@Kaloudz I think my issue with the third game is how dense it was. It felt like there was a new village to discover, or a cave to explore, every 20 steps. It’s a cool concept considering you’re in the jungle and you never know what’s around the corner, but it was too much for me. With that said, I think the game is great. I haven’t played it since its launch so my feelings might change for the better if I replay it. I will say, the entire reboot trilogy is an awesome set of games.
@Millionski It seems you and I have shared almost the exact same experience. You are 100% right too - at the end of the day, it’s about the games. Game Pass is great, but if we are looking at an overall library of games from this generation to last, it’s quite easy to see which console has what people go to the platform for. It’s such a simple thing to see, in my opinion.
@themightyant Bingo. When many people are trying to put a positive spin on recent layoffs, and whether Game Pass is sustainable or not, all you have to do is Occam’s Razor. It’s pretty simple why things have turned sour once again in the Xbox ecosystem.
It’s unfortunate - I like my Series X, and if I was a gamer that ignored all of the drama surrounding it and was a relatively casual gamer that didn’t visit media sites, I would probably be very satisfied with my product. I don’t turn on my Xbox much over months at a time, but when I do I discover that there are handful of new titles out on Game Pass that I would like to play.
The problem is that I am not that casual gamer. I know what Xbox has messed up on; their cancellations, mismanagement of studios, indecisive approach to hardware and games, and broken promises have really soured my taste in the brand. I wish that wasn’t the case, and that I could be the former in what I outlined above, but alas, here we are.
Someone already mentioned it, but Condemned Criminal Origins has to be on that list for me. It was one of the three launch games I got with my 360 and was blown away by it. To this day, it’s one of my all time favorite horror games.
Other games worth mentioning: Lost Odyssey, Spec Ops: The Line, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Max Payne 3, and Shadow Complex. There are many others, but these stand out to me.
@GameOverScreen Dante’s Inferno is a game I’ve had installed for a long time but haven’t got around to playing. I think I might give that game a shot within the next couple of weeks. It’s become somewhat of a cult classic which is nice, considering it got mixed reviews due to its God of War style of combat. It looks awesome.
I have so many memories of the Halo franchise, from playing cooperative with my best friend during summer break in Halo Combat Evolved, to playing Halo 2 as a semi-professional, and going to MLG tournaments. I also remember the Halo 2 tech demo at E3 and was blown away. This franchise holds a very special place in my heart.
This weekend I am trekking the plains, hills, and desert landscapes in Death Stranding 2, delivering precious cargo. My MP3 player has tailor made playlists for my traveling needs, and I have a varied arsenal of weapons to combat any hostile situation while on my journey.
I have to say - DS2 is a masterclass in every facet. That’s not hyperbole; it really succeeds on every level. The story is compelling and paced brilliantly. It’s also much easier to understand and follow along than the first game, but it still has the heart of Kojima within, with mysteries and bizarre things unfolding. Characters are interesting and fleshed out, all having their own unique identity’s and backstory. The cinematography is gorgeous, with an incredible art design, while the animation is punching above its weight. One word: Dollman.
Last but not least, there is gameplay. Traversal and combat itself has been upgraded since its predecessor. It all controls very well and is balanced between the two, especially when having to partake in both at the same time. You have a wide array of options to tackle these scenarios that will suit your play style whilst providing meaningful upgrades consistently to change your strategy if you deem it necessary. Don’t let the naysayers fool you - this is way more than a “walking simulator”. It might just be one of the best open-world sandbox games ever made, because it doesn’t forget what a game is ultimately meant to be: fun.
It’s genuinely hard to discuss this game properly without providing spoilers because there is so much depth within each episode (chapters). To say anything about the mechanics is only ruining the surprise - and believe me, I’m only 30 hours in, but I’ve been blown away by the amount of tools the game offers you. Simply saying that feels like a disservice to the player(s) that haven’t had a chance to play the game yet.
Death Stranding 2 is a remarkable achievement in game design, and one of the best sequels to a game I’ve ever played. It’s a game I didn’t know needed and has become one I’ll never forget. I’m utterly blown away. This is the PS5 experience we have truly been waiting for.
@AverageGamer If I’m not mistaken Arkane Austin also made the Dishonored series and those are incredible games. They also made Deathloop which is great. Prey, as you mentioned, is fantastic as well. I wouldn’t say they “didn’t make crap”.
As for Tango Gameworks and it being a Japanese studio is interesting. Microsoft themselves have stated profusely this generation that they are strongly pursuing the Japanese market. They want(ed) to tap into that market. Their games have been solid to great even. The Evil Within is practically a cult favorite; Ghostwire Tokyo is solid; and Hi-Fi Rush was incredible, and the game being shadow dropped shockingly brought in a lot of people to Game Pass.
@AverageGamer I agree - they had time to deliver but didn’t meet expectations. My question, however, is what is Microsoft’s vision? They shut down Arkane Austin and they have made tons of great games. The new Zenimax MMO was cancelled, and yet the game they were making had many people hyped about the game internally. I’m not saying it would have been good, but the buzz around it showed that it has promise and it was far along in development. Tango Gameworks got shutdown even after having a great successful game in Hi-Fi Rush, and thankfully someone came in to save the day. Blizzard’s new game “Odyssey” got canned, too. And 50% of the staff at Turn10 got laid off, and while their Forza Motorsport games may not be on the same level has Horizon, they are still quality games that helped make Xbox what it is today. My point is, I don’t know what Microsoft is doing. They have bought studios and created some and then they get shut down or their games canceled. I think it’s poor management from the higher ups and things need to change ASAP.
@SeaDaVie Why? The Initiative haven’t had the chance to release a game yet, so they could have been worth saving. This looks bad on Microsoft because they crated this studio, only to shut it down without having a game release yet.
I highly doubt this is signaling Sony making a shift. They have no incentive to supply their competitors with their products - though I wouldn’t necessarily classify Nintendo and Microsoft as competitors for various reasons. In fact, Sony doesn’t own Arrowhead studios, and Arrowhead themselves recently stated they are going to remain independent. I think this is more of a case of attracting more players to their live service game, which this genre is better suited to be multi-platform. Moreover, Arrowhead also mentioned that their next game wasn’t going to be purely on PlayStation. I think this is much ado about nothing. With that said, I’m very happy to see Xbox players get a chance to play this game. Hopefully, consumers will support this title with their wallets.
Good news for Xbox for a change! Hopefully, consumers will support this product because it’s worth all the money. They have been clambering for this so I hope they speak with their wallets.
@BAMozzy Yeah, I’m not going to spin this situation into a positive. They could be leaving on their own free will, or they could be getting fired, but either way, it’s not a good sign when the news breaks during massive layoffs. I appreciate your long and informed responses, but what is happening right now - layoffs, Perfect Dark and other projects being canceled, 70 people from the Forza Motorsport team being let go - none of this is good.
I understand your sentiment - not all people being let go are essential, and they may find new role(s) within the company or elsewhere, but that doesn’t matter. The fact is, Microsoft has poor management. It has been that way for years. They are constantly changing their stance, they don’t have an identity, and they don’t know what they want to do. Their opinions change every month.
And the fact that you said, “If the restructuring means that the entire Xbox division, its Publishing, its R&D, Its PR, its Advertising and its studios are now better Organised, better supported and far more efficient and delivering Products and services to their Customers, the Gamers, then I'm sorry to hear of the losses but it's for the long term best -its ensuring their Customers stay happy and spending money and still making money for their Shareholders...”, particularly ensuring customers stay happy and spend money is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. I agree with a lot of your points throughout various articles, but hardly any customers of the Xbox brand are happy. And spending money? On what? They don’t market their games. In fact, they barely market Game Pass. In terms of Xbox, the only money they are truly making is from people buying their games on PlayStation because lord knows they aren’t selling consoles and games on their own platform.
And organization? You can’t even put Xbox and organized in the same sentence. They haven’t been organized since the second year of Xbox One. They have done nothing but come up with empty promises year after year. And when they might fulfill what they said, “The games are coming”, which took essentially 12-13 years to happen, most of them are now getting canceled and/or not received that well aside from a select few. They are not good at management or organization.
Again, try to spin that any which way you want. None of this is good. Xbox does not know who they are or what their strategy is. Goodbye to Perfect Dark and The Initiative; I won’t be surprised if Fable, or Clockwork Revolution is next.
It just keeps getting worse and worse. While we don’t know if they are being let go, or leaving on their own accord, this entire situation is a disaster.
This is ridiculous. Perfect Dark looked incredible. Moreover, it looked like it was in a playable state and could be released soon. At this point, I don’t want to hear any excuses any longer - this is becoming inexcusable, and it’s poor management from the top down. If I’m being honest, Microsoft - and by Microsoft I mean the Xbox brand itself - needs to do a complete restructure with their staff, particularly management.
Clair Obscur is my #1. In fact, it’s probably my favorite game this generation, and easily a top 10 of all time. It’s a game I’m proud I got all trophies/achievements for.
On another note - I got all trophies/achievements for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Oblivion. All three of those games were excellent.
I’ve yet to play Split Fiction, and I probably never will since it’s co-op centric and I tend to play by myself. I can see its greatness, though. I would like to eventually play Mullet MadJack - that looks like a fun game.
Let’s buy studios and then lay tons of those people off, or close down the studios altogether.
To be fair, letting people go is common in any business, but it’s how Microsoft goes about nearly all of their decisions. And let’s not forget Phil Spencer - I just can’t trust what this man says.
I agree wholeheartedly. Xbox has shifted their identity a handful of times this generation alone, and they have lost the essence of who they are as a brand. Moreover, they have misled their audience and consumers by doing just as much. Sometimes, it feels as if their priorities change every week. This is not good for business, and it shows.
@BAMozzy You make a very valid point. I look at it in a more simplified way.
1) Their games, most of which were meant to be exclusive, are not selling. This is why they push Game Pass so much, but it doesn’t seem to be beneficial for them, therefore they have to release their games on other platforms.
2) As a result, even though they may not be leaving the console business, they are becoming a third party publisher in the same vein as Sega, regardless of new consoles or not.
I truly believe if they would have marketed their “exclusives” properly, and had a regular cadence of releases dating back from the second year of Xbox One, then this situation wouldn’t be happening at all, and by that I mean their games coming to PlayStation. PC was always a given in my opinion - that’s how they touted their OG Xbox from the start.
I unfortunately have to agree with her sentiments as well. As a brand, and to drive hardware sales and exclusives to drive people to the console, it has failed immensely. As a publisher, however, they are currently the biggest in the industry. Microsoft is going the SEGA route which is a smart move, but they really need to work on their marketing.
1) Clair Obscur Expedition 33 2) Doom: The Dark Ages 3) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
I got every trophy/achievement for all of these games, and that’s a testament to how special I think each one is. It has been a fantastic year of gaming, and I’ve yet to play some of the other popular titles released this year, such as Atomfall, Avowed, South of Midnight, and a few others.
I beat and got the platinum trophy for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS5. It was your classic Bethesda game, and a special experience. I haven’t tackled the Shivering Isles DLC yet - I’m setting it to the side because I want to play other games.
My attention is now all on Death Stranding 2. I’m only four hours in but it’s been great so far. The gameplay mechanics are refined, and feel more like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in terms of movement, sound, and gunplay.
I like how there is a more emphasis on stealth combat. There have been numerous situations so far where I’m on the edge of my seat due to nerves combating my way through bandit camps, treacherous weather, and the terrain itself. It’s a perfect blend of environment story telling in a unique way. I also feel a sense of obligation to find lost cargo to deliver to other settlements despite the risky nature. It creates a real sense of urgency, but also forces you to be patient - until you can’t.
There was one instance where I had to make a delivery to a Chiral network, but it was pouring down rain. The rivers began to rise, and there were bandits surrounding me, but unaware of my presence. All the while the rain itself was damaging my cargo, almost forcing me to beeline my way straight to the objective. I offloaded my equipment, hiding it in tall grass so the enemies couldn’t see me carrying so much and alert nearby guards.
I systematically eliminated all enemies without being discovered, but my cargo eventually became damaged. I began scouring the area for container repair spray and found a handful of them, but even more importantly, I found a hidden vehicle. I quickly got inside, drove to my packages, loaded them into the bed of the truck, and carefully crossed the river. Once I reached my destination, I repaired all containers and delivered them safe and sound.
This moment-to-moment gameplay — a free sandbox to operate in — was really fun. It was essentially solving a puzzle that I could have optionally ignored, but with high risk there is a high reward. It’s these types of situations where MGSV: TPP shined immensely, and DS2 has evolved that process in peak form. I can’t wait to see how much more it expands as time goes on.
@rhyno_888 I have to agree, and this is the danger of putting a game on a subscription service instead of promoting it for people to buy. In my humble opinion, this is my biggest issue with Game Pass. It is absolutely fantastic for the consumer, but it has ripple effects across the industry that are negative.
Honestly, you have to have a certified banger on your hands to have success outside of Game Pass. Clair Obscur, arguably GOTY, made 3.3 million dollars in 3 weeks, and it’s higher now no question. However, how many of those sales are from Xbox players? If that game was an Xbox exclusive and day one on Game Pass, that studio would most likely be shut down despite the critical success it has received. The fact is, any developer/studio would tell you they would rather make a $60-80.00 sale outright then someone paying $20.00 for a subscription service with the hope — not guarantee — that audiences will play their game, and then make less money of that percentage.
As I said, as a consumer, Game Pass is awesome, but it’s not good for everyone else involved. This is why I prefer buying my games, whether it be on my PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
I’m still questing, exploring caves, tackling dungeons, killing trolls, and making my way to the platinum trophy in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Hopefully, I’ll have it wrapped up in time for Death Stranding 2, but I doubt it, and that’s okay because I love this world of Cyrodiil.
It’s hard for me to get excited about any kind of new console from Xbox. I personally do not care about how much of a leap next gen will be, and the power of the console - we hear that every time from Microsoft. To me, it’s all about games. Are you going to have a steady cadence of AAA games, interspersed with AA/indie games? If so, what is separating you from PS since those games will ultimately be on that console? If it’s Game Pass, and having that subscription across multiple devices - Play Anywhere - how confident are they that developers will want to release their games on that platform?
At the end of the day, GP is great for the consumer, but a detriment to the studios. I guarantee if you ask them, they would all say that they would prefer to make $60-80.00 per game rather than $20.00 or whatever the price is for the subscription service, and not have a guarantee it will find an audience. Look at PS - people are still happy paying for games, and owning them. Look at Clair Obscur, with 3.3 million copies sold (probably more at this point). How many of those copies do you think were on Xbox? Not many, I assume.
I don’t want to speak poorly on Xbox/Microsoft - I love my Series X and it’s a great consumer product if you have GP, but there is a reason why they are releasing their games on PS. If they had a strong AAA exclusive library of games that sold well, I highly doubt Microsoft would be in the situation that they are in now.
This sounds like awesome news, but it’s a wait and see for me. Prior to this generation of console releases, I chose to purchase a Series X rather than PS5 first (I was always going to get both). I was excited about the Bethesda acquisitions and other studios. And then the promise that Microsoft always makes - the games are coming - never came to fruition, until this year. By this point, most of, if not all the games I’m interested in from Microsoft is playable on the PS5, or will be. In my humble opinion, 2022 was an incredible year for Game Pass and I was blown away by the content. It was my main source of gaming from a console standpoint. And then it disappeared. I would love for this new iteration to be something to genuinely look forward to, but I can wait for PS5/6 versions (I also prefer the trophy system over achievements). Moreover, it’s becoming more and more likely that first party Xbox games are becoming day-and-day on console releases. All of that being said, I am enjoying the content Game Pass is delivering this year. If this remains steady and consistent, it might become my go-to choice for gaming, but that’s the key - consistency (and also genuine marketing).
I’m glad to see the game reviewing well, but it’s sadly not for me. I was surprised to see this be the next game after Sifu — and hopefully they will return to that universe sometime.
Wuchang will probably be a game I download. It looks pretty good. I haven’t turned my Series X on since STALKER 2 (one of my favorite games this generation), so I have a pretty strong lineup of backlog games on Game Pass. I’ll probably dive into all of them once I beat Death Stranding 2 after it releases.
I haven’t had much time to play games this week, let alone this weekend. Whatever free time I do have I will be spending it in the world of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
I always find Bethesda RPGs interesting because I tend to forget how they are meant to be played, and it’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed. I never know if I should immediately set out and explore, or start the main quest. And yet, the result is always the same - I wander aimlessly and complete dungeons I’m not a high enough level for, pick locks and break into homes, read random notes and journals that lead me down an interesting quest line, and stealth my way through enemies with my bow and arrow.
Somehow, after discovering towns and stumbling my way through tons of side quests, I always manage to organically start the main narrative, unsure of how I did so. I think this is the brilliance that modern Bethesda games are missing — Fallout 4 (I really enjoyed that game; got the platinum for it) and Starfield particularly. There is a certain magic to the art of discovery that will eventually lead you to where you’re meant to go even if it doesn’t appear that way initially.
With that said, there is one issue I have with the game design, albeit it’s a product of 2006. Exploring caves and dungeons are great, but it can be disheartening when at the end of the area there isn’t an exit — you have to backtrack to leave. This isn’t with every area, mind you, but it’s incredibly noticeable. Thankfully, Skyrim fixed this problem.
Other than that minor quibble, Oblivion is sublime. When it first released in 2006, I did not like the game whatsoever. My best friend was obsessed with it, and watching him play it I thought, ”Man, this looks so cool”, but it was never fun to play for me. I had the same reaction to Fallout 3. It wasn’t until Skyrim that these types of games clicked with me. Fast forward 19-years, and it has become my favorite genre. And when Bethesda does make a good game, you know it, and there is no other feeling like it.
I’ve played about two hours so far and it’s solid. It isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind, and it has its technical issues: lip synching, and some stuttering, but the driving is great. The gunplay is okay, but the sound design is off. The story actually seems pretty cool, and the voice acting, animations, and cutscenes are good. It’s probably a 6.5/10 or a 7/10 kind of game, and I’m okay with that. It was what I was expecting and I’m content.
16 is a fantastic entry in the series, and I’m glad to hear it has changed your opinion. Moreover, it’s nice seeing (anyone, really) someone give a genre a chance that they aren’t fond of.
@themightyant That is totally fair. The alarm bells are ringing, and the whole debacle with the bad previews are a result of being paid to do so is quite ridiculous. The marketing for this game from a studio standpoint - no early review copies, etc.; - do not scream confidence in their product. I can’t argue with that — the skepticism is warranted for sure.
@dskatter What makes it look horrible exactly? Maybe generic, sure, but horrible? From all the videos shown, the gunplay seems cool, the driving seems fun, and they seem to be trying to create a decent story. I’m not saying any of these things will be good, mind you, but I have yet to see anything from the videos shown that says it’s horrible.
@Dan1283 I think this mindset is what’s wrong with a lot of gaming culture today. Don’t get me wrong, I understand your point of view — early impressions of the game via YouTube channels aren’t high on the game — but from the very first showing of this game people have said this game will be “awful”, or “trash”. A lot of people don’t give games chances anymore and it’s saddening. Every Xbox showcase, PS State of Play, what-have-you is “trash” in the comment section, or portrayed as the worst showcase in history. It seems “cool” to constantly be negative on games. It’s very disheartening.
And yeah, the game could be flat out awful. It may be broken, or just discombobulated altogether. However, if the driving mechanics and gunplay are solid, I think the game will be decent. I don’t need a 8/10 kind of game. Sometimes, I’m looking for a good mindless romp similar to games from the PS3 and 360 era. This looks to be in that vein.
@Kaloudz It plays like it in terms of gunplay and violence, but that’s where the comparisons end. There are no walls to cover to—you are simply out to kill hordes of enemies in brutal fashion.
This week I managed to finish Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. It is a game that never outstayed its welcome, and its Metroidvania and Zelda-like qualities were incredibly well done. It took me about 17 hours, with completion rate of 78%. I feel quite satiated with my experience.
Subsequently, I was perusing my back catalog of games and saw Sea of Stars. I then realized Sabotage Studios released their hefty free expansion/DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker a week or so ago, and I decided to redownload the game.
I have beaten it before, but I noticed I missed a ton of optional content. Once I booted the game back up, I was immediately drawn back into this gorgeous world, almost without missing a beat. Within a couple of hours I mopped up all side bosses and collectibles, and even got the platinum trophy for it.
It is truly an outstanding retro-inspired JRPG. And, having not played it since release, all of the patches and updates have made it an even more enjoyable experience; it is more streamlined, in a positive way. As of right now, I’m a couple of hours in the DLC and it’s been sublime. I’m really looking forward to the new classes, abilities, and story.
I’m not sure what I want to play next. I have my eye on two games: MindsEye (I honestly think it looks solid despite the hooblah) and Blades of Fire. I’m not looking for anything special - just a simple spray and pray or hack and slash. Really, I’m just biding my time until Death Stranding 2 releases.
Comments 707
Re: 'Hotel Barcelona' Is A Bonkers Horror Game Led By Two Famous Japanese Creators
This looks trippy as hell, but also really fun. I’ll definitely keep this on my radar.
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In July 2025
@Kaloudz I think my issue with the third game is how dense it was. It felt like there was a new village to discover, or a cave to explore, every 20 steps. It’s a cool concept considering you’re in the jungle and you never know what’s around the corner, but it was too much for me. With that said, I think the game is great. I haven’t played it since its launch so my feelings might change for the better if I replay it. I will say, the entire reboot trilogy is an awesome set of games.
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In July 2025
@Kaloudz Interesting. Rise is my favorite out of all three, with the third being my least favorite.
Re: Here's An Extended Look At Mafia: The Old Country Ahead Of Next Month's Xbox Release
This looks great. I’m glad Hangar 13 is going back to Mafia’s more linear nature. August is going to be a stacked month for games.
Re: Talking Point: It's Been Two Years Since A Defining Moment In The History Of Xbox
@Millionski It seems you and I have shared almost the exact same experience. You are 100% right too - at the end of the day, it’s about the games. Game Pass is great, but if we are looking at an overall library of games from this generation to last, it’s quite easy to see which console has what people go to the platform for. It’s such a simple thing to see, in my opinion.
Re: Talking Point: It's Been Two Years Since A Defining Moment In The History Of Xbox
@themightyant Bingo. When many people are trying to put a positive spin on recent layoffs, and whether Game Pass is sustainable or not, all you have to do is Occam’s Razor. It’s pretty simple why things have turned sour once again in the Xbox ecosystem.
It’s unfortunate - I like my Series X, and if I was a gamer that ignored all of the drama surrounding it and was a relatively casual gamer that didn’t visit media sites, I would probably be very satisfied with my product. I don’t turn on my Xbox much over months at a time, but when I do I discover that there are handful of new titles out on Game Pass that I would like to play.
The problem is that I am not that casual gamer. I know what Xbox has messed up on; their cancellations, mismanagement of studios, indecisive approach to hardware and games, and broken promises have really soured my taste in the brand. I wish that wasn’t the case, and that I could be the former in what I outlined above, but alas, here we are.
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Favourite Backwards Compatible Xbox Game?
Someone already mentioned it, but Condemned Criminal Origins has to be on that list for me. It was one of the three launch games I got with my 360 and was blown away by it. To this day, it’s one of my all time favorite horror games.
Other games worth mentioning: Lost Odyssey, Spec Ops: The Line, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Max Payne 3, and Shadow Complex. There are many others, but these stand out to me.
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Favourite Backwards Compatible Xbox Game?
@GameOverScreen Dante’s Inferno is a game I’ve had installed for a long time but haven’t got around to playing. I think I might give that game a shot within the next couple of weeks. It’s become somewhat of a cult classic which is nice, considering it got mixed reviews due to its God of War style of combat. It looks awesome.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Has Multiple Fallout Projects In Development, Including 'One You're All Wanting'
Fallout 3 Remake would be cool. I’d like to see how the ending will look like without it being 10 frames per second.
Re: Talking Point: To Celebrate Bungie Day, What's Your Favourite Halo Memory Of All Time?
I have so many memories of the Halo franchise, from playing cooperative with my best friend during summer break in Halo Combat Evolved, to playing Halo 2 as a semi-professional, and going to MLG tournaments. I also remember the Halo 2 tech demo at E3 and was blown away. This franchise holds a very special place in my heart.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 5-6)
This weekend I am trekking the plains, hills, and desert landscapes in Death Stranding 2, delivering precious cargo. My MP3 player has tailor made playlists for my traveling needs, and I have a varied arsenal of weapons to combat any hostile situation while on my journey.
I have to say - DS2 is a masterclass in every facet. That’s not hyperbole; it really succeeds on every level. The story is compelling and paced brilliantly. It’s also much easier to understand and follow along than the first game, but it still has the heart of Kojima within, with mysteries and bizarre things unfolding. Characters are interesting and fleshed out, all having their own unique identity’s and backstory. The cinematography is gorgeous, with an incredible art design, while the animation is punching above its weight. One word: Dollman.
Last but not least, there is gameplay. Traversal and combat itself has been upgraded since its predecessor. It all controls very well and is balanced between the two, especially when having to partake in both at the same time. You have a wide array of options to tackle these scenarios that will suit your play style whilst providing meaningful upgrades consistently to change your strategy if you deem it necessary. Don’t let the naysayers fool you - this is way more than a “walking simulator”. It might just be one of the best open-world sandbox games ever made, because it doesn’t forget what a game is ultimately meant to be: fun.
It’s genuinely hard to discuss this game properly without providing spoilers because there is so much depth within each episode (chapters). To say anything about the mechanics is only ruining the surprise - and believe me, I’m only 30 hours in, but I’ve been blown away by the amount of tools the game offers you. Simply saying that feels like a disservice to the player(s) that haven’t had a chance to play the game yet.
Death Stranding 2 is a remarkable achievement in game design, and one of the best sequels to a game I’ve ever played. It’s a game I didn’t know needed and has become one I’ll never forget. I’m utterly blown away. This is the PS5 experience we have truly been waiting for.
Re: Perfect Dark Actor Calls On Fans To 'Speak Up' And Help The Game Survive
@AverageGamer If I’m not mistaken Arkane Austin also made the Dishonored series and those are incredible games. They also made Deathloop which is great. Prey, as you mentioned, is fantastic as well. I wouldn’t say they “didn’t make crap”.
As for Tango Gameworks and it being a Japanese studio is interesting. Microsoft themselves have stated profusely this generation that they are strongly pursuing the Japanese market. They want(ed) to tap into that market. Their games have been solid to great even. The Evil Within is practically a cult favorite; Ghostwire Tokyo is solid; and Hi-Fi Rush was incredible, and the game being shadow dropped shockingly brought in a lot of people to Game Pass.
Re: Perfect Dark Actor Calls On Fans To 'Speak Up' And Help The Game Survive
@AverageGamer I agree - they had time to deliver but didn’t meet expectations. My question, however, is what is Microsoft’s vision? They shut down Arkane Austin and they have made tons of great games. The new Zenimax MMO was cancelled, and yet the game they were making had many people hyped about the game internally. I’m not saying it would have been good, but the buzz around it showed that it has promise and it was far along in development. Tango Gameworks got shutdown even after having a great successful game in Hi-Fi Rush, and thankfully someone came in to save the day. Blizzard’s new game “Odyssey” got canned, too. And 50% of the staff at Turn10 got laid off, and while their Forza Motorsport games may not be on the same level has Horizon, they are still quality games that helped make Xbox what it is today. My point is, I don’t know what Microsoft is doing. They have bought studios and created some and then they get shut down or their games canceled. I think it’s poor management from the higher ups and things need to change ASAP.
Re: Helldivers 2 Developer Shuts Down Xbox Game Pass Rumour
@Kieduss How is it overhyped? Critics and fans love(d) it and for a good reason. It’s pure fun.
Re: Perfect Dark Actor Calls On Fans To 'Speak Up' And Help The Game Survive
@SeaDaVie Why? The Initiative haven’t had the chance to release a game yet, so they could have been worth saving. This looks bad on Microsoft because they crated this studio, only to shut it down without having a game release yet.
Re: PlayStation Is Publishing Helldivers 2 On Xbox, Signalling A Shift In Strategy From Sony
I highly doubt this is signaling Sony making a shift. They have no incentive to supply their competitors with their products - though I wouldn’t necessarily classify Nintendo and Microsoft as competitors for various reasons. In fact, Sony doesn’t own Arrowhead studios, and Arrowhead themselves recently stated they are going to remain independent. I think this is more of a case of attracting more players to their live service game, which this genre is better suited to be multi-platform. Moreover, Arrowhead also mentioned that their next game wasn’t going to be purely on PlayStation. I think this is much ado about nothing. With that said, I’m very happy to see Xbox players get a chance to play this game. Hopefully, consumers will support this title with their wallets.
Re: Helldivers 2 Is Officially Releasing For Xbox This August
Good news for Xbox for a change! Hopefully, consumers will support this product because it’s worth all the money. They have been clambering for this so I hope they speak with their wallets.
Re: Report: Multiple Industry Veterans To Leave Xbox Studios Amidst Layoffs
@BAMozzy Yeah, I’m not going to spin this situation into a positive. They could be leaving on their own free will, or they could be getting fired, but either way, it’s not a good sign when the news breaks during massive layoffs. I appreciate your long and informed responses, but what is happening right now - layoffs, Perfect Dark and other projects being canceled, 70 people from the Forza Motorsport team being let go - none of this is good.
I understand your sentiment - not all people being let go are essential, and they may find new role(s) within the company or elsewhere, but that doesn’t matter. The fact is, Microsoft has poor management. It has been that way for years. They are constantly changing their stance, they don’t have an identity, and they don’t know what they want to do. Their opinions change every month.
And the fact that you said, “If the restructuring means that the entire Xbox division, its Publishing, its R&D, Its PR, its Advertising and its studios are now better Organised, better supported and far more efficient and delivering Products and services to their Customers, the Gamers, then I'm sorry to hear of the losses but it's for the long term best -its ensuring their Customers stay happy and spending money and still making money for their Shareholders...”, particularly ensuring customers stay happy and spend money is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. I agree with a lot of your points throughout various articles, but hardly any customers of the Xbox brand are happy. And spending money? On what? They don’t market their games. In fact, they barely market Game Pass. In terms of Xbox, the only money they are truly making is from people buying their games on PlayStation because lord knows they aren’t selling consoles and games on their own platform.
And organization? You can’t even put Xbox and organized in the same sentence. They haven’t been organized since the second year of Xbox One. They have done nothing but come up with empty promises year after year. And when they might fulfill what they said, “The games are coming”, which took essentially 12-13 years to happen, most of them are now getting canceled and/or not received that well aside from a select few. They are not good at management or organization.
Again, try to spin that any which way you want. None of this is good. Xbox does not know who they are or what their strategy is. Goodbye to Perfect Dark and The Initiative; I won’t be surprised if Fable, or Clockwork Revolution is next.
Re: Multiple Industry Veterans To Leave Xbox Studios Amidst Layoffs
It just keeps getting worse and worse. While we don’t know if they are being let go, or leaving on their own accord, this entire situation is a disaster.
Re: Two More Xbox Games Are Being Cancelled, Including Perfect Dark
This is ridiculous. Perfect Dark looked incredible. Moreover, it looked like it was in a playable state and could be released soon. At this point, I don’t want to hear any excuses any longer - this is becoming inexcusable, and it’s poor management from the top down. If I’m being honest, Microsoft - and by Microsoft I mean the Xbox brand itself - needs to do a complete restructure with their staff, particularly management.
Re: After Half A Year, These Are The 10 Highest-Rated Xbox Games Of 2025
Clair Obscur is my #1. In fact, it’s probably my favorite game this generation, and easily a top 10 of all time. It’s a game I’m proud I got all trophies/achievements for.
On another note - I got all trophies/achievements for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Oblivion. All three of those games were excellent.
I’ve yet to play Split Fiction, and I probably never will since it’s co-op centric and I tend to play by myself. I can see its greatness, though. I would like to eventually play Mullet MadJack - that looks like a fun game.
Re: Xbox Layoffs Begin As Phil Spencer Shares Internal Microsoft Gaming Update
Let’s buy studios and then lay tons of those people off, or close down the studios altogether.
To be fair, letting people go is common in any business, but it’s how Microsoft goes about nearly all of their decisions. And let’s not forget Phil Spencer - I just can’t trust what this man says.
Re: Halo Studios Confirms Major Reveal To Take Place Later This Year
Pretty cool news. I’m interested in what kind of Halo they are going to make next. I’m in the camp of people that thoroughly enjoyed Infinite.
Re: Ex Blizzard Boss Thinks Microsoft Should Pick Its Xbox Strategy And 'Stick To It'
I agree wholeheartedly. Xbox has shifted their identity a handful of times this generation alone, and they have lost the essence of who they are as a brand. Moreover, they have misled their audience and consumers by doing just as much. Sometimes, it feels as if their priorities change every week. This is not good for business, and it shows.
Re: Xbox Founding Member 'Not Pleased' With State Of The Brand In 2025
@BAMozzy You make a very valid point. I look at it in a more simplified way.
1) Their games, most of which were meant to be exclusive, are not selling. This is why they push Game Pass so much, but it doesn’t seem to be beneficial for them, therefore they have to release their games on other platforms.
2) As a result, even though they may not be leaving the console business, they are becoming a third party publisher in the same vein as Sega, regardless of new consoles or not.
I truly believe if they would have marketed their “exclusives” properly, and had a regular cadence of releases dating back from the second year of Xbox One, then this situation wouldn’t be happening at all, and by that I mean their games coming to PlayStation. PC was always a given in my opinion - that’s how they touted their OG Xbox from the start.
Re: Xbox Founding Member 'Not Pleased' With State Of The Brand In 2025
I unfortunately have to agree with her sentiments as well. As a brand, and to drive hardware sales and exclusives to drive people to the console, it has failed immensely. As a publisher, however, they are currently the biggest in the industry. Microsoft is going the SEGA route which is a smart move, but they really need to work on their marketing.
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Xbox Game Of The Year For 2025 So Far?
1) Clair Obscur Expedition 33
2) Doom: The Dark Ages
3) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
I got every trophy/achievement for all of these games, and that’s a testament to how special I think each one is. It has been a fantastic year of gaming, and I’ve yet to play some of the other popular titles released this year, such as Atomfall, Avowed, South of Midnight, and a few others.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 28-29)
I beat and got the platinum trophy for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS5. It was your classic Bethesda game, and a special experience. I haven’t tackled the Shivering Isles DLC yet - I’m setting it to the side because I want to play other games.
My attention is now all on Death Stranding 2. I’m only four hours in but it’s been great so far. The gameplay mechanics are refined, and feel more like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in terms of movement, sound, and gunplay.
I like how there is a more emphasis on stealth combat. There have been numerous situations so far where I’m on the edge of my seat due to nerves combating my way through bandit camps, treacherous weather, and the terrain itself. It’s a perfect blend of environment story telling in a unique way. I also feel a sense of obligation to find lost cargo to deliver to other settlements despite the risky nature. It creates a real sense of urgency, but also forces you to be patient - until you can’t.
There was one instance where I had to make a delivery to a Chiral network, but it was pouring down rain. The rivers began to rise, and there were bandits surrounding me, but unaware of my presence. All the while the rain itself was damaging my cargo, almost forcing me to beeline my way straight to the objective. I offloaded my equipment, hiding it in tall grass so the enemies couldn’t see me carrying so much and alert nearby guards.
I systematically eliminated all enemies without being discovered, but my cargo eventually became damaged. I began scouring the area for container repair spray and found a handful of them, but even more importantly, I found a hidden vehicle. I quickly got inside, drove to my packages, loaded them into the bed of the truck, and carefully crossed the river. Once I reached my destination, I repaired all containers and delivered them safe and sound.
This moment-to-moment gameplay — a free sandbox to operate in — was really fun. It was essentially solving a puzzle that I could have optionally ignored, but with high risk there is a high reward. It’s these types of situations where MGSV: TPP shined immensely, and DS2 has evolved that process in peak form. I can’t wait to see how much more it expands as time goes on.
Re: Imminent Xbox Layoffs Could Include Entire Studios, Warns Industry Veteran
@Millionski Yeah, that also plays a huge role in this unfortunate event.
Re: Imminent Xbox Layoffs Could Include Entire Studios, Warns Industry Veteran
@rhyno_888 I have to agree, and this is the danger of putting a game on a subscription service instead of promoting it for people to buy. In my humble opinion, this is my biggest issue with Game Pass. It is absolutely fantastic for the consumer, but it has ripple effects across the industry that are negative.
Honestly, you have to have a certified banger on your hands to have success outside of Game Pass. Clair Obscur, arguably GOTY, made 3.3 million dollars in 3 weeks, and it’s higher now no question. However, how many of those sales are from Xbox players? If that game was an Xbox exclusive and day one on Game Pass, that studio would most likely be shut down despite the critical success it has received. The fact is, any developer/studio would tell you they would rather make a $60-80.00 sale outright then someone paying $20.00 for a subscription service with the hope — not guarantee — that audiences will play their game, and then make less money of that percentage.
As I said, as a consumer, Game Pass is awesome, but it’s not good for everyone else involved. This is why I prefer buying my games, whether it be on my PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 21-22)
@RedDuck9 That basement section was peak Resident Evil, and I think a true highlight out of the entire franchise. It was also very disturbing.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 21-22)
I’m still questing, exploring caves, tackling dungeons, killing trolls, and making my way to the platinum trophy in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Hopefully, I’ll have it wrapped up in time for Death Stranding 2, but I doubt it, and that’s okay because I love this world of Cyrodiil.
Re: Report: Xbox Working On Massive Backwards Compatibility Overhaul Called 'Xbox Classics'
All I want is Singularity. I’ve been saying this for years. Give me that game and you’ll have my undivided attention.
Re: PS5's Stellar Blade Could Move To Switch 2, But What About Xbox?
Great game - got the platinum for it. I’d love to see it come to more consoles because it’s a fantastic game that deserves to be played.
Re: Black Myth: Wukong Pre-Orders Now Live On Xbox, With A 20% Launch Discount
I hope consumers will speak with their wallets for this game, since people have been clambering for Xbox version. It’s a superb game, in my opinion.
Re: Next-Gen Xbox Partnership Will 'Push The Boundaries Of What's Possible', Says AMD Exec
It’s hard for me to get excited about any kind of new console from Xbox. I personally do not care about how much of a leap next gen will be, and the power of the console - we hear that every time from Microsoft. To me, it’s all about games. Are you going to have a steady cadence of AAA games, interspersed with AA/indie games? If so, what is separating you from PS since those games will ultimately be on that console? If it’s Game Pass, and having that subscription across multiple devices - Play Anywhere - how confident are they that developers will want to release their games on that platform?
At the end of the day, GP is great for the consumer, but a detriment to the studios. I guarantee if you ask them, they would all say that they would prefer to make $60-80.00 per game rather than $20.00 or whatever the price is for the subscription service, and not have a guarantee it will find an audience. Look at PS - people are still happy paying for games, and owning them. Look at Clair Obscur, with 3.3 million copies sold (probably more at this point). How many of those copies do you think were on Xbox? Not many, I assume.
I don’t want to speak poorly on Xbox/Microsoft - I love my Series X and it’s a great consumer product if you have GP, but there is a reason why they are releasing their games on PS. If they had a strong AAA exclusive library of games that sold well, I highly doubt Microsoft would be in the situation that they are in now.
Re: Xbox Announces Next-Gen Console Strategy, Promises 'Deeper Visuals' & Backwards Compatibility
This sounds like awesome news, but it’s a wait and see for me. Prior to this generation of console releases, I chose to purchase a Series X rather than PS5 first (I was always going to get both). I was excited about the Bethesda acquisitions and other studios. And then the promise that Microsoft always makes - the games are coming - never came to fruition, until this year. By this point, most of, if not all the games I’m interested in from Microsoft is playable on the PS5, or will be. In my humble opinion, 2022 was an incredible year for Game Pass and I was blown away by the content. It was my main source of gaming from a console standpoint. And then it disappeared. I would love for this new iteration to be something to genuinely look forward to, but I can wait for PS5/6 versions (I also prefer the trophy system over achievements). Moreover, it’s becoming more and more likely that first party Xbox games are becoming day-and-day on console releases. All of that being said, I am enjoying the content Game Pass is delivering this year. If this remains steady and consistent, it might become my go-to choice for gaming, but that’s the key - consistency (and also genuine marketing).
Re: Review: Rematch (Xbox) - A Highly Addictive Blend Of Rocket League And Real Football
I’m glad to see the game reviewing well, but it’s sadly not for me. I was surprised to see this be the next game after Sifu — and hopefully they will return to that universe sometime.
Re: Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In July 2025 So Far
Wuchang will probably be a game I download. It looks pretty good. I haven’t turned my Series X on since STALKER 2 (one of my favorite games this generation), so I have a pretty strong lineup of backlog games on Game Pass. I’ll probably dive into all of them once I beat Death Stranding 2 after it releases.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 14-15)
I haven’t had much time to play games this week, let alone this weekend. Whatever free time I do have I will be spending it in the world of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
I always find Bethesda RPGs interesting because I tend to forget how they are meant to be played, and it’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed. I never know if I should immediately set out and explore, or start the main quest. And yet, the result is always the same - I wander aimlessly and complete dungeons I’m not a high enough level for, pick locks and break into homes, read random notes and journals that lead me down an interesting quest line, and stealth my way through enemies with my bow and arrow.
Somehow, after discovering towns and stumbling my way through tons of side quests, I always manage to organically start the main narrative, unsure of how I did so. I think this is the brilliance that modern Bethesda games are missing — Fallout 4 (I really enjoyed that game; got the platinum for it) and Starfield particularly. There is a certain magic to the art of discovery that will eventually lead you to where you’re meant to go even if it doesn’t appear that way initially.
With that said, there is one issue I have with the game design, albeit it’s a product of 2006. Exploring caves and dungeons are great, but it can be disheartening when at the end of the area there isn’t an exit — you have to backtrack to leave. This isn’t with every area, mind you, but it’s incredibly noticeable. Thankfully, Skyrim fixed this problem.
Other than that minor quibble, Oblivion is sublime. When it first released in 2006, I did not like the game whatsoever. My best friend was obsessed with it, and watching him play it I thought, ”Man, this looks so cool”, but it was never fun to play for me. I had the same reaction to Fallout 3. It wasn’t until Skyrim that these types of games clicked with me. Fast forward 19-years, and it has become my favorite genre. And when Bethesda does make a good game, you know it, and there is no other feeling like it.
Re: MindsEye Releases To Zero Reviews, But Here's What The Players Are Saying
I’ve played about two hours so far and it’s solid. It isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind, and it has its technical issues: lip synching, and some stuttering, but the driving is great. The gunplay is okay, but the sound design is off. The story actually seems pretty cool, and the voice acting, animations, and cutscenes are good. It’s probably a 6.5/10 or a 7/10 kind of game, and I’m okay with that. It was what I was expecting and I’m content.
Re: All 60+ Backwards Compatible Games In The Xbox Deals Unlocked Sale 2025
Call me when Singularity finally becomes BWC because it’s a shame it’s not.
Re: Opinion: I've Never Liked JRPGs, But Xbox's New FF16 Demo Has Me Hooked
16 is a fantastic entry in the series, and I’m glad to hear it has changed your opinion. Moreover, it’s nice seeing (anyone, really) someone give a genre a chance that they aren’t fond of.
Re: MindsEye Launches Today, But Dev Warns Xbox Players To Apply Day One Patch
@RBRTMNZ What makes it look like crap to you?
Re: MindsEye Launches Later Today, But Dev Warns Xbox Players To Wait For Day One Patch
@themightyant That is totally fair. The alarm bells are ringing, and the whole debacle with the bad previews are a result of being paid to do so is quite ridiculous. The marketing for this game from a studio standpoint - no early review copies, etc.; - do not scream confidence in their product. I can’t argue with that — the skepticism is warranted for sure.
Re: MindsEye Launches Later Today, But Dev Warns Xbox Players To Wait For Day One Patch
@dskatter What makes it look horrible exactly? Maybe generic, sure, but horrible? From all the videos shown, the gunplay seems cool, the driving seems fun, and they seem to be trying to create a decent story. I’m not saying any of these things will be good, mind you, but I have yet to see anything from the videos shown that says it’s horrible.
Re: MindsEye Launches Later Today, But Dev Warns Xbox Players To Wait For Day One Patch
@Dan1283 I think this mindset is what’s wrong with a lot of gaming culture today. Don’t get me wrong, I understand your point of view — early impressions of the game via YouTube channels aren’t high on the game — but from the very first showing of this game people have said this game will be “awful”, or “trash”. A lot of people don’t give games chances anymore and it’s saddening. Every Xbox showcase, PS State of Play, what-have-you is “trash” in the comment section, or portrayed as the worst showcase in history. It seems “cool” to constantly be negative on games. It’s very disheartening.
And yeah, the game could be flat out awful. It may be broken, or just discombobulated altogether. However, if the driving mechanics and gunplay are solid, I think the game will be decent. I don’t need a 8/10 kind of game. Sometimes, I’m looking for a good mindless romp similar to games from the PS3 and 360 era. This looks to be in that vein.
Re: Review: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition - A Proper 360 Throwback On Xbox Game Pass
@Kaloudz It plays like it in terms of gunplay and violence, but that’s where the comparisons end. There are no walls to cover to—you are simply out to kill hordes of enemies in brutal fashion.
Re: Review: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition - A Proper 360 Throwback On Xbox Game Pass
I never played the first game, but absolutely adore Space Marine 2. I’ll for sure be booting up my X for this. It should be a fun time.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 7-8)
This week I managed to finish Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. It is a game that never outstayed its welcome, and its Metroidvania and Zelda-like qualities were incredibly well done. It took me about 17 hours, with completion rate of 78%. I feel quite satiated with my experience.
Subsequently, I was perusing my back catalog of games and saw Sea of Stars. I then realized Sabotage Studios released their hefty free expansion/DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker a week or so ago, and I decided to redownload the game.
I have beaten it before, but I noticed I missed a ton of optional content. Once I booted the game back up, I was immediately drawn back into this gorgeous world, almost without missing a beat. Within a couple of hours I mopped up all side bosses and collectibles, and even got the platinum trophy for it.
It is truly an outstanding retro-inspired JRPG. And, having not played it since release, all of the patches and updates have made it an even more enjoyable experience; it is more streamlined, in a positive way. As of right now, I’m a couple of hours in the DLC and it’s been sublime. I’m really looking forward to the new classes, abilities, and story.
I’m not sure what I want to play next. I have my eye on two games: MindsEye (I honestly think it looks solid despite the hooblah) and Blades of Fire. I’m not looking for anything special - just a simple spray and pray or hack and slash. Really, I’m just biding my time until Death Stranding 2 releases.