Tag: Xbox Series X

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Preparing for Launch

With just 15 days left before the Global launch of both the XBOX SERIES X & S on Nov. 10th, Microsoft has released an official and comprehensive breakdown of to expect and how to prepare for, what is arguably, one of the Xbox brand’s biggest console launches ever.  

Right away we’re treated to a speedy boot sequence that brings to like the latest UI, as well as the dynamic backgrounds. Via Quick Resume, we jump right into Gears of War 5 which has become a showcase for the how the visual fidelity and overall performance of games can be improved thanks to the Series X’s beefy hardware and software architecture. After a few minutes our hosts snap over to Dirt 5 in literal seconds. If I’m being honest, Quick Resume is probably one of the biggest game changers coming to consoles in this new generation. The feature is akin to using ‘Save State’ when running emulators on PC, or PC games in general. 

After some more gameplay we get into the new Share Button on the controller and just how convenient and quick it is to not only save, but also share your captures. Quite literally, a tap or two of the button is all it takes to being building and sharing your content with friends and the community.

Watching just how smooth and snappy the UI and Storefront are is definitely encouraging and impressive. What’s more; Navigating “My Games & Apps” is quicker than ever. For someone like myself that has literally hundreds of games installed on my internal and external drives, this is truly a Godsend. 

The mini-presentation is just over 14 minutes long and goes over the primaries of what to expect when booting up your new console. While it is disappointing that there wasn’t a quick clip or two of some new gameplay, it wasn’t expected from this video anyway. Microsoft is committed to providing content every week leading up to launch, a strategy that will keep consumers/fans engaged and excited. They’ve also confirmed that there WILL exclusive Series X gameplay footage before launch, so keep it locked here for future updates! 

 

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So Fresh and So Clean

With the official launch of the Xbox Series X|S looming in the distance, Microsoft has officially opened Pre-Orders for their new line of controllers. The new accessories are coming in three distinct flavors: Robot White (Comes with Series S), Carbon Black (Tried & True Classic that comes with the Series X), and the infamous Shock Blue which looks very nice and will probably end up in a lot of owner’s homes before the year’s end.

Aside from numerous performance tweaks, both Hardware & Software based, and the new Share Button, anyone familiar with current Xbox Controllers will feel right at home with the new designs. Better yet, each controller will retail for $59.99-MSRP. That’s right; No arbitrary price hike. You get premium, improved products for the same price you’d pay right now. Win-Win. What’s more, if you don’t want/need an extra controller right away, you can still use ALL of your existing accessories with your shiny new Series X|S.

Check the image below for the official landing page!

Official Microsoft Image

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Scorn Not Thine Masters

Originally announced back in 2018, Scorn always draws attention whenever it rears its disfigured head from the murky depths of obscurity. With its H.R. Giger inspired aesthetics, grotesque creature and weapon designs, disturbing environmental puzzles, and Bioshock esque thematic design; Scorn is much an enigma as it is one of the most arresting and anticipated games coming in early 2021. 

We now have nearly 14 minutes of raw gameplay footage courtesy of Gamespot, running on-wait for it-The Xbox Series X. This is VERY important because this has been a point of contention for consumers wanting to see those golden letters “Captured on Series X” during previous Xbox events. Thankfully, we have been getting plenty of it by way of games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Dirt 5, The Falconeer, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon just to name a few.

What we have on offer here with Scorn is nothing short of stunning. The attention to detail in nearly every aspect of the game’s design is absurd. The pulsating walls of the labyrinthine corridors look alive, to the point where you feel compelled to reach out and satisfy your morbid curiosity with a quick touch. Idle animations of the player’s weapons are suggestive and elaborate. This not only impacts gameplay as it makes you conscious of choosing when to reload, but it’s a constant reminder that everything around you is potentially alive.

I, for one, am truly excited to finally discover (hopefully) the nature of Scorn’s world and why things are. I won’t bore you with anymore banter. Check the video and enjoy!  

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Venture Where Light Dares not Travel

Bungie has finally raised the curtain on a showcase of the Exotic Weapons and gear that will be coming with the Beyond Light update on Nov. 10th. There’s no solid information on how, where, when these armaments will be acquired, so we can only speculate until the update goes live. I’m sure there will be one or a few tied to a specific quest line and/or the a Raid. It’s nice to see No Time to Explain back in action and the Icefall Mantle looks like a fun utility to throw into the mix. Here’s a list of everything shown in the video:

  • No Time to Explain Pulse Rifle
    • Perk: “Personal Protection Portal”
  • Cloudstrike Sniper Rifle
    • Perk: “Lightning on Precision Hits”
  • The Lament Sword
    • Perk: “Shred Barrier Shields”
  • Salvation’s Grip Grenade Launcher
    • Perk: “Launch Stasis Projectiles”
  • Icefall Mantle Titan Gauntlets
    • Perk: “Replaces Barricade With Overshield”
  • Precious Scars Titan Helmet
    • Perk: “Revive Creates Shielding Aura”
  • Mask of Bakris Hunter Helmet
    • Perk: “Shift Replaces Dodge”
  • Athrys’s Embrace Hunter Gauntlets
    • Perk: “Superior Weighted Knife”
  • Dawn Chorus Warlock Helmet
    • Perk: “Improved Burns and Daybreak Damage”
  • Necrotic Grip Warlock Gauntlets
    • Perk: “Melee Spreads Poison”

For an even more in-depth breakdown, check out Bungie’s own Official Page for more details. 

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Bring a Towel

Scorn has been in development for many years now. It usually pops up via a short gameplay snippet, media blurb, or mention on social media then sinks back into the shadows where development continues. Today, YouTube channel GameClips has provided us with a disturbingly satisfying 7-Minute reel of gameplay and sweeping vistas to wet our palate before launch.

If you haven’t heard of it before, Scorn is an H.R. Giger Inspired First Person Horror title coming exclusively to the Xbox Series consoles and PC. The obsessive attention to detail in the world and its inhabitants is unnerving and at once, captivating. The droning and foreboding music only lends to the chill inducing atmosphere. Everything twitches, slithers, skitters, and breathes with unsettling life; constantly making you question what may be friend or foe, if such concepts even exist in this twisted world.

Check out the full video below. Scorn doesn’t have a set release day yet, but is scheduled to launch in early 2021.

https://youtu.be/mOOu3tUyB3o

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T’was the Night before Xbox-mas

Let’s cut to the chase. Tomorrow is going to be a pivotal moment in gaming history for MS and the Xbox brand. Ever since Don Mattrick’s damning presentation, Resolution Gate, and innumerable UI updates, it has been an uphill battle for Phil Spencer and the team to lift Xbox from the mud and back on its feet. Thanks to their tenacity, they’ve done exactly that. The Xbox ecosystem is, without question, the most pro-consumer and best value dollar for dollar in gaming right now. There’s just one very important piece of the puzzle missing; Original, High quality, Game of the Year contender IPs. Tomorrow-July 23rd-We get to see if all the studio acquisitions (a whopping 15 so far), the consumer focused marketing and infrastructure changes, a focus on delivering the most powerful console platform to game on, and the wholly successful GamePass + xCloud service(s) can help deliver just that. Continue reading “T’was the Night before Xbox-mas”