There was a time when everyone went parkour mad, but even at its peak we never saw anything like what BH Trials has to offer on Xbox One. Imagine the highly skilled parkour skills being performed by a Backhoe digger – yes, seriously. We just have one simple question to ask you: can you dig that?
To clarify, BH Trials really does involve the navigation of obstacle courses using a Backhoe digger; one which unfortunately has no transmission, steering, or brakes. We’re not sure how it passed its MOT, nevertheless the only way to control this vehicle is through the use of its arms. Throughout the progressively difficult single player levels, you’ll have to climb, crawl and drive in order to reach the end as swiftly as you can. This means showing off your dexterity and cunning wit to manipulate platforms and mechanisms, while avoiding the craftiest contraptions in place to scupper your efforts.
If you’re worried that your skills alone won’t be enough to succeed, there’s always the local multiplayer levels to try. After dragging in up to three other players, you’ll control the four-legged beast known as the Backhoe Spider. Teamwork makes the dream work in this mode, combining all of your collective skills to overcome the most treacherous and challenging climbs in BH Trials. It’s also worth keeping all of your eyes out for hidden collectibles, which are miniature diggers that provide cool rewards when found.
Do you think you possess the necessary skills to perform parkour from the driver’s seat of a digger in BH Trials? If so, the only obstacle preventing you from showcasing such talent is the £9.99 price tag on the Xbox Store. Pay that though, and there’s nothing stopping you!
Game Description:
BH Trials is an obstacle course game where you drive a digger with no transmission, steering, or brakes. Learn how to use the digger’s arms to crawl, climb, and avoid obstacles in this unique driving game. Team up with your friends to command a mechanical spider digger! Take control of the spider’s legs and move the digger through a series of levels especially designed to put your groups’ skills and coordination to the test.
There are many headsets rolling around the gaming space, but some of the best are from those at EPOS | SENNHEISER with their 600 range of gaming headset providing the goods in many ways. Fancy winning one of two EPOS | SENNHEISER headsets that we have to giveaway?
Thanks to EPOS | SENNHEISER we have two headsets to giveaway, and you could be in with a chance of winning one of them. Free to enter, full instructions on how to get involved are found in the Gleam widget down below. It’s a super simple process and will take literally two minutes of your time.
So why should you enter? Well, the EPOS | SENNHEISER GSP 602 headset is one of our favourites of recent times, with our full review singing its praises massively. The blue and tan colourway is stunning to look at, and the audio delivered via the superb cans is a joy to behold. We have one of those editions to giveaway, plus the GSP 601 which provides the exact same goods but in a black and white package.
Each of the headsets would usually cost you £199 to purchase and is fully compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile. In fact, if it’s got a 3.5mm jack on it, this headset should work. And we’re giving two away for free.
To get involved for yourself, hit up the Gleam widget below, follow the instructions given, and then sit back and await an email from us – if you’re one of the lucky ones, of course. Remember, it’s a totally free-to-enter giveaway.
This giveaway will run until the end of November 1st after which we’ll pick two winners and contact them via the email addresses given on Gleam. We require an email response within 7 days of that email being sent otherwise we may have to pick a new winner or two.
Admin decision is final, there is no cash alternative and for this giveaway we can only deliver to a UK/EU postal address.
Good luck and thank you again to EPOS | SENNHEISER for providing the two headset units for giveaway.
Clicker games are good for one thing, and one thing alone – wasting time. Although we guess you could probably throw in the fact that they are good for hurting your fingers too. Whatever you are looking to do though, Lord of the Click on Xbox One looks to have you covered in both the time wasting, and finger hurting, stakes as it launches on Xbox One.
Previously available on PC via Steam, Lord of the Click is the latest clicker to arrive on console. Going up against the mighty Clicker Heroes (and if you’re new to the scene, THAT is how you do a good clicker experience), Lord of the Click will have you clicking, clicking, and clicking some more, as you fall into the 2D top down affair.
If you hadn’t guessed already, for the most part, your time with Lord of the Click will be spent clicking on a building, but that doesn’t mean a semblance of story hasn’t been infused into the action. Taking place in the Middle Ages, it’ll be up to you to help a young Prince save his King from the forces of darkness, throwing out soldiers and units forevermore. Do we really care for that though? Probably not. It’s all about the clicks.
Promising ‘bright and stylish pixel’ visuals, and the most simplistic of gameplay styles, if you’re looking for something to waste a few evenings, Lord of the Click could well be it. Unfortunately, if we go from what the Steam community are telling us, it could well be a bit of a mixed bag that lays ahead. We’ll find out with our full review of the Xbox One version of Lord of the Click.
To keep things even more simple, Lord of the Click also happens to rock up to Xbox One with a super cheap price point in place. A mere £4.19 is all you need to spend in order to find time with this new clicker. Just get over to the Xbox Store and take home your download right now.
Game Description:
Lord Of The Click — it’s the game for those who outgrew meaningless shooters and tiresome endless RPGs. Lord Of The Click will give you the unsurpassed feeling of allmightyness by controling the huge army with only one muscle of your body (Well, maybe two muscles…) Lord Of The Click — it’s the game for those who knows the true purpose of their thumbs. Lord Of The Click — it’s more than just a game, it’s a whole training system for your fingers created by the best scientists from Kazakhstan! When King Arthur removed the sword out of the stone, he did a huge mistake! It would be enough to remove the finger out of his…
The Halloween glut of games keeps on glutting, with the release of Clea, out now on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, joining a previous drop on PC via Steam.
You play the role of Clea, locked in your house by your parents and desperately looking for a way out. It’s more sinister than it sounds, as your parents have an unfortunate history of experimenting on monsters and creating lich-like Chaos Servants. These won’t be babysitting you, I’m afraid – they’re after a bite-sized breakfast.
This is a 2D psychological horror game in the vein of Coma, Lone Survivor and Home, and we’ve played enough to know that it has an eye to the Resident Evil games, with keys and crests needed to complete puzzles and progress. It’s nailbitingly tense almost all the way through, so pack the nappies. The press materials say there are no jumpscares, but they’re stinking liars. Expect the review very soon.
There’s a real focus on story, as you unravel what your parents have been up to, what the slender Chaos Servants really are, and what your role is in all this. Memories and journals litter the game, and are impressively voiced by the cast.
There’s plenty to give you the willies this Halloween, but you could do a lot worse than choose Clea for your October entertainment. Just be warned: it’s not one for the squeamish.
Mum and Dad have been experimenting on Chaos Servants, but now, the monsters have been let loose. Clea, with her brother in tow, must escape from the Whitlock Mansion. Watch your back, Clea. Those closest to you may be the real terror. Outwit the Chaos Servants: The Chaos Servants are on the hunt. Listen for their footsteps, peek under doors, and stay far, far away. Escape the Whitlock Mansion: The Whitlock family has trapped Clea inside the mansion. Hunt down key items and solve the puzzles designed to lock you from the outside world. No jump scares: No prescripted scares, promise. Your skills and actions will determine Clea’s fate. Unveil family history: The Whitlock bloodline is filled with dark memories. Obtain memory orbs and uncover your family secrets through bonus chapters. Voice cast: Clea – Xanthe Huynh, Edmond – Anairis Quinones, Florine, Mum – Aimee Smith, Dad – Miguel Moran, Maids – Angela Tran
I feel like I’m very much in the minority here, but when Transformers: Devastation kicked up a fuss back in 2015, I was impressed. It wasn’t a Game of the year contender, and there were certainly issues, but as a game that could whisk me back to the 1980’s and allow for a huge deal of fun, it certainly ticked the boxes. Now though, some five years on, another Transformers title is rolling out to Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC. Will the switch to a turn-based tactical war ensure that the Autobots and Decepticons hit the mark again?
Available to purchase and download right now on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC, Transformers: Battlegrounds is the latest attempt to bring the Transformers to life. In it you get the chance to try and restore peace to the universe, helping the Autobots push back the Decepticon menace once and for all. With the latter close to grabbing the all powerful Allspark, assembling the squad of your dreams and partaking in some strategic calls and turn-based tactical robotic warfare will be the only way for Earth to ever be safe from invasion.
Transformers: Battlegrounds will, as you would expect, feature all the greatest of Autobots, and the most evil of Decepticons, with the fight that rages promising to be a tough one. Thankfully Outright Games are looking to ensure that all gamers will find a place for Battlegrounds in their sessions, with multiple difficulty modes making this highly accessible to all. Throw in the chance to partake in some local multiplayer, or a more arcadey style of play too, and for fans of the robots in disguise, this could well be as good as it gets.
Our full review of Transformers: Battlegrounds on Xbox One is coming your way very soon. Be sure to lay eyes on it. Until that time though, our thoughts surrounding Transformer: Devastation, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark should all be taken in.
In the meantime, if you wish to get in on the action then there are a couple of options for you to take. The Standard Edition of Transformers: Battlegrounds can be yours for £34.99 and it is that which will let you enjoy everything the game has to offer – Capture the Flag, Horde mode, Last Stand and more can all be enjoyed.
However, for those wishing to go deeper still, it is the Digital Deluxe Edition which may hold more swing. Priced at £44.99 this contains the base game plus a number of skin packs and an Arcade Add-on. These include the following…
• Gold Autobot Skin Pack
• Energon Autobot Skin Pack
• Battle Autobot Skin Pack
• Neon Autobot Skin Pack
• CUBE Game – Arcade Add-on
Each are available to grab for £3.49 should you wish to enhance your game further down the line. As always your digital store of choice should dictate your buying options. For us Xbox One players, the Xbox Store is the best place to visit. You’ll find Transformers: Battlegrounds also available on PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC too.
Will it scratch the Transformers itch like Devastation did back in 2015? Let us know in the comments.
Game Description:
With Earth under invasion and MEGATRON, leader of the Decepticons close to capturing The Allspark, BUMBLEBEE and the Autobots need a new commander to help them restore peace to the universe – you! Assemble your squad and roll out, for a turn-based tactical war that will rage from Central City to Cybertron itself. You’ll need both strength and strategy to outwit the fiendish Decepticons. Choose the TRANSFORMERS characters and their abilities to dominate the battle ahead, with OPTIMUS PRIME, GRIMLOCK and more ready to join the fight. Use each environment to your advantage, taking cover in desert sandstorms, avoiding Cyberton’s Energon storms, and battling your foes in city streets. And fill up your Energon meter to unleash powerful Ultimate Abilities that crush the fiercest enemies. With intuitive controls and three difficulty settings, the size of the challenge ahead is up to you. Then team up together in local multiplayer and put your strategic skills to the test in games like Capture the Flag, Horde, Last Stand and more. It’s the strategy action game TRANSFORMERS fans have waited an eternity for!
The age-old battle of good versus evil is at the centre of most adventures, but it’s not so often that you’re taking sides with the baddies – the likes of the Overlord games come to mind. Pumpkin Jack however, is an eerie 3D platformer which sends you out into the spooky world to decimate all that is good and it’s available right now.
For the adventure of Pumpkin Jack, you’ll embody the titular Jack, who’s a Mythical Pumpkin Lord not to be messed with. The Devil himself has given you a single quest: to destroy the wizard. As such, the journey ahead will take you through the otherworldly environments of the Boredom Kingdom, which is a realm that’s been shattered by a curse. Despite creating a spooky atmosphere, the settings are still colourful and each level does possess its own unique vibe.
In regards to the gameplay, Pumpkin Jack is your classic 3D Platformer, where every level will challenge you and incorporate different themes. Mastering the art of dodging, timing, and general movement is essential in order to vanquish Jack’s foes; awaiting the opportunity to choose which weapon you want to use, before striking at the optimal moment. That’s not all though, with puzzles to solve as well and these focus on physics, gravity and reflection.
What more could you ask for? Well, here’s a run-down of Pumpkin Jack’s key features:
Colorful Cartoon Setting: Travel through lurid landscapes in levels featuring alluring atmospheres, each crafted with vibrant color palettes, and high-quality lighting effects
Fight For Your Life: With challenging beasts lurking around every corner, players must master the art of combo attacks; dodging, and timing to survive dynamic real-time battles! Players must unlock weapons and choose wisely in order to strike down all who oppose them
Don’t Lose Your Head: Solve puzzles that focus on physics; gravity, and reflection as Jack, or ditch the skinsuit and just use your flaming head to burn books; hammer some moles, create paths for magic spheres; and more as each level introduces new and exciting challenges
Find Friends to Fight at Your Side: Helpful companions are there to assist Jack on his journey, including a haughty hooty owl to guide him along; and a snarky crow, itching to assist with long-range attacks
And if you’re wanting to know more about Pumpkin Jack and his dastardly deal with the Devil, give our full review a read. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to jump into a spooky platformer, and you can do so by acquiring it on the digital stores for either Xbox One, Nintendo Switch or PC (Steam, GOG and Epic) at a cost of £24.99. Obviously, that means a trip to the Xbox Store for us, but whichever platform you choose, don’t dilly-dally because there’s a discount of 20% in place for the first week – slicing the price down to £19.99!
Game Description:
Pumpkin Jack is a Spooky Scary 3D platformer in which you embody Jack, the Mythical Pumpkin Lord! Dive into an Epic Adventure through otherworldly landscapes and help the Evil annihilate the Good! Dive into an Epic Adventure and help the Evil annihilate the Good! Follow the will of the Devil himself and slay your nemesis in an epic quest that will take you on a journey in the Boredom Kingdom, a mythical realm shattered by the Curse. You will meet friends along the way, from a haughty Owl to a snarky Crow! Discover Stunning atmospheres in a Colorful yet Spooky Scary Kingdom Travel through epic and dramatic settings, with each level having its own eerie atmosphere. Using a vibrant palette and high quality lighting effects, Pumpkin Jack invents its own unique cartoon universe inspired by the classic PS2 graphic style. Jump, Run & Climb to carve your own way in Unique Levels Pumpkin Jack is a classic 3D Platformer before anything else! Every level will challenge you through several themed platforms, all giving you new trials to complete. Fight for your life against Evil Beasts by using awesome Unlockable Weapons You will have to master the arts of dodging, timing and movement to vanquish Jack’s foes. During the dynamic real time battles, choose which weapon you want to use and strike at the critical moment! Face Breathtaking Challenges and discover tons of Original Gameplays Solve puzzles that focus on physics, gravity and reflection. Inhabit a pumpkin head and burn books, hammer some moles, create a path for magic spheres… But also more! In each level, you will be faced with an action sequence using a new exclusive gameplay!
It’s hard to believe that in amongst all these AAA games coming out – not to mention shiny new consoles – there is a brand-new Kingdom Hearts title as well. Melody of Memory isn’t your standard Kingdom Hearts title; instead it is a celebration of all the music in the series so far in a rhythm-based action title. After some time with the demo, here is what players can expect.
Straight off the bat, the title music once again completely drew me in. It is once again ‘Dearly Beloved’, but this time a much more upbeat and jazzed up version. Not going to lie, I’m a fan of this new arrangement from Yoko Shimomura. If ever there was a statement that Melody of Memory is a celebration of the music from the franchise, hitting players with an upbeat ‘Dearly Beloved’ is the best possible statement.
The loading screen then features chibi styles of Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy, strolling along the bottom of the screen. This style of character instantly reminds me of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, a title that did something very similar by celebrating the music of Final Fantasy on the Nintendo 3DS. This was followed by a sequel for the Final Fantasy series, as well as one after that for Dragon Quest. When Melody of Memory was announced it came as a surprise that this wasn’t then called Theatrhythm Kingdom Hearts, but judging by recent naming conventions for Kingdom Hearts, Melody of Memory is certainly one of the easier ones to remember.
In the demo, we then have a tutorial to outline the various buttons to press. In keeping with series tradition, this is played through to the tune of ‘Dive into the Heart -Destati-‘. Basic attacks can be done by pressing either the A, LB or RB button; when faced with multiple enemies a combination of two or three of these buttons is required to despatch them all.
Dotted throughout the course are ability crystals that can be activated with the Y button. These allow a special skill or magic ability to be performed and can reach enemies that would otherwise be out of your path.
Some enemies will also be floating. The B button will allow you to jump to reach them with a standard attack, but you can also jump to avoid their attacks. Similarly, holding down the B button will allow you to glide. Use this to hit glide targets, which will also award points. Larger enemies will also require more hits on them, so watch out for the numbers on bigger guys to see how many more hits are required.
As your characters auto-run through stages, missing attacks will cause your HP to deplete. Lose all of it before the end of the stage and you fail it. Even the tiniest sliver remaining as you finish a level will still count as a completion and allow you to progress.
The main menu music is Traverse Town; a piece that feels as homely now as it did in 2002. Whether you can configure this or not in the main game is unknown but for me, leave it as is. In the main menu we see options for World Tour, Track Selection, VS Battles, Museum, Co-op and Config. For the demo though, only Track Selection or Co-op is available.
There are a choice of four tracks to choose from:
Welcome to Wonderland (Kingdom Hearts)
Hand in Hand (Kingdom Hearts
The Rustling Forest (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Wave of Darkness I (Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage -)
It looks like a busy menu at first, but everything is designed so that you can find the track you want to play as quickly as possible. You can sort the songs by A-Z, game or even difficulty. You can then choose which style to play them as – whether that be the standard way or a simplified style – but on top of that is a difficulty mode, with series standard Proud mode being the most difficult.
Still struggling to find what you need? Then a press of RT will throw you into any track at random.
Getting into a track will have your chosen trio – additional characters are available in the main game including Aqua, Roxas, Riku and returning Disney characters – put through instantly familiar areas. These look like they have been plucked straight from the recent remasters featured in Kingdom Hearts 1.5, 2.5 and 2.8 which does retain the charm, but in return does mean that they start to look a bit dated. Even the first release of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix is now more than seven years in age.
As for the main game, it seems to have come along quickly since its initial announcement back in June. Maybe fans aren’t used to seeing Kingdom Hearts games released so soon after being announced? As a result, we do not know all that much.
However, we do know that there are over 140 songs featured in the final version, from nearly 50 worlds sprinkled throughout the series. There’s a good chance then that one of your favourites will be included. There will be over 20 playable characters too; whether they can be mixed and matched together and spread across different games is unknown yet, but it would be cool to see mashups between characters and worlds.
And perhaps, most importantly, there will be a new story in Melody of Memory. It will be focussing mainly on a huge recap of the events so far for the franchise, narrated by Kairi, but it will go beyond the Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind DLC which, to this point, is the latest in the franchise chronologically.
This might then mean that fans finally have a nice digestible format on the Kingdom Hearts chronology. For a franchise I have loved and grown up with, it doesn’t do itself any favours with the telling of the plot, as for the longest time crucial plot elements were littered on a variety of consoles.
Arriving just in time for the spooky season, Pumpkin Jack represents both a long lost artform of whimsical Halloween-themed games, and that of a surprisingly starved action platformer genre. Certainly, if you own a Nintendo console then you’ve got plenty of choice, but Xbox One owners don’t exactly have their pick of platformer mascot efforts given that Rare is still busy swashbuckling and preparing for the promising Series X exclusive, Everwild. The Xbox brand, even in the absence of a real Banjo-Kazooie title, had its fair share of platformers especially on the original Xbox, with games like Voodoo Vince being quite notable. Pumpkin Jack arrives at an opportune time, but more than just being the right game at the right time, this is a strong title worth a play by anyone.
Pumpkin Jack has you play the role of the bad guy on a mission to maintain chaos in the world, keeping things interesting by being joined by the likes of a ghoulish owl as a guide and a crow who, although never stops talking, proves their worth both during combat and platforming. The spooky atmosphere is vibrant and colourful even in this ghoulish presentation and colour scheme. The story is told through comic book-style cutscenes and such, but the presentation overall has the markings of a Halloween classic for all ages.
Many will probably immediately draw comparisons with MediEvil, which was recently remastered for PlayStation 4, but a more accurate comparison would be with Capcom’s oft-forgotten Maximo series – a pair of games on PlayStation 2 serving as a 3D spiritual successor to their seminal Ghouls and Ghosts (some may remember it as Ghosts and Goblins) arcade IP. Maximo was awesome; an underappreciated and highly satisfying action platformer, featuring memorable ghoulish visuals and timeless gameplay, and so Pumpkin Jack is quite possibly the first video game in a very, very long time to even emulate that style, whether intentionally or not.
Pumpkin Jack is as wholesome a 3D platformer as they come, and although it has many familiar design tropes, they all come together to create an adventure experience that has great pacing to keep players engaged throughout its playtime. The combat elements add variety to the gameplay, borrowing character action game conventions of combo attacks, dodge rolling, and some cool weapons to play with. Pumpkin Jack has great control overall, and even the 3D camera rarely ever bothers the experience.
As players progress through the adventure they will face plenty of double jump platforming, a bit of exploration for collectibles, and a range of fun segments such as minecart sequences. The boss battles are a lot of fun; simple in their design and yet memorable in their presentation, with later battles being more interesting. The titular Pumpkin Jack is quite versatile to adapt to any situation, and this even includes the ability to detach his head for certain puzzle platforming segments. As interesting these segments are as a diversion, controlling Jack’s head isn’t very fun and you can’t help but hope these moments end quickly. It doesn’t tarnish the experience overall, but it is certainly the weakest aspect of an otherwise solid and engaging game design.
Video games these days are either frustratingly difficult or they are cinematic experiences running on rails. Pumpkin Jack on the other hand is a rare remnant of the sixth console generation (PS2/Xbox/GameCube) when games were moderately difficult – a kind of balancing game designers have perhaps forgotten to achieve. Here players will find no shortage of checkpoints, but each segment in-between checkpoints is carefully and methodically designed to provide an achievable challenge. It’s tough enough to make you retry a few times, but it’s one of those things where you can genuinely feel like you’re getting the hang of things.
Pumpkin Jack is both timely and welcome on Xbox One. As a Halloween-themed action platformer, it fills a niche and void nicely and delivers a brilliant adventure in its own right. From its great pacing, solid gameplay, and consistently engaging design with only a few minor annoyances, this is one spooky adventure that can potentially achieve cult status, even among the bigger releases of October 2020.
Sometimes a deep, narrative-driven experience isn’t what you’re after from your next gaming purchase and that’s fine, because GROOD just wants you to rock out and have a blast while annihilating robots. Could this no-nonsense shoot ‘em up for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch be the game you need right now?
As a fast-paced, side-scrolling shoot ‘em up, GROOD certainly edges towards the toughest of its kind by taking the old school arcade gameplay approach. The idea is to pilot a ship that’s a truly powerful, killing machine – called GROOD – in order to decimate the many robotic enemies and bosses in your path. These damned machines aren’t pushovers though, with them giving as good as they get by firing bullets, missiles and lasers your way. It’ll require good aim, clever movement and tactical thinking to overcome the masses and succeed.
GROOD will be hellish as there’s no rest on your mission, with day turning to night and the surroundings changing from woodlands to deserts while you’re still blasting the robots to smithereens. At least there’s an adrenaline pumping heavy metal soundtrack to keep you going full steam ahead.
Important features of GROOD:
Frenetic flying and shooting action
Classic arcade gameplay with modern graphics…
…or retro visuals with a special “90’s love” option
Global ranking leaderboards
3 difficulty modes: HARD, HARD and HARD
Dynamic weather for more diversity and replayability
Day/night cycle. No rest, fight from dawn to dusk and through the night
Multiple final bosses and weapons
Hardcore Metal Soundtrack
As you might have guessed, GROOD is not for the fainthearted, but if you’re up to the task it’s available on the Xbox Store for a mere £4.19 – you can find it on the PS Store and the Nintendo eShop too. We are GROOD, how about you? Let us know in the comments section!
Game Description:
Your mission: annihilate an army of robotic enemies and bosses, all of them furiously blasting bullets, missiles and lasers your way. Your ship: a powerful vehicle you created, called GROOD. It’s now time to pilot this killing machine! Travel through woods, swamps, cities, frozen lands, deserts, and more to seek and destroy strange mechanical foes. There’s no time to rest and the sun will set before the battle is over: be ready to fight nights and days and under different weather conditions: rain, snow, strong winds…It will get hardcore and the Heavy Metal soundtrack will keep you alert and adrenaline-rushed. GROOD blends a classic shoot’em up arcade gameplay with modern graphics. The vibrant effects of explosions, smoke, fire and projectiles will fully immerse you in a hellish battle. If you prefer to keep it old-school though, just switch on the “90’s love” option to get pixelated retro visuals. You won’t only need skill to succeed but also some tactical thinking. Be smart with both your aim and positioning to get rid of the most dangerous opponents first and to avoid being surrounded. Compete with your friends and other warriors around the world for the best ranking in global leaderboards!
Poker is, hands down, one of the biggest casino games of all time. It has millions of fans around the world and has entered global pop culture too. While you can play it in Vegas casinos if you have the cash to splash, many users are satisfied to play the game socially. Nothing beats a game of poker between friends on a Friday night after a hard week of work.
Well, if you want to show off in front of your friends and get better at poker, Prominence Poker for Xbox is a great idea.
Triple-A Poker
Released in 2016 by Pipeworks Studio for the Xbox One, Prominence Poker is a brilliant execution of one of the most popular casino games. Based on Texas Hold’em, Prominence Poker is an exciting journey through different tablets that lets you test your skills and hone them. You can choose one of many modes. From solo matches to AI-controlled opponents, Prominence Poker is a great way to try ranked and unranked modes.
While in the game, you use a selection wheel optimized for Xbox controllers to play the game, adjust your bets, etc. The same wheel shows the other players when you’re looking at your cards, in that way adding a bit of reality to the game. One of the things players don’t like is the full avatar animation when switching between your choices or betting. It can’t be cancelled, and to be honest, it can be pretty annoying. It adds an unnecessary delay to the game which players don’t love.
One of the coolest features Prominence Poker has are the emotes. While unnecessary, we applaud the developer’s decision to give players the opportunity to wave to another player or do a throat slice with your finger to scare other players. It’s pretty cool.
If you choose solo mode, wandering through the underground shady locations has never been more fun. It adds a sense of accomplishment too, as you take down bad boys and take a step closer to the boss. You will encounter four crews along the way, each one more difficult than the previous. Of course, the game is free to play, so you won’t leave the tables penniless if you fail to defeat your opponents. Well, you will lose the game, but no real money.
Win Tournaments, Earn Respect
If you choose to play against others, the multiplayer mode has competitive tournaments with buy-ins at tables of six. Topping the charts pays out and puts you higher on the rankings. The higher you rank, the better head-to-head matches you’ll enjoy. The multi-tier ranking system will put you against players of similar stature. Winning these tournaments will help you progress higher.
At the end of each season, you may also get your hands-on achievements and special items if you’re high in the rankings. An unranked multiplayer mode is also available where you can buy your option to enter ring games. If you’re a seasoned poker fan, you can clean up these tables in no time.
Overall, we loved our time spent with Prominence Poker. The solo mode is fun and there’s plenty of competition for seasoned players. If you want to hone up your poker skills, it’s the perfect game to play.
Another well-regarded game that has made the transition to Xbox One and straight into Xbox Game Pass has arrived, this time in the form of Katana ZERO. Having received plaudits on PC and Nintendo Switch, it has arrived day one on Game Pass. Is the hype worth it?
Katana ZERO plays a lot like Hotline Miami, at first glance anyways. It subverts the top-down view of Hotline Miami into a 2D side-scroller view, but it still has you running amok through levels, killing anything in your sight. It is also set in a neo-noir world, but New Mecca has a much more explorable backstory than its inspirations.
Very little is known about the protagonist you play as when you first jump in – so much so that my primary worry during the first couple of missions would be that each mission is a copy and paste just with a different target. You play as a katana-wielding assassin – who when anyone asks is dressed in cosplay – that undertakes contracts to take out people. Usually that will involve arriving at a destination and despatching a lot of gang members too, but it is nothing you can’t handle.
Your katana is your main weapon; it can slice and dice but also deflect bullets with a well-timed swipe. You can even pick up your own projectiles to throw at enemies. These can be bottles, axes or, later on, a Molotov cocktail. Katana ZERO does a good job of targeting the one you are intending to throw it at too.
You have the ability to slow down time and dodge roll incoming attacks. There doesn’t seem to be anything peculiar about these abilities, but they fit into the plot of Katana ZERO expertly. Everything in this game has an explanation, and for a 4-5 hour game – at least on the first playthrough – it is incredibly fleshed out.
Early on, you will discover your protagonist is prescribed a drug called ‘Chronos’ that not only allows him to slow down time, but also predict the future. This comes in useful, as you will die a lot.
Everything in Katana ZERO is a one-hit kill, both to you and your opponent. It creates a trial and error approach to levels; if a plan doesn’t work, the only penalty is that you need to try it again until you get it right. But of course, a perfect performance in a room where you kill every adversary was down to the fact that you can “predict the future” and knew what was going to happen beforehand.
It isn’t just to avoid enemy attacks, being able to predict the future. It is utilised in a variety of ways that keeps you second guessing what is coming next, in the best way possible. You could be trying to get information in an interrogation scene – where you are the one being interrogated – or predicting the winning outcome at a casino. It all works, and it all fits in with this dark undertone.
Zero – our protagonist – records every contract he undertakes with a VCR; they take no pleasure in the killing, it is to analyse and learn from.
When not on a contract, Zero will head home to their apartment in a rundown part of the town. Their neighbours on one side are constantly partying, whilst on the other side lives a little girl. Katana ZERO features real-time conversations that you can partake in with other characters, but there is usually an option to interrupt them if you are in a hurry. Or just want to be rude.
Zero also suffers from some crippling nightmares and discusses them with a psychiatrist – the same psychiatrist that administers their Chronos and hands out contracts.
All these plot elements fit together in a brilliant story. As a tale, it is constantly leaving you second guessing what is occurring. The best example I can think of is that bit in Batman: Arkham Asylum where it crashes and reboots itself, but this time the Joker is delivering Batman to the asylum. Katana ZERO is that exact moment but repeated a dozen times, each time leaving you more intrigued than before.
Accompanying all this is a truly gorgeous synthwave soundtrack (which Zero listens to on a cassette when doing their killing sprees), and amazing pixel art. This is not necessarily present in the character sprites so much, but the environments outside of the level areas – places such as the bar, video store and Zero’s flats – are exquisite.
Much like Katana ZERO’s story, many of the game’s 22 achievements are shrouded in intrigue and mystery. Indeed, many aren’t for reaching certain parts of the story, and are instead for discovering things off the beaten track. Thankfully though, there is a level select where you can replay areas and sections of the game once you have completed them for the first time.
Katana ZERO on Xbox One and through Xbox Game Pass offers another simplistically violent video game at first glance, but before long the game starts playing with your perceptions, and by that point you are invested until the conclusion. And with several different endings and speedrun abilities to unlock, you could find yourself coming back more than once. All this combines to ensure that Katana ZERO is another brilliant addition to Xbox Game Pass.
Coming from the fine folks over at High Tea Frog, there’s a new party game in town; one that combines two of my biggest loves: cakes and fighting. Have you ever wanted to be a cake, with the ability to punch other cakes in the squishy bits? Have you ever wanted to use a cocktail umbrella as an offensive weapon, or fight off a hermit crab? Well, I have great news for you and you’ll most certainly want to come with me to a world of sentient cakes, violence and silly minigames. The only caveat is I get to be one of the yellow French Fancies, okay?
Cake Bash
So, I’d best explain what Cake Bash is all about, hadn’t I? The story, as if it matters, is that you are one of four cakes (either bots, or players on the couch screen-sharing or over Xbox Live can take the part of the other three) who has to compete to become the tastiest cake in the bakery. When playing the single player mode, the goal is explained in a cutscene; the brief from the customer is displayed. For instance, they may be looking for a fancy cake, or a cake with animals on, for instance. Playing multiplayer removes this briefing, strangely, so going all in with others means you are competing without a clear idea of the goal. But it’s not a massive issue, to be honest.
Get Tasty is the main competitive mode, and is split into three categories: Bash, Snack Time and Shopping. Bash is the main PvP (or PvE) section of the game, and it’s the one that generally just devolves into a massive ruck as various sweet treats try and punch the filling out of each other. There are a variety of different games to play, ranging from throwing stars or fruit into a pie, all the way up to smashing fortune cookies, via attempting to pick up as many sweets as possible or even getting covered in hundreds and thousands. The main aim should be to attempt to play the objective, but there is a wealth of room in Cake Bash which will let you disrupt your competitors from actioning similar objectives, all with the judicious application of a good slap. If there is a sillier sight than four cakes all fighting to push each other out of a stream of confectionery that is falling from the sky, I’ve yet to see it.
The various modes, along with the differing maps that Cake Bash comes with, make each game different. It’s also nice that each round is voted upon by its participants, so if you have a favourite map it’s possible to influence voting towards it. The maps are great too, my favourite being that of the Patio, set on a table in the garden, complete with peril in the shape of pigeons and their various excretions. Again, seeing a cake being chased around a patio table by a pigeon is a sight you are unlikely to see anywhere else. But there are others too –do you want to be chased around a beach blanket by a hermit crab, or maybe have a level that looks like the surface of the moon, complete with disappearing chunks? How about a factory stage, with a fan blowing the cakes around and a burner in the middle, that can be turned on by cakes to get flame-based vengeance? Well, you’ve come to the right game for sure.
Snack Time splits up the bashing, working as a series of minigames, involving such diverse activities as toasting marshmallows, which can then be stuck to your cake, scoring points for each perfectly browned specimen. Other tasks involve spearing fruit from a chocolate fountain and throwing fruit into a Bakewell Tart (yes, I know it’s traditionally called a Bakewell Pudding, but the game is what it is!) and many more. These aren’t combative in any way, and the only competition comes from the clock and the amount of points your competitors score. Now, each time you complete an activity, depending on how well you do there are varying amounts of coins awarded to your chosen cake, and these can be spent in the third mode, Shopping.
It is here where another cake wheels in a shopping cart, allowing your hard-earned coins to be exchanged for toppings that can be applied to your character. There are varying sizes and prices, and if you find yourself short of pennies, there is a luck-based capsule that can be bought for only two coins. These can contain sweet toppings, but can also contain stinky cheese or fish skeletons, so beware! If you do end up with an undesirable item attached to your cake, you can get rid of it in the bin, although that also costs two coins. However, as each bad item that is attached to you at the end can reduce your tastiness quotient (I have no idea if that’s the correct term, but you are scored on how tasty you are at the end) by up to 50 points, occasionally the difference between a win or a last place is this; getting rid is usually a good idea.
So, I have to address the elephant in the room here, and chat about how ridiculously cute the cakes look. With several well-known archetypes of cake to choose from (cupcake, Viennese Whirl, eclair and so on) in various different colours, all of which have an endearing hand-drawn kind of look, Cake Bash is almost enough to cause diabetes just by looking at it. It’s helped that each of these cake types comes with a humorous name too. The audio is funny also, with scrapping cakes providing some meaty sounding punches being thrown. All in all the presentation of the game is first rate – cakes with skinny arms and legs, fighting, sounding like a scene from a Bruce Lee movie: who could want more?
Well, people without friends, for one. You see, although the cute gameplay and look is all well and good, playing solo against bots is a bit of a sad affair. Being kind, the bots are fairly dumb, and they won’t really stretch your gaming capabilities; as such I can’t really recommend this to the anti-social lone gamer. Get a group of friends though and Cake Bash is transformed. I can honestly say, from testing this game with others from the hard-bitten, cynical review team here, I’ve never heard so much laughter, so much name calling and so much general abuse/banter as I have in a round or five of Cake Bash on Xbox One.
If you have a team of friends who are always online, I can almost call Cake Bash an essential purchase, as it is truly bonkers, and different each time. It’s just a shame that for single players, whilst there is fun to be had, it’s reduced down a smidge.
Blowfish Studios and Indiesruption were originally hoping to release their supernatural hijinker Nine Witches: Family Disruption to Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC in the early stages of 2020. But then 2020 came about, and well, we know what happened from there on out. Now though, as we reach the latter stages of the year, a fully confirmed release date has become known – and we won’t have to wait too long at all to pay a visit to the remote Norwegian village of Sundäe.
So, December 4th 2020 will be the date we get to travel to Norway, ready to partake in the comedic alternate-history World War II occult adventure of Nine Witches: Family Disruption.
Releasing on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC, with a Japanese release also occurring later in the winter via Beep Company and DMM Games, Nine Witches will tell a tale that focuses on the climax of World War II. Your home will be the remote Norwegian village of Sundäe, a place that is famed for its three-testicled salmon and has become caught up in a bit of a fight. Thankfully two heroes come to the fore – Professor Alexei Krakovitz, a Russian paranormal scholar, and his trusty assistant, Akiro Kagasawa – who must save the day before the Nazis literally raise Hell.
In Nine Witches: Family Disruption you’ll get the chance to explore this Scandinavian world, working the tale between Krakovitz and Kagasawa as you go in the search for intel about the Third Reich’s Okkulte-55 Division’s schemes. This will come about via the Interaction with more than 50 characters, each more colorful than the last, while uncovering clues to help stop the Third Reich’s dark designs.
And as this is all a bit weird, you’ll also be able to traverse the astral plane as Professor Krakovitz, communing with long-departed spirits to learn more about the strange and otherworldly history of Sundäe, or harness Kagasawa’s special combat training when faced with corporeal threats.
“Nine Witches: Family Disruption is the combination of my lifelong interests in world history, the supernatural, and comedy,” said Diego Cánepa, designer, Indiesruption. “I’m enchanted to plot alongside Blowfish Studios to summon this absurd look at the occult side of World War II to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam and GOG on Dec. 4, 2020.”
“Beep is very excited to bring Nine Witches to Japan for fans who like indie games with a special twist,” said Robert Pontow, Executive Director, Beep Company. “We know that this game will amuse many players with its interesting and humorous storyline as well as its cast of quirky characters. We look forward to Japanese gamers experiencing Nine Witches soon.”
We’ll be sure to remind you when Nine Witches: Family Disruption launches on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC come December 4th 2020. For now though you can find out more about the game by hitting up the launch date trailer.
The classics are always the best, and R-Type has stood the test of time longer than many; it’s a game that everyone should have played in one form or another. But that doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement and in 2021 we’ll be seeing a new R-Type experience hitting Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PC – R-Type Final 2.
Building on the legendary shoot ’em up with an unparalleled R-Type experience, R-Type Final 2 will bring the usual colourful visuals and frantic gameplay, all whilst stepping things up a notch with an explosive debut on modern platforms.
Complete with 3D visuals and modern gameplay features, R-Type Final 2 looks to enhance and evolve what has come before it to ensure a challenge for the more modern player. No matter whether you are an R-Type veteran or a green SHMUP fan, Final 2 will provide the goods with a performance base difficulty system, customisable ships and pilots and the legendary, super addictive gameplay loop.
If you’re looking for a new way to blast away the competition and find placings on worldwide leaderboards, then R-Type Final 2 will provide the following key features:
Enhanced and Evolved: Experience R-Type’s explosive return on current platforms, where the frenetic action of the original games meets contemporary visuals and modern gameplay features such as evolving moments.
Universal Challenge: The performance-based difficulty system adjusts to each player’s individual experience, making this game accessible to new and old pilots alike. When you’re done decimating the alien hordes, check out the worldwide leaderboard to see how you stack up against other pilots!
Customised Loadout: Personalise every element of your ship, including colouring, types of weapons and decals. Additionally, choose among dozens of fighters that appeared in previous series installments, and even customise your pilot to your liking.
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as to the progess of R-Type Final 2 in the build up to launch in 2021 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. For now though, there’s a little trailer to take in…
So, we were absolutely in for the Demon’s Souls, Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Mafia remasters. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, Kingdoms of Amalur remasters – yeah, okay, we kind of liked the originals. Destroy All Humans! and Spongebob: Battle for Bikini Bottom: alright, it was starting to get silly. Asterisk & Obelisk XXL? Er, what? Asterisk & Obelisk XXL: Romastered is out now on Xbox One, PS4, Switch and PC via Steam.
Nothing against Asterisk & Obelisk XXL: it was a passing diversion and family-friendly fare. But it sits somewhere below Blinx the Cat and above Aero the Acrobat in the need for a remaster. We’re a little bemused that it’s managed to swig a potion and beef up for the latest generation of consoles, but we’re in some crazy remastery times. Anything can happen.
Let’s come at it with an open mind: if you’ve never played the OG game, it’s a 3D action platformer where you get to switch between Asterix and Obelisk (with a smidge of Dogmatix, if memory serves), as you plough through various regions of the Roman Empire, including Egypt, Greece and Rome. You’re chasing after your kidnapped village buddies, like Getafix and Panacea, and you’ll be winding up punches to wallop people high into the air, as you would hope from a Goscinny adaptation.
There’s some neat action asides in there too, as you turn into tornadoes to swallow up legions of Romans, and pepper phalanxes in a shooting range style minigame. Asterix & Obelisk does a decent job of mixing up the standard platforming with these sections, so you won’t necessarily get bored. There are four new game modes in the package too, layered on to the original.
While the Romaster (great name, by the way), seems to have done an okay job at beefing up the graphics, the real winner is the ability to switch to retro-graphics at the touch of a button. Fair play to developers OSome Studio, this is an impressive feat that will get love from the nostalgists among you.
Features include:
Rediscover the first XXL adventure of your favorite Gauls in this fully romastered version!
Toggle between Asterix & Obelix et travel accross various regions of the world such as Greece or Egypt to set free Impedimenta, Panacea, Getafix and the other villagers.
Fight all the Romans, pirates and Vikings who will stand in your way! Nothing can stop you with magic potion.
Cherry on the boar, 4 NEW GAME MODES are available: – Course mode for stunt lovers; – Countdown mode for speed freaks; – Extreme mode for the bravest Gauls.; – Retro mode to switch to the original graphics anytime!
Whether you remember the original or just fancy a breezy platformer, Asterix & Obelisk XXL: Romastered is out now on Xbox One and will cost you £33.49. It’s also out on PS4, Switch and PC via Steam.
Game Description:
Asterix and Obelix make an XXL comeback in a Romastered version full of Romans! The year is 50 B.C. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely… One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Compendium. Peace reigns in the small Armorican village, where the villagers go about their daily business. Our two heroes, Asterix and Obelix, hunt wild boar, the blacksmith and the fishmonger quarrel, and the village chief strolls around the village square atop his shield. After a fine day’s hunting, Asterix and Obelix return to find their village in flames, pillaged by the Romans! They set off to rescue their fellow villagers, accompanied by their faithful Dogmatix. Their journey will take them to Normandy, Greece Helvetia, Egypt and, finally, Rome, in order to save the villagers from the clutches of the emperor Caesar…
Since the early days of Fusion Frenzy, dedicated console users wait for the long-awaited sequels to come out. They’ve even transitioned to watching movies and music on their device by downloading additional apps like Blu-Ray and Spotify.
Still, the vast majority of Xbox enthusiasts are there for the games. In 2020, players awaited the third installment of mega-popular Resident Evil, the breathtaking design of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, strategy-heavy shooters like Gears Tactics, and Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077.
This past year has seen a variety of recent trends either pick up or decline in relationship to Xbox gaming. While microtransactions continue to frustrate console and mobile gamers alike, mini-games seem to be popular. Meanwhile, more and more adults are finding a genuine interest in Minecraft…
As more platforms take off, hoping to share in gaming’s market some $120 billion worth, from the rise of live streaming to Bytedance, let’s inspect what excited Xbox diehards in 2020.
Social Trends
As generations shift, so do trends surrounding video games. At the moment, around 25% of all gamers identify as Gen Xers, which means the video game warriors who grew up with the first iterations of franchises and consoles (like Madden or the Nintendo) will need a fresh start to be relevant to millennials, who now comprise 48% of gamers worldwide.
This means innovation like that seen with Cyberpunk 2077 (narrative and crossover appeal) and Ori and the Will of the Wisps (RPG in a richly designed fantasy setting) are likely to continue. Crossovers, like Keanu Reeves’ appearance in Cyberpunk 2077, are expected to gain steam in the realm of sports simulation games as well.
Currently, 83% of people living in the Middle East and Africa identify as gamers. As these gamers grow and pursue careers in video game design and development in hotspots like Turkey, Nigeria, and the Arab World, the games themselves will evolve to include storylines and structures that reflect African and Middle Eastern cultures.
Hidden Objects & Minigames
As aforementioned, mini-games are a major trend across console, PC, and mobile games. One major part of the mini-game (and micro-transaction) trend is casino mini-games. From GTA’s Casino Diamond Heist to Red Dead Redemption 2, casino-themed side quests are the rage.
However, given the popularity and availability of real-money sites like Otto Kasino that offer a full suite of games, the casino mini-game may be a short-lived trend for Xbox players. After all, anyone serious about gaming will not improve their skills simulating a vault break-in.
For the time being, mini-games will probably remain popular, though their affiliation with micro-transactions (especially in a mobile setting) is likely to decline. For Xbox diehards, this isn’t a problem.
Anyone looking for a break from their standard action knows to check the ‘New Games’ section. There, visual novels to lifestyle sims are available. Currently, hidden object games are gaining momentum with users interested in testing their attention to detail while dipping a toe into casual gaming.
Minecraft… For Adults
As the most popular video game in the world, more than a handful of adults have been onto Minecraft since its 2009 release. Since then, the game has gained an unstoppable following amongst young demographics.
To the average Xbox gamer, Minecraft may be regarded as a pop culture phenomenon, if not a nuisance for those dedicated to battering through games like Ninja Gaiden or Hunt: Showdown. Still, for better or for worse, Minecraft is here to stay, and it’s becoming popular amongst adults.
Described as a ‘cross between a Lego set and a fantasy adventure’, the game took off in 2020 due to an increase in time spent alone at home. Multi-player features meant that newcomers to video games could partner with friends remotely to tackle missions in a fun, lighthearted series.
Prior to Assassin’s Creed Origins releasing back in 2017, Ubisoft dropped a stunning pair of Limited Edition Assassin’s Creed Origins Yeezy sneakers. We guess they went down pretty well too, as here and now, on the verge of seeing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla releasing, Ubisoft are going down a similar route – teaming up for a new Capsule Collection with Reebok.
Ubisoft and Reebok – two names that are leaders in their own respective industries. And we guess that means that any partnership between the two will be of huge appeal to many. Throw in AC Valhalla, and there’s a massive draw, much like the collaboration between Ubisoft and GUNNAR Optiks.
Ubisoft and Reebok are set to bring the story of the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to the hardened streets, allowing fans to show off their inner Viking attitude and engage with the story in a way they never could have imagined. The partnership centers around a capsule collection including trainers, apparel and accessories, all inspired by the Viking fantasy.
AC Valhalla follows the tale of Eivor, a fierce Viking raider raised on tales of battle and glory. And when it releases on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4 and PS5 from November 10th, it’ll allow fans to join a captivating Viking experience as the game brings players to a beautiful and mysterious open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages.
Just prior to that though and we’ll have access to a bespoke collection that is headlined by three footwear styles in exclusive colorways inspired by the northern lights:
Zig Kinetica: Inspired by the deep black of the Nordic night and the northern lights the Zig Kinetica x ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA is designed with a black moulded-mesh upper, built around its distinctive zigzag-shaped, energy-return sole in emerald sea. Nodding to the Viking Lifestyle, the model features the symbol for Synin, a raven that represents a major feature of Norse mythology, and helps key character Eivor on his journey.
Club C Revenge: Simple yet versatile, the Club C Revenge x ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA features a soft suede tan upper with emerald sea and black hits throughout. On the heel, the silhouette features a twin battle axe symbol, the epitome of Norse versatility and one of the most iconic Viking symbols.
Classic Leather Legacy: Coming with a cold grey upper and highlights in both emerald sea and emerald haze, the Classic Leather Legacy x ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA, a retro-running inspired lifestyle silhouette, is the perfect choice for those who don’t want to choose between the present and the past. The embossed raven symbol on the heel this detail speaks once more to the deep meaning of these creatures for the Vikings.
You’ll also be able to throw in a couple of hoodies, a cap and matching socks, with each piece featuring the custom ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA X REEBOK logo, as well as additional symbols such as ravens and axes, true to the Norse mythology.
Interested? You’ll find the collection available exclusively on Reebok.com from 7th November, and from 11th November at select retail stores. Will you be grabbing any of it?
When Lonely Mountains: Downhill rolled out onto the Xbox Store at the back end of 2019, we didn’t really know what to expect. But just five minutes after first taking the experience in, we were sold, with it delivering a rather wonderful two-wheeled experience that is unlike any other. Now though that experience expands, with the chance to go scuttling downhill in the Eldfjall Island DLC.
Available to purchase and download into your Lonely Mountains: Downhill base game this very minute, Eldfjall Island sees you taking a one-way ticket to a new volcanic area, one that just so happens to also come bearing gifts in the form of new downhill biking challenges, new outfits, new paint jobs and new accessories. The icing on the cake is the fact it also provides no less than four new trails for us to race down, aiming for leaderboard places on each and every one.
Priced at £5.49, Eldfjall Island for Lonely Mountains: Downhill should well be the most intense, most volcanic Lonely Mountains experience yet, with our downhill objectives threatened not just by the erupting volcano we are hurtling down, but the risk of thunderstorms along the way.
“We are excited to share our biggest and most versatile mountain so far!” Says Jan Budenik, developer at Megagon Industries.
Features include:
4 new trails with new challenges and resting spots await you
New special effects: ride through the thunderstorm or find your way down an erupting volcano.
Satisfy your inner viking and unlock unique outfits, helmets, and paint jobs
Upgrade your existing outfits with the new pro helmet
Complete your fashion style with new unlockable backpacks Make your name famous on the leaderboards
You can grab the Lonely Mountains: Downhill Eldfjall Island DLC from the Store of your choosing with Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC offerings all in place.
Further to that though and Thunderful Publishing and Megagon Industries have also pushed out a big free Daily Rides update. This will do as the name suggests, providing access to all new seasonal challenges and gifting a whole host of rewards in the process. The first season focuses on Halloween – dare you go ride?
DLC Description:
Pack your raincoat and bring your beloved bike to the volcanic island of Eldfjall – the largest Lonely Mountain yet.
The track listing for FUSER – the next evolution of interactive music games – has slowly dripped out over the weeks, but due to launch alongside the standard game is the FUSER VIP Edition, an edition of the game that will provide even more loops and licks. Today the team at Harmonix have revealed exactly what that VIP Edition will look like, with 25 more songs included in the DLC.
The base game of FUSER will release on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC come November 10th 2020 with more than 100 songs available as part of the base game. But it is the VIP Edition which looks set to really push the limits, delivering a host more in terms of tunes.
Featuring top artists from around the globe, the FUSER VIP Edition includes the first 25 DLC songs available for FUSER, all of which will be available at launch on November 10th. Those songs will add more loops for players to create their own custom mixes, save and share as snapshots, enhance collaborative co-op mixes, or bring some extra personality to competitive multiplayer.
That list of the first 25 DLC tracks included in the FUSER VIP Edition are:
21 Savage “a lot”
Afrojack ft. Eva Simons “Take Over Control”
Alanis Morissette “Ironic”
Amerie “1 Thing”
Ava Max “Kings & Queens”
Bananarama “Venus”
The Cranberries “Linger”
DJ Snake, J. Balvin & Tyga “Loco Contigo”
Echo & The Bunnymen “Lips Like Sugar”
Erasure “A Little Respect”
Evanescence “Bring Me To Life”
Fetty Wap “Trap Queen”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee “Unforgettable”
Glen Campbell “Gentle On My Mind”
Ini Kamoze “Here Comes The Hotstepper (Heartical Mix)”
Justin Timberlake “Rock Your Body”
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina “What Ifs”
Kelly Clarkson “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart”
Nicki Minaj “Starships”
Sean Paul “Get Busy”
Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
Tone-Loc “Funky Cold Medina”
Topic with A7S “Breaking Me”
Usher ft. Pitbull “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love”
Each of these DLC tracks will be available to purchase individually, with us looking at a price of $1.99 (or local equivilent) in place. If you’re liking what has been revealed though, then a purchase of the FUSER VIP Edition for £99.99/$99.99 should well be considered. The Xbox Store should sort Xbox games out on that front. Pre-order that – or the standard edition – and Harmonix will throw in three further tunes for you too – Dua Lipa “New Rules,” Khalid “Young Dumb & Broke” and The Killers “Mr. Brightside.”
We’ll be sure to remind you when FUSER rocks out onto Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC. Let us know if that VIP Edition is the one you’ll be looking to grab.
When Dovetail Games decided to make the jump from the original Train Sim World up to the fancier, faster, more full-on Train Sim World 2, they promised that those who purchased the multiple DLC pieces available first time around would be sorted via the Preserved Collection. Once more we see a host of those original downloadable content drops now make their way to Train Sim World 2, alongside a new route for good measure.
The Preserved Collection ensures that anyone who purchased any of the DLC pieces that arrived for the original Train Sim World 2 can take their content over to Train Sim World 2 without fuss nor bother.
Already we’ve seen a few pieces make the transition, but now a whole ton of extras have also arrived. In fact, there are six packs available for action, with an additional one – Hauptstrecke München – Augsberg – also in place. If you’re looking to race through Bavaria and experience the hustle and bustle of modern commuting, this new route will be for you.
Of course, if you didn’t ever own the original Train Sim World and have only found Train Sim World 2 rolling into your station now, then you can also pick up any of the Preserved Collection packs for yourself – it’s just you’ll have to pay for them, and they ain’t cheap.
Those wishing to enhance Train Sim World 2 on Xbox One, PS4 or PC with the latest content can do so by visiting their digital store of choice. For us that means paying a visit to the Xbox Store, where the following are now all available. Remember, they will be free to transfer if you previously owned them in Train Sim World, but if you are coming in new to the sequel, the asking prices come into play…
With multiple options available, and Train Sim World 2 already having provided a pretty damn great railway simulation – and now giving the chance to head to the Isle of Wight too – if you’re a railway fan, or are just looking for a new gaming experience, it’s certainly one to check out.
Let us know in the comments what you think of these latest Preserved Collection pieces. Where will you be heading first?
Life is a rollercoaster, isn’t it? We checked the Xbox Game Pass app last week to receive a message that GONNER was leaving the service, and had a weary sigh. It was a colourful, violent, hella good time, and we were going to have to part ways. Then lo! GONNER2 strides up to October, says hol’ up, and arrives completely free for anyone with Game Pass. Winner winner, chicken dinner! GONNER2 is out now on Xbox One to purchase as well as via Game Pass, Switch and PC via Steam.
If you haven’t played GONNER yet, this is a great point to hop on. There’s no arcing narrative or continued progression here, there’s just a rollicking good time, so playing GONNER is not a prerequisite.
GONNER2 seems like GONNER, but juiced up royally. This is still the procedurally generated, hyperactive platform-shooter with rogue-ish elements from before, but with the scale, speed, action and collectibles amped up. Upgrade yourself and festoon your body with guns and heads (Yes! More heads!), then take down some feisty looking enemies in acrobatic swoops.
The headline for GONNER2 is the introduction of up to four-player co-op. The original was crying out for this, being such a ridiculous and fun time, so it’s great to see it here. You’ll cooperatively clear the random levels, and it looks like we might be getting Castle Crasher-levels of joy from it.
Features:
Intense platformer shooter action
A bunch of heads, guns and upgrades that you can combine in a prodedural world
4 player local coop and PvP Death Match arena.
You can probably tell that we’re on board, but we were converts in the first place. The only thing to do is give it a whirl on Xbox Game Pass, and see if it does it for you too.
In GONNER2, our altruistic and unexpected hero Ikk is back! And this time Death needs his help. Her lair has been taken over by a mysterious presence and she needs Ikk to take it down. Journey your way through deep dark chaotic places with sparks of unimaginable colour and crazy bosses, all while trying to literally keep your head!! GONNER2 is a procedurally generated platformer with roguelike elements that will keep you on your toes – now with more added, colour and chaos!
It’s been a strange year and that was hammered home no more than when Konami did away with the usual annual update to their PES series to deliver the eFootball PES 2021 Season Update to players. But thankfully there is still some kind of normality to life with the usual data pack drops for the game. Data Pack 2.0 is now with us and not only does it deliver a host of new player faces and team kits, but Stevie G will also be making an appearance.
The first major post-launch update for PES 2021 sees the introduction of over 150 player face updates, more than 200 new kits and the biggy – the addition of Steven Gerrard as a Master League Manager. And it’s all available right now as a free download on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
So, Data Pack 2.0 brings the latest league, club and player data for numerous countries including those of Italy, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil and China. In addition to that over 200 teams have received the latest real-world kit updates, with the likes of Belgium, England, France, Netherlands and Portugal just a small selection of the 24 National teams getting a wardrobe upgrade. But that’s not all and Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Celtic FC, Juventus, Manchester United and AS Roma will also be turning heads in their newly updated third kits.
Further to that, over 150 player faces have either been created or updated as part of the latest Data Pack. From Konami‘s official partner clubs, this includes Ansu Fati (FC Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), William Saliba (Arsenal), Albian Ajeti (Celtic FC) and Francisco Trincão (FC Barcelona), but you should expect to see some changes to more than 150 players in total.
For all the visual makeovers though, it’s the arrival of current Rangers FC manager Steven Gerrard as a Master League Manager which will get many excited. If you’re a Master League player, getting access to a legend of the game in managerial form will be something you shouldn’t ignore. You can throw in some new boots from the likes of NIKE, PUMA, UMBRO, MIZUNO and Joma too. But that’s not all and the unique “Full Celebration 3” drops for select Iconic Moment Series players too – you can trigger it by hitting L3 in-game after scoring.
Sitting alongside the arrival of Data Pack 2.0 and starting from today, PES 2021 will also see the release of new Iconic Moment Series players within various myClub campaigns, with more to follow next month:
October 22 – Ronaldinho (Iconic Match: 08/03/2005)
October 22 – Carles Puyol (Iconic Match: 19/01/2012)
October 22 – Deco (Iconic Match: 07/01/2006)
October 29 – Patrick Viera (Iconic Match: 15/05/2004)
October 29 – Sol Campbell (Iconic Match: 04/05/2002)
October 29 – Gilberto Silva (Iconic Match: 11/08/2002)
If you are an eFootball PES 2021 Season Update player, then you’ll find all of the above available in your game from today. Make sure you fire it up, hit the pitch and take it all in.
Prepare to venture into a sandbox experience that’s got puzzling moments, platforming elements and frenetic action. This is Supraland and it’s the latest 3D open-world, metroidvania style sandbox adventure on Xbox One via Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Supraland invites you into its family-friendly, huge and interconnected world, where you’ll play as one of the red stick folk residing there. Whilst the ultimate aim is to secure an audience with the almighty Blue King in a bid to save the village, the preceding journey to achieve leaves you to explore at your own pace – it could take up to 25 hours. You’ll unlock useful abilities along the way, which must be combined in order to overcome the rather creative puzzles and uncover the mysterious secrets.
It’s not solely a puzzling predicament here though, with exploration a crucial element and there also a bit of action. As well as a variety of abilities, you’ll gain access to a wide range of weaponry to unleash on the onrushing hordes of creatures that you may stumble upon. These instances will really pick up the pace of proceedings, putting those first-person combat skills to the test.
If you’re ready to embark on the valiant quest proposed by Supraland, head over to the Xbox Store to own the experience for £16.74. Alternatively, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can download it at no additional cost and begin the adventure risk-free. Supraland is also available on the PS Store and Nintendo eShop, so you’re covered no matter which console you prefer!
Game Description:
Embark on a valiant quest to save your toy village in the hit first-person open-world puzzle platformer! Roam and explore a huge interconnected world. Unlock powerful new abilities and combine them to overcome imaginative puzzles or uncover shrouded secrets. Defeat charging hordes in fast, frenetic first-person combat as you battle your way towards an audience with the Blue King. Supraland is the ultimate “sandbox” adventure and offers players a fresh take on puzzles, exploration, and adventure! Game features: – 12–25 hours of open-world puzzle, action and platformer gameplay – A grand adventure in a tiny “sandbox”, with rewarding exploration gameplay and hundreds of secrets to discover – Discover exciting upgrades and unlock a wide range of game-changing weapons and abilities – Family-friendly visuals combined with countless crafty puzzles
UFC 4 is all about shaping your fight style and thanks to a host of new DLC packs the options available to you have just expanded massively. No matter whether you’re a newbie just starting out, think of yourself as a big of a gladiator of the octagon, or want to embrace rainbows and unicorns, you’re sorted.
Four new DLC packs have hit UFC 4 in all, and if we’re honest, they all provide something massively different, particularly from the standard base game that is in place.
The UFC 4 – Starter Bundle is the best place to start, mostly as it will only set you back £3.99. Should you wish to jump in with this pack, you’ll find a number of new goodies that will help you out on your UFC career, with some new gear for your fighter (a black Jean Shorts and two different Tank Tops), along with 500 sweet UFC Points and an exclusive Backyard Player Card Background.
Further to that is a more premium version – cleverly titled the Premium Starter Bundle. This is considerably more costly – £15.99 in fact – but it has been inspired by the legend of the Kumite, providing multiple options. In fact, if you’re serious about UFC 4, this is the pack for you, with all of the following included…
2200 UFC Points
x2 Gi Pants (Black & Green)
x2 Gi Top (Black & Green)
x1 Rope Gloves (Black w/ red trim)
Ninja Mask (Black)
Exclusive Kumite Player Card Background
Just as serious is the new Gladiator Vanity Bundle. This is priced at £3.99, and pretty much does as the name suggests, delivering gladiatorial traditions from the past to UFC 4. Expect to find a new Gladiator Helmet, Gladiator Shorts with a glorious black and gold trim, some red Rope Gloves and an Exclusive Gladator Player Card.
So all is good in the UFC 4 hood, but then things get a bit silly with the introduction of the Rainbows and Unicorns Vanity Bundle. Yep, rainbows and unicorns. This is again priced at £3.99 – and much like all the other packs, if you have an EA Play/Access subscription, you’ll find a 10% discount in place – but it is about as far removed from the other additions as you can imagine. Basically put though, if you like the sparkly, and think that unicorns are real, this is for you, with new shorts, shirts, player cars and more included. In fact, in the UFC 4 – Rainbows & Unicorns Vanity Bundle, you’ll find…
Animated Star Boxing Shorts (Purple)
Animated Star Long sleeve Shirt (Purple)
Star Gloves (Purple)
Animated Unicorn Board Shorts (Blue or Pink)
Animated Unicorn Short sleeve Shirt (Blue or Pink)
Exclusive Rainbows & Unicorns Player Card
So, how are you sorted with UFC 4 and the new DLC packs? Which ones will you be picking up? Let us know in the comments below.
