Mrzoomer

Glad Microsoft snagged a rare boss. Legendary would have been preferred, but much better than an uncommon.

@Kaloudz The three games are Sands of Time (backwards compatible), Warrior Within, and Two Thrones. Not sure why the last two games of the trilogy aren't backwards compatible as the trilogy did have a re-release on the ps3 back in the day. Warrior Within had the past/present feature where the map would change depending which time you were in. There was also the big guy that would chase you due to the prince disrupting time in the first game. Two Thrones had the dark prince you could turn into with the chain whip. All fun games but I do find Sands of Time is the best of the three. A reason I keep my original Xbox around.

In Canada new releases now cost $90 ($100 if you add on the provincal and federal taxes)!? I am a patient gamer. The majority of games I buy are on sale or second hand. I used to splurge and buy one new AAA game a year at release if I was super interested in it. Having a new release be triple digit makes it really hard to justify buying a game at release. Especially when what you buy might not be the complete package. Add in microtransactions and the piece meal state of a lot of new games it makes it really difficult to get excited enough to purchase a new game at release.

Ooh Chasm! Totally picking that up when it releases. I remember downloading a demo of it in high-school and it is like a weird fever dream version of Quake. Definitely not as polished but if I remember correctly it has dismemberment which was really cool to see. Now if only we can get the Hexen and Heretic games re-released! Forget about Call of Duty. These are the games I want in the Xbox ecosystem with the Activision deal. Imagine ID or Machinehead making a new game in those series. Sign me up 😁

I voted for the first Dishonored as it is such a fun game and the world is so enthralling. The one game I hope to one day see on game pass is Arkane's Arx Fatalis. My first memories of it are as a pack in pc game when my dad bought a new video card. I picked up the original xbox port a few years back and I would love to revisit it on the Series X one day. Even if they decide to "remaster" it and re-release it I would gladly buy it again. I think more people need to play it and experience Arkane's first game. Such a cool feel of the different fantasy races living underground and the unique magic system. The visuals have a gritty dark fantasy vibe and the entire game oozes with mystery and intrigue. Definitely my top Arkane game that is sadly missing on game pass.

One of my favorite RTS! So many memories playing big LAN parties of this at family gatherings during Christmas and Thanksgiving. I usually went with the Britons and would unleash fury with the longbowmen. I find with RTS on console you have to be open to learning a new control scheme. From Dune 2 on the Sega Genesis to Halo Wars on the 360 there is a bit of an awkward phase as you learn the quirks of that certain game. Glad to hear that AOE2 controls nicely.

@Shigurui That is how I play it as well. In Canada I regularily see copies of the Jet Set Radio Future/Sega GT 2002 combo original xbox disk on ebay for really cheap.

I will probably play a bit more of Riftbreaker. An excellent real time strategy game which feels a little obtuse at the beginning but once things click they click amazingly.

@HarmanSmith Cool! There are a few of those I will have to check out. Soul Reaver is a classic and I hope we see a revival of the series soon. I actually just picked up a copy of Hybrid Heaven for the 64 over Christmas. I haven't played much but the combat is super interesting!

@Kaloudz Thanks! My wife and I are super excited 😀 Yeah I tried Serious Sam 4 and it didn't quite click with me. Nice! Duke and Hexen are great games.

I am looking forward to Redfall the most. I am still not completely sold on Starfield but I am hoping the Starfield direct will change my mind. Redfall seems like more Arkane goodness. I love their art style and the game worlds they create. Something I will gladly sink my teeth into 😛

@Kaloudz That is hilarious! I am becoming a parent in May so I am looking forward to some eventual dad/daughter gaming. I remember as a kid sitting on my dad's lap in the computer chair while he played Doom and Serious Sam (with the blood setting turned to flowers). Great memories 😀

@HarmanSmith Any top picks of yesteryear that are your go to retro games to enjoy? I always like hearing what other people play as it can sometimes introduce me to games I have never heard of. Last year I dove into the world of the Sega Master System after getting an Analogue SG. I'm in Canada so a lot of the games I had to import from Europe but I am having an absolute blast!

@Kaloudz I have had my fair share of "old man yells at clouds" moments haha. I felt really old a few weeks ago when I was showing a younger cousin the original Doom. He thought there was something wrong with the controller because he couldn't look up and down to aim 😛

@Kaloudz I reluctantly consider myself an "oldie" haha. I find over the years I prefer jank to bloat in my games. I will take funky AI and suspect level geometry over a map filled with a laundry list of things to checkmark any day.

I haven't had a chance to try the re-release but I am glad it is now available on Xbox and Switch. In my opinion new access to any older games is a win for the video game medium. All games may not appeal to all people but I find it is important to have the opportunity to dip into the history of games. If even just one person discovers Goldeneye for the first time and enjoys an evening of local multiplayer with their friends cursing Oddjob in 2023 I consider that amazing!

@EliJapan From what I remember there were a couple spots where I died and had to traverse over previous areas but it didn't sour the experience. There is fast travel to certain points and a Metroid style feel where there are things you can't reach in older areas until a new skill or upgrade is purchased or found.

Awesome! I really enjoyed playing Journey to the Savage Planet. It was a fun whimsical jaunt that didn't overstay its welcome. I bought the dlc when it was on sale and haven't gotten around to it yet. This update might give me the push to dive back in again.

@Stocksy I miss that feeling as well. I have a huge collection of original Xbox and 360 games and although I am able to play them on original hardware I would love to have the chance to play them on my Series X. One of the main reasons I am excited about Microsoft buying Activision is the hope that it opens up the door for more backwards compatible games. Quake 4, Wolfenstein, Darkwatch, Soldier of Fortune 2, Transformers WfC/FoC, etc. I have friends who only have a Series X or One and it would be awesome for them to have the opportunity to try these games out!

@Jacket_p I had the same feeling when I played Fallen Order a few years ago. I loved the story and platforming. I think maybe I got fatigued by the combat? I just remember looking online for how much longer I would have to play to the end which is never a good sign.

On the Xbox Series X I have been caught up going through the Quake expansions. Curse the countless Vore and Shamblers that have killed me haha. For previous generations I recently finished Quake 2 on the ps1 and I am knee deep in RLH (Run Like Hell) on the original Xbox. I do hope once Microsoft buys Activision that we get a new bundle of backwards compatible games. Quake 2 and 4 on the Series X would be incredible 😍

If they do have an event early 2023 I hope they do more than just showcase Redfall and Starfield. I am super excited for both of those games but I would like to have a taste of what 2024 or even 2025 has in store. Where is Fable or Perfect Dark?

Judas looks awesome and makes me want to replay Bioshock. Space Marine and Jedi Survivor look fun. I am so so ready to dive into Atomic Heart! Disappointed in the new Transformer game. I would greatly prefer a War for Cybertron type game.