Scrubchub

Seems obvious when it's said out loud! Makes a lot of sense. They're making consistently profitable and well received games so just keep doing that.

@johndoe89 god forbid they use inclusive pronouns 🙄. Bizarre how something like that causes such a reaction in people. Not even trying to hide their bigotry anymore.

@cornholio005 it's 60fps on series X.

@Old_Man_Harper mate, I've still got a 2023 backlog.

@FarmDog08 😂 well that's an informed opinion then isn't it!!

Echoing others, enjoyed Tales of Arise for a while but after 30 hours it just became a slog so gave it up with the intention of returning to it. Never did and don't really feel the need to now it's leaving, which says it all.

It's just not the same without a big world map to run around on. Doesn't feel like an 'epic' journey.

Loved it back in the day and it's still just as satisfying now. Surprised how easily the muscle memory came back - not sure I'd have the patience to start from scratch these days (in fact I know that I wouldn't).

Possibly an unpopular opinion here but I actually think it's a better, more enjoyable game on the easier difficulty. And I say that as someone who did finish the game on the 360 on two difficulty levels. Much more of a power fantasy that really demonstrates just how destructive Ryu can be.

@Romans12 of all the things to be concerned about on the run up to a game's release, that seems like a rather unimportant one. If there are, shall we say, 'extra' genders, then just don't make use of that option and get on with the game. It won't impact on the experience at all.

It's all been said a million times, but what a game this has turned into. From bland and empty to almost overwhelmingly packed with content.

I do wonder what is still in it for the devs though. Is it still selling enough copies to make these massive updates worthwhile?! Not knocking it, just wondering how much bigger they actually need to make this game.

@themightyant I agree on the difficulty. I actually did complete the original at release on two difficulty settings (which is unlike me to be honest), but not sure in my advancing years if I would still have the patience.

The easier difficulty is, imo, much more fun. It isn't so easy that you can button mash your way through - you still have to play the game properly. But, you get to act like an unstoppable ninja killing machine more easily.

It's well judged, and with the original difficulty still if you want it, then everyone wins.

@JonBoyJ I kind of agree, I think. At the risk of sounding like a prude/snowflake/wet blanket/ Mary Whitehouse etc, I can't help but feel the extreme detail in the bullet cam is exploitative. It isn't done in any educational way, or in a way to make us think about the effect that these weapons have on the human body - it is far more gleeful than that. And therefore in rather poor taste. Having said that, I will play it on Gamepass as they are good games, and think about whether or not I want to turn off the bullet cam in the settings.

Nothing we didn't already know, yet the same few posters are making basically the same few posts again. Seriously, spend less time belly aching on the internet about things out of your control and use that time on your hobbies.

Xbox is stacked this year, as is Gamepass. I got a year's worth of GP off CD Keys in the January sale for £80 - that is the biggest bargain in the history of the medium. Yet some here act with absolute incredulity that some people are happy with Microsoft and aren't hugely bothered about their exclusives going multi platform.

I'm happy with my Series X, happy with Gamepass, and not really bothered by their current trajectory. We know they'll still be here next generation so that's the best part of a decade.

Quite frankly, there's too much to worry about in the 'real' world to get bent out of shape over a videogame console.

Goddamn, it's so good. I flipping loved this game back in the day and it's still just as good.

Few tips for newbies - flying swallow technique is essential. Jump and then Y button. Also, use the walls. Run straight up a wall and heavy attack. Causes Ryu to divebomb into the ground and cause splash damage. Essential as it can stagger a group of enemies in one go allowing you to go to town on them.

Stick with one weapon, and get it fully upgraded as soon as possible. Then you can purchase healing items throughout the game. Save the healing items for boss fights if you can.

Items that expand your health bar also replenish your health so save those for boss fights as well. Basically an extra healing items.

Use the ninpo a lot. It isn't as powerful as its animation suggests but it can stagger enemies, which is the aim. Then slice and dice with your weapon.

To be honest, this is exactly why I play videogames. Pure adrenaline rush in the comfort of your own home.

Hadn't heard of it but most certainly on my radar now!

Really strong presentation. For the amount of time I play games these days, I probably won't have to buy a game this year - could quite comfortably stick to Gamepass. Long may it continue.

I know Xbox is supposed to be the 'losing' side these days, but it really doesn't feel like it sometimes. Love my series X and love Gamepass.

@RaZieLDaNtE dude, love seeing someone nerding out over Ninja Gaiden as much as I did when I saw the reveals!

Was not expecting this reveal but there day one, thank you very much!

@Kaloudz delete the other one and download this. This is the new, 'definitive' version of the game.

This looks fantastic. Thought this was going to be later in the year so chuffed that it's a spring time release. The art style is brilliant.

Ninja Gaiden II was fricking awesome. Brutal, weird, sometimes nonsensical, sometimes just plain unfair. But when it clicks, it is one of the very best action games ever made. And the gore was so ridiculously over the top and satisfying. Straight to Gamepass to download.

It'll drive you nuts, but give it a go as it may be your new favourite game.

Edit: if you've never played it before, then the sheer brutality of the gore and dismemberment will take you by surprise. In a good, slightly sociopathic kind of way.

@Nintendo4Sonic really? That's mental. The originals had some frustrating parts, not in the mood for something that dials that up. Will give it a go anyway.

Crash 4 - that's great news. Might finish up Spyro with my son in time for that one.

Kind of in-between games at the moment (that doesn't happen often) so probably time to give Sniper Elite a go. Been meaning to play one of those for years so will try the newest one.

I absolutely loved KoA back on the 360 - hugely underrated game. Big world, great combat, really good lore. Story is very meh but there's so much to do outside of that.

Interesting to see how far they go with this. I'd be a day one buyer of the Xbox handheld but I'll also get a switch 2. So it does certainly beg the question of whether one would actually need both....

@VenomUK £100 would probably be a bit far for me but at £80 I could justify it due to the sheer number of high quality hours I've had out of the franchise in the past.

That's GTA and Rockstar though. Their tent pole releases are as consistent as they come. If it became standard across the industry then it's a different story.

Makes Gamepass a no brainer at that point.

@Nighto4 that would be awesome but hugely unlikely unfortunately.....

Some weird comments, as always. Never understood the rampant negativity around our hobby sometimes - it genuinely seems like some people would be better off doing something else.

Anyway, this looks interesting. Looking forward to seeing how it pans out at release.

Don't really understand the comments about it being delayed to avoid Ghost of Yotei - does that have a release date yet?

Besides, in terms of sales, the AC is considerably bigger than Ghost of Tsushima/Yotei; AC Valhalla (universally derided according to internet echo chambers) sold many millions more copies and made an absolute fortune compared to Ghost of Tsushima (universally adored according to internet echo chambers).

If anything, Sony would want to be avoiding the samurai game from the more prestigious franchise, not vice versa.

Also have to laugh at the poster above saying KCD2 would have been a bigger seller in February than AC Shadows. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that is a possibility.

I'm not even a huge Ubisoft fan, but the bandwagon jumping is so tiresome. They made one of the best games of last year in Prince of Persia so they can't be all bad. Welcome to the internet, I guess.

@Tasuki been thinking about adopting that setup - Series X for the living room and then get a S for the bedroom for when the living room is free. I'd just spend all my time in the bedroom on the series S then though I guess. It's that or putting a TV on the wall above the dining table which I'm leaning towards at the moment.

🤣 the state of some of you in these comments. Seriously, just relax and go and play some games. Absolutely staggering how worked up some people can get with strangers on the internet who disagree with them over something that doesn't matter.

@NintendoByNature in that case really do look up buying a key from it. I just bought 4 lots of months for £20 each from CDKeys. Nice to know I'm stocked up for the next year.

@NintendoByNature I did the same - just went through my direct debits on my online banking and ruthlessly just culled almost all of them. I also now buy a 3 month Gamepass subscription (about £20 from CDKeys). It's cathartic and those £10/£15 subscriptions add up REALLY quickly each month.

Play more. Not being flippant either - spoke to my partner about where we can fit another TV so I can spend some free time actually doing the hobby I most enjoy. Work too hard to not have a bit more time to myself. And then get through the backlog and play a few games I've missed over the last couple of years.

I have a backlog of purchased games, a backlog of Switch games, a backlog of Gamepass games, a backlog of games from 2023 (BG3 specifically) and a backlog of games from 2024. And at least 7 or 8 games here that I would like to get to as soon as they are released.

Actually spoke to my other half today about my New Year's resolution genuinely being finding more time to game - getting a 2nd TV etc. It's my favourite hobby so an hour a night if I'm lucky at 11pm when I'm exhausted doesn't cut it really. Life's too short.

Bring on the games!

Downloaded Indy - time to dive in to that one. Also eyeing Baldurs Gate 3 in the sale and have a good number of games on the Switch as well. As always, I'm game rich and time poor but there you go.

Still Wakes the Deep was probably my Gamepass game of the year. Mafia was a nice surprise - hoping the sequels end up on the service as well.

CoD was probably my favourite 'big' GP release and loved both the Resi games. Indy will probably get into my top 5 when I get around to it!

Spyro was good fun too. Still playing that with my son.

Loads to enjoy on the service this year. Well worth the £20 I spend on it every 3 months from CDKeys.

@neoxmahi 🤣 get a grip mate, it's not that serious.

@gollumb82 well put. Not many places on the internet that are 'safe places' these days but this one is a pretty nice place to spend some time!

Happy Christmas to all and hopefully you all get some gaming time (I'll be in the Switch today as I've got no chance of getting some time on the TV!).

Brilliant game - I'm not exaggerating when I say it's possibly the best FPS campaign I've ever played. Only thing counting against it is the length (5 hours tops), but minute for minute it's almost flawless.

@Balaam_ good grief, give it a bloody rest.

Baldurs Gate 3 finally sneaks under £50! May finally be time for me to get on that one!

Geralt's story was nicely tied up in Blood and Wine for me. I'm happy to let him enjoy his retirement. Ciri is a great character as well so I can live with it.

I do like a deck builder - will check this one out!

@Timppis I feel that is missing the point. It isn't people having a tantrum over having to wait an extra three days. It is the fact that a Gamepass sub is advertised as having the benefit of these day one releases. And when it comes to the actual release then to get true day one access you would have to pay a premium. It is fundamentally dishonest.

@themightyant exactly. It was clearly a traditional Friday release but they put that behind a paywall in the name of this ridiculous 'early access' nonsense. Pretty cynical way to nickel and dime their customers but if people are paying it....

As others have said, the best Forza Horizon. The perfect arcade racer and well worth (just over) a tenner of anyone's money.

Need to get back to Resi 2 to do the second campaign then. Been meaning to but so many games to play.....