Final Update: And so the last piece of the price increase puzzle has fallen into place, with Xbox Series X consoles officially having gone up in price from $749 AUD to $799 AUD across local Aussie retailers, Amazon and the official Microsoft store.

The price increase seemingly hasn’t affected bundles, like the Diablo IV Xbox Series X bundle at $849, technically making it the better value option if you’re newly in the market for a console.

It comes after price increases also hit Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass for Console subscribers, which you can read about below. As a more positive part of the restructure, Microsoft will also be introducing Xbox Game Pass Core which replaces Xbox Live Gold and gives members access to a limited library of Game Pass titles. You can read about that here.

Update 2: And it’s happened – Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $18.95 per month for new subscribers while Xbox Game Pass cost $11.95 per month. Current members with an active sub won’t see the change until either August 13th or whenever their subscription comes up for renewal at a later date.

The front page of the Xbox Game Pass portal still shows the old prices at the time of writing, but clicking through to actually sign up will give you the new ones:

Update: July 6th has rolled around, which means these price changes will start affecting new Xbox Game Pass subscribers very soon. At the time of writing (9:30AM AEST) you can still sign up to an Xbox Game Pass subscription at the old price of $15.95 for Game Pass Ultimate or $10.95 for Xbox Game Pass. Those prices will jump up to $18.95 and $11.95, respectively, as soon as the next billing cycle comes around.

Xbox does allow members to stack up to three years of Game Pass, so if you’re desperate to lock in the current value we’d suggest checking with your local retailer about the availability/validity of existing prepaid cards today.

Original Story: Two major price increases are set to hit Xbox customers, with both the Xbox Series X console and Xbox Game Pass seeing price increase in select territories around the world – including Australia.

As reported by The Verge, the Xbox Series X console will be increasing in price from $749 AUD to $799 AUD, putting it in line with the increase that the PlayStation 5 saw last year. The price increase will take effect in Aussie stores starting from August 1st.

Meanwhile, Xbox Game Pass subscription prices will be raised across both the Xbox Game Pass for Console and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership tiers. The monthly price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will move from $15.95 AUD per month to $18.95 AUD per month, and the base Xbox Game Pass for console pricing will see a jump from $10.95 AUD up to $11.95 AUD per month. These changes will take effect from July 6th for new members, or as of August 13th for anyone with an existing, recurring subscription. There won’t be any change to pricing for PC Game Pass subscriptions.

We already pay a pretty favourable amount for Xbox Game Pass locally, with the new US price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate working out to around $25 AUD per month, so things could certainly be worse.

“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” said head of comms, Kari Perez, in a statement to the outlet.

With Bethesda’s enormous Microsoft-exclusive RPG, Starfield, on the horizon and set to push sales of both Xbox Series X consoles and Game Pass subscriptions, there’s definitely never been a more appropriate time for Microsoft to try to claw back some cash on their Xbox offerings. We’ll be sure to update this story if there are any other developments.

The post The Xbox Series X Console Has Officially Gone Up In Price appeared first on Press Start.

After a few months of Xbox Insider users having access to the much-improved Home experience on Xbox consoles, Microsoft is finally ready to roll out the new dashboard to all Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One users around the globe.

The rollout begins today with a “subset” of consoles, and will gradually continue to be pushed to all players over the coming weeks until everybody is covered. The new UI aims to improve the user experience with a cleaner, simplified layout that better shows off custom backgrounds, easier access to games in your library, better game discovery/curation and more (I’ve personally been using it since the Insider Alpha launch and it’s a vast improvement over the previous iteration).

Here’s what Microsoft reckons you’ll get out of using the new Xbox Home dashboard:

Xbox Dashboard Update July/August 2023

• Makes it easy to go to your Library, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Search, and Settings at the very top of your Home by introducing a quick access menu.
• Creates more space for your personalised background by simplifying the layout and putting the games you recently played and other content and apps towards the bottom of the screen.
• Adds an option to change your background to match the game you are highlighting in the recently played list.
• Improves game discovery by introducing lists of games curated and personalised for you.
• Allows you to customise your experience by pinning your favourite games, curated groups, and system groups like Quick Resume to Home.
• Helps you find what’s going on in your community through the updated Friends & Community Updates row.
• Shows you what media apps and content are available to you via a Watch & Listen spotlight and list of entertainment apps.

You can learn more about what’s different and improved in the new and fresh Xbox dashboard right here.

The post The New Xbox Home Experience Is Being Rolled Out Now And It’s A Huge Improvement appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has just released a new experimental update to its “Alpha” ring of Xbox Insider users, which gives select players early access to an impending feature before it’s rolled out in a wider update.

This time around, the update is adding the ability to players to map keyboard keys or even whole shortcuts (with some exceptions) to their Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller or Xbox Adaptive Controller, which should open up some interesting possibilities in-game for people using things like the Elite Series 2’s back paddles as well as furthering the potential when it comes to the Adaptive Controller helping all players enjoy games to the fullest.

Here’s what the Xbox Wire blog has to say about the new update:

Keyboard Button Mapping for Xbox Controllers

For the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the Xbox Adaptive Controller, the Xbox Accessories app now supports mapping keyboard keys to your controller!

To get started, open the Xbox Accessories app > Configure > create a new profile or edit an existing one > select a button to map > choose Primary or Shift > then move over to the new Key tab.

You can also find this feature in the Xbox Accessories app on your Windows PC by joining the Windows Gaming preview from the Xbox Insider Hub. Learn more about joining the Windows Gaming preview in the Xbox Insider Program FAQ.

Note:

• You may only map a given controller button to a single key, along with any combination of modifier keys (Win, Shift, Ctrl, Alt). For example, you could map Ctrl+Alt+W, but not Ctrl+Alt+W+E.
• Keyboard input support is game dependent, so you may notice some games will offer full support, partial support, or no support.
• Using or mapping keyboard keys via Bluetooth on PC is not supported. Learn more about the Xbox Accessories app and Bluetooth connections here.

The update also introduces a number of fixes and improvements specific to Xbox Insider update releases.

The post Xbox Will Soon Allow Players To Map Keyboard Shortcuts To Their Controller appeared first on Press Start.

Nearly three years into the new generation of consoles, Microsoft has given the official word that its first party Xbox Games Studios developers are done creating games for its previous-generation Xbox One platform and is full-steam ahead on producing titles just for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

In an interview with Axios’ Stephen Totilo, Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty confirmed that Microsoft’s internal studios are finished with making games for Xbox One, saying “We’ve moved on to Gen 9.”

It was reiterated that those who haven’t made the jump to a new Xbox will still be able to play its new titles via cloud streaming to the older machine. “That’s how we’re to maintain support,” Booty told the outlet.

VIDEO PRESENTED BY FINAL FANTASY XVI: COMING EXCLUSIVELY TO PLAYSTATION 5 ON JUNE 22ND. DOWNLOAD THE FREE DEMO AND PRE-ORDER NOW

With 23 studios in its stable, many are yet to actually release a game for the new generation of Xbox hardware but, with the likely exception of support for ongoing games like Minecraft and Sea of Thieves, they’re all now completely focused on the Series X and S.

When questioned about whether there are concerns about the lower-powered Series S continuing to hold projects back, Booty admitted that it’s more work but that the Xbox Games Studio teams have been able to squeeze more out of the Series S hardware over time and knowing where the pinch points are.

No internal teams are now working on games for the older generation consoles outside of support for ongoing games like Minecraft, Microsoft's game studio chief Matt Booty says.https://t.co/ioJXs7sHVi

— Axios (@axios) June 15, 2023

At the recent Xbox Games Showcase, a number of Xbox Games Studio titles were shown including Fable, Avowed, Forza Motorsport, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, South of Midnight, and of course, Starfield, all of which are coming exclusively to the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.

You can read the full article and interview with Matt Booty on Axios right here.

The post Microsoft Has Confirmed It’s Done Making Games For Xbox One appeared first on Press Start.

Many were hoping that Avowed, the new fantasy RPG from Obsidian (The Outer Worlds, Pentiment, Fallout: New Vegas), would make an appearance at today’s Xbox Games Showcase, and it certainly did.

Bringing with it a two-and-a-half minute trailer packing plenty of actual in-game footage, the Avowed gameplay trailer also reveals the game’s release target of 2024.

Avowed will expand the universe of Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity, letting players loose in a huge and diverse world called the Living Lands. It’ll carry a lot of the familiar Obsidian RPG DNA like first-person combat, helpful and richly-written companions, dense environments to explore and deep player progression. The new gameplay trailer looks to show off a heap of environmental, enemy and weapon variety and seems like a ton of fun to boot.

Avowed is due to release in 2024 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Take a look at the new gameplay trailer below:

Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.

Explore the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. As an envoy of Aedyr, you are sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague with a secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save the island and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them apart?

The post Avowed Is Coming In 2024 And There’s A New Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Press Start.

Hot off the official reveal of only the second brand to offer an Xbox Expansion Card, the previous sole proprietor of officially-licensed Xbox Series X|S storage expansions, Seagate, has dropped the prices on its cards.

Although retailers have steadily been offering deals on them already, the RRP of both the 1TB and 2TB Seagate Expansion Card for Xbox has officially been lowered. The 1TB version now carries a recommended retail price of $299 AUD (originally $359) and the 2TB is $549 (originally $699.

For comparison, the upcoming WD_Black C50 cards for Xbox have been priced at $79.99 USD (approximately $120 AUD) for 500GBB or $149.99 USD (approximately $225 AUD) for 1TB, with final local pricing still to be determined.

You can find the Seagate Storage Expansion Card at the below prices at local retailers:

• Amazon  – 1TB $254
• EB Games  – 1TB $288 | 2TB $528
• JB Hi-Fi  – 1TB $289 | 2TB $529

Key features of the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S include:

• Add up to 2TB of peak performance storage to Xbox Series X or S without sacrificing performance
• Compatible with the Xbox Velocity Architecture – providing faster load times, richer environments and more immersive gameplay
• Replicates the performance of the Xbox Velocity Architecture when playing games that have been optimised for Xbox Series X
• Quick resume. Gamers can switch between multiple titles in seconds from either the internal SSD or the expansion card
• Easy plug in and play, or remove the card and take games on-the-go

You can find out more here.

The post The Seagate Xbox Expansion Card Has Officially Dropped In Price appeared first on Press Start.

Once PlayStation timed exclusive and Game of the Year nominee, Stray, looks to be headed to Xbox consoles after receiving ratings for Series X/S and Xbox One.

Notable Xbox insider Klobrille shared the news on their Twitter account.

Stray has received an ESRB rating for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.https://t.co/QugzMsqorq pic.twitter.com/eyISg8DgXj

— Klobrille (@klobrille) May 16, 2023

Although there’s no indication of when the game will be coming to the big green machine, it’s a possibility an announcement could take place during Xbox’s Games Showcase that’s confirmed to be taking place next month.

Once officially confirmed, Stray will join Solar Ash in a shortlist of indies confirmed to be coming to other consoles following a timed exclusivity deal with PlayStation.

The post Stray Looks To Be Headed To Xbox After Being Rated By The ESRB appeared first on Press Start.

The Gamesmen has started listing its Xbox Series X console bundles on eBay, including the yet-to-be-released Diablo IV bundle and the current Forza Horizon 5 bundle. Both are priced at their usual $849 tickets but thanks to a current eBay promotion you can score $50 off of either of them, which isn’t a massive discount but it’s definitely not bad on the Diablo IV version in particular.

You can get either of them from The Gamesmen’s eBay Store at the below links, using the code HGMAY at checkout:

Xbox Series X Bundles At The Gamesmen (via eBay)

• Xbox Series X Diablo IV Bundle – $799 using the code HGMAY (ends May 15th)
• Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 Bundle – $799 using the code HGMAY (ends May 15th)

Here’s what’s included in each of these bundles:

Diablo IV Bundle

• Xbox Series X Console
• Diablo IV (Full Game) Digital Download
• Light-Bearer Mount with Caparison of Faith Mount Armour for Diablo IV
• Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet for Diablo III (game sold separately)
• Amalgam of Rage Mount for World of Warcraft (game sold separately)*
• Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set for Diablo Immortal (game sold separately)

Forza Horizon 5 Bundle

• Xbox Series X Console
• Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition (Full Game) Digital Download
• Hot Wheels Expansion DLC
• Rally Adventures Expansion DLC
• Welcome Pack DLC
• VIP Membership DLC
• Car Pass DLC

The discount code will also increase to $100 for single transactions over $1000, so you can save a bit more if you need extra accessories or games to go along with your new Xbox Series X console.

If the current “HGMAY” code expires, eBay Plus Members can also use the code “PWESNS” to get the same discount.

If you’re not already an eBay Plus member, it’s only $5 a month to sign up and there’s a 30-day free trial, so you can easily join to grab this deal.

Thanks OzBargain!

The post The Diablo IV Xbox Series X Bundle Is Already Discounted On eBay appeared first on Press Start.

In recent days, Xbox players have discovered they’re no longer able to share screenshots directly from their Xbox consoles or the Xbox Game Bar on Windows PCs, with Microsoft confirming via replies to user tweets that it’s had to disable the feature.

It’s widely assumed, though not outright confirmed, that this is a result of the ongoing changes over at Twitter which include a new paywall for companies to access and use the new Twitter API – the interface that allows third parties to access and create data on Twitter directly. It seems that rather than fork out the roughly $62,000 AUD per month that Twitter is asking for, Microsoft opted to instead skip the feature altogether. It’s not clear at this stage whether it will return, and both PlayStation and Nintendo seemingly haven’t dropped it as of yet.

We have had to disable the ability to share game uploads to Twitter directly from the console and Game Bar on Windows. You can still share your favorite moments to Twitter via the Xbox app for Android and iOS.

— Xbox (@Xbox) April 20, 2023

Xbox console users can still upload screenshots from their consoles to other destinations, like OneDrive, or access them via a smartphone and the Xbox mobile app to upload them to Twitter manually – a fact that Xbox has highlighted in the wake of the native feature being disabled. Of course, on PC it’s still as simple as grabbing the captured images directly from their computer’s storage.

A quick lesson on sharing your screenshots & clips to Twitter via your phone (we love to see them!)

– go to the Xbox mobile app
– select 'My Library' -> 'Captures'
– choose your screenshot/clip
– select 'Share' & then 'Twitter'

Full #XboxShare details: https://t.co/hlNHcCPEIl

— Xbox (@Xbox) April 20, 2023

In happier Xbox news, the rest of this month’s Xbox Game Pass line-up was recently revealed, with a couple of great-looking titles still to come this week including Cassette Beasts and The Last Case of Benedict Fox, with Arkane’s exciting-looking open world co-op vampire slaying game, Redfall, set to debut on the service on its launch day of May 2nd – right around the corner.

The post Xbox Has Disabled Twitter Screenshot Sharing appeared first on Press Start.

With around a month a half to go before its June 6th launch, Diablo IV has officially gone gold.

This means that development on the game has essentially finished, making it ready for launch with final builds being sent to be pressed to discs or uploaded to digital storefront servers. Naturally, the team will more than likely be working on day one updates or subsequent support but the big task is done.

“Going gold is a landmark milestone for the incredible Diablo IV team, who have all worked so hard crafting the next-generation instalment of this iconic franchise. This is a concrete, meaningful step toward our 6 June launch” said Rod Fergusson, general manager of Diablo. “Whether players are veterans of the franchise or jumping in for the first time, we can’t wait for everyone to experience the full game: taking part in the incredible storytelling, experimenting with character classes and builds, and exploring what the endgame and the dark world of Sanctuary has to offer.”

#DiabloIV has Gone Gold. Can you feel her presence now?

See you in Sanctuary. 6.6.23 ? pic.twitter.com/OGX8oACUCr

— Diablo (@Diablo) April 17, 2023

In our hands-on preview of the game late last year, we said, “Player autonomy is a clear focus in this new title, and allowing players to enliven their unique Diablo fantasies and play the game the way they want to play it is at the forefront of this. As such, Diablo IV is the first in the series to be built for both PC and console and offers a range of accessibility options to suit the needs of most gamers.

I honestly believe Diablo IV will go a long way to please long-term fans of the series and still be a great starting point for lapsed or new players. At its core, Diablo IV is a fun, fantasy-driven experience with a lot to offer to those who are open to the genre.”

WHERE TO BUY THE XBOX SERIES X DIABLO IV BUNDLE

• Amazon
• Microsoft Store
• EB Games
• JB Hi-Fi

The post Diablo IV Has Officially Gone Gold appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced the new features coming in its rollout of the April Xbox update, which brings with it just a couple of fairly new features/changes.

Heading up the update is a “refreshed search experience” that promises to improve searches with a new look, better-formatted results, better navigation and YouTube integration into the movie/TV search.

The only other change is the ability for users to adjust the active hours in their console’s power saving setting, meaning that you’ll be able to choose which hours your console remains active and ready to quickly boot or install games, and when it goes into full shut down.

Take a look at all the details for the April Xbox Update below:

Refreshed Xbox Search Experience 

Looking for your next favourite game, movie, and more? You can search for games, entertainment, and apps using the refreshed console search page. This includes a sleek new look, gallery-style results, visible filter categories navigable with RB/LB, the option to “search on YouTube” within the Movies & TV tab, and more. To open the search experience, tap the search button on the top of the dashboard, find the magnifying glass icon within the guide, or press Y on your controller anywhere within the console UI.

Adjustable active hours power setting for your Xbox console  

You can adjust your power settings at any time by going to Settings > General > Power options. If you select Shutdown (energy saving), it will help conserve power and enable carbon aware updates on your Xbox. If you select the Sleep power option, you can now adjust active hours to have the console ready to wake up when you’re likely to use it and shut down at the times you select to save energy. When your Xbox’s active hours are done for the day, the console will fully shut down and draw 0.5 watts as compared to 10-15 watts while active.

With the Xbox April Update, if you have the Sleep power option selected on your Xbox, you can configure your console active hours, which default to “always active” unless you change them. During your selected active hours your Xbox will boot quickly and be available for activities like Remote Play and mobile game installs.

The post The April Xbox Update Is Bringing A Better Search Experience appeared first on Press Start.

Arkane has announced overnight that Redfall, its upcoming multiplayer open-world shooter set in a vampire-infested Massachusetts, won’t ship with a 60 FPS mode on either the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S at launch.

Revealed via the game’s social media, it’s been clarified that the game will run in 4K resolution at 30 FPS on the more powerful Xbox Series X, and 1440p with 30 FPS on the smaller Xbox Series S. A “performance” style visual mode running in a much more preferable 60 FPS will be arriving at a later date via an update.

Redfall is launching on Xbox consoles with Quality mode only:
Xbox Series X: 4K 30 FPS
Xbox Series S: 1440p 30 FPS
60 FPS Performance mode will be added via game update at a later date. pic.twitter.com/NLaGsMbwdW

— Redfall (@playRedfall) April 12, 2023

The news has caused some disarray amongst eager fans that were expecting an option to be available at launch, especially given that much of the game’s marketing – though not necessarily shown running on console – has been displayed at the higher frame rate. Being a fast-paced first-person shooter with up to four players in co-op, it also lends itself to more fluid performance.

Recently, Redfall’s Director Harvey Smith addressed the game’s always-online requirement, saying the studio is looking into how it can change it after launch. “We do take it with a lot of empathy,” Smith told Eurogamer. “We listen. And we have already started work to address this in the future. We have to do some things like encrypt your save games and do a bunch of UI work to support it. And so we are looking into – I’m not supposed to promise anything – but we’re looking into and working actively toward fixing that in the future.”

We also went hands-on with Redfall in a single player capacity and came away tentatively eager to play more – you can read all about our experience with the game right here.

Redfall launches on May 2nd for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be launching into Xbox Game Pass on day one.

The post Redfall Won’t Have A 60 FPS Mode On Xbox At Launch appeared first on Press Start.

After more than two years of Xbox Series X|S players only having a single option when it comes to expanding their console’s storage, it seems like the reign of Seagate is coming to an end.

As reported by The Verge, a new option has been spotted recently via a now-deleted Best Buy product listing, revealing the existence of a Western Digital 1TB expansion card for current-gen Xbox consoles.

VIDEO PRESENTED BY PLAYSTATION VR2. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.

According to the original listing the new WD version of the Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card is set to retail for $180 USD (around $270 AUD) which, provided it releases locally without too much mark-up, is a good $80 AUD cheaper than the Seagate equivalent which currently sells here for $349.

So far we don’t know much else about the WD expansion card, as far as release dates or any other potential capacities are concerned, but we’ll definitely keep you updated when more information arrives. Seagate has expanded its offering since it first launched the 1TB cards in late 2020, with 512GB and 2TB options being made available (if you’ve got a spare $700+ handy for the latter).

By comparison, storage prices for PlayStation 5 owners are coming down every day thanks to the PS5’s non-proprietary M.2 SSD slot, which lets users buy any compatible Gen 4 NVMe that has an appropriate heatsink and slot it into the console’s internals.

Right now, the PS5-compatible Samsung 980 Pro SSD is going for only $250 for a 2TB capacity.

The post A Cheaper Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card Is Coming appeared first on Press Start.

Although we weren’t sure what form it would take when its existence leaked earlier in the week, the Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle has been officially unveiled and it’s pretty much what you’d expect – a standard Xbox Series X console bundled in with a digital download for Diablo IV.

The bundle is set to hit Aussie stores on June 6th, the same day as the game itself, and pre-orders have begun to open at local retailers today. If you’re keen on picking up the bundle, which retails for $849, you can do so at any of the below retailers:

VIDEO PRESENTED BY PLAYSTATION VR2. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.

Where To Buy The Xbox Series X Diablo IV Bundle

• Amazon
• Microsoft Store
• EB Games
• JB Hi-Fi

The bundle will also include bonus items for redemption in Diablo IV as well as other Blizzard games, including Light-Bearer Mount with Caparison of Faith Mount Armour for D4, Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet for Diablo III, Amalgam of Rage Mount for World of Warcraft and Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set for Diablo Immortal.

Diablo IV recently ran its two beta weekends, one for players who’d pre-ordered the game and one open to everyone, and despite some initial queuing issues due to its popularity the reception has been fairly positive.

In our own hands-on preview last year we said, “Diablo IV is unmistakably Diablo-esque in feel and appearance, and nobody should be fooled into believing they are playing anything but a classic Blizzard banger. Still, the developers have made great strides in ensuring that this new entry honours the legacy of the Diablo franchise while shaking it up just enough to meet the expectations of the modern gamer.”

Diablo IV launches on June 6, 2023, on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Amazon currently has the cheapest pre-order at $79 with free shipping.

The post The Xbox Series X Diablo IV Bundle Is Available To Pre-Order Now appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox might be getting ready to unveil a special edition Xbox Series X console themed on the Blizzard’s upcoming and hotly-anticipated sequel, Diablo IV.

That’s according to trusted, regular PlayStation Plus library-leaker, billbill-kun, who posted that references to an “Xbox Series X Diablo IV Edition” console have been spotted. They make particular note that this product listing doesn’t include the word “bundle” which could imply it is indeed a unique console and not just a package with the game, although no designs have leaked so that’s not concrete just yet.

VIDEO PRESENTED BY PLAYSTATION VR2. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.

According to billbil-kun, the console will be launching on June 6th (the same day as Diablo IV) and will retail for $559.99 USD – $60 USD more than the standard console and the same price as the Forza Horizon 5 bundle – meaning this couldjust be another box with a code for the game in it, but this one at least comes with a game that’s not already included in Xbox Game Pass.

EXCLUSIVE
?UPCOMING RELEASE?

A new " Xbox Series X Diablo IV Edition " is on the way !
No idea about its design but it hasn't the word "Bundle" in its reference

??Announcement date: TBD
??Release date: June 6th, 2023
?Price in US: 559.99$#Xbox #DiabloIV #Diablo4 pic.twitter.com/O4RNg933wC

— billbil-kun (@billbil_kun) March 28, 2023

Diablo IV recently ran its two beta weekends, one for players who’d pre-ordered the game and one open to everyone, and despite some initial queuing issues due to its popularity the reception has been fairly positive.

In our own hands-on preview last year we said, “Diablo IV is unmistakably Diablo-esque in feel and appearance, and nobody should be fooled into believing they are playing anything but a classic Blizzard banger. Still, the developers have made great strides in ensuring that this new entry honours the legacy of the Diablo franchise while shaking it up just enough to meet the expectations of the modern gamer.”

Diablo IV launches on June 6, 2023, on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Amazon currently has the cheapest pre-order at $79 with free shipping.

The post A Special Edition Diablo IV Xbox Series X Console Might Be Coming appeared first on Press Start.

Bethesda’s next blockbuster RPG and one of Xbox’s tentpole console exclusives for 2023, Starfield, has been slapped with the almighty R18+ rating in Australia.

The rating, which means that sales of the game are restricted to persons aged 18 or older, comes mostly as a result of “high impact” drug use, as depicted in the below chart.

VIDEO PRESENTED BY PLAYSTATION VR2. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.

Everything else, from “strong impact” violence to “moderate impact” themes and language, and “none” sex, looks as though it would’ve had the open-world sci-fi behemoth pegged at an MA15+ rating at worst, so whatever drugs are in there must be pretty good:

Famously, Bethesda’s own Fallout 3 was initially refused classification in Australia when it was gearing up to launch in 2008, due to one of the in-game items being labelled after the real-world prescription drug, morphine. Because Australia didn’t have an R18+ rating available at the time, Bethesda wound up renaming the item to Med-X across the board in every region, dropping Fallout 3’s local rating down to an MA15+ and making it sellable here.

Bethesda announced just a week ago that Starfield will be delayed from its H1 2023 release window to a solid release date of September 6th, 2023.

It’s also been confirmed that we’ll get an extended look at the game in the Xbox + Bethesda Games Showcase which is taking place on Monday, June 12th.

For all, into the starfield ? pic.twitter.com/i9Ppie7dV0

— Starfield (@StarfieldGame) March 8, 2023

In a two minute video that was posted on social media, Todd Howard said that “We are so excited to finally tell you when Starfield is coming out this year. We have poured ourselves into this game and even I’m surprised how much we can pour. It is large”.

It’s said that the delay is to ensure that the game runs as well as possible on Xbox consoles, with Microsoft no doubt wanting the game to be a visual showpiece for Xbox Series X.

The post Starfield Has Been Given An R18+ Rating In Australia appeared first on Press Start.

You know that Shape dust that’s always getting all over your Xbox Wireless Controller? Just me? Well, either way, the folks over at Xbox ANZ and Arnott’s have teamed up to turn the tables and make it so your Shapes are covered in Xbox Wireless Controller!

Yep, a very limited run of BBQ Shapes in the shape of little Xbox controllers is a real thing that’s happening and you could win yourself one of just 10 boxes by heading to the Xbox ANZ Instagram and giving them a follow, then doing the same on the Arnott’s Instagram page and tagging a friend in their post (entries close March 23rd):

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shapes (@arnottsshapesau)

Okay, so even though we said our Xbox Shapes weren’t real… we went ahead and made a limited batch anyway! ??

Run, don’t walk. Follow Xbox (@xboxanz) and Shapes (@arnottsshapesau) and tag a friend in the comments below for your chance to win 1 of 10 Limited Edition Xbox Controller BBQ Shapes – the perfect gaming snack.

The post Xbox Controller-Shaped BBQ Shapes Exist And You Could Win A Box Of Your Own appeared first on Press Start.

After its existence was leaked a couple of weeks ago, Xbox has officially lifted the lid on the next in its ever-growing line of Xbox Wireless Controller colourways with Velocity Green.

The controller seemingly joins the family of not-quite-limited coloured Xbox controllers like Shock Blue, Deep Pink, Electric Volt and Pulse Red, sporting a very striking green front with white back and black d-pad, bumpers and face buttons.

While you could feasibly design a controller in Xbox Design Lab with the Velocity Green shell, you won’t get the matching view, share and menu buttons or the green lettering in the face buttons, and it’ll likely cost you a little more.

"Touch grass" they said. So we did!

Get our new Velocity Green controller, available now: https://t.co/zhD6re4JEc pic.twitter.com/Z7gZh0ShI2

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 7, 2023

The Velocity Green Xbox Wireless Controller will be releasing locally on March 24th, with pre-orders available now at the below retailers:

• Microsoft Store
• JB Hi-Fi
• EB Games

Iconic “Xbox Green” colour, the seventh colour for the evergreen colour series!

Experience the modernized design of the Xbox Wireless Controller, featuring sculpted surfaces and refined geometry for enhanced comfort during gameplay. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case. Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button. Use the Xbox Accessories app to remap buttons and create custom controller profiles for your favorite games. Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Windows 10 PCs, and Android. Plug in any compatible headset with the 3.5mm audio jack.

The post The Xbox Velocity Green Controller Is Real And Available For Pre-Order Now appeared first on Press Start.

To celebrate Mardi Gras, Xbox has created a custom pride Xbox Series S console which will be on display this weekend at the Microsoft Store in Sydney.

Following its display in the Microsoft Store, it will be auctioned off in partnership with ACON.

You can view some more photos of the stunning console below:

The post A Custom Pride Xbox Series S Console Has Landed In Sydney appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the next batch of Xbox Game Pass games that will take us into the last week of February and first few weeks of March.

• Atomic Heart (Console/PC/Cloud) – Today
• Merge & Blade (Console/PC/Cloud) – February 28th
• Soul Hackers 2 (Console/PC/Cloud) – February 28th
• F1 22 (Console/PC) – March 2nd
• Wu Long: Fallen Dynasty (Console/PC/Cloud) – March 3rd

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON FEBRUARY 28TH

• Alien: Isolation (Console and PC)
• Crown Trick (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Dragon Ball FighterZ (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Far: Changing Tides (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Console and PC)
• Madden NFL 21 (Console and PC) EA Play
• Octopath Traveler (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post The Next Batch Of Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

Microsoft has announced that the February Xbox update is now available to all users, bringing with it the new power saving and “carbon aware” download options that were made available to Insiders last month.

The update also adds a couple of other handy new features, like the ability to stop the home screen from displaying game art when hovering over a title, or control simple actions like navigating menus and playing media using a virtual remote in the Google Home app.

Take a look at the details on each new feature (from the Xbox Wire website) below:

Carbon aware game downloads and updates

• Xbox is now the first console to offer carbon aware game downloads and updates. When your console is plugged in, connected to the internet and regional carbon intensity data is available, Xbox will schedule game, app, and OS updates for your console at specific times during the nightly maintenance window that may result in lower carbon emissions because a higher proportion of electricity is coming from lower-carbon sources on the electric grid. This decreases fossil fuel dependency and CO2 emissions and could potentially save you money.
• You can choose what works best for you and adjust your settings at any time. Shutdown (energy saving) cuts power use by up to 20x when it’s off compared to the Sleep power option. For every two consoles that switch to Shutdown (energy saving) for one year, we will save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by one tree planted and grown for a decade. This is based on an average of Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles on Shutdown (energy saving) for 20 hours per day for 1 year.

Hide game art when selecting tiles on Home

Some players find game art distracting or prefer a more simplified background while navigating their Home screen. With this new feature gamers can hide game art so it will no longer replace the Home background each time you move to select a game tile. Instead, the Home background will always remain the solid colour of your choice. To adjust your background, navigate to Settings > General >  Personalization > My background > Solid colour and game art. On this page you can choose to show or hide game art with the toggle in the bottom right of the screen.

Use the Google Home app as a touch remote control for your Xbox console.

Since 2019, you’ve been able to control your Xbox console using voice commands with Google Assistant. Now, you can use the Google Home app as a touch remote control for your Xbox console. When you add your Xbox console to your Google Home app, you’ll be able to easily turn your console on and off, navigate on-screen, control media playback, and more. You can use the Google Home app to command your Xbox like you do for other Smart Home devices.

To get started, go to the Google Home app on your phone. Pull down to refresh your devices and tap on your Xbox console to bring up the touch controls. Remote control features include: power on/off, directional navigation, navigate home, navigate back, play/pause, skip/previous, volume up/down, mute/unmute, and record game clip.

Jump back into a party with your friends

Xbox is experimenting with some different experiences to make it easy to jump back into a party with your friends. As this happens, a random subset of users will be able to give it a try. To get started, go to the “Parties & Chats” tab in the guide on your Xbox console. Click on the “Party” or “Party History” button. You’ll see a list of your previous parties, which you can use to restart one of those parties or create a new one. You can also easily select which friends you want to invite.

The post The February Xbox Update Rolls Out Carbon Aware Game Downloads And Google Home Controls Today appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Nine months later, the Deep Pink Xbox Wireless Controller is finally set to hit ANZ stores on February 10th.

It’ll set you back $95 when it lands in stores, and you can pre-order it now at the below:

• Xbox Wireless Controller Deep Pink at Amazon
• Xbox Wireless Controller Deep Pink at Microsoft Store
• Xbox Wireless Controller Deep Pink at EB Games
• Xbox Wireless Controller Deep Pink at JB Hi-Fi

The Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 console bundle is also in stock now at Amazon.

Although there’s currently no local listing or pricing for it, the next colour variant of the Xbox wireless controller is going to be Deep Pink.

The controller is currently only listed for pre-order on the US Xbox Store for $64.99 USD, making it once of the more premium controllers we’ve seen out of Microsoft, their Elite models withstanding.

As is usually the case, the controller is expected to be compatible with the Xbox Series X/S consoles, as well as Xbox One, PC, iOS and Android devices.

We’ve seen plenty of different controllers out of Xbox and while this isn’t nearly as eye-grabbing as the furry Sonic controllers or the Aqua Shift variant, the Deep Pink controller certainly looks nice.

We’ll update you as soon as we receive news of local listings.

The post The Deep Pink Xbox Controller Colour Is Finally Coming To Australia This Week appeared first on Press Start.

The cheapest copy of Dead Space starting with local retailers and finishing off with digital-only prices. We will update with new & special prices as they come in up until launch day.

AMAZON HAS THE CHEAPEST PRICE AT $75 WITH FREE DELIVERY

Physical:

Amazon – $75 with free shipping

JB Hi-Fi – $89

EB Games – $109.95

Big W – $89

The Gamesmen – $89.95

Mightyape – $69 (not incl shipping)

Digital:

PlayStation Store – $109.95 | $114.95 Digital Deluxe Edition

Xbox Store – $109.95 | $119.95 Digital Deluxe Edition

Steam – $89.95

The post Bargain Guide – Dead Space appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced some changes to the Xbox Series X|S power modes that will allow it to perform similarly whilst asleep, yet use power more efficiently to work towards a more sustainable future.

The first of these is that starting today, Xbox Series X|S consoles on the Xbox Insider program will update to a new Shutdown (energy saving) option that will reduce power consumption whilst your power is off, but will not affect performance, gameplay or your console’s ability to update your system, games or apps overnight. This cuts the energy usage of Xbox consoles by up to 20X when compared to sleep mode.

Xbox has also announced a new “Active Hours” setting. This will allow you to still use the Sleep power option, but now adjust what hours your Xbox remains active. Your Xbox will remain active and ready to boot instantly during the hours your select to be active, whilst fully shutting down whilst in sleep mode. This can be customised to your choosing.

The last bit is a little bit more lost on me, but Xbox has also said that starting today, when your console is connected to the internet and regional carbon intensity data is available, Xbox will schedule your game, app and OS updates for your console at specific times during the night that will hopefully result in lower carbon emissions because of a higher proportion of electricity is coming from lower-carbon sources on the electric grid.

Obviously, we trust Xbox in making this decisions for the environment, so it’s great to see more variety and options, without much of a loss of anything on the console front.

The post Xbox Is Introducing New Low Power Modes On The Xbox Series X|S To Lower Emissions And Power Usage appeared first on Press Start.

As we dive into the third full year of the current generation of consoles, the slate of future game releases is becoming more and more stacked with exciting-looking titles.

We recently ran a list of what we think are some of the biggest games on the calendar for 2023, but we also wanted to break it down and highlight the future Xbox console-exclusive games (at least the ones we know about) that are set to making being an Xbox owner worthwhile over the next year and further beyond. Plus, most if not all of these titles will be dropping on Xbox Game Pass, so it’s also a great chance to look at the immense value subscribers will be getting in the year/s ahead.

STARFIELD

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

25 years in the making, Starfield introduces an entirely new frontier to explore—space. In 2330, you join Constellation, the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy. Venture through the stars and get to know a memorable cast of characters on a quest to answer humanity’s greatest question—what is out there?

This is without a doubt the biggest upcoming Xbox console exclusive that we know of, and it’s finally coming this year. Hopefully.

REDFALL

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

Redfall is an open-world, co-op FPS from Arkane Austin, the award-winning team behind Prey and Dishonored. Continuing Arkane’s legacy of carefully crafted worlds and immersive sims, Redfall brings the studio’s signature gameplay to this story-driven action shooter.

FORZA MOTORSPORT

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

Forza Motorsport has been built from the ground up to showcase the Xbox Series X|S consoles. The accuracy of the overhauled physics, the beauty of the cars and tracks, the new dynamic time of day, advanced car damage, and real time ray tracing on track lead to a generational leap in immersion. Forza Motorsport is the most technically advanced racing game ever made.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 : HEART OF CHERNOBYL

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

The Cheapest Copy: $79 at Amazon with free shipping

Discover the vast Chernobyl Exclusion Zone full of dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies and powerful artifacts. Unveil your own epic story as you make your way to the Heart of Chernobyl. Choose your paths wisely, as they will determine your fate and shape the future of the humankind in the end.

ARK 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

Survive the past. Tame the future. Suddenly awakened on a primal world filled with dinosaurs and humans struggling for dominance, you must team-up with legendary heroes to confront powerful dark forces. Saddle up and join the definitive next-gen survival experience with ARK 2!

REPLACED

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

REPLACED is a 2.5D sci-fi retro-futuristic action platformer set in an alternate 1980s America, with free-flow action combat and a dystopian story wrapped up in incredibly slick pixel art. One look at screenshots and gameplay footage and its easy to see why we’re excited about this one.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition/Age of Empires IV (Console Release)

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

Release Date: January 31st (Age of Empires II) / TBA (Age of Empires IV)

Two Age of Empires games are finally making their way to modern Xbox consoles! Both games will feature optimised controls with support for mouse and keyboard input, optional cross-play and will be playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will feature brand new mechanics optimized for controller for both new and seasoned players alike, 200+ hours of historical campaign gameplay, 1,000 years of human history and 35 civilizations all from the comfort of your living room.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA

Senua’s Saga, the highly-anticipated sequel to Ninja Theory’s fantastic Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, was among the earliest announced games for Xbox’s new generation of console hardware, so it’s somewhat surprising we’ve still seen so little of it. Every morsel of footage in trailers and teasers has looked bloody brilliant though, so here’s hoping we get a little more clarity around a release date this year.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Console Release)

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: TBA

From the developers of the best-selling and award-winning franchise Vermintide, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a visceral 4-player co-op action game set in the hive city of Tertium. Fight together with your friends against hordes of enemies in this new Warhammer 40,000 experience. Launching to acclaim and popularity last year on PC in early access, it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S “soon.”

Planet of Lana

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

A young girl and her loyal friend embark on a rescue mission through a colourful world full of cold machines and unfamiliar creatures. Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle adventure game framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches across centuries and galaxies.

The Outer Worlds 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA

The Outer Worlds was an underrated gem from Obsidian in 2019, and the sequel comes following the studio’s acquisition by Microsoft. We still don’t know much outside of the very pretty cinematic reveal trailer, save that we’ll be exploring a new solar system with a new crew. It’s about time we learned more about this exciting sequel, so here’s hoping that’s what we get in 2023.

State of Decay 3

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA

Announced over two years ago, the next in Undead Labs’ series of compelling zombie survival strategy/sims is still shrouded in mystery. Beyond the initial cinematic teaser and the promise of zombie deer, there’s little else to go off of. Hopefully 2023 is the year we learn more about State of Decay 3, if not see it release in some form.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

Take on the last case of Benedict Fox and dive into a twisted world of secret organizations, forbidden rituals, and cold-blooded murders. Explore the memories of deceased victims as you search for clues and fight demons in this fantastical Lovecraftian Metroidvania.

INKULINATI (EARLY ACCESS)

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: January 31st

Inkulinati is an ink-based strategy game straight from medieval manuscripts, where a rabbit’s bum can be deadlier than a dog’s sword. Take your turn in Inkulinati duels filled with unexpected tactical depth (and humour!). Embark on an ever-changing journey, build your own bestiary, defeat medieval superstars and collect perks to unleash special powers. Become a master of the Living Ink, grab your quill and build your unique strategy time after time.

Ravenlok

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA 2023

Ravenlok’s life takes a turn for the unexpected when she stumbles through a magical mirror into a troubled kingdom. Explore fantastical realms, meet mad characters and defeat dark monsters to end the Caterpillar Queen’s reign of terror. Your destiny awaits in an action-packed, coming of age adventure. This gorgeous-looking adventure with its voxel-esque visuals should be quite a treat when it launches this year.

Everwild

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Release Date: TBA

Rare’s next big game is a third-person adventure game that we still know next-to-nothing about. The most recent rumours peg it as having some degree of god-game elements and zero combat, and since there’s been absolutely no official indication of a release date we wouldn’t expect this any sooner than 2024. Who knows, though? Miracles can happen.

Indiana Jones

Platforms: TBA

Release Date: TBA

Another incredibly long shot to expect this in the next couple of years, but Bethesda/MachineGames’ Indiana Jones tie-in was announced nearly two years ago, so we’re sure to at least learn more soon. Bethesda Game Studios Director, Todd Howard, reckons the team responsible for the modern Wolfenstein games is the perfect fit for the license, which has us all kinds of excited and waiting (im)patiently to dig up any new info.

Of course, there are plenty more big Xbox exclusives in the pipeline that we’re keen to learn more about, like Perfect Dark, Avowed, Contraband and of course, Fable. Hopefully we’ll hear a lot more about those soon.

The post The Most Exciting Xbox Exclusives Coming In 2023 And Beyond appeared first on Press Start.

It’s not just the PlayStation 5 getting new console bundles in 2023. Microsoft recently revealed a Forza Horizon 5 bundle for their flagship Xbox Series X, and it’s now available for pre-order at most Australian retailers.

The bundle launches on January 24th and contains the Xbox Series X console and everything it normally comes with, as well as download codes for the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, which comes with Forza Horizon 5 and its add-ons including the Hot Wheels expansion, Welcome Pack, VIP Membership, Car Pass, and second expansion when it becomes available.

It’ll set you back a bit more than the standalone console with an RRP of $849.95, which might be a bitter pill to swallow considering Forza Horizon 5 is on Xbox Game Pass, but if you’re keen on all the added extras and prefer to have a copy of the game that doesn’t require staying subscribed to play then it could be a decent proposition.

You can pre-order the Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle at the below retailers with:

• Amazon – Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle – $849 with free shipping and pre-order price guarantee
• Microsoft Store – Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle – $849
• EB Games – Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle – $849
• JB Hi-Fi – Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle – $849
• The Gamesmen – Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle – $849

If you don’t want to wait and don’t need the extras, Amazon still has the standalone Xbox Series X in stock right now:

• Amazon – Xbox Series X console – $749 with free shipping

The post The Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 Bundle Is Up For Pre-Order At Aussie Retailers appeared first on Press Start.

It’s a great time of the year to be a gamer. Not only has awards season come and gone, which affords us the opportunity to look back on a year of releases and reflect on what we loved while identifying which bonafide classics we might have missed, it’s also the time when gamers everywhere are receiving new games and consoles as gifts, or gift cards and cash to go and acquire new ones during the big Boxing Day sales.

To that end, we figured we’d celebrate both by taking a look back at our favourite and best-reviewed games of 2022 and trawling the internet for the hottest deals on them while sales are still on to help you pick up any gems you might have pissed at the best possible price. Take a look at our recommendations below:

The Callisto Protocol

Our Score: 8/10

“The Callisto Protocol is a modest starting point for what I hope will flourish into another heavy-hitting horror franchise. It’s gory and gratuitous, with an endlessly satisfying combat system.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $69 PS5/XSX, $59 PS4/XB1 at Amazon with free shipping

The Callisto Protocol Review – A Satisfyingly Tense Newcomer

Evil West

Our Score: 8.5/10

“An all-round excellently paced main campaign, ridiculously fun combat, and flexible character progression make for one of 2022’s best games, and one of the best third-person shooters in recent years.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $69 at JB Hi-Fi

Evil West Review – High Voltage Vampire Slaying

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion

Our Score: 9/10

“Whether you managed to catch it on the PSP or you’re diving in for the first time – this is without a doubt the definitive way to experience the excellent prequel to Final Fantasy VII.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $73 at Amazon with free shipping

Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– Reunion Review – Absolutely Worth A Revisit

Need For Speed Unbound

Our Score: 7.5/10

“I loved the commitment to modern car culture aesthetics, events like the takeover are a great addition along with the distinct visual and musical style choices.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping

Need For Speed Unbound Review – High Stakes Racing

God of War Ragnarök

Our Score: 9.5/10

“God of War Ragnarok is a triumph. Santa Monica Studio has successfully taken everything that was great about the last game and amplified it while correcting just about every problem area and then some.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $86 PS4 / $89 PS5 at Amazon with free shipping

God Of War Ragnarok Review – A Triumph Of Godlike Proportions

Sonic Frontiers

Our Score: 7.5/10

“It’s not perfect, but it tries its heart out and I came away with warm memories of an uneven game.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 PS5/PS4/Xbox, $49 Switch at Amazon with free shipping

Sonic Frontiers Review – Brave New Zone

Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet

Our Score: 7.5/10

“New ideas, some quality of life improvements, and some excellent new Pokémon designs make the trip to Paldea worthwhile.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $62 at Amazon with free shipping

Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Review – A Tantalising Lens Into The Future

The Chant

Our Score: 7.5/10

“The Chant combines a unique setting and premise with striking art direction to offer an experience that feels wholly unique as a game.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $47 at Amazon with free shipping

The Chant Review – A Surprising And Psychedelic Adventure

Bayonetta 3

Our Score: 9/10

“Bayonetta 3 successfully reinvents itself in many ways to offer an experience that feels worthy of the title of sequel.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $68 at Amazon with free shipping

Bayonetta 3 Review – An Experience You Won’t Forgetta

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Our Score: 7/10

“As a sequel to the Modern Warfare reboot, Modern Warfare 2 feels like both a celebration of the series’ original trilogy as well as “the team” at its core.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $79 at Amazon

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Campaign Review – Playing It Safe

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Our Score: 8.5/10

“Smart iteration on established mechanics and pitch-perfect pacing lead the way to a journey across some breathtaking locales that ups the ante in nearly every way by its shocking conclusion.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $69 at Amazon with free shipping

A Plague Tale: Requiem Review – A Provencial Tail

Gotham Knights

Our Score: 7.5/10

“Gotham Knights is both something different and something familiar for Batman fans. While the new role-playing elements create some pacing issues throughout the story, the breadth of abilities and ease of progression stop the experience from being as tedious as it could have been.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping / $59 SteelBook edition at JB (while stocks last)

Gotham Knights Review – Batman Without Batman

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope

Our Score: 9/10

“While Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a markedly different game than Kingdom Battle, it’s a more than worthy sequel that successfully steps into its own space within the realm of turn-based strategy. It’s undoubtedly one of the best games on the Switch, and one of the best showings from Ubisoft in recent years.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $49 at JB Hi-Fi with bonus Steelbook / $89 Gold Edition at Amazon with free shipping

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review – An Adventure Worth Raving About

Splatoon 3

Our Score: 8.5/10

“This is the most feature-complete and tightly designed Splatoon to date, and you’d be missing out if you choose to pass it up.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping

Splatoon 3 Review – A Splattin’ Good Time

The Last of Us Part I

Our Score: 9/10

“The Last Of Us: Part I is without doubt the most definitive version of The Last of Us on the market.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $69 at Amazon with free shipping

The Last Of Us Part I Review – Makes Every Shot Count

Saints Row

Our Score: 7/10

“The new Saints Row doesn’t break any new ground, however it’s still a relatively fun time. If you’re a fan of the series, there’s no reason not to give this one a spin.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $39 Day One Edition at Amazon with free shipping

Saints Row Review – An Enjoyable Reboot

Two Point Campus

Our Score: 8/10

“Two Point Campus is another excellent entry from Two Point Studios that showcases not only more of the team’s penchant for humorous and accessible management sim gameplay but genuine love for the genre.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $29 at Amazon with free shipping

Two Point Campus Review – A New Twist On Management Sims

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Our Score: 8/10

“Whether you’re new to the series or a veteran, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is stylish, intriguing, super fun, and well worth checking out for RPG fans.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review – A Darker Expansive Adventure

Stray

Our Score: 9/10

“Stray is a brisk and relentlessly charming adventure that offers a very unique window into a gorgeous sci-fi world. It won’t challenge your mind or your reflexes too much but it’ll absolutely delight your senses. Importantly, it’s a video game with a dedicated ‘meow’ button, and what could possibly be better than that?”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $32 on the PlayStation Store (free for PS Plus Extra Subscribers)

Stray Review – A Meow-mentous Adventure

Mario Strikers: Battle League Football

Our Score: 7.5/10

“Mario Strikers: Battle League is a fun time that is easy enough for anybody to pickup and play but still with enough depth to mean it should keep players engaged for a long period of time.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $50 at Amazon with free shipping

Mario Strikers: Battle League Football Review – Full Of Personality

Nintendo Switch Sports

Our Score: 7.5/10

“Nintendo Switch Sports feels familiar, yet still remains fun after all these years, especially when played with groups of friends.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $54 at Amazon with free shipping

Nintendo Switch Sports Review – Still A Fun Time

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Our Score: 8.5/10

“I’ve been around the block(s) with TT’s games for some 15 years now, and this is without a doubt the best thing they’ve ever snapped together. If you’re a gamer who’s young or young-at-heart-container, I’d be very surprised if this didn’t instantly click with you.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $44 at JB Hi-FI

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Review – Feel The Co-Op Within You

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Our Score: 8/10

“While Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands doesn’t offer a vastly different experience from what came before, it does venture outside of its comfort zone enough to establish its own identity. It’s an excellent extension of the already great Assault On Dragon Keep, and is a worthwhile adventure for any fan of the series, with extensive build crafting, an entertaining cast of characters, and a world worth exploring.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $36 at Amazon with free shipping

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Review – More Than A One Shot Adventure

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Our Score: 7.5/10

“A compelling concept and a beautifully realised world, Ghostwire: Tokyo leverages Japanese folklore and a unique combat system to provide a unique open-world experience.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $19 at Amazon with free shipping
• $19 at JB Hi-Fi with bonus gift pack

Ghostwire: Tokyo Review – A Dense And Wild Tour

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Our Score: 8.5/10

“Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby franchise to new heights in new and interesting ways.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping

Kirby And The Forgotten Land Review – A Decent Step Forward

Gran Turismo 7

Our Score: 9/10

“Gran Turismo 7 is a car-lover’s dream. Whether you love cars already or have just started your journey into being a car person, GT7 wants to welcome you to the community with open arms, get you up to speed and give you everything it can to help you enjoy cars in whatever ways it’s able.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $39 at Amazon with free shipping

Gran Turismo 7 Review – Approachable Simulation

Elden Ring

Our Score: 9.5/10

“Elden Ring is without a doubt, FromSoft’s most ambitious undertaking yet, and like Dark Souls before it, I believe it will leave a permanent mark on both the open-world genre and the games industry in general.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at JB Hi-Fi

Elden Ring Review – A Formula Perfected

Horizon Forbidden West

Our Score: 10/10

“Horizon Forbidden West is an exceedingly clever sequel, a deep and addictive action RPG, a dense world that unfolds with an impeccable sense of pace, a visual tour de force and the masterful delivery of a promising concept.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $39 at Amazon with free shipping

Horizon Forbidden West Review – An Exceedingly Clever Sequel

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Our Score: 8/10

“Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a solid step-up from Dying Light in almost every way.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $39 at Amazon with free shipping

Dying Light 2 Stay Human Review – A Fluid & Frenetic Adventure

POKEMON LEGENDS ARCEUS

Our Score: 8/10

“While it might not provide the visual fidelity and exploration we might wish for in an open-world-esque Pokémon game, it does provide a satisfying and addicting gameplay loop, alongside a surprisingly enjoyable narrative to boot.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $59 at Amazon with free shipping

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Review – The Evolution We’ve Been Waiting For

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Our Score: 9.5/10

“Naughty Dog’s finest shine on the PS5 hardware and if you haven’t played these games, you’re in for an absolute treat, and if you’re returning to these games, you can expect to be blown away all over again, if not for the enhanced visuals alone.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $28 at Amazon with free shipping

Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection Review – A Visual Delight

FIFA 23

Our Score: 8/10

“This year’s FIFA is a comprehensive package for football fans thanks to HyperMotion 2, big reworks to FIFA Ultimate Team and the introduction of the FA Women’s Super League and the French Division 1 Feminine.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $49 PS4/Xbox Series X, $44 PS4/XB1 at Amazon with free shipping / $39 Switch at JB Hi-Fi

FIFA 23 Review – A Much Needed Refresh

NBA 2K23

Our Score: 8/10

“Refinements to core aspects of NBA 2K23’s gameplay make for some of the most fluid and enjoyable action seen in some years, and it’s all capped off with the excellent Jordan Challenge.”

The best Black Friday deal:

• $49 PS5/Series X or $39 PS4/XB1 at Amazon with free shipping, $39 Switch at JB Hi-Fi

NBA 2K23 Review – A Solid Step Forward

The post Our Favourite Games Of 2022 To Pick Up During Boxing Day Sales appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Thanks to everyone who entered, the winners for this competition have been selected and contacted.

Major Winner

• Chris H.

Runners-up

• Tiernan W.
• Rebecca M.
• Denny K.
• Patrick M.
• Christopher P.
• Justin Y.
• Alesha K.
• Barry J.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media and keep tabs on our Competitions page for all the latest giveaways!

To celebrate Xbox ANZ’s PC Game Pass Season of Giving, we have partnered with them to bring you an epic giveaway of our own.

One major prize winner will walk away with the below:

• Razer BlackWidow V3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard HALO Infinite Edition
• Razer DeathAdder V2 Wired Gaming Mouse HALO Infinite Edition
• 2x 12-month PC Game Pass codes

Eight minor prize winners will each walk away with the below:

• 1 x 3-month PC Game Pass codes

WIN: 12 Month PC Game Pass Codes + Razer Halo Infinite Accessories

CLICK HERE TO ENTER IF THIS FORM DOESN’T LOAD. THIS COMPETITION WILL END ON DECEMBER 19TH AT 11:59AM.

For your chance to win even more PC Game Pass codes and see some epic creators playing a wide variety of PC Game Pass games, you can tune in to the below streams from some wonderful ANZ creators at the below times:

• Monday, December 12, 7:30 PM AEDT: Jenz
• Tuesday, December 13, 6:00 PM AEDT: Rudeism
• Wednesday, December 14, 10:00 PM AEDT: Cuzb0t
• Thursday, December 15, 8:00 PM AEDT: Caaaaate
• Friday, December 16, 9:00 PM AEDT: Jurdman

Good luck and happy playing.

The post The Winners Of Our PC Game Pass + Halo Infinite Razer Peripheral Competition appeared first on Press Start.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re inches away from the biggest gifting day of the year. With December 25th in sight, there’s no doubt just about all of us know a child, friend, parent, grandparent or shamefully-familiar Uber Eats delivery driver that’s begging to find a video game console under their trees this year.

With that in mind, and with deadlines looming, we figured we’d put together a quick list of places to shop for the three major consoles this Christmas – especially given that that is the year we’re finally seeing the PS5 and Xbox Series X in good supply in stores.

Where To Buy A PS5 In Australia For Christmas

It’s been a wild couple of years for anyone trying to get their hands on the PS5 since it launched in November 2020, but your chances at snagging one are now the best they’ve ever been. If your loved ones are pining after the newest PlayStation, you’ll be glad to know it’s just about as simple now as walking into a store and grabbing one or adding it to cart online. The toughest part will be deciding which version you need, with the console coming in both disc-based and digital-only forms as well as the current bundle containing the disc-based PS5 and a digital download for God of War Ragnarök.

Whatever the decision there, you’ll be able to find all 3 SKUs in pretty good supply at the below retailers, just don’t wait too long to commit or you may see them start to sell out prior to Christmas or miss shipping cut-offs:

Amazon: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

JB Hi-Fi: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

The Good Guys: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

Harvey Norman: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

EB Games: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

Big W: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

The Gamesmen: Digital Console | Disc Console | God of War Ragnarök Bundle

Sony Store: God of War Ragnarök Bundle | Horizon Forbidden West Bundle

Where To Buy An Xbox Series X Or Xbox Series S In Australia For Christmas

Much like the PS5, the Xbox Series X is starting to flood back into retailers just in time for Christmas 2022. When it comes to which one you should be buying though, it’s a slightly different story to Sony’s console. Rather than two identically-powerful consoles with different disc configurations, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are different in a number of ways.

The Series X has a disc drive, more storage and more powerful hardware to deliver a premium gaming experience while the Series S is incredibly small but digital-only far less powerful and works best as a first gaming console or a secondary machine for the kids/games room paired up with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Amazon: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S (Gilded Bundle)

JB Hi-Fi: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S (Gilded Hunter Bundle)

The Good Guys: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S

Harvey Norman: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S (Gilded Hunter Bundle)

EB Games: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S

Big W: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S (Gilded Hunter Bundle)

The Gamesmen: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S (Gilded Hunter Bundle)

Microsoft Store: Xbox Series X + Accessory Bundle | Xbox Series S (Gilded Hunter Bundle)

Where To Buy A Nintendo Switch In Australia For Christmas

The Nintendo Switch has been an evergreen Christmas hit since it launched back in 2017 and it’s still going strong, propelled by the launch of the OLED Model that features a bigger, brighter screen.

You shouldn’t have much trouble finding a Switch this year but it’s worth noting that many retailers are still ranging the Black Friday bundle that packs in a digital download for the excellent Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and 3 months of Nintendo Switch Online, so do a bit of shopping around and make sure you’re getting the best value for money. At the time of writing, all of the below stores are running the bundle.

Amazon: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

JB Hi-Fi: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

The Good Guys: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

Harvey Norman: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

EB Games: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

Big W: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

K-Mart: Switch (MK8 Bundle)

The Gamesmen: Switch OLED | Switch (MK8 Bundle) | Switch Lite

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING AND TECH BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS

The post Where To Get Your Hands On A New Gaming Console This Christmas appeared first on Press Start.

Microsoft has confirmed that it plans to raise the prices on its first-party games developed specifically for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S next year.

Games such as Forza Motorsport, Redfall and Starfield will have their US prices raised from a USD $59.99 price point to a $69.99 price point, in line with other publishers’ new-generation game pricing like PlayStation, Activision, Take-Two and EA. As of yet, we don’t know how this will affect Australian retail prices but it’s more than likely they’ll come up to meet the threshold of those other publishers at AUD $124.99

This news comes following Phil Spencer’s admittance that price increases were a likely occurrence for Xbox products in the future, just a few months after Microsoft said it wasn’t raising the cost of its new consoles following a $50 PlayStation 5 price hike.

“This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles,” a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN. “As with all games developed by our teams at Xbox, they will also be available with Game Pass the same day they launch.”

Of course, with all of these games rolling into the Xbox Game Pass service on day one, the news of a price hike is going to affect far fewer consumers than on competing platforms.

The post First Party Xbox Series X/S Games Are Going To Increase In Price Next Year appeared first on Press Start.

CD Projekt RED has finally lifted the lid on its much-awaited “next-gen” update to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The update, which is totally free to existing owners of the game, is coming on December 14th and brings a host of new visual features to the game.

On the PC side, players are getting a new Ultra+ detail setting, ray-tracing features, FSR/DLSS, a new SSR solution, dynamic resolution scaling and more. On PS5 and Xbox Series X the ray-tracing, ambient occlusion, SSR, FSR and dynamic resolution features carry across with a choice of two modes – a ray-traced Quality mode in 30fps and a 60fps Performance mode. PS5 players will also benefit from haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support.

The game itself will also receive quite a few new content updates including a dedicated Photo Mode, new camera options, UI improvements, cross-saves, new quests and gear inspired by the Netflix series and more. A gorgeous two-minute trailer for the update is below, but if you’re keen to learn even more then check out the 30-minute breakdown from some of the development team right here.

The post Here’s The First Proper Look At The Witcher 3’s Next-Gen Update appeared first on Press Start.

The Xbox November update is rolling out to all users as of today, bringing with it some great new improvements especially when it comes to connecting and sharing with others.

Among the laundry list of new features and updates is the ability to quickly join Discord voice channels directly from the guide menu, provided you’ve linked your Discord account to Xbox. I’ve been using this feature in the Alpha version of the update for a little while and it works wonderfully, plus it includes automatic noise suppression no matter what headset or microphone you’re using which is really neat.

There’s also a brand-new Captures app that should come as a massive relief to anyone (hello, games media!) that regularly needs to view, share or transfer screenshots and captured video from their Xbox console. It’ll allow easier browsing of capture as well as direct transfer to external drives – yay!

Elsewhere, direct streaming to Twitch, Lightstream and Streamlabs, new power options, wishlisting and gifting features, tweaks to settings menus, rumble support in Xbox Cloud Gaming and more round out the rest of this massive Xbox update.

You can read all about it right here.

The post The Xbox November Update Is Out Now With Some Great New Features appeared first on Press Start.

It’s been a long time coming and not without development dramas, but the new-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is nearly here!

Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, the free update is launching on December 14th, 2022 and will feature a host of visual, performance, and technical enhancements including ray tracing support, faster loading times on consoles, and even select mods integrated into the game. There will also be new content inspired by The Witcher series on Netflix.

CD Projekt Red will be covering the various updates to the game in a dedicated stream on Twitch next week, during which fans will be able to catch the first gameplay footage of the update in action:

The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming on December 14th, free for everyone who already owns the game.

For more details and gameplay reveal, tune in to REDstreams next week on https://t.co/IpFERTohi9. pic.twitter.com/fg3yfGeNih

— The Witcher (@witchergame) November 14, 2022

The update will be free to owners of any version of the game on applicable platforms, and will also be available for purchase as a new “Complete Edition” of the game – including a physical version with more details coming at a later date. Select updates as well as the Netflix-inspired content will also be coming to the last-gen versions of the game for fans that aren’t able to upgrade yet.

The post The Witcher 3 Is Finally Getting Its PS5 And Xbox Series X/S Update Next Month appeared first on Press Start.

It was only two months ago that Microsoft stated that Xbox Series X|S console prices wouldn’t see an increase, following a recent $50 AUD jump in price on both the digital and disc-based versions of the PlayStation 5 console earlier.

It sounds like the good times may not last forever though as Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has admitted that price increases may well be a part of the future of the Xbox ecosystem after all.

Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s annual WSJ Live event and in response to the topic of more expensive video game software (thanks VGC), Spencer addressed the matter of pricing across the Xbox brand and products:

“I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was important to maintain the prices.”

“We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games… and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things…”

"We've held price on our console, we've held price on games… and our subscription. I don't think we'll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we'll have to raise some prices on certain things…" pic.twitter.com/jRt5ifKpE5

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 26, 2022

Reassuringly, this isn’t an indication of any immediate changes as Spencer reiterates that the company wants to hold firm on pricing going into the holiday season this year, but with continued global challenges in production, shipping and markets it’s not at all surprising that Microsoft would be keeping its options open.

With subscription services in every corner raising prices as of late, it would make the most sense to see Game Pass become the first Xbox product with a price increase, if any.

Now might be the right time to get that custom Design Labs Xbox Elite Series 2 controller order in, don’t you think?

The post Phil Spencer Has Admitted That Prices On Xbox Products Are Likely To Increase appeared first on Press Start.

As part of its Fallout 25th Anniversary celebrations and announcements, Bethesda has dropped the news that Fallout 4 will be getting a shiny new current-gen upgrade that’ll be free for anyone who owns the game on relevant platforms.

The upgrade will be coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC and will bring a new 4K quality visual mode, new Creation Club content and some extra bug fixes and improvements. The upgrade will be coming some time in 2023, but we’re still awaiting further details at this stage.

You can read more about this and the rest of the Fallout 25th Anniversary announcements at the official Fallout website.

Hopefully it’ll be enough to tide fans over until Fallout 5, which reportedly is the next big Bethesda RPG coming after the release of The Elder Scrolls VI, which in itself is a long ways off.

In other recent Fallout news, we interviewed Design Director, Mark Tucker about Fallout 76’s latest free expansion, The Pitt. You can read that here.

The post Fallout 4 Is Getting A Free 4K Upgrade For PS5 And Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Press Start.

World’s Edge and Xbox have announced that Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires 4 are both coming to Xbox consoles next year. Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition will launch on January 31st, 2023 with Age of Empires 4 to release later in 2023. This has been a long time coming with Xbox fans waiting years for Age of Empires to finally grace consoles.

It was said that the team has been working hard to bring an experience that not only feels great whilst using a controller, but also teaches players, new and old to play the game on Xbox. A new tutorial designed specifically for controller input paired with a new user experience will be added to the game, and a new game AI has been introduced which helps make resource management easier.

As with all first-part Xbox games, these titles will be available on Xbox Game Pass and also through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The post Age Of Empires 2 And Age Of Empires 4 Are Officially Coming To Xbox Consoles appeared first on Press Start.

Thank you to all who entered. The winners of this competition are listed below:

• Tom H.
• Lee S.
• Stephen R.
• Elise A.
• Madison E.
• Nicole F.
• Clark A.
• Nathan H.
• Kelly R.
• Luke B.

Head to our competitions page to enter our other giveaways here.

Thanks to Focus Entertainment we have digital copies of the just-released Hardspace: Shipbreaker on PS5 and Xbox Series X to give away!

Ten lucky winners will each receive a game code (value $59.95) on either PS5/Xbox Series X, with five copies on each console up for grabs in total.

Live out the daily life of a spaceship salvager in Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Set within an immersive, realistic science fiction universe, you’ll slice metal with the laser cutter and use the grapple tool to move salvage with ease in order to pay off your billion credit debt to LYNX corp. Hardspace: Shipbreaker is out now on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

WIN: Hardspace: Shipbreaker On PS5/Xbox Series X

CLICK HERE TO ENTER IF THE FORM DOESN’T LOAD. THIS COMPETITION WILL END ON OCTOBER 6TH AT 11:59PM AEST.

Hardspace Shipbreaker is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.

The post The Winners Of Our Hardspace: Shipbreaker Competition appeared first on Press Start.

The Scar’s Kingdom update for Disney Dreamlight Valley is out now along with the promised game improvements and fixes.

The update brings with it a brand-new villager in The Lion King’s Scar, complete with his own set of quests, rewards and a new location to explore. It also adds a ton of fan-requested features including an improved photo mode, the ability to interact with your animal companions and new cosmetic options.

There are also a host of tweaks to some frustrating systems, such as a change in how lightning is presented and how rain affects crops, plus some behavioural therapy for Donald Duck who was aggravatingly prone to constantly tripping over and throwing tantrums wherever he went in the Valley.

Take a look at the full update description courtesy of the official Disney Dreamlight Valley website below:

The rightful king to the Valley is here. ?

Update 1 – Scar's Kingdom is now LIVE! pic.twitter.com/Ven712etS8

— Disney Dreamlight Valley (@DisneyDLV) October 19, 2022

Hey Valley Villagers!

We hope you’re ready for the first free major content update for Disney Dreamlight Valley Founder’s Pack owners and Xbox Game Pass members – NOW LIVE! Make sure your Avatar’s dressed for the heat – in this content update, you’ll be headed to the sun-drenched savannahs of the Sunlit Plateau biome where you’ll encounter the most recognizable villain from Disney’s The Lion King – Scar.

In ‘Scar’s Kingdom’, the iconic savannah of the Sunlit Plateau is in peril! The Pillar of Nurturing, once the key to keeping the Plateau vibrant and green, has dried up and is blocked by mysterious and dark magic. In order to bring the Plateau back to life, you’ll team up with Scar – the would-be usurper of the Pride Lands who was trapped while The Forgetting ravaged Dreamlight Valley. You may want to equip your Royal Pickaxe too, as you’ll be headed to a new area deep within the Plateau’s mines to restore the Pillar of Nurturing and find the source of the problem, all while dealing with Scar’s less-than-honest motivations.

Introducing the Villain Star Path

In addition to Scar’s Kingdom content, you will find a new Star Path awaiting you on the Events page – this time, with a nefarious flair! You will need to tap into your dark side and befriend the villains living in the Valley, or perhaps just skulk around alongside them. As you complete event duties, you’ll be rewarded with tokens that you can spend on exclusive items inspired by Halloween and Disney villains. Sometimes, it’s good to be bad.

Seasonal Content

With Halloween on the horizon, you will find new items in the Scrooge Shop and new craft-able items at your workbench. We also have a few tricks and treats planned – stay tuned for more news soon!

Community Driven Changes

With all the new story, seasonal and Star Path content that has been included in Update 1, we wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the changes that we’ve made to the game based off Community feedback. Listening to the feedback of our passionate Community in the Early Access period is incredibly important to our team and the future of the game. We’re so thankful for everyone who’s taken the time to share their thoughts with us, be it their experiences or feature suggestions! Here’s just a few of the changes and additions that you can expect in Update 1:

– We’ve changed the way that lightning appears in-game due to an accessibility concern for many players.

– We hope that everyone can now enjoy the in-game storms! Plants watered by rain showers will remain watered afterwards – so now even your plants will enjoy the rain much more now.

– Get ready to twin with Ariel and match your hair to even more outfits! We’ve added more hair colour options for you to play around with.

– We know how much love you have for your animal companions, so we’ve added a way for you to interact with them! Go give your pets some well-deserved attention for following you around while you plant 99 Okra.

– Donald Duck has finally found his land-legs. You’ll find that he’s less clumsy, and less likely to trip and have a tantrum.

– Remember the Avatar Designer Tool? You shared with us that you loved the photo mode – so we’ve added many of the same features to Disney Dreamlight Valley! We can’t wait to see all your new pics!

Bug issues and resolution

Finally, yet importantly, we are releasing many fixes for top issues that were reported by the Disney Dreamlight Valley Community. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who reported their issues, but also for everyone’s patience while we work to resolve them.

As the game is still in early access, we will continue to do our best to address issues as they occur, and proactively prevent further bugs. For a full list of what has been included in this Update, please see HERE.

Should you run into any issues while playing Disney Dreamlight Valley, we first recommend that you check out our known issues HERE. If you don’t see the issue you’re running into, you can get in touch with our Support team via our contact form. Running into issues with a certain quest or objective? Check out our friendly Discord Community for some Disney Dreamlight Valley tips and tricks!

The post Disney Dreamlight Valley Scar’s Kingdom Update Is Out Now With New Content And A Quieter Donald appeared first on Press Start.

Update: Xbox has revealed the rest of this month’s Xbox Game Pass game offering, which now includes Phantom Abyss, Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery and the Amnesia Collection. Check out the full month’s list of games below:

OCTOBER XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

Chivalry 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available Now
Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer, first-person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles. You’ll be thrust into the action of every iconic moment of the era – from clashing swords to storms of flaming arrows, to sprawling castle sieges and more. Charge into battle on horseback and claim glory with your blade!

Medieval Dynasty (Xbox Series X|S) – Available Now
Available now with PC Game Pass and coming soon to Xbox Series X|S. In Medieval Dynasty, you take on the role of a young man who has fled from war and wants to take his fate into his own hands. From being alone, inexperienced, and poor, you will develop into a master of many skills, a leader of your community, and the founder of a prosperous dynasty which is meant to last and prosper for generations to come.

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (PC) – Available Now
A five-part game series set in the same universe as Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic book series. Play as Lee Everett, a convicted criminal, who has been given a second chance at life in a world devastated by the undead. Experience events, meet people and visit locations that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes.

The Walking Dead: Season Two (PC) – Available Now
The Walking Dead: Season Two continues the story of Clementine, a young girl orphaned by the undead apocalypse. Left to fend for herself, she has been forced to learn how to survive in a world gone mad. Meet new survivors, explore new locations, and make gruesome decisions in this five-part game series of choice and consequence.

Costume Quest (Cloud and Console) – Available Now
Rediscover Halloween in this imaginative RPG from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions. Explore the monster-filled neighborhood of Auburn Pines, Autumn Haven Mall, and Fall Valley Carnival. Collect magical costumes with superpowers, unique weapons, and special items as you hunt down quests. Level-up your heroic warrior and battle the evil overlords in this epic adventure to save Halloween!

Eville (Console and PC) – Available Now
Betray your friends – and lie your way to victory. In the multiplayer social deduction game Eville you find yourself in a village riddled by a series of murders. Some say it might have been you – or was it? Convince others you’re not a murderer to stay alive!

Dyson Sphere Program (PC) – Available Now
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines, and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.

Scorn (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Available Now
Scorn is an atmospheric first-person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry. It is designed around the idea of “being thrown into the world.” Isolated and lost inside this dream-like world, you will explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion.

Our review of Scorn.

A Plague Tale: Requiem (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Available Now
In this direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, 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.

Our review of A Plague Tale: Requiem.

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
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.

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON OCTOBER 31st

• 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)

The post The Next Batch Of Xbox Game Pass Games For October Has Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

It has been over two long years of stock updates, consoles selling out instantly and people being upset, but as of this moment, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have been in stock on Amazon for over a week, which for me at least, marks the end of the great stock next-gen shortage of 2020-2022.

You can grab the PS5 right HERE and the Xbox Series X right HERE. Naturally, I bet seconds after I post this, one or both of them will sell out, but even if that does happen, I feel like at this point in time, we can be confident in the fact that it will come back in stock in the next week or so, and at least stay in stock for days, if not weeks, instead of seconds or minutes like we’ve seen over the last two years.

• PlayStation 5 Console with Horizon Forbidden West – $894
• Xbox Series X Console – $749

This is a great thing as we see next-gen exclusive games such as Gotham Knights, Scorn and A Plague Tale: Requiem release in the next week in what is no doubt going to become more of a common occurrence. There’s obviously God of War: Ragnarok releasing in a few weeks too. With Christmas coming up, it’ll be interesting to see if we do see a bit of a shortage coming up again.

I feel like we’ll always remember how hard it’s been to get a next-gen console in the last few years, and it’ll be interesting to see how that effects upcoming releases such as the PlayStation VR2 and new Nintendo Switch. Just this week we saw RTX 4090s sell out extremely quickly despite their price tag of over $2,000 which is less than what 3080s were reselling for in the months following its launch. It’s absolutely going to create a new level of demand for these devices that we’ll likely see for years to come, but for now at least, hopefully it’s over for the great next-gen shortage.

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING AND TECH BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS

The post The PS5 And Xbox Series X Are Both Readily Available To Buy Right Now appeared first on Press Start.

Hot off the back of the release of Turtle Beach’s Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless gaming headset, the new Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is available in stores as of today.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX wireless multiplatform gaming headset delivers a premium gaming experience on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or PC.

The headset features a massive 48+ hour battery life over the 15 hours of the previous Stealth 600 Gen 2, lag-free wireless connection, multiplatform compatibility and exceptional game & chat quality for next-level gaming.

Like similar Turtle Beach headsets, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX also features Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions, which makes for a super comfortable gaming experience, especially for those of us who wear glasses. We also think the Midnight Red version is pretty sexy.

You can buy or learn more about the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX right here from the official website, at EB Games and JB HI-FI or check out the video below:

The post The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Wireless Gaming Headset Is Out Now appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced another new special edition controller. It’s called the Lunar Shift Special Edition Xbox Controller and if you couldn’t tell by its name, it’s inspired by the moon.

The controller shifts from silver to gold when the light hits it just right giving it what Xbox calls it a “stylised, smokey atmosphere”. It has rubberised gray and black swirl grips with a pattern that is unique to each controller.

The controller will release on October 25th for $99.95 and you can pre-order it from the Microsoft Store right HERE.

The post The Lunar Shift Special Edition Xbox Controller Changes Colours With Light appeared first on Press Start.

For those that dabble in PC gaming that goes beyond simply looking at the top trending titles on Steam, you might have noticed a burgeoning and ever-expanding world of simulators and games that aim to recreate a specific job, skillset, or pastime. Okay, so that sentence might be wordy, but we’re talking about experiences where you drive bus routes through cities, fix boats in a garage, wash driveways with a power washer, manage train routes, grow crops on a farm, and construct a building. 

And with that, even though Hardspace Shipbreaker features a narrative set in a futuristic world where space travel is commonplace – at its core it’s a sim. With something like Farming Simulator drawing countless fans that aren’t farmers but want to chill and manage a farm, the appeal here is along the same lines. In Hardspace Shipbreaker you are as the title suggests, a Shipbreaker responsible for pulling apart and salvaging valuables from decommissioned spacecraft in low orbit.

Like with many sims, it’s the premise that drives interest. For me, the idea of using a laser cutter and grapple beam, and tethers to rip apart a spaceship for parts sounds pretty amazing. Like, say, describing the premise of Resident Evil to a survival horror fan or Elden Ring to an open-world RPG aficionado. If the premise grabs you, as it did me, then the opening hours of Hardspace Shipbreaker offer up low orbit zen-like bliss as you cut and grapple and move about in zero-g. 

Playing on Xbox Series X (which would be the same on PlayStation 5) the zero-g controls take some getting used to in that you’re rarely completely still and have to manage roll, thrusters, aiming, and scanning in a fully immersive 3D workspace. It’s kind of like the old-school PC game Descent, in that it’s easy to get disoriented and lose the sense of which way is up. But, the process of salvaging is kept fairly simple – which is great. The furnace is red and fiery so pieces of a ship that need to be destroyed will be labeled red on the scanner. Blue precious metals go into the blue-coloured drop-off, and green for valuable tech and items like fancy cockpit chairs to salvage. 

All of the deposit spots are large and neatly arranged around the ship you’re working on, which helps keep a sense of flow as you’re working. Once you complete the Campaign tutorial though, things get a lot more involved. Taking on the role of a day-to-day Shipbreaker, a worker, in a satirical and hilariously cynical future is the order of the day. Once a time limit enters the picture, 15 minutes represent a single work day and you’re then tasked with pulling apart more complex ships with pressurised cabins, hazardous conditions, reactors, and more.

Setting-wise you’ve become a Shipbreaker because you’re over a billion dollars in debt, and if you die whilst working on a ship you’ll have to pay to be genetically reconstituted and get back to work. Dealing with fuel tanks is a dangerous business. Likewise, whenever you need to refill your thrusters or get more oxygen, it all gets added to the tab. This then leads into the narrative and progression and almost never-ending feeling that comes with playing Hardspace Shipbreaker. There’s a variety of ships to work on, which can take multiple days, rewarding you with small amounts of money to pay off your debt, experience points, and tokens to spend on upgrades via the Lynx Corporation company store.

And there is a tonne of upgrades to work towards, from simple things like upgrading the capacity of oxygen tanks to improving the strength of your laser cutter and getting new explosive tools to play with. One of the great features is how each new tool added to your Shipbreaker arsenal is met with a detailed tutorial that plays into the story involving other Shipbreakers on comms. With the cynical and over-the-top sci-fi tone, there are themes around labour unions, worker’s rights, and more peppered throughout the Campaign.

As with many games that have a strong sim core, you can opt to simply play without time limits or story elements and enjoy the leisurely pace of pulling apart a spaceship. That said, the pace of the Campaign is glacial, upgrades come thick and fast at first but then slow all the way down. The focus is clearly on being a Shipbreaker, with the narrative serving more as space-window dressing.

And Hardspace Shipbreaker nails the feeling of pulling apart spaceships in low orbit, where everything from the art direction to the country music-inspired soundtrack to the first-person perspective and low orbit sights and sounds add to the immersion. It might be a bit of a grind and repetitive to get your Shipbreaker status all the way up and pay off your debts, but that’s all part of the deal of a life working on rigs in the distant future. And there’s a simple joy that comes with learning a new job.

The post Hardspace Shipbreaker PS5/Xbox Series X Review – Pure Low-Orbit Job Immersion appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer should really know by now that his interior décor is under intense scrutiny after that time he secretly revealed the Xbox Series S months early. But no, the man had the audacity this morning to send fans into a spin with a full-frame photo on Twitter of a set of shelves containing what seemed to be an even smaller console not dissimilar to the Series S.

Vault Boy left the shelter and stopped by my office to celebrate the #Fallout25 Anniversary. Congratulations to the @Fallout @Bethesda teams on this major milestone for an iconic franchise. pic.twitter.com/hGoN1sAQRK

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) October 10, 2022

Naturally, internet sleuths went wild with theories and multiple outlets began positing that this could be the dedicated Game Pass streaming device that Xbox has been talking about for some time. This device was once destined to be a “Stick” format similar to the Amazon Fire TV but Microsoft had since revealed that they’ve pivoted away from that design to a new concept.

It makes sense that something that looks like an even more miniaturised version of the Xbox Series S would make for a nice-looking little device dedicated to streaming-only gameplay through Game Pass, but it seems that Microsoft has already shut these rumours down.

The company has confirmed to Kotaku that “the device on Spencer’s shelf is an older prototype” as well as replied to Phil’s tweet with a statement to the same effect:

Now what did we say about putting old prototypes on your shelf boss

— Xbox (@Xbox) October 10, 2022

For what it’s worth, Game Pass has slowly been creeping its way onto smart devices without the need for any kind of external device at all, like the dedicated app on Samsung’s new TVs or its place on Logitech’s handheld cloud streaming device. So it could very well be that we never see a formal hardware solution and Xbox instead spreads its Game Pass mission this way.

The moral of this story, though? Phil needs to watch what he puts on his shelves (there’s some nice stuff on these ones, otherwise!)

The post Known Shelf Enjoyer Phil Spencer Accidentally Trolled Xbox Fans With An Old Prototype Device appeared first on Press Start.

In an update to its long-term strategy, CD PROJEKT has confirmed work on no less than three brand-new, full-fledged games set in the Witcher universe.

Starting with Codename Polaris, which will be the next mainline Witcher installment, and the beginning of an entirely new saga. CD PROJEKT says this saga will consist of three games, which it intends to publish in a six-year period starting with the release of Polaris. The second and third installment will rely on the technological foundation put in place for Polaris, which should streamline development and enable the studio to focus on achieving its creative vision.

Polaris is a codename for the next installment in The Witcher series of games, which we recently announced was in pre-production. It is the beginning of a new saga: we aim to release two more Witcher games after Polaris, creating a new AAA RPG trilogy. pic.twitter.com/898Ez6Yk79

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 4, 2022

Next up is Codename Canis Majoris, which will reportedly be a full-fledged production produced at an unnamed external studio under the supervision of experienced developers who have previously worked on The Witcher games. This will be a separate title to the new trilogy established with Polaris.

This is the first such product being developed outside of the Group. However, this does not imply that its quality will lag behind our in-house productions. From the technological standpoint it will be based on Unreal Engine 5, along with the toolset created for Polaris. Expect additional announcements soon – says Adam Kici?ski, CEO of CD PROJEKT.

Canis Majoris is a full-fledged Witcher game, separate to the new Witcher saga starting with Polaris. It will be developed by an external studio headed by experienced developers who have worked on past Witcher games. pic.twitter.com/ucy7T073tm

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 4, 2022

And finally, Codename Sirius is set to be another The Witcher title separate to the mainline saga. This one is in development at Boston developer Molasses Flood and will contain a multiplayer component alongside a single-player campaign.

Sirius is a codename for the game developed by @molassesflood, set in The Witcher universe and created with support from CDPR. It will differ from our past productions, offering multiplayer gameplay on top of a single-player experience including a campaign with quests and a story pic.twitter.com/aoX7wlIfRO

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 4, 2022

So there are a lot of new The Witcher games to come, and we still don’t have a release date for the new-gen update to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt! But that hasn’t stopped CDPR from also announcing a full sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 and an entirely new game based on a new, original IP. Read more about all of this here.

The post CD Projekt Just Announced Three New Witcher Games Including A Multiplayer Title appeared first on Press Start.

In an update to its long-term strategy, CD PROJEKT has confirmed work on a brand-new, full sequel to 2020’s divisive sci-fi RPG, Cyberpunk 2077.

Very little has been revealed about the sequel aside from the codename, Orion, and the promise that it will “take the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue harnessing the potential of this dark future universe.”

Orion is a codename for our next Cyberpunk game, which will take the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue harnessing the potential of this dark future universe. pic.twitter.com/JoVbCf6jYZ

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 4, 2022

This new Cyberpunk game will be developed in a brand-new studio, CD PROJEKT RED North America:

Our plans are certainly ambitious, and call for a great deal of work, dedication and further growth. This is why we’re setting up a new team in Boston, which, together with the expanding Vancouver team, will form our new studio – CD PROJEKT RED North America. As a result, we will be able to fully tap into the North American talent pool – says Piotr Nielubowicz, Vice President and CFO of CD PROJEKT, adding – note that The Molasses Flood remains independent, so that, in effect, we will have two separate teams operating in the Boston area.

Cyberpunk has seen a recent renaissance with the release of Netflix and Studio Trigger’s excellent Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime. A major expansion for the game titled Phantom Liberty is also coming to PC and new-gen consoles next year.

Alongside the announcement of the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, CDPR also revealed a slew of new games being worked on including multiple titles set in the Witcher universe and a brand-new IP codenamed “Hadar”. You can read more about these here.

The post The Sequel To Cyberpunk 2077 Has Been Officially Announced appeared first on Press Start.

EA has confirmed that the next Need for Speed game will be officially revealed this week.

In the tweet announcing the reveal trailer, the game is simply called out as “NFS 2022”, indicating that it’s very much still on track to release this year. That’s something of a surprise given we’ve less than three months left in 2022 but we’re certainly excited to see it dropping so soon after the reveal.

You’ll be able to catch the reveal trailer when it goes live at the below times on Friday, October 7th.

• AEDT (Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra) – 02:00am
• ACDT (Adelaide) – 01:30am
• AEST (Brisbane) – 01:00am
• ACST (Darwin) – 12:30am
• AWST (Perth) – 11:00pm Thursday, October 6th

Last we heard, this new game is reportedly titled “Need for Speed Unbound” and will feature a blend of photorealistic visuals and anime-style effects for a unique, new style. It’s believed to be headed to new-gen consoles and PC only.

We’ll surely find out these details and more come Friday.

The post The Next Need For Speed Is Being Revealed This Week And It’s Still Set For A 2022 Release appeared first on Press Start.

Spotted by VGC, it appears a new version of Obsidian’s acclaimed space-faring RPG, The Outer Worlds, is headed to new-generation consoles as well as PC.

According to a now-removed listing on the Taiwanese Ratings Board (image below captured by Gematsu), this re-release is coming to current platforms – the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC – and is called The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition.

Presumably both released story expansions, Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos, would be included in this newly-packaged version of the game, though exact details aren’t yet available as nothing has been made official.

We gave The Outer Worlds an 8.5 in our review, saying “The Outer Worlds is the kind of inspired take on a genre that could only come from a team as passionate and talented as Obsidian. It’s not perfect, but it’s creative, succinct, compelling and funny in all the right ways.”

Obsidian’s various teams have been busy of late, having just launched Grounded in its 1.0 release and with the PC and Xbox-exclusive medieval narrative adventure Pentiment just around the corner. A sequel to The Outer Worlds is also in the works, alongside the still-mysterious Avowed.

The post A New Edition Of The Outer Worlds Has Been Rated For PS5 And Xbox Series X/S appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced the Xbox Games with Gold line up for October 2022.

Last month, Portal 2 was the final Xbox 360 game to be included in the program, meaning this is the first month with a reduced selection of just two games. They’re both pretty decent little indie titles though, so if you’ve not played either we’d suggest giving them a go:

• Windbound Available October 1 to 31
• Bomber Crew Deluxe Edition Available October 16 to November 15

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live Gold members can enjoy Windbound and Bomber Crew Deluxe Edition as part of October's Games with Gold! Details here: https://t.co/qcWBtSgvtb

— Xbox Wire (@XboxWire) September 29, 2022

You can find a bit about each game below:

Windbound

Washed up on an uncharted island, you must use your will and skill to survive! Play as Kara, shipwrecked on the Forbidden Islands with nothing but what you can build or find. You’ll need to craft weapons and tools to survive. Spend time building a new boat which you can use in an immersive tactile sailing experience to reach the other islands. Explore the hidden history of each island to unlock their mysteries. Enjoy this delightfully surprising game that takes the survival genre in a totally new direction.

Bomber Crew Deluxe Edition

Listen up fliers! We’re recruiting you to take on extremely high-risk missions in this World War II strategic flying and bombing game. Once you’re up in the air, danger is everywhere. It’s up to you to manage the fuel, ammo, and hydraulics while trying to avoid enemy gunners. Even the weather can bring you down. Keep your crew safe and focused and bring home victory. Bomber Crew Deluxe Edition includes the original Bomber Crew plus the Secret Weapons and USAAF DLC, so there’s plenty of flying to be done.

The post October’s Xbox Games With Gold Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

Turtle Beach’s latest high-end wireless gaming headset has just landed, with the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX available in stores as of today.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless multiplatform gaming headset delivers a premium gaming experience on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or PC.

The headset features an upgraded 40+ hour battery life over the 20 hours of the previous Stealth 700 Gen 2, lag-free wireless connection, multiplatform compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity and exceptional game & chat quality for next-level gaming. It’s also specially tuned for the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio capabilities.

Like similar Turtle Beach headsets, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX also features Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions, which makes for a super comfortable gaming experience, especially for those of us who wear glasses. We also think the Cobalt Blue version is pretty sexy.

You can buy or learn more about the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX right here from the official website, at EB Games and JB HI-FI or check out the video below:

We’re also giving away two Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX headsets! Find more details and enter here.

The post The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX Wireless Gaming Headset Is Out Now And Packs Some Impressive Features appeared first on Press Start.

The Chant was one of the best games we saw (and played) at Gamescom in August and the game, developed by brand-new Vancouver studio Brass Token, is finally nearing its November 3rd release.

To remind people that this is one game you should be paying attention to among a stacked holiday release schedule, Brass Token and publisher Prime Matter have released a new trailer featuring glimpses at the game as well as quotes and accolades from media all over the world who went hands-on with it at Gamescom. And yes, that includes us!

Creative Director, Mike Skupa, says of the post-Gamescom reception, “It’s been inspiring to hear people’s impressions after playing The Chant. Seeing fans of the genre reference inspirations from classic survival horror games to weird fiction and beyond reminds us why we created this game in the first place”.

We recently spoke to Mike about the experience of putting together a brand-new horror IP as a small team, and you can read that right here.

Take a look at the preview accolades trailer for The Chant below:

The Chant is a single-player, third person horror action-adventure game set on a remote island spiritual retreat. A peaceful weekend soon turns to dread after a group chant opens The Gloom, a psychedelic dimension of terror that feeds off negative energy. Interact with a recurring cast of characters, untangle the complex history of the island, and witness terrifying revelations about the cosmos. Only you can fight off the creatures, reason with the survivors, and unravel the legacy of a cult from the 1970s to reverse the ritual.

The Chant is due to release on November 3rd for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

A special digital pre-order bonus will grant players a 1970s-themed in-game outfit and VFX filter mode. You can find out more at thechant.com.

The post Find Out Why You Should Be Paying Attention To The Chant In This New Preview Accolades Trailer appeared first on Press Start.

House Flipper, the runaway 2018 sim success, is officially getting a sequel in the form of (you guessed it) House Flipper 2!

Announced earlier in the year, we now have a proper gameplay trailer to flip out over as well as confirmation that the game will also be coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S alongside its PC release in 2023.

It’ll be interesting to see how much parity there is between versions, as traditionally the console ports of the original House Flipper have lagged behind in terms of updates and DLC, but given the popularity of that game we imagine developer Frozen District has a bit more of a backing to really go all-in this time.

The game itself looks significantly nicer and more fully-featured than the original, without losing the oddball charm that makes the rather mundane tasks involved in renovating a rundown home feel oddly fun. Check out the gameplay trailer below:

House Flipper 2 is poised to hit PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2023. You can wishlist the game on Steam here.

The post A Console Release For House Flipper 2 Has Been Confirmed Alongside A New Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Press Start.

If you’ve been pining for Microsoft’s supercharged tower of a gaming machine, the Xbox Series X, and you’ve missed the boat on restocks to date then we have good news.

The Series X stock situation seems to be levelling out of late, and we’ve seen a pretty consistent flow of stock coming through. Right now, for example, you can pick one up at more than one local retailer without so much as a crowd to push through or a scalper to hand over double the asking price. If you’re ready to drop 749 dollarydoos on a shiny new gaming machine you’ve got the below options:

Amazon

Ever our go-to shopping destination for gaming gear, Amazon currently has the Xbox Series X readily in stock with free delivery promised before Friday, September 30 (depending on your location). That’s only a week away! Get around it here:

• Xbox Series X Console – $749 at Amazon with free shipping

Alternatively, the Xbox Series S is also on special at Amazon right now along with some essential accessories:

• Xbox Series S Console – $449 (was $499) with free shipping
• Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller Robot White – $79 (was $89.95) with free shipping
• Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller Carbon Black – $79 (was $89.95) with free shipping
• Xbox Wired Stereo Headset – $68 (was $89.95) with free shipping

Microsoft Store

Or if you’d rather go the official route, the Microsoft Store also has the console available with free delivery in presumably a similar timeframe. Take a look here:

• Xbox Series X Console – $749 at Microsoft Store with free shipping

Likewise you can grab a bunch of the essential accessories from Microsoft as well, including the new and cheaper Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Core:

• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – $189.95
• Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller Robot White –  $89.95
• Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller Carbon Black – $89.95
• Xbox Wireless Headset – $149.95
• Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable – $29.95

The Xbox also just got a big September software update adding a bunch of neat features, read about that here.

The post The Xbox Series X Is Readily Available Right Now So Get Around It appeared first on Press Start.

Earlier this year, Xbox announced that it was working with Discord to provide an update to in-game communications aimed at improving and streamlining the user audio experience. Starting today, Discord Voice is now available on all Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Consoles.

Do you hear that? That's the sweet sound of @Discord Voice available on Xbox ? https://t.co/sp1tTMrejs pic.twitter.com/r8HTOyzuSr

— Xbox (@Xbox) September 13, 2022

With this update, Xbox players can now chat with anyone on Discord via voice channels or group calls directly from the console, making it easier to connect with friends on mobile, Xbox and PC. The update also features an on-screen overlay that lets you see who is in the call and who is speaking while you are playing on your console. You can also adjust the sound and switch between Discord Voice and Xbox game chat on the fly via the app settings.

To get started, head to the Discord mobile app and link your Discord account to your Xbox. You’ll need to do this step even if you’ve linked accounts before. After that, you can join any Discord voice channel or call and transfer it to your Xbox.

The post Discord Voice Chat Is Now Available On Xbox Consoles appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced that it will bring a new home dashboard to consoles in 2023. In a blog post, it revealed that it was working on a new home dashboard, with the first iteration rolling out to some Xbox Insiders today.

The aim of the new home dashboard will be to bring symmetry between the TV and console experience, with a new “jump back in” row that shows your most recently played in games, and important things such as settings, store, search and your games library being more front and centre.

KEY CHANGES IN THE FIRST NEW XBOX HOME UPDATE:

• The new “Jump back in” row gives you quick access to your most recently played games and apps.
• Easily access important system apps like Settings, Store, Search and My Games & Apps with their own dedicated tiles on Xbox Home.
• Consistent design and visual identifiers with updated layouts to keep the experience familiar.
• When you scroll down, you’ll see curated categories and recommendations tailored to your gaming preferences.

We’ll keep you posted as Xbox continue to change this before its eventual release in 2023.

The post A New Xbox Home Dashboard Is Coming appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 (Core). The controller will only cost $189.95 AUD instead of the regular $249.95 price tag. The reason for this is that the only thing included in the box is the white Elite controller itself.

Outside of the fact that no components are included in the box (and the controller being white), the controller is identical to the regular Elite Controller Series 2 with a 40 hour battery life, adjustable tension thumbsticks, a wrap-around grip and shorter hair trigger locks.

You can see what is included with each of the Elite Controller Series 2 below:

If you’re still wanting the different components that are normally included with the Elite controller, you’ll be able to purchase an Xbox Elite Controller Complete component pack for $79.95 AUD which includes the dock, case and a bunch of interchangeable components:

• Carrying Case
• Charging Dock
• Classic thumbsticks (2)
• Tall thumbstick (1)
• Dome thumbstick (1)
• Cross-shaped D-pad (1)
• Set of 4 paddles: Medium (2), Mini (2)
• USB-C cable

If you’re buying the Core Xbox Elite Controller plus the Complete Component Pack, you’ll be paying $270 as opposed to the $250 you pay for the regular Elite Controller V2, so if you do want the accessories (and don’t want a white controller), make sure you think about that before you purchase.

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Core is available to pre-order now right HERE and will release on September 21st. 

The Xbox Elite Complete Component Pack is available to pre-order for $79.95 HERE.

The post A Cheaper Xbox Elite Core Controller Has Been Announced appeared first on Press Start.

In addition to the new Xbox Elite Core Controller that was announced tonight, Xbox also announced that the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is coming to the Xbox Design lab.

Unfortunately, we do have to wait a little bit longer with Xbox confirming that it will join the lineup this coming Holiday. It’ll be interesting to see what options are available with the standard Xbox Elite controller being available in black whilst the new Core controller is available in white. It’ll also be interesting to see if the different additional components can be purchased in different colours.

“Player choice has always been at the core of the elite series design philosophy. That is why we’re also excited to announce that we will be bringing Elite Wireless Series 2 Controllers to Xbox Design Lab later this holiday. We’ll have more details to share at a later date.” said Xbox in an Xbox Wire post.

Xbox Design Lab was finally made available earlier this year in Australia you can find it here.

The post The Xbox Elite Controller Is Coming To Xbox Design Lab appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed September’s Xbox Game Pass games and it’s a great month when it comes to games that we didn’t know were previously coming to the platform. This includes Disney Dreamlight Valley: Founder’s Edition and Metal Helsinger which are two highly anticipated games that are launching on the service.

SEPTEMBER XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

• Grid Legends (Console/PC) – Today
• Disney Dreamlight Valley: Founder’s Edition (Console/Cloud/PC) – Today
• Opus Magnum (PC) – Today
• Train World Sim 3 (Console/PC) – Today
• Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation (PC) – September 13th
• DC League of Super-Pets: The ADventures of Krypto and Ace (Console/Cloud/PC) – September 13th
• You Suck At Parking (Console/Cloud/PC) – September 14th
• Despot’s Game (Console/PC) – September 15th
• Metal: Helsinger (Console/PC) – September 15th

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON SEPTEMBER 15TH

There’s also a pretty big number of games leaving too and you can see that list below.

• A Plague Tale: Innocence (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Aragami 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Craftopia (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Final Fantasy XIII (Console and PC)
• Flynn: Son of Crimson (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• I Am Fish (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lost Words: Beyond the Page (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Mighty Goose (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• SkateBird (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• The Artful Escape (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post September’s Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed And It’s A Banger Month appeared first on Press Start.

It’s a big night for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard with the Competition and Markets Authority based out of the UK recommending that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard face a second phase of investigation.

This is due to the below reasons:

• The deal could see Microsoft “withholding or degrading” Activision Blizzard’s content from other consoles or subscription services
• Microsoft could leverage its broader ecosystem together with Activision’s catalogue to “raise barriers to entry and foreclose rivals in cloud gaming services”

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard now have until September 8th to offer substantial reasonings why these two things won’t be the case or it will face a second phase investigation in the UK. The acquisition has already reached a second phase investigation in the US Federal Trade Commission which could extend well into 2023.

Xbox has wasted absolutely no time with Phil Spencer publishing a blog post on the Microsoft Blog detailing how the acquisition will provide more access to these games rather than take it away from existing platforms.

You can read the full blog post HERE, but Phil Spencer confirms what has already been thought, that Call of Duty, Overwatch and Diablo will be available on Game Pass, and also giving access for gamers to play these games through Cloud gaming (on the likes of Samsung TVs), which Xbox believes will open these franchises to even more gamers.

Xbox also goes on to recommit the fact that it does not plan to take the likes of Call of Duty away from platforms such as PlayStation where it already exists. Interestingly, this time around, Spencer does not mention any contracts, simply stating that “we are committed to making the same version of Call of Duty available on PlayStation on the same day the game launches elsewhere.” and then references Minecraft being a Microsoft property but remaining on all other consoles.

Interestingly, Call of Duty is the only franchise called out here. It’s unclear if that is due to the fact that Xbox only plans for this to remain on PlayStation, or if it’s just called out because it’s the largest and most mainstream franchise in the Activision Blizzard staple.

The blog post then goes onto detail that Xbox welcomes the hard questions being asked, but it believes that much like Sony and Tencent continue to expand their deep and extensive library of games, it believes that a thorough review will show that Microsoft and Activision Blizzard combining will benefit the industry and gamers.

The post Call Of Duty, Diablo & Overwatch Have Been Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass If Acquisition Deal Passes appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced September’s Xbox Games with Gold and it’s probably one of the better months in recent times with Gods will Fall, Double Kick Heroes, Thrillville and Portal 2 rounding out the lineup.

It’s worth noting that Portal 2 will be the final Xbox 360 game in the lineup, and we can’t really think of a more fitting way to end the 360’s participation.

SEPTEMBER’S XBOX GAMES WITH GOLD LINEUP

• Gods Will Fall: Available September 1 to 30
• Double Kick Heroes: Available September 16 to October 15
• Thrillville: Available September 1 to 15
• Portal 2: Available September 16 to 30

You can find a bit about each game below:

Gods Will Fall

Take up the battle against the very deities themselves in this brutal action & adventure epic. The gods have lorded over the world for millennia ruling with a cruel iron fist that demands unquestioning fealty. You and your fellow Celtic warriors are the very last chance for humanity. Grab your mace, test your spear, and sharpen your ax to battle horrific beasts and minions that dwell in hellish lands of each god. Your decisions can make you a legend or you can be dust.

Double Kick Heroes

The pure power of Metal compels you! Travel the post-apocalyptic freeways battling zombies and militia in your tricked out Cadillac – the Gundillac. It’s a wild game that combos a shoot ‘em up with a rhythm game. Bang your head with your band thru 30 levels of madness and heavy, heavy metal.

Thrillville

Summer doesn’t have to ever end when you get to build your amusement park. You get to do everything from design roller coasters to go-carts, play mini-golf on your own courses, and join friends for party games. Make sure to check in with the guests to ensure they are loving your theme park as much as you are, and make adjustments to keep them happy! It’s non-stop fun in the virtual sun!

Portal 2

One of the all-time classics is available for you to teleport into problem-solving mode. Use your wits over weapons in this sci-fi puzzler. In addition to portals, use tractor beams, lasers, light bridges, and more. With humorous new characters voiced by the likes of Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons, the story and humor is as much a joy as the problem-solving. Play single -player or co-op to start bending the rules of physics

The post September’s Xbox Games With Gold Have Been Revealed Including The Final Xbox 360 Game appeared first on Press Start.

After yesterday’s news that revealed the price of a PlayStation 5 console is expected to go up in pretty much every territory except the United States, Microsoft has confirmed to CNET that they wouldn’t be following suit and making a change to the pricing currently in place for the Xbox Series X/S models.

“We are constantly evaluating our business to offer our fans great gaming options,” a spokesperson for Microsoft told CNET in a statement via email.

“Our Xbox Series S suggested retail price remains at $299 (499 AUD) and the Xbox Series X is $499 ($749 AUD). This also applies to other markets and their current pricing.”

In terms of how things stack up locally, this means a PlayStation 5 will be $50AUD more expensive than Xbox’s most premium offering in the Xbox Series X. The biggest difference can be seen between the PlayStation 5’s all-digital console ($649.95AUD) and the Xbox Series S ($499AUD), where a $150AUD gulf now exists.

The post Microsoft Says The Xbox Series X/S Price Won’t Increase Following The PS5 Price Hike appeared first on Press Start.

It’s been a long time between drinks, but the Xbox Series X is available at the Microsoft Store. You can find it right HERE. 

• Xbox Series X – $749

Xbox Series X drops continue to be rather infrequent compared to the PlayStation 5, so if you’re keen it’s a good idea to jump on these while you can.

Don’t forget to check out what’s new on Game Pass this month to check out on your shiny new console if you grab one.

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING AND TECH BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS

The post The Xbox Series X Is In Stock At The Microsoft Store appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the next batch of August Xbox Game Pass games which includes the likes of Immortals Fenyx Rising but a big in this latest drop is just how many games are leaving which includes the likes of Hades, Two Point Hospital, Twelve Minutes, World War Z and NBA 2K22. It’s the biggest list I can remember in recent times.

GAMES COMING TO XBOX GAME PASS IN AUGUST

• Coffee Talk (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Midnight Flight Express (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 23rd
• Exapunks (PC) – August 25th
• Opus: Echo of Starsong – August 25th
• Commands 3: HD Remaster (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 30th
• Immortality (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 30th
• Immortals Fenyx Rising  (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 30th
• Tinykin (Console/PC) – August 30th

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON AUGUST 31ST

• Elite Dangerous (Cloud and Console)
• Hades (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Myst (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• NBA 2K22 (Cloud and Console)
• Signs of the Sojourner (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Spiritfarer (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Twelve Minutes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Two Point Hospital (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• What Remains of Edith Finch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• World War Z (Cloud, Console, and PC)’

16 NEW XBOX GAME PASS GAMES GETTING TOUCH CONTROLS

The post More August Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed And A Bunch Are Leaving Too appeared first on Press Start.

Thanks to everybody who entered. The winner of the incredible Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle prize pack is:

• Dana Callaghan

Thanks to Bethesda ANZ, we have an incredible Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle prize pack to give away to celebrate the release of the expansion on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

Featured is an extremely limited Xbox prize prize pack including a custom Xbox Series S, Xbox wireless controller and Xbox stereo headset which have all been lovingly created by friend of the site We Are Robots.

The prize pack includes:

• Custom Xbox Series S console
• Custom Xbox Wireless controller
• Custom Xbox Stereo Headset
• The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle Collector’s Edition Digital Code

WIN: Custom ESO High Isle Xbox Series S Console + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Headset + ESO: High Isle CE

THIS COMPETITION WILL END ON JULY 10TH AT 11:59PM AEST. CLICK HERE TO ENTER IF THE FORM DOEN’T LOAD.

The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

EB Games Has A Decent Xbox Series S Bundle Deal With Some Epic Console Trade Deals To Boot

The post The Winner Of Our ESO High Isle Xbox Series S Console Competition appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the first August games for Xbox Game Pass and it includes the likes of Ghost Recon: Wildlands and Two Point Campus.

AUGUST XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

• Ghost Recon Wildlands (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Shenzhen (PC) – August 4th
• Turbo Gold Racing (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 4th
• Two Point Campus (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 9th
• Cooking Simulator (Cloud/Console/PC) – August 11th
• Expeditions: Rome (PC)
• Offworld Trading Company (PC) – August 11th
• Midnight Flight Express (Console/PC) – August 23rd
• Immortality (Console/PC) – August 30th

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS IN AUGUST

These games are leaving Xbox Game Pass on August 15th.

• Boyfriend Dungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Curse of the Dead Gods (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Library of Ruina (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Starmancer (Game Preview) (PC)
• Train Sim World 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post August’s Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced its Xbox Games with Gold line-up for August. It includes Calico and ScroungeBringer as far as newer titles go and Saints Row 2 and Monaco as your Xbox 360 classics.

AUGUST’S XBOX GAMES WITH GOLD LINEUP

• Calico –  Available August 1 to 31
• ScourgeBringer – Available August 16 to September 15
• Saint’s Row 2 – Available August 1 to 15
• Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine – Available August 16 to 31

You can find a little blurb about each of these games from Xbox below:

Calico

You’ll need to channel the right cat-titude in the totally charming and fuzzy sim game Calico. It’s up to you to rebuild the town’s run-down cat cafe. Create your character, choose fun clothes to wear, whimsically decorate your place for cats and human visitors, and of course fill it up with the adorable animals. With magical potions, you might even be able to ride your giant cat to work. This game is low stress, creative, and simply paw-some.

ScourgeBringer

Slash your way through a post-apocalyptic world as Kyhra, the deadliest warrior of your clan. Explore the fast-paced roguelite platformer ScourgeBringer. Attack your enemies and bosses that guard the secrets of the Scourge. The ever-changing dungeon holds mysteries and mementos of past explorers that can help you move forward and, perhaps, redeem all of humanity.

Saint’s Row 2

A lot has changed in five years. You awaken from a coma to learn the 3rd Street Saints have been disbanded and their territory has been taken over by syndicates with corrupt corporation backing. Rebuild the Saints and take back your territory in an open world adventure that mixes humor and violence, and demands you earn respect by any means necessary.

Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine

Who can pull off the heist of a lifetime? Assemble a crack team of thieves and get to work. Choose from one of eight highly skilled and highly colorful characters each with their unique set of skills like the Pickpocket, the Locksmith, the Cleaner, and more. Play solo or with three other morally dubious friends as you sneak through nightclubs and yachts. Each stage is told from a different perspective in this award-winning game.

The post August’s Xbox Games With Gold Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

EB Games has dropped more Xbox Series X stock. It’ll be delivered in mid August (August 19th is listed). It’s one per customer and you’ll need to drop a $200 deposit, but at least you know stock is on the way.

You can place the pre-order online right HERE. You will select your store and pick it up once it arrives in the coming weeks.

If you’re a Costco member, we’ve been shown images of multiple stores that have console stock for about $735, so definitely head there if you’re looking for one and have easy access to a membership.

It’s also expected that JB Hi-Fi will have stock online later today, but this will be purely order online.

The post The Xbox Series X Is In Stock At EB Games appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S boot time just got a little bit faster, by about 4-5 seconds to be precise.

This has been confirmed by Josh Munsee, Director of Xbox Integrated Marketing who confirmed that a shorter boot animation is now being used to reduce the overall start up time and take it from 20 seconds to around 15 seconds.

Can confirm – worked with @harrisonhoffman and @jakerose27 to create a shorter boot up animation (~4s) from the original boot up animation (~9s), helping to reduce the overall startup time.

— Josh Munsee (@joshmunsee) July 23, 2022

Obviously, this is only the case in the Energy Saver mode where your Xbox Series X|S will fully shut down every time you turn it on, with the standby mode having an instant on.

This has been demonstrated by The Verge’s Tom Warren, who has showcased the new faster boot time.

Microsoft is speeding up the Xbox Series X / S boot time. Around 5 seconds have been shaved off, and the changes are coming in an update soon. Details here: https://t.co/V6qrkJddnX pic.twitter.com/TPPjm58BW7

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) July 25, 2022

The post The Xbox Series X Boot Speed Just Got A Little Faster appeared first on Press Start.

Quantic Dream’s two-plus decades of pioneering interactive storytelling has undoubtedly served as inspiration for studios like Telltale, Int. Night, and others, to place the story first while empowering the player with enough agency to go their own way, making difficult choices that help to shape the stories told. 

While I felt titles like Beyond and Detroit: Become Human were rooted heavily in sci-fi and seemed rather elevated, As Dusk Falls feels far more grounded and steeped in a mysterious and intoxicating Americana that’s far more engaging than I ever expected it to be. In a story spanning both decades and state lines, As Dusk Falls feels like ‘Fargo meets Boyhood’. What begins as a routine burglary devolves into the hostile takeover of the Desert Dream motel that’ll change the lives of two families forever, while cracking open a can of worms that might upend the power hierarchy of Two Rock, Arizona for good. 

At the heart of As Dusk Falls is the chance, unfortunate collision course the Walker and Holt families find themselves on. The former are on a cross-country odyssey to relocate and sow new seeds, while the latter are in search of a fresh start of their own as they try to wrestle free from their father’s debt. The weaving narrative does a beautiful job of fleshing out each of the characters and making even the most despicable shit heels like Dale, the middle Holt brother, likeable. 

As Dusk Falls deals with all of life’s heaviness like few games tackle—loss, grief, and trauma are all central to the story as what’s left of these families after their fateful encounter drag the weight around. The way it tackles the cause and effect of choices is tremendous—the first act is set up while the fallout is earned and truly felt through the game’s writing. Although I’m sure there are countless permutations I’ve not seen—and my mind is racing considering the what ifs I opted against—my particular journey through As Dusk Falls was great. Although it didn’t wrap up absolutely every thread, As Dusk Falls felt complete and so wholly considered front to back like an unforgettable limited series. And then the cliffhanger left things on an uncertain note, somewhat diminishing the sense of finality I’d felt. It seems there’s still a history to Two Rock that the team longs to explore, but even if they don’t, I believe the story told has the legs to really stand on its own. 

Like contemporary efforts like Detroit: Become Human, As Dusk Falls is a myriad of narrative tendrils that, despite branching off in several directions, ultimately come to rest at the same resolution time and again. Although the details might differ, they’re woven deftly into the larger narrative so that you could discuss it with a friend despite having starkly different experiences. 

It’s going to be an undertaking and a half to try and see everything in As Dusk Falls, but they do try to make it easier by picking key story beats that precede branches to let players drop in and “explore” other possibilities, or even overwrite their master save entirely. While not exactly a new idea, it’s a pretty key one for a game like this and I’m thankful it is present. 

The UI, which ties most of the “game” aspects—dialogue trees and quick-time events—together in As Dusk Falls, is simple, stripped back and, honestly, kind of ugly. Whether due to budget restraints or not, the game’s menus and in-game prompts scream placeholder assets. And while I expect the game’s presentation at large will be divisive, with its animated storyboard aesthetic, I found it quaint. We’re so used to seeing performances rendered in high fidelity, where every pore and wrinkle is recreated faithfully, that I worry Int. Night’s earnest approach to deliver drama through gorgeous, digitally-painted slides might go unappreciated. It’s a style that sells the sombre, contemplative moments but struggles to hammer home the dynamicity of anything remotely pulsating, it’s just the unfortunate trade-off that occurs with something akin to a breathing graphic novel. 

It’s unsurprising that a game like As Dusk Falls, which is driven by the relationships and stories of its characters, would live and die by its performances. Thankfully, most of them are pretty good. If you can look past a few of the more suspect line readings that crop up from time to time, you’ll find some terrific performances from actors who, until now, I’d call relative unknowns. Ryan Nolan steals the show as Jay, the more kind-hearted Holt boy, and while most of the performance bleeds through the largely static comic-like panels, I do feel some of the nuance of each performance is lost in translation somewhere. 

If the aim of As Dusk Falls is to deliver an engrossing narrative about the strain and sacrifice of family then I’d say it succeeds. It’s understandable that the game’s presentation isn’t perfect, but it’s a match for the folksy setting and sensibilities. What ultimately amounts to a story about two people–Jay and Zoe–being chased by ghosts gave me a nice sense of closure. 

But if Int. Night wants to explore the deeper, darker history of Two Rock, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to ride shotgun on that one. 

The post As Dusk Falls Review – A Decades-Spanning Crime Thriller appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the first batch of July’s Xbox Game Pass Games and they include a couple of Yakuza games, a new tennis game and some great looking indies.

GAMES COMING TO XBOX GAME PASS IN JULY

• Far Cry 5 (Console/PC) – Available Now
• Last Call BBS (PC) – Today
• Yakuza 0 (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Yakuza Kiwami (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• DJI Respect V (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 7th
• Matchpoint Tennis: Championships (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 7th
• Road 96 (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 7th
• Escape Academy (Console/PC) – July 14th
• My Friend Peppa Pig (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 14th
• Overwhelm (PC) – July 4th
• PAW Patrol: The Movie: Adventure City Calls (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 14th
• Powerwash Simulator (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 14th
• As Dusk Falls (Cloud/Console/PC) – July 19th

LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON JULY 15TH

• Atomicrops (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Carrion (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Children of Morta (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Cris Tales (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lethal League Blaze (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post July’s Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced one of the nicest custom Xbox Series X consoles that I’ve seen. It’s for Thor Love and Thunder and it’s literally an Xbox Series X that has been turned into Thor’s hammer.

To get your entry in, all you need to do is head to this tweet and RT it with a couple of hashtags  by July 21stand also be following the official Xbox account.

The Xbox Series X is looking a little different after a bit of love and thunder.

Follow @Xbox and RT with #ThorLoveandThunderXboxSweepstakes for a chance to win this epic Mjolnir-themed Series X. Best of luck!

Ages 18+. Ends 7/21/22. Full rules here: https://t.co/1KilI1KnGy pic.twitter.com/P2pOltFEQG

— Xbox (@Xbox) July 1, 2022

I must admit, Xbox has been smashing it out of the park with all of its custom Xbox Series X|S designs as well as controllers. I love seeing these designs for each major movie/game release and hope to see them continue.

If you’re wanting to double your chances of winning an Xbox console, we’re also giving away a custom Xbox Series S and you can enter that competition HERE.

WIN: Custom ESO High Isle Xbox Series S Console + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Headset + ESO: High Isle CE

If you’re a big Thor fan and also happen to like God of War, then you’re also in for a treat as it’s rumoured that the God of War: Ragnarok Collector’s Edition will also include Thor’s hammer. You can read more about that HERE. 

The post The Thor Xbox Series X Is One Of The Nicest Yet And You Can Win It appeared first on Press Start.

EB Games currently has the Xbox Series S for $499 with three months of Xbox Game Pass ultimate included meaning you’ll get access to 100s of great games that are playable on your new Xbox Series S, PC or via Xbox Cloud Gaming on other devices. You can grab the Xbox Series S bundle HERE. To sweeten the deal, they’ve also got a number of trade offers so that you can trade in your old console in order to bring the price of your new Xbox Series S right down.

Whether you’ve just caught up on Xbox + Bethesda’s games showcase from last week, which felt like a great advert for the next twelve months of Xbox Game Pass programming, or you’re planning on making the most of the terrific new Xbox Series S deal at EB Games, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind that although Game Pass is going to be even better in a year’s time, it’s a tremendous service right now.

EB Games Has A Decent Xbox Series S Bundle Deal With Some Epic Console Trade Deals To Boot

With hundreds of games to choose from, there’s actually something for everybody. One thing Microsoft has been great at, especially so during their post-acquisition first-party drought, is acquiring the rights to debut a number of great blockbusters on the subscription service to complement the regular influx of indies.

So here are all of the best games you can find on Xbox Game Pass right this second.

A Plague Tale: Innocence

With its sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, looming and already confirmed to be joining this game on Xbox Game Pass, there’s no better time to go back and absorb the tale of sibling resolve in a time when mankind was truly on its knees due to famine, plague, and a whole lot of bloody rats. 

It’s a brand on the rise, with a TV series in the works, and we celebrated the game quite a lot when it launched. 

This harrowing adventure is so much about family it’d make Vin Diesel blush, and it’s hard not to adore the central relationship between Amicia and Hugo as they leverage a slingshot, their bond, and a few latent superpowers against the French Inquisition. 

Death’s Door

One of my absolute favourite games from last year, Death’s Door is absolutely something to crow about. Leaving the safety of the Reaping Commission to pursue a getaway soul, this game feels like a marriage between Studio Ghibli’s strong tale-weaving and punishing, old-school Legend of Zelda. 

On the surface, the game is extremely memorable, but it’s when you get even deeper and begin exploring the endgame that the picture completes itself and reveals just how special Death’s Door is.

Of all of the games to tackle upending the cycle of life and death, Death’s Door feels like the most wholesome of the lot, putting an endearing spin on mourning, loss, and letting go. 

Dodgeball Academia

If you can dodge a wrench, you’re probably fit to enrol at Dodgeball Academia, one of the best—and perhaps the only—sports role-playing games since Golf Story. 

It’s equal parts a buck wild, arcade dodgeball game, complete with super abilities and super spikes, a role-playing game, and a radical take on school life. It’s almost Persona but you toss balls about at fellow students. 

It’s certainly one of the best indie games on the service and is sorely underrated in general. 

Assassin’s Creed Origins

Earlier this month, Assassin’s Creed Origins received a next-gen upgrade to coincide with the game’s arrival on Game Pass for both Xbox and PC, so there’s literally never been a better time to get stuck into it.

The story of Bayek, coupled with the intoxicatingly vast Egyptian landscape, made Origins a real return to form for the franchise which had started to suffer from its prior releases. Origins opened the door for the game’s new tremendous Discovery Tour, which takes players on a guided, educational tour of the world. It’s like a virtual museum that takes you to historical landmarks and sites of interest.

I really did enjoy Origins at launch and it’s hard to argue against the fact that the game has only gotten better. Even with sequels under the franchise’s belt in Odyssey and Valhalla, Origins is still very much one people like to return to.

It Takes Two

Josef Fares might forever be the guy who had less than savoury things to say about the Oscars, but the guy definitely knows how to craft co-op experiences. It Takes Two isn’t the only co-op game on this list but it’s definitely the only co-op-only game. If that makes sense.

With no single-player mode to speak of, It Takes Two lives up to its title and has brought partners, friends, and lovers together since it launched. Unlike his previous efforts, It Takes Two has a light and airy tone, despite it still tackling some grounded subject matter. I particularly loved how the game continually mixed things up, leaping from one concept to the next. It’s one hundred games in one, and it’s astounding the amount of effort that went into this game’s variety alone.

It should come as no surprise that It Takes Two was a critical darling, taking home the highest honour at The Game Awards and featuring on our end-of-year countdown also.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

As a value proposition, The Master Chief Collection is definitely up there. It takes Halo’s Forerunner saga—the first three games, Reach and ODST—and throws it together with Halo 4, which serves as the beginning of 343 Industries’ Reclaimer saga, to create an essential Halo experience. 

It suffered through a rough launch to become the rock-solid serving it currently is, with constant updates being delivered to keep content fresh. Recently, a version of Firefight was added starring the Flood, which is so very rad. 

With an original trilogy as storied as Halo, being able to pop in and play any one of the classic levels, with any number of modifiers, is a treat. It’s especially true for Halo 2, which received the ‘Anniversary’ treatment for its release within the collection. 

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Not dissimilar to A Plague Tale, Hellblade’s sequel is one we’re eager to see arrive on Xbox’s subscription service and continue the story of one of the medium’s newest heroines. 

Senua’s Sacrifice, now a first-party title following the acquisition of developer Ninja Theory, is a bleak and miserly journey through Helheim. There’s not a lot of light or hope, and I’d almost liken it to a trudge through knee-high mud but as an exploration of psychosis, Hellblade remains unmissable. 

Despite reviewing it all of those years ago, it’s still astounding to me that Senua’s Sacrifice was developed by a team of only twenty people. Their use of cutting-edge animation helped elevate Hellblade to true triple-A quality within the independent space. 

No Man’s Sky

It’s the greatest redemption tale in the history of video game development. With where No Man’s Sky currently sits, it’s easy to forget the promise, the failure, and the genuine heartbreak for Sean Murray as what looked to be one of the most ambitious titles ever made crashed and burned. 

Many would have cut their losses there, but to the credit of Hello Games, the team went back in and tinkered with their technically amazing, procedurally-generated universe and reemerged with their Next update, which delivered something more in line with their 2016 vision. 

Since then, the game has continued to repay the faith of both players long-term and new, thanks to several free updates which have included base-building, cross-play, and planet-surface vehicles. 

Rare Replay

Since absorbing Rare into their roster of first-party studios, it could be argued that as a studio, the once elite developer has kind of floundered. Granted, Sea of Thieves has gone on to become a pretty beloved, community-driven high seas adventure, but Rare’s output isn’t what it once was.

Fortunately, Rare Replay exists. It catalogues and compiles thirty of the very best games from the developer best known for Donkey Kong Country and Goldeneye, although those games obviously don’t feature. 

With a heap of Snapshot challenges to tackle, the collection definitely has enough bells and whistles to justify the trip back in time.

Ori & The Will of the Wisps

I’ve clearly opted for the second game in the Ori series here, but just know they’re both essential. 

While Will of the Wisps is a very complete sequel that feels like a more polished version of The Blind Forest, both games serve as tremendous pillars within Microsoft’s first-party helpings. As nearly peerless Metroidvania games, they feel great in hand.

Both Ori titles are profoundly moving experiences thanks in large part to the gorgeous art direction and Gareth Coker’s absolutely stunning orchestral score. So, not only is it as pretty as a Pixar film, it’s as moving as one too. 

Stardew Valley

It’s one thing for a game to be made “free” through the Xbox Game Pass service, but when it’s a game that offers literal hundreds of hours and enjoyment, it begins to feel like a steal. And that’s Stardew Valley summed up. 

If you’re able to learn how to live off of the land and breathe new life into your grandfather’s plot, bequeathed to you in his will, your time in the valley will begin to feel like a second life. 

There’s real peace and serenity to spending time in the garden. As someone who, in real life, likes nothing more than staying indoors, earning a couple of virtual green thumbs just feels right. It’s my favourite game about tending to a garden since Viva Pinata. 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

With Bethesda’s back catalogue a part of the service, following the publisher’s recent blockbuster acquisition, it means there’s room for one of the most iconic and downright classic role-playing games to be ever made. 

It’s been memed more times than almost any game and re-released even more times than that. 

Being able to revisit what is arguably one of the greatest and most celebrated games of all time, and soak up the literal hundreds of hours to find within the world of Tamriel as the Dragonborn, is just an undeniable pleasure. Following the gameplay deep dive on Starfield yesterday, it might be even more tempting to revisit this classic to remind yourself of just what Bethesda Game Studios can do. 

EB Games currently has the Xbox Series S for $499 with three months of Xbox Game Pass ultimate included meaning you’ll get access to 100s of great games that are playable on your new Xbox Series S, PC or via Xbox Cloud Gaming on other devices. You can grab the Xbox Series S bundle HERE. To sweeten the deal, they’ve also got a number of trade offers so that you can trade in your old console in order to bring the price of your new Xbox Series S right down.

The post 12 Xbox Game Pass Games That You Need To Play Right Now appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced a week-long demo event starting next week as part of Summer Game Fest, where users will be able to sample over 30 upcoming games direct from their Xbox consoles.

The event starts on June 21st and runs until June 27th (local dates might differ slightly), at which time the demos will disappear again so it’s worth keeping an eye out and jumping in if you’re keen!

Xbox promises these demos aren’t the typical slice of a finished product that you’d see closer to a game launching, rather they’re ‘show floor’ type builds of games still in development so it’s a great opportunity to see how these games are shaping up behind closed doors. Think of it like the current Steam Next Fest demo event (which you should get around while you still can – here are our picks of what to play!)

The full list of available demos hasn’t been published yet but so far we know we’ll be able to play the below:

• Batora: Lost Haven
• Broken Pieces
• Severed Steel
• Tinykin

The above demos are also available early, so click the links above to download them to your linked Xbox!

The post Xbox Will Have Over 30 Playable Summer Game Fest Demos Next Week For A Limited Time appeared first on Press Start.

For a game about family bonds, As Dusk Falls is fairly true to its genes. As former Quantic Dream staff, the creative is certainly familiar territory. It mightn’t have the trimmings we’d expect from a big-budget first-party narrative epic like Detroit: Become Human, but what it does do is capture the marrow of that experience in strong storytelling, an engrossing concept, and characters that run the gamut from sympathetic right through to rotten—right down to their soul. 

After reading the elevator pitch for As Dusk Falls, it sounds like it’s trying to be the Boyhood of games—sort of. It doesn’t have an insane gimmick like being developed over an era, but with a focus on familial bonds and a story spanning three decades, it’s certainly an ambitious title, even when compared to Quantic Dream’s recent offerings. Obviously, there are shortcuts taken that we wouldn’t expect David Cage’s mob to make, largely in production value.

But if the aim is to craft honest, real stories then Int./Night might already have a leg up. 

The catalyst for the story in As Dusk Falls is the chance collision—literal and otherwise—of the Walker (Vince, his wife Michelle, and their daughter Zoe) and Holt (three brothers Tyler, Dale, and Jay) families. The former is uprooting and searching for a fresh start across the country in Missouri, while the latter has a date with destiny as their blue pick-up will, before long, be the subject of an all-points bulletin after they empty the office safe of the town’s sheriff in an effort to settle some bad blood. 

Although I only got to sample two chapters, I felt like the pacing in particular was phenomenal. The narrative team isn’t afraid to leave a number of tense uncertainties unresolved, opting to explore other threads—at one point they cut away from a present-day stand-off to fill in the blanks on the distant feelings between Vince and Michelle and it works to tremendous effect. Even if it’s clear the stakes aren’t always there, for example, a much older Zoe narrates the game’s prologue so she’s never going to be in mortal danger, it’s clear that even the trauma from the Desert Dream Motel will cause ongoing fractures in the lives of these characters.

The two opening chapters alone present As Dusk Falls as ‘Emotional Damage: The Game’.

As is standard for games like As Dusk Falls, the narrative is a rich tapestry of branching possibilities. And although it’s great that the game offers these divergent paths that offer hints at smaller stories within the bigger picture, it feels like window dressing a lot of the time. I’m, of course, basing this off of two hours of the game, but having explored a lot of different variations, I found that these predetermined and inevitable story beats are, as they always have been for games like this, a major pitfall that leads most to question the “player’s choice”. 

As Dusk Falls plays out like any of these narrative adventures. Your job is to determine the narrative path you’d like to explore and react to fulfil the quick-time event when the moment calls. Most decisions are mundane and serve no real purpose beyond colour, but every so often a choice bearing some gravity will be forced upon you. Your time to react feels briefer, the screen starts to shake—it’s an exercise in tension. It’s at these moments that the plot branches off based on what you choose. Interestingly, despite my waning reaction time leading to a botch or two, I never encountered a catastrophic failure in As Dusk Falls. I certainly didn’t help particular situations, but the game never once used death as a consequence which I found refreshing. 

Of course, it’s entirely possible I just simply didn’t trigger one. 

Although the gameplay won’t feel new or groundbreaking, it does somehow feel worse than its contemporaries. Sure, there are quick-time events—a staple of any game like this—but I felt they were far from intuitive. Simple actions like flicking an analogue stick or mashing one of the face buttons are reasonable, but for some reason, I found the expectation that I should click the analogue stick repeatedly both unnatural and jarring. Plus the UI itself is clunky and annoying to use, having to guide the stick to hover over a particular dialogue choice—rather than simply assigning said choices to face buttons—feels like a deliberate attempt to artificially ratchet up the tension. Only that doesn’t work, because the war is against the controls at that stage, not the morals of the situation as they should be. 

As Dusk Falls will have a companion app at launch so that it’s easier to make decisions, although I wasn’t able to find that app during this preview period so I expect it isn’t out yet. I do hope that might serve to negate a few of the issues I have with how the game controls because, with those out of the way, I expect the narrative might flow extremely well. 

I’m also eager to explore the game’s multiplayer options which, like other recent releases, lets you party up with a large group of friends to make your way through the narrative. Like a devil on my shoulder, I did have my wife instructing me on what chaotic decisions to make, and let’s just say Alfred was right, some people do just want to watch the world burn. 

As I alluded to earlier, As Dusk Falls doesn’t quite have the production budget of something like Detroit, but it circumvents that issue with a lot of poise. I think the visual identity the game establishes early is pretty striking. It lands in the middle ground of standard visual novel and animated storyboards, where static character sprites—which appear to be real footage of the actors touched up digitally by hand—function on backgrounds that often feel alive courtesy of things like the falling leaves of deciduous trees. Caroline Marchal, the game’s lead, described the game’s look as being “at the crossroads between a high-end graphic novel and film” and I believe that’s certainly apt. 

I think it’s exceptional that, despite the sprites not moving freely, the performances are still as captured as they are. While I think it’s also one of the game’s strengths that there isn’t any distracting star power on the cast, Ryan Nolan is an early standout as Jay, the youngest and most impressionable Holt brother. A forlorn look combined with a good nature—provided you decide to play him that way—makes him an early favourite and someone I hope finds redemption throughout As Dusk Falls. 

Based on the two chapters I sampled, I’m certainly in for what As Dusk Falls is offering. I’m invested in both the characters and their drama, what I’m less sold on so far is how it’s all being functionally delivered, through an unnecessarily obtuse quick-time event control scheme and UI. I do think Int./Night is, so far, achieving what they set out to do in telling one grandiose true-crime thriller that’s home to several real, human stories that almost anybody can relate to. 

As Dusk Falls launches on July 19 for Xbox platforms and PC.

The post As Dusk Falls Hands-On Preview – A True Crime Thriller appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox is following up what’s arguably been the biggest June gaming showcase event thus far, with the Xbox + Bethesda Showcase Extended on Wednesday June 15th, giving us even more in-depth looks at some of the titles shown off at their showcase on Monday (and hopefully a surprise or two?)

ALL THE AUSTRALIAN TIMES FOR THE XBOX + BETHESDA SHOWCASE EXTENDED

The bad news is that the show is once again taking place at a pretty awful time for most Australians, and this time there’s no public holiday to make it easy to take an extra nap afterwards:

• AEST (Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/Canberra) – 03:00am
• ACST (Adelaide/Darwin) – 02:30am
• AWST (Perth) – 01:00am

WHERE TO WATCH THE XBOX + BETHESDA SHOWCASE EXTENDED

The Xbox + Bethesda Showcase Extended will stream live on YouTube and you’ll be able to watch it below or at this direct link HERE.

HOW LONG WILL THE XBOX + BETHESDA SHOWCASE EXTENDED GO FOR?

It’s been confirmed that the running time for the Xbox + Bethesda Showcase Extended is approximately 90 minutes meaning that it’ll end at about 4:30am AEST.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE XBOX + BETHESDA SHOWCASE EXTENDED?

Xbox spent a lot of time revealing new titles and highlighting Xbox Game Pass additions in their first showcase, so we’d expect this one to feature less games overall but more in-depth looks at each. We could also see some gameplay or behind-the-scenes content for games that didn’t get a feature on Monday but that we know are still on the way such as Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

Given that Monday’s event was all about the next 12 months of Xbox releases we may also see some content geared more toward the far future. While we doubt the likes of Fable or Perfect Dark could make an appearance, perhaps we’ll see some titles like Avowed, State of Decay 3, or The Outer Worlds 2. On more realistic terms we’d also love to get a better look at some of those newly-announced games like High On Life, Pentiment and Cocoon.

The post All The Aussie Times For The Xbox + Bethesda’s Extended Showcase appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox’s Major Nelson is currently down under for the Xbox Fanfest event that happened in Melbourne earlier today, and EB Games has announced he’ll be visiting a few stores to meet Xbox fans and give away epic prizes like the Xbox Series S, Game Pass subs and merch.

He’ll be vising the below two stores on Tuesday and Wednesday:

• EB Games Highpoint (VIC) – Tuesday June 14th – 4-5pm
• EB Games Warringah Mall (NSW) – Wednesday June 15th – 4-5pm

Meet & Greet Xbox's Major Nelson at our Melbourne and Sydney stores PLUS win AWESOME prizes like an Xbox Series S console, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox gear and MORE!

? EB Games Highpoint (VIC): Tues 14 June 4pm – 5pm AEST
? EB Games Warringah (NSW): Wed 15 June 4pm – 5pm AEST pic.twitter.com/SmY9XdNSPj

— EB Games Australia (@EBGamesAus) June 13, 2022

Just in case you missed it, EB Games currently has a great Xbox Series S deal which includes three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and they’re also giving increased trade values for your old consoles.

The Xbox + Bethesda showcase took place earlier today and you can find all of the announcements HERE.

EB Games Has A Decent Xbox Series S Bundle Deal With Some Epic Console Trade Deals To Boot

The post Xbox’s Major Nelson Is Visiting Aussie EB Games Stores To Meet Fans And Give Away Prizes appeared first on Press Start.

All of this morning’s announcements at the Xbox + Bethesda Games Showcase come with the added excitement that most of the newly announced games will come at no added cost to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. 

More than 30 games shown during the event are being added to Xbox’s subscription service, some of the 100+ teased to be coming in the next year.

Every Xbox Game Pass Game Announced During The Xbox + Bethesda Showcase That Is Releasing In The Next 12 Months

• A Plague Tale: Requiem (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Ara: History Untold (PC) 2023
• Ark 2 (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• As Dusk Falls (Console, Cloud, PC) July 19th 2022
• Atomic Heart (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Cocoon (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Consoles, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Ereban: Shadow Legacy (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Fallout 76: The Pitt (Console, PC) September
• Flintlock: The Seige of Dawn (Console, Cloud, PC) Early 2023
• Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels DLC (Console, Cloud, PC) July 19th 2022
• Forza Motorsport (Console, Cloud, PC) Autumn 2023
• Gunfire Reborn (Console, Cloud, PC) October 2022
• Grounded (Console, Cloud, PC) September 2022
• Halo Infinite: Season 3 (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Hello Neighbour 2 (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• High On Life (Console, Cloud, PC) October 2022
• Hollow Knight Silksong (Console, Cloud, PC) TBD
• Lightyear Frontier (Console, Cloud, PC) Spring 2023
• Microsoft Flight Simulator: 40th Anniversary Edition (Console, Cloud, PC) November 2022
• Minecraft Legends (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Naraka Bladepoint (Console, Cloud, PC) Jun 23rd 2022
• Party Animals (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Pentiment (Console, Cloud, PC) November 2022
• Person 3 Portable (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Persona 4 Golden (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Persona 5 Royale (Console, Cloud, PC) October 2nd 2022
• Ravenlock (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Redfall (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Replaced (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Starfield (Console, Cloud, PC) 2023
• Scorn (Console, Cloud, PC) October 21st 2022
• Sea of Theives: Season 7 (Consoles, Cloud, PC) July 21st 2022
• Slime Rancher 2 (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Sommerville (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• The Last Case of Benedict Fox (Console, Cloud, PC) Spring 2023
• Valheim (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Console, Cloud, PC) 2022
• Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Console, Cloud, PC) Early 2023

Riot are also partnering with Xbox to “level up all Game Pass members’ experience with some legendary PC and mobile games.” The in-game content unlocks for members include: 

• League of Legends [All Champions Unlocked] (PC)
• League of Legends Wild Rift [All Champions Unlocked] (Mobile)
• Valorant [All Agents Unlocked] (PC, Mobile)
• Legends of Runterra [Foundations Set Unlocked] (PC, Mobile)
• Teamfight Tactics (Select Little Legends Unlocked] (PC)

Overwatch 2 also received a new trailer and confirmation of an October 4th release date. It’s going free-to-play, so will also be available to Xbox and PC players. 

EB Games Has A Decent Xbox Series S Bundle Deal With Some Epic Console Trade Deals To Boot

The post Every Xbox Game Pass Game Announced During The Xbox + Bethesda Showcase Releasing In The Next 12 Months appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox announced last year that it was going to be bringing Xbox Game Pass/Xbox Cloud Gaming to smart TVs without the need for an external device or a console. Today it has made good on that promise by announcing that it is partnering with Samsung to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming (through Xbox Game Pass) to 2022 Samsung TVs.

It appears that the smart TV roll out will start with 2022 Samsung TVs on June 30th in 27 countries. Xbox will release its app on the Samsung Gaming Hub and you can either login with your existing Microsoft account or sign up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1 (for the first month).

You can then connect your Xbox controller or PS5 DualSense controller and play over 100 games from the Cloud without the need for a console. This technically means that you could play Fortnite on your 2022 Samsung TV without owning a console.

It’s unclear at this stage if the Xbox app will roll out to other Samsung TVs that weren’t released this year, or other brands such as Sony or LG, but it’s definitely a huge step in the right direction in terms of providing accessibility for more people to be able to play games.

Samsung’s 2022 TV Range Is Out Now And Here’s All The Australian Prices

MORE XBOX NEWS:

• Xbox Design Lab Has Finally Launched In Australia So Get Designing Some Controllers
• Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Is Coming To Samsung TVs With No Console Required
• Xbox Game Pass Is Getting New Features Including Pre-Release Demos And Games You Own Playable In The Cloud
• Xbox Is Bringing New Gaming Features To Windows 11 And Microsoft Edge

The post Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Is Coming To Samsung TVs With No Console Required appeared first on Press Start.

We’ve all been waiting for it for years and Xbox has finally announced it. Xbox Design Lab has finally launched in Australia, bringing with it the ability to customise every single part of an Xbox controller to your exact liking. You can start designing your controller right HERE.

If the dozens of controller colours in the program weren’t enough, Xbox has also confirmed a bunch of new options that are launching alongside the expansion.

MORE XBOX NEWS:

• Xbox Design Lab Has Finally Launched In Australia So Get Designing Some Controllers
• Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Is Coming To Samsung TVs With No Console Required
• Xbox Game Pass Is Getting New Features Including Pre-Release Demos And Games You Own Playable In The Cloud
• Xbox Is Bringing New Gaming Features To Windows 11 And Microsoft Edge

This includes: Soft Pink, Soft Orange, Soft Green, and Soft Purple. As well as new Camo Top cases with matching side caps –MineralCamo, Arctic Camo, Forest Camo, Sandglow Camo and Blaze Camo. You’re also able to customise your controller based on the recent Pride controller that was created.

We’ll have more on this soon.

AUSTRALIAN PRICING FOR XBOX DESIGN LAB

• Controller: A$99.95 / NZ$119.95
• Limited Edition faceplates: +A$12.95 / +NZ$13.95
• Grips: +A$7.95 / +NZ$8.95
• Metallic D-Pad/Triggers: +A$5.95 / +NZ$6.95
• Engraving: +A$12.95 / +NZ$13.95

The post Xbox Design Lab Has Finally Launched In Australia So Get Designing Some Controllers appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced that it is bringing some new features to Xbox Game Pass. The first is a new initiative called Project Moorcroft. This will help developers bring curated demos of upcoming games to Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

This is set to start in the next year and will focus heavily around indie developers who will be able to build excitement for their games whilst getting feedback and obviously providing gamers with the change to test out their games. Xbox has also confirmed that it will compensate developers who participate in the program.

In addition to this, Xbox has also confirmed that this year, it will roll out the ability for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to be able to play select games that they own (outside of Xbox Game Pass library) in the Cloud.

Whilst this is still light on details, I believe that Xbox means that games that aren’t on Xbox Game Pass (for instance Call of Duty as an example) might be possible to play in the Cloud despite the fact that it isn’t on Xbox Game Pass.

MORE XBOX NEWS:

• Xbox Design Lab Has Finally Launched In Australia So Get Designing Some Controllers
• Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Is Coming To Samsung TVs With No Console Required
• Xbox Game Pass Is Getting New Features Including Pre-Release Demos And Games You Own Playable In The Cloud
• Xbox Is Bringing New Gaming Features To Windows 11 And Microsoft Edge

The post Xbox Game Pass Is Getting New Features Including Pre-Release Demos And Games You Own Playable In The Cloud appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has today revealed that a host of new gaming features and improvements are coming to both Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge. This includes the likes of optimisations for windowed games, a new HDR calibration app and the controller bar on Windows 11.

On the Microsoft Edge side, it includes a new gaming home page that features news, live streams and the Xbox Cloud Gaming library, as well as a new built-in clarity booster that makes gameplay from the cloud look sharper and clearer when playing within Edge.

WINDOWS 11 IMPROVEMENTS

• Optimizations for windowed games are currently being tested in the Windows Insider program. These are designed to significantly improve latency and unlock other exciting gaming features, including Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
• Optimizations for windowed games are currently being tested in the Windows Insider program. These are designed to significantly improve latency and unlock other exciting gaming features, including Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
• The Game Pass Widget will allow players to browse and discover games from Game Pass and jump back into their recently played titles.
• Controller bar features a list of most recent games, and shortcuts to popular game launchers, including the Xbox app. Controller bar enables players to jump back into their games or even access Xbox Cloud Gaming without the need for a mouse and keyboard. This is also currently being tested in the Windows Insider program.

MICROSOFT EDGE IMPROVEMENTS

• A new personalized gaming home page featuring news, game guides, live streams, game highlights, tournaments, upcoming and newly released games, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming library, including easy access to recently played games and related content.
• Built-in Clarity Boost makes gameplay from the cloud look sharper and clearer when playing in the Microsoft Edge browser on Windows.
• The new Games menu in Microsoft Edge offers easy access to free, popular games like Microsoft Solitaire, Atari Asteroids, Microsoft Jewel, and Microsoft Edge’s exclusive Surf game, plus helps players discover new ones.
• Efficiency mode helps improve gaming performance on Windows 10 and 11 to keep them running fast and smooth by automatically reducing browser resource usage when a PC game is launched

MORE XBOX NEWS:

• Xbox Design Lab Has Finally Launched In Australia So Get Designing Some Controllers
• Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Is Coming To Samsung TVs With No Console Required
• Xbox Game Pass Is Getting New Features Including Pre-Release Demos And Games You Own Playable In The Cloud
• Xbox Is Bringing New Gaming Features To Windows 11 And Microsoft Edge

The post Xbox Is Bringing New Gaming Features To Windows 11 And Microsoft Edge appeared first on Press Start.

It’s been long rumoured that the classic Nintendo 64 game, GoldenEye 007 looks set to be released on Xbox’s platforms in the very near future. This started earlier this year when Xbox achieve tracking website such as TrueAchievements had Rare developers unlocking achievements for the unannounced game.

Now over the weekend, more developers have started unlocking achievements (some of which have changed) and Xbox’s own official website has started displaying the achievements which can both be seen HERE and below.

GoldenEye 007 achievements viewable on Xbox's website https://t.co/46FWj70BjZ pic.twitter.com/GZrlVjTM3J

— Wario64 (@Wario64) June 5, 2022

It’s pretty clear at this point that this game is returning in some form, but judging by the images, it looks to be a re-release of the original (with online multiplayer compatibility) rather than a remaster such as the one that was in development all those years ago and recently leaked in full. It’s also unclear if this will just come to Xbox consoles or also the Nintendo Switch. Given this was developed by Rare for the Nintendo Switch, it does seem likely it’ll also come to that platform.

Xbox’s big June showcase is a week away, taking place on next Monday at 3:00am AEST. It seems likely that this is the type of title that could stealth drop at this showcase event, but if not then, it seems like it’s a matter of time at this point.

Obviously we’ll let you know as soon as this happens.

All The Australian Times For June’s Big (Not E3) Gaming Showcases

The post GoldenEye 007 Achievements Have Appeared On Xbox’s Website Which Can Only Mean One Thing appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed this year’s Pride controller and it’ll actually be apart of the Xbox Design Lab, which still hasn’t hit Australia. The top case represents 34 community flags that have been interwoven to celebrate many of the LGBTQIA+ communities.

Starting on June 10th, gamers will be able to build their own controller, utilising the Pride top case, and combining it with many of the other elements of the Xbox Design Lab.

Some of Xbox’s biggest games are also celebrating Pride month. 343 Industries has added a brand new Pride emblem and name plate to Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 is adding a pride skin to the 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster.

Tell Me Why from Dontnod is also available to download on Xbox consoles, the Microsoft Store and Steam for the entire month of June as well.

The post Xbox Has Revealed This Year’s Pride Controller appeared first on Press Start.

Thanks to all who entered this competition. It was a big one and we wish we had more monitors to give away as it’s a great product. The winner is below:

• Thomas Binning

We’ve got some exciting competitions launching in the coming days including an LG C2 42? OLED TV and a SteelSeries Arctis Nova Wired headset.

We’ve got a pretty huge prize up for grabs right now. Thanks to MSI, we have the incredibly sexy MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD Xbox Edition 32″ HDMI 2.1  gaming monitor to give to one lucky winner.

Valued at AUD $1749, this monitor is a 32″ beast that features an IPS panel with 1ms response time, 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, KVM 3.0, HDMI 2.1 with VRR and G-Sync support and content creation-level colour accuracy packed into a Quantum Dot display with MSI’s gaming smarts on board. The Xbox Edition was designed alongside the Designed for Xbox team to give Xbox gamers the best possible console gaming experience on a monitor.

WIN: MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD Xbox Edition 32″ Gaming Monitor

CLICK HERE TO ENTER IF THE FORM DOESN’T LOAD. THIS COMPETITION WILL END ON MAY 7TH AT 11:59PM AEDT.

Check out more images of the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD Xbox Edition 32″ Gaming Monitor below, and head here to learn more or pick one up for yourself.

The post The Winner Of Our MSI Optix 32″ HDMI 2.1 MPG321UR-QD Xbox Edition Gaming Monitor Competition appeared first on Press Start.

Microsoft has revealed the details of its Xbox update for June, and although it doesn’t bring a whole lot with it, it will definitely please the achievement hunters out there.

Starting this month, users will be able to reveal the details of hidden achievements before unlocking them. While this obviously opens up the chance of accidentally seeing spoilers for games, it’s a much-requested feature that PlayStation players have had access to for years and will allow achievement seekers to better understand what they’re aiming for in a new game (should they want to know).

Have a few secret achievements been keeping you from 100%? Good news, now you can find out what they are with June's Xbox update.

Get all the info here: https://t.co/qwgBAYWkEK pic.twitter.com/ctRWLbypdQ

— Xbox (@Xbox) May 31, 2022

The steps to finding out what’s in a secret achievement are as follows:

From within a game, open the guide and go to Game activity > Achievements. When you see a secret achievement, you can now reveal details like the title, achievement description, and Gamerscore. And after you peek, you can go back and hide it or continue to display the details.

You’ll also be able to reveal achievements from the Xbox mobile apps and PC.

The post June’s Xbox Update Finally Lets You Reveal Secret Achievements appeared first on Press Start.

Ubisoft is dropping a patch for Assassin’s Creed Origins tomorrow that will enable a 60FPS frame rate for the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The company began teasing the update on Twitter before dropping the news today, though little else is known about the update itself and whether it will come with any other benefits like increased fidelity or simply update the frame rate. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey received a similar update last year which simply boosted the frame rate so we can assume this will be much the same.

You've been waiting, and now the winds of Egypt are calling….

Experience Assassin's Creed Origins in 60FPS – available for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles on June 2.#AssassinsCreed pic.twitter.com/SxxiyTROE0

— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) May 31, 2022

It’s timely too, as Assassin’s Creed Origins is making its way to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC on June 7th.

The post Assassin’s Creed Origins Is Getting A 60FPS Update On PS5 And Xbox Series X Tomorrow appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the first batch of Xbox Game Pass games for June and it includes the likes of Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection and Chorus. Take a look at the list of what’s coming in the first part of the month:

June’s Xbox Game Pass Games

For Honor: Marching Fire Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 1
Dive into Arcade Mode, an endless PvE experience playable solo or with friends. Defend or attack a castle in Breach, a strategic 4v4 PvP mode. You’ll have access to unique, customizable Heroes across four factions, including the Wu Lin faction, giving you even more choices in how to take to the battlefield!

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection (Console and PC) – June 2
Enjoy three games from the Ninja Gaiden series in this one title. All of the previously released game modes and DLC costumes for each title are included in this one set. In addition to Ryu Hayabusa, each of the other characters also have many different costumes to choose from, allowing you to enjoy action packed battles in whichever outfit you prefer.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (Cloud, Console and PC) – June 7
Set in mysterious Ancient Egypt, Assassin’s Creed Origins is a new beginning. Explore the Great Pyramids, sail down the Nile, and unveil dark secrets as you discover the founding of the Assassin’s Brotherhood.

Chorus (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 7
Take control of Nara on a quest to destroy the dark cult that created her. Unlock devastating weapons & mind-bending abilities in this evolution of the space-combat shooter. Along with Forsaken, her sentient starfighter, explore ancient temples, engage in zero-g combat and venture beyond waking reality.

Disc Room (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 7
The year is 2089 and a giant disc has appeared in orbit of Jupiter. Step into the oversized space suit of a brave scientist and explore this sprawling intergalactic slaughterhouse. Don’t be afraid to die a little, your next run is just a button press away.

Spacelines from the Far Out (Console and PC) ID@Xbox – June 7
Spacelines from the Far Out is a ‘roguelike-like’ co-op management game about airlines in space, featuring unlockable spaceships, upgrades, characters and customizations, randomly-generated challenges, trips and itineraries, with a generous serving of 60s space-age flair and jazz!

Games Leaving June 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. As always, this is your time to show them some love before they go! Remember, this doesn’t have to be goodbye as you can save up to 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library!

• Darkest Dungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Greedfall (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Limbo (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Worms Rumble (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post June’s Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

After selling out pretty quickly last time, EB Games has announced that final allocation of the Xbox Series X mini fridges will go online tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11:00am AEST. It’s unclear if this is the final allocation of pre-orders or the final allocation that will ever hit the retailer.

The mini fridge will set you back $219.95 with a $50 deposit. You’ll be able to pre-order one HERE at 11:00am on Tuesday morning ahead of its release on September 27th. 

LIMITED RELEASE ? The FINAL UNITS of the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge replica will be available to preorder online at 11AM AEST tomorrow, 31 May! ??

Coming 27 September: https://t.co/AUBT3EIGJf pic.twitter.com/2Usv4kkEj6

— EB Games Australia (@EBGamesAus) May 30, 2022

The full specs of the Xbox Series X mini fridge are below:

FEATURES:

• Plugs into either standard AC wall outlet or DC 12V automobile jack (cables included)
• 10L capacity thermoelectric cooler for home or vehicle use
• Thermoelectric Technology – Reliable and efficient for cooling with no CFCs
• Holds up to 12 soda cans + 2 snack shelves inside the door
• Two removable interior shelves and two removable door shelves for snacks
• Top of fridge and Xbox logo light up with individual on/off switches
• Cools items up to 36°F (20°C) below ambient temperature
• LED light-up Xbox logo with on/off switch
• Top of the fridge lights up with on/off switch
• 2.1A USB Port on the front of the fridge which allows you to charge devices

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Size:
  • Exterior: 46.2cm x 23.2cm x 23.2cm
  • Interior: 33.7cm x 17.4cm x 17.5cm
• Scale: 1.5:1
• 5V 2.1A USB port on front door for charging
• Power Options:
  • AC Voltage
  • DC Voltage so you can take the Mini Fridge on the road with you

The post The Xbox Series X Mini Fridge Will Be Available At EB Games For One Last Time Tomorrow appeared first on Press Start.

SteelSeries has today announced two brand new pro headsets. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a wireless gaming headset with a DAC that works with both Xbox Series X|S, PS5/PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch and also has Bluetooth connectivity for your phone. It also has Active Noise Cancelling to block out external noise whilst gaming and it has two batteries so that one can always be charging in your DAC. Each battery also lasts 22 hours, so you’ll literally never run out. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless will set you back $650 when it launches in Australia, but you can grab it for $513 when you purchase from the official SteelSeries headset using code DUKE. 

SteelSeries also announced the Arctis Nova Pro which is a wired version of the same headset without Active Noise Cancelling and obviously it doesn’t have two batteries/Bluetooth, but it does have the same great audio quality and can also be used with all consoles as well as PC. The Arctis Nova Pro will set you back $499 when it launches in Australia, but it’s currently available from the SteelSeries website for $389 when using code DUKE.

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – $513 using code DUKE
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro – $389 using code DUKE 

You can find our review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless HERE.

It’s worth mentioning that there’s two versions of each, an Xbox specific version and a standard version. If you’ve got both a PS5/PS4 as well as an Xbox Series X, you’ll want the Xbox branded version as only this model can be used with both the Xbox and PlayStation at once, whilst the standard one can be connected to the PS5/PS4/Switch/PC, but not an Xbox. It’s very hard to find a headset that works with literally any and every console in your cabinet, let alone one that lets you connect two at once and easily go between the two, but this does it and does it well.

STEELSERIES ARCTIS NOVA PRO WIRELESS FEATURES:

• Reach almighty audio levels with the Nova Pro Acoustic System and Premium High Fidelity Drivers with immersive 360° Spatial Audio*, enhanced with Sonar Software *Fully compatible with Microsoft Spatial Sound / Tempest 3D audio for PS5
• Active noise cancellation fully immerses you in the gaming world by removing outside distractions with Transparency Mode as an optional toggle
• Hot-swap between two batteries to keep playing as long as desired, never running out of power
• Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth allow mixing game and mobile audio for phone calls and multimedia playback at the same time
• AI-powered ClearCast Gen 2 noise cancelling microphone silences background noise and keyboard sounds for pristine audio communication and a fully retractable design
• Height-adjustable rotating earcups, flexible suspension band and pivoting hangers ensure a comfy wear over long hours of use

The post The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset Has Noise Cancelling, Two Batteries And Works With Both PS5/Xbox Series X appeared first on Press Start.

Finding a headset with absolutely every feature that you need feels like a near impossible task these days, with certain products having some features, but sacrificing on audio quality or battery life or visa versa. The brand new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset has pretty much every feature you can think of, and some that you won’t have known that you needed until now.

THE CHEAPEST PRICE: $513 FOR PRO WIRELESS (USE CODE DUKE) / $389 FOR PRO (USE CODE DUKE)

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless comes in a wireless and a wired variant, and then there’s two versions of each: an Xbox specific version and a standard version. If you’ve got both a PS5/PS4 as well as an Xbox Series X, you’ll want the Xbox branded version as only this model can be used with both the Xbox and PlayStation at once, whilst the standard one can be connected to the PS5/PS4/Switch/PC, but not an Xbox. It’s very hard to find a headset that works with literally any and every console in your cabinet, let alone one that lets you connect two at once and easily go between the two, but this does it and does it well.

Firstly, I want to talk about the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless which is the most feature rich gaming headset that I’ve used, and in particular, if you’ve got an Xbox Series X and a PS5, the ability to connect the two and switch on the fly via the included DAC is a gamechanger. It’s worth noticing that there’s two USB-C ports, once that specifically allows you to connect an Xbox console and the other which allows connection of a PS5/PS4/Switch/PC. If you don’t own an Xbox, but want to connect at least two of the other platforms mentioned, you should stick with the non-Xbox version as that allows you to connect any two at once (but no Xbox). There’s also line in for connecting the headset to improve audio quality again, and line out to connect an external set of speakers to, so that you can control them with a DAC.

The DAC also acts as a battery charger for your backup battery. If you’ve had a SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, you’d be familiar with SteelSeries’ infinite battery system. Unlike other headsets, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless includes two physical batteries, so that you can always be charging a backup battery in the DAC for endless battery life. Each battery lasts roughly 22 hours, and the headset battery can also be charged in the headset with a USB-C port cleverly hidden under the other ear plate.

The other huge new addition to this headset, which hasn’t been in any other gaming headset that I’ve used is Active Noise Cancelling. If you’ve used a high-end Bose or Sony headset, you would know that ANC is a huge positive for these headsets, and thankfully, you get the whole shebang on this headset. You can go between noise cancelling on, off and even transparency which lets you let in sound from the outside world, that is amplified using the microphones in the headsets. The noise cancelling is strengthened by four microphones on and around the headset that allow the outside noises to be cancelled out.

In terms of how much it blocks out, it’s probably ever so slightly behind the Bose QuietComfort, but it was more than good enough with music playing or gunshots blaring from your preferred console. I was able to be in the office with 10-12 people around as well as music blaring through the office speakers and completely drown this out with my own music. Similarly, I have two sausage dogs whose bark often interrupt my sessions, but the ANC did a great job of removing the bass from their bark, so it was barely an issue. Another very minor gripe is that I wish that switching between each of the modes were a little bit clearer, but once you get used to the audio cues, you’re good to go, and obviously the DAC shows you what you have turned off and on and you’re able to make adjustments easily enough if you’ve got that near you too.

I’ll be honest in saying that I’m not the biggest audiophile, but as far as audio quality goes, I can’t recall another gaming headset that has provided such good bass and clarity when it comes to listening to music and gaming audio. Paired with ANC and the SteelSeries GG software that we’ll talk about a bit later, it’s an experience that’s hard to fault, and one that I imagine anyone will be happy with.

Another feature that has been more common on recent SteelSeries headsets is Bluetooth, and that’s here too. Being able to play your PS5 or Xbox Series X, with your mobile connected, so that you can take calls, or watch a quick TikTok whilst waiting for your party to join is a genuine gamechanger and a feature that I could never live without.

The design of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless takes things beyond what we’ve seen in a SteelSeries headset before as well. As with previous models, you’re able to adjust the tension on the band between three different sizes (this is done by holes rather than velcro now) and the actual earcups are finally height adjustable now, with you having free range of the height of both sides of your headset.

The design of most gaming headsets mean that you’d know want to wear them on a work Zoom call let alone out of the house, but SteelSeries have known that if someone is spending $600 and above on a headset, then you’ll want to use it in all aspects of life, especially due to the fact that you have noise cancelling and such. This is why they’ve made the decision to make this headset all black, and even the Xbox version forgoes the inclusion of any green elements, opting to go for a sleek black. Whilst it’s still a bit bulkier than other non-gaming headsets, it’s still probably the nicest premium gaming headset that I can think of. The boom microphone also retracts perfectly back into the headset, giving the illusion that this is a lifestyle headset first, and a gaming headset second, from the design point of view.

As far as connectivity goes, this headset really shines when connected to an Xbox Series X/S or PC. Don’t get me wrong, they work fine when connected to a PS5, but PlayStation has still restricted any headset other than its own from using a chatmix dial, where connecting on Xbox brings it straight up on the DAC and allows you to adjust the chatmix by pressing in the volume dial.

PC is where this headset really goes to another level, particularly when they’re wired, which makes the audio quality even better. A new piece of software called Sonar which is built into SteelSeries GG really takes the audio game to the next level. Not only do you get 360 degree spatial audio (similar to that of PS5 3D audio), but there’s also a number of EQ presets for a number of AAA games that really change the way that you hear things, with more seemingly on the way. Using GG, you’re also able to enable AI Noise cancelling which takes away the background noise of keyboard clocks and such.

All-in-all, outside of a few very minor picky issues with this headset, I can’t think of another headset that does anywhere near as much as it does, and extremely well at that. The fact that it is compatible with PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, PC, has two batteries that both give you 22 hours of game time, has Active Noise Cancelling that almost rivals the best, Bluetooth compatibility as well as really good sound to boot makes it extremely compelling. The only barrier of entry is the $650 price point for the wireless version (or $513 using code DUKE here), but I feel really, really confident in saying that this will be the last headset that you will need for some time.

THE ARCTIS NOVA PRO (WIRED VERSION)

I also got to spend some time with the Arctis Nova Pro Xbox Edition which is the wired version of this headset. It has the exact same drivers, meaning it has fantastic sound, and also has a smaller DAC with many of the same features. Because it’s wired, obviously there’s no batteries or Bluetooth and there’s also no Active Noise Cancelling, so if you’re a PC user, or have a PS5/Xbox Series X at your desk, I’d recommend it, but honestly for the extra $100-200, I’d recommend just optiong for the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if the budget allows ($389 for Arctis Nova Pro using code DUKE).

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are available now from SteelSeries.com. You can expect to pay$513 for Pro Wireless (USE CODE DUKE) and $389 for the Pro (USE CODE DUKE). They will launch in Australia in mid-July for $499.95 and $649.95 respectively.

The post SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review – The Most Feature Packed Headset On The Market appeared first on Press Start.

To celebrate the 7th anniversary of the original release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red has given us… a small update on the release date of its new-gen update for PS5/Xbox Series X.

The oft-delayed release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, which was most recently rehomed at CDPR’s own in-house studio after originally being worked on by Saber Interactive, has now been given a “Q4 2022” release window.

“Let’s make this 7th anniversary even better, shall we? We’re delighted to share that the Next Gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is planned to release in Q4 2022. See you on the Path, witchers!”

Let's make this 7th anniversary even better, shall we?

We're delighted to share that the Next Gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is planned to release in Q4 2022.

See you on the Path, witchers! pic.twitter.com/2wQbxMP4zh

— The Witcher (@witchergame) May 19, 2022

Of course, this still does leave room for further delays but hopefully the commitment from CDPR means that it’s confident in its ability to finally get the updated version of the game out there.

The post The Witcher 3’s PS5/Xbox Series X Version Is Coming Later This Year appeared first on Press Start.

Following a chunky livestream showcase featuring a ton of behind-the-scenes detail on the art and technological upgrades of the upcoming Dead Space remake, developer EA Motive has finally revealed a release date for the game.

Dead Space will officially be coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on January 27, 2023.

If you ask us, it’s sooner than we expected given that the world has still seen very little of the game itself. Even with yesterday’s livestream the studio is playing its cards close to its chest in terms of showing off any actual gameplay sequences involving final production code and assets – but hopefully we’re able to see more soon.

? January 27, 2023 ?#DeadSpace pic.twitter.com/gjbCTQ7FY3

— Dead Space (@deadspace) May 12, 2022

You can watch the full developer livestream below to see how the remake is shaping up visually, though it’s noted that most of what’s on show isn’t running with final assets it’s great to see the stark differences but also the way that EA Motive is carefully updating the source material while preserving the atmosphere:

The post The Dead Space Remake Has Been Given A Release Date appeared first on Press Start.

Bethesda has announced that both Redfall and Starfield have both been delayed and will now release in the first half of 2023. Redfall was supposed to launch in the middle of this year whilst Starfield was supposed to release in November.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Bethesda said that both Arkane Austin and Bethesda Game Studios said that both studios have “incredible ambitions for their games, and we want to ensure that you receive the best, most polished versions of them”.

Xbox & Bethesda’s showcase is happening on June 13th where we’ll no doubt hear more about both of these games.

An update on Redfall and Starfield. pic.twitter.com/pqDtx26Uu6

— Bethesda (@bethesda) May 12, 2022

THE FULL STATEMENT FROM BETHESDA:

“We’ve made the decision to delay the launches of Redfall and Starfield to the first half of 2023.

The teams at Arkane Austin (Redfall) and Bethesda Game Studios (Starfield) have incredible ambitions for their games and want to ensure that you receive the best, most polished versions of them.

We want to thank everyone for their excitement for Redfall and Starfield. That energy is a huge part of what inspires all of us every day and drives our own excitement for what we are creating.

We can’t wait to share our first deep dive into the gameplay for both Redfall and Starfield soon.

Thank you for your support.”

The post Starfield And Redfall Have Both Been Delayed Until Next Year appeared first on Press Start.

Following a massive server outage over the weekend that completely took out the Xbox Live network and prevented users from playing online or even launching their Xbox games, Microsoft has issued a statement that it’s taking steps towards a full fix to the ongoing issue.

While things are back to normal for most of us, the flow-on effect of the outage is still having an effect on some players who have since been unable to boot up even offline games thanks to a heavy-handed approach to digital DRM.

The Xbox Support Twitter account posted in the early hours of this morning that users can expect “full mitigation” of the issues in the coming days with a new update. Exactly what said update will do to ensure this is resolved is still a mystery, but obviously the best case scenario would be something that improves offline playability on Xbox consoles.

We’ve seen significant improvement to the issue that has prevented some users from purchasing and launching games. We expect full mitigation in the coming days with the roll out of a new update.

— Xbox Support (@XboxSupport) May 9, 2022

While it makes some degree of sense (though still frustrating) that Game Pass titles and online-only games were rendered unplayable during and after the outage, the fact that something like this has managed to render Xbox consoles the world over essentially useless is worrying, so hopefully this messaging indicates that Microsoft is working not just on a fix for their servers but also a better DRM experience for end users.

The post Xbox Is Still Working On A Proper Fix For Users That Can’t Launch Games Following Server Issues appeared first on Press Start.

According to a report from Kotaku, a fourth instalment in the Mafia franchise has entered development at Mafia III/Mafia: Definitive Edition developer Hangar 13.

The story, which also reveals that Hangar 13’s studio head Haden Blackman is leaving the studio, claims that the new title is expected to be a prequel to the existing Mafia trilogy and will be developed using Unreal Engine 5. The project is supposedly codenamed “Nero” and is still in the early stages of development.

Kotaku claims the new title is being produced at Hangar 13’s Brighton, UK office which is also home to the studio’s new lead, Nick Baynes.

You can read the full story here.

The post A New Mafia Game Is Apparently Being Developed At Hangar 13 appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has revealed the first batch of Xbox Game Pass games for may and it includes the likes of NBA 2K22, Loot River, Trek To Yomi and more. Notably, there’s a number of big games leaving as well including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition and Final Fantasy X/X-S HD Remaster.

MAY’S XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

• NBA 2K22 (Cloud/Console) – Today
• Loot River (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Trek to Yomi (Cloud/Console/PC) – May 5th
• Citizen Sleeper (Cloud/Console/PC) – May 4th
• Danganronpa 2:Goodbye Despair Anniversary Edition (Cloud/Console/PC) – May 10th
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (Cloud/Console/PC) – May 10th
• This war of Mine: Final Cut (Cloud/Console/PC) – May 10th
• NHL 22 (Console) – May 12th

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass On May 10

• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition (Cloud and Console)

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass On May 15

• Enter The Gungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (Console and PC)
• Remnant: From the Ashes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Steep (Cloud and Console)
• The Catch: Carp and Coarse (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• The Wild at Heart (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post May’s Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Revealed appeared first on Press Start.

Respawn Entertainment’s previously confirmed sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order is reportedly targeting a launch next year and is expected to leave behind the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One player base to release exclusively for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

According to Jeff Grubb of Venture Beat on his latest episode of Grubbsnax, EA and Respawn had initially hoped to launch Jedi: Fallen Order 2 this year, but those plans shifted resulting in the game “not coming out until 2023”.

Grubb also believes we might get our first official look at the Jedi sequel, which is said to be dropping the Fallen Order title for the second iteration, at Star Wars Celebration which is taking place in Anaheim at the end of May.

The post Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 Is Apparently Releasing Next Year On PS5 And Xbox Series X appeared first on Press Start.

You thought the Sonic Xbox Series X controller was bad? Well that was a delight compared to this.

A Twitter user has created a working Furby controller, and if the furriness of the controller wasn’t enough to set you off, then the eyeballs that have been pulled straight from a Furby or the mouth that is being used for the D-Pad definitely will.

Obviously, whilst this is totally useable controller (as can be seen in the video below), I doubt we’ll ever see this come to the masses, although we probably wouldn’t have predicted that a furry Sonic controller would ever been officially produced either.

Wiggle wiggle pic.twitter.com/5ENh0y9UPD

— Chad Etzel (@jazzychad) April 21, 2022

The post This Furby Xbox Series X Controller Is Absolutely Disturbing appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has just soft-launched a new feature in the official Xbox app that allows users to post their game clips, screenshots and achievements as ‘Stories’, similar to other social media apps like Instagram. Previously, developers and publishers could post stories in the app but until now it hasn’t been a feature for players.

The feature is rolling out to Australian users first as a test before a global rollout, and should be live right now for Android and iOS users:

We are currently testing this in Australia, but will soon launch in all Xbox regions. ?

— Xbox ANZ (@XboxANZ) April 21, 2022

Here’s what the updated app should look like when you launch it, and a quick story I posted just to test it out:

The post The Xbox App Just Got A Stories Feature For Users And Aussie Gamers Are First To Get Access appeared first on Press Start.

Target currently has the Xbox Series X in stock. You’ll need to buy it in a bundle for $830 which includes an extra controller. Given Xbox controllers are in short supply at the moment this isn’t a bad deal. You can grab it HERE.

• Xbox Series X + extra controller (Target) – $830

WIN: Custom ESO High Isle Xbox Series S Console + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Headset + ESO: High Isle CE

The post Xbox Series X Console Bundles Are In Stock At Target appeared first on Press Start.

Industry insider and frequent leaker Jeff Grubb is at it again, this time speaking on his Grubbsnax show on Giantbomb about the next iteration in the long-running Need for Speed franchise.

While the show itself is paywalled, VGC has kindly transcribed the important bit, where Grubb claims that the new Need for Speed game will be launching this November and for the new generation of consoles only. No word on what that means for PC players, but it dashes any hope for owners of a PS4 or Xbox One:

“Need for Speed is still coming this year… that’s true, that game should be coming in November,” Grubb said. “If you are a Need for Speed fan who has bought a next-gen console, here’s some news; it’s next-gen only. They are shifting to next-gen only.”

Grubb also apparently suggests that the game will take place in Miami.

The most recent Need for Speed game was a remaster of Hot Pursuit in 2020, which we reviewed and scored a 6.5/10.

The post The Next Need For Speed Will Apparently Launch This Year On New Generation Consoles Only appeared first on Press Start.

As the marketing engine fires up for Bethesda’s upcoming sci-fi role-playing game Starfield, we’re getting dribs and drabs about what the game will end up being.

It has been described as ‘Skyrim in space’ and it seems at least one part of that experience is set to carry over into this new IP. Companions appear to be back, and VASCO, introduced in the game’s most recent vidoc, appears to be a favourite among the team.

VASCO, which already appeared in last year’s first teaser for Starfield, is a utilitarian robot built by Constellation to meet the needs of the mission. He’s industrial and is well-suited to the rigours of space travel.

“It’s always fascinating to see who the breakout characters are, who players start to gravitate toward,” said lead artist Istvan Pely. “Even early in the process, before we had the full suite of characters, people in the studio started gravitating toward a robot.”

VASCO isn’t just fit for traversing rough terrain and carrying payloads, his bipedal chassis is fitted with defensive capabilities should the need arise. If he’s got a cheeky wit like some of video games’ other beloved robot characters, like Portal’s Wheatley or Infinite Warfare’s Ethan, then it’s easy to see how he’ll be a fan favourite.

Starfield is set to release on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass on November 11.

The post Starfield’s Robot Companion VASCO Is Going To Be The Friend We Need appeared first on Press Start.

After spending its life as a PlayStation console exclusive to this point, Godfall Ultimate Edition will be making its way to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 7.

The base game received lukewarm reviews, though the game did welcome a larger expansion called Fire & Darkness, which included the addition of endgame content, last year.

Godfall, having already featured on PlayStation Plus as a free title, seems like the perfect Xbox Game Pass title but there’s currently no confirmation as to whether the game will make its way to the service after launch on Xbox consoles.

The post Godfall Ultimate Edition Is Coming To Xbox Consoles Next Month appeared first on Press Start.

In addition to the big bunch of games that have already hit Xbox Game Pass this month, March’s next Xbox Game Pass games appear to have leaked via Dealabs.

The games include the likes of F1 2021, Weird West, Shredders and more. The full list can be found below and we’ll update this post with dates once we have official confirmation.

MARCH XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

• Shredders (Cloud/PC/Xbox) – March 17th
• The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos (Cloud/Console/PC) – March 17th
• Tainted Grail: Conquest (Xbox) – March 22nd
• Zero Escape: The Nonary Games (Console/Cloud/PC) – March 22nd
• Norco (PC) – March 24th
• FA 2021 (Xbox) – March 24th
• Crusader Kings III (Xbox) – March 29th
• Weird West (Console/Cloud/PC)  – March 31st

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS

Leaving March 31

• Madden NFL 20 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play
• Narita Boy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Shadow Warrior 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Leaving April 11

• Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Shadowkeep, and Forsaken (PC)

The post March’s Next Xbox Game Pass Games Have Been Confirmed appeared first on Press Start.

If you’re still in the market for an Xbox Series X, you’re in luck because the Microsoft Store has some. You can find it HERE.

• Xbox Series X – $749.95

If you’re after an Xbox Series S, Amazon has them for $449 ($50 off). You can grab that HERE.

• Xbox Series S- $449

The Microsoft Store has been pretty quick in shipping out consoles, so they should be with you fairly quickly if you order.

WE LOVE BRINGING YOU THE BEST GAMING AND TECH BARGAINS. WE MAY GET A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE THROUGH AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS

The post The Xbox Series X Is In Stock At The Microsoft Store appeared first on Press Start.

Xbox has announced the first batch of Xbox Game Pass games for March and they’ve kicked things off with a bang with the announcement that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (one of the best games of last year) will be coming to the service on March 10th.

MARCH’S XBOX GAME PASS GAMES

• Far: Changing Tides (Cloud/Console/PC) – Today
• Microsoft Flight Simulator (Cloud) – Today
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Console/PC) – March 3rd
• Kentucky Route Zero (Cloud/Console/PC) – March 10th
• Lawn Mowing Simulator (Xbox One) – March 10th
• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (Cloud/Console/PC) – March 10th
• Young Souls (Cloud/Console/PC) – March 10th

GAMES LEAVING XBOX GAME PASS ON MARCH 15TH

• Nier: Automata (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Phogs! (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Torchlight III (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• The Surge 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

It’s also been announced that the Xbox app on PC is getting updated today with the below features:

• You now have the option to choose what folder your games get installed to
• Access to files for select games you’ve installed, as well as options to repair and move your games
• Ability to mod more games

The post March’s Xbox Game Pass Games Includes Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy And A Bunch Of Other Games appeared first on Press Start.

CD Projekt Red announced that they were hosting a stream at 2am AEDT tomorrow morning, without really revealing too much about what would be featured, but it looks like we now know.

It looks like the stream will reveal the PS5/Xbox Series X versions of Cyberpunk 2077 and it also looks like both versions will drop soon after the stream ends.

The Verge Editor Tom Warren spotted that the game was already optimised for Xbox Series X with CDProjektRed quickly responding on Twtiter leading us to believe that the update will be dropping imminently. We knew that they wouldn’t be far away given Cyberpunk said Q1, but we were probably expecting them a little later in the month or in March.

pic.twitter.com/pcwyxBQzFh

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) February 14, 2022

Cyberpunk 2077’s PS5/Xbox Series X will be free for those that purchased the PS4/Xbox One versions. If you’re after a copy before prices no doubt skyrocket, Amazon currently has the PS4 version for $29 and the Xbox One version for $39. 

The post Cyberpunk 2077’s PS5/Xbox Series X Update Looks To Be Releasing Tomorrow appeared first on Press Start.

When it comes to the more premium TV experiences, at least in Australia, TCL took longer than most to make the jump from wallet-friendly entry level products to the sorts of screens that could comfortably sit alongside the big players in the 4K and 8K space. You may know them better as Samsung and LG. This is worth stating up front because the TCL 65″ X925 Mini Led 8K Google TV aims pretty high in both the feature department and that of wanting to blow you away with its picture quality and out-of-the-box sound.

And when you’re talking about the sort of TV that will stream the latest content in 4K and be the recipient of a super-fast HDMI 2.1 cable connected to either a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series console, or even modern PC, seeing words like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in the same sentence carries a fair bit of weight. And in terms of 4K entertainment, the TCL X925 excels. Thanks in part to the decent colour accuracy across its main picture modes, support for things like Dolby Vision (the TV will automatically switch whenever it detects a Dolby Vision source), and impressive black-levels thanks to the Mini LED tech lighting it all. Which also leads to some truly bright and impressive HDR.

There’s even some IMAX branding in here.

Okay, so the HDR is good. That’s nice but one of the first things people actually ask about whenever they’re looking at a high-end TV for all of their next-gen entertainment is related to black levels. The LG OLED range has pretty much changed the game in this very specific way. The black level question is kind of weird too. How good does this TV look when there’s no image on the screen? A sentiment born from the fact that LCD and LED backlight technology has traditionally sucked. It was all about Plasma back in the olden times, before OLED showed up. Grey, washed out, colour bleeding. That was LCD-based tech. Not quite up to the refined standards of a TV connoisseur.

As with QLED the answer for TCL is to ramp up the lighting zones and do so with Mini LED technology so the black levels remain untouched. What we’ve got here is a big step up from where we were even a couple of years ago, and it’s immediately noticeable. The black levels  on this TCL TV, especially when watching a movie or series or playing cinematic games, are superb. Our compliments to the chef. Not quite OLED, but then again what is.

So far, so good. And when you factor in TCL’s affordable-for-a-high-end price-point for the X925, you might be thinking that this is case-closed. Don’t bother spending thousands for only a little bit more, you’re sorted. And sometimes, spend more for a display that doesn’t support native 8K content. Which this TCL TV does, it’s in the name.

Okay so where it falters, just to get this side of the TCL 65″ X925 Mini Led 8K Google TV review out of the way, is in its upscaling capabilities, comparatively poor viewing angles, and overall out of whack uniformity when it comes to white-balance and even some colour saturation. At least on the unit reviewed here. 

That last bit there basically means that some parts of the screen are brighter than others. Not all that noticeable but here. Still though, if you’re of the sort that’s looking for a display purely for 4K gaming and streaming high-def content, where you’re sitting directly in-front of the screen, then these downsides won’t affect you. Until someone comes round, decides to watch some free-to-air “HD” programming, and you’re taken aback at just how, well, not great it all looks. Or, you know, you like to game on a docked Nintendo Switch.

One great feature is that the TCL X925 comes equipped with an Onkyo soundbar and subwoofer on the back as part of the build. The results are on par with decent off-the-shelf soundbars, which is great, though it does mean the TV is heavy. Like, real heavy. Interestingly, TCL also sent me a TCL Ray-Danz TS9030 3.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar with wireless subwoofer to check out and the difference was noticeable. So yeah, you get great out-of-the-box sound thanks to the Onkyo magic but there’s a definite step up if you opt for a more premium audio experience.

The key thing for a display like this though is how it handles all of the HDMI 2.1 content you can throw at it. In taking the time to lug a GeForce RTX 3090 equipped PC rig over to check out some native 8K gaming on a fairly sizable screen, the results were incredible for the most part. And in the age of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series consoles, this TV is ready to do its part. VRR support is here (48Hz and up) in addition to HDR10, Dolby Vision HDR, and full 4K 120Hz for the handful of titles that can actually run at that level of performance. But hey, it’s future proofing in a way because even though the 8K portion of the TCL X925 story is a chapter that you’ll most likely skip on the account of 8K not really being a thing yet – 4K 60 and even 4K 120 is becoming the norm.

Well, for those with the latest consoles and PC graphics.

For this review the first game I fired up was Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart on PlayStation 5 followed by Spider-Man Miles Morales and then Returnal. A trio of 4K titles perfect for checking out colour accuracy, brightness, fast motion, and the more cinematic aspects of a display. It’s here where the 4K chops of the TCL X925 shine bright, the HDR impresses, and the overall experience is that of gaming on a high-end TV. Even though colours aren’t perfect (something that had me tweaking settings for quite some time) there’s a clarity that never fades when dealing with a 4K source.

Elsewhere, the competitive side of the TCL X925 is good, but not amazing. The response times and latency unfortunately isn’t on par with more competitive offerings. It’s still serviceable and more than enough for most to not even notice but this is a side of the display I can see TCL improving as newer models arrive on the scene. 

This might read like an abrupt conclusion but let’s talk about the UI, setup, and installation process, which was all smooth thanks to TCL opting for the Google TV approach. With a Google account setup is a breeze, especially if you’re plugged into the Goolge-sphere as it can be handled from a smartphone. Or easy-to-read on-screen prompts. When it comes to the UI and operating system side, the TCL X925 is great. This might be personal preference (thanks in part to using an NVIDIA Shield for years now), but the Google TV interface is clean, slick, fast, and great for all apps. Compared to the competition, or non-Google TVs, to me it’s enough of a selling point to warrant an investment. 

The post TCL 65″ X925 Mini LED 8K Google TV Review – TCL’s Best Panel to Date appeared first on Press Start.