It's much more of a run and hide experience, @Globo. Certainly so in the first half of the game. It is very intense, so if you like having your nerves shredded, then you may still enjoy it...
I am not interested in The Long Dark, and have played through Resident Evil 7 on both PC and on Xbox and just don't like the game. It is by far my least favourite Resident Evil game, and obviously these things are very subjective, but I can never understand how people say it is the best of the lot (prior to Requiem, anyway, which is, in my opinion, the best).
As for Super Meat Boy, it's not that I don't think I will like the game, but I just don't have time for it.
As I have said so many times before, if you play a lot of games on Game Pass, then you probably see a lot of value in the service. If, however, you are like me, and play maybe one game a year on there, it really it not worth having. Not yet sure what I'll do when my stacked subscription comes to an end in June next year, but I do currently need it for online access to play Gears of War with my friends. I guess what I choose to do very much depends on what Microsoft decide to do when it comes to paying for online access in light of the incoming Helix...
3. Be Clear & Transparent With Messaging, Avoid Vague Statements Where Possible
I would add the word 'REGULAR' to that particular 'want', @FraserG. Being kept in the dark with no announcements whatsoever for weeks or even months at a time is infuriating, and also leads to needless speculation and rumours.
Also, they should come out and deny those rumours that are blatantly incorrect, although I do accept that could lead to true rumours being confirmed by virtue of no comment at all.
The one thing I hope above, now that Sharma is in charge, is that her background in PR and Communications shines through, and that she therefore understands the need to speak to her community...
Absolutely better, @ElPadre666. I played the base game on release, and then the War of the Chosen when that first released too. Indeed, I have played it more than once. I absolutely love the game, and it is definitely one of my top 10 games of all time. If I was stranded on an island with only 10 games, I'd definitely pick XCOM 2 as one of my 10...
Absolutely, @Millionski. I think a first-party only tier makes a lot of sense. Problem is, will Nadella... er, I mean, Sharma, price it competitively...?
I know I should go back to the first game, @Llamageddon, but I really did spend a long time with it, and it was either terrible RNG for me, or I was just awful at it. I prefer to think it was the former...! 😉
I will definitely give the second game a go though. Who knows, the Gaming Gods maybe kinder to me this time round... 😂
I really enjoyed Get Evan, Rise of the Tomb Raider and I thought Steel Rising to be an excellent game.
I pre-ordered Dying Light: The Beast, but still have not found the time to play it. I'll get there at some point, I'm sure. I also bought the complete edition of Atomic Heart and have yet to play it. It's a terrible habit, I know...
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a superb game, @FraserG, and for that kind of money is truly well worth it! I'm really hoping that they do a sequel. Don't suppose you have heard anything on that front have you...?
Barbie for me... No! Wait! I didn't mean to reveal that... 🤣
I will definitely get to Hades 2 at some point because I was not particularly good at the first game (although I like to think that RNG did me dirty much of the time!), and, after many, many attempts, I only ever got to the final bit once where I promptly died and lost the will to continue in the game. Thus this relegates the sequel to being played on Game Pass just in case I face the same problems. Quite when I will get to it I am not entirely sure because it is a busy time for games for me, what with Pragmata, Saros and Crimson Desert to contend with, but I do want to play Hades 2 and it seems prudent to do so whilst it is on Game Pass. Plus, if I play it on Game Pass it will be the first game I have done so this year. Truthfully, Game Pass is wasted on me, so not really sure what I shall do when it runs out in June next year, but that greatly depends on Helix. All will be revealed at some point, I'm sure.
I also want to play Aphelion, but I am undecided on whether to buy it or play it on Game Pass. I think it depends on whether it reviews well. If it does, I shall buy it. If not, then I'll either play it on Game Pass or ignore it entirely. I'll be disappointed if it is a poor game because it does look pretty decent...
You should really enjoy it, @Cakefish. Although I have an appalling memory, I do remember enjoying the first game, and I believe the sequel to be better still...
Nothing for me to buy, nor play on Game Pass next week, which is a problem that I am happy to have as I I have more than enough to be getting on with...
I absolutely get it, @RiverGenie. I struggle with prolonged ones too because I have arthritis in my fingers, and with each passing year that particular struggle gets just a little bit worse...
I love a play on words, @Cakefish, and it's always fun to try and work out why people might have picked their particular usernames.
Your job sounds really interesting, but also quite intellectual, and whilst I have an A level in English and Maths, I am also so old that I have forgotten pretty much all of it! 🤣
You probably know this, @RiverGenie, but I did not notice it when I first tried the arm-wrestling, but there is a shaded part that moves around when that circle appears for the QTE. Once you see where that shaded part is the mini-game becomes much easier to manage.
The first few times I tried it, I did not notice the shaded quadrant, and so I was left mashing the button for ages and wondering why I was getting nowhere... 🤣
Against my better judgement I have bought a couple of my favourite games on PlayStation that I already own on my Series X. I got them to play on my newly acquired Pro, even though the Pro probably does nothing for them because they are fairly old.
So this weekend I find myself playing yet another run of XCOM 2. I just love the game! I've decided to play through it whilst awaiting the release of Pragmata, and whilst waiting for Crimson Desert to have some of it's issues addressed, though it will probably have to wait until after I have finished Saros too.
I'm hoping to have another go at trio run in a Master Horde in Gears 5 too, but my mate is busy today, and not sure whether he will be around tomorrow, so I might go without this weekend, which is a shame because Horde is my favourite thing to play.
It's a busy time for new games for me (well except for XCOM 2), and I absolutely love it when it's like this...
Stop being sensible, @fatpunkslim. I'm not used to it!
I'm joking, but I completely agree with you, which is not our way. Usually one or the other of us will say something that we don't agree with. Agreeing with one another is much less fun...! 🤣
I have said a number of times that I think the Helix will come in at between £1200 and £1500, @PsBoxSwitchOwner, but honestly, I would not be shocked to see it come it at beyond £1500. I have repeatedly said that putting together a decent PC will not be cheap, and whilst Microsoft can buy in bulk and get a reasonable discount, not only will they probably be unwilling to swallow any of the costs, but if you really want a 'feature rich, powerful' PC, then you have to expect to pay a lot for it, especially with the rising costs of components...
I've been saying for years now that Microsoft should create a first-party only tier, @Weebleman, albeit that I thought it would likely come about after the demise of all the other tiers.
What struck me though is that many of these older games are not even available on PlayStation, such as Gears 5, for example, but also, that many games that are now Xbox owned but that were also on PlayStation, were released on the PS3, and so are not currently available on the later consoles, thus I imagine there would be some real enthusiasm for such a Game Pass tier on the PlayStation.
That said, there might be a real need for a lot of work to get the games running on modern PlayStation consoles, and it might not be seen as a worthwhile investment by Microsoft.
Wow, @Cakefish! That sounds fascinating. I take it that is where your name came from? So what is the study studying? These ventures are so important for everyone and we kind of forget that people are doing these things for our benefit (mostly), and that they can really help us in the future.
Ping pong on a rolling deck? The game is difficult enough as is without the added balance issues being thrown into the mix... 😂
Has to be said that's an impressive array of games, and there are actually some I will probably play on the Service, which is highly unusual for me.
One game I will almost certainly play on Game Pass is Hades 2, but only because I bought the first game, and was not particularly good at it! I got right to the end after many, many attempts only to die just before completing it. I lost the will to live at that point and promptly gave up, so playing the sequel on Game Pass seems the right choice.
As for The Expanse and Alien Deathstorm, I will buy them both...
I asked about this exact thing yesterday, @PipOwO, and of the 16 games that were shown in last years March Showcase, 9 have thus far released.
I know Microsoft said that they would only be showing games that were due to release within the next 12 months, but I think that only relates to their first-party offerings. I think with third-party games that beyond a year is acceptable. I also think it is worth remembering that Microsoft have no control over how long a third-party game takes to come out.
It is why I asked about this yesterday so as to manage my own expectations. I went into this showcase knowing that a number of the games would likely not come out until sometime next year. So I was fine with what was shown and when it would be coming out...
Thank you, @Globo. It was an experience, and it moulded me as a young man. What I will say is that I didn't really enjoy some of the aspects of military life, and it was only when I left to join the Police that I found my true vocation. I worked in both Uniform, plain clothes (drug squad and auto theft), and as a Detective, and enjoyed everything I did. Each day was different, you never knew what to expect, and I always wanted to go in to work, which I think is a sure sign that you are enjoying yourself.
As for your father, you should be proud of him and his achievements, I am sorry for your loss. It must be difficult to lose a parent. My Father died when I was 6 weeks old, so I obviously have no recollection of him whatsoever, and I am fortunate enough that my Mother is still alive at 85. All I can say is that it is important to retain close contact because you never know when life will be cruelly snatched away.
On a lighter note, nothing wrong with working for Tesco. Indeed, that is where I started work for about 6 months whilst I was waiting to join the Army. I worked on the delicatessen selling cheese and meats. It gave me a respect for how hard people in these stores have to work. It is not an easy job, and can be quite tedious...
This is a good move, and the decision probably stems from Sharma's background in PR. She will know when something is hurting the brand that you are trying to sell, and that is probably why this particular campaign has been nixed.
Hopefully she can bring something in that makes people want to invest in Xbox, and by that I mean new customers, not existing ones, though keeping already loyal Xbox gamers within the ecosystem is just as important.
I look forward to seeing what she does in the future, though much of her vision will not really see true fruition until beyond 2028, as up until that point both games and machines that we see will have begun under the leadership of Spencer. That said, I like what I have seen of her thus far, so I am somewhat hopeful for the future (though if Nadella remains in place, that hope could be misplaced!)...
I was in 33 Royal Engineer Regiment EOD (Bomb Disposal), @Globo. I was there directly after the conflict ended to clear the island of all the unexploded bombs, and to clear the minefields. I went there for 6 months as part of an 18 man team of which two lost legs when stepping on mines, and one was blinded as a consequence of dealing with unexploded munitions. It was an experience, let's just say that...! 😉
I agree that Spencer and Co. oversaw some really good releases, @Titntin, and I assume that we will see some more that came from under his leadership over the next couple of years.
What Sharma brings to the table will probably not really be seen until 2028/9 at the earliest, but indeed probably a little later than that.
I think a lot of people are forgetting that Spencer was really good for Xbox (for the most part) until Nadella pulled the rug from under him.
What I will say though is that I think that Xbox still need to do more to bring their games up to a higher standard, particularly in relation to bugs and performance. Games like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 were mostly bug-free and performed well, but that is not the case with all of their games, and they need to do better in that regard. Doing that alone would elevate their games from 7s and 8s to 7.5 to 8.5, though I honestly believe that they should always be aiming for 8.5 and above. Those type of scores are the ones that usually get spoken about when it comes to Game of the Year, and I would so love to see Xbox put out a game that wins GotY...
Did it, @Toot1st? I honestly don't know. It was of no interest to me. I just know it was closed down after a couple of weeks, so I assumed it reviewed pretty badly...
At sea, @Cakefish? Are you in the Navy (if you are able to say), or entertainment, or something else?
Other than getting a ferry over to France and back a couple of times, and also a two week cruise around the Caribbean to celebrate my 40th, the only time I spent at see was to sail to the Falklands when the war started! On the trip across the South Atlantic I spent the first 3 days with my head buried in a toilet! Man was I seasick! 😂
I did get my sea-legs after a few days, but the sea became so rough it was frankly ridiculous. After a while we were banned from running on the deck because the bow would drop from beneath us as we were running leaving us suddenly in mid-air before the bow would then come up with such force that it meant a number of us suffered knee injuries because of the impact. It was like a scene from a cartoon where you see the characters running in mid-air for a couple of seconds before suddenly dropping to the ground! 🤣
So with running on deck having been banned, I remember playing badminton in the tank deck, but we got stopped from doing that too because the ship was rolling so badly that a couple of us received injuries from the side of the ship hitting us. Honestly, it was just ridiculously rough...
I disagree about Sony not having a 'great game' in 2025, @darylb24. What about Ghost of Yotei, which has a Metacritic score of 86. Or Death Stranding 2, which has a Metacritic score of 89?
Now, it is fair enough to say you do not like either of those games, but this article is talking about average scores, and so if you disregard the games in question and just take their scores, then they scored well.
That's not me trying to support Sony, nor is it me dissing on Xbox, I'm just trying to say that I would suggest that a game that scores 86 or 89 is a game that has reviewed well, it doesn't matter what platform it is on...
I've only played two games on it so far, @Millionski, and from what I have played on it I have found a very good piece of equipment. Truth be told, I cannot say that it feels much different to the Series X, but I have for the first time noticed the difference in the controllers and the feel of footsteps etc. in your hands. Whether I mainly play on it until Helix comes out, I am not sure yet, and will decide on a game by game basis.
I think if I can see an obvious saving for a game by buying it on the Xbox, then that is what I will do, but if a game is reviewed prior to release and the Pro is shown to be the best place to play it (as was the case with both Resident Evil: Requiem and Crimson Desert) then I will buy it for the Pro instead.
I think if you are one of those that can tell the difference between 30FPS and 60FPS, then you may feel the difference between consoles, but I'm not one of those that really notices so that bit is kind of lost on me. My only issue really is that because I do not game on PlayStation very often, I still forget which button is the X, and in a tense moment I am pressing the wrong button...! 🤣
I wonder how many games still release on PC that do not support controllers?
When I first started gaming on a PC back in 2013 (because my mates did not want an Xbox One (I did get one on release day anyway, but they didn't)) most games did not have controller support and as someone that games from an armchair, I found keyboard and mouse to be pretty awkward. It's one of the reasons I continued to buy most of my games on the Xbox despite spending more than £2200 on a gaming PC (and then buying another one for a further £2600 4 years later!).
I think most big games probably support controllers these days, but it's clearly not all of them...
Why would I be seeking to 'damage control' PlayStation exactly, @shiny-enzo?
You do know that I have been with Xbox since the very first day the original Xbox came out, and that I have bought well over 2000 games for the Xbox since that time, whereas I have bought fewer than 25 games for the PlayStation in that same time period.
I currently have in excess of 1700 digital games on my Xbox Series X. Xbox is my main console by a country mile.
So why would I want to make Sony look any better by my comment...?
Thank you, @FraserG. So the games shown could well be early reveals rather than being released within the next year. That is the only reason I asked...
What on Earth are you talking about, @shiny-enzo? Both my questions were meant as a matter of curiosity, and nothing else. Why are you being so defensive?
I was curious about Concord only because I thought only 2 games had released on the PS5 last year (Concord and Ghost of Yotei). GoY scored something like 80, and Concord half that (if that) and I was left wondering whether it had hurt Sony's score. I meant nothing else by it. To my recollection, Sony usually do better, and that was all I meant by it.
As for what games have or have not released from last years show, the reason I asked was because I was wondering whether all the games had released meaning that those games shown in the upcoming showcase should also release during the course of the next year.
I have no idea why you are being so defensive, nor any idea why my making my comment should warrant such a rebuke from yourself...
From the 3 games that have been announced as being at the showcase, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is definitely the one that I am most interested in.
Out of curiosity, @Kezelpaso, of the 16 games that were shown last year, how many have released, and have all 9 titles that were announced for Game Pass released too...?
Reading the article, it gives the impression that building the game for the Helix will then mean less work, which I take to mean that is because you are effectively making a PC version of the game that will then automatically run on the Helix.
But where does that leave the Series consoles?
If you are only going to make a PC version, which will then run on the Helix, then fine, I accept that means less work for developers. However, that version will not run on the Series consoles without some extra work.
So are Microsoft saying, 'build for the Helix and forget about the Series consoles'? Or will the amount of work that is required remain roughly the same because you will have to make a PC version of the game, and then also an Xbox version of the game for the Series consoles? That is the bit I don't understand; if you are building two versions of the game, then how is there less work...?
Wow! Really, @Questionable_Duck? As you say, time really does fly. The funny thing is that as you get older, it passes even more quickly. I remember as a child being bored rigid during the school Summer Holidays. Those 6 weeks dragged something awful in the later weeks (right up to the last week, which then shot by!).
Now, as a young man in my 60's, I find the weeks and months absolutely shoot by. I think it's life's way of trying to get rid of you... 🤣
Would Concord have dragged Sony's overall score right down? They didn't release all that much last year, and if Concord was included in their scores then it would probably have hugely hurt their average...
A few things came to mind when reading this article, but when Sharma says 'lower the cost of Game Pass', she could just as easily mean the cost to Microsoft as she could the cost to us, the consumer.
I've said it a number of times now, but in my opinion, they should get rid of day one first-party titles, and get rid of Ultimate in the process. Instead, all first-party titles should land on the top tier 12 months after release, giving Microsoft the chance to sell their games for that first 12 months. I have never believed that having their games on Game Pass day one has ever been sustainable, and I think the fact that Game Pass keeps going up in price is evidence of that. Indeed, I know that EE have indicated that Game Pass Ultimate will rise by 24% this coming September, although, of course, Sharma might have different ideas.
The other issue I have is that if Netflix is bundled in with Ultimate, I have difficulty in believing that Ultimate will get any cheaper. The more likely scenario is that it will cost more. Sure, there may be a saving over Ultimate (£23) and Netflix (£6), and we might be offered them both for £27 (for example), but personally, I already have Netflix bundled in with my Sky subscription, and what happens if you want Netflix Premium, like I do, which cost £14 a month (if bought separately)? Will you be able to upgrade it somehow within the bundle? Will you be able to choose not to have Netflix at all if all you want is Ultimate? Or will it be another Fortnite situation where I am expected to pay for something that I do not want in the slightest?
It's good that Sharma is looking at all this, but honestly, I'd be shocked if it was not always being looked at anyway. I'm sure Spencer and his team were always monitoring how things were progressing, and tweaking things as necessary (usually by upping the price!). The real difference here is that we are actually hearing about these considerations, which is a good thing, and likely stems from Sharma's background in PR and Communications...
Maybe I'm being a little dense here, but if Helix is a PC, then making PC games will surely mean that it will play on the Helix, yes?
However, the Series consoles are not PCs, so surely if you make a PC game (that will run on the Helix, obviously), you will still have to then make a Series version as well.
So surely that is no different to the situation we are in right now, is it not? If a game is developed with PC in mind, and is then also made for the Xbox, it is two different versions; the PC version will not play on the Series consoles, and the Xbox version will not play on a PC.
I absolutely get that there will be a time saving when it comes to the PC version playing instantly on the Helix (because it's a PC), but I don't get how there is a time saving when it comes to then developing a Xbox Series version.
The other issue that comes to mind is that there must exist a real possibility that developers will be even less inclined to make an Xbox version of a game once the Helix releases because they will see it as a PC (which it is) and be content that the version they build for PC will effectively be on Xbox be virtue of it working on the Helix. This could end up being inherently bad for the majority of Xbox gamers who choose to remain on the Series consoles rather than upgrade to the Helix. In other words, if 10% of Xbox gamers buy the Helix, will developers choose to ignore the other 90% because they just don't see it as being worthwhile investment of their time or money...?
I don't think Live Service games are bad, @OldKingCrowley, and that is not what I said. What I was getting at is that too many developers put all their eggs in one basket, only for that project to fail and put the entire company at risk.
Diversification is key. If you are going to build a Live Service game, then fine, do so, but ensure that you are also making other games that you can fall back on if the plug is pulled.
Too many companies think they can make this Mythical Cash-cow, only for it to fail and then they go under. If you are putting all your money into a type of game, where failure means the end, then you are risking ruination. It makes no sense.
If you are too small to take such a hit, then you are too small to make that type of game. Basically, for every Fortnite, there are half a dozen Concords. It's an absolute graveyard for developers, and more projects should never have even started, let alone got to the point of cancelation.
When you have a hit like Fortnite it is truly fantastic, but they are such a rarity that it is not really a risk worth taking. Not when you could make a standard game, and then move on to the next project. Maintaining your jobs, and have the money coming in...
When you consider that all these other companies make Live Service games with aspiration of being the next Fortnite, it is perhaps a sign that Live Service is not necessarily the direction gamers want to be taken in. Perhaps it would be better to make games that will find an audience and that do not require continued updates and additions.
Make a game, sell it, and move on. It's how it always used to be, and it worked for a very long time too...
I'm hoping that it will come resplendent with a disc drive just like the Series X. Failing that, I am hoping that I will be able to buy one as an optional extra because I use my Series X to play my film collection (I have around 2000 films on Blu-ray).
That's what I hope!
What I am expecting is an all digital PC. I just don't think Microsoft will see it as a necessary part of the device, and not including it will undoubtedly keep the cost down. Even as an add-on, it would still necessitate complicating the design of the Helix, and that too would add to the cost, even for those that did not want the disc drive.
No, I am expecting the Helix to be north of £1000 even without a disc drive, and if Microsoft do include one, it'll just push that price still further north.
On a side note; does the Series X play Xbox 360 games from a disc? I have around 200 Xbox 360 discs, and have not once tried to play them, so I don't know if I even could...
Comments 4,862
Re: Three Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For March 2026 Are Available Early This Week
It's much more of a run and hide experience, @Globo. Certainly so in the first half of the game. It is very intense, so if you like having your nerves shredded, then you may still enjoy it...
Re: Three Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For March 2026 Are Available Early This Week
I am not interested in The Long Dark, and have played through Resident Evil 7 on both PC and on Xbox and just don't like the game. It is by far my least favourite Resident Evil game, and obviously these things are very subjective, but I can never understand how people say it is the best of the lot (prior to Requiem, anyway, which is, in my opinion, the best).
As for Super Meat Boy, it's not that I don't think I will like the game, but I just don't have time for it.
As I have said so many times before, if you play a lot of games on Game Pass, then you probably see a lot of value in the service. If, however, you are like me, and play maybe one game a year on there, it really it not worth having. Not yet sure what I'll do when my stacked subscription comes to an end in June next year, but I do currently need it for online access to play Gears of War with my friends. I guess what I choose to do very much depends on what Microsoft decide to do when it comes to paying for online access in light of the incoming Helix...
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In April 2026
No, @ElPadre666. I don't think I even knew that to be a thing. I did play it when it first came out, so my memory of it is somewhat lacking...
Re: Five Things We Want To See From Xbox's New Leadership Team In 2026
3. Be Clear & Transparent With Messaging, Avoid Vague Statements Where Possible
I would add the word 'REGULAR' to that particular 'want', @FraserG. Being kept in the dark with no announcements whatsoever for weeks or even months at a time is infuriating, and also leads to needless speculation and rumours.
Also, they should come out and deny those rumours that are blatantly incorrect, although I do accept that could lead to true rumours being confirmed by virtue of no comment at all.
The one thing I hope above, now that Sharma is in charge, is that her background in PR and Communications shines through, and that she therefore understands the need to speak to her community...
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 28-29)
Absolutely better, @ElPadre666. I played the base game on release, and then the War of the Chosen when that first released too. Indeed, I have played it more than once. I absolutely love the game, and it is definitely one of my top 10 games of all time. If I was stranded on an island with only 10 games, I'd definitely pick XCOM 2 as one of my 10...
Re: Xbox Fan Claims To Have Spotted New Game Pass Codename Featuring Older First-Party Titles
Absolutely, @Millionski. I think a first-party only tier makes a lot of sense. Problem is, will Nadella... er, I mean, Sharma, price it competitively...?
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In April 2026
I know I should go back to the first game, @Llamageddon, but I really did spend a long time with it, and it was either terrible RNG for me, or I was just awful at it. I prefer to think it was the former...! 😉
I will definitely give the second game a go though. Who knows, the Gaming Gods maybe kinder to me this time round... 😂
Re: 10 Discounted Games You Should Buy In The Xbox Spring 'Preview' Sale 2026
That is indeed disappointing to hear, @FraserG...
Re: 10 Discounted Games You Should Buy In The Xbox Spring 'Preview' Sale 2026
I really enjoyed Get Evan, Rise of the Tomb Raider and I thought Steel Rising to be an excellent game.
I pre-ordered Dying Light: The Beast, but still have not found the time to play it. I'll get there at some point, I'm sure. I also bought the complete edition of Atomic Heart and have yet to play it. It's a terrible habit, I know...
Re: 10 Discounted Games You Should Buy In The Xbox Spring 'Preview' Sale 2026
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a superb game, @FraserG, and for that kind of money is truly well worth it! I'm really hoping that they do a sequel. Don't suppose you have heard anything on that front have you...?
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In April 2026
Barbie for me... No! Wait! I didn't mean to reveal that... 🤣
I will definitely get to Hades 2 at some point because I was not particularly good at the first game (although I like to think that RNG did me dirty much of the time!), and, after many, many attempts, I only ever got to the final bit once where I promptly died and lost the will to continue in the game. Thus this relegates the sequel to being played on Game Pass just in case I face the same problems. Quite when I will get to it I am not entirely sure because it is a busy time for games for me, what with Pragmata, Saros and Crimson Desert to contend with, but I do want to play Hades 2 and it seems prudent to do so whilst it is on Game Pass. Plus, if I play it on Game Pass it will be the first game I have done so this year. Truthfully, Game Pass is wasted on me, so not really sure what I shall do when it runs out in June next year, but that greatly depends on Helix. All will be revealed at some point, I'm sure.
I also want to play Aphelion, but I am undecided on whether to buy it or play it on Game Pass. I think it depends on whether it reviews well. If it does, I shall buy it. If not, then I'll either play it on Game Pass or ignore it entirely. I'll be disappointed if it is a poor game because it does look pretty decent...
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 28-29)
You should really enjoy it, @Cakefish. Although I have an appalling memory, I do remember enjoying the first game, and I believe the sequel to be better still...
Re: These 20+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (March 30-April 3)
Nothing for me to buy, nor play on Game Pass next week, which is a problem that I am happy to have as I I have more than enough to be getting on with...
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 28-29)
I absolutely get it, @RiverGenie. I struggle with prolonged ones too because I have arthritis in my fingers, and with each passing year that particular struggle gets just a little bit worse...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
I love a play on words, @Cakefish, and it's always fun to try and work out why people might have picked their particular usernames.
Your job sounds really interesting, but also quite intellectual, and whilst I have an A level in English and Maths, I am also so old that I have forgotten pretty much all of it! 🤣
Re: Microsoft Issues Statement On Why 'This Is An Xbox' Campaign Has Been Retired
Humble apologies, @Coletrain. I'm sure normal service will resume fairly quickly between myself and @fatpunkslim in the not too distant future... 🤣
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 28-29)
You probably know this, @RiverGenie, but I did not notice it when I first tried the arm-wrestling, but there is a shaded part that moves around when that circle appears for the QTE. Once you see where that shaded part is the mini-game becomes much easier to manage.
The first few times I tried it, I did not notice the shaded quadrant, and so I was left mashing the button for ages and wondering why I was getting nowhere... 🤣
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 28-29)
Against my better judgement I have bought a couple of my favourite games on PlayStation that I already own on my Series X. I got them to play on my newly acquired Pro, even though the Pro probably does nothing for them because they are fairly old.
So this weekend I find myself playing yet another run of XCOM 2. I just love the game! I've decided to play through it whilst awaiting the release of Pragmata, and whilst waiting for Crimson Desert to have some of it's issues addressed, though it will probably have to wait until after I have finished Saros too.
I'm hoping to have another go at trio run in a Master Horde in Gears 5 too, but my mate is busy today, and not sure whether he will be around tomorrow, so I might go without this weekend, which is a shame because Horde is my favourite thing to play.
It's a busy time for new games for me (well except for XCOM 2), and I absolutely love it when it's like this...
Re: Microsoft Issues Statement On Why 'This Is An Xbox' Campaign Has Been Retired
Stop being sensible, @fatpunkslim. I'm not used to it!
I'm joking, but I completely agree with you, which is not our way. Usually one or the other of us will say something that we don't agree with. Agreeing with one another is much less fun...! 🤣
Re: Sony Announces Major PS5 Price Hikes, Here's How They Compare To Xbox Series X|S
I have said a number of times that I think the Helix will come in at between £1200 and £1500, @PsBoxSwitchOwner, but honestly, I would not be shocked to see it come it at beyond £1500. I have repeatedly said that putting together a decent PC will not be cheap, and whilst Microsoft can buy in bulk and get a reasonable discount, not only will they probably be unwilling to swallow any of the costs, but if you really want a 'feature rich, powerful' PC, then you have to expect to pay a lot for it, especially with the rising costs of components...
Re: It Was Asha Sharma's 'Direction' To Scrub 'This Is An Xbox' Marketing, Suggests Report
Couldn't agree more, @GuyinPA75, He has been a disaster for Xbox...
Re: Xbox Fan Claims To Have Spotted New Game Pass Codename Featuring Older First-Party Titles
I've been saying for years now that Microsoft should create a first-party only tier, @Weebleman, albeit that I thought it would likely come about after the demise of all the other tiers.
What struck me though is that many of these older games are not even available on PlayStation, such as Gears 5, for example, but also, that many games that are now Xbox owned but that were also on PlayStation, were released on the PS3, and so are not currently available on the later consoles, thus I imagine there would be some real enthusiasm for such a Game Pass tier on the PlayStation.
That said, there might be a real need for a lot of work to get the games running on modern PlayStation consoles, and it might not be seen as a worthwhile investment by Microsoft.
Tis an interesting idea nonetheless...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
Wow, @Cakefish! That sounds fascinating. I take it that is where your name came from? So what is the study studying? These ventures are so important for everyone and we kind of forget that people are doing these things for our benefit (mostly), and that they can really help us in the future.
Ping pong on a rolling deck? The game is difficult enough as is without the added balance issues being thrown into the mix... 😂
Re: Xbox Announces 14 Titles Coming To Game Pass At March's Partner Preview Showcase
Has to be said that's an impressive array of games, and there are actually some I will probably play on the Service, which is highly unusual for me.
One game I will almost certainly play on Game Pass is Hades 2, but only because I bought the first game, and was not particularly good at it! I got right to the end after many, many attempts only to die just before completing it. I lost the will to live at that point and promptly gave up, so playing the sequel on Game Pass seems the right choice.
As for The Expanse and Alien Deathstorm, I will buy them both...
Re: Roundup: All 19 Reveals From The Xbox Partner Preview Showcase (March 2026)
I asked about this exact thing yesterday, @PipOwO, and of the 16 games that were shown in last years March Showcase, 9 have thus far released.
I know Microsoft said that they would only be showing games that were due to release within the next 12 months, but I think that only relates to their first-party offerings. I think with third-party games that beyond a year is acceptable. I also think it is worth remembering that Microsoft have no control over how long a third-party game takes to come out.
It is why I asked about this yesterday so as to manage my own expectations. I went into this showcase knowing that a number of the games would likely not come out until sometime next year. So I was fine with what was shown and when it would be coming out...
Re: Roundup: All 19 Reveals From The Xbox Partner Preview Showcase (March 2026)
There were some really good reveals in the showcase, and there are a fair few games that I am very much looking forward to this year, and next year.
The games I really liked the look of were:
The Expanse (I'll be buying it rather than playing it on Game Pass)
Hunter: The Reckoning
Alien Deathstorm
Dispatch
Artificial Detective
Also, I very rarely play anything on Game Pass, but I may well try the below (if I don't just buy them!):
Hades 2
Vaunted
Moosa: Dirty Fate
Stranger Than Heaven
Overall I thought it was another excellent Xbox showcase...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
Thank you, @Globo. It was an experience, and it moulded me as a young man. What I will say is that I didn't really enjoy some of the aspects of military life, and it was only when I left to join the Police that I found my true vocation. I worked in both Uniform, plain clothes (drug squad and auto theft), and as a Detective, and enjoyed everything I did. Each day was different, you never knew what to expect, and I always wanted to go in to work, which I think is a sure sign that you are enjoying yourself.
As for your father, you should be proud of him and his achievements, I am sorry for your loss. It must be difficult to lose a parent. My Father died when I was 6 weeks old, so I obviously have no recollection of him whatsoever, and I am fortunate enough that my Mother is still alive at 85. All I can say is that it is important to retain close contact because you never know when life will be cruelly snatched away.
On a lighter note, nothing wrong with working for Tesco. Indeed, that is where I started work for about 6 months whilst I was waiting to join the Army. I worked on the delicatessen selling cheese and meats. It gave me a respect for how hard people in these stores have to work. It is not an easy job, and can be quite tedious...
Re: It Was Asha Sharma's 'Direction' To Scrub 'This Is An Xbox' Marketing, Suggests Report
This is a good move, and the decision probably stems from Sharma's background in PR. She will know when something is hurting the brand that you are trying to sell, and that is probably why this particular campaign has been nixed.
Hopefully she can bring something in that makes people want to invest in Xbox, and by that I mean new customers, not existing ones, though keeping already loyal Xbox gamers within the ecosystem is just as important.
I look forward to seeing what she does in the future, though much of her vision will not really see true fruition until beyond 2028, as up until that point both games and machines that we see will have begun under the leadership of Spencer. That said, I like what I have seen of her thus far, so I am somewhat hopeful for the future (though if Nadella remains in place, that hope could be misplaced!)...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
I was in 33 Royal Engineer Regiment EOD (Bomb Disposal), @Globo. I was there directly after the conflict ended to clear the island of all the unexploded bombs, and to clear the minefields. I went there for 6 months as part of an 18 man team of which two lost legs when stepping on mines, and one was blinded as a consequence of dealing with unexploded munitions. It was an experience, let's just say that...! 😉
Re: Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
I agree that Spencer and Co. oversaw some really good releases, @Titntin, and I assume that we will see some more that came from under his leadership over the next couple of years.
What Sharma brings to the table will probably not really be seen until 2028/9 at the earliest, but indeed probably a little later than that.
I think a lot of people are forgetting that Spencer was really good for Xbox (for the most part) until Nadella pulled the rug from under him.
What I will say though is that I think that Xbox still need to do more to bring their games up to a higher standard, particularly in relation to bugs and performance. Games like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 were mostly bug-free and performed well, but that is not the case with all of their games, and they need to do better in that regard. Doing that alone would elevate their games from 7s and 8s to 7.5 to 8.5, though I honestly believe that they should always be aiming for 8.5 and above. Those type of scores are the ones that usually get spoken about when it comes to Game of the Year, and I would so love to see Xbox put out a game that wins GotY...
Re: Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
Did it, @Toot1st? I honestly don't know. It was of no interest to me. I just know it was closed down after a couple of weeks, so I assumed it reviewed pretty badly...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
At sea, @Cakefish? Are you in the Navy (if you are able to say), or entertainment, or something else?
Other than getting a ferry over to France and back a couple of times, and also a two week cruise around the Caribbean to celebrate my 40th, the only time I spent at see was to sail to the Falklands when the war started! On the trip across the South Atlantic I spent the first 3 days with my head buried in a toilet! Man was I seasick! 😂
I did get my sea-legs after a few days, but the sea became so rough it was frankly ridiculous. After a while we were banned from running on the deck because the bow would drop from beneath us as we were running leaving us suddenly in mid-air before the bow would then come up with such force that it meant a number of us suffered knee injuries because of the impact. It was like a scene from a cartoon where you see the characters running in mid-air for a couple of seconds before suddenly dropping to the ground! 🤣
So with running on deck having been banned, I remember playing badminton in the tank deck, but we got stopped from doing that too because the ship was rolling so badly that a couple of us received injuries from the side of the ship hitting us. Honestly, it was just ridiculously rough...
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
have you started playing Code Vein 2 yet @Cakefish...?
Re: Xbox Spring Sale 2026 'Preview' Now Live, 600+ Games Discounted
Both Code Vein 2 and Hell Is Us are both great games. In the case of CV2 if you liked the first game, then you should really enjoy the sequel.
Re: Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
I disagree about Sony not having a 'great game' in 2025, @darylb24. What about Ghost of Yotei, which has a Metacritic score of 86. Or Death Stranding 2, which has a Metacritic score of 89?
Now, it is fair enough to say you do not like either of those games, but this article is talking about average scores, and so if you disregard the games in question and just take their scores, then they scored well.
That's not me trying to support Sony, nor is it me dissing on Xbox, I'm just trying to say that I would suggest that a game that scores 86 or 89 is a game that has reviewed well, it doesn't matter what platform it is on...
Re: Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
I've only played two games on it so far, @Millionski, and from what I have played on it I have found a very good piece of equipment. Truth be told, I cannot say that it feels much different to the Series X, but I have for the first time noticed the difference in the controllers and the feel of footsteps etc. in your hands. Whether I mainly play on it until Helix comes out, I am not sure yet, and will decide on a game by game basis.
I think if I can see an obvious saving for a game by buying it on the Xbox, then that is what I will do, but if a game is reviewed prior to release and the Pro is shown to be the best place to play it (as was the case with both Resident Evil: Requiem and Crimson Desert) then I will buy it for the Pro instead.
I think if you are one of those that can tell the difference between 30FPS and 60FPS, then you may feel the difference between consoles, but I'm not one of those that really notices so that bit is kind of lost on me. My only issue really is that because I do not game on PlayStation very often, I still forget which button is the X, and in a tense moment I am pressing the wrong button...! 🤣
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Project Helix And Why It'll Be 'Easier' Than Series X|S To Develop For
Thank you, @themightyant. You clearly have a greater understanding of these things than I do, so your detailed response is appreciated...
Re: 'Please Don't Expect Console Ports' - Retro Rewind FAQ Addresses Xbox & PS5 Demand
I wonder how many games still release on PC that do not support controllers?
When I first started gaming on a PC back in 2013 (because my mates did not want an Xbox One (I did get one on release day anyway, but they didn't)) most games did not have controller support and as someone that games from an armchair, I found keyboard and mouse to be pretty awkward. It's one of the reasons I continued to buy most of my games on the Xbox despite spending more than £2200 on a gaming PC (and then buying another one for a further £2600 4 years later!).
I think most big games probably support controllers these days, but it's clearly not all of them...
Re: Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
Why would I be seeking to 'damage control' PlayStation exactly, @shiny-enzo?
You do know that I have been with Xbox since the very first day the original Xbox came out, and that I have bought well over 2000 games for the Xbox since that time, whereas I have bought fewer than 25 games for the PlayStation in that same time period.
I currently have in excess of 1700 digital games on my Xbox Series X. Xbox is my main console by a country mile.
So why would I want to make Sony look any better by my comment...?
Re: Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
Thank you, @FraserG. So the games shown could well be early reveals rather than being released within the next year. That is the only reason I asked...
Re: Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
What on Earth are you talking about, @shiny-enzo? Both my questions were meant as a matter of curiosity, and nothing else. Why are you being so defensive?
I was curious about Concord only because I thought only 2 games had released on the PS5 last year (Concord and Ghost of Yotei). GoY scored something like 80, and Concord half that (if that) and I was left wondering whether it had hurt Sony's score. I meant nothing else by it. To my recollection, Sony usually do better, and that was all I meant by it.
As for what games have or have not released from last years show, the reason I asked was because I was wondering whether all the games had released meaning that those games shown in the upcoming showcase should also release during the course of the next year.
I have no idea why you are being so defensive, nor any idea why my making my comment should warrant such a rebuke from yourself...
Re: Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
From the 3 games that have been announced as being at the showcase, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is definitely the one that I am most interested in.
Out of curiosity, @Kezelpaso, of the 16 games that were shown last year, how many have released, and have all 9 titles that were announced for Game Pass released too...?
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Project Helix And Why It'll Be 'Easier' Than Series X|S To Develop For
Thank you, @themightyant, but I remain confused.
Reading the article, it gives the impression that building the game for the Helix will then mean less work, which I take to mean that is because you are effectively making a PC version of the game that will then automatically run on the Helix.
But where does that leave the Series consoles?
If you are only going to make a PC version, which will then run on the Helix, then fine, I accept that means less work for developers. However, that version will not run on the Series consoles without some extra work.
So are Microsoft saying, 'build for the Helix and forget about the Series consoles'? Or will the amount of work that is required remain roughly the same because you will have to make a PC version of the game, and then also an Xbox version of the game for the Series consoles? That is the bit I don't understand; if you are building two versions of the game, then how is there less work...?
Re: Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
Wow! Really, @Questionable_Duck? As you say, time really does fly. The funny thing is that as you get older, it passes even more quickly. I remember as a child being bored rigid during the school Summer Holidays. Those 6 weeks dragged something awful in the later weeks (right up to the last week, which then shot by!).
Now, as a young man in my 60's, I find the weeks and months absolutely shoot by. I think it's life's way of trying to get rid of you... 🤣
Re: Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
Would Concord have dragged Sony's overall score right down? They didn't release all that much last year, and if Concord was included in their scores then it would probably have hugely hurt their average...
Re: New Xbox Boss Has Considered 'Pricing Revamp' For Game Pass, Claims Report
A few things came to mind when reading this article, but when Sharma says 'lower the cost of Game Pass', she could just as easily mean the cost to Microsoft as she could the cost to us, the consumer.
I've said it a number of times now, but in my opinion, they should get rid of day one first-party titles, and get rid of Ultimate in the process. Instead, all first-party titles should land on the top tier 12 months after release, giving Microsoft the chance to sell their games for that first 12 months. I have never believed that having their games on Game Pass day one has ever been sustainable, and I think the fact that Game Pass keeps going up in price is evidence of that. Indeed, I know that EE have indicated that Game Pass Ultimate will rise by 24% this coming September, although, of course, Sharma might have different ideas.
The other issue I have is that if Netflix is bundled in with Ultimate, I have difficulty in believing that Ultimate will get any cheaper. The more likely scenario is that it will cost more. Sure, there may be a saving over Ultimate (£23) and Netflix (£6), and we might be offered them both for £27 (for example), but personally, I already have Netflix bundled in with my Sky subscription, and what happens if you want Netflix Premium, like I do, which cost £14 a month (if bought separately)? Will you be able to upgrade it somehow within the bundle? Will you be able to choose not to have Netflix at all if all you want is Ultimate? Or will it be another Fortnite situation where I am expected to pay for something that I do not want in the slightest?
It's good that Sharma is looking at all this, but honestly, I'd be shocked if it was not always being looked at anyway. I'm sure Spencer and his team were always monitoring how things were progressing, and tweaking things as necessary (usually by upping the price!). The real difference here is that we are actually hearing about these considerations, which is a good thing, and likely stems from Sharma's background in PR and Communications...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Project Helix And Why It'll Be 'Easier' Than Series X|S To Develop For
Maybe I'm being a little dense here, but if Helix is a PC, then making PC games will surely mean that it will play on the Helix, yes?
However, the Series consoles are not PCs, so surely if you make a PC game (that will run on the Helix, obviously), you will still have to then make a Series version as well.
So surely that is no different to the situation we are in right now, is it not? If a game is developed with PC in mind, and is then also made for the Xbox, it is two different versions; the PC version will not play on the Series consoles, and the Xbox version will not play on a PC.
I absolutely get that there will be a time saving when it comes to the PC version playing instantly on the Helix (because it's a PC), but I don't get how there is a time saving when it comes to then developing a Xbox Series version.
The other issue that comes to mind is that there must exist a real possibility that developers will be even less inclined to make an Xbox version of a game once the Helix releases because they will see it as a PC (which it is) and be content that the version they build for PC will effectively be on Xbox be virtue of it working on the Helix. This could end up being inherently bad for the majority of Xbox gamers who choose to remain on the Series consoles rather than upgrade to the Helix. In other words, if 10% of Xbox gamers buy the Helix, will developers choose to ignore the other 90% because they just don't see it as being worthwhile investment of their time or money...?
Re: Epic Games Lays Off 1,000 Staff, Announces Closure Of Fortnite Rocket Racing
I don't think Live Service games are bad, @OldKingCrowley, and that is not what I said. What I was getting at is that too many developers put all their eggs in one basket, only for that project to fail and put the entire company at risk.
Diversification is key. If you are going to build a Live Service game, then fine, do so, but ensure that you are also making other games that you can fall back on if the plug is pulled.
Too many companies think they can make this Mythical Cash-cow, only for it to fail and then they go under. If you are putting all your money into a type of game, where failure means the end, then you are risking ruination. It makes no sense.
If you are too small to take such a hit, then you are too small to make that type of game. Basically, for every Fortnite, there are half a dozen Concords. It's an absolute graveyard for developers, and more projects should never have even started, let alone got to the point of cancelation.
When you have a hit like Fortnite it is truly fantastic, but they are such a rarity that it is not really a risk worth taking. Not when you could make a standard game, and then move on to the next project. Maintaining your jobs, and have the money coming in...
Re: Epic Games Lays Off 1,000 Staff, Announces Closure Of Fortnite Rocket Racing
When you consider that all these other companies make Live Service games with aspiration of being the next Fortnite, it is perhaps a sign that Live Service is not necessarily the direction gamers want to be taken in. Perhaps it would be better to make games that will find an audience and that do not require continued updates and additions.
Make a game, sell it, and move on. It's how it always used to be, and it worked for a very long time too...
Re: Talking Point: Do You Think Project Helix Will Support Physical Xbox Games?
I'm hoping that it will come resplendent with a disc drive just like the Series X. Failing that, I am hoping that I will be able to buy one as an optional extra because I use my Series X to play my film collection (I have around 2000 films on Blu-ray).
That's what I hope!
What I am expecting is an all digital PC. I just don't think Microsoft will see it as a necessary part of the device, and not including it will undoubtedly keep the cost down. Even as an add-on, it would still necessitate complicating the design of the Helix, and that too would add to the cost, even for those that did not want the disc drive.
No, I am expecting the Helix to be north of £1000 even without a disc drive, and if Microsoft do include one, it'll just push that price still further north.
On a side note; does the Series X play Xbox 360 games from a disc? I have around 200 Xbox 360 discs, and have not once tried to play them, so I don't know if I even could...