Tag: Unreal Engine 5

February 6, 2025
Avowed Game Director Confirms 60 FPS for Xbox Series X
Obsidian Entertainment’s forthcoming game, Avowed, takes the finest aspects from both action and open-world RPGs. Positioned in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, the title employs Unreal Engine 5, which has faced various performance challenges. This raises concerns for both PC and Xbox players regarding how well the intricate environments of Avowed will perform. In a recent interview with MinnMax, Carrie Patel, the game’s director, shared encouraging news for console users. With the release date set for February 18th, Patel confirmed that the Xbox Series X version will have a 60 fps mode.
Insights from the Interview
The MinnMax interview with Patel is a must-watch, featuring an impressive 175 questions that were addressed. Since most of the details about Avowed were already public knowledge, Reddit users quickly honed in on the issue of performance. This interview supports prior speculation from someone who had the chance to play the game on Microsoft’s consoles. While players on the Xbox Series S were limited to frames rates of 30 or 40 fps, those on the Series X can choose between 30, 40, or 60 fps. It’s likely that some graphical quality could be compromised to achieve the higher frame rates.
Surprising Developments
The announcement of a 60 fps performance mode comes as a surprise, especially since Obsidian had indicated otherwise back in August 2024. The studio had mentioned their focus on lighting and detail rather than emphasizing faster-paced gameplay for Avowed. However, they appeared open to making adjustments to performance prior to the game’s launch.
Avowed faced a delay in August, which Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer attributed to a crowded Game Pass schedule. Still, this additional time for development might lead to improved performance for the RPG title from Obsidian.
System Requirements for PC
The system requirements for Avowed on PC aren’t overly demanding. To enjoy a solid experience, players should have at least a Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 1070. For the recommended setup, an RX 6800 XT or RTX 3080 is required. However, some testers have already noted that the RPG is putting a strain on their systems.
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Tags: Avowed, Unreal Engine 5, Xbox Series X
January 24, 2025
Ninja Game Shadowdrop Joins Xbox Game Pass for $50 Value
Ninja Gaiden 2 is the follow-up to Team Ninja’s renowned series, first released in 2008 for the Xbox 360. This action-adventure title narrates the tale of Ryu Hayabusa, a talented ninja who carries the famous Dragon Sword. He fights against supernatural enemies to uphold the honor of his clan.
Gameplay Features
The game is known for its rapid combos and sleek fighting style, often compared to titles like Devil May Cry. Its challenging nature and tactical elements bring to mind Dark Souls. Players who enjoy fast-paced combat and demanding gameplay will definitely find a lot to appreciate here. Ninja Gaiden 2 has received positive feedback on Metacritic, with a Metascore of 81 and a User Score of 8.1.
Exciting Updates
On January 23, during the Xbox Developer Direct Showcase, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was surprise dropped. This enhanced edition of the classic action game features modern graphics via Unreal Engine 5, along with a range of gameplay improvements. New additions include a beginner-friendly Hero Play Style and customizable gore settings, which let players adjust the violence to their preference. Furthermore, a refreshed control scheme aims to deliver more accurate combos and a livelier combat experience. Players can also try out three new characters: Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is now available on Xbox Game Pass. If you don’t have a subscription, the game can be bought on Steam for around $50. Current reviews on Steam are mixed, with about 77% of the feedback being positive from roughly 330 users. Many players have pointed out some technical glitches and gameplay adjustments that haven’t appealed to everyone. Nonetheless, the game has climbed to the number one spot in Steam’s “New and Trending” section.
Looking Ahead
In addition, Ninja Gaiden 4 has been officially confirmed for release in 2025. Fans can already put the eagerly awaited sequel on their wish lists on Steam, increasing the buzz for the next installment in this legendary series.
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Tags: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Unreal Engine 5, Xbox Game Pass
January 11, 2025
Best Free Open-World School Sim in UE5 Takes Over Steam Charts
Return to Campus lets gamers experience school life again, but this time they can break all the rules without any real-world consequences. Players have the option to be good students who study hard and make friends, or they can choose to rebel by bullying others, demanding money for protection, stealing from stores, and even causing explosions at the school.
A Unique Perspective
The game is played from a first-person view, letting players see the world through the eyes of a student who doesn’t have much money. The developer, Nie Yuxing, is also busy working on a new game called Campus Fantasy, which is set to come out in the second quarter of 2025. This new title will show the life of a rich student and their own challenges.
Impressive Graphics and Features
Developed using Unreal Engine 5, Return to Campus features amazing graphics. The game includes an open campus filled with school buildings that players can explore freely. It also has a realistic day-night cycle that makes the school experience feel more genuine. However, it’s important to note that there’s no multiplayer option; Return to Campus is strictly a single-player game.
Return to Campus is scheduled to launch on Steam on January 13 and the good news is that it will be free to play. For anyone who can’t wait to start the fun, there’s a free demo available right now. This demo might be the reason why this open-world school simulation is currently ranked as the top game in Steam’s “Popular Upcoming” list.
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Tags: Open World, Return to Campus, Unreal Engine 5
January 10, 2025
Capture Ghostly Photos and Discover Ancient Secrets in New Horror Game
Amenti is a concept taken from Egyptian mythology that signifies the realm of the dead. It acted as a limbo – a space between existence and oblivion, where spirits faced challenges and confronted their deepest fears.
Exploring the Tomb
DarkPhobia Games, recognized for their title Graveyard Shift, delves into these themes in Amenti. In this game, you assume the role of a photographer who ventures into the newly unearthed tomb of Pharaoh Rudamon. Unfortunately, when you enter the tomb, you awaken an ancient curse.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay resembles other horror/walking simulator genres, sprinkled with some adventure aspects. Interestingly, you are not just a photographer; you’re also a historian tasked with uncovering ancient relics and navigating your environment to survive.
Unique Features
The game showcases a distinct camera feature that lets you capture images of spectral figures. As noted on the Steam page – “Initially, you may only catch terrifying hints in your pictures, but as you move forward, the horror will unfold before your eyes.”
Amenti was crafted by a duo using Unreal Engine 5, and the graphics they’ve achieved are quite impressive. It currently boasts a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. Some negative feedback highlights issues with the User Interface (UI) and bugs.
Tags: Amenti, DarkPhobia Games, Unreal Engine 5
November 19, 2024
Trailer Unveils Release Date for New Survival Shooter in England
Atomfall takes players into a nuclear-devastated area in northern Great Britain, drawing inspiration from the Windscale disaster of 1957, which is a lesser-known incident at a British nuclear power facility. This post-apocalyptic world immerses players in an expansive environment filled with a variety of ruins, fallout shelters, spiritual sites, and other mystical places. The goal is to discover the secrets behind the occurrences at Windscale Station.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics
This game offers a diverse gameplay experience. It mixes first-person shooter elements with role-playing and survival aspects. As you delve into the mysteries of Windscale, you’ll need to protect yourself from hostile gangs or mutated creatures, while also gathering essential resources. Choices are crucial within the game, influencing both the narrative and its possible endings.

High Expectations from a Reputable Developer
With its distinct backdrop and a seasoned developer like Rebellion, recognized for the successful Sniper Elite series, many believe Atomfall has significant promise. The trailer, which presents in-game visuals, showcases the graphical quality of the game developed using Unreal Engine 5.
Community Reactions and Release Date
Although the general reaction in the Reddit community is mainly positive, the trailer has received some backlash. Some users on Reddit find Atomfall to be “insubstantial” and liken it to a typical open-world game. Whether the game can fulfill the high hopes remains to be seen on March 27, 2025. On this date, Atomfall will be officially launched for PC (through Steam and the Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4.
The standard version of Atomfall is set at a price of $50. Players opting for the Deluxe Edition at $70 will enjoy three days of early access along with exclusive skins. Additionally, Atomfall will be available on Xbox Game Pass from launch day, with no extra fees for subscribers.
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Tags: Atomfall, Rebellion, Unreal Engine 5
November 12, 2024
Project Borealis: First Demo of Half-Life 2 Continuation Now Out
Project Borealis is a community-driven initiative supported by an international team known as Icebreaker, who has been working on this game since 2017. Their aim is to give fans a glimpse of what a follow-up to Half-Life 2: Episode 2 might have resembled. The narrative is reportedly inspired by a supposed outline from Marc Laidlaw, a previous writer at Valve, suggesting that it could include aspects that were initially meant for the next chapter in Half-Life 2.
Technical Showcase
The brief demo serves mainly as a tech showcase to demonstrate how the classic Half-Life gameplay can be adapted to the contemporary Unreal Engine 5. An accompanying video displays the full gameplay experience in 8 minutes (spoiler alert):
Within just a day of its launch, the demo has garnered 2,000 reviews on Steam, with the majority being positive. Yet, reactions on Reddit have been more critical. Players have pointed out performance issues, which reportedly affect even the newest systems, and the game’s mechanics have also drawn criticism. Some users feel that the movement and shooting mechanics do not align with what is expected from a Half-Life title. Additionally, the term "prologue" has faced backlash, as many found it misleading due to the demo’s limited nature.
Future of Project Borealis
At this point, it’s unclear what the future holds for Project Borealis Prologue. Fans of Half-Life are left wondering whether they will have the chance to dive into the sequel next year. In the meantime, they can only enjoy Half-Life: Alyx, the latest addition to the Half-Life universe, which was released in 2020.
Tags: Half-Life 2, Project Borealis, Unreal Engine 5
October 9, 2024
Nintendo Switch 2 Expected to Support Unreal Engine 5 Features
Nintendo’s new Switch 2 console has been at the center of many leaks and speculations in recent weeks. New information suggests that the console will feature significant upgrades, and it is anticipated to launch at the end of this fiscal year, likely in March or April of 2025.
Podcast Insights
In a recent episode of Digital Foundry’s podcast, the hosts answered viewer questions, including whether they think the Switch 2 will support features from Unreal Engine 5. They confidently answered that it will, indeed, support these features.
They emphasize, rightly so, that a big part of the Switch’s success comes from the support of third-party developers. This statement holds a lot of weight since the Switch is a beloved gaming platform for many. The situation is clear: as the gaming world embraces Unreal Engine 5, Nintendo can’t afford to fall behind, and it is expected to include almost all UE5 features, such as Nanite, Lumen, and possibly even MegaLights, albeit with some adjustments.
Performance Concerns
However, there are some caveats to consider. The experts were careful to manage expectations, pointing out that hardware constraints will likely come into play. It all comes down to performance goals and how much developers are willing to optimize to get the best out of the console. In another discussion about performance, the hosts were questioned about how the Steam Deck might influence the Switch platform, and their answer was clear: even though the Steam Deck has stronger hardware, it doesn’t have the games that make the Switch so appealing, and it’s generally more cumbersome to use.

Digital Foundry via YouTube
Tags: Steam Deck, Switch 2, Unreal Engine 5