Tag: Talking Point - Page 2
Talking Point What Are You Hoping To See At Gamescom 2025?
It's literally happening next week!
It might not feel like it, but we've got another major gaming event taking place next week! Yes, Gamescom 2025 is around the corner, and it'll be highlighted by a special Gamescom Opening Night Live event taking place on August 19th. This has a very similar format to the Summer Game Fest Showcase that we saw in...
Talking Point Is Forza Horizon About To Become Xbox's Main Forza Franchise?
The future of Motorsport is in doubt
Last week, some of the Xbox community started taking note of how quiet Forza Motorsport had been on social media since Microsoft's recent layoffs, which the Xbox developer swiftly responded to with reassurances that both Forza Motorsport and For
Talking Point Are You Playing Assassin's Creed Mirage On Xbox Game Pass?
If so, what do you think?
Getting on for two years after its launch, Microsoft has brought Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Mirage to Xbox Game Pass this week, with the 2023 series entry now joining the likes of Assassin's Creed Valhalla on the service. So, now that it's finally here, have you been playing AC's fairly recent back-to-basics effort? AC...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 9-10)
Taking to the battlefield?
We're at another weekend, folks! It's been a busy week, with Microsoft delivering another Xbox Game Pass roundup a few days ago. We may still be waiting on August's biggest Xbox and Game Pass drops, but there's still plenty to be going at on the platform this weekend. Here's what we're playing over
Talking Point So, Are You Buying Mafia: The Old Country On Xbox At Its $50 Price Point?
A reasonably priced affair
The Mafia series makes its grand return this week in the form of Mafia: The Old Country; Hangar 13's upcoming prequel that takes us back to 1900s Sicily. Publisher 2K has made a bold decision to price this one at just $50 at launch — including for Xbox Series X|S — which leaves us with one question. Is the game's...
Talking Point Should Xbox Bring Back Limited Edition Consoles?
Does it tempt you to double dip?
Throughout the Xbox 360 and Xbox One eras, Microsoft was prolific when it came to limited edition consoles. Pretty much every major release from Xbox Game Studios would have an epic console to pair with it - from the likes of Halo 3 way back in 2007 right through to Gears 5 the year before Xbox Series X came out...
Talking Point What Are Your First Impressions Of Grounded 2 On Xbox Game Pass?
How are you finding Obsidian's new sequel?
Obsidian is having some year, eh? After the release of Avowed back in February, the team has now delivered Grounded 2 here on Xbox Game Pass - before its sci-fi sequel The Outer Worlds 2 then lands in October. So, what do you make of the studio's second major release of 2025 so far? Of course, Grounded 2...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 2-3)
Hopping into your digital gardens?
Welcome to another weekend! We're now officially into August 2025, which means the early access release of Obsidian's Grounded 2 has come and gone - day one on Xbox Game Pass of course. We'd wager some of you folks are probably trying that one out this weekend! Here's what we're dipping into over the next few...
Talking Point Battlefield 6 Or Black Ops 7, Which Xbox FPS Are You Looking Forward To Most?
The boys are back in town
Seriously, what year is it?! It's been a good while now since Battlefield and Call of Duty have gone head-to-head, with the latter having a free run of things as of late when it comes this age-old FPS battle. In 2025 though, the boys are back in town - as Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7 are pitted against each other later...
Talking Point It's Been A Year Since Microsoft Closed The Xbox 360 Store
Goodnight sweet prince
Can you believe that it's been more than a year since Microsoft shut down the old Xbox 360 store? Well, you better believe it! Yep, Team Green closed the curtains on the Xbox 360 storefront on July 29th, 2024; just over a year ago now as we look back here in 2025. We must admit, we do miss the 360 days quite a lot. OK, the...
Talking Point Are You Still Hyped For Hollow Knight: Silksong On Xbox Game Pass?
It's going to be playable at Gamescom 2025!
Well, there we have it. After what feels like an age of delays and subsequent teases, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally re-emerging next month. Yep, Team Cherry is bringing its much-anticipated Hollow Knight follow-up to Xbox's Gamescom booth in August - including a showcase during one of Microsoft's...
Talking Point So, What Other PS5 Games Do You Want To See Come To Xbox?
Sony is looking at more Xbox ports after HD2
Over the weekend, a new Sony job listing that mentioned bringing more PS5 games to other platforms — including Xbox — spread like wildfire. At the time, we were away from our desks, briskly unaware of all the meltdowns and speculation that of course followed. The TL;DR of this news is that basically,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 26-27)
Free fallin'
Say hello to the final weekend of July! The slower summer months are now drying up, which means a busy month on Xbox (and Game Pass) is upon us. But for now, we're talking about what we're playing this weekend - and Microsoft's subscription service has delivered another set of solid options this week. Here's what we're playing this...
Talking Point What Would You Like To See Ubisoft Do With 'Ghost Recon' On Xbox?
A sequel has been confirmed
For a while now, we've heard rumours about a new mainline Ghost Recon game in the works over at Ubisoft, and this week, our sister site Push Square shared new comments from the company that basically confirmed its existence. So, what direction would you want the team to take with the next Ghost Recon title? <related...
Talking Point Would Halo Infinite Have Been A Bigger Success Using Unreal Engine 5?
A new report says Epic's engine was considered
Last year, Xbox made the announcement that it was rebranding 343 Industries to Halo Studios, in an attempt to reboot its most famous series and give the developer a new lease of life. With that reboot comes a switch to Unreal Engine 5, but should that move have come sooner? Would Halo Infinite have been...
Talking Point Looking Back, How Useful Has Smart Delivery Been To You On Xbox?
The free conversion service from Xbox One to Series X|S
Nobody really talks about Xbox Smart Delivery anymore, and that kinda makes sense! It's the name for a service that supports free upgrades from Xbox One titles to their Xbox Series X|S versions, with hundreds getting the treatment over the years. Now that we're five years into the current...
Talking Point Five Years On, How Much Longer Can Xbox & EA Play's Partnership Last?
It's been a long-term deal as promised
Back in 2020, around the launch of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Microsoft made a big move by integrating EA Play into the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and (eventually) PC Game Pass memberships, and we questioned at the time whether it'd be a short-term thing to sell consoles, or a long-term deal that could...
Talking Point As A Game Pass Subscriber, Do You Still Spend Money In Xbox Sales?
Or do you tend to wait for XGP?
With Xbox's big summer sale now out in full force, we've been having a good browse of the Microsoft Store in recent days, picking out some pretty great bargains that we're tempted to grab. There are loads of titles at their lowest-ever prices, alongside a big
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 19-20)
Are you becoming RoboCop?
Welcome to another weekend of gaming! This week on Xbox has definitely been headlined by the addition of RoboCop: Rogue City to the Game Pass library - we'd imagine plenty of you who've managed to resist the game's various discounts in recent weeks will be jumping into that one! Here's what we're playing over the next few...
Talking Point The Xbox Summer Sale 2025 Is Upon Us, So What Are You Hoping To See?
Last chance to give us your wishlists
Right, it's finally almost time for the big Xbox Summer Sale! At some point over the next few hours (or potentially days), we're anticipating the sale will begin - set to bring us hundreds and potentially over 1000 discounts on the Xbox Store. Looking back to 2024, there were 800+ deals in the "Ultimate Game...
Talking Point Are You Excited For Double Fine's Follow-Up To Psychonauts 2?
Will it be a keeper?
During Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase last month, we thought one first-party game in particular flew under the radar a little bit - that being Double Fine's Keeper. Yep, the studio that brought us
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 12-13)
Getting your skate on?
Welcome to another weekend! It's been a busy week on Xbox, with the Activision team launching its latest effort in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4. We'd imagine a fair few of you are trying that one out on your Xbox consoles this weekend! Here's what we're playing over the next few days: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: Tony Hawk's Pro...
Talking Point After Almost Two Years, How Do You Feel About Xbox's Starfield In 2025?
Where does the Bethesda RPG rank for you?
Almost two years ago now, most of us in the Xbox community were eagerly awaiting the next big RPG from Bethesda Game Studios - yep, Starfield was upon us, with its September 2023 release date fast approaching at the time. Since then, the hype has somewhat died down for this big Xbox release, so we want to...
Talking Point It's Been Two Years Since A Defining Moment In The History Of Xbox
The day the ActiBlizz takeover was essentially secured
Two years ago, we were spending so much time covering the Activision Blizzard acquisition here at Pure Xbox. It felt like something new was happening every day with it, especially when it started to be opposed from various angles. The FTC was the big one. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission...
Talking Point What's Your Favourite Backwards Compatible Xbox Game?
We want some recommendations!
We've obviously talked a lot about backwards compatibility here at Pure Xbox over the years, but we're often asking you which games you'd want to be backwards compatible - rather than the games that already are. And of course, there's already an amazing library of back compat titles for Xbox that are 100% worth playing...
Talking Point To Celebrate Bungie Day, What's Your Favourite Halo Memory Of All Time?
The tradition turns 18 today
Happy Bungie Day everyone! Since July 7th of 2007, Halo and Destiny's original creators have been celebrating Bungie Day on this date - a nod to the company's inexplicable obsession with the number 7. It doesn't mean all that much anymore - although the studio is celebrating Bungie Day again this year - but at one point...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 5-6)
Storming the beaches on Xbox Game Pass?
Welcome to another weekend! With July now in full swing, another six months of gaming has passed us by here in 2025 - with Microsoft having a killer lineup so far this year. The Xbox Game Pass drops haven't slowed down either, with lots of fresh titles to be tackling via the service on Xbox & PC.
Feature Xbox's Hot Streak Continues With Two New First-Party Releases This Month
Microsoft's seriously impressive games pipeline
It's been a busy first half of the year for Microsoft, hasn't it? Truth be told, we can't remember a more stacked first half of a year for Xbox Game Studios titles in ages, with massive launches like Avowed, Oblivion Remastered, DOOM: The Dark Ages and more landing before the midway point of 202
Talking Point Would You Play An Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Remake?
We're hearing rumours that it's in the making
For a while now, we've been hearing that an Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag remake is in the works — since July 2023 in fact — and today, new hints from one of the game's voice actors point towards this project still being a thing. While these hints are vague for now and
Talking Point What's Your Xbox Game Of The Year For 2025 So Far?
Six months into the year
Well folks, June is almost coming to a close here, which means we're just about at the half way point for 2025! It's been a very busy start to the year in gaming - particularly on the Xbox side of things where multiple first-party titles and new Game Pass releases have graced our screens over the last six months. So, we're...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 28-29)
How about Against The Storm on Xbox Game Pass?
The weekend begins! We've got plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days, including a bunch of new Xbox Game Pass releases and various discounted titles as part of the Xbox Open World Sale (along with a few other sales). Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I'm...
Talking Point What Do You Want To See From Xbox In The Second Half Of The Year?
Anything you're specifically hoping for?
It's been a pretty wild six months for Xbox, right? We've had a lot of great Xbox Game Pass titles, a couple of shadow drops, the reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally handheld... the list goes on. It's felt a lot busier than the same period in 2024. We're going to talk about your favourite games from the first half...
Talking Point Have This Month's Announcements Made You Excited About Xbox Again?
We're feeling some positive energy
It's been a pretty big month for Microsoft, hasn't it? Things slowly built up to the team's Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th — which then led to the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally — followed up this week by more talk on the b
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 21-22)
Something new on Xbox Game Pass?
Welcome to another weekend, folks! It's going to be an absolute scorcher here in the UK, so if you reside over here (or anywhere that's hot right now), do make sure that you stay cool and hydrated while doing your weekend gaming. We'll be doing just that, while hopping into these video games over the next few days:...
Talking Point What Do You Want To See From Next Week's 'Capcom Spotlight' Showcase?
Have RE9 & Pragmata convinced you yet?
Did you think June 2025's showcase season had finally finished? Think again! This week, Japanese powerhouse Capcom has announced another of its 'Spotlight' events for June 26th - and we want to know what you'd like to see during the show. To be clear, the team has already announced four games that will feature...
Talking Point Did Xbox Just Hint At A Hybrid Next-Gen Console?
Could we see a Switch-like device from Xbox?
Well, practically out of nowhere, Xbox just detailed even more of its next-gen gaming plans in partnership with AMD - and it sure sounds like Team Green has quite a few different devices planned for the next generation. <related ids="184041"> In the new announcement video, which we've covered up...
Talking Point Would You Like To See A New Type Of Forza Game In 2026?
Or just more Horizon next year?
During the big Xbox Games Showcase last month, boss Phil Spencer teased a brand-new Forza game coming in 2026, which we're assuming will be Forza Horizon 6. However, if you could make the call, would you create a new Forza spin-off instead? It's something we've started to think about a little bit here at Pure Xbox!...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 14-15)
How about some Gears Reloaded?
Welcome to another weekend! Over here at PX HQ we're still recovering from all of last weekend's Xbox Games Showcase madness, so we're definitely keen to squeeze in a bit more gaming time this Saturday and Sunday. Here's what we're playing this weekend: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: As you may have guessed already, I...
Talking Point How Much Do You Think The ROG Xbox Ally Will Cost?
Two skus, two price points
Since an Xbox 'partner' handheld was first rumoured many months ago, there's been lots of discussion about potential price points for it, and how Microsoft will compete in the portable PC market. Despite the team finally announcing the device(s) during the Xbox Games Showcase, we still didn't get any pricing details -...
Feature Last Chance! What Are Your Final Hopes For The Xbox Games Showcase 2025?
We're just hours away!
I don't know about you, but I'm totally engrossed in everything happening as part of Summer Game Fest 2025 at the moment! I've been telling myself to save some energy for the Xbox Showcase later today, but here I am, multiple hours before the event, getting too excited and watching as many trailers as possible from the past...
Talking Point Switch 2 Owners, Should Xbox Embrace Nintendo's New System?
What games should launch there first?
Well, there we have it, Nintendo Switch 2 is now officially released after years of waiting - and we promise we're not getting FOMO over here, not at all. Anyway, brushing aside that massive lie, we're curious to hear from any of you who've betrayed us and bought a Switch 2... should Microsoft embrace the system...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 7-8)
It's showcase time, baby
Another weekend is here! Of course, this one is an important one for any Xbox fan - we have the big Xbox Games Showcase this weekend, which will probably limit our game time we must admit. Still, we're hoping to getting stuck into some bits and pieces where we can - and we'll be on the look out for any potential shadow...
Talking Point Will This Lost Xbox Game Studios Title Appear At Microsoft's 2025 Showcase?
It was announced 4 years ago!
It's almost time for the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, which means we're all starting to try and think about what games might make an appearance this year. While you'll have to wait a tiny bit longer for our full Pure Xbox predictions, we have started wondering about one game in particular. Where the heck is Contraband
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 31 - June 1)
Any new XGP titles to jump into?
Another weekend has arrived! As we move over into June here, there's plenty of recent May Xbox Game Pass additions to be getting stuck into - which is what we think we'll be catching up with over the next few days. Here's what games we're playing this weekend: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: I've got to give Spray Paint...
Talking Point What Are Your Plans For The Xbox Games Showcase 2025?
Watching alone? With friends? In a cinema?! Tell us!
It's kinda crazy to think about, but we're literally just over a week away from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025! Yes, this week might have been a quiet one, but things will be looking very hectic indeed come Sunday, June 8th. We don't really know what to expect from this year's event so far, aside...
Talking Point Are You Interested In This Week's New FromSoftware Release?
The game's launch trailer has arrived
FromSoftware has become one of the industry's most celebrated development studios recently, especially in the wake of Elden Ring and its chunky 2024 expansion Shadow of the Erdtree. Having said that, we're seeing a slightly cooler reception to anything Elden Ring Nightreign related so far, so we're checking in...
Talking Point Will We See Another 'Anniversary Event' For Xbox 360 Turning 20 This Year?
We certainly hope so!
Four years ago, Xbox hosted a massive 'Anniversary Celebration Event' for the Original Xbox, and we really really enjoyed what this event brought to the table. We had some fantastic announcements from Team Green, we got that incredibly insightful
Talking Point This Classic Activision Racer Came To Xbox 15 Years Ago, And We Sorely Miss It
Blurred lines
A few of us here at PX HQ are massive arcade racing fans - in fact, pretty much all of us like belting around fictional tracks and digital courses at silly speeds for the heck of it. Today, then, we're here to commemorate 15 years of one of our absolute favourites of the genre; an Xbox classic. Activision's 360 racer Blur is now a...
Talking Point Will You Be Buying The 2025 Xbox Handheld From ASUS?
If it ever gets revealed, that is
Earlier this month, we saw some leaked images and details of the 2025 Xbox handheld console - which is seemingly in development right now over at ASUS. While the device hasn't been formally announced yet, this early leak did give us our first idea of what the console can do, and we're curious to know if you folks...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 24-25)
Anything from this week's sales?
Another weekend is upon us, folks! With DOOM: The Dark Ages' big release now passing, it's been a somewhat quieter week in the world of Xbox - but we still have absolutely loads to be getting stuck into here. Here's what we're playing over the weekend: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: This weekend, getting stuck into...

















































