@Kaloudz We know nothing about Everwild other than it being by Rare and being the first game announced for this generation. It’s about time we get an update on it (since it’s apparently not cancelled as of rumors from last year). With Everwild and SoD 3, I feel like just getting an update would be nice. I know it’s not first party Xbox, but, man, it’s got me thinking… Pragmata… Will that one ever see the light of day? We don’t even have rumors or statements on that one anymore.
I agree. It feels like studios take such a long time on games right now, so it certainly does feel like every game is in a make it or break it situation for most studios. But… Obsidian sort of proves things don’t have to be that way.
I think Sea of Thieves honestly generates a lot of income for Microsoft, regardless of it being on PS5. From what I’ve read about it, it has a pretty dedicated fanbase and a decent amount of recurring players that exit and return on a regular basis, so I don’t think Rare is in a dangerous place because they’re got that live service that is actually working type of money, you know? From what I’ve read, I think SoT wasn’t crazy budget, so it’s remained profitable. I could be wrong though. That live service money might also be the issue with Everwild though too.
I’m hoping that new Doom feels like how the old Dooms felt in my mind. Reading that it’s slower, more deliberate, and more of a stand your ground experience intrigues me, as most FPSes are sort of athletic in their approach. The game looks absolutely crazy to me. I could definitely see it blowing the other current GotY candidates out of the water. I’d love if it has a bit of that survival horror edge too. The hardest part of the horror experience though will definitely be keeping my kids away from it. My son watched the Xbox summer showcase last year and he was like, “What is THAT?!” And to be honest, I was probably around his age when I played OG Doom, so I sort of get it! 😅
@Kaloudz Lol. I can’t stay up at night these days. I think I’m winded from working long hours, but I typically pass out an hour after my kids do! My wife’s a bit of a stickler when it comes to what the kids see, so I’m definitely going to playing Doom in a groggy fashion when that comes out! Sometimes I have to schedule for a dedicated gaming day if I get too backlogged!
State of Decay and Everwild (and Contraband) have all been hanging out for a really long time now. I don’t expect Contraband will be a huge holiday title since it doesn’t have that huge IP draw, but State of Decay and Everwild could? I dunno.
There’s a part of me that just misses Halo and wants something else Halo too. It’s been 4 years now. Remember when we used to get a new Halo game every year?
@Balta666 Truthfully, Clair Obscur reminds me a lot of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 minus the anime feel to it for me. There’s a sprinkling of Final Fantasy in there too and a bit of Dark Souls, but I totally agree that the whole thing feels sort of pointless in the end. At the end of Act 1, I had a guess for who people were and what was going on and i was sort of like, “Please don’t let this be the gist of the story.” Then, sure enough, I had guessed the big plot points.
@Nighto4 The game is self-aware for sure. And I don’t mind gloomy games. I like my sad Dad simulators. Death Stranding is my favorite game of all time, for instance. For me though, and I’m not sure how far you are, so I don’t want to spoil anything, but I felt that a lot of the world building went to waste in the third act, although the third act also explained why so few characters in the game had a detailed story arc.
@Nightcrawler71 Yeah, the combat is kinetic and fun, but at times it can be a bit of a grind, but hey that’s turn based combat for you! I can say that it’s probably my favorite turn based combat I’ve played in a while, outside of those Square 2DHD games.
@Kaloudz Fable would have a distinct shot at GotY if it came out this year, that’s for sure! I’m ok with a bit of a lighter second half of the year, personally, but I’d like to see like… Everwild or maybe that rumored new Spyro game. State of Decay 3 would be quite a surprise too, but I feel like that one and Perfect Dark are 2026 for some reason. Honestly, it may be a bit selfish, but I’m hoping for games I can play around my kids these days (or with them) right now. Oh, man, if only Banjo could make an appearance!
I really want to get back to Split Fiction, which I was loving playing with the wife, but life just happened, she got busy, and then I got sick, and now I just want to play it again! Since we paused on it, I’ve played KCD2, South of Midnight, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur, but I keep thinking how much I liked Split Fiction more than other games I’ve been playing. The game is just so unique, diverse in gameplay, and, most importantly, fun! It gives me those Astro Bot feelings. I’m going to beg the wife to play it with me this weekend.
That said, I’ve been deep in Clair Obscur, but I guess I’m a forever contrarian, as I just don’t like it as much as everyone else. It’s an 8/10 for me, and, yes, I will concur that there’s a lot of positives for it in its gameplay, which I love, and it’s production values, but the story is predictable and I just think the game lays itself out thick on the emotions and melodrama. I am frankly surprised I haven’t seen many others share these thoughts.
For me, given the release schedule right now, I’m sort of expecting that I’ll be going full in on Switch 2… if I can find one. These summer showcases are going to be crazy though, I think.
@Kaloudz It feels like the industry is frozen, waiting on GTA6, in some ways. As of right now, after Doom (and To a T), I can’t think of anything on Xbox I’m looking forward to, so I hope the delay gives us some Xbox surprises for the second half of this year. Outer Worlds 2 surely can’t be the only thing balancing with the inevitable new CoD title at the end of the year. Wouldn’t it be cool if this delay gets the Fable team the confidence to release this year again?
I’m so curious what big games have been in hiding, waiting to maneuver around GTA. It seems like there has to be big releases that are in the shadows right now.
@Kaloudz I have a feeling Xbox and Sony will avoid releasing anything big anywhere near GTA, provided Rockstar is confident in its release date. I feel like the biggest games we’ll probably get outside GTA6 for the first half of the year will be those goofy mid-tier Nintendo titles like Tomodachi Life. You know, the stuff that doesn’t compete with GTA in any capacity. I don’t like that the industry is like this, but the second half of 2025 looks absolutely barren because publishers were expecting GTA and I think that may change now, but that just means the emptiness will get pushed back to the first half of next year now. I almost feel like Ghost of Yotei got a release date because Sony found out about GTA 6’s delay.
@Kaloudz I expect Fable to be an autumn/holiday release in 2026. I think developers have been cagey about release dates for a while now. The game I’m wondering most about is probably Judas. Will that one “replace” where GTA6 was expected by Take Two?
I’m not bothered by the delay either way though. I do hope we get another Xbox title slated in the fall now though for this year though.
Well, at least Gamepass hasn’t gotten a price hike.
Honestly, with the rate that prices are increasing in gaming, I think I may be done getting all three platforms. Might just stick with a Switch 2 for the next generation.
Something like xCloud may enable older hardware to be “next generation” as well, fyi. I play tons of “Series only” games on my Xbone via xCloud. Oblivion actually runs better this method than being natively installed on my Series S, weirdly enough.
Who would’ve thought that all they had to do was make great content and they’d see success? It’s a shame Xbox had some truly blank years at the beginning of this generation, but last year and this year so far have been a huge turnaround story.
I honestly haven’t been playing a lot of games this year. I’ve been bouncing off of most games I’ve played. Neither Avowed nor Kingdom Come 2 clicked with me. Assassin’s Creed Shadows… I dropped. The wife and I started Split Fiction, but we just haven’t had time to return to it. We will return to that one though. There’s a couple other games I played that I don’t remember off the top of my head, but they just weren’t vibing with me. I personally think 2025 has been just sort of ok to me as a gaming year so far. I know that’s a hot take, but it’s true for me.
And as for more hot takes, I’m tackling Clair Obscur, but is it just me or does the game feel like the story is going in a direction that is totally derivative of Xenoblade Chronicles 3? I like the game, but I feel like it’s almost certain that the game is going to go that direction just in a more melodramatic and less anime way. I’m trying to see what others see in it, but I just feel like… I’m waiting for that 10/10 moment that so many others see in the game.
For positives though, the Oblivion remaster is fun to just mess around with, and I’ve been dipping my toes in the water with it, but not playing it seriously. And Blue Prince is utterly fantastic. Best game so far this year for me.
@Nighto4 Well, it’s been maybe a decade since I’ve played 13, but Clair Obscur plays as I would’ve wanted the next FF game to play that decade ago. It’s that high definition turn based vibe, I suppose. It just really reminds me of how I felt playing 13, which is a positive thing. I’ve got my nitpicks on that game, but overall, I do like it more than most, I believe.
It’s literally impossible for me to score the game so soon after release. I don’t know how anyone without a review copy could score a JRPG the week of its release! Lol.
That said, I’m liking it so far. The production values are insane. The music is very well done, as are the performances. The story is unique. The gameplay is a strange new refinement on Final Fantasy 13’s combat systems and world exploration, which isn’t something I’d ever say would be a real thing by this point.
I like it. Will I love it? I don’t know. I feel like 2025 has been a year of overhyped games (I’m sorry, but the hype train has practically said there’s a new masterpiece every two weeks this year, and I’m not sure there’s been one yet… though I’m playing Clair Obscur and will eventually get to Split Fiction), so I’m waiting to finish my drink to find out if I’ve drank the koolaid, you know what I mean? I can say that it’s very unique and I expect it to land as an 8/10 or 9/10 for me, based on my early impressions. But this is also a story based game, so where the story goes will lead to where my opinion goes. Based on what I’ve seen and read in reviews though, I don’t think it’ll drop below an 8/10 for me. But who knows? By the end of it, it could be a 10 too! When there’s 30+ hours yet of gameplay, anything is possible.
2025 is easily the year I’ve played Xbox most in over 10 years. Gamepass has been fantastic this year. First year I’ve played more Xbox than PS since the 360 era perhaps.
@VisitingComet1 Thank you! I hope so too. I’ll be back to work again tomorrow since I’m not longer contagious according to my doctor, but I’ve missed two days a week at this point, so I hope that’s not a thing again this week.
It’s a roguelike, but it’s not one for the genre’s warriors, if that makes sense. It has that framework for a new genre experience. It’s a puzzle game, ala The Witness, where you are building the rooms to a large estate with the intention of connecting to the mysterious 46th room. I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to get there yet, but I think I’m figuring it out.
Was sick last week and have been having a hard time shaking the illness, so I went in to the hospital on Thursday and I’ve been on bedrest since. I found out I had quite a severe case of strep. Had to cancel my family’s Easter plans as we’re all contaminated, unfortunately. On the plus side, I’m by far the most contaminated, so my family is much healthier than I! Hopefully my hearing returns on my right side soon enough. Had strep as a kid on a yearly basis, but it was never like this.
In my illness, I’ve gotten well acquainted with the Blue Price, which is certainly my favorite game so far this year by a significant margin. I don’t know if I’m doing it right, but each run feels like I’m doing… something. It’s a wonderful game.
After not playing much of anything this year, I’ve finally found something that’s cracked the ice: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I’ve been really sick lately, so the whole thing is perfect for the time balanced between fever dreams while the medicine takes time to kick in. I’m loving the game. I never got to it last year and just sort of forgot about it. When I was stuck at home sick, I wanted to play something for a bit in bed and dusted off the Switch to remember I’d never gotten to it. It was just hiding, waiting for the right moment, I suppose.
Outside that, my family’s started up the Blue Prince as well, which we’re enjoying a lot too.
I feel like I’ve been a bit upset with my gaming this year so far, so I’m glad to be feeling a bit better with what I’m playing now, in spite of my illness. Silver linings, you know?
@RaZieLDaNtE I’m not sure what games I’d even want out of an Xbox Showcase beyond that Silksong release date. They’ve got so much cooking right now that it could indeed be a huge presentation. I wonder if we’ll finally see Everwild for a change. I expect if Halo gets announced for other consoles, it may be here as well. I know I’d buy MCC again on Switch 2 if it’s an option.
Well, the hour or so I’ve played of Split Fiction definitely has that one cemented in my top spot and it’s not even close. But playing that one with the wife has been hard to coordinate as of late, so I’m pretty far from completing it. The pig level was exceptional. My favorite segment of a game since that very special moment in the middle of Alan Wake 2. If you know, you know.
Momodora Reverie Under Moonlight and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are my runners up and the only two games I’ve beaten this year.
Honestly, I’ve not really had much that has clicked with me this year though. KCD2 certainly didn’t, Avowed didn’t, Atomfall didn’t (and the sound glitches were odd), and I got bored with AC Shadows after 20+ hours into it. I couldn’t even get more than an hour into Lost Records and I’m a Life is Strange stan. I’m going to give South of Midnight and Blue Prince a go this weekend most likely, so perhaps one of those may hit.
By June, I’ll be in Nintendo Switch 2 land hopefully (and Death Stranding 2), so I’ll be a bit stuffed on games for a bit, but happy to see what is in store for the inevitable backlog on Gamepass.
The last game I purchased on Xbox was Dragon Ball FighterZ at launch, so… no… Xbox is for Gamepass.
As of right now, if Sony makes that jump in price for games, I’m probably going to phase out on PS. I will be buying games on Switch 2 even if I don’t like the price.
When I was in ninth grade, I was homeschooled. I played more RuneScape that year than I did school work. I finished school three months early to have more time for the game.
@Dalamar73 @themightyant I think Eurogamer picked a reviewer that would be more critical of KCD2, given the unilaterally positive pre-release press for the game. Does that denote bias? Maybe, but most journalistic entities do this to some capacity. The odds are always sort of stacked in the positive for FromSoft and Atlus games, for instance, because those games are typically reviewed by fans. But critics are just critics and the important thing is formulating your own opinion.
That said, I think it’s fine KCD2 got an iffy review from Eurogamer. As much as I can objectively understand how some would love the incredibly niche title, I don’t know anyone that actually liked it (in person, anyway). The Eurogamer review reminded me more of what my own personal friends said about the game.
As far as Atomfall goes, I’m hoping to try it over the weekend.
South of Midnight’s my pick. I just love unique storytelling and settings in games. South of Midnight’s my most anticipated Xbox release this year full stop. Hope it delivers!
Blue Prince looks quite good too, and, of course, Clair Obscur, though for some reason I’ve got a weird feeling about that one.
I honestly wish they’d just get a release window out there because I’m sort of tired of hearing how many executives are scared of releasing near it.
I know some may disagree, but 2025’s release slate has a lot of releases, but also feels weirdly empty too, you know? It feels like the industry has gone dark while waiting for the release date bomb to drop. 2024 felt that way too. I’m just ready for publishers to feel confident about their release windows again.
I’m still trying to figure out what the deal is with the anti-Ubisoft movement. Ubisoft has been one of the more reliable gigantic publishers in the industry. Sure, they aren’t chugging out GotY tier titles and they never have been, but they also release a consistent stream of 7/10-8/10 experiences that are highly palatable and great value for players that may be strapped for cash. They’ve had a few flops recently, but they’ve not done anything as egregious as EA or Activision (or others) in the grand scheme of things. It just feels like there’s worse fish to fry and the frying for Ubisoft is set to high heat.
There’s such a divide from people that are enjoying the game and praising it and people that are dumping toxic on it.
@Dalamar73 Very true on all fronts. As of right now, I can’t figure out a plan Xbox has that would include consoles as a 10 year goal to continue unless technology dramatically slows down. I’m not sure how financially Xbox could justify two more generations without there being a dramatic shift, given how sales have been trending the last two generations.
@brettvsgodzilla I would highly recommend playing the first before playing the second. I think you could enjoy it, but there’s more context to the story if you play the first one first.
I haven’t used Steam in like 20 years because I play on console, but I’d happily replay the Half Life games and Deus Ex. Realistically anything new I’d want usually comes to consoles though!
That said, I’d love to play modded games like Fallout: London.
Alan Wake 2 is the best game on Xbox this generation for sure.
For first party games, I think I might pick Psychonauts 2 as the best one this generation so far for me. I probably would’ve said Hi-Fi Rush at a different point, but my son just loves Psychonauts 2 so much that I can’t not pick it as his enthusiasm is contagious.
Ori and the Blind Forest brought me back into gaming after I had been dormant from it for a little while, maybe a year or two, so I can honestly say I’m glad I played it and I love the series.
Not sure. It depends on how things are next gen. I may just stick with Nintendo next generation, depending on games and cost. I’ll follow Kojima, Remedy, and Final Fantasy where they go too, but I’m not sold on a next gen Xbox or PlayStation currently.
Balatro was my #2 last year and honestly that’s only because I’m a Final Fantasy Stan. Lol. Impeccable game. Truly remarkable. I’d potentially put Balatro in my top 20 games of all time, depending how I’d format a list like that
Comments 2,327
Re: Roundup: All The Xbox Reveals From May 2025's Future Games Show
To a T is my most anticipated Xbox title on the release schedule after Doom. Nothing else for me, but can’t wait for that one.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz We know nothing about Everwild other than it being by Rare and being the first game announced for this generation. It’s about time we get an update on it (since it’s apparently not cancelled as of rumors from last year). With Everwild and SoD 3, I feel like just getting an update would be nice. I know it’s not first party Xbox, but, man, it’s got me thinking… Pragmata… Will that one ever see the light of day? We don’t even have rumors or statements on that one anymore.
I agree. It feels like studios take such a long time on games right now, so it certainly does feel like every game is in a make it or break it situation for most studios. But… Obsidian sort of proves things don’t have to be that way.
I think Sea of Thieves honestly generates a lot of income for Microsoft, regardless of it being on PS5. From what I’ve read about it, it has a pretty dedicated fanbase and a decent amount of recurring players that exit and return on a regular basis, so I don’t think Rare is in a dangerous place because they’re got that live service that is actually working type of money, you know? From what I’ve read, I think SoT wasn’t crazy budget, so it’s remained profitable. I could be wrong though. That live service money might also be the issue with Everwild though too.
I’m hoping that new Doom feels like how the old Dooms felt in my mind. Reading that it’s slower, more deliberate, and more of a stand your ground experience intrigues me, as most FPSes are sort of athletic in their approach. The game looks absolutely crazy to me. I could definitely see it blowing the other current GotY candidates out of the water. I’d love if it has a bit of that survival horror edge too. The hardest part of the horror experience though will definitely be keeping my kids away from it. My son watched the Xbox summer showcase last year and he was like, “What is THAT?!” And to be honest, I was probably around his age when I played OG Doom, so I sort of get it! 😅
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz Lol. I can’t stay up at night these days. I think I’m winded from working long hours, but I typically pass out an hour after my kids do! My wife’s a bit of a stickler when it comes to what the kids see, so I’m definitely going to playing Doom in a groggy fashion when that comes out! Sometimes I have to schedule for a dedicated gaming day if I get too backlogged!
State of Decay and Everwild (and Contraband) have all been hanging out for a really long time now. I don’t expect Contraband will be a huge holiday title since it doesn’t have that huge IP draw, but State of Decay and Everwild could? I dunno.
There’s a part of me that just misses Halo and wants something else Halo too. It’s been 4 years now. Remember when we used to get a new Halo game every year?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 3-4)
@Balta666 Truthfully, Clair Obscur reminds me a lot of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 minus the anime feel to it for me. There’s a sprinkling of Final Fantasy in there too and a bit of Dark Souls, but I totally agree that the whole thing feels sort of pointless in the end. At the end of Act 1, I had a guess for who people were and what was going on and i was sort of like, “Please don’t let this be the gist of the story.” Then, sure enough, I had guessed the big plot points.
@Nighto4 The game is self-aware for sure. And I don’t mind gloomy games. I like my sad Dad simulators. Death Stranding is my favorite game of all time, for instance. For me though, and I’m not sure how far you are, so I don’t want to spoil anything, but I felt that a lot of the world building went to waste in the third act, although the third act also explained why so few characters in the game had a detailed story arc.
@Nightcrawler71 Yeah, the combat is kinetic and fun, but at times it can be a bit of a grind, but hey that’s turn based combat for you! I can say that it’s probably my favorite turn based combat I’ve played in a while, outside of those Square 2DHD games.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz Fable would have a distinct shot at GotY if it came out this year, that’s for sure! I’m ok with a bit of a lighter second half of the year, personally, but I’d like to see like… Everwild or maybe that rumored new Spyro game. State of Decay 3 would be quite a surprise too, but I feel like that one and Perfect Dark are 2026 for some reason. Honestly, it may be a bit selfish, but I’m hoping for games I can play around my kids these days (or with them) right now. Oh, man, if only Banjo could make an appearance!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 3-4)
@Balta666 I’m not alone! Did you feel Claire Obscur was derivative in story toward other games as well?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 3-4)
I really want to get back to Split Fiction, which I was loving playing with the wife, but life just happened, she got busy, and then I got sick, and now I just want to play it again! Since we paused on it, I’ve played KCD2, South of Midnight, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur, but I keep thinking how much I liked Split Fiction more than other games I’ve been playing. The game is just so unique, diverse in gameplay, and, most importantly, fun! It gives me those Astro Bot feelings. I’m going to beg the wife to play it with me this weekend.
That said, I’ve been deep in Clair Obscur, but I guess I’m a forever contrarian, as I just don’t like it as much as everyone else. It’s an 8/10 for me, and, yes, I will concur that there’s a lot of positives for it in its gameplay, which I love, and it’s production values, but the story is predictable and I just think the game lays itself out thick on the emotions and melodrama. I am frankly surprised I haven’t seen many others share these thoughts.
Re: Reaction: GTA 6's Delay Could Be Great News For Xbox And Its Fall 2025 Lineup
I just want Silksong…
For me, given the release schedule right now, I’m sort of expecting that I’ll be going full in on Switch 2… if I can find one. These summer showcases are going to be crazy though, I think.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz It feels like the industry is frozen, waiting on GTA6, in some ways. As of right now, after Doom (and To a T), I can’t think of anything on Xbox I’m looking forward to, so I hope the delay gives us some Xbox surprises for the second half of this year. Outer Worlds 2 surely can’t be the only thing balancing with the inevitable new CoD title at the end of the year. Wouldn’t it be cool if this delay gets the Fable team the confidence to release this year again?
I’m so curious what big games have been in hiding, waiting to maneuver around GTA. It seems like there has to be big releases that are in the shadows right now.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz I have a feeling Xbox and Sony will avoid releasing anything big anywhere near GTA, provided Rockstar is confident in its release date. I feel like the biggest games we’ll probably get outside GTA6 for the first half of the year will be those goofy mid-tier Nintendo titles like Tomodachi Life. You know, the stuff that doesn’t compete with GTA in any capacity. I don’t like that the industry is like this, but the second half of 2025 looks absolutely barren because publishers were expecting GTA and I think that may change now, but that just means the emptiness will get pushed back to the first half of next year now. I almost feel like Ghost of Yotei got a release date because Sony found out about GTA 6’s delay.
Re: 10 Exciting Xbox Indie Games To Look Out For In May 2025
To a T is the biggest Xbox Gamepass release of 2025 for me.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
@Kaloudz I expect Fable to be an autumn/holiday release in 2026. I think developers have been cagey about release dates for a while now. The game I’m wondering most about is probably Judas. Will that one “replace” where GTA6 was expected by Take Two?
I’m not bothered by the delay either way though. I do hope we get another Xbox title slated in the fall now though for this year though.
Re: GTA 6 Gets A New Release Date As Rockstar Delays To May 2026
Can’t wait to finally see a deluge of 2025 release dates for other games incoming!
Re: Here's How The New Xbox Prices Compare To PS5 & Nintendo Switch 2
Well, at least Gamepass hasn’t gotten a price hike.
Honestly, with the rate that prices are increasing in gaming, I think I may be done getting all three platforms. Might just stick with a Switch 2 for the next generation.
Something like xCloud may enable older hardware to be “next generation” as well, fyi. I play tons of “Series only” games on my Xbone via xCloud. Oblivion actually runs better this method than being natively installed on my Series S, weirdly enough.
Re: Xbox Achieves Record-Breaking Results In Latest Earnings Report
Who would’ve thought that all they had to do was make great content and they’d see success? It’s a shame Xbox had some truly blank years at the beginning of this generation, but last year and this year so far have been a huge turnaround story.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Fans, How Do You Find Time For All These Amazing 2025 Games?
I honestly haven’t been playing a lot of games this year. I’ve been bouncing off of most games I’ve played. Neither Avowed nor Kingdom Come 2 clicked with me. Assassin’s Creed Shadows… I dropped. The wife and I started Split Fiction, but we just haven’t had time to return to it. We will return to that one though. There’s a couple other games I played that I don’t remember off the top of my head, but they just weren’t vibing with me. I personally think 2025 has been just sort of ok to me as a gaming year so far. I know that’s a hot take, but it’s true for me.
And as for more hot takes, I’m tackling Clair Obscur, but is it just me or does the game feel like the story is going in a direction that is totally derivative of Xenoblade Chronicles 3? I like the game, but I feel like it’s almost certain that the game is going to go that direction just in a more melodramatic and less anime way. I’m trying to see what others see in it, but I just feel like… I’m waiting for that 10/10 moment that so many others see in the game.
For positives though, the Oblivion remaster is fun to just mess around with, and I’ve been dipping my toes in the water with it, but not playing it seriously. And Blue Prince is utterly fantastic. Best game so far this year for me.
Re: Digital Foundry Impressed With Oblivion Remastered, But Xbox Series S 'Takes A Hit'
Believe it or not, it’s been running fine on my Xbone via xCloud.
Re: Poll: What Score Would You Give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 So Far?
@Nighto4 Well, it’s been maybe a decade since I’ve played 13, but Clair Obscur plays as I would’ve wanted the next FF game to play that decade ago. It’s that high definition turn based vibe, I suppose. It just really reminds me of how I felt playing 13, which is a positive thing. I’ve got my nitpicks on that game, but overall, I do like it more than most, I believe.
Re: Poll: What Score Would You Give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 So Far?
It’s literally impossible for me to score the game so soon after release. I don’t know how anyone without a review copy could score a JRPG the week of its release! Lol.
That said, I’m liking it so far. The production values are insane. The music is very well done, as are the performances. The story is unique. The gameplay is a strange new refinement on Final Fantasy 13’s combat systems and world exploration, which isn’t something I’d ever say would be a real thing by this point.
I like it. Will I love it? I don’t know. I feel like 2025 has been a year of overhyped games (I’m sorry, but the hype train has practically said there’s a new masterpiece every two weeks this year, and I’m not sure there’s been one yet… though I’m playing Clair Obscur and will eventually get to Split Fiction), so I’m waiting to finish my drink to find out if I’ve drank the koolaid, you know what I mean? I can say that it’s very unique and I expect it to land as an 8/10 or 9/10 for me, based on my early impressions. But this is also a story based game, so where the story goes will lead to where my opinion goes. Based on what I’ve seen and read in reviews though, I don’t think it’ll drop below an 8/10 for me. But who knows? By the end of it, it could be a 10 too! When there’s 30+ hours yet of gameplay, anything is possible.
Re: Opinion: Xbox Game Pass Is On A Ridiculous Hot Streak Right Now
2025 is easily the year I’ve played Xbox most in over 10 years. Gamepass has been fantastic this year. First year I’ve played more Xbox than PS since the 360 era perhaps.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 19-20)
@VisitingComet1 Thank you! I hope so too. I’ll be back to work again tomorrow since I’m not longer contagious according to my doctor, but I’ve missed two days a week at this point, so I hope that’s not a thing again this week.
It’s a roguelike, but it’s not one for the genre’s warriors, if that makes sense. It has that framework for a new genre experience. It’s a puzzle game, ala The Witness, where you are building the rooms to a large estate with the intention of connecting to the mysterious 46th room. I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to get there yet, but I think I’m figuring it out.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 19-20)
Was sick last week and have been having a hard time shaking the illness, so I went in to the hospital on Thursday and I’ve been on bedrest since. I found out I had quite a severe case of strep. Had to cancel my family’s Easter plans as we’re all contaminated, unfortunately. On the plus side, I’m by far the most contaminated, so my family is much healthier than I! Hopefully my hearing returns on my right side soon enough. Had strep as a kid on a yearly basis, but it was never like this.
In my illness, I’ve gotten well acquainted with the Blue Price, which is certainly my favorite game so far this year by a significant margin. I don’t know if I’m doing it right, but each run feels like I’m doing… something. It’s a wonderful game.
Re: Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In May 2025 So Far
To a T looks like it’ll be my favorite game of 2025 to date when it launches.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 12-13)
After not playing much of anything this year, I’ve finally found something that’s cracked the ice: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I’ve been really sick lately, so the whole thing is perfect for the time balanced between fever dreams while the medicine takes time to kick in. I’m loving the game. I never got to it last year and just sort of forgot about it. When I was stuck at home sick, I wanted to play something for a bit in bed and dusted off the Switch to remember I’d never gotten to it. It was just hiding, waiting for the right moment, I suppose.
Outside that, my family’s started up the Blue Prince as well, which we’re enjoying a lot too.
I feel like I’ve been a bit upset with my gaming this year so far, so I’m glad to be feeling a bit better with what I’m playing now, in spite of my illness. Silver linings, you know?
Re: Two Xbox Game Pass Titles Revealed For June 2025 At Triple-I Initiative Showcase
Katana Zero DLC is actually real!? That made this whole thing worthwhile. Eternal Life looks good too
Re: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 & Outer Worlds 2 Direct Announced For June
@RaZieLDaNtE I’m not sure what games I’d even want out of an Xbox Showcase beyond that Silksong release date. They’ve got so much cooking right now that it could indeed be a huge presentation. I wonder if we’ll finally see Everwild for a change. I expect if Halo gets announced for other consoles, it may be here as well. I know I’d buy MCC again on Switch 2 if it’s an option.
Re: Talking Point: What's The Best Game You've Played In 2025 So Far?
Well, the hour or so I’ve played of Split Fiction definitely has that one cemented in my top spot and it’s not even close. But playing that one with the wife has been hard to coordinate as of late, so I’m pretty far from completing it. The pig level was exceptional. My favorite segment of a game since that very special moment in the middle of Alan Wake 2. If you know, you know.
Momodora Reverie Under Moonlight and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are my runners up and the only two games I’ve beaten this year.
Honestly, I’ve not really had much that has clicked with me this year though. KCD2 certainly didn’t, Avowed didn’t, Atomfall didn’t (and the sound glitches were odd), and I got bored with AC Shadows after 20+ hours into it. I couldn’t even get more than an hour into Lost Records and I’m a Life is Strange stan. I’m going to give South of Midnight and Blue Prince a go this weekend most likely, so perhaps one of those may hit.
Re: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 & Outer Worlds 2 Direct Announced For June
Hopefully it brings Silksong.
By June, I’ll be in Nintendo Switch 2 land hopefully (and Death Stranding 2), so I’ll be a bit stuffed on games for a bit, but happy to see what is in store for the inevitable backlog on Gamepass.
Xbox has had a good year so far.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting Another Simulator Game In May 2025
@Fiendish-Beaver Would you say it’s a game pass?
Re: Talking Point: Would You Be Willing To Pay $80 For Xbox Games?
The last game I purchased on Xbox was Dragon Ball FighterZ at launch, so… no… Xbox is for Gamepass.
As of right now, if Sony makes that jump in price for games, I’m probably going to phase out on PS. I will be buying games on Switch 2 even if I don’t like the price.
Re: Pick One: What Was Your Favourite Xbox Game Pass Game In March 2025?
@TheAppEffect I kept losing the sound too! So odd! I paused my time with the game due to the distraction of that. What an odd bug…
Re: RuneScape Dragonwilds Isn't On Xbox Yet, But It Might Be In 2026
When I was in ninth grade, I was homeschooled. I played more RuneScape that year than I did school work. I finished school three months early to have more time for the game.
Re: Lots Of Activision Blizzard Games Aren't On Xbox Game Pass Yet, But Why?
I want Pitfall. Just give me the vintages.
Re: Poll: What Score Would You Give Atomfall On Xbox Game Pass So Far?
@Dalamar73 @themightyant I think Eurogamer picked a reviewer that would be more critical of KCD2, given the unilaterally positive pre-release press for the game. Does that denote bias? Maybe, but most journalistic entities do this to some capacity. The odds are always sort of stacked in the positive for FromSoft and Atlus games, for instance, because those games are typically reviewed by fans. But critics are just critics and the important thing is formulating your own opinion.
That said, I think it’s fine KCD2 got an iffy review from Eurogamer. As much as I can objectively understand how some would love the incredibly niche title, I don’t know anyone that actually liked it (in person, anyway). The Eurogamer review reminded me more of what my own personal friends said about the game.
As far as Atomfall goes, I’m hoping to try it over the weekend.
Re: Report: Hogwarts Legacy DLC Cancelled, Definitive Edition Scrapped As Well
I’ll bet the DLC just got absorbed into the main game to expedite development.
Re: Opinion: It's Been A Quiet March, But Next Month Looks Awesome For Xbox Game Pass
South of Midnight’s my pick. I just love unique storytelling and settings in games. South of Midnight’s my most anticipated Xbox release this year full stop. Hope it delivers!
Blue Prince looks quite good too, and, of course, Clair Obscur, though for some reason I’ve got a weird feeling about that one.
Re: GTA 6 Launch Could Cause Delays At Three Major Publishers, Says Report
I honestly wish they’d just get a release window out there because I’m sort of tired of hearing how many executives are scared of releasing near it.
I know some may disagree, but 2025’s release slate has a lot of releases, but also feels weirdly empty too, you know? It feels like the industry has gone dark while waiting for the release date bomb to drop. 2024 felt that way too. I’m just ready for publishers to feel confident about their release windows again.
Re: Assassin's Creed Shadows Racks Up One Million Players In Less Than 24 Hours
I’m still trying to figure out what the deal is with the anti-Ubisoft movement. Ubisoft has been one of the more reliable gigantic publishers in the industry. Sure, they aren’t chugging out GotY tier titles and they never have been, but they also release a consistent stream of 7/10-8/10 experiences that are highly palatable and great value for players that may be strapped for cash. They’ve had a few flops recently, but they’ve not done anything as egregious as EA or Activision (or others) in the grand scheme of things. It just feels like there’s worse fish to fry and the frying for Ubisoft is set to high heat.
There’s such a divide from people that are enjoying the game and praising it and people that are dumping toxic on it.
Re: Talking Point: Which Steam Games Would You Want To Play On An Xbox Console?
@Dalamar73 Very true on all fronts. As of right now, I can’t figure out a plan Xbox has that would include consoles as a 10 year goal to continue unless technology dramatically slows down. I’m not sure how financially Xbox could justify two more generations without there being a dramatic shift, given how sales have been trending the last two generations.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 22-23)
I’m hoping to start Split Fiction or Assassin’s Creed Shadows this weekend
Re: Talking Point: Which Steam Games Would You Want To Play On An Xbox Console?
@Dalamar73 Might be a feature of a console/PC hybrid though. Depends on how PC the console would be.
Re: Talking Point: What's The Best Xbox Game You've Played During The Series X|S Generation?
@brettvsgodzilla I would highly recommend playing the first before playing the second. I think you could enjoy it, but there’s more context to the story if you play the first one first.
Re: Talking Point: Which Steam Games Would You Want To Play On An Xbox Console?
I haven’t used Steam in like 20 years because I play on console, but I’d happily replay the Half Life games and Deus Ex. Realistically anything new I’d want usually comes to consoles though!
That said, I’d love to play modded games like Fallout: London.
Re: Talking Point: What's The Best Xbox Game You've Played During The Series X|S Generation?
Alan Wake 2 is the best game on Xbox this generation for sure.
For first party games, I think I might pick Psychonauts 2 as the best one this generation so far for me. I probably would’ve said Hi-Fi Rush at a different point, but my son just loves Psychonauts 2 so much that I can’t not pick it as his enthusiasm is contagious.
Re: Talking Point: Two Years Later, Is It Finally Almost Time For 'Forspoken' On Xbox?
I would 100% recommend this game. It’s got its flaws, sure, but it’s one of my favorite games this generation.
Re: 'REPO' Explodes In Popularity On PC, Leading To Calls For An Xbox Version
Yikes. This being so popular explains why I don’t understand some decisions the industry makes.
Re: Microsoft Has Reportedly Discussed Acquiring IP From Ubisoft
Hopefully if any IP is bought it will be used.
Re: Xbox's Ori Series Hits Incredible Sales Milestone As First Game Turns 10
Ori and the Blind Forest brought me back into gaming after I had been dormant from it for a little while, maybe a year or two, so I can honestly say I’m glad I played it and I love the series.
Re: Talking Point: If The Next-Gen Xbox Is More 'PC-Like', Will You Still Buy It?
Not sure. It depends on how things are next gen. I may just stick with Nintendo next generation, depending on games and cost. I’ll follow Kojima, Remedy, and Final Fantasy where they go too, but I’m not sold on a next gen Xbox or PlayStation currently.
Re: Opinion: Thanks To Xbox Game Pass, I've Just Changed My GOTY For 2024
Balatro was my #2 last year and honestly that’s only because I’m a Final Fantasy Stan. Lol. Impeccable game. Truly remarkable. I’d potentially put Balatro in my top 20 games of all time, depending how I’d format a list like that