Category: Xbox

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary next year, Kemco has released multiple games throughout its history on Xbox – it has continued to produce around 10 games each year since 2018. Recently they reached a significant milestone with the release of their 50^th game on Xbox earlier this year. To commemorate this milestone, the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle will be released on August 3, 2023, on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, which will collectively feature the history of Kemco’s games, especially RPGs. 

For those who don’t know, Kemco began in 1984 with the founding of its predecessor, Kotobuki System Co., Ltd. Early on, the company developed and published game software, focusing on porting PC games in the ’80s and ’90s like Spy vs Spy, Shadowgate, Drakkhen, as well as original RPGs Indra no Hikari and Sanada Juyushi. Later, after roughly a decade of focusing on mobile gaming, Kemco returned to console gaming in the late 2010s. It was here they struck a partnership with ID@Xbox which led to them to start publishing their games on Xbox. 

To commemorate the milestone of publishing their 50^th Xbox title, Xbox Wire Japan sat down with Kemco’s Managing Director Masaomi Kurokawa and International Manager Matteo Conti to learn more about their development structure, as well as how the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle came to be. 

Cooperating with multiple developers to create a system capable of releasing RPGs every month, Kemco releases around 10 new games a year. How many development lines do you have? 

Matteo: In the past, we have released many games for feature phones and smartphones. From then, we have continued to work with several development companies. Since we have been working with them on RPGs for a long time, it made it possible to shift and adopt tools that have evolved over the years to develop and port games more efficiently. In general, development time is short; from six months to a year, and we have multiple development lines to release one game almost every month. 

Masaomi: This is something I always think about, but when other companies release a new title, their next move would often be to continue supporting the game for a year or more after its release with DLCs, major updates, and so on. Here at Kemco, such DLCs and updates come in the form of “new games”. Our approach is to keep publishing new titles, as if they were additions to a single game experience that players recognize as Kemco. This is the backbone to our reasoning of releasing a new game every month as much as possible.

Tell us about the process during the consideration and creation of the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle, which includes 50 of Kemco’s games? 

Matteo: Actually, we had not been too concerned about how many titles were released on Xbox until now. It all started when I had a chance to meet with a local member of the ID@Xbox team whom I had not seen in person for several years due to the pandemic. He said to me “Oh, by the way, Kemco is going to hit the 50-title milestone”, and that was when I was made aware and thought, “What? That many?”. As a company, we were mildly surprised. 

Masaomi: This revelation led to Microsoft formally proposing the idea, and KEMCO deciding to take the opportunity. The 50-title bundle will be available for a limited period of 50 days. 

What are the games that best capture the feel of the 50 titles in the bundle? Do you have a recommendation on where to start? 

Matteo: While it’s very difficult to choose just one, we have chosen one title from each of the developers who have cooperated with us, which would be great entry points to learn their style. 

First up is Overrogue from Exe Create Inc., which is a deck-building roguelite RPG that continues to receive a positive response from launch. Exe Create also produces many other titles such as the Asdivine series, but we think that Overrogue would be a great place to start. 

Matteo: Next is Hit-Point Co.,Ltd. — which just recently released Raging Bytes, a title planned, drafted, and supervised by Jiro Ishii. While Raging Bytes is not included in the bundle, we recommend Gale of Windoria, a classical fantasy RPG that comes to life with the beautiful pixel art that Hit-Point is very well known for. Those who love pixel art from the 16-bit console era will surely enjoy it. 

Matteo: World Wide Software’s Legend of Ixtona is a quarter-view simulation RPG. The graphics of the characters in this game are very beautifully drawn and are definitely worthy of your attention. 

Matteo: In Rideon’s Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom, you play an active role as an adventurer while managing a blacksmith’s shop. It’s a unique RPG, fusing together many systems, including a combat and exploration system. It’s one of the highly acclaimed titles. 

Matteo: Asobox Co., Ltd.’s The Smile Alchemist is, as it looks, very relaxing and comforting, and is more of a simulation game than an RPG. It is a game filled with the fun of nurturing, collecting, and alchemy, which are the themes of the game. 

Matteo: ArcticNet’s RPGolf Legends is a unique title that successfully combines golfing and the essences of RPGs. This title also received a very strong response. 

Matteo: These games above are the distinctive titles that showcase each developer’s unique characteristics. If you are not sure which one to play from the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle, we recommend checking out these titles first. 

What kind of responses have you received from users regarding Kemco’s titles up to now? 

Masaomi: As expected, since we have been making RPGs for about 20 years, fans seem to consider Kemco’s RPGs as a safe and solid choice. We don’t have titles that take dozens of hours to complete, but I get the impression that they are often chosen by people who want to play an RPG in their spare time. The response overseas has been similar, and people seem to have an understanding that we are a company that continues to release old-school, nostalgic JRPG-style game titles. 

In addition to the six companies listed above, it appears that Kemco is also working with new indie developers to market other titles. 

Masaomi: The Witch of the Ihanashi fits that description. We look at online reviews and talk to various creators we find at indie game events held around the country, and then proceed to work with those that we think sound interesting and are inclined to work with. Many indie developers only release PC versions of their games, so if they are interested in porting their games to console, we are ready to cooperate with them. 

Any final words to the Kemco fans, as well as Xbox players who may be interested in picking up the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle?  

Masaomi: As the name suggests, the Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle includes 50 games, each with a play time of about 15 hours, which means a lot of time is required to play them all. Xbox gamers may originally have bought the Xbox Series X|S to play AAA titles, but we hope you will also enjoy playing Kemco’s games in between those titles. 

Matteo: We will be releasing more and more new RPGs in the future, so I think it will be fun to compare those with the titles included in the bundle. I am sure that in the not-too-distant future, we will have released more than 100 games, and we will do our best to not run out of ideas by then, as well as beyond that landmark. 

The Kemco: 50 RPGs Celebratory Bundle will be available August 3, 2023, on the Xbox Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. 

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Introducing a brand-new controller to the Xbox lineup, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition. This controller’s rich color will pull you in, featuring a dynamic dark navy swirl – each with its own energy and pattern. The design is inspired by clouds and storming skies, with each billowing puff of vapor bringing a unique design to each controller. 

Stormcloud Vapor features rubberized, blue diamond-pattern grips on the back case that allow you to hold onto all your gaming action. By using Bluetooth® and Xbox Wireless, the Stormcloud Vapor controller can connect to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, PC, mobile phones and tablets¹. Its 3.5mm audio jack allows you to talk with friends with your favorite compatible headset as you utilize the dedicated Share button to show off all your most unbelievable gaming highlights.

Journey confidently on your gaming adventure for longer, with up to 40 hours of battery life². Use the Xbox Accessories app to remap your controller buttons and create custom controller profiles for your favorite games, giving the Stormcloud Vapor controller endless potential to elevate your game. 

Make your Xbox console reflect your personal style by changing its look and feel with the Stormcloud Vapor exclusive dynamic background. Stormcloud Vapor unlocks a brand-new dynamic background once you connect your new controller to your Xbox Series X|S console. The dynamic background features blue swirls in different tones, adding an exciting new theme to your console experience.

To access this feature, click the Settings button on your console dashboard. Under the General tab, hit the Personalization button and find the “My Background” button. Once there, you’ll be able to see Dynamic Backgrounds and can pick between this or multiple other fantastic dynamic looks to customize your Xbox experience even further. 

The Xbox Wireless Controller – Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition is available for pre-order today in select Xbox markets worldwide for $69.99 USD ERP. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including Microsoft Store, for more information. 

¹ See xbox.com/controller-compatibility. Use with controller compatible games. 

² Battery life varies with usage and other factors.

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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!

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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

Gearbox Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆
226

★★★★★

$49.99

Get it now

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

Gearbox Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆
166

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

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

Gearbox Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆
219

★★★★★

$69.99

Get it now

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

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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.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Techland

☆☆☆☆☆
976

★★★★★

$59.99

$29.99

Get it now

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.

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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.

F1® Manager 2023 Deluxe Edition

Frontier Developments

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$64.99

Get it now

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.

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Exoprimal launched 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 Deluxe Edition

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
2705

★★★★★

$69.99

Get it now

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

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
442

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox 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.

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