Elbow

@Kaloudz I will say that I am cautiously, with a huge emphasis on cautiously, optimistic on the change. The new leader doesn't have much experience with gaming but at least is hearing out the community via twitter/X. It might all end up just being performative, but the statements so far are good.

@Millionski the only thing you can truly say @Kaloudz is guilty of is being optimistic, which can be pretty hard to come by around here

I've been very sour on him the last few years but I'm also shocked that he's retiring before the next console release. Or maybe he's doing it now so that whatever hardware may be coming won't be overshadowed by his exit.

I'm torn on xbox, but I still like them. So I hope whatever happens next is good, but... we will see.

@shiny-enzo I really hope you enjoy it! I've never played co-op myself, but I'd like to sometime.

@Nightcrawler71 Yes, that's how I've played it. I do eventually want to try co-op, but it's fully playable solo.

TMNT Splintered Fate is VERY good. Its kind of an offshoot of the IDW comics, written by Tom Waltz, and is inspired by Hades, I've heard. Never played that myself, but SF is incredible.

Just urging anyone with even passing interest to check it out, it's SO good. And my undying love for TMNT is only partly influencing my statement here.

Hours later edit: Just adding for clarification for those skimming. Splintered Fate is fully playable in single-player, and also has 4 player online co-op play via crossplatform (Nintendo Switch, Steam & EGS, Xbox, and Apple Arcade) - it's REALLY good. And the soundtrack is just WONDERFUL

@somnambulance True, that's a good point, but nowadays I think a majority of people are wary. Companies abuse pedigrees all the time now. "From the makers of Mass Effect comes Anthem, comes Veilguard, comes Andromeda." as just one example of a studio riding on coattails of those who aren't there anymore OR were severely mismanaged.

@ZYDIO Not bad, just... average, I guess, in every mark. Combine that with being a game in an over saturated genre that doesn't do anything special, AND hyped by Geoff Keighley as a new breed of shooter.. basically it would have to be someone's first pvp hero shooter to win them over, I think. The only thing I really ended up personally liking about the game was the world art/detail.

@chesheer Yeah, I'm still not sure. I thought maybe a few humble statements during the weeks leading to release would've done wonders. "We hear the reception and hope you will play to help us guide the game to a better path as it releases." etc.
Instead.. nothing. So weird all around.

Their plan was mind boggling. Hit the ground running, win over the world, be super popular, swim in the money like McDuck.

That's it. No backup plans if reception wasn't golden? So bizarre.

I do feel bad for those laid off, and those still there. Having to deal with management that is clearly out of touch.

I still have a monthly $10 auto renewal set at 8,750 points, so it seems maybe that was grandfathered in. Sucky change, though, MS can't help but make things less appealing at every turn.

This is why I finally bought a Series X at the end of December. Safe bet these will be supported until 2030.

@Hotrod74x2 I do too, and it can be really difficult day by day. There are still communities you can look around at; there's plenty of communities/groups on Reddit. /r/gamingphotography and /r/VirtualPhotographers/ are two that immediately come to mind.

KLETKA is an amazing game. I urge everyone to at least give it a look, it has so much in it and it's so fun.

@shoeses Making me think the same thing; that or Xbox 360 servers are on the chopping block so they're wringing out a few last sales.

@Jenkinss I agree with you, I loved the 360 Avatars. I was so genuinely excited when they announced they were returning for the Xbone.... and then the end result, you already covered. Not just that they flopped, they didn't even support in any game usage (that I know of.) Just an absolute mess.

I just honestly don't think I ever heard of this feature-- or I guess I have, technically, since it's used for games to post updates/news, so I'm not surprised it was shuttered.

Probably a mix of cost cutting (less server usage, moderation) and that it wasn't widely used. I'm normally one of the first to start ringing the EVERYTHING IS DOOOOOOMED bell but this one seems like a logical closure, even if it is a pity is makes the Xbox platform a little more silent.

Not exactly what I expected for Rayman, but I'll take it. We're lucky to get Rayman ANYTHING from Ubisoft nowadays.

Definitely think I'll be trying Roadside. Seems just silly enough while still having that simulator gameplay that it might hook me.

@EVIL-C I dont want to get into the habit of defending LRG especially after what I've said above, but I do appreciate them releasing B&T and Plumbers on modern devices. Not that they weren't already playable via preserved means, but I'm one of the few that thinks even bad games deserve to be easily accessible.

That's about where my defense for them ends.

(Late edit: And them funding Shantae Advance to finally be finished after 20-some years. That was cool, but that's the last nice thing I'll say. Promise.)

@Vordus Very fair point, but the Bill & Ted compilation they released a few years back (I think only on PC and Switch?) was around for ten months before being delisted. And there are arguments to be made that that compilation was very niche, and it being a less popular IP also probably made it cheaper, but LGR is starting to get a running trend of doing these and yanking them not long after.

In their defense, 3 years is way better than 10 months, but still.. doesnt really inspire confidence.

Jurassic Park Collection ALREADY? Thats insane. Their Gex collection probably isn't long for this world either. LRG sure knows how to let people down..

I assume no final sale for it either. ... gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

@FraserG That's definitely the best choice considering time constraints. I've read a few of these, though missed the Red Dead article. I'm not complaining by the way, I completely understand. Gotta make do with what you have, and I've enjoyed the site/articles for the past few years!

@Daffy-Duck Yup! I do, and will accept it when I hop on in a bit

Between this and the Choo Choo Charles article PX ran a few weeks ago, I really appreciate the callouts for these "cup of coffee" sales. These mascot horror games are a weakness for me, so.... yoink!

@darylb24 They've only got two staff members, so they seem to be stretched thin at the best of times. Likely have to pick and choose what they decide to review (besides the obligatory Xbox-published games) while juggling the rest of their duties for the site. Which I appreciate, but worth noting.

@LordDieALot Overtake the wind itself! Make the very wind itself your... well, I can't say that last part but you know where it's leading.

Also, just want to say thank you to @FraserG (been doing that a lot lately) for highlighting the game here even if not reviewing it. I don't know if the game will get much attention overall, but I LOVE Grasshopper dearly so I appreciate even smaller posts like this to help spotlight it a little bit.

...Granted I know a few of us have been pretty vocal about it (cough me a bit cough)... but still! Appreciated!

I was at my brother's last week, playing a gamepass title through cloud streaming, and popped a rare achievement. No sound, no special rare achievement jingle, and it just appeared on screen like an ad pop up before vanishing the same way. It was kind of funny, and jarring, to see. PC Xbox is kind of the same, underwhelming when they appear.

So I hope this is the start of them improving that, though granted it's not like this is very important..

@Daffy-Duck Gotcha, welcome to PX! My gamertag is uh-- actually are we allowed to share them here? I didn't see anything about it in the community rules, but, my GT is "Soup Can Sam652"

Hour one purchase for me! Grasshopper for life!
@LordDieALot NMH3 is 90% off on xbox right now if you wanted to revisit...

@Daffy-Duck Hey unrelated, did you change your name from Ricky-Spanish? I hope you're the same guy. Always liked seeing his (your) comments and it's kinda like seeing a friendly/familiar face.

...If you're not the same person then this is gonna look weird lol

I REALLY like the art style. Very cool. Does seem like a modestly priced title, so might have to temper expectations but I think this will be a neat one to check out.

@Jenkinss I gotcha, thanks for the edit. I did think at first my comment mightve come off hostile too when I didn't intend for it to come off that way. I got hooked at first by Atomfall's setup with the mystery and it ending up as a kind of Deus Ex-lite immersive sim. But I can see it being sterile, it definitely suffers due to limited scope/budget.

I'm skeptical. Justin Roiland carried that game on his back, so I'm not at all convinced a followup that lacks him in its entirety will live up.

That said, I imagine the gameplay will be way better. That was definitely the weakest part of the first game, playing it was a bit of a chore.

(Humor is subjective of course so it could end up being fantastic. We shall see!)

@Jenkinss Could it be due to it being more of an immersive sim/slower paced? Lots of running around while also discouraging combat early on.

Thank you for breaking down the sales in a very easy to read format. I think I've said it before, but looking at other sites they have just a jumbled mess, but you take the time to really format them in an easy-to-read way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Also No More Heroes 3... I already 100%'d it while it was on gamepass but I might just buy it... a third time. I bought a Switch for it. I bought it on Steam.... I guess the trinity is about to be complete. Luv me some Travis.

(I just wish Marvelous would put the Windows/Xbox PC store version on sale. It's never been and it has its own separate achievement list. HINT, HINT, MARVELOUS.)

@nomither6 Haven't seen the changes to reloaded, Gears 5 honestly put me off the series. (..And Gears was the reason I got into Xbox back in the 360 era.)

Great PFP btw, Sonic rules.

@Fiendish-Beaver Gears Reloaded just took Ultimate Edition and gave it some touch-ups. The other games would likely take way longer, since those have to be remade completely.

Funny they're reverting to OW. The large new roster is crazy though, I can't say I've really been hooked by hero shooters outside of TF2.... but Jetpack Cat is the exact kind of pandering to get my attention. Dammit.

Good on them. I've read they have money until April to stay open, so I hope this goes farther in helping them. Next sale they have I'll grab it for sure.

Starsand, Soulslinger, and Crisol are definitely on my list. These look really good.

I haven't played it yet. Originally I was thinking about buying it, but was going to wait for a huge sale. Now I wonder if I should just go for it on game pass when the new update drops.

@LordDieALot I might take you up on 2 & 3 horde! Sounds like fun, I just hope my years of not playing means I don't suck at it now

Total Chaos, an unfortunately generic title for a really unique game. It was built in the gzDoom engine and then basically ported to the Unity engine with extra content. One of the few games that really emphasizes the SURVIVAL in survival horror. Food, health, weight, bleed, and an underlying sanity meter. It's not at all as overwhelming as it might sound, the game gives you just enough at all times so long as you're playing safely.

Also, I've been playing it (and other things like Fortnite, and my 200th replay of Shredder's Revenge) through the Cloud. I've been with my brother lately, who has some health issues. His internet is amazing so I've been able to play most things flawlessly. Even did a 4 hour Sea of Thieves session last week with no issue!

As a devout follower of Suda51, Romeo Is A Dead Man is a day one purchase for me. Grasshopper games are about the only ones I happily buy day one.

Unlikely, but I hope Travis has a cameo...

I played a few matches and wasn't too impressed, I'm not really into hero shooters, and the gameplay felt.. kinda weak. Personal taste of course.

I will say that I LOVE the environmental art and detail. The trees, the view of the distance off the map, the way the grass sways; I think the world detail is beautiful. Not enough to keep playing, but I like that aspect.

I don't think so. This is the most underutilized generation. It needs to go another two years at least.

About to play it and give it a go. Not surprised at Steam reviews, they'd be negative regardless of quality due to hivemind perception of the game.

@FraserG I've seen a good few of these and it didn't even register in my mind they are exactly what I was asking about, I'm an idiot. I did completely miss Escape From Ever After, though, so that's going on my wishlist right now!

I feel like I have a decent touch on the pulse of indies and this one totally escaped my notice. Thank you for sharing this @FraserG

A neat idea for a series could be to spotlight cool unheard of games like these. I'm sure the devs would appreciate it!