Tag: Xbox One

  • Bizarre RPG with Mutants and Teddy Bear Grenades Now Only $4

    Bizarre RPG with Mutants and Teddy Bear Grenades Now Only $4

    Key Takeaways

    1. Unique Setting and Storyline: Sunset Overdrive’s apocalyptic world is caused by a failed energy drink launch, featuring bizarre mutants called the OD’d.

    2. Fast-Paced Gameplay: The game emphasizes fast movement and stylish combat, allowing players to grind, leap, and run on walls while using creative weapons.

    3. Positive Reception: The game received favorable reviews for its arcade-like gameplay, self-aware humor, and energetic soundtrack, with 4Players awarding it 8.5/10.

    4. Criticism: Some reviewers noted issues like repetitive mission design, controls requiring mastery, and visual rough spots, but overall feedback remains strong.

    5. Current Pricing: Sunset Overdrive is currently on sale for $4, an 80% discount, making it a great deal for action game fans.


    Sunset Overdrive provides a refreshingly unique approach to the open-world action RPG genre. The game is vibrant, chaotic, and full of fun. Instead of the usual zombie or nuclear disaster, this apocalyptic world is created by a failed energy drink launch. FizzCo hurried to sell its new drink, “OverCharge Delirium XT,” which ultimately transformed people into bizarre mutants called the OD’d. You take on the role of an unnamed ex-janitor who now battles for survival using makeshift weapons and plenty of sarcasm. Throughout your journey, you’ll meet strange groups like gamer kids, scout squads living by a samurai ethos, and former LARPers who consider themselves knights. The game is heavily satirical, always making jokes about itself and gleefully breaking the fourth wall.

    Fast-Paced Action Awaits

    Unlike traditional cover-based shooting games, Sunset Overdrive emphasizes fast movement, stylish combat, and absolute freedom. Players can grind on power lines, leap from rooftops, run on walls, and combine these actions into flashy kill combos. The weapons are as wild as the gameplay itself – featuring items like the “TNTeddy,” a teddy bear grenade launcher, and “High Fidelity,” which launches vinyl records at foes. Your creativity in combat and constant movement will enhance your abilities and effects. The main mission? Save the city or at least make a memorable escape. On Xbox One, there’s also a co-op “Chaos Squad” mode available, though it’s unfortunately missing on PC.

    Positive Reviews and Feedback

    The German site 4Players.de gave Sunset Overdrive a thumbs-up for its arcade-like gameplay, which combines shooting, skating, and jumping into a fluid, high-energy experience. The imaginative levels, filled with quirky characters and strange missions, keep gameplay exciting. The testers highlighted the game’s self-aware humor and energetic punk soundtrack as perfect companions to the on-screen chaos. The package is further enriched by memorable boss fights, funny respawn animations, and extensive customization options.

    Criticism and Overall Reception

    However, some reviewers pointed out the repetitive mission design in Sunset Overdrive. They also mentioned that the controls require some time to master and the weapon balance could be improved. Visually, there are some rough spots, such as pop-in issues and fuzzy backgrounds. Nonetheless, 4Players awarded the game a strong score of 8.5/10. On Steam, feedback is even better, with 90% of around 10,000 user reviews being positive. Metacritic critics gave it a solid score of 83, while the user score is at 7.4.

    Sunset Overdrive was developed by Insomniac Games with the help of Blind Squirrel Games and published by Xbox Game Studios in November 2018. Typically priced around $20, the game is currently on sale for just $4 due to an 80% discount during the Xbox Game Studios Publisher Sale, which lasts until May 8 – a great bargain for fans of quirky action. SteamDB notes that this is the first time since March 2023 that the game has reached this price point.

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  • Xbox Cloud Gaming Stats: Series One & Smart TVs Outshine Smartphones

    Xbox Cloud Gaming Stats: Series One & Smart TVs Outshine Smartphones

    Key Takeaways

    1. Xbox Cloud Gaming is shifting focus from hardware to software and subscriptions, with smartphones seen as ideal for streaming games on the go.
    2. Contrary to expectations, cloud gaming is more commonly used on home devices like Xbox One and Smart TVs rather than mobile.
    3. Microsoft is working to improve mobile streaming experiences, but current mobile capabilities lag behind older consoles and Smart TVs.
    4. Challenges like clunky controls and aspect ratio issues hinder mobile gaming experiences, but solutions are being developed to enhance visuals and usability.
    5. Microsoft is exploring partnerships, such as with Asus for Project Kennan, to create a new handheld that may improve access to Xbox and other gaming titles.


    Xbox Cloud Gaming has expanded as Microsoft shifts its focus from hardware to software and subscriptions. Smartphones are seen as an ideal option for streaming games when users are away from their PCs and consoles. However, data released in December at the Game Developers Conference might catch gamers off guard. It turns out that cloud gaming is more widely used in homes, with the Xbox One and Smart TVs being the most popular devices for the service.

    Mobile Gaming Developments

    Amid ongoing speculation about a new Xbox handheld, Microsoft aims to enhance streaming capabilities on mobile devices. Yet, for the moment, Xbox Cloud Gaming on the move does not measure up to the older Xbox consoles and Smart TVs. A lot of Xbox One users are playing Series X|S games that are not available on their current console. Samsung and LG televisions have transformed into comprehensive entertainment systems by supporting cloud gaming applications.

    Challenges in Mobile Experience

    As pointed out by Jez Corden in an article for Windows Central, recreating a console-like experience on a smartphone continues to present obstacles. The controls can feel clunky, and black bars frequently show up on mobile screens that lack a 16:9 aspect ratio. The Razer PC Remote Play has tackled the latter problem, even though it isn’t classified as cloud gaming. Microsoft also intends to enhance visuals for these smaller displays going forward.

    Exploring New Partnerships

    Finding games on mobile interfaces can also deter users from embracing Xbox Cloud Gaming. Reports indicate that Microsoft is collaborating with Asus to create Project Kennan. This new Xbox handheld is likely to utilize the Windows operating system that powers the ROG Ally. Additionally, it may feature a full-screen console-like user interface that allows access to Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games titles.

    In any case, Xbox Cloud Gaming is reaching an increasing number of gamers each month. In the last part of 2024, the service recorded more than 140 million hours of gaming activity. Still, the mobile sector holds significant potential for further growth.

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