Battleborn was not the game I wanted it to be, it probably wasn't the game a number of you reading wanted it to be. But what it undeniably was was a game that a team of hundreds of people poured their hearts and souls into.
The Medium on Xbox is the game fans have been waiting for. A dark, mature, scary, visually appetizing next-gen delight with a gripping story, it is one to not miss if you are a fan of psychological horror. Above all, this feels like an experience that really shows the chops of the Series X, and will likely serve as a benchmark title going forward, especially if the few remaining technical issues are patched.
When it first launched almost 15 years ago, the original Gears of War set the tone not just for the Xbox 360, but also for the generation to come. Flash forward to today, however, and the franchise in terms of reception and audience engagement seems to have taken a bit of a decline. The way I see it, it boils down to two questions: "Does Gears of War need a reboot?" and "Would Gears of War benefit from a reboot?".
2020, on the whole, barring the global catastrophes and all, was a pretty good year for Xbox. While there was the odd misstep like the Halo Infinite delay or the over hyped May event, on the whole the team at Xbox did a bang-up job. However, there are still some things it would be wise for the team to address and improve in 2021.
Ultimately, the tale of Cyberpunk 2077 has yet to be completed, and it is beyond possible that within a year's time, it will be at the top of the WRPG pantheon with Fallout: New Vegas, Skyrim and The Witcher 3.
SiNKR 2 on Xbox, much like the original game, is a great time. It is equal parts relaxing and satisfying for the majority of the 87 levels, and the difficulty is pretty well-balanced. Sinking a puck in a hole is just as satisfying as ever, and the low asking price makes the game all the more worthwhile.
Twin Mirror on Xbox is a good game, if a little inconsistent. It's not the best adventure game out there, but for fans of the genre, it's still a solid experience. For those who aren't as keen on the genre, nothing here is going to change your mind. Still, this is a good experience with a gripping story, some great characters, decent gameplay and moments of brilliance. It's just held back by some unfortunate issues, and the shadow of its better Dontnod adventure siblings.
The Jackbox Party Pack 7 on Xbox One is a solid entry in the long-running series. Two games need an in-person or private chat to be enjoyed to their fullest abilities, but the other three titles not only fit well into streaming, but they are also delightfully fun to play.
For existing Xbox gamers, this is the start of an incredibly exciting journey, and is a showcase of how committed Microsoft is to the brand. For other players, this might just be the push needed to join the Xbox family. No matter what your stance may be, one thing is undeniable: the future of Xbox has never been brighter.
Ultimately, Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Die on Xbox One has put me in a bit of a sticky situation. The game itself is stuffed with appealing elements, but the technical issues and high asking price currently hold it back from being a definite recommend. There is a ton for fans of the series and newcomers to enjoy, but like Larry himself, it's not for everyone.
Tell Me Why on Xbox One is DONTNOD's strongest game to date. It is quiet, introspect, mature and superbly written and performed, with visuals that are easy on the eyes - the novel release approach also helps things. There are still some factors holding it back from perfection, but I sincerely hope this is the start of a great partnership between Xbox and DONTNOD, as I feel this game is a perfect example of the type of content Game Pass is perfect for delivering.
Grounded is shaping up to be a strong addition to Obsidian's gameography, and from what has been revealed so far, it seems to be a sleeper hit in the making.
"What makes a good RPG?". The answer to this seemingly simple question will vary wildly from person to person. For some, its all about the dialogue options. For others, its about statistical balance and min-maxing. For me, the hallmarks of a good RPG are immersion and strong storytelling. However, if there is one thing I think RPGs can do away with the most, it's length.
The Bard's Tale ARPG: Remastered and Resnarkled on Xbox One is a rather delightful experience. The dialogue is hysterical, the characters memorable, the RPG mechanics solid as a rock and the combat decent. There are definite performance issues, and it is not as Remastered as it could have been, but when the core game has held up this well, does that really matter?
Before The Super Mario Bros. Movie came out, we would have spat out our coffee at the prospect of a Nintendo Cinematic Universe. Now, we’ve got a head full of ideas for Metroid and Legend of Zelda movies.
Should you have upgraded your Cities: Skylines experience with the Remastered version of the game, making the most of the power of Xbox Series X|S, building out your city creations with additional tiles, UI improvements and graphical enhancements, then you will probably have interest in the latest DLC packs to hit the game.
'Critically acclaimed on PC' usually equates to a console release occurring at some point in time. That's the case for Teardown as it is unveiled for Xbox and PlayStation.
Before The Super Mario Bros. Movie came out, we would have spat out our coffee at the prospect of a Nintendo Cinematic Universe. Now, we’ve got a head full of ideas for Metroid and Legend of Zelda movies.
The lack of songs, and the slight safety in terms of their choice means that Let’s Sing 2023 - Eurovision Hits Song Pack doesn’t quite get douze points, but it did have us wishing that we had a backless sequin dress and a revolving stage.
