Neil Watton

Over the course of the last year, would-be pirates have had the opportunity to take in the matey madness of Atlas over on Steam. Today though it's all about Xbox One, and as Atlas arrives on console in Game Preview form, it brings with it the opportunity to run full cross-platform, letting all scallywags play together.

Whilst the arrival of the Virtual Villagers into the gaming world isn't a new one - after all, the series has been rolling around the PC and mobile scene for years - the release of Virtual Villagers Origins 2 on Xbox One as a free-to-play title is a new experience. And it is thanks to this new launch that us Xbox console gamers get the chance to craft, farm, and build a thriving village - and all for free. Oh, and to seal the deal, you can have a Lemur for a pet. What more could you ever want!

Ready for a new scrolling shooter? One that promises to let you fire off a whole barrage of rockets towards enemy ships, increase the power of reactors and burn everything in your path? Stellatum is that game and right now it is found releasing on Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

In terms of gaming, the most simple of puzzlers have always revolved around the pushing of boxes, as the gamer would attempt to open up a path to safety. And whilst things have most certainly moved on in recent times to allow for all manner of other clever ideas, the basic 'obstacle' puzzler has always been at the heart of matters. Today though we see a game launch on Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita and Nintendo Switch that takes things back to basics, with Super Box Land Demake seeing you with the need to push boxes with a friend.

We've said it before and we'll say it again, delays are a big part of the gaming industry. But as much as each setback in game development is a bit of a disappointment, we'd much rather see the best launch experience possible; most certainly over a product that the developers aren't content with. And from there, whilst it's disappointing to hear that DOOM Eternal is being hit by a release delay, it's more than understandable.

If you're after a charming fairytale universe, then the Trine series is most definitely one for you, and today Trine bursts into the modern era with not just a release of the brand new Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, but the full Ultimate Collection for good measure.

It's hard to believe that DiRT Rally 2.0 is already well into its third season of content drops, but with a multitude of DLC offerings behind it - and even more to come - that is in fact the hard truth. But as with every new addition to the world of DiRT Rally 2.0, the latest download set is hugely appreciated, particularly as it whisks us off to Abu Dhabi and the stunning Yas Marina Circuit.

The AAA party season is in full flow with new Xbox One titles being thrust into our lives at every opportunity. But sometimes it's good to just slowdown a bit and in gaming terms that usually means cracking on with some of the wonderful experiences that have been sat in the background. And if we're honest, there is no better way to get involved with those older titles than via the Xbox Deals With Gold and Spotlight Sale, as it provides cut-price gaming opportunities in abundance. But what discounts are in place this week? How does the Xbox Deals With Gold sale for 8th-14th October 2019 stack up?

If you're after an action adventure which focuses efforts around a high school reunion, then there is possibly only one game for you - Worse Than Death on Xbox One.

Ready to kick back and take in a new story? A Winter's Daydream promises to let you do just that, and right now it is found releasing on Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita and Nintendo Switch.

It was way back in 2008 when we first saw Codemasters deliver the excitement of GRID to the world. Coming hot out of the ashes of the TOCA series, Race Driver: GRID wowed the racing fans with a game that set the foundations for a full series of titles. Here and now though it's the reboot that we are most interested in, and after seeing both GRID 2 and GRID: Autosport fail to really hammer home the interest levels, it's time for Codies to go back to basics, at least with the name. Are you ready for GRID once more?

Over the course of the last four months or so the usual weekly Rocksmith DLC additions have taken a bit of a turn. Not content with just throwing out song pack after song pack, the Rocksmith gods have taken pity upon us poor guitar players and given chance for us to move our skills on a few levels. Today we see that opportunity once more with the next instalment in the Intermediate Exercises - Volume 2, in fact.

After the success of Surviving Mars, it seems only right that Paradox Interactive will be found expanding on the franchise, and today comes the announcement that Surviving the Aftermath will be the next game in line, with a release in late 2020 occurring on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

In the build-up to EGX 2019, we talk about the very latest Xbox games, the most hot news topics, and whether the Xbox Game Pass subscription has totally destroyed the free Games With Gold titles that are delivered every month. We also go into depth in regards the release of FIFA 2020, Greedfall and the latest Trials Rising DLC.

If taking command of a Viking clan and venturing through a campaign full of uncharted territories that are full of riches to plunder, complete with rival clans with which to trade, and frequented by mythical beasts to vanquish, sounds like your cup of tea, then Northgard is one for you. And today it has released on Xbox One.