator, transforming iconic locations such as Shrek’s Swamp, Duloc , Hansel’s Honeymoon Hideaway, Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory and Dragon’s Lair. FuturLab’s own: Designer Jade Staines and Artist and Sean Ferretti, who both worked extensively on the Duloc level (one of five within the Shrek Special Pack), are here to tell you all about it, while our Concept Artist Nick Peacock gives you a closer look at early concepts for the Knight character model you’ll play as in the Shrek Special Pack.

Duloc is a Perfect Place!

It’s not *quite* the picture-perfect Duloc is inspired by the original Shrek film. Barely recognizable under a layer of filth Ferretti explains:

“Players will find House sigil tags scattered across the walls that belong to the Knights and other references to the films. You’ll find tons of fun details like these in all the levels because everybody in the Art team adores these movies and we had a blast bringing this pack to PowerWash Simulator!”

“It was fun to collaborate with Universal Products & Experiences abd DreamWorks Animation teams to come up with ideas and jokes that the knights had graffitied around Duloc including as many film references as we could,” adds Staines.

The graffiti looks especially cool in conjunction with a new accessibility tool that allows players to change the colour of the dirt highlight, that will come with a patch to the main game at the time of the Shrek Special Pack release.

Shine your shoes, wipe your… visor

Perhaps one of the most iconic moments from the Shrek films (and there’s no shortage to choose from) is the moment that Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc, and are greeted with a catchy tune from the information booth, or as Ferretti puts it…

“That scene has forever been seared into my brain. My colleague Bara (Artist) and I must’ve rewatched this clip at least 50 times altogether while designing the Information Booth inspired by the film but we’re proud to have it included!”

Because the information booth is such an icon of the Shrek films, we really went to town on making it special – this humble landmark alone contains over 80 Dings.

“As soon as I saw the information booth with all the puppets I just knew I had to make them individual objects for all of the Dings! Playing it and hearing them all is sooo satisfying.”

Just like Donkey, we want players to think “Wow, let’s do that again!”

Arise, Washer!

We love making our Special Packs even more immersive with unique character models. In the Shrek Special Pack, you can go forth and conquer grime as a power washing knight, looking right at home, especially in Duloc. Peacock explains the process of creating the character model:

“I looked at real suits of armour, films with armour (live action and animation) and other artistic renditions of armour – useful in seeing how other people have solved complex problems and distilled down its essence. Once I’ve done this, I like to sketch out ideas, and see where my own interpretations take me.”

“I loved coming up with ideas for the washer elements, like the water tank on the back or the sword washer. Both tools used for combat, made to look fun and toylike. It brings in some humour and fun, which I think adds to the experience on a game like ours. I enjoy working this way – like a kid drawing out their playful ideas on paper.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed this access-all-areas look at the new Duloc level! We’ll leave you to discover the magic of the other four levels  yourselves. With all that said and done, these closing words from Staines sum up how many of us here at FuturLab feel about the Shrek Special Pack.

“It’s fun watching scenes inspired by a film that I grew up with, become levels that you can run around and explore. Everyone involved with the pack did such an amazing job, I think the players are going to have a blast cleaning it all.”

Xbox Game Pass members can play the base game, PowerWash Simulator, as part of their membership. Shrek Special Pack is available now for a separate purchase on the Xbox Store (a copy of PowerWash Simulator is required to play).

Xbox Play Anywhere

PowerWash Simulator

Square Enix Ltd.


484


$24.99

$19.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Release the Pressure with PowerWash Simulator! Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish.
TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play.
POWERWASH AND CHILL
Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed.
KEEP IT CLEAN
For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
GOOD CLEAN FUN
Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS
Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!

The post A Guided Tour of Duloc from the Shrek Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Bulwark Evolves on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Today

“There are no songbirds in the palace of the king”, it says this when you boot up Bulwark, an unconventional quote for an unconventional game and world.  Because in this world there are giant warbirds ridden by mounted warriors called Falconeers. The palaces in this world also are rarely places of beauty but bastions of violent subjugation and factional strife.  Something I as the solo developer of The Falconeer first explored in 2020 in the Series X/S launch title The Falconeer – a retro air combat game in the vein of Crimson Skies but set in this hauntingly bleak yet beautiful world called the Ursee. 

Bulwark screenshot

Bulwark : Falconeer Chronicles saw me return to this world but with a more upbeat creative city builder. Allowing anyone to design and grow a small settlement into a massive fortified palace rising into the skies.  But of course, there are no songbirds in those palaces, and this is the Ursee, so that meant inevitably I would have to expand the game to fully make use of the more violent and bleak aspects still very much party of this world and universe.  This meant evolving the game, which is what has happened with the release of Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles

Bulwark screenshot

Evolution is the next step in the continuing growth of Bulwark, it expands the world and adds strategy and economics that make war something more meaningful.  And this comes with two major areas of expansion.  The most obvious addition is a new game mode called “total conquest” and secondly is a complete overhaul of the game with a special focus on making combat more meaningful.

The Total Conquest game mode is the obvious new addition. Start building your empire but in a scenario where everyone is against you. Your enemies will start throwing waves of units at your settlements just about as soon as you get it up and running.  Survival means properly defending yourself before you can go on the offensive. 

Luckily the second part of Evolution is a bevy of new content to help you accomplish this. From new fortress elements that add gigantic naval batteries to being able to set different stances for your commanders, have their units defend, escort or assault based on your commands. 

Bulwark screenshot

There is also a surface flagship you can unlock as a freehouse wonder that will allow you to sail the Ursee yourself, just like you can already fly. No system has been left untouched and you’ll find a deeper economy but also a price to losing units in battle. But this doesn’t mean only combat and strategy have been improved, the actual world of the Ursee has been filled with new content to explore, new locations to acquire new commanders and captains to enlist

Bulwark screenshot ships

All in all this update has been powered by the community and feedback from players, with nearly every aspect being in some part improved from the game having been played by so many of you and the feedback it’s been lucky to receive.

In closing I’d recommend any existing player to at least once play with a clean start to experience the hopefully more balanced and meaningful growth and also use some of the new building blocks that can be found in the design of their settlements. Explore some of the mechanics you already know and you’d be surprised to find some nifty new improvements you didn’t expect but hopefully will love. Play Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Xbox Play Anywhere

Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles

Wired Productions


37


$19.99

$10.99

INTRODUCING A CREATIVE SANDBOX BUILDING GAME:

Bulwark is about designing your fortress and expanding it into an empire.
I hope you enjoy my attempts to experiment and evolve this game into something enjoyable and fresh.

Bulwark also continues to evolve with each passing update, based on your feedback.
So positive or negative comments are welcome. If it’s intended to help then it’s all appreciated!

Story:
You are in charge of the last remnants of free people on the Ursee, tasked with building a new home. Carve your path onto a world, tower by tower, wall by wall, sculpting from the daunting cliffs and perilous waters of an unforgiving landscape that refuses to be tamed.

Game goals:
Design fantastic ocean fortress settlements. Progress is simple, grow the populations of various factions and you will progress on their Soultrees. Unlocking commanders and captains that may work for you, unlocking new ships, units and abilities.

Play Your Way:
Bulwark – Explore the Great Ursee as you build your grand civilisation. Scavenge for resources,create trade routes and strike alliances with other factions scattered across the waves as you balance negotiation and conflict to grow your settlement.

Freebuild – Enjoy a cosy ‘Freebuild Mode’, devoid of the conflict and challenges present in standard play, you can sketch and experiment without the need for resources, building without limits.

Total Conquest – War has come to the Great Ursee. You start at war with every faction, diplomacy is disabled and the frequency and scale of raids is ramped up. It is no longer enough to just build – now you must survive.

Building Resources:
Wood, stone and Iron aren’t stored or tallied up, the only thing that counts is distance, not cost. You transport resources along your network of towers as well as trading routes over the sea. Towers and walls within range of the resource can be upgraded and built for free, those out of range cannot.

Splinters :
The currency that powers diplomacy, army building, buying new locations and unique buildings is separate from resources, it runs on a currency called, Splinters. You gain these through population growth, trade with other factions or as rewards from combat.

Challenge:
The game challenges you to design and grow grand fortresses, often at little cost other than setting up trade routes for resources. As you grow you may invite in populations from other factions which unlock faction unique content from their “soultree”.
But everybody hates everybody on the Ursee and doing so might lead to war or to loyal allies that merge with your empire. This sandbox builder has consequences!

The post Bulwark Evolves on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Celebrate Coronation Week with Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus – Out Now

“A long time ago, Mount Olympus stood as a bastion of hope and power. Now, it threatens to crumble against the forces of nature. But we pray for a hero of a royal bloodline to rise from the ashes, and save us all…”

Call of Olympus just released and it’s the latest and biggest DLC installment for the beloved co-op game Kingdom Two Crowns, ever. The Kingdom franchise is an acclaimed and awarded roguelite side-scrolling pixel art strategy series where the first game launched in October 2015. We are running a ninth anniversary celebration that we call the “Coronation Week” with a long series of activities, including the launch of Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus and a free Kingdom Two Crowns 2.0 update!

K2Crowns screenshot

The core experience of Kingdom evolved from the original creator wanting to learn how to animate games. This visual-first approach was quickly complemented with strategic gameplay features with base-building elements. The sequel, Kingdom: New Lands, introduced the island mechanic of exploring and clearing increasing levels of challenges. This is also aided by unlockable perks to amplify your strategic options.

K2Crowns screenshot

The third game in the series, Kingdom Two Crowns, is what most players will associate with Kingdom, and it introduced the foundation we are proudly expanding upon: Explore – Build – Defend – Conquer.

By adding a campaign mode with clearable islands that unlock your path forward, and by expanding the strategic options for players with new mounts, units, and an incredible soundtrack – the highly atmospheric experience players have come to love was born.

K2Crowns screenshot

Shortly explained, Kingdom Two Crowns is a beautiful atmospheric adventure that plays perfectly in both solo and co-op mode. The game is set on different islands inspired by different moments in history and as a Monarch, you rule over a Kingdom that you must build from the ground up. As you progress you will encounter a sinister force of nature – the Greed – assaulting your base and trying to steal your crown. It’s a cyclic event, where the Greed comes in waves at night.

K2Crowns screenshot

If you are not into historic-inspired settings, Kingdom Eighties might be for you! Set in the 80s, this game introduces a narrative campaign mode with rad aesthetics and a host of homages and easter eggs to themes from the iconic era. In this game you play as The Leader, a young camp counselor who has just discovered that strange creatures are attacking Camp Kingdom at night.

K2Crowns screenshot

We have several ways for you to quickly get into whatever Kingdom game picks your fancy:

  • Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus: The latest major expansion launched for Kingdom Two Crowns
  • Kingdom New Lands (90%), Kingdom Two Crowns (75%), and Kingdom Eighties (35%) are now on sale in the Best Rated Sale
  • Kingdom Treasury Collection: Includes the games Kingdom: New Lands, Kingdom Two Crowns and the Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands DLC – now at a 60% discount in Deals with Game Pass
  • Norse Lands Edition: Includes Kingdom Two Crowns and the Norse Lands DLC – now at a 65% discount in Deals with Game Pass
  • Heritage Bundle: Includes both Kingdom Two Crowns and Kingdom Eighties – now on sale at a 60% discount
  • Kingdom Imperial Collection: Includes Kingdom: New Lands, Kingdom Two Crowns and Kingdom Eighties – now on sale at a 65% discount in Deals with Game Pass!

Do you want to join the celebrations? Get in on the fun and adventure today!

Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus

Raw Fury


2

$9.99

“Sail forth and explore other lands
Restore the gods and fulfill their demands” – Oracle

In faraway lands, Mount Olympus stands tall among the islands, casting an eerie shadow of unease. A sinister force has seized the divine realm and as a Monarch, you are setting out on a journey to stop it from consuming the world. Mediterranean warmth touches your skin as you slowly ride through dark woods and along beaches with glittering turquoise waters. Your quest is clear and the gods’ presence is palpable, but will they aid you against the Greed attacking at night?

Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus is a major expansion for Kingdom Two Crowns. Set out and build your Kingdom, alone or in co-op with a friend, in a completely new setting featuring legends and mythos inspired by ancient Greece.

A Quest to Free Mount Olympus

– An Epic New World: Call of Olympus features a reworked map with an epic conclusion at Mount Olympus, and you choose how to get there!
– Temple and Quest Islands: These new islands present unique challenges, hidden treasures and powerful artifact rewards – prove your worth to Artemis, Athena, Hephaestus and Hermes to open the path to Mount Olympus.
– Mythological mounts: Discover and unlock powerful new mounts, like the fierce three-headed Cerberus, the terrifying fire-breathing Chimera, the majestic winged Pegasus, or the trusty Donkey… and many more!

Fight Greed of Epic Scales

– Face Your Fears: Muster steadfast defences to protect your crown, the Greed threat is more challenging than ever before, with multi-phased boss battles against the sinister Serpent.
– Raise Your Banner: Shift the momentum and lead from the front. Bring the fight to the Greed with new siege mechanics, where the Hoplites will join you in Phalanx formation.
– Assemble Your Fleet: Fight on land and at sea – build a fleet with devastating ship-mounted ballistas to join your battle. Once victorious, use your armada to ferry your army across the seas and combat the growing threat of Greed.

Discover Godly Powers and Abilities

– Powerful Artifacts: Unlock four unique artifacts bestowed by the gods. Whether you choose a bow with a powerful directed attack, or a hammer that boosts your troops’ prowess, these items grant you new offensive and defensive abilities against the Greed.
– Guided by the Oracle: Never stray from the task at hand. At your request,the Oracle will provide you with wisdom and directions for the next step of your Odyssey!
– Set the Greed Ablaze: Wield powerful fire technology granted by the new hermit. It’s as if it was gifted by Prometheus himself!

The post Celebrate Coronation Week with Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus – Out Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.

A Cocktail of Fear – How Alien: Isolation Terrified Xbox Players

Alien: Isolation Screenshot

A Cocktail of Fear – How Alien: Isolation Terrified Xbox Players

Summary

  • Alien: Isolation celebrates its 10th anniversary today, October 7.
  • Creative Director Al Hope, Technical Director Mike Bailey, and Animator Simon Ridge reflect on the development journey of Alien: Isolation.
  • Alien: Isolation is available to play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via Backward Compatibility.

Claustrophobia. Darkness. Ominous noises. Suddenly, a giant killing machine exploding from the shadows and giving chase. Ten years after its release, it’s fair to say that Alien: Isolation has terrified generations of Xbox players — but they weren’t the only ones showing bravery in the face of fear.

Developers Creative Assembly felt that the Alien license, with a single, unpredictable enemy that stalked you throughout the game, and an arsenal that extended no further than a few simple self-defence tools, would combine to create a memorable survival horror experience. Despite this chilling premise, there were only a handful of other games in the survival horror genre that could be looked to here for guidance.

“That was one of the challenges,” explains Creative Director Al Hope. “I felt like because there were so few guiding lights, it was a leap of faith that we’d get there in the end. In the meantime, there was a lot of soul searching on our team. It would have been so easy to say maybe we would be better off giving the player a gun and they can shoot the Alien, and we’ll take the path of least resistance.

“But I was adamant that we had committed ourselves to creating this Alien experience that I felt wasn’t available anywhere else. No one had ever made a game like this, so that was the promise. We had to deliver on that unpredictable game of cat and mouse which is at the heart of the Alien: Isolation experience.”

Cat and Mouse

That cat and mouse gameplay elevated Alien: Isolation to the peak of the survival horror genre, putting you in the shoes of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter looking for closure with her search for the flight recorder buried deep within the labyrinth maze of the Sevastopol Station. The cat in this scenario? None other, of course, than the infamous, snarling monster itself – the iconic 1979 Alien.

“It’s a fearsome creature that you cannot defeat,” says Technical Director Mike Bailey. “You have to avoid it, get around it, distract it, whatever it might be. There are so many of those elements that kind of come together to really to give it that kind of enduring legacy, I think.”

It still has the power to surprise. Alien: Isolation earned immense praise for the artificial intelligence powering the alien upon its release and now, 10 years later, that same AI even catches the team who created it when they revisit the game.

“There are some areas where I’m very confident,” continues Bailey, talking about his Alien: Isolation playthroughs. “I know the level and think okay, I can duck behind that table, sneak around this bit and it was still catching me out. I was a bit too confident! It’s difficult to master. It’s unpredictable but not unfair. If I’d been a bit slower, if I’d used the motion tracker, I probably would have been able to handle the situation better. It wasn’t purely random.”

Animating the Alien

One key moment in development was the switch from making a third-person game to first-person, amplifying the intensity and horror at the heart of Alien: Isolation. That’s when Creative Assembly realised, they had something special on its hands but that shift to first-person also put a bigger spotlight on the alien itself, as you had to keep an eye on the menacing creature stalking you through the numerous corridors and vents. That added pressure to make the alien to look even more convincing.

“The first “Alien” film was the main point of reference, it was what we wanted to honour,” says Simon Ridge, the animator responsible for how the Alien moved. “There’s not much of the actual alien itself on screen, so it was about extracting the feeling you had when it was on screen, which was that it was quite odd. Quite eerie.

“I started looking around at different things that tapped into that very feeling of being eerie and odd. I looked at Nosferatu, the original old school Dracula. We looked at dinosaurs as well, looking at how the feet like went on the ground. I remember making quite an effort to make the feet feel really graceful. And then with the alien’s ability to go very, very fast at the same time, I thought that would play into these odd contrasts. It was creating a mixture of all sorts and then hoping that amalgamation would create that weirdness, that oddness.”

New Generation of Fans

Animation was just one ingredient in the dynamic cocktail of fear that Creative Assembly mixed together. They created a dynamic and reactive audio system because unlike most survival horror games, Alien: Isolation wasn’t choreographed or scripted. They replicated the Lo-Fi-Sci-Fi art direction that defined the movies, from the monitors with chunky buttons to the dirt and grime that caked the metallic walls.

It was that attention to detail that really brought the monstrous alien and its world to life, with the original Alien movie even playing on a loop in Creative Assembly’s office (“I must have watched it a few thousand times!” jokes Bailey).

And with Alien: Romulus bringing in a new generation of fans via the big screen, it also means a new generation of players are also discovering this standout survival horror experience for the very first time.

“It’s fantastic seeing people inspired by watching “Alien: Romulus” and playing Alien: Isolation for the first time and see how it still holds up,” concludes Hope. “The fact that people are still finding it today, picking it up, enjoying themselves… it’s just a great testament to the work that the team did. It’s incredible.”

You can play Alien: Isolation today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via Backward Compatibility. It’s available on the Microsoft Store in two versions: Alien: Isolation and Alien: Isolation – The Collection which contains the base game and seven packs of additional content. Keep up to date with Alien: Isolation news at AlienIsolation.com — and with a sequel confirmed to be in development after 10 years, there’s plenty more to come from the team.

Alien: Isolation – The Collection

SEGA Europe Ltd


1985


$49.99

$7.49

Winner of over 50 Game Of The Year awards.

Contains the full game and seven packs of additional content:
– Last Survivor and Crew Expendable (featuring the original AlienTM cast)
– All five Survivor mode packs, including Corporate Lockdown, Trauma, Safe Haven, Lost Contact and The Trigger

Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien™, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.

As Amanda, you will navigate through an increasingly volatile world as you find yourself confronted on all sides by a panicked, desperate population and an unpredictable, ruthless Alien.

Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.

Created using the CATHODE™ engine.

Alien: Isolation

SEGA Europe Ltd


749

$39.99

Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien™, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.

As Amanda, you will navigate through an increasingly volatile world as you find yourself confronted on all sides by a panicked, desperate population and an unpredictable, ruthless Alien.

Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.

Created using the CATHODE™ engine.

The post A Cocktail of Fear – How Alien: Isolation Terrified Xbox Players appeared first on Xbox Wire.