Scrubchub

Baldur's Gate 3. Really need to get around to that one. But other than that, I'll stick to working through my current backlog very happily.

Good grief, those are some impressive reviews. I must have missed the previous article on this as it's completely new to me. No brainer on Gamepass though, great stuff.

Fantastic. Thought it looked great so glad it's followed through with the promise.

However, my backlog is, without exaggeration, stretching back to 2023 (I heard a little game called Baldur's Gate 3 is worth a play) so something has to give. Might just write off everything in my Play Later list and start from scratch.

@JayJ why on earth is is 'sad' that people would like and purchase this game?! I can't fathom the thinking behind that. What a bitter, unpleasant outlook on things. Just let people enjoy what they like and stop being so supercilious and condescending. And grow up a bit.

Had an itch for a run through RDR2 again that I needed to scratch so just enjoying the first 3 chapters of that before it all gets a bit intense and depressing. Chilling out in the wild west for those first chapters really is one of gamings great, cathartic experiences. Just perfect.

And Balatro, which I'm now playing on my phone for ease of access. Which I don't recommend actually. It would be like John Frusciante moving in with a heroin dealer. Good game, mind.

Glad it's doing well. It really is quite strange to see some of the comments. Is there another series that would make people so determined to see fail? It's weird. These numbers are objectively good, yet people are basically denying it, or insulting people for liking the game (see the first post).

If you don't like Ubisoft, go play something else. Stop wasting your energy.

Good deal really. Big releases that mean something to me intend to getting physical though so that's what I'll be doing with this. Ubisoft plus is packed if you like their stuff though.

Atomfall looks good but I'm going out on a limb and saying it'll be worth waiting a few weeks for all the typical open world game kinks to be ironed out.

AC Shadows should keep things ticking over I reckon.

Was going to wait until the autumn as that's just the AC time of year for me but who an I kidding. Day one, or near it. Can't wait.

@Kaloudz yeah, the standard Xbox controller really is all the controller I'd ever need.

Played it on Gamepass for a few hours then immediately deleted it and bought it on mobile instead so I could play it more often. Had it on Switch last year but hadn't played for a few months. Forgot how good it is.

Looking forward to it, have enjoyed every AC game I've played. Hopefully they'll reign in some of the extraordinary level of bloat that was in Valhalla.

@Kaloudz love your positivity on a forum of utter doom-mongering! Nice to read someone who is just happy and excited to play games on their Xbox and doesn't take it all so seriously.

Always thought I'd get into the Yakuza series at some point on Gamepass but never really knew where to start or if summer were with skipping. Never mind, plenty of other things to play.

Started Avowed and also downloaded Balatro. More than enough there for the weekend!

I am tempted to get RDR2 in the sale but there are probably too many new games I want to play to justify going back to one one already done (even if it is one of my top 3 of all time).

@YeyoFairy no way I'm buying it for mobile. Too addictive to have at my fingertips to that extent!

It's a fantastic game. Perfect.

Incredible game. Got to be worth a 2nd playthrough. Last one was on PS4 so I can only imagine how good a 4k upgrade looks.

Only question is if the Ultimate Edition is worth the hike to £17.99? (Not really worth worrying about at that price I suppose)

Great game regardless.

@Nightcrawler71 I didn't understand poker and I love this game. Give it a go.

@Tasuki having played both, I would personally say this is a CONSIDERABLY better game than Indy, which is also a great game.

Couldn't be much more different to each other, but in terms of enjoyment, this one is a genuine all time great.

(Played extensively on Switch)

Wow, that's a nice surprise. Been playing Slay the Spire a lot which is another brilliant rogue like deck builder so popping into Gamepass and seeing this is brilliant! Gamepass is just brilliant at the moment. Already have it on Switch but this is another excuse to get stuck back in.

@Kaloudz wow, that sounds unpleasant - hope you're on the mend.

Finished Ninja Gaiden 2 Black last night which I loved, but to be honest was ready for it to be over. The boss rush in the last couple of chapters is ludicrous.

So starting on Avowed. Also going to get around to trying Metal Slug Tactics, and want to finish off Spyro with my son. Lots of Gamepass!

More importantly - setting up a gaming area in the house with a new TV so I can actually spend some proper time doing my favourite hobby. Sharing a TV doesn't work and I've really gone off watching TV anyway. Gaming is better.

@Weebadtoad London is most certainly the capital of the UK.

Hmm, article had me quite excited for this, then the comments rather dampened the enthusiasm! I do like Ubisoft open world stuff in general though (we aren't supposed to admit that these days, are we....?) so I'll give it a go. Would like to have a look around the open world, if nothing else.

Looking forward to this one. Lots to play so may wait for the traditional AC release time in the autumn but will definitely play through. Enjoyed every AC game throughout the series (to different degrees).

Had a look earlier as at first glance it sounds a good sale. But it's not. So that's that.

Enjoyed Tales of Arise for about 20 hours, then over the next 10 or so it just started to become a bit of slog. Stopped at about 30 hours and haven't gone back. Feel a bit bad that I haven't returned to finish it off but can't see myself spending money on it so I guess I can't be that worried.

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.