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Silent Hill 2 Remake Officially Unveiled by Konami and Bloober Team

For some time there were rumors that Bloober Team was working with Konami on some type of Silent Hill game and today it was made official when the companies announced that they are remaking Silent Hill 2. While no release window was given for the game, it was announced that it will be released exclusively for the PlayStation 5 for a year and on PC.

An overview describing events that fans of the series are already familiar with as “Having received a letter from his deceased wife, James heads to where they shared so many memories, in the hope of seeing her one more time: Silent Hill. There, by the lake, he finds a woman eerily similar to her…”

The announcement trailer, featuring a look at the new camera angles and enemy designs, as well as a number of screenshots for the Silent Hill 2 remake can be found below.

Batora: Lost Haven Review

Batora: Lost Haven

Developer: Stormind Games
Publisher: Team17
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows (Reviewed)
Release Date: 20 October 2022
Price:  $23.99USD / $33.95 AUD – Available Here

Video Review

Overview

Batora: Lost Haven is an action RPG combining classic hack’n slash action with elements of a twin stick shooter. Players will take on the role of Avril, a girl blessed with the power of the sun and moon. She will use her newfound powers to explore four planets all on a quest to save Earth itself.  

Story

The game is based on an Italian fantasy book published in 2018. Batora: Lost Haven appears to be the first time the story is being told in English, as I could not track down an English translation for the book.

The writing is good. The story is interesting enough to keep the player’s attention, although the twists tend to be telegraphed to the players long in advance. The lore feels like it’s drawing from a book as there are hints of deeper world building behind the scenes that the players is missing due to the shorter nature of the game. The dialogue has a nice pacing as it hits the right emotional notes without dragging on unnecessarily.  

The morality system is well done as the developers skip the idea of good or evil actions in favour of rash and aggressive or calm and defensive action. There are several no-win choices in the game that have a little bit of teeth. Decisions do matter as the game offers two endings, and it’s nice to see there’s a new game plus mode so players can experience both endings.

Gameplay

Batora: Lost Haven is combat heavy and light on the RPG mechanics. Avril has two modes. In orange sun mode, Avril is a highly mobile melee fighter. In purple moon mode, she is a ranged mage. Basic enemies in the game are marked either orange or purple and must be fought with in the corresponding mode so Avril can inflict maximum damage. Special enemies and bosses have orange and purple health bars, adding a little interesting wrinkle into the fight. At its core, combat is formulaic almost to a fault. Nuke orange enemies with cooldowns right away so Avril has a clear line of sight against purple enemies, then whittle down the purple enemies. This rhythm does not change much until Avril has to haul around an ally who is ranges from a complete boat anchor to a marginally helpful source of damage. The ally has a health bar and must be defended, otherwise its game over. The allies are probably the most frustrating part of combat as their health pools are quite small. Increasing the health by 50% or so would probably cut down on the irritation by giving players a little more breathing room.

The boss fights offer some of the best moments in Batora: Lost Haven. Bosses are multi-stage affairs. They change modes just like Avril and have a separate health bar for each mode. Once a health segment is cleared in one mode, Avril has only a small window to clear the same segment in the other mode or the entire segment is refilled. The game combines the mechanics with some snappy boss attacks to create a skill heavy system that rewards patient players who can manage their cooldowns and dodge effectively.

Controls are tight and responsive. Dodging is a huge part of the game, and the slight cooldown requires players to time their dodges instead of spamming it relentlessly. The only improvement I could suggest is making the aim assist a little more generous at longer ranges, especially against stationary puzzle objects.

The RPG mechanics are very light. The entire system revolves around the runes Avril can equip. The runes can either boost stats and skills or grant new abilities. Each rune has a type and a point value, and there is a cap on how many points worth of runes can be equipped at one time. As Avril levels up, the cap is increased, allowing Avril to become more powerful. There is a little bit of stat and ability tweaking with the runes, but it is not very deep. It is just enough to tweak Avril to suit a certain playstyle, but the system isn’t complex enough where players can create game breaking builds. The light mechanics suits the game well as the mechanics put more emphasis on player skill than grinding out levels.

Visuals

Batora: Lost Haven offers a solid style reminiscent of the major North American animation studios. Since Avril visits four planets, the game’s plot gives the artists a ripe opportunity to flex their creative muscles, and they did not disappoint. Each planet is a unique world with inhabitants that match the world nicely.

My only complaint with the game’s visuals is how far out the camera is by default. It’s so far out that players miss some of the enemy model details, yet it doesn’t add anything to the game combat-wise since aiming that far out is so fussy. Except for the odd boss fight, the slightly zoomed in camera angle provides a more intimate and pleasant experience.  

Audio

Batora: Lost Haven offers an enjoyable soundtrack that compliments the gameplay well. It’s a subtle accompaniment for the most part, but the composer chooses the right time to push the music to the forefront so the right tone is set. The sound effects are solid. The voice acting is good for the most part, but it isn’t the most consistent thing in the world. Avril and the main characters are done really well, but performances for the smaller roles and weirder voices are just a half a step behind.

Overall

Batora: Lost Haven offers a mechanically solid action RPG. The story is enjoyable. The audio-visual experience is well done. The RPG mechanics are just deep enough to be entertaining without taking away from the skill heavy nature of the game. Combat can get a little repetitive at times, but the tight controls and excellent boss fights more than make up for the formulaic combat.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

WARNER BROS. GAMES ANNOUNCES MORTAL KOMBAT: ONSLAUGHT

New Mobile Collection Role-playing Game Featuring Exclusive Story Experience and Console Quality Cinematics Launching Worldwide in 2023

Sydney, Australia – Oct. 19, 2022 – Warner Bros. Games announced Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a new collection role-playing game (RPG) launching globally in 2023 for mobile devices. Developed and co-published by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught will feature the first mobile-exclusive cinematic story experience for the franchise, where players must build a team of fighters from a vast roster of characters – and unleash them in massive real-time group battles to stop a dark and dangerous threat from wreaking havoc across the realms.

This title will be the newest mobile entry for the Mortal Kombat franchise since the release of Mortal Kombat Mobile, which has amassed more than 150 million installs and is one of the top five most downloaded fighting games on iOS and Android. Mortal Kombat is also celebrating a major milestone this month with their 30th anniversary – a testimony to the enduring popularity and critical acclaim of this legendary franchise.

“Mortal Kombat is a legendary franchise and pop culture phenomenon, and it continues to engage players and advance the fighting genre across multiple platforms,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Games. “Mortal Kombat: Onslaught is a testament to why Mortal Kombat has been a top gaming franchise for over 30 years, as the NetherRealm team continues to innovate and bring new gameplay to fans.”

“We are pushing the boundaries of Mortal Kombat to allow players to experience the franchise in new ways, while still staying true to its core visceral nature,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios. “With Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, we reimagined Mortal Kombat into a strategic team-based collection RPG with fast-paced, group melee combat that both new and existing fans can enjoy.”

Players can sign up now at onslaught.mortalkombat.com and be one of the first to hear more about Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.

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About Warner Bros. Games

Warner Bros. Games is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information about Warner Bros. Games can be found at www.warnerbrosgames.com.

About NetherRealm Studios

NetherRealm Studios is a leader in the development of interactive entertainment, and the creator of the billion-dollar Mortal Kombat franchise. Mortal Kombat has spawned two theatrical films, multiple television series, and has sold over 72 million games to date. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the award-winning NetherRealm team has been working and creating games together since 1992. Additional information about NetherRealm Studios can be found at www.netherrealm.com.

MORTAL KOMBAT: ONSLAUGHT © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by NetherRealm Studios.

Introducing the God of War Ragnarok Behind the Scenes series

The story of God of War Ragnarök is not only that of a father and son who must confront the coming tides of war, it is also the story of the individuals who chose to devote their skill, and passion to build this game together in the face of unprecedented uncertainty during a global pandemic. 

In the God of War Raganrök Behind the Scenes series, Santa Monica Studio will be taking players to all Nine Realms – from Midgard to Asgard (and perhaps a pit stop along the way). With each episode, players will not only get a unique perspective on the years-long endeavour of creating this title, but also insights from many of the team members who have made this possible. 

Starting today, on every Tuesday for the next nine weeks Santa Monica Studios will be diving into one aspect of the game – from shaping the story and elevating combat, to creating the score and crafting cinematics. 

The first episode begins much like the story does in Midgard, discussing the key narrative beats from the last game that will come back into play in God of War Ragnarök, as well as how the team approached taking on a sequel that will conclude the Norse saga. 

Episodes will be spoiler free! Without further ado, enjoy God of War Ragnarök Behind The Scenes Episode 1: Shaping the Story here!

Tune in each week in the lead-up to launch and beyond to learn more about the making of God of War Ragnarök. 

To find out more head to the PlayStation Blog.

For the latest PlayStation news, follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

DISCOVER HOW HORSE TALES – EMERALD VALLEY RANCH PUTS HORSES AT THE HEART OF ITS GAMEPLAY

New Microids Backstage blogpost details Horse Tales’ equestrian gameplay mechanics

Sydney, Australia – October 19, 2022 – Microids is delighted to share new details about Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch through a new dedicated Microids Backstage blog post. Developed by the studio Aesir Interactive, the game invites players to saddle up in a full-on equestrian open world adventure. Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch is set to release on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch and PC on November 17th in Australia and New Zealand. 

Backstage is Microids’ new blog section providing fans with in-depth looks at the creation of their favourite games, with interviews, sneak peaks and exclusive content. The goal is to regularly reveal secrets behind the design of our top video games and introduce the teams that worked on franchises like Syberia or Flashback 2.

Discover Microids Backstage’s new blog post on Horse Tales!

An accessible equestrian adventure for all!

Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch is an adventure for horse lovers of all ages. To ensure that children, teens, and adults can enjoy the game to the fullest, many of the gameplay mechanics are easy to learn, but tricky to master. The horse riding itself is a good example. Younger players can easily steer and gallop to navigate the world, while more experienced players will be able to use more advanced mechanics like sliding around corners in their climb to the top of the leaderboards.

Creating horses with personality

Instead of treating horses as a hairy car that gets them somewhere faster, Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch encourages players to form bonds and genuinely care about their stable. That goes ‘hand in hoof’ with horses that express a range of distinct personalities. In game, this translates into unique traits and stats for each horse.

Traits determine how horses react to their environment: for instance, a clingy horse will follow you when you dismount to explore on foot, while a horse that is afraid of heights will be less inclined to go to certain areas. On the other hand, stats like Agility, Strength or Endurance will dictate how fast a horse gallops, how far it jumps, and how quickly it recovers stamina.

Get your perfect dream horse through breeding!

Much like the riding controls, breeding horses in Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch can be as casual or as deep-diving as players want. Once you have built enough shelter, food resource, and activity buildings, along with a special breeding stable on the Emerald Valley Estate, you can start your very own breeding program.

At first glance, breeding is simple enough: By pairing two horses with similar stats, you easily get a slight stats improvement in their offspring. The new horse will also inherit some traits and colour characteristics from its parents. Those colour characteristics, however, are where the breeding gets more challenging as it mimics real life horse genetics.

As an open world game, Horse Tales offers players a lot of freedom. This also means that players are able to breed horses however they want, whether they simply want to have a fast and robust horse of any colour, or they want to breed the perfect horse with the best stats and the rarest coat.

Players will also have to explore to find new horses to add to their breeding programs. Some can be encountered and tamed in the wild, while others can be obtained by talking to NPCs who are willing to lend out their own horses for breeding purposes.

The combination of these different elements – looks, genetics, stats and traits – makes for an incredible variety of unique horses and gives the player a lot of freedom to choose what to focus on in their horse breeding and training. And once you’ve achieved your own personal perfect horse – be it particularly pretty to look at, particularly good at sprinting and jumping, or the ideal mix of both – you’ll get to enjoy exploring the vast open world of Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch even more.

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About Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch

In Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch, players will be tasked with restoring their family’s run-down estate back to its former glory. This quest will set them on a delightful open world adventure where they’ll explore the peninsula’s gorgeous and varied landscapes, from the colourful seashore of Coral Lagoon to the lush forest of Birchwoods.

They will make many friends along the way, including the nearby residents and of course… horses! Tame, breed, and establish a strong bond with your equine companions, as each is unique and possesses distinct abilities, personality traits, preferences, and training needs.

Make Emerald Valley your own by customising your adventure: dress up your horses and your avatar with a wide variety of clothing and ornament options, and take part in rebuilding and decorating various buildings, stables, and horse care facilities.

***

Check out the game’s retail editions, still available for pre-order!

Gallop into adventure with Horse Tales – Emerald Valley Ranch, coming out November 17th!

***

About Microids

Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset, Philippe Dessoly and Pierre Adane), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.

About Aesir Interactive

Aesir Interactive is a renowned development studio based in Munich, Germany. A passionate team of more than 50 highly skilled designers, artists and programmers lay the foundation for captivating games and innovative interactive applications.

TACTICS OGRE: REBORN IS COMING TO PLAYSTATION 5, PLAYSTATION 4, NINTENDO SWITCH AND PC ON NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The Critically Acclaimed Tactical Role-Playing Game Is Reborn

SYDNEY (Aug. 5, 2022) – SQUARE ENIX® announced that Tactics Ogre: Reborn™, a reimagined edition of the beloved tactical RPG,will release on November 11, 2022 on the PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 console, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC via STEAM®. The game is available to pre-order now on all platforms.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn delivers beautifully converted high-definition graphics, updated battle systems and vast sound improvements including fully-voiced cutscenes (English and Japanese), recreated sound effects and re-recorded live background music composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto – all bringing to life a new experience that Tactics Ogre veterans and a new generation of gamers alike will enjoy.

Watch the Tactics Ogre: Reborn Announcement Trailer

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is set in The Valerian Isles, jewels of the Obero Sea. Following many years of conflict, there finally rose a man to put an end to this: Dorgalua Oberyth. Known as the “Dynast-King,” he brought peace and prosperity to Valeria for half a century. After his death, a civil war erupts and throws the isles of Valeria into a bloody struggle for power between three warring factions. In Tactics Ogre: Reborn, players follow the story of a young man, Denam Pavel, caught in the center of the bloodshed. Although he seeks a path of freedom and justice, players will soon discover that even the noblest of goals requires impossibly difficult decisions to be made.

Reborn and deeper than ever, this classic tactical role-playing adventure enables players to fully immerse themselves in the world and intrigue of Tactics Ogre. In Tactics Ogre: Reborn, players will take control of a team of units on the battlefield and utilize the turn-based combat system to act strategically and gain the upper hand over their enemy. As players progress, they can recruit additional party members, experiment with various classes, weapons, magic and abilities, and make key decisions at several instances in the story that will ultimately impact how events unfold.

New updates and features include:

  • Beautifully remastered graphics that enhance yet maintain the original distinctive visual style
  • Fully voiced cutscenes in English & Japanese
  • Full orchestral re-recording of the game’s soundtrack
  • Assorted quality of life updates, such as:
    • Redesigned battle system
    • Adjusted level management system
    • Reworked AI
    • Simplified and improved UI

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is available to pre-order now in a Standard Digital Edition for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC via STEAM, and a Standard Physical Edition for PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. A Digital Premium Edition is also available to pre-order now on PS5, PS4 and STEAM.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn will be available on the PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 console, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC via STEAM®.

About Square Enix Ltd. 

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal®. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 168 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 84 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 88 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. 

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com 

Tactics Ogre: Reborn © 1995, 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. 

TACTICS OGRE, Tactics Ogre: Reborn, FINAL FANTASY, the FINAL FANTASY logo, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, EIDOS MONTREAL, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, SPACE INVADERS, TAITO, and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo Co., Ltd. Steam is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation. “PlayStation”, “PS5”, and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. 

Elite Series 2 Introduced to Xbox Design Lab!

Today, Xbox introduced Elite controllers to Xbox Design Lab, where fans will be able to customise their very own premium Xbox Elite Series Wireless Series 2 controller to fit their needs.

Players can choose from billions of different colors to customise nearly all the external parts of the Elite Series 2 controller including the body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks, and buttons. They can even choose between a cross-shaped or faceted D-pad and for the first time ever in Xbox Design Lab, color-customize the thumbstick base and ring. Furthermore, gamers can personalize their design with laser engraving to add their name, Gamertag or custom 16-character message. The best part is that Elite Series 2 controllers are designed to be fully customizable with interchangeable components, so players can play with a specific setup that works best for them.

Designing a custom Elite Series 2 controller starts at AUD $219.95 and players can customize and buy personalized Elite Accessory Packs to pair with their Elite Series 2 controller including adding paddles, different set of thumbsticks and D-pad, and/or purchasing a carrying case/charging pack.

Players can also choose to get a customized Elite Series 2 controller with all the Elite components (paddles, thumbsticks, D-Pads, and carrying case/charging pack) for AUD $279.95.

Xbox Design Lab orders are available now in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most Western European countries, and select Southeast Asian countries.

To learn more about Elite Series controller launching on Xbox Design Lab check out our wire post here.

NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition Available Now

NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition Available Now Exclusively on Apple Arcade

Players who jump into the game at launch receive Devin Booker Nike Kobe 4 Protro MyPLAYER gear*

2K today announced that NBA® 2K23 Arcade Edition, the authentic mobile experience for the NBA 2K basketball game, is now available on Apple Arcade. To celebrate, players who jump into the game starting today through to October 28 receive exclusive Devin Booker Nike Kobe 4 Protro MyPLAYER gear to flex on the virtual court*.

To view the trailer click the image below

Experience the all-new “The Greatest” mode, which features 20 of the “Greatest of All-Time” NBA players from the current NBA season at launch, along with official NBA commentary for a more immersive and realistic NBA gameplay experience. Additionally, choose from a variety of features and modes that offer more ways to play, including Association Mode, where aspiring coaches can play out becoming the GM or Head Coach of their favourite NBA Franchise or build out their dream team. 

Playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition will be available on Apple Arcade for a monthly subscription of $7.99 with a one-month free trial**. Apple Arcade is also part of the Apple One Individual ($19.95), Family ($25.95), and Premier ($39.95) monthly plans, with a one-month free trial***.

For more information on the included modes, features, supported languages, and more, visit the Apple App Store.

Follow NBA 2K on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for the latest NBA 2K23 news.

*Offer available until 8am PST on October 28, 2022. Offer is for one in-game Devin Booker Nike Kobe 4 Protro MyPLAYER gear in NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition. One per account. NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition is not available in all territories. Void where prohibited. Terms apply. To redeem it: Open NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition, and go to MyCAREER.

**New subscribers only. $7.99 per month after free trial. One subscription per Family Sharing group. Offer good for three months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply, visit https://offers.applearcade.apple/ for more details.

***The Apple One free trial includes only services that are not currently used through a free trial or a subscription. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply.

Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

DualSense Edge wireless controller for PS5 launches globally on January 26

PlayStation Australia is excited to reveal that the DualSense Edge wireless controller – the first ever ultra-customisable controller developed by PlayStation, will launch globally on Thursday, 26 January. Built with high performance and personalisation in mind, the DualSense Edge wireless controller for PlayStation 5 invites players to craft their own unique gaming experiences through custom controls tailored to their playstyle.

Watch the epic trailer here to get a closer look at the DualSense Edge wireless controller features.

Pre-orders for the controller and replaceable stick modules will be available starting as early as Tuesday, 25 October at select retailers, so be sure to check with local retailers.

The DualSense Edge wireless controller features a host of hardware and software-based personalisation options, including button remapping, the ability to fine-tune stick sensitivity and triggers, options to swap between multiple control profiles, and a unique on-controller user interface. It also supports the signature comfort and immersive features of the DualSense wireless controller, like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.*

Players can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller uniquely theirs with the included three changeable sets of stick caps and two changeable sets of back buttons. Everything will come bundled in the included carrying case, and players can even charge the controller via USB connection while it’s stored in the case to make sure it’s always ready for the next play session.

Here’s a breakdown of everything included: 

  • DualSense Edge wireless controller
  • USB braided cable
  • 2 Standard caps
  • 2 High dome caps
  • 2 Low dome caps
  • 2 Half dome back buttons
  • 2 Lever back buttons
  • Connector housing 
  • Carrying case

Pricing for the DualSense Edge wireless controller and replaceable stick modules will be announced at a later date.

To find out more about the new DualSense Edge wireless controller head to the PlayStation Blog.

For the latest PlayStation news, follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Persona 5 Royal, Gunfire Reborn, Phantom Abyss, and More

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Persona 5 Royal, Gunfire Reborn, Phantom Abyss, and More by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game

Hello friends! Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update. If you haven’t already downloaded A Plague Tale: Requiem and had your first look at all of the rats today, or maybe some particularly spooky ASMR with Scorn, we might have some more spooky coming soon for you. And if that isn’t your jam, welcome to the world of Persona 5 Royal and a few more favorites (or soon to be favorites!). Let’s get into the games:


Available Today


A Plague Tale: Requiem (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Available on day one with Game Pass: Embark on a heartrending journey into a brutal, breathtaking world, and discover the cost of saving those you love in a desperate struggle for survival. Strike from the shadows or unleash hell with a variety of weapons, tools, and unearthly powers.


Coming Soon


Amnesia: Collection (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 20
The collection contains three Amnesia titles: The Dark Descent, A Machine For Pigs, and Justine. Experience the horror that kickstarted the ‘Let’s Play’ revolution; be immersed in three living nightmares that will chill you to the core.

Amnesia: Rebirth (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 20
A harrowing journey through desolation and despair, exploring the limits of human resilience. Uncover your past and survive the Algerian desert. Fear is your enemy; stay calm to not succumb to an illness threatening you and your loved one. Avoid darkness, hide from monsters, and solve puzzles.

Phantom Abyss (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 20
Phantom Abyss is a massive asynchronous multiplayer game that casts players into procedurally generated temples and tasks them with retrieving the sacred relics hidden within deadly chambers. Be warned, you only get one attempt at each temple and failure or settling for a lesser relic means you will never see that temple again…

Soma (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 20
From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes Soma, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The radio is dead, food is running out, and the machines have started to think they are people. Underwater facility PATHOS-II has suffered intolerable isolation and you’re going to have to make some tough decisions. What makes sense? What is left to fight for?

Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 21
Prepare for the award-winning RPG experience in this definitive edition of Persona 5 Royal, featuring a treasure trove of downloadable content included! Don the mask of Joker and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they stage grand heists, infiltrate the minds of the corrupt, and make them change their ways!

Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery (PC) – October 27
Play as The Detective in three silly mysteries! Finding clues and questioning suspects is just part of the job for such an experienced frog. Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery is a collection of all three Frog Detective cases.

Gunfire Reborn (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 27
Gunfire is a level-based adventure game featuring FPS action, roguelite gameplay and RPG elements. You’ll play as one of six furry heroes, each with their own unique skills and attacks. As you play though each level, you’ll be faced with challenging enemies and collect powerful loot. The more you play, the more powerful you will become!

Signalis (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 27
Available on day on with Game Pass: Awaken from slumber and explore a surreal retrotech world as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost partner and her lost dreams. Discover terrifying secrets, challenging puzzles, and nightmarish creatures in a tense and melancholic experience of cosmic dread and classic psychological survival horror.


In Case You Missed It


Coral Island (Game Preview) (PC) – Available now
Coral Island is a vibrant and laid-back reimagining of farm sim games. Developed by the talented multinational team at Indonesia-based Stairway Games, Coral Island invites players to be who they want and experience enchanting island living at their own pace – living off the land, nurturing animals, building relationships with a diverse cast of townsfolk, and making the world around them a more vital and harmonious place.


DLC / Game Updates


No Man’s Sky: Waypoint Update – Available now
Access the universe of No Man’s Sky from anywhere in update 4.0, Waypoint! This update includes an overhaul on fundamental elements of gameplay including game modes, inventory size and usability, milestones, journey cataloguing and much more!

Sea of Thieves: The Herald of the Flame – Available until October 27
Destiny has dark secrets in store as pirates pick up the trail of an old foe. Prevent a prophecy and save the seas from ruin in ‘The Herald of the Flame’, Sea of Thieves’ eighth time-limited Adventure running until October 27!

The Sims 4: Get To Work Expansion Pack – Available today
Play the Get to Work Expansion Pack at no charge with Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play in The Sims 4, going free to play today. Become a daring doctor, fearless detective, mad scientist, or create your own retail business and become a Simoleonaire. 

Minecraft Dungeons: Fauna Faire – October 19
Come one, come all to the most wholesome celebration in the Overworld, featuring a range of activities for everyone! Take on the all-new Tower multiplayer, explore the jungle level Treetop Tangle, or embrace the look of your favorite friendly mob. The faire is full of surprises – who will you bring to the celebration?

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition – October 25
PC Game Pass and Ultimate members will get access to Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition at no additional cost on October 25. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition brings an evolved real-time strategy game to the next level with a host of free new content and features including brand-new civilizations – the Ottomans and Malians, new maps, additional in-game updates and much more.


Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks


Fallout 76: 25th Anniversary Bundle – October 27
Celebrate 25 years of the Nuka-Cola, Deathclaws & the Wasteland with the Fallout 25th Anniversary Bundle for Fallout 76. Includes a weapon skin, C.A.M.P. items, lunchboxes and bubblegum (joke included)! Plus, you can claim this perk on PC and console!

Secret Neighbor: Sportswear Bundle – Oct 27
Spice up your looks with the new Sportswear bundle, featuring a new Neighbor Tennis Cosmetic set and Leader Basketball Cosmetic set. With this bundle you also get a Roll of Arcade Coupons to spend in the in-game shop and the new “X” emote to show your friends what’ your favorite gaming platform! Jump in game and show-off!


Xbox Touch Controls


Ultimate members, Slime Rancher 2 is available now with touch controls via Xbox Cloud Gaming! Plus, you can play Persona 5 Royal with touch controls starting on October 21 and experience 5 unique custom touch control layouts that change depending on in-game scenarios. Jump into these games at xbox.com/play via browser, Xbox Game Pass app for Android, or Xbox app for PC – no controller required!


Leaving October 31


The following games will be leaving the library soon. Be sure to jump in and play these games before they go! As always, members can save up to 20% off their purchase to keep these games in their library.

  • Alan Wake: American Nightmare (Console and PC)
  • Backbone (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Bassmaster Fishing 2022 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Project Wingman (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Second Extinction (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Sniper Elite 4 (Console and Cloud)
  • The Forgotten City (Cloud, Console, and PC)

We’ll be back soon with more games, more perks, and check in on how your backlog is going!