Tag: Xbox Series X|S

  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hits 500,000 Sales and Earns Praise

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hits 500,000 Sales and Earns Praise

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sandfall Interactive’s game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has sold over 500,000 copies globally since its launch on April 24.
    2. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass, and has reached 61,787 concurrent players on Steam.
    3. Despite competition from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur ranks second on the ‘Trending Games’ list.
    4. The game has received high praise, with a score of 92 on Metacritic and 91 on OpenCritic, making it the highest-rated game of the year.
    5. Clair Obscur is set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Belle Époque France and follows characters battling a mysterious entity known as the Paintress.

    Sandfall Interactive has reached a remarkable achievement with their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, selling over 500,000 copies globally. This is a significant milestone for the studio. The turn-based RPG launched on April 24 and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It can also be accessed through Xbox Game Pass.

    Studio’s Gratitude

    After hitting this milestone, the studio shared their thanks on social media, saying, “A milestone for us, reached sooner than we’d ever imagined. Thank you all.” Despite facing tough competition from the surprise release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur has still captured a lot of player attention.

    Player Engagement

    Currently, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has an impressive 61,787 concurrent players, according to Steam DB stats. The game attracted over 50,000 players shortly after its launch, with a peak of 71,225 players. It is now ranked second on the ‘Trending Games’ list, with only The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered above it.

    Critical Acclaim

    On the critical front, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received exceptional reviews, boasting a score of 92 on Metacritic and 91 on OpenCritic, making it the highest-rated game of the year thus far. IGN gave it a score of 9/10, describing it as a “modern RPG classic” and drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Final Fantasy.

    Game Setting and Narrative

    Set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Belle Époque France, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows the Expeditioners who aim to defeat the Paintress. This mysterious being paints a number each year that determines which age group will disappear. With the current number being 33, the tension is at an all-time high.

    Tags: , ,
  • Classic Doom Shooter in Box – Playable Version Included

    Classic Doom Shooter in Box – Playable Version Included

    Key Takeaways

    1. Limited Run Games is re-launching Doom and Doom II in various bundles for current consoles and PCs.
    2. The standard edition includes both games and expansion packs for $29.99, available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
    3. The Big Box Edition features collectible items like cassette tapes and trading cards, priced at $99.99 for PC (requires a Steam Key).
    4. The “Will It Run” Edition includes unique items like a Cacodemon figurine and a mini handheld device, limited to 666 copies at $666.66 each.
    5. All editions will be available for purchase this Friday at 10 AM EST.

    Doom has been officially brought back in a special retail box.

    Limited Run Games, a company famed for its niche indie releases and retro classics, has revealed plans to re-launch the iconic DOS shooters, Doom and Doom II, in various bundles for current consoles and PCs. The standard edition, which comes with both games and their expansion packs (TNT: Eviloution, The Plutonia Experiment, Master Levels for Doom II, No Rest for the Living, Sigil, Sigil II, and Legacy of Rust), will be available on PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch for a price of $29.99.

    Big Box Edition

    Moreover, there’s a “Big Box Edition” that boasts all the games mentioned above along with some collectible items, such as cassette tapes featuring either the original MIDI soundtracks or updated IDKFA recordings, plus trading cards. This version is also offered for PC, but it requires a Steam Key. The retail price for the Big Box Edition is $99.99.

    Will It Run Edition

    The standout option, however, is the “Will It Run” Edition, which includes everything listed earlier and features a small Cacodemon figurine that can float above its base using magnets, a mini handheld Cacodemon capable of running Doom on a tiny display, and a large retail box that Limited Run Games claims is able to play Doom.

    From the pictures, it’s not clear if the box can actually run Doom, as it seems to have only buttons for power and volume.

    This edition will be in limited supply since Limited Run Games plans to sell only 666 copies, each priced at $666.66.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , , , ,
  • New Free-to-Play Sci-Fi FPS on Steam: Surreal Visuals & Fast Action

    New Free-to-Play Sci-Fi FPS on Steam: Surreal Visuals & Fast Action

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Overview: Void/Breaker is a sci-fi roguelite FPS inspired by games like Apex Legends, Battlefield, and the bullet hell genre.

    2. Gameplay Mechanics: The game features quick-paced shooting and smooth movement, with destructible environments that players can use strategically in combat.

    3. Engaging Storyline: Players face a powerful AI that traps them, requiring repeated attempts to escape while learning and upgrading weapons with each defeat.

    4. Technical Aspects: Incorporates procedural generation and RNG for weapon drops and level variety, with impressive graphics for both environments and weapons.

    5. Release Information: Set to launch in late 2025 on multiple platforms, with a free demo available on Steam from April 10 to April 24, developed by solo developer Daniel Stubbington (Stubby Games).

    The Triple-I Initiative has just started, showcasing some of the most interesting indie games currently in development. Among the standout titles from this game showcase is Void/Breaker. This new sci-fi roguelite FPS appears to draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including Apex Legends, Battlefield, Crysis, and the bullet hell genre as a whole.

    Exciting Gameplay Mechanics

    Void/Breaker’s main attraction is its quick-paced shooting mechanics and a smooth movement system that keeps players agile when battling against the AI overlords. The game also features environments that can be destroyed in many ways, encouraging players to utilize the surroundings to their benefit during fights with enemies.

    Engaging Storyline

    In Void/Breaker, the storyline revolves around a malevolent, all-powerful AI that seeks to keep players trapped within its system. Players must repeatedly attempt to escape, learning new things with each attempt and earning modules to upgrade their weapons. When players face defeat at the hands of the tentacled nightmare robots that patrol this artificial prison, they must restart with a fresh strategy. The abilities of players and the menacing AI seem to take cues from games like Control, while the AI’s testing of players feels particularly relevant given current debates about generative AI and its possible effects on society.

    Technical Aspects and Release Information

    As a roguelite, Void/Breaker seems to incorporate elements of procedural generation and RNG for weapon drops and level variety; however, the graphics of both the environments and the weapons are notably impressive.

    Void/Breaker is set to be released on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 in late 2025, but players can enjoy it for free on Steam from April 10 to April 24. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Void/Breaker is that it is being developed by a solo developer, Daniel Stubbington, who operates under the name Stubby Games. He is also the creator of the thought-provoking puzzle game The Entropy Centre, which was released in 2022. The game has surprisingly light minimum and recommended system requirements for PC, suggesting it could be played on gaming handhelds, like the $599 Lenovo Legion Go.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Fast-Paced Cyberpunk FPS Demo: Win $1,000 Speedrun Prize

    Fast-Paced Cyberpunk FPS Demo: Win $1,000 Speedrun Prize

    Key Takeaways

    1. Metal Eden is a sci-fi FPS that combines elements from games like Mirror’s Edge, Doom, and Metroid.
    2. Players control Hyper Unit Aksa, who uses advanced cybernetic skills and agility in a post-apocalyptic setting.
    3. The game features diverse combat mechanics, including wall-running, dashing, and jetpack flying.
    4. Aksa can transform into an “Armored Ramball” to tackle tough enemies, enhancing gameplay variety.
    5. The game launches on May 6, 2025, on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, with a free demo available and a $1,000 speedrun challenge.

    Metal Eden is described as a “thrilling sci-fi FPS” that merges aspects from iconic games. It draws on the parkour and agility seen in Mirror’s Edge and Ghostrunner, the rapid action and shooting mechanics from Doom, and even includes a version of Metroid’s Morph Ball. Set in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi universe, it is teeming with cyberpunk visuals, creatures, and advanced weaponry, all accompanied by a pounding dubstep soundtrack.

    Campaign Overview

    The single-player experience is focused on a mission where players are thrown into a dangerous task to save a group of survivors trapped in an orbital city, which was supposed to be humanity’s last hope. Similar to Ghostrunner, players control a soldier known as Hyper Unit Aksa, who possesses augmented cybernetic skills and increased agility. Combat and movement feature a range of actions, including wall-running, dashing, grappling, jetpack flying, and leaping over barriers.

    Weapon Variety

    With the emphasis on shooting in Metal Eden, it’s no wonder that the arsenal is diverse, including various types of firearms and elemental effects. Taking a cue from Metroid, when enemies become challenging, Aksa can change into what the developers term an “Armored Ramball” to confront formidable foes.

    Release Details

    Metal Eden is set to officially launch on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 (currently priced at $399.99 at Best Buy) on May 6, 2025. However, players can try a free demo on Steam. The creators have teamed up with Speedrun.com to present a challenge, offering a $1,000 reward for the player who can complete the demo in the quickest time.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Top Steam Game Releases This Week You Can’t Miss

    Top Steam Game Releases This Week You Can’t Miss

    Key Takeaways

    1. Release Date and Platforms: Monster Hunter Wilds will be released on February 28 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).

    2. New Features: The game introduces the Forbidden Lands, changing weather effects that impact hunts, a seamless open world, and smarter monster behavior.

    3. Enhanced Narrative: The story features a greater focus on a mysterious danger and a character named Nata, adding depth to the gameplay experience.

    4. Community Engagement: Fans are actively discussing the game on Reddit, planning release parties, and sharing artwork, showcasing high anticipation for the launch.

    5. PC Version Concerns: There is uncertainty about the simultaneous release of the PC version, leading to frustration among Steam users and discussions about whether to buy for console or wait.

    Since it first launched in 2004, Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise has become one of the leading action RPGs. Players embark on quests where they take on the role of a hunter, defeating various monsters, collecting resources, and crafting new gear to tackle tougher foes. The newest installment, Monster Hunter Wilds, is the most awaited title on Steam at the moment. Fans don’t have to wait much longer; this exciting action RPG is scheduled to be released on February 28 for platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).

    A New Adventure Awaits

    Monster Hunter Wilds introduces players to the Forbidden Lands, an entirely new area teeming with unique challenges. For the first time in the series, hunts will be affected by changing weather conditions, adding a fresh strategic element. The game features a seamless open world that removes loading screens between locations, while the monsters display smarter behavior, interacting with each other more convincingly. The narrative, which revolves around a mysterious danger and a boy named Nata, will have a more significant presence compared to earlier games.

    Community Buzz

    The anticipation surrounding Monster Hunter Wilds is palpable within the Reddit community. Numerous players are even taking vacation days to immerse themselves in the game right at launch on February 28. Fans are getting inventive, planning release parties and sharing artwork inspired by the game. Conversations are lively, focusing on preferred weapons, beta experiences, and hopes for the upcoming release.

    Concerns for PC Gamers

    Nonetheless, the potential delay for the PC version is causing frustration among Steam users. While February 28 is marked as the launch date, Capcom has not confirmed if the PC version will be released at the same time as the console versions. This skepticism is understandable, as PC players had to wait several months for Monster Hunter World after its initial console release. This situation has led to intense discussions on whether to wait for the PC version or to go ahead with the console edition.

    Monster Hunter Wilds will be made available in three different editions, all of which can be pre-ordered now. The Standard Edition is priced at about $70, while the Deluxe Edition includes additional cosmetic items like layered armor, gestures, and stickers. For $110, the Premium Deluxe Edition encompasses everything from the Deluxe Edition, along with exclusive perks and a special soundtrack. It’s important to note that none of the editions provide any gameplay benefits; all bonuses are simply cosmetic.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , , , ,
  • Xbox Sales Struggles Confirmed as PS5 Outsells PS4

    Xbox Sales Struggles Confirmed as PS5 Outsells PS4

    Microsoft has made a gradual move away from just selling hardware, aiming for a more diverse platform strategy. Recent market statistics show that Xbox sales are still declining. Mat Piscatella, a video game industry analyst at Circana, recently posted the findings on Bluesky. He pointed out that while U.S. console sales overall dropped in 2024, the Xbox Series X|S is lagging 18% behind the Xbox One during their first 50 months on the market. In contrast, the PS5 is doing significantly better, with lifetime sales 7% above those of the PS4.

    Year of Disappointment for Xbox Fans

    The previous year didn’t offer much excitement for gamers waiting for a new Xbox console to be announced. Microsoft did release some updated models, like the Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition, but these didn’t bring any performance improvements. Fans are now looking forward to a handheld console hinted at by Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming. However, without a set launch date, the company is currently concentrating on its well-liked Xbox Game Pass subscription and Cloud Gaming services.

    Sony’s Strong Performance

    On the other hand, Sony launched the PS5 Pro in November 2024, featuring slightly better graphics and smoother performance. Even with a hefty price tag, this enhanced console shows Sony’s dedication to gaming hardware. When compared to 2023, PS5 sales only dipped by 11.8%, which is a better result than the Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch, whose sales fell by 31% and 33.7%, respectively.

    Nintendo’s Bright Future

    Nintendo seems to be in a good spot, especially with the Switch 2 anticipated to launch later this year. It wouldn’t be shocking if it quickly outsold current consoles from Microsoft and Sony in their initial years. Furthermore, the Fall release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI could potentially increase sales for all consoles. In the meantime, Microsoft is aiming to broaden its Play Anywhere strategy, targeting mobile devices and even Smart TVs.

    Xbox Sales Struggles Confirmed as PS5 Outsells PS4
    Tags: , ,