Just as Xbox surprisingly lowered prices on its Game Pass Ultimate tier we have news of a new potential offering. This one comes via the Microsoft and Discord partnership that gives Discord Nitro subscribers access to a version of Game Pass dubbed Starter Edition.

The X profile Discord Previews discovered the new tier that seems to be separate from the Game Pass Ultimate deal that already exists. The Starter Edition appears to give you access to more than 50 games in the Game Pass library, plus 10 hours of Xbox Cloud streaming.

Additionally, you can earn Xbox rewards that can be put toward games, DLC, and gift cards.

It's not clear exactly what games make up the Starter Edition library. However, in the leaked art from Discord Previews you can see titles like Dishonored 2, Doom, Fallout 4, Gears 5, and Stardew Valley.

Earlier this week, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a new collaboration between Game Pass and Discord. She even teased that fans would "start to see some code in the wild" (per IGN).

"We're teaming up again as we continue to make Game Pass more flexible for our players. Some of you might start to see some code in the wild, and we will share more details with you all soon!" she wrote on X.

How it works

Currently, if you sign up for Game Pass Ultimate, you get a free month of Discord Nitro, which costs $10 a month. Nitro gives you perks like custom profiles, HD video streaming and different app themes in the chat service.

Per Discord Previews, the Starter Edition comes free for Nitro subscribers. It's not clear if Starter Edition will only be for Nitro subscribers or if anyone could sign up for that tier. We're also not sure if it'll be a new fourth Game Pass tier or replace one of the existing ones.

Beyond lowering the Ultimate tier price from $29.99/month to $22.99/month, this week Sharma released her vision for Xbox going forward.

Part of lowering the Game Pass price includes not putting new Call of Duty games on the service at launch. In her manifesto post, Sharma suggests "windowing" Xbox first-party games instead of putting them in Game Pass at launch. She mentioned that the company is reevaluating Xbox's approach to exclusivity, which suggests that Xbox exclusive games make a return.

The post says the goal is for Xbox to "fortify Game Pass with clear differentiation and sustainable economics."

A new Discord partnership appears to be the next step in that direction.

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When Xbox raised the price of the Game Pass Ultimate tier by 50% last October, it infuriated gamers who rushed to cancel their subscriptions. Since then a lot of changes have unfolded at Microsoft, including the ascension of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.

Today (Apr. 21), Sharma took to X to announce a rare price decrease for the service.

"Game Pass Ultimate has become too expensive for too many players," Sharma wrote. "Starting today, we’re dropping the price from $29.99 to $22.99/month."

It's not quite back to pre-October levels, when Game Pass Ultimate was only $19.99 a month but it's a step in the right direction.

Sharma added that the service will also no longer get future Call of Duty titles on Day One via Game Pass Ultimate. I've long speculated that Call of Duty was driving up the cost of Ultimate since it is one of Activision's cash cows, so this makes sense.

When the next Call of Duty releases, it won't join Game Pass until the "following holiday after launch" or about a year. Previously released Call of Duty games will remain available on the service.

What's next for Xbox?

From the outside Xbox has been floundering in recent years between price hikes across software and consoles a lack of exclusive Xbox titles that gamers find exciting.

Longtime CEO Phil Spencer retired in February which also led to the surprise resignation of Xbox President Sarah Bond, who was seen the heir apparent.

They were replaced by Sharma who came from an AI arm of Microsoft. Though she promised she wasn't coming into shove AI into Xbox.

From the outset, Sharma promised that she would listen to gamers and Xbox fans to figure out how to right the ship saying that she was "coming into gaming as a platform builder."

So far, Xbox has stayed quiet outside of teasing Project Helix, the rumored console/PC hybrid that is expected to launch in the next couple of years. It was rumored that Sharma spent much of the recent GDC conference selling Xbox to developers, publishers and investors.

Until a new console launches, a price decrease is a nice way for Xbox to garner some goodwill from fans even if it could have been more drastic.

We'll truly know where Xbox and Sharma stand when the Helix launches. That will tell us how Microsoft views its gaming division and the path forward.

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A new Xbox Game Pass tier may be in the works, and it could hint at the future of Xbox and Game Pass.

Tipster redphx on X posted about a new Game Pass tier codenamed 'Trion'. "Apparently this new Game Pass "TRION" (sic) program only includes games from Xbox Studios," they wrote. Redphx regularly posts about Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming by digging into the public-facing backend of the services.

The new Game Pass tier would only include first-party Xbox games and redphx revealed a few ranging from some recent titles to older ones.

• DOOM Eternal
• DOOM 64
• Dishonored 2
• Fable Anniversary
• Fallout 4
• Fallout 76
• Gears 5
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Wars 2
• Hellblade
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Psychonauts
• State Of Decay 2
• The Elder Scrolls Online
• Retro Classics

There are plenty of Xbox games in the vault that would fit nicely in this tier but the company has backed off its own titles recently even with the recent acquisitions. Many games are now cross-platform, so I'm curious what newer games would fit in this tier, if it's real.

Would anything form Activision-Blizzard go here? What about Zenimax titles?

A new Xbox direction?

If this new tier does come to be, it could be the first shakeup from new CEO Asha Sharma who has promised to get Xbox back to gaming.

During the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this month, Xbox made a big splash with its presentation of Project Helix, the next Xbox console. Behind the scenes, Sharma was making the rounds laying out her vision for the brand to relevant parties.

One component involved making Xbox Game Pass more affordable, per The Information, which wrote that the company wants to "make future consoles and products like Game Pass more enticing to a broader range of customers."

That could include offering lower-priced tiers and changing pricing models, and Shamra is also reportedly looking into bundles with Netflix.

Affordability

Affordability will be the buzzword when it comes to gaming soon. Sony just announced another price hike for its entire hardware lineup, pushing the high-end Pro model to $900. Nintendo is expected to increase Switch 2 prices any day now even as the company reduces production of the console due to poor sales.

And all this after Xbox raised prices on its consoles twice last year including a bump to Game Pass.

Yes, the United States' ongoing war with Iran and evolving tariffs, plus the RAM crisis, are causing global supply chain issues, but it's clear that gamers are, if not already, getting priced out.

Any company that can offer lower prices will likely get gamer dollars going forward.

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Ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming could be coming soon. As The Verge’s Tom Warren posted on X just before the weekend, some Xbox users started seeing notifications on the Xbox app that said: “1-hour of ad-supported play time per session.” We don’t yet know when this free tier could launch, but it could be soon.

As Warren also reported on The Verge, Microsoft has been testing ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming for months and is preparing to test it with Xbox Insiders. The Xbox app notification aligns with Microsoft’s testing. Warren says that, so far, the testing has been limited to one-hour play sessions, and that users will get up to five hours free per month.

The internal testing features two minutes of preroll ads before you’re able to play from a selection of games. This free version will let you stream games you own and Free Play Days games over a weekend. The report also says Xbox Retro Classics will have preroll ads.

Another report from The Verge details how Microsoft told The New York Times that it was officially testing ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming. So while we don’t yet have a blog post from Xbox Wire or another Microsoft blog announcing the ad-free service, it’s all but assuredly coming. According to Tom Warren, the announcement could be “in the coming weeks.”

Even if you have to deal with ads and a limited amount of play hours, an ad-free Xbox Cloud Gaming tier seems like a great way for folks without an Xbox Game Pass subscription to check the service out. Though it has been some years since I’ve used Xbox Cloud Gaming, it worked remarkably well, even with spotty hotel Wi-Fi. My colleagues say it still runs great and is a nice alternative to playing on an Xbox or PC if you’re on the road.

If this report is accurate, then we could be hearing more from Xbox very soon. To that end, make sure you come back to read our report and our hands-on take on the ad-free Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Stay tuned!

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Recently, Microsoft announced it would increase the cost of Xbox Game Pass to as much as $29.99 per month. While you can still get Xbox Game Pass discounts for a limited period of time, the higher price may be too much to swallow. Whether the new pricing doesn't fit your budget or you're simply not using the service enough to justify the cost, canceling is straightforward.

You can cancel Xbox Game Pass from either a web browser or directly on your Xbox console. The process takes just a few minutes, and you'll retain access to your subscription benefits until the end of your current paid period. Here's how to cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription through both methods, plus what happens after you cancel.

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Update: Some X users are reporting that the website to cancel Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has overloaded (via DiscussingFilm). While this happened after Xbox announced it was raising the price of Game Pass Ultimate, we can't say for certain this is the cause for the seemingly mass cancellations, but it's possible.

Original story: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is getting a price hike. As posted on Xbox Wire, the Ultimate tier will go up from $19.99 a month to $29.99 a month. In the U.S., that’s an extra $120 per year. Folks in the UK will see a price increase from £14.99 to £22.99, an extra £96 a year. However, the other tiers aren’t getting a price increase. In Australia, the Ultimate tier is now priced at AU$35.95 a month, up from AU$22.95 a month, which is AU$156 extra per year.

“Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate," said Xbox. "Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan.

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Xbox cloud gaming is arguably one of the coolest ways to play games. No consoles, no discs or even downloads. Just beam the game to your screen via the internet, and play like you normally would. There are some issues, of course, the least of which is the $20 a month subscription fee. Thankfully, things might not stay that expensive for long.

Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of Next Generation, has been talking about accessibility to cloud gaming over on the official Xbox podcast. Specifically talking about people who use the $20 Ultimate subscription to access cloud gaming.

"I think for us, it really opens up the opportunity to make it much more affordable, and make it more accessible to players," Ronald said. "Whether that’s going into new regions, or new ways to actually access the [Xbox] cloud.”

Now, it's important to note this is not confirmation that a cheaper cloud gaming plan is coming, but it suggests Microsoft is leaning in that direction.

We first heard rumors of something like this a couple of years back, with speculation Microsoft may release a free version of cloud gaming — complete with advertising.

Free seems to be a little too good to be true, and I can't imagine Microsoft would go quite that far down the "affordability" scale. However, it would be nice to see the company offer a version of Game Pass that only offers cloud gaming and cuts off all the other Game Pass perks in the process.

Of course, such a service also runs the risk of being stuck at lower frame rates and resolutions. Plus, like Game Pass Standard, we may end up with a smaller library of games to choose from.

More upgrades are coming

Ronald also teased the next generation of Xbox gaming during the podcast. "Together with AMD, we’re designing dedicated silicon and hardware to enable the next generation of gaming experiences,” says Ronald.

“We’re investing deeply in the next generation of rendering technologies, such as neural rendering, which will bring a new level of quality to the games that you’re having.”

Presumably this will be a mix of both Xbox hardware and cloud gaming software — the latter of which is clearly needed. Considering Nvidia just announced major upgrades to GeForce Now, which will see RTX 5080-powered cloud gaming and 5K resolution at 120fps, Game Pass certainly needs a big technical upgrade.

Ronald also teased the inclusion of AI, but he didn't offer any specific details about them — nor did he suggest if and when a cheaper Game Pass tier could launch.

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You can now play select Xbox games you own on your PC by streaming them through the Xbox PC app—if you're an Xbox Insider with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

This is a big deal because it includes some games which are not part of the Xbox Game Pass program, so it's the first time subscribers can stream these games via the Xbox PC app. And since you can also purchase games through the app, you don't even need to own an Xbox to buy and play these games.

So in a sense, this is Xbox taking another step down the path towards being a console-agnostic game streaming service à la Nvidia's GeForce Now. Xbox Game Pass is already one of the best cloud gaming services around, and this new feature makes it just a little bit better.

Of course, you currently have to sign up for the PC Gaming Preview portion of Microsoft's Xbox Insiders program to test it out.

The news comes courtesy of an Xbox Wire blog post published yesterday (July 15) in which Microsoft's Anu Reddy explains that Xbox Insiders who have joined the PC Gaming Preview and also subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate ($20/month) can now stream some Xbox games they own via the PC app in the 28 countries (including Australia, the U.S. and the U.K.) where Xbox Cloud Gaming is available.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers Sandfall Interactive state on their website that they want “to deliver incredible stories with intriguing characters in gorgeous fantasy worlds”. With this first release, the studio has delivered on that promise in every way.

Initially, Clair Obscur impresses in the visual department, but it isn’t just a high-fidelity marvel. It's also a challenging, thoughtful title, one that borrows from many of the genre’s biggest franchises and meshes those elements with unique worldbuilding, stellar combat and a well-written, twisting plot that’ll make you want to keep pushing forward.

If you’re an RPG fan and enjoy puzzling out combat encounters and mastering timed mechanics, or you’re just looking to dive headlong into a dazzling new world, this is the game you need to play right now; read my full Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review below to find out why.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: The Basics

• What is it? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based role-playing game that sees you exploring a French-inspired dark fantasy world and taking charge of a party of expeditionary troops trying to take down atrying to defeat a powerful figure known as The Paintress.
• Who is it for? Fans of JRPGs and engaging combat, or narrative-driven players looking for a new story to get wrapped up in.
• What’s the price? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 costs $49 | £44 and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S (including Game Pass), and PC.
• Which games is it similar to? RPG franchises like Persona, Dragon Quest, or the more traditional Final Fantasy games, but with combat/exploration elements similar to those seen in the Mario RPG series and Sea of Stars, and even From Software games like Sekiro and Dark Souls.

Exposition 33: Clair Obscur’s narrative is compelling from the off

Clair Obscur invites players to take control of members of Expedition 33, the latest set of troops to embark on a potentially futile quest to find and defeat The Paintress. She's a mythical figure capable of erasing anyone of the same age as the descending number she paints on a towering monolith, in an annual event that citizens of Lumiere call “The Gommage”.

Every year, the fractured city dispatches an expeditionary force to find and defeat The Paintress, preventing her from ever painting death again. The problem is, no one returns from their expeditions; these troops only ever pave the way for those who come after.

It's a save-the-world narrative, then, but a mature and emotional one. Across its main storyline, you'll encounter shocks, left-field twists and intriguing lore. Yet, tonally it's never too bleak, there's still time for laughs; look to the semi-regular combat encounters with mime artist constructs who build invisible walls or the battle-loving paintbrush creatures called Gestrals as early examples.

Each new member of your core party makes for an interesting addition, and they each have some personal reason to buy into the quest ahead. It certainly helps to have big names like Andy Serkis and Charlie Cox, plus talented voice actors like Jennifer English (Shadowheart, Baldur’s Gate 3) and Ben Starr (Clive, Final Fantasy 16) bringing the game's core characters to life.

I wouldn't want to ruin the big moments, but just know that by the end of the game, I was sprinting through some of the final levels. Not because I’d gotten bored of staring at all the lush environments and weird and wonderful foes, but purely because I couldn’t wait to see how things concluded.

The one caveat here is that some of the optional stuff felt a bit tacked-on. For example, you unlock “relationship levels” partway through the adventure. They’re akin to Persona’s Social Links, where each level comes with a brief dialogue exchange... though these sequences frequently felt weaker than the main story beats.

If maxing these ranks didn't unlock powerful abilities, I'm not sure I'd have been as motivated to pursue each one to the end.

Exploration 33: Clair Obscur’s world is rich and inviting

One of the many ways Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 harkens back to the classic RPGs that inspired it is by being comprised of linear, separate levels, connected by an overworld map.

Each region is distinct and richly detailed; you’ll pick your way through all manner of fantastical landscapes before your journey's end. They’re also all soundtracked by evocative pieces of music in keeping with the game’s distinct sense of place. I’m sure you’ll want to stop and stare or take screenshots along the way (consider this my formal request for a Photo Mode, Sandfall).

Exploration may be largely linear, but there are still alternative pathways to pick out in between mandatory story beats. Thorough players will uncover hidden items, NPCS, or "Pictos" — equippable, static stat boosts or combat buffs/effects — in their warren-like side passages. Some optional paths require awkward platforming sections, and the lack of a mini-map can be a little disorientating, but the extra rewards make up for it.

As you progress, you'll open up overworld shortcuts and your loveable mount/non-combat companion Esquie will unlock new traversal options like navigating difficult terrain or swimming. In turn, this will enable you to visit new areas in between story beats.

If you love hoovering up collectables, you'll be well-served. There are alternative costumes, journal entries from past Expeditioners, music tracks to play while resting at your camp and lost critters to find, plus optional challenges and bosses dotted around to return to later in the game.

Personally, I felt more than satisfied after rolling credits at the 35-hour mark, but if you're the kind of player who can't switch off until you've done everything, you're offered plenty of ways to extend your adventure.

Execution 33: Clair Obscur’s combat is complex and rewarding

Yes, it’s an impactful story, and sure, the world looks gorgeous, but it’s in combat where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 truly shines.

Battles play out in the usual manner that you’d expect, but the satisfying complexity comes from the layers of customization that players can apply to their party of up to three fighters.

There are all the usual options you'd expect. Each character has a range of weapons they can acquire and equip, plus a large roster of skills to choose from (which you'll unlock via levelling up), and there's a suite of elemental weaknesses, stuns and status effects to exploit or contend with, along with freely aiming ranged shots to target enemy weak points.

Those “Pictos” I mentioned earlier also come into play here, building out your arsenal and allowing you to bolster your skills and stats even further. Along with all that, each character in your party has a signature combat style.

Engineer (and Robert Pattinson lookalike) Gustave, for example, builds up a specific "Overcharge" meter by making basic attacks or using skills, and this can then be discharged into a powerful one-off move. Young fencer Maelle, meanwhile, has an entire set of skills built around dancing between offensive and defensive stances, each with corresponding buffs — and the remaining members are just as diverse.

Throw in your defensive abilities — choosing either to tank damage from bosses or enemies outright, or make use of real-time button prompts allowing you to either dodge or parry to deliver devastating counterattacks — and combat plays out like a puzzle, and an engrossing one at that. Better yet, new abilities, you'll gradually unlock new real-time responses and attack options to keep things from getting stale.

Attacks all come with their flourishes and flair, and the user interface is as stylish as the environments, meaning you’ll probably be spoiling for your next fight as soon as you best a foe. Though I occasionally found it difficult to read some of the smaller menus and text on my TV, Sandfall promised UI scaling would be one of several hot-fixes introduced to the game.

Don’t go in expecting an easy ride; even though the game’s default difficulty setting tells you it is recommended but not essential to master the dodges and parries, I think you’ll have a hard time brute-forcing the experience, without liberal use of healing and defensive skills at the very least.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Verdict

On the whole, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a marvelous experience that wows both in and outside of combat. Sure, I’d have loved it if the material off the beaten path grabbed me just that little bit more, but after spending dozens of hours in this world, I can quite happily say this is a brilliant addition to the RPG genre.

It’s a feature-packed experience that promises up to 60 hours’ worth of content to the most dedicated players. After being pulled in by the charming, heartfelt story, stopping to admire every new environment or enemy design, and spending time getting to grips with the expanding suite of combat systems on offer, I couldn’t recommend playing it more.

Whether you download it via Xbox Game Pass or buy it outright, I’m confident you’ll have a great time. Forget Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the role-playing game everyone should be playing right now.

South of Midnight is just too hauntingly whimsical to ignore. Part Alice in bayou-land, part Grimm's fairy tales from the gothic Deep South, but all wrapped up in a unique, modern folktale, I was completely immersed as soon as I booted up this narrative-driven action-adventure.

If the stop-motion-like art style is what drew me in, it's the unexpectedly dark tales riddled throughout this well-paced journey that made me stay. I mean, if a game can make me feel somewhat sorry for an island-sized alligator whose sole purpose is to feed on anything that moves, it's sure doing something right.

But that's only the tip of swamp-berg, as its overarching story about disturbing family secrets, cast of surreal mystical creatures and blend of original music urged me to keep playing. I can't say the same about its rudimentary combat or bland exploration, but after beating the game's roughly 12-hour campaign, these elements aren't the main attraction.

Developer Compulsion Games' first title under Xbox after We Happy Few is a welcome step in the right direction, making it one of the best AA games I've played. If you've yet to explore the Deep South through a devilishly dark magical lens, consider South by Midnight your best option.

South of Midnight: The Basics

• What is it? South of Midnight is an action-adventure game set in a fictional version of the American Deep South. You play as Hazel, our coming-of-age protagonist (with a lot of satisfying spunk), who's pulled into a modern, dark folktale steeped in gothic vibes.
• Who is it for? Anyone after a well-paced 10-12 hour adventure with fascinatingly dark stories, a wonderous stop-motion art style, engaging characters and mythical creatures both cute and fearsome.
• What’s the price? The standard edition of South of Midnight costs $35, while the Premium edition costs $49 adding the South of Midnight artbook, original soundtrack, a Boo-Hag comic book, documentary and early access to the game.
• What other games has the developer made? Compulsion Games is most known for We Happy Few, but its other games include puzzle-platformer Contrast. South of Midnight is the developer's first game after being acquired by Xbox in 2018.
• What games is this similar to? South of Midnight is a unique action-adventure, but it isn't too dissimilar from other AA titles like Kena: Bridge of Spirits or Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, and it even packs some elements akin to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Going down the (mystical) bayou

As far as Southern gothic folklore tales go (and there aren’t many of them in gaming), South of Midnight absolutely nails the atmosphere – and that kept me wanting to push forward.

Hazel, our upbeat protagonist, is first introduced by packing up her mementos during yet another hurricane hitting her hometown, Propero. The vibes, from the setting to the characters, are all very satisfyingly American Deep South. When the oncoming flood sweeps her mobile home away with her mother, Lacey, still inside, she rushes off to try to save her. This is when she first interacts with the ever-growing stranger world around her.

You’re quickly introduced to guide strands. These help you follow the path forward with a whisper of “Hazel” when used. The sound design continues to impress, with each double jump and glide offering subtle hums as you travel across various landscapes, each with unique dings and chimes. It’s atmosphere-building at its finest, and it never gets old.

And the music? Sublime. The swelling trumpets, country-like strings and catchy beats weave into each area, aiding the vibe. It has its own soundtrack of southern-esque tunes (if sometimes a little on the nose) that reflect the personal stories told throughout, which is a nice touch.

I especially enjoyed the lead-up to boss encounters, with songs setting the mood and telling tales of how they came to be or what they have done.

And those grand creatures of folklore deliver, like the island-sized alligator Two-Toed Tom and the child-stealing Huggin’ Molly, both of which you could easily imagine coming right out of a fairy tale. It’s these mythical enemies that elevate the vibes.

In fact, it all reminds me of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, an underrated gem teeming with artistry and world-building. That 2021 game also deals with the corruption of its world and the people inhabiting it. Kena's goal is similar, to purify the environment and free those with hidden traumas. However, in the case of South by Midnight’s tales, they can be far more brutal and horrifying.

A tale of charm and cruelty

Despite how whimsical the story portrays itself, the character interactions, family dynamics and topics discussed are grounded.

South of Midnight explores themes of family drama, abuse, kidnapping, murder and more, which are some big topics to tackle. But these themes are successfully weaved into the story, making it the game's most compelling component.

Using her abilities as a Weaver, those chosen to see the fabric of the universe through Strands (like wispy strings), Hazel is tasked with healing lands that are corrupted by a person's trauma. This physically manifests into what the game calls a Knot, usually surrounded by monsters (a.k.a. Haints). Once untangled, she can see the memories of past events, uncovering dark secrets, and leading to a chance to purify the corruption via a "Wound" on a mythical beast or object.

There are hideous crimes that come to light, and I enjoyed each intriguingly dark tale. Not to spoil anything, but just because a Wound is healed, it doesn’t absolve anyone of their sins. Sometimes, disappointingly so. It would be nice to see some form of closure with certain characters. But Hazel’s main goal is to purify the land on her way to save her mother and it moves forward at a satisfying pace.

Yes, I could see some story elements coming a mile away, but it’s how the story is told that’s key, and I was pleased to go along for the ride. It’s a linear one, with no room for off-the-beaten-track side quests, but it needs to be to hit its stronger elements home.

As a quick aside, there is a hint of that, “Oh, did I just do that?” from Hazel at first, but nowhere near the level of (you already guessed it) Forspoken. She’s snappy, heartfelt and an enjoyable character to center in on, as she can also be just as dumbfounded by what she sees.

It’s a fantastical world with wondrous characters filled with heart, too. I particularly enjoyed the mysterious yet charming Catfish, an extremely large mythical creature that acts as the game’s narrator. He’s a wise (and wise-cracking) fish that goes with the flow, letting us know just enough to get us by.

Despite many characters only getting minimal screen time, each interaction and backstory eventually told is enough to get a grasp of who they are, as they all manage to offer some sort of depth – no two-dimensional characters here.

If you’re in the mood for plenty of grim folklore tales told excellently while threading together an overarching adventure through mussy swamplands, whispering forests and creepy caves, South of Midnight will satisfy.

More “adventure” than “action”

Combat starts out exciting enough, with your basic five-hit attack melee combo and charged Amplified attack for a long-range hit. There are also dodge mechanics with a Perfect Dodge that damages enemies when timed just right, keeping you on your toes. Once an enemy is defeated, you can “unravel” downed foes to gain more health. A simple yet effective system.

Then, you’re introduced to Weave spells, used in the environment and in combat. Nothing is especially unique here. For example, you have a spell that can ensnare enemies, yank objects and foes closer and one that can push them back, disrupting enemy movement.

Combat encounters quickly end up feeling shallow, especially the further you progress. The monsters you fight, known as Haints, are varied by design but often resort to "hit-and-run" tactics. So, it's a matter of dodging, then following up by mashing the attack button, with a few spells thrown in to either weaken foes or stun them.

That's the overall routine, even when new Haint types are introduced. At first, it can be fun to master the flow of combat, as even standard Haint enemies can be tough. But once you've seen that same enemy type pop up multiple times, defeating them becomes routine.

Before long, I felt as if I wanted to get the fights over and done with as fast as possible rather than truly enjoy them.

It doesn’t take long to unlock your full suite of abilities. The first two chapters teach you combat, sorcery, double jumps and even gliding. Are these the typical makings of any action platformer? Sure, and, if I dare say it, it’s almost like Hazel is a Jedi of sorts with the ways she pushes, pulls, and interacts with memories.

Hazel gets stronger through the campaign via skill upgrades that aren’t game-changers in the least. They help power up your moves, but they don’t change the way you go about beating down foes. No combo add-ons or air juggling here, just very repetitive attacking.

There aren’t many collectibles either, just “floofs” for upgrading the limited skill tree, notes from the past and health fulfilments to increase your health. The notes at least expand the backstories of the spirits of the land. You’ll get cute messages along the way, like a girl leaving peach cobbler for ghosts.

However, a lot of the exploration and platforming puzzles felt all too easy, as I often went off the beaten track only to find that’s actually where I needed to go to proceed. It’s a linear path, with only a few obvious side tracks leading to floofs used to gain skills in combat.

Crouton, Hazel’s beloved stuffed toy, also eventually joins the fray as a companion for small-hole exploring and possession in combat. But, the stitched-together sack toy is just another way of getting through obstacles rather than being crucial to progress. It can be used to get more floofs, but not very many, and most of the time, bringing the toy out while exploring sometimes isn’t worth the effort.

While combat and exploration aren't groundbreaking, they both still manage to push the narrative forward just fine, and the handful of big boss fights are mostly good fun (if a little simple).

South of Midnight: Verdict

South of Midnight is a magnificent testament to how story-driven games remain extremely worthwhile. This isn't some epic-scale adventure with ever-evolving game mechanics, but for what it accomplishes, it doesn't need to be. The ebb and flow of its gameplay and rich story are enough to keep almost any gamer engaged.

It's a fairly linear tale, but one that doesn't overstay its welcome — lasting just over 12 hours for me to complete it with minimal collectibles left behind. It's not a game I'd come back to replay for the combat, but I found it to be serviceable enough to keep me engaged. For creepy folklore from the Deep South and endlessly charming gothic vibes in a tight-knit adventure, South of Midnight will impress.

When it comes to gaming, the Xbox Series X is one of the two big consoles to choose from in the current generation. Microsoft's box may not be as popular as the PS5 but it's still a solid platform with a huge variety of first and third-party games to choose from. You can't go wrong with any of the best Xbox Series X games that prove the Space Odyssey monolith gaming console can provide a great time.

The holidays have been generous and now you have an Xbox Series X, but what to play? As mentioned there is a wide range of titles to choose from. I'm here to help you choose with a few games that highlight the best of Microsoft's console. Plus, I'll explain how you can use Xbox Game Pass to get the most out of the system and get more gaming done.

Here are the first 5 games you should pick up for your new Xbox Series X. And if you need more, we have another list of five games you should play right now.

1. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Microsoft has slowly been moving away from consoles this year, but that doesn't mean it's studios are incapable of producing exhilarating games.

If you're looking for a fun, action-packed adventure then Indiana Jones and the Great Circle checks the boxes and then some. Filled with smooth action that stays true to the spirit of the movies its based on, Indy shines as one of the best games of the year.

The game is set between "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Last Crusade" as Jones races to stop rival factions from hijacking the titular McGuffin all while fighting fascists around the globe. It's a grand adventure that captures the derring-do we expect from the coolest archaeologist.I

2. Forza Horizon 5

Some games are excellent and show off the graphical capabilities of the Xbox Series X. Arguably the best entry in the long-running franchise, Forza Horizon 5 manages to be both.

The open-world racing sim is set in Mexico where it delivers some of the best graphics the consoles can produces while offering some of the smoothest driving available thanks to finely-tuned controls.

There are a variety of activities to find sprinkled around the Mexican environs and locales. While the driving offers realism, it remains as fun as any arcade-style racing game. Even if you're not normally a racing enthusiast, Forza Horizon 5 is a must-play for any Xbox Series X owner.

3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Ubisoft's Prince of Persia franchise lay dormant for quite awhile but returned with bang in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The latest entry in the series, brings a new Metroidvania twist to the franchise with non-linear exploration.

Forewarning: this game is designed to be hard, but it was also made to be more accessible. This isn't a 'git gud' game that locks people out. Instead it provides challenges, but it has multiple difficulty options and amazing accessibility options like high contrast enemies, and a feature called memory shards that lets you pin screenshots to the map.

Whether you want to experience the challenge and fluid combat without aid or tweak some sliders to make the game more enjoyable, The Lost Crown offers a lot.

4. Hi-Fi Rush 

Hi-Fi Rush is effectively Jet Set Radio for the modern crowd. The cel-shaded graphics and emphasis on music make the JSR-esque title a must play for Xbox Series X owners and fans who miss Sega's classic.

Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm game but even for the Carlton's among us, you'll have a great time blasting through hordes of corporate drones and dancing through platforming puzzles. It features a silly story that is endearing with a colorful cast of eccentric characters that make sense in the zany world of Hi-Fi Rush. This may be one of the best Xbox Series X games you can get, and one of finest games in this current console generation.

5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Since the original Xbox launched, Microsoft's console has been one of the best for playing first-person shooters. There hasn't been a new Halo title in three years but the long-running Call of Duty series has picked up the slack with its latest entry; Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Black Ops 6 doesn't bring much new to the table but it does offer the best multiplayer suite for juggernaut shooter in years coupled excellent shooting and map variety.

It features the return of Zombies mode, a blockbuster single-player campaign that feels like an action movie, and a multiplayer competitive mode with tons of unlocks that should keep you busy until the next one.

Xbox Game Pass

To truly get the most of your new Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, you're going to need to Xbox Game Pass. Even if you're primarily a Windows 11 gamer runs one of best gaming PCs to tackle some of the best PC games, Game Pass is worth the price.

You can get started with an affordable monthly subscription that costs $12. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate goes for $20.

Game Pass gives you access to a slew of new and old Xbox games including both first and third-party titles. The Ultimate tier lets you stream PC and Xbox games via Xbox Cloud Gaming

And now with the Xbox Game Pass app, you can stream to most any device running Android, iOS, macOS, ChromeOS and some smart TVs and streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.

There’s no reason not to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass if you own an Xbox Series X.

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Microsoft is expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming with 50 games that you might already own—if you're an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.

Starting this week (November 21) Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream 50 games that may already be in your Xbox game library. These include major titles like Baldur's Gate 3, the indie hit Balatro, various Final Fantasy games, and the recent Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. You can find the full list of titles that have been added to the service in Microsoft's announcement post.

This is just the beginning of an expansion of available games to stream on Xbox. “Our library of cloud-playable titles will continue to grow, as we work with our partners around the world to bring you a diverse and expansive selection of great games across devices,” says Ashley McKissick, corporate vice president of Xbox Experiences and platforms engineering.

All 50 games will be available to stream through any device that has access to the Xbox app with Game Pass, including TVs, smartphones, tablets and PCs (via web browser). Microsoft claims it will bring this feature to Xbox consoles and the Xbox Windows app in 2025.

The Verge reported in October, that the expansion of Game Pass to games you already own is part of an effort by Microsoft internally called Project Lapland. The goal is to enable streaming of thousands of games and cover entire libraries. Some of the delay is due to publishers and developers who aren't giving access to licenses and other restrictions. Part of it is the reality of balancing save files, updates and the games themselves on Xbox cloud servers.

As mentioned you will need to be a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber (which costs you $19.99 a month) to take advantage of this new feature. The added games are ready to stream now.

This month, Microsoft was supposed to start allowing purchases in the Xbox mobile app, due to a court ruling that would force Google to stop requiring Google Play for apps in the Play Store. However, Google won a temporary stay on the ruling late in October. For now, it's unclear when that option will be available on Xbox app on Android.

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Microsoft has just launched a new tier of Game Pass on Xbox, officially called Game Pass Standard. This is effectively a replacement for the original Game Pass for Console subscription, sitting between Game Pass Core and Game Pass Ultimate. And that change looks to be a little bittersweet.

Game Pass Standard was originally announced in July, alongside another price hike for Game Pass Ultimate — which now costs $20 a month. The good news is that Standard now rolls in all the benefits of Game Pass Core. Previously, the Game Pass for Xbox subscription didn’t let you play online multiplayer unless you were on a free-to-play game. 

Obviously Standard doesn’t come with access to cloud gaming, which was always an Ultimate-tier exclusive. You’re also deprived of all the other Ultimate tier perks like access to the EA Play catalog and the ability to play Game Pass games on PC, Fortunately for PC gamers ,the Game Pass for PC subscription doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and appears to be unchanged.

But the real bad news is that Game Pass Standard no longer gives you Day 1 access to first party Xbox games. You’re going to have to wait for those titles to make their way to the Standard Game Pass catalog, at which point they can be downloaded to your console and played like any other digital title. It’s not clear just how long that will take.

The price is also going up to $15 a month to boot. That is cheaper than paying for Game Pass for Xbox and Game Pass Core together — assuming you want online multiplayer privileges. But a lot of people may not be happy about paying more money and losing Day 1 access in the process. Even if it does mean being able to play Call of Duty Black Ops 6 with someone from the other side of the planet.

Microsoft stopped new Game Pass for Console subscribers some time ago, but existing subscribers have been able to keep their subscriptions going for now. Sadly if you let that subscription lapse, either by letting your auto-renewal expire or outright canceling the plan, your only option will be to subscribe to Game Pass Standard. 

On paper, it still gives you access to more or less the same game library as before — just without immediate access to some of Xbox’s biggest titles on release day.

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Xbox Game Pass is back up and running following a widespread outage that began on Thursday (July 25) and lasted into the weekend.

Several Xbox players trying to access Game Pass had been experiencing two different issues. Those trying to purchase or re-up Game Pass subscriptions were blocked from making payments, locking them out of the service. Meanwhile, players who could still access Game Pass found that some or all of the games in the system were not showing up or appeared to be missing information. Other Xbox services did not appear to be affected by whatever was plaguing GamePass.

The Xbox Support Twitter page acknowledged the outage around 5 PM ET on Thursday. On Saturday evening at 9:25 PM ET, Xbox Support tweeted that it'd patched the issue and players should no longer be running into trouble with Xbox Game Pass. 

Xbox has had a rough time this month, with Xbox Live suffering a global outage just before the July 4th holiday that lasted more than 12 hours. 

As of 3:20 PM ET, the Xbox Status page still lists the Game Pass outage as major with the separate issues of purchasing a game pass and seeing game pass games still being affected. 

Xbox has not released any information on a potential timeline to resolve the issues beyond acknowledging that the outage is ongoing.

We're only a few days from the major Crowdstrike outage that affected businesses and government agencies worldwide.

Some Redditors are speculating whether or not the Crowdstrike crash is having a delayed effect on Xbox's systems. 

This probably isn't it since the Crowdstrike fix came through earlier this week. That said, it does have to be a clock or calendar issue within the Game Pass system. Several reports have shown that accounts with expiring subs around July 17 through the 19th have been stuck in pending payment since then. 

The Crowdstrike outage started on July 19th. 

I am seeing speculation from Xbox players saying that it appears related to the upcoming Game Pass price increase. 

That increase isn't officially supposed to go into affect until September 12, but Redditors and X-users are claiming that Xbox support is having to cancel their subscriptions and renew it but they're doing it at the higher $19.99 price instead of the current $16.99 cost.

Redditor Knaught said - "Ya, I just got done with online support. I was like 107th in line, waited an hour +. Another hour getting it fixed. They cancelled my subscription and signed me back up. It was all a pain in the rear. Now my monthly payment day I had set where I wanted it to fall in the month got changed. Hard to believe how dumb this whole thing is over their greedy price hike. During the support I told them it was lame they were not acknowledging the problem for users. Later in the conversation she assured me they now were acknowledging the problem. Charged me 16.99 for this month and gave me some Xbox balance points so the next bill being 18.99, would just be 16.99."

One error screen we keep seeing screenshots of is related to extending game pass with the error telling gamers "You already own this." It could be related to trying to extend through the price increase and the system blocking it out, but that's just speculation.

Game Pass is still suffering some sort of outage.

Over on Reddit, a Redditor claims to have spoken with Xbox support who claim to have a fix in the works. They mentioned that an email will be going out with instructions and information on how to fix the subscription renewal issue.

We have reached out to Xbox for a comment and will update if they respond. However, during the last outage, no one from Xbox was inclined to provide an answer, so we're not expecting one this time either.

Currently, this Game Pass outage has been ongoing for nearly 20 hours.

No one from Xbox has officially said anything but the Xbox status page received a small tweak that indicates this Game Pass issue may extend longer than 24 hours. 

Both the sign in issue and the viewing games issue now say that the first outage was reported at 9 AM this morning (July 26), which doesn't feel correct unless they're considering last nights problems a different thing. 

The more interesting update is that it looks like the issue won't be resolved until an estimated 5:55 AM tomorrow (July 27) morning. 

For those who are affected, you may still be waiting overnight. 

A Microsoft spokesperson reached out to us regarding the Game Pass outage. Unfortunately, they did not provide more details for us beyond checking the status page. 

"We’re working to resolve issues some members may be having impacting renewals of gaming subscriptions. Please visit https://xbox.com/status for status updates." 

It is 3 p.m. Pacific and Game Pass is still having issues. The outage report timing has moved back to 5 p.m. yesterday with the fix looking like its ongoing.

Otherwise, we're seeing that this Game Pass outage may be global as people from around the world report issues on Twitter and Reddit.

We're seeing reports that like when Xbox Live went down, if you disconnect from the internet, you should be able to still play games.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help for any games that were picked up via Game Pass or certain multiplayer games, which require the service to even access. 

The outage is ongoing and for some people we're nearing 24 hours without Game Pass access, which means they haven't been able to enjoy their Xbox games.

The PC version of Game Pass appears to be unaffected. 

It's a big weekend for multiplayer games as well with the Modern Warfare 3 remake coming to Game Pass and the new Valorant beta dropped today as well. Plus, EA's long awaited College Football 25 debuted last week and people are still digging into that excellent football game.

As of this writing is 5 p.m. Pacific and Xbox Game Pass is still down. We haven't heard any more from any official Microsoft channels.

The Xbox status page remains red saying that Game Pass is suffering a major outage. The Xbox support X account continues to direct queries to the status page. 

We asked for more details from Microsoft spokespeople but they have declined to respond since our initial emails.

It remains unclear why Game Pass is suffering issues. It could be, as theorized earlier that the CrowdStrike outage is causing ripple affect issues. Accounts trying to pay for a continuing or new Game Pass subscription are having issues with payments being sent July 17th through the 19th, right when CrowdStrike's outage occured.

Another theory is that it's related to the price increase coming in September with a calendar or clock issue affecting people's ability to reup their subscriptions. Microsoft might not want anyone purchasing new subs and keeping the old price.

I have seen some X-users and Redditors claiming that it's related to Modern Warfare 3 being hacked yesterday. I haven't been able to confirm that MW3 was hacked. It does appear that the game or servers were suffering from an error code called "Detrick Guernsey" which also affected Modern Warfare 2, though that appears to have been a PC issue and not an Xbox one. 

As of Saturday morning, the Xbox status page remains red saying that the Game Pass store and subscriptions are suffering a major outage. Viewing what games are available on Game Pass is also offline, or some details might be missing from certain titles.

A little after 8:30 AM ET, the team posted a status update that "It's taking longer than anticipated" to address the issue. No new updates have been posted on the official Xbox X account, which continues to direct queries to the status page. 

For those who are affected, whether we see a fix before the weekend's out remains up in the air.  

Microsoft's all-you-can-eat gaming subscription service is back! After the outage lasted through most of Saturday, Xbox Support tweeted at 9:25 pm that it had fixed whatever was plaguing Game Pass: "Users should no longer be seeing issues with Game Pass. Thanks for reporting this to us, and happy gaming!"

The Xbox status page reports all services are up and running, so thankfully it seems like business as usual for Xbox players once more. We've reached out for comment from Xbox for more info and will update once we hear back. 

On Sunday, we came across a few reports of players still claiming Game Pass shows incorrect pricing information, but what they're likely seeing are price hikes that are only now going into effect for existing subscribers. Earlier this month, Game Pass Ultimate's price jumped from $16.99 to $19.99 in the U.S., £12.99 to £14.99 in the U.K., and AU$19.95 to AU$22.95 in Australia. Existing subscribers won't see this price change kick in until September 12, so if players are looking at their bill for next month following the outage, odds are they're seeing the new price. 

It's unfortunate timing, to say the least, especially since is the second global outage Xbox players have seen so far this month. 

Call of Duty is in for a big year with its next major outing, Black Ops 6, set to steal the limelight in late October. But its latest release in Modern Warfare III is still going strong and it’s now free and fully playable on Xbox Game Pass. 

Microsoft announced the news in a blog post yesterday, highlighting the exciting adventures of John “Soap” MacTavish, Farah Kim, and Captain John Price playable across all tiers, including Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Everything CoD: Modern Warfare III has to offer will be made available, including multiplayer, zombies, and its single player experience. 

The launch comes on the heels of Microsoft’s rather expertly-timed price increase for its Game Pass subscription tiers. For most countries, Game Pass Ultimate will go up to $19.99 a month, while PC Game Pass is set to increase to a monthly fee of $11.99. Microsoft also has a “Standard” Game Pass subscription in the works that will drop day-one releases but allow users multiplayer functionality, which should be ideal for Call of Duty fans. 

Although these price increases are set to go live on September 12th, here’s to hoping you were among the few to snag those Game Pass deals amid Prime Day. It’s unclear how long Modern Warfare III might grace the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem, but it certainly won’t be alone. 

Set for debut on October 25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will also be joining Game Pass day and date. Yet, it’s not an easy freebie for those who aim to save on its $70 price tag, as Microsoft has taken steps to ensure you can’t game the system. Those currently subscribed to Game Pass (Console, PC, or Ultimate) will have immediate access to the game, while newer members will have to sub to the Ultimate tier for Black Ops 6 access. 

In the meantime, at least there’s Modern Warfare III to lose oneself in on Game Pass as that October release date draws near. And, those who are eagerly awaiting the launch of Black Ops 6 will be able to play the multiplayer beta on August 30 through to September 9. 

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Another week, another piece of potentially industry-shaking changes to Xbox Game Pass. In the wake of Game Pass launching on Amazon Fire TV devices earlier this month, then a subsequent price hike, new reports suggest Microsoft could double down on cloud gaming, and as someone who enjoys playing the likes of Forza Horizon 5 on, y’know, an actual Xbox Series X, these rumors have me worried big time. 

In an article by Windows Central reporter Jez Corden, it emerges the Redmond giant could be exploring a new Game Pass tier that is cloud-only. “I’ve heard that Microsoft is working towards a cloud-only version of its subscription that would be cheaper and more approachable to buy than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate,” Corden claims. “This would be designed around users who simply aren’t interested in buying an Xbox console, which could include competing console platforms.”

Corden goes on to say he believes this may give Microsoft the opportunity to allow gamers to “double dip”, by letting them purchase digital titles as part of the rumored cloud-only subscription tier. 

This does make a degree of sense as Windows Central has previously reported that Phil Spencer (CEO of Microsoft Gaming), wants games Xbox players already own to be brought into the Game Pass fold. Though this would depend on the iconic company completing successful deals with the license holders of those games. This doesn't sound like an outrageous notion, especially as titles disappear from Game Pass all the time.

Another claim Corden makes is that he’s heard “very tentative rumors that the Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family Plan experiment isn’t dead." In case you’ve forgotten about this service, it was trialed in August 2022, allowing up to five people to share a multi-user Xbox Game Pass Ultimate account.

Though it was scrapped the following September, if Microsoft decides to give it another go, it could possibly be more cost-effective for the firm; especially as Ultimate has just increased from $16.99 to $19.99p/m in the States, £12.99 to £14.99p/m in the U.K. and AU$22.95p/m in Australia (up from a monthly fee of AU$19.95).

Corden’s final potential bombshell? The reporter says he’s heard Microsoft has been looking into introducing Game Pass tiers with ads, though he then quickly claims the company “isn’t actively working towards an ad-based Game Pass tier.”

A cloudy day for Xbox?  

Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming is only available to Ultimate subscribers and not folks who are on the newly-named Xbox Game Pass Standard. The base tier looks like an increasingly bad deal for Xbox players, as it is removing day one access to new games, which previously has always been the service’s most attractive selling point. It means that if you want to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 when it launches on October 24, you’ll need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

I’ve owned an Xbox Series X since it launched back in November 2020, and all this swirling speculation has me concerned. The big issue as I see it, is that in its current form, Xbox Cloud Gaming kinda sucks. Plagued by artifacting and input lag and limited to 1080p at 60 fps, the few times I’ve played around with it on my 1GB fiber optic connection, the experience has been subpar to say the least.

Now obviously I’m not exactly the target audience for Xbox Cloud Gaming, seeing as I can play the best Xbox Series X games through my Game Pass for PC subscription on an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU. If a cloud-only tier of the service does launch, I have to imagine it’s being squarely targeted at gamers who want to stream games over their phones. Look, I’m not judging folks who choose to go that route. What I will say is that if you are planning to stream Xbox titles over a smartphone, please consider picking up a device such as the Razer Kishi V2 Pro. Speaking of which…

Right now, the Razer Kishi V2 Pro Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition for Android is on sale for $81 at Amazon. That’s a whopping 45% discount off the standard list price of $149, making for an impressive saving of $68.    

As someone who’s been playing Xbox games since 2002 — dear Lord, I’m old — I just can’t recommend Xbox Cloud Gaming in its current form, especially when there are far, far superior cloud gaming services out there. Namely GeForce Now Ultimate. Nvidia’s top-tier streaming sub is comfortably the best I’ve ever used, and it’s not remotely close. Supporting up to 4K resolution and up to 240 fps, it frankly embarrasses Microsoft’s attempt at cloud gaming. Hey, that’s what the power of a cloud-based RTX 4080 GPU gets you. 

In a fairly telling move that suggests the Xbox division is aware that its streaming platform isn’t quite up to snuff, the fact you now have the option to stream Game Pass titles over GeForce Now directly from a game’s official Microsoft page says quite a lot. My hope here is that now Microsoft and Nvidia have signed off on a 10 year partnership, Team Green may assist Microsoft in improving the technical quality of Xbox Cloud Streaming.

Whatever happens going forward, even the most casual fans of Microsoft gaming deserve better than the current state Xbox Cloud Gaming finds itself in. If the House that Bill Built can substantially improve the quality of its streaming service, I’ll find this whole rumored notion of a cloud-only Game Pass tier a lot less offensive. 

In the here and now, though, I’ll continue to kick Covenant ass in Halo Infinite through the Xbox app on one of the best gaming PCs.  

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Xbox Game Pass prices are set to rise globally this week. Today, Microsoft is hiking up the cost of its subscription service across most of the 40 countries in which the digital platform is available. 

Subscribers to Games Pass Ultimate in the U.S. will have to start paying $19.99 per month instead of $16.99 (thanks, Engadget), while prices are jumping to £14.99 in the U.K. (up from £12.99) and to AU$22.95 in Australia (up from AU$19.95p/m). 

Prices for Game Pass Core — the most basic subscription tier — are also on the rise. A 12-month sub now costs $74.99p/m (up from $59.99), £55.99p/m (up from £49.99) in the U.K. and AU$89.95 Down Under (up from AU$89.95).

Granted, Microsoft just put on one of the strongest Xbox Showcase presentations in years recently, but a price bump for a service that feels like it hasn’t had many games to shout about since Starfield launched last year isn’t exactly welcome.

If you’re an existing Game Pass subscriber, these price changes won’t kick in until September 12. Is this the last significant change going on with the service? It looks like the Xbox Game Pass for Console plan will no longer be offered to new subscribers going forward.

You shall not Game Pass  

Engadget reports Game Pass subscribers have been slow to rise recently, with subs only growing by 9 million over the last two years. A price jump is hardly going to boost Game Pass’ appeal, even if the service could soon be flooded with classic games after the completion of the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. 

Perhaps the price adjustment has ties to Game Pass coming to Fire Stick TV this week. The Xbox app can now be downloaded on both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K across 25 countries, and it allows you to play some of the best Xbox Series X games provided you have a Bluetooth-compatible controller. 

As PS5 continues to smash both Series X and Xbox Series S in the sales department this console generation, making Game Pass more expensive seems like a slightly bizarre decision to me from Microsoft. Either way, Xbox could badly do with the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle right about now.  

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Last month we reported that Xbox Game Pass was coming to both Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K, allowing you to enjoy games like Forza Horizon 5 via streaming. Now the moment is upon us, with Microsoft beginning to roll out its new Amazon-friendly app in 25 countries as of yesterday. 

It’s been clear for a while that the Xbox brand sees a future where hardware isn’t the be-all and end-all. Xbox Keystone was being developed for more than a hot minute; a rumored device that was going to be sold for around $99 and would have essentially acted as a streaming, well… box. Keystone was quietly shuttered — probably because Microsoft realised trying to launch a sub-$100 console that included a controller was going to be akin to attempting to scale Everest using toothpicks as pitons — so now the company has turned its attention to a software solution. 

With the Xbox app now available on two Fire stick models, the Redmond giant has provided a way of enjoying some of the best Xbox Series X games without needing to own a console. Considering Microsoft is now comfortable selling a small number of older Xbox titles on PS5, it’s no surprise to see the company making Game Pass even more readily accessible (thanks, Video Games Chronicle). 

If you own one of those two aforementioned Fire sticks and you’re also a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, all you need to do is download the Xbox app on your Amazon streaming device and you’re good to go. Well, as soon as you pair a Bluetooth-compatible controller with your TV. Currently, the app supports the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, the PS5 DualSense and the PS4 DualShock 4. 

It’s at this point I should point out that the quality of streaming games through the Xbox app obviously isn’t on par with playing Halo Infinite locally on a Series X. Indeed, Microsoft’s streaming solution is still a good way behind what Nvidia GeForce Now offers from a pure bitrate perspective. 

The flipside is, Game Pass coming to Amazon devices is clearly a move aimed at casual gamers who most likely aren’t fussed about input lag or titles not appearing in pristine 4K quality. For $16 a month and the price of a controller, many of the best Xbox games are now just a couple of button presses away for select Fire stick users.

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Since Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in the biggest acquisition in the history of video games, the Redmond Giant has been relatively slow on the draw when it comes to releasing any actual titles from the megaton studio on Xbox Game Pass. So far, the only Activision release to hit the subscription service is Diablo 4 back in March. That looks like it’s about to change. 

As reported by Windows Central, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Tony Hawk’s 1 + 2 could be about to hit Game Pass “very soon”. The site suggests all three remasters will be made available to subscribers within the same month, though add more salt than you’d find in your average tequila considering the initial source is a leaker from eXputer forums. 

Windows Central admittedly backs said leaker’s claims, and if the information proves correct, this could mark the start of Microsoft flooding Game Pass with Activision Blizzard titles. Considering the merger cost an incredible $68.7 billion, it’s understandable that Team Green wants to start seeing tangible benefits passed onto its subscribers post haste. 

Granted, quite old remakes of Crash, Spyro and Tony Hawk’s are unlikely to prove to be needle movers on a service Microsoft normally doesn't shout about — concrete Game Pass subscribers numbers are rarely reported. Still, their release would at least mark another instance of Phil Spencer and co’s intentions to up the amount of Activision Blizzard content on the platform. 

We already know Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is coming to Game Pass on Day One while PS5 players will have to pay full price for the blockbuster first-person shooter sequel.

Crashing the party

If you’re late to the party with those previously mentioned remakes, Crash N. Sane Remastered Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy are both solid, faithful collections. Tony Hawk's 1 + 2 are close to being immaculate, though. They're both terrific and do honor to a franchise that was at one point legendary.

Fair warning, though: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy really commits to being obnoxiously difficult at times. If you’re remotely like me, Naughty Dog’s remastered platforming trilogy is way harder than you remember it being and this collection more or less keeps the polygon perfect jumping untouched from the PS1 originals.

With PS5 outselling both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S by 3 to 1 this console generation, Microsoft continues to need new reasons to keep players engaged with Game Pass.

If nothing else, this latest rumor at least suggests the Redmont colossus isn’t going to give up on its monthly $9.99 / £9.99 subscription service anytime soon.

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While the rumored Xbox Keystone dongle was canceled last year, Microsoft is now giving gamers the next best thing through a new partnership with Amazon.

As part of this collaboration, you’ll soon be able to play the best Xbox Series X games on your TV without a console. If you have a Fire TV Stick 4K Max or a Fire TV Stick 4K plugged into the back of your TV, you’ll be able to play the latest Xbox games via the cloud.

In addition to a newer Fire TV Stick, you’ll also need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for this to work along with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Though you can use a standard Xbox controller, many of the best PC game controllers also work on Amazon’s Fire TV since it’s based on Android.

Xbox games on Amazon Fire TV will be available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in 25 countries at launch, though more countries could be added down the line. Likewise, while the initial launch will be limited to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K, the Xbox app could come to other Fire TV devices down the line as well as Amazon’s own Fire TV Omni lineup.

Striking a deal with Amazon to bring Xbox games to Fire TV makes a great deal of sense, especially given the success of Prime Video’s recent Fallout TV series. With Game Pass Ultimate, you can play all of the latest Fallout games including Fallout 76 and Fallout 4.

How to play Xbox games on your Fire TV Stick

To get started playing Xbox games on your Fire TV, you first need to download and install the Xbox app on your Fire TV device. From there, you then have to sign in with your Microsoft account if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.

In order to play games, you’ll need to connect a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. According to a press release from Microsoft, the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Playstation DualSense and the DualShock 4 are all compatible with the Xbox app right out of the box.

If you want a steady frame rate and a lag free experience though, you might also want to consider upgrading to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems if you don’t already have one. There are plenty of great mesh routers to choose from on our list but if you already have other Amazon devices in addition to your Fire TV Stick, you may want to go with one of Amazon’s own eero routers. 

The eero 6+ is a good affordable option at $299 for a three-pack while the eero Pro 6E makes more sense if you have devices that can take advantage of Wi-Fi 6E’s faster 6 Ghz band. There’s also the Wi-Fi 7-powered eero Max 7 for those who want a futureproof home network but keep in mind that Amazon has yet to release a Fire TV Stick that supports the latest wireless standard. I’m sure one is currently in development or will be available soon though. Also, since Prime Day is right around the corner, all of these eero mesh routers will likely see steep discounts like they did last year.

Being able to play all of the latest Xbox games from your Fire TV isn’t just convenient, it’s also a lot cheaper than upgrading to the Xbox Series S or even the Xbox Series X. However, if your internet speeds aren’t fast enough, it still might be worth going with a proper Xbox console instead.

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I recently had to go over to a family friend to sit their dogs for a weekend and due to certain luggage restrictions couldn’t bring my Xbox Series X with me. However, having a Microsoft account meant I could download the Game Pass app on my phone and play on that. 

I have tried the Game Pass app on my iPhone Pro 14 Max in the past, and it was a lackluster experience. The screen was too small and the controls always felt off. However, I recently got my hands on a Galaxy Z Fold 5, which has a much larger screen. So, I thought I would test it out over the weekend without a controller, to see if it was viable.

Why no controller you ask? Simple really: I never bought one. I never thought I would play games on my phones that much, or at least, no games more taxing than what you can find on the Apple Arcade. In all honesty, I assumed that the Xbox app would be pretty terrible if not a nightmare to use, so the thought never crossed my mind. 

So, I downloaded that app and got going over the weekend, and I was surprised by what I found. 

 How easy is it to get the games? 

One of the main questions is how many games can you play with a touchscreen, and sadly it isn't all of them. However, there's an entire section dedicated to games that work with touch. By my count, there are around 248 games on this list, including relatively new titles like the Persona 3 Reload and even Gears of War 5. 

Setting them up on the phone is relatively easy; you click one and it launches after a brief animation. However, the mobile version of Game Pass is slightly different in that it streams the game rather than downloads it to the device. This means that, depending on the Wi-Fi, you might end up with stuttering and long load times. 

However, the GamePass app is linked to your console's version, which means that any game you were playing and any progress you made were synced. For instance, when I tried Persona 3 Reload I could access my New Game + info, which was great so long as I never think about how depressing the ending is, in a good way mind. 

This sync means that it is easy to pick up and play a game right where you left it off on the console, which is a feature I would hope to see in any potential Xbox handheld.

 How does it control?

Controlling the games is pretty varied. Some only have minimal inputs while others have symbols denoting what they do in the game. However, most games are pretty easy to understand and I never felt like I had no idea what to press. For instance, when I played Octopath Traveler it was pretty easy to get a grasp of the controls and the inputs were accurately and promptly registered by the phone. 

Gears of War 5 was a little trickier, if only because it used more buttons than Octopath did. It was fine while I was in cover, which is a staple of the series, but it got more complicated if my character had to move. The problem was that the touch screen didn't afford me the fluidity that I have come to expect from controllers and the button placements are a bit strange. You would expect it to mirror the controller, but it really doesn't, in fact, it seems random at times. 

There’s also the issue of the phone registering movements and trying to shift my viewpoint to match. It didn’t work as well as just using the analog controls and it meant I had to sit dead still to use it, which isn’t really ideal. I want a handheld that lets me move around and change positions, not one that tracks what I'm doing. 

 Does the touchscreen interrupt gameplay? 

This is the real question, and it's a bit of a complicated one to answer. You see, the issue still remains that your hands are on the screen and are taking up space. However, the size of the screen does help to mitigate this to a certain extent. While I was still aware that my fingers were covering the screen, I could still see enough that it was less of an issue.

The bigger issue for me is that touchscreen inputs lack a certain feeling that I require. While I could still aim down the sights and hit the shoot button like I do on a console, it just didn’t feel the same as when you do it with a controller. This lack of feedback makes it feel like you're not really playing a console game. However, It was still perfectly functional and that is far more than I expected.

Can you play Game Pass on a phone with no controller?

It’s quite difficult to recommend using a phone to play Xbox games usually, but I can honestly say that playing on a foldable is perfectly doable, even entertaining. There are limits, obviously, but it was engaging enough that I never felt put off and it was much better than trying to play on my iPhone.

However, with all that said, I think there's a clear benefit to investing in a controller if you want this to be a staple gaming option. The simple fact that you have to “get used” to using the touchscreen will put people off, and the lack of feedback is enough that it feels like a very different experience. 

So, if you want to play on your phone check out our best mobile phone controllers for an idea of where to start, and I will see all of you online when Gears of War E-day comes out. I just might not play it on my phone, though.

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Xbox is putting all of its cards on the Game Pass front as it plans to release the next Call of Duty installment on the subscription service at launch. 

The report comes via the Wall Street Journal in an exclusive that claims an official announcement from Microsoft is planned for next month’s Xbox showcase, planned for June 9.

It’s an interesting move that will see a typically premium game sold at around $70 available to gamers on a monthly subscription fee of between $9.99 to $16.99. Game Pass has been heralded as one of the best values in gaming, allowing you access to over 450 titles, many of them major hits including Grand Theft Auto 5, Lies of P, and Starfield.

Meanwhile, PS5 and PS4 players will have to pay full price to experience the next Call of Duty outing.  

Game Pass hits the trenches 

Call of Duty’s next major hit is set to grace the ever-growing Xbox Game Pass catalog on launch day, which has still yet to be announced but should land sometime toward the end of 2024. With its incredibly large fanbase, one that corrals several different series and a battle royale experience in Warzone, Call of Duty on Game Pass could be huge for Microsoft and a major blow to PlayStation players. 

Modern Warfare 3, the last Call of Duty installment released in November 2023, managed to eke out the second spot as the best-selling game of the year behind Hogwarts: Legacy. According to Gameindustry.biz writer Christopher Dring, nearly 72% of all physical UK sales of the game were primarily on PS5. 

Thus, PS players account for a large portion of the Call of Duty player base. It was a pivotal part of the debate surrounding Microsoft’s $75.4B purchase of Activision Blizzard, which concluded on October 13, 2023. Xbox has yet to add any of the older Call of Duty games to its subscription service, but with this recent announcement more could be finding a new home in Game Pass. 

It’s not entirely clear what the next Call of Duty installment will be, but many reports suggest it will follow along the Black Ops series taking place in the Gulf War. As with all previous releases dating back to the revival of Modern Warfare, this new entry will have connective tissue with both Warzone and Warzone Mobile. 

Game Pass proves a remarkable selling point for gamers. At just $10 for its base monthly plan, you gain access to a wide variety of experiences beyond just the Xbox branding. An additional $16 a month grants you access to cloud gaming services, letting you play your favorite games on the go over WiFi or cell service. 

Microsoft claims the service is host to as many as 34M subscribers, which it announced earlier this year. Its major day and date launch of Starfield drove a record number of subscriptions to the service, which could be mirrored in the soon-to-release Call of Duty sequel. 

An Xbox Games Showcase and aptly-titled "Redacted" Direct is planned for June 9, the latter of which should give Call of Duty fans better insight into what to expect with the franchise's next title. The livestream will kick off starting at 10AM PT/ 1PM ET across Xbox's socials. 

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Microsoft has just announced the next batch of games that will hit its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, taking us into the start of May. It's a good mix of titles this time around, packed with gems that could land a spot on our best Xbox Series X games list. And one about an adorable little kitty causing chaos ranks among my most anticipated games for 2024. 

It's called Little Kitty, Big City, and it lands on Xbox Game Pass on May 9 as a day-one addition. Its shtick of playing as a mischievous cat in a cozy open-world playground had me hooked from the first trailer. And you can dress up your cat in little hats! How cute is that? 

"Explore the city, make new friends with stray animals, wear delightful hats, and leave more than a little chaos in your wake. After all, isn't that what cats do best?" Xbox said in a press release. Did I mention the hats? Because I'm really excited about the hats. 

While considerably less feline-focused, the rest of the lineup is solid as well. Also worth noting, Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PC and Xbox is now available on Game Pass via EA Play, which is part of a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. 

Have a Nice Death, a 2D action roguelike that casts players as an overworked Grim Reaper, lands on Xbox Game Pass today (April 30). I played it in early access and found it a punishing but satisfying challenge. Its combat is extremely polished, the soundtrack is an endless string of bangers that keep its runs engaging, and its hand-drawn art style melds cute designs with its goth aesthetic beautifully. 

Next up, on May 2, is Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, the critically acclaimed reboot of the Lara Croft-led, action-adventure franchise rebuilt for next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. After that, you've got Kona II: Brume on May 7. The sequel to 2017's Kona, it's a first-person narrative game set in a rural mining village in Northern Canada in 1970 plagued by a bizarre mist that has engulfed the region. 

May 14 sees Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons return to Game Pass ahead of its forthcoming next-gen remake. Conceived and directed by the supremely talented Josef Fares, who went on to make the award-winning co-op puzzler It Takes Two, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the most charming indie adventures to come out of the 2010s.

You can find the full list of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass in May below. 

All titles coming to Xbox Game Pass

• April 30: Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• May 2: Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• May 7: Kona II: Brume (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• May 9: Little Kitty, Big City (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• May 14: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC)

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Xbox Game Pass was already set to end the month strong with a second wave of exciting titles arriving on the subscription service this week, and the April 2024 lineup has just got even stronger with an excellent Star Wars game confirmed to be making its way to the Game Pass library. 

A new post on the Xbox Wire confirms that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is being added to the Play List on EA Play starting Thursday, April 25. Xbox Game Ultimate and PC Game Pass include full access to EA Play as standard, meaning players with an account for either can jump into the second chapter of Cal Kestis’ battle against the Empire in less than 48 hours.  

Unfortunately, PlayStation Plus subscribers won’t get access to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (at least, not yet), but if you have a separate EA Play membership on your PlayStation console, you can also play the blockbuster sequel starting on Thursday. 

Jedi: Survivor is the best Star Wars game in ages

Regardless of what platform you play on, you need to check out Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This 2023 followup to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, takes pretty much everything good about its predecessor and turns it up a notch or two. 

Set five years after Fallen Order, you again play as Cal Kestis, one of the last remaining Jedi Knights, as he looks to evade the crutches of the evil Galactic Empire. Much like The Empire Strikes Back, this sequel is a little darker in tone, as Cal and his allies find themselves surrounded by threats and on the search for a supposed safe haven on a mythical planet. 

The gameplay is a strong mix of third-person platforming and cinematic combat. Survivor throws in a whole new array of lightsaber moves and combat abilities to the mix, and Fallen Order’s strong-level design is another element that is replicated in this sequel. Each planet you visit is teeming with hidden secrets, and seeing everything will take you dozens of hours. 

In our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review, we said “Star Wars: Jedi Survivor features satisfying gameplay, stunning graphics and a thrilling story. It's not only a solid video game but is also a ray of hope for the franchise. This is one of the best Star Wars adventures in years.”

That sentiment remains true to this day (though the upcoming Star Wars: Outlaws could challenge for the title of best Star Wars game on current hardware), and the game’s launch technical issues have been almost entirely smoothed out over the past 12 months making now the ideal time to play. 

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a must-play action-adventure game, and its arrival on Xbox Game Pass (and EA Play) is very welcome. Plus, if you need a little help on your journey, here's our best Jedi: Survivor tips. 

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Microsoft has just announced the second wave of games that will hit its Xbox Game Pass subscription service before the end of the month. It’s an eclectic lineup to say the least, and one that packs in what could prove to be genuine gems that may adorn our Best Xbox Series X games list some day. 

Probably the most exciting of the bunch is Manor Lords, developed by Slavic Magic that’s due out as a day one exclusive on April 26. This grand medieval strategy game is the top wish-listed game on Steam, and features sweeping tactical skirmishes, social simulation elements and complex city building. When you have more players pining for your game than the upcoming Hades 2, you know you’re doing something right as a developer.

Before that there are several other titles coming to Game Pass that look well worth sinking your teeth into (PSA: please don’t actually bite your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S). The intriguing Harold Halibut hit the service yesterday, and it looks absolutely fascinating. It's a beautiful adventure with startlingly original stop-motion style visuals and endearing diorama virtual sets. Set in the subaquatic city of FEDORA hundreds of years in the future, this adventure game’s unique art style looks truly compelling. 

Over the next couple of days, tower-defense sequel Orcs Must Die 3! and EA Sports NHL 24 also hit Game Pass. Knowing absolutely zero about ice hockey outside what The Mighty Ducks taught me about the sport, I’ll probably stick to solving puzzles in Harold Halibut. 

Even more games are landing on Game Pass next week, with JRPG Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (arriving on April 23), quickly followed by soulslike adventure Another Crab’s Treasure. And yes, it actually does let you play as a crustacean in the form of an ass-kicking hermit crab called Kril. 

Another roguelike also hits Game Pass on April 30. Have a Nice Death is a game that rocks some serious Hollow Knight vibes. Just replace the ballectic bug warrior with a cutesy Grim Reaper.

If you’re a subscriber to the base level Game Pass Core, a trio of titles are headed to the cheapest level of the subscription service on April 23. They’re actually pretty exciting, too. Highly-rated co-op shooter Dwarf in Deep Rock Galactic, stylish slow-mo FPS spin-off Superhot: Mind Control Delete and racer Wreckfest are all worth checking out.

I’m actually playing Wreckfest on my Steam Deck OLED at the moment and it’s a surprisingly ace throwback to Destruction Derby that combines races against aggressive AI drivers and full on last car standing arena battles. I think it’s a fantastic racing game that has flown under many players’ radars.

This is definitely one of the most varied Game Pass lineups I’ve seen in a while, and it’s intriguing enough that I might actually turn on my Series X for the first time in months.

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Diablo IV is coming to Xbox Game Pass on March 28, Microsoft announced this week. It'll be the first Activision Blizzard game to land on Xbox's gaming subscription service since Microsoft acquired them in a $68.7 billion deal last October. 

In an official Xbox podcast earlier this week, Xbox executives Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty revealed the company's "vision for the future." The announcement was part PR stagecraft to drum up excitement for Xbox's hardware plans, and part damage control to assuage concerns amid reports that several high-profile Xbox Series X games could come to rival consoles like Nintendo Switch and PS5. 

To that end, the company confirmed that four unnamed Xbox exclusives are indeed coming to other platforms — but not Starfield or the new Indiana Jones game in development, as had been previously rumored. A “next-gen” Xbox console is also in the works, along with an “exciting” hardware announcement slated for this holiday season. 

Bringing Diablo 4 to Xbox Game Pass is a smart move on Xbox's part. The latest entry in Activision Blizzard's legendary dungeon-crawling action RPG series was one of last year's biggest hits when it launched in June on Blizzard's own Battle.net store before coming to Steam in October. And its seasonal updates continue to pull in hundreds of thousands of players each day. Offering it on Game Pass will open up its player base to the service's 34 million subscribers. 

"This is only the start of Xbox players being able to enjoy Activision and Blizzard games on Game Pass — we look forward to sharing more soon," said Xbox Senior Communications Manager Jeff Rubenstein in a company blog post. 

In October right after the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said fans would have to wait until at least 2024 before some of the gamemaker's biggest series like Call of Duty would make their way to Xbox Game Pass. The fact that Diablo IV is already coming to the service so early in the year is a good sign that Call of Duty and more may not be too far behind. 

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Not too long ago, our gaming gurus here at Tom’s Guide collectively pondered the following: what if Xbox Game Studios was to become a third-party publisher? Some of us thought this notion was fanciful (this pea-brained writer included), yet with recent rumors suggesting Microsoft is at least considering allowing two major exclusive IPs to make the jump to the PS5, perhaps there really was merit in that question we posed a few weeks ago.   

If the latest online whispers are to be believed, both Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield could potentially get PS5 ports (Thanks, IGN). This would obviously be a colossal deal for multiple reasons. Not only would Microsoft be handing Sony the keys to the biggest game to launch on Xbox Series X so far this generation, it would be sharing one of its most anticipated upcoming titles with its rival publisher, too. 

Squinting between the lines, there have been hints this sort of industry-shaking idea has been in Microsoft’s head for some time. At the turn of the year, stories broke that one of the biggest surprise breakout hits on Xbox in 2023 could be published on other platforms. Though we’ve yet to see it appear outside the Xbox ecosystem, rumors persist charming rhythm-action game Hi-Fi Rush could be PS5 and Nintendo Switch-bound. 

So exactly what could be the potential ramifications for both Microsoft and the Xbox brand if it let Bethesda’s sci-fi epic and potentially the best Indy game since 2003’s Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb willingly slip into “enemy” hands? 

Looking at it from a purely fiscal standpoint, it would probably be good for Microsoft’s bottom line. The company would get a nice chunk of change from all Indy and Starfield PS5 sales, and remember, this is a far bigger and more valuable company than Sony is ever likely to be. The House that Bill Built is hardly short of cash.

It also wouldn’t be a monocle-dropping shocker considering how Xbox Game Studios has been run under the stewardship of Phil Spencer. The CEO of Microsoft Gaming has always seemingly been of the mantra of “Xbox Game Pass first, hardware sales second."

During multiple, refreshingly candid interviews, Spencer has frequently talked about wanting to make Xbox games as accessible as possible. And if we’re talking access, there’s no better way to do that than by shipping your previously exclusive IPs off to a console that outsold Xbox Series X 3-1 in Europe last year.

(X)boxed in

Maybe this is the next natural step in Microsoft going back to its roots as a pure software company. After all, The Big M essentially kiboshed any chance of Series X obtaining must-buy status as soon as it cooked up the concept of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

For years now, you’ve been able to play the majority of big new first-party games at launch on the best gaming PCs thanks to Microsoft’s desire to embed the Xbox brand into Windows 11. As someone who enjoyed playing Forza Horizon 5 at 4K/120 fps on an RTX 4090, I’ll freely admit to being fully behind the company’s PC-embracing decision.

Once you factor in the recent Activision Blizzard acquistion, the concept of “Microsoft being a publisher first and a company that wants to sell Xboxes second” begins to make more sense. Let’s not forget, Xbox as a brand has access to a ludicrous number of IPs going forward. Call of Duty, Tony Hawk’s, Overwatch, Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, Heroes of the Storm etc — not to mention its longstanding homegrown properties like Halo, Forza and the Gears of War series.

Gatekeeping any of the Activision Blizzard franchises above (particularly Call of Duty) would just be Microsoft taking money out of its own pocket when the majority of gamers choose to experience these titles on PlayStation, though.

Perhaps Microsoft should be more worried about making Xbox a “can’t miss” brand again, like back in the days of Xbox 360. We already know hardware sales of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are flagging behind PS5 big time, and the last time we heard about Xbox Game Pass figures, the number of subscribers involved doesn’t exactly flatter the subscription service model. Recently Omdia Senior Analyst James McWhirter predicted that Game Pass subs were around 33.3 million as of the end of 2023 (thanks again, IGN).

The ironic thing is, Starfield isn’t even a particularly great game. The hype train didn’t quite redrail it, but it’s probably fair to say it wasn’t the monster hit and pop culture cornerstone Microsoft was hoping it would become. Regardless, if Bethesda’s intergalactic RPG does indeed one day come to the PS5, it represents, if not a white flag from Microsoft in regards to the current console “war”, then certainly an industry-shaking change of direction for Xbox.

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Persona 3 Reload is a remake of Atlus’ acclaimed 2006 role-playing game which was the first in the series to introduce a social simulation aspect to complement its turn-based combat. Unlike other Persona games, its tone is much darker and it features more mature themes. However, the game still manages to be very entertaining and lighthearted at times.

While previous Persona games were exclusive to Sony’s PlayStation consoles, Atlus has broken from this tradition in recent years by bringing Persona 5 Royal to PC, Xbox and even the Nintendo Switch. This continues with Persona 3 Reload which is available on the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PC, but not on the Switch. 

Although its story remains mostly unchanged, Reload gives Persona 3 a complete visual overhaul. Other upgrades include a brand new English voice cast and useful quality-of-life improvements. This is the best way to experience the darkest Persona tale — whether you’ve played it before or are diving in for the first time. Persona 3 Reload may not be as stylish as Persona 5 with its iconic black and red color scheme but after Persona 5 Tactica and the other spinoffs, the switch back to blue is a welcome change and ties in nicely with the game’s overall theme.

Our Persona 3 Reload review will help you decide if it’s worth exploring Tartarus all over again (or for the very first time) and whether or not this modern remake of the epic RPG holds up compared to newer entries in the series.

A stylized redesign

Persona 3 came out in 2006 for the PS2 and the following year saw the release of Persona 3 FES which added a new playable epilogue and other improvements. Then in 2010, an abridged version of the game called Persona 3 Portable (P3P) was released for the PlayStation Portable. Due to the limitations of the PSP hardware, Persona 3 FES had to be stripped down. Combat remained unchanged but parts of the game felt more like a visual novel as the ability to control your character directly was removed. 

P3P was ported to modern platforms last year and if you want to experience Persona 3 on a budget, it can be bought for just $20. However, for those who want to enjoy the game’s narrative with all of the modern conveniences found in the latest Persona games, Persona 3 Reload is the way to go, although the steep $70 price tag may be off putting to some.

If you’ve played Persona 5 before, then you’ll immediately notice similarities between that game and Persona 3 Reload from the combat to its user interface. Its menus have that same familiar flair, albeit with a black and light blue color scheme as opposed to Persona 5’s now iconic black and red motif.

During my playthrough, I really appreciated the visual refresh Atlus has given Persona 3 Reload All of the new animations are fast and responsive while the new cutscenes pull you further into the game’s story.

A slow but steady burn

In contrast to Persona 4 and Persona 5, which immediately pull you into their respective stories, Persona 3 Reload is a slow burn. During the 20 hours or so I’ve played so far, the story has yet to build momentum. 

Persona 3 Reload starts with its silent protagonist on a train heading to the fictional Tatsumi Port Island, a decade after his parents died in an accident on the island. You are quickly introduced to the Dark Hour, a key part of the game’s story, but you aren’t given any more details about the protagonist or their backstory.

This is one of the biggest flaws with Persona 3 Reload’s narrative. Even though other games in the series also feature a silent protagonist, you learn a lot more about them within the first few hours of play. Fortunately, the rest of Persona 3 Reload’s cast is well-fleshed out.

Your time in Persona 3 Reload is spent attending classes at Gekkoukan High School during the day and exploring a procedurally generated dungeon called Tartarus at night. You do get glimpses of the larger story from time to time, and collectible documents fill in some of the blanks. Still, there’s a lot more filler between key plot points than in other Persona games.

Climbing the dark tower

The Dark Hour is an event that occurs every night in Persona 3 Reload at 12:01 AM and during that time, most people are completely unaware of its existence. But for those that are, the world stops completely, electronic devices  stop working and enemies called Shadows appear and attack people who aren’t sleeping inside a coffin — I told you this game was a lot darker.

In addition to this, a giant tower called Tartarus appears each night at Gekkoukan High School. Since it emerges from the ground each evening, the tower’s layout almost entirely changes every time you visit. Once you awaken your Persona — which is a manifestation of each character’s personality that aids you in combat — you join a group of like-minded students and form the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES). 

The members of SEES are tasked with exploring all 263 floors of Tartarus to uncover more about the Shadows within and the Dark Hour. The team’s ultimate goal is ending the spooky phenomenon once and for all. This is no easy task and as you progress through Persona 3 Reload’s story, you’re joined by nine other team members to support you in combat. However, you can only have four active party members at once. 

For those who have played Persona 5, progressing to the top of Tartarus feels a lot like exploring Mementos. Since the floors are randomly generated and change each time you return, you never quite know what you’ve find. However, even though the look of each floor changes as you move between blocks of floors, dungeon-crawling gets repetitive after a while. This is largely because you’re fighting similar Shadows on each floor. 

As for combat, Atlus has made some significant changes to the original Persona 3 to give the game a more modern feel in Reload. These changes include the ability to give direct orders to your teammates and a Shift mechanic that lets a character pass an extra turn to a teammate. This is similar to the Baton Pass system in Persona 5.

If you haven’t played a Persona game before, the most important aspect of combat is discovering and exploiting enemy weaknesses. For example, If an enemy is weak to lightning and you use the spell Zio, they’ll be knocked down and you’ll get an extra. Knock down all of the enemies and you can perform a powerful All Out Attack that can usually bring a battle to its end.

More than 10 hours into the game, you’re introduced to Theurgy Skills which can be activated after filling up a party member’s individual meter. This allows you to perform a special, situational attack and each character’s Theurgy Skill is unique. This new mechanic helps mix up combat but I wish you were introduced to it earlier.

Overall Persona 3 Reload’s combat is just as satisfying as previous entries in the series and is complex enough that it will keep you coming back for more, even if the floors of Tartarus start to blend together after a while.

Social butterfly

When you’re not exploring Tartarus with other members of SEES, you spend your time attending high school classes and improving your relationships with your peers. The activities you engage in after school are a great way to pass the time until the Dark Hour and learn more about Persona 3 Reload’s other characters. Plus they also help you during combat.

If you have a Persona with the same Arcana as someone you’re spending time with, doing so will allow you to level up that Arcana and create more powerful Personas. These Arcanas are based on Tarot Cards and in the Persona games represent the core personality of specific characters. This tie between your daily life and your extracurricular activities at night is one of the hallmarks of the Persona franchise but it all started with Persona 3.

From helping a classmate with a crush on a teacher to befriending an elderly couple that runs a bookstore to participating in the track, art and student council clubs, there’s a lot to do in Persona 3 Reload when you’re not exploring Tartarus.

In addition to improving your social links and in turn your Arcanas and Personas, you also have the opportunity to level-up the protagonist’s three main attributes: Academics, Charm and Courage. These stats can be boosted by engaging in several activities like working part-time at a coffee shop or answering questions correctly in class.

Although there isn’t quite as much to do in Persona 3 Reload as there is in Persona 5 Royal, I found the side activities to be enjoyable and interesting. They also allowed me to get to know the city of Tatsumi Port Island and its residents better.

Persona 3 Reload review: Verdict

Remake or not, Persona 3 Reload certainly has some big shoes to fill as the first mainline Persona game since the release of Persona 5 Royal back in 2020. For the most part, it delivers the kind of high-quality experience that fans of the series expect. However, Persona 5 still casts a large shadow over this new release and Persona 3 Reload will certainly be compared to the game that finally made Persona a household name in the West.

As someone who skipped the re-release of Persona 3 Portable to play this reworked version, I’ve really enjoyed my time with Persona 3 Reload even if its presentation isn’t quite as stylish as Persona 5. The quality of life improvements, new animations, vibrant visuals and fresh voice cast certainly give this 18-year-old story new legs. However, I wish the game had launched at $60 as opposed to $70 given it’s a remake. Even Persona 5 Tactica cost less at launch, and it’s an entirely new game.

If you’ve played the original, you’ll be more than happy with the changes Atlus has made to modernize this darker Persona tale. Likewise, if like me, this is your first time playing Persona 3, it’s an enjoyable experience held back slightly by the huge success of the last mainline Persona game and its steep launch price. However, Persona 3 Reload is especially worth experiencing if you’re playing on Xbox or PC as it’s available on Xbox Game Pass.

Apple is opening its App Store up a bit more today (January 25) by allowing developers to stream games and other "mini-programs" from within a single app. This is significant because until now it was very challenging for game streaming services to operate on the Apple App Store. 

While services like Google Stadia (RIP), GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass did finally come to iPhone in 2020, Apple made it difficult for developers to actually stream games to iPhones. While such apps could offer basic account services and provide users a catalog of games on offer, any game that was actually going to be streamed to an Apple device had to first be submitted to the App Store team as its own dedicated standalone app which must then have in-app purchases to unlock functionality. 

In this way Apple was able to exert fine-grained control over which games were available for streaming via its App Store, and take a cut of the profits to boot. At the time, Apple's developer partners seemed (understandably) frustrated by the limitation, which was not applied to content streaming services like Spotify or Netflix.

"This remains a bad experience for customers," a Microsoft spokesperson told Tom’s Guide at the time. "Gamers want to jump directly into a game from their curated catalog within one app just like they do with movies or songs, and not be forced to download over 100 apps to play individual games from the cloud."

And indeed it seemed like a bad experience for developers as well who had to try workarounds like in-app links to websites where you can stream games via the browser on your phone. We saw this when Google Stadia hit the iPhone back in 2020 and suddenly you could stream and play Cyberpunk 2077 on your iPhone or iPad —but only by effectively putting a link to a streaming website on your home screen, in app form. If you wanted to stream the game in the Stadia app, or switch games while streaming, you were out of luck.

Those days seem to be over, as Apple's announcement today lays the groundwork for big changes to spread throughout its App Store in 2024. Starting today, developers can submit one app with the ability to stream all games in their catalog.

Apple is of course keen to continue exercising control over the content and revenue in these apps, so not just every app but "each experience made available in an app on the App Store will be required to adhere to all App Store Review Guidelines and its host app will need to maintain an age rating of the highest age-rated content included in the app." 

In addition, the company is talking up how it can assist developers with "enhanced discovery opportunities for streaming games, mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots, and plug-ins" they offer on the App Store. Of course, it's also keen to point out developers can offer paid content or services via its In-App Purchase system, which gives Apple a cut of the earnings.

Plus, Apple is rolling out some new analytics tools that developers can use to better understand their performance on the App Store, with more to come in March 2024.

Outlook

This is one of a few changes Apple is making to its App Store in 2024 in response to pressure from European Union authorities who have been investigating the company on antitrust allegations. 

Expect more changes to the company's business in the EU to comply with the impending Digital Markets Act, to the point that Apple could split the App Store to comply with EU regulations. And while the company is under pressure to make it easier for iPhone owners to install their own apps, without accessing the App Store, it sounds like Apple will likely restrict sideloading on iPhone in the most Apple way possible.

Still, back in 2020 it was hard to imagine anything like this could happen to Apple's walled garden. While the company appears to be fighting tooth and nail to keep its hold on the App Store, pressure from EU regulators has clearly had an effect.

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If you've been anywhere near gaming news over the past couple of weeks, you'll have noticed one key running theme — Microsoft is sending mixed signals about the future of Xbox. 

On one side, you have the chief Phil Spencer being clear that the company has "no plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo," but on the other, you've got Satya Nadella talking about being a "good publisher" on these platforms.

With sales of the Xbox Series X and Series S paling in comparison to the PS5 and Switch, and Microsoft spending billions and billions on hoovering up some of the best studios in the world, the question has been posed: could Xbox Game Studios become a formidable third-party publisher?

Rather than get into the nitty gritty of what was and wasn't said, the gaming experts at Tom's Guide have weighed in and made their bets on what could happen over the next few years.

“It’s only a matter of time.” - Jason England

Let me make one thing clear from the get-go — I’m not here to argue the semantics of what Satya said specifically. Especially since his security shoved me out of the way when I spotted him checking out Miroki at CES 2024. Those guys scare me, and I want no part in anything that could see them appear at my home address.

But let’s look at the reality of Xbox’s situation right now. While PS5 sales rose by a massive 143% over last year, Series X/S dropped by 52% across Europe. In fact, Sony’s machine outsold Microsoft’s consoles by 3-to-1, as reported by IGN. Add to that a (in my opinion only) disappointing 2023 for Xbox Game Studios, and at some point, you’ve got to start thinking about the fiduciary duty Microsoft has to its board and investors.

I mean at one point, Phil claimed that “games don’t sell consoles,” which fundamentally misses the point on why this hardware exists to begin with. You need system sellers, and the seemingly agnostic nature of Game Pass just doesn’t seem to be the selling point that Microsoft was hoping for. 

I predict that it’s only a matter of time until we see Xbox Game Studios titles begin to appear on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2, as Microsoft starts to use its position as a powerful third-party publisher to shift more subscriptions to its cloud gaming service. The full-cost titles will reap the profits, and essentially work like a trojan horse to get people playing its games on any screen with ease.

“Xbox is still a major console player.” - Rory Mellon

There’s no escaping the fact that in the (entirely pointless) PS5 vs. Xbox Series X war, it’s Sony’s console that is comfortably on top. While the Nintendo Switch has carved out its own market space, Xbox’s hardware offering hasn’t quite caught on with gamers this generation.

Microsoft suggests that it’s more concerned with how you play your games (i.e. playing via Game Pass) than where you play them, but I remain unconvinced that Microsoft has any plans to cede the console gaming market to Sony and Nintendo anytime soon. Even if Xbox isn’t the top dog at the table, it still holds a valuable slice of the market. Plus, Xbox is one of the most powerful and recognizable brands in any industry. That’s worth protecting and investing in from a business perspective.

Remember we're talking about the company that shelled out more than $76 billion to acquire two major publishers, ZeniMax Media and Activision-Blizzard, in the last few years. And what was Microsoft’s first move after buying the former? To immediately make its biggest game in a decade, Starfield, a console exclusive to Xbox. Those are not the actions of a company that is preparing to throw in the towel and become a third-party publisher that makes its flagship games available on PS5.

I could see Microsoft opting to allow “smaller” games like Hi-Fi Rush or Sea of Thieves onto rival platforms after a period of Xbox exclusively, but if you want to play the big guns like Elder Scrolls 6, Fable and the next Forza, you’ll need an Xbox or Windows PC. Unless of course Sony has a dramatic change of heart and agrees to allow Game Pass onto its hardware, but we’ll get Bloodborne 2 before then.

“As long as you have Game Pass, Microsoft doesn’t care where you play.” – Dave Meikleham

Kudos for Microsoft for keeping at the hardware game, and the level at money at play is obviously in a different stratosphere, but this whole situation with MS feels a bit “Dreamcast-y” to me. The Sega Genesis was a colossal success in the early ‘90s, but shortly after the turn of the Millennium, the company’s final console (the Sega Dreamcast), tapped out just three short years after launching. That’s because the PS2 absolutely bodied it; much like the PS5 is currently bodying Xbox Series X in terms of hardware sales.

What seems clear is that as long as you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, Microsoft doesn’t overly care where you play its games. Upgrade to the Ultimate tier and you’re free to play all of Microsoft’s (admittedly limited pool) of must-play first-party exclusives on one of the best gaming PCs. Hell, with a little tweaking, you can even get Game Pass working on the Steam Deck. 

Can I see a future where a company that made its billions through software sales in the PC space quit the hardware game altogether? Absolutely. With the portfolio of studios the company has acquired, coupled with disappointing Series X sales, I can easily envision a future where Microsoft “does a Sega”, physical Xboxes stop being made and the tech giant consoles itself by running the most successful gaming subscription service in the world. Hoo-boy is it gonna be sweet playing Halo Infinite 3 on my PS7.

“Xbox’s biggest exclusive is Microsoft’s money.” - Tony Polanco

Almost as soon as the year began we heard rumors of Xbox Games Studios going third-party. This all started after a report claimed that Microsoft-owned Hi-Fi Rush was coming to the Nintendo Switch (via IGN). Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella added more fuel to the fire by saying that he wants the company to be a “good publisher” on Sony and Nintendo’s systems (via The Verge). Given how the Redmond-based tech giant will release games like Call of Duty (which it now owns) to PlayStation, it’s no wonder folks now believe Xbox Game Studios might eventually go third-party.

So will this happen? It’s hard to say. I’ve always maintained that Xbox’s biggest exclusive is Microsoft’s money. Even if Xbox is in third place behind PlayStation and Nintendo (which has been the case for over half a decade), Microsoft won’t go broke by continuing to fund the Xbox division.

On the other hand, Microsoft is, at its core, a software company, so it wouldn’t be surprising if it decided to stop manufacturing Xbox consoles and focus solely on Xbox Game Pass on multiple platforms. Phil Spencer said this isn’t happening (via GameIndustryBiz), but anything is subject to change. Of course, the only way we’ll see Xbox Game Pass on PlayStation and Nintendo is if those entities allow it — and I don’t see that happening, at least any time soon.

Even if Xbox Game Pass never comes to rival platforms, individual games certainly will. So in that sense, Xbox is already a third-party developer. That might stifle Xbox console sales, but if Microsoft can make up the difference via game sales on other platforms, then it might be worth it — both to gamers and Microsoft’s investors.

“What’s wrong with a bit more inclusivity in gaming?” - Ryan Epps

In his book “Opening the Xbox” (which was published in 2002), Dean Takahashi wrote, “Time will tell if Microsoft will take over the video game business and control the future of entertainment in the same way that it has absorbed so many other high-tech markets. Brilliant or stupid. Fast or slow. Does Microsoft really get it?” 

Now, nearly 22 years later, we’re still wondering the same thing. Does Microsoft truly get what it’s doing in the video game industry? Are they really looking out for what gamers want and (most importantly) what its investors need? That’s a tough question to answer, especially given Nadella's comments.

Since the Xbox One era, Microsoft has struggled to maintain its stranglehold on the gaming environment. Long gone are the days of breaking 10M US sales numbers in the face of a devastating red ring of death as seen with the Xbox 360. Nowadays, almost hilariously, it’s lucky to release even a well-beloved piece of software let alone a gaming console that can stand toe to toe with the machines pioneered by Sony and Nintendo. 

Clearly the cloud and its subscription services are the most important aspects of Xbox’s current business strategy. But, I think most telling of all in terms of the company’s potential for going bigger and releasing on a wider net of consoles is Phil Spencer’s comments made to The Verge all the way back in 2019, citing that both “subscribers” and “how many games people are buying” prove far more important than overall console sales. 

Software sales are incredibly important not just to Microsoft itself but to the industry writ large. Consoles are sold typically at a loss in order to bring on new consumers, whereas the money is primarily in game sales (and subscriptions). Thus, there’s certainly a reality wherein the next Halo or Gears of War can be played on PlayStation or even Nintendo hardware, but I don’t think that means Xbox is done making consoles, though. 

If it does prove to become a third-party publisher (and I personally don’t see why it wouldn’t), it will have to tread very carefully though, as Xbox has some of the most die-hard, ride or die fans in the industry. Some may not take too kindly to this potential new mode of thinking, but it will definitely invite a more inclusive gaming atmosphere – and that I’m all here for.

“Mercenary tactics.” - Jeff Parsons

Microsoft would almost certainly abandon the Xbox hardware in its current form to push Xbox Game Studios into being the world’s biggest third-party publisher if it led to results. While Sony and Nintendo have largely focused on the games themselves, Microsoft always seemed to me to be about the bigger entertainment experience. Positioning its systems as home entertainment centers as much as games consoles was the precursor to trying to build the “Netflix of games” in Game Pass. 

Microsoft has its roots in software, not gaming. And the tech industry as a whole is embracing services and subscriptions over circuit boards and chassis. When you have shareholders to answer to, there’s only so much time and energy you can put into a losing battle. Like any good mercenary, Microsoft will go where the gold is and if that means pushing Xbox Game Studios at the expense of Xbox hardware, I can see it happening.

Will the consoles vanish overnight? Unlikely. I can see the appeal of Microsoft keeping at least the Series S going in some form for a generation or two — to try and hit the university campus scene or the casual gamer not interested in Nintendo. But at the top level; neither the One X or the Series X have been able to go toe-to-toe with PlayStation. So phasing that out at the same time as ramping up Xbox Game Studios going multi-platform would certainly seem like a good economic bet as things stand.

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The Xbox Series X is one of the Big Two gaming consoles of this generation. While Microsoft’s system might not be as popular as the PS5, it’s still a great gaming platform with a wide variety of both first and third-party titles to pick from. The best Xbox Series X games prove that you can have a great time with this mini refrigerator-shaped gaming console.

Okay, so you just got an Xbox Series X. What can you play on it? Like I said, there’s a lot to choose from. That could be daunting, especially if you’re new to the platform. Don’t fret, because I’m here to help you select a handful of titles that showcase the best of Microsoft’s system. On top of that, I’ll also discuss Xbox Game Pass… which is arguably the Xbox Series X’s secret weapon.

Here are the first 5 games you should play on your next Xbox Series X.

1. Starfield

Bethesda’s first new IP in decades is certainly ambitious, though its repetitive gameplay loop can hamper the overall experience. If you can overlook that, the scope of Starfield’s universe can feel boundless and intoxicating. Quibbles aside, this is arguably the Xbox Series X game to get.

Like other Bethesda titles, Starfield’s story involves a rags-to-riches narrative. Going from relative obscurity to galactic notoriety keeps you engaged, even if the missions you partake in might not feel all that original. Starfield doesn’t offer as much room to explore the galaxy as No Man’s Sky, but there’s no denying that it makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a sci-fi epic.

2. Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 is arguably the best entry in the long-running series. Set in Mexico, this open-world racing game utilizes the Xbox Series X’s power and delivers some of the best graphics the console can produce. It also plays like a dream thanks to its finely-tuned controls.

You’ll find a great deal of activities to partake in across the Mexican environments and locals. Car handling works better than before — giving you just enough realism while maintaining the fun of arcade racing games. Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, Forza Horizon 5 is a must-play for Xbox Series X owners.

3. Hi-Fi Rush 

Hi-Fi Rush effectively came out of nowhere and became a must-play title for the Xbox Series X. Fans of Jet Set Radio will appreciate Hi-Fi Rush’s cell-shaded graphics and emphasis on music. In some ways, Hi-Fi Rush is the closest thing we have to a modern JSR, which is great for those who miss Sega’s classic.

Don’t be intimidated that Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm game. Even if you have no rhythm to speak of, you can still have a good time fighting off hordes of corporate drones and completing platforming puzzles. The wacky story is endearing, featuring a cast of colorful and eccentric characters that make the zany world feel more alive. Hi-Fi Rush is not only one of the best Xbox Series X games but one of the finest titles of the current console generation.

4. Sea of Thieves

If you’re still waiting for Ubisoft’s Skull & Bones to (finally) release, you can fulfill your pirate fantasies now with Sea of Thieves. Though this open-world title had a rocky start, it’s gotten substantial updates that now make it a must-play for Xbox owners.

What’s so great about Sea of Thieves? It lets you and up to four friends plunder islands and sink ships. It also lets you fight a gigantic kraken for good measure. The game runs at 4K at a smooth 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X, which makes the stylized cartoon-ish graphics look even better. If you need an enjoyable multiplayer experience, Sea of Thieves is the treasure you’re looking for.

5. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the finest 2D platform games ever released on any platform. It’s certainly challenging given its hazardous environments and deadly enemies. However, there’s no greater feeling than overcoming the insurmountable odds. The interconnected maps encourage you to unlock shortcuts, and the gorgeous graphics will spur you to see what visual wonders await you as you progress.

Performance-wise, Ori and the Will of the Wisps runs at a buttery smooth 120fps on the Xbos Series X if your TV or monitor has a 120Hz refresh rate at a minimum. If you’re playing on one of the best OLED TVs, the color graphics will leave your jaw on the floor.

Xbox Game Pass

You need Xbox Game Pass to truly take advantage of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Even if you’re a Windows 11 user who plays the best PC games on the best gaming PCs, a Game Pass subscription is worth having.

For an affordable monthly subscription fee of $10 ($15 for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), you get access to a slew of old and new Xbox games — including both first and third-party titles. In addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives access to PC games and Xbox games you can stream via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Via the Xbox Game Pass app, you can also stream to devices running Android, iOS, macOS and ChromeOS. There’s no reason not to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass if you own an Xbox Series X.

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Since it launched back in November 2020, Microsoft has hardly ever discounted Xbox Series X. In fact, in countries like my perpetually frosty United Kingdom, the high-end console actually rose in price earlier this year — jumping from its launch price of £449 to £479. Now, though, it’s finally being discounted (at least in the U.S.) and it’s not difficult to guess why. 

The following will not read as a remotely shocking statement: Microsoft has pretty much lost the console war just three years into this generation. Well, at least in terms of how people historically judge the winner of PlayStation vs Xbox battles.

Which is perhaps why we’re seeing deals like this pop up before Christmas. Right now, this Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle is on sale for $349 at Walmart. That's a saving of $210 compared to the normal $559 listing price. 

According to recent data published by GI.biz (thanks, IGN), sales of both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have dropped a staggering 52% over the past year in Europe. Compare that to PS5’s year-on-year figures in the same region, and sales for Sony’s console are up an astonishing 143%. And no, that really isn’t a typo.

Clearly, Microsoft is struggling to shift physical consoles, even though as a company, it’s rarely talked about sales figures since the brilliant (and underappreciated) Xbox One X launched.

In my eyes, this is down to precisely two factors, neither of which are surprising. Factor one: The Xbox Series consoles simply don’t have enough must-play exclusives to entice gamers into parting with their cash to invest in these machines. Factor the two: Under the stewardship of Phil Spencer, the Xbox division arguably doesn’t hugely care if you buy a Series X or S, as long as you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

Personally, I think Spencer has done a terrific job since he stepped in as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Compared to the disastrous tenure of his predecessor Don Mattrick — who basically let Sony win the PS4/Xbox One generation with a disastrous console reveal where the Microsoft machine was initially marketed as an overpriced, all-in-one media device — Spencer has killed it. 

He gets gaming culture; he always comes across as personable in interviews; and he’s overseen some truly astounding acquisitions like the prolonged but eventually successful buyout of Activision Blizzard.

Game Pass it on

It’s clear what Spencer’s main goal has been from day one: To make Xbox the Netflix of gaming. Game Pass has always been aggressively priced, and the fact it lets you play first-party games on launch day for a reasonable monthly fee is a genuinely great deal… or it would be, if Microsoft actually had an extensive library of brilliant exclusives.

Sadly, that’s just not the case. Here at Tom’s Guide, I’m in charge of updating our best Xbox Series X games buying guide. Currently, only four of the top ten entries are actual Series X exclusives. The rest are either multiplatform games or titles that first launched on Xbox One and just happen to be playable on Microsoft’s most powerful console thanks to its excellent backwards compatibility features. That’s not a pretty state of affairs.

I’ll freely admit I jumped the gun on playing up my renewed love affair with Series X just a couple of months ago. Starfield and Forza Motorsport had just come out and this was the first time I’d felt that the console was serving me up must-experience games since Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5. 

Said tryst lasted all of a month.

Motorsport is a strong driving simulator, yet it lacks the breezy fun and addictive open-world distractions of Horizon 5. And Starfield? I’ve never bounced harder off a Bethesda game before and the Steam data backed my feelings up. While it briefly impressed me after a disastrously dull intro, I quickly lost interest about 10 hours in after realizing how shallow the core gameplay loop was.

You know the only time I’ve turned on my Series X in the last six weeks has been for? To watch my beloved Back to the Future trilogy… and that’s only because my PS5 Media Remote had broken. Normally, I’d watch my favorite Blu-rays on Sony’s console.

Not that any of my ramblings will remotely bother Big Phil or the rest of his execs at Team Xbox. Microsoft’s number one priority is to get you playing its games through any device that either lets you play them locally or via streaming. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play a ton of Xbox titles on PC at higher resolutions and vastly better frame rates if you’re lucky enough to own one of the best gaming PCs.

It’s also easy to stream Game Pass titles, and with a cool gizmo like the Backbone One, playing the likes of Psychonauts 2 on your phone can provide a surprisingly good time.

Could we see a future where Microsoft does a Sega and gets out of the console hardware game entirely? It doesn’t seem that implausible. Game Pass is a compelling service that offers access to a huge library of titles, the majority of which are worth playing.

No matter how low Microsoft drops the price of Xbox Series X, though, PS5 has seemingly already built up an uncatchable lead in terms of hardware sales this generation. And with the rumored PS5 Pro potentially on the horizon, the future for Microsoft's consoles doesn’t look like it’s going to get rosier anytime soon.

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If you’ve been tempted by the Xbox Series X but have been put off by its price tag, a new leak suggests good news for your change purse.

According to X leaker billbil-kun, Microsoft’s flagship console will receive a significant price drop around Black Friday 2023 (thanks, NotebookCheck). The slight caveat is said drop may only apply to European countries, where the console currently retails for €549 but is likely to drop to €449 if the leaker’s info is on the money. 

Udpate: billbil-kun is back grinding away at the rumor mill, and is now suggesting Xbox Series X could get an even bigger discount during Black Friday 2023 season. He's now reporting Microsoft will slash the price of its console to just €399 in France, also throwing in a €10 loyalty card to essentially cut the high-end machine to €389 (once again, thanks NotebookCheck).

In cheerier news if you’re reading this in a non-EU country, billbil-kun predicts the Xbox Series S may also receive corresponding discounts in the US and the UK. Currently, you can buy the Xbox Series X for $488 at Amazon. Meanwhile, in good old Blighty, the console is (at time of writing) briefly being sold at a decent discount. Right now, you can pick up an Xbox Series X for £410 at Amazon UK, down from its usual £480 price tag.

Does this mean we’re going to see Microsoft’s most powerful Xbox suddenly be slashed by $100 / $100 in the US and UK? That seems optimistic, but with Black Friday deals, you never know.

If Xbox Series X briefly went on sale during Black Friday 2023 for around $380 / £350 that’s an absolute no-brainer as a must-buy if you’re into video games in the teeniest bit. Again, I doubt we’ll see Microsoft drop its high-end Xbox to such aggressive price points either side of the Atlantic, but then again, who knows? Under the solid stewardship of Phil Spencer, it’s become clear The Big M’s main priority is to get to people playing its games regardless of the hardware involved.

Seeing as you can currently enjoy the likes of Starfield and Forza Motorsport on both PC (provided you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sub) and cloud gaming services, it wouldn’t be the biggest shocker to see Microsoft slash the price of its main machine.

In a climate where Xbox as a brand seems less and less tied to the physical gaming hardware The House of Bill manufactures, a cut-throat Black Friday discount makes some sense, especially considering the market lead PS5 currently holds over Xbox Series X.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best Xbox Series X games to play right now
• I’ve never been happier to own my Xbox Series X — here’s why
• Starfield review: The Xbox strikes back

In case you hadn’t heard, the Microsoft takeover of Activision Blizzard has overcome its final hurdle. That means with the purchase officially complete Microsoft has acquired an extensive catalog of games. The bad news here is those games aren't coming to Game Pass anytime soon.

Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer confirmed this news during the latest episode of the official Xbox podcast — stating that the first Activision Blizzard games likely won’t come to GamePass until sometime in 2024. Evidently it’s all down to the fact the regulatory process took so long.

“The regulatory process took so long... that we weren’t able to get in and work with the Activision Blizzard on that back catalog work.” Spencer said.  “Now that the deal is closed, we’re starting that work, but there is work.”

Spencer also referred to a tweet made by Activision Blizzard earlier this month, noting that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 won’t be available on Game Pass until some point next year. Just like Spencer, the tweet pins this on the fact the acquisition needed to be complete before any such work could commence. 

Spencer admits that people will be disappointed by this news, and the fact a bunch of Activision games won’t be landing on Game Pass on day one of the new ownership. There had been rumors that this could happen, which had happened after the acquisition of Bethesda in 2021. Unfortunately that isn’t the case this time round.

There’s a lot to enjoy on Game Pass right now, including Bethesda’s space-epic Starfield — a game that’s done its best to monopolize my time over the past month or so. So it’s not as though there’s any shortage of reasons to subscribe to Game Pass. It’s just that Call of Duty, and other Activision Blizzard games, aren’t going to be among them for a while.

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Microsoft is teaming up with PepsiCo and Frito-Lay to reward gamers for fueling up on their favorite snacks. Beginning October 9, when you buy specially marked packages of Doritos, Mountain Dew, and Rockstar Energy drinks, you could win a code for a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The catch is this promotion is limited to new subscribers. So if you currently have or had a subscription to one of the best deals in gaming, you can still snack on these products all you want, but you won't be getting free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for doing so.

Eligible snacks will feature branding on the label for some of Xbox's biggest games, like Starfield and Redfall. Once you get the code, head over to DoritosDewRockstar.com to redeem your reward. In addition to a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox is also giving away DLC content and in-game rewards, like a Magma Racing Suit in Forza Motorsport or a Chipped Tankard in Sea of Thieves. "Additional purchases and codes will enable players to earn more points to spend on the online rewards marketplace," Xbox said. The promotion kicks off this week and runs until December 29. 

What do you get with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Game Pass Ultimate is Microsoft's premium tier for its monthly game subscription service, typically priced at $16.99 per month. For that, you get access to more than 100 Xbox games ranging from first-party exclusives like Halo Infinite to third-party offerings like Guardians of the Galaxy. 

You also get access to the best cloud gaming streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, which enables save syncing across platforms and lets you play native console games in the cloud and stream them to your phone, PC, or console.

This past summer, the price of Game Pass Ultimate jumped from $14.99 to $16.99 in the U.S. as subscription price hikes were felt worldwide. Though it came as no big surprise that Microsoft would want players to pay more. The cost of subscriptions everywhere has increased over the past couple of years, while Game Pass has remained steady since it launched in 2017 — even as the number of titles on offer has ballooned.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best Xbox Series X games to play right now
• I’ve never been happier to own my Xbox Series X — here’s why
• 10 hidden Xbox Series X features you need to try

Full disclosure: even though I used to work for the UK Official Xbox Magazine, I’ve barely touched my Xbox Series X in over a year. Hell, of late, I’ve mostly been using it to prop up my streaming box. And yes, I know I really shouldn’t be blocking off my console’s top vents. I'll slap my own wrists later. 

My relationship with Microsoft’s flagship console has completely changed over the past few weeks, though. Thanks to a couple of megaton releases, Microsoft’s machine has finally grabbed my attention for the first time since Halo Infinite launched in ye olden days of 2021.

My Series X has Starfield and Forza Motorsport to thank for finally giving me an excuse to dust off Microsoft’s high-end console. Bethesda’s latest epic action-RPG may not have quite garnered the universal critical acclaim of Skyrim, but it’s certainly the most polished, best-looking game the studio has ever put out. 

On my LG G3 OLED TV, Starfield looks stunning. The core gameplay loop of ferrying between planets, scanning intergalactic plants, getting distracted by side quests and shooting all the space dudes isn’t super compelling, sure. But the game looks so damned good I can’t put it down.

Though I really do wish Bethesda would fix its borked HDR — currently I have to set my TV’s brightness setting to a ludicrously low 23/100 just to stop Starfield from looking washed out.

As for the recently released Forza Motorsport: Hot. Damn. It’s scarcely believable how close Turn 10 Studios’ driving sim comes to legitimate photorealism. 

We’ll have our full review of the game live at Tom's Guide shortly, but in the meantime, I can happily tell you Forza Motorsport is a truly gorgeous racer with a sumptuous handling model. It also takes advantage of the official Xbox Wireless Controller’s palm-shaking Impulse triggers more effectively than any other title I can currently think of.

Game Pass with flying colors

It’s been far too long since Xbox Series X had two blockbuster releases to get me all hot and bothered, so I’m glad Microsoft is finally starting to deliver triple-A games that make Xbox Game Pass feel like it’s finally an essential subscription service.

I’ve recently resubscribed to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which allows me to play titles across both my Series X and one of the best gaming PCs. Not only does the Xbox app work far better on my Windows 11-powered rig than it used to, but the collection of titles it’s quietly amassed makes signing up for a sub feel like a no-brainer to me. now

While I’ve primarily been playing Starfield and Forza on my Xbox Series X because I’m now the proud owner of one of the best OLED TVs in the world, I really appreciate that I can play a wide selection of Game Pass titles on my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 PC.

The list of games I can enjoy at 4K (often at a 120 frames per second) is truly impressive. Deathloop, Dishonored 2, Dirt 5, Doom Eternal, Forza Horizon 5, Crusader Kings 3, A Plague Tale: Requiem — that’s quite the stellar line-up. I can even play Dead Space 2 (one of the best survival horror games of all time, in my book), in Ultra HD thanks to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Almost three years after release, Xbox Series X — and to a lesser extent Xbox Series S (for gamers playing on 1080p TVs) — finally feels like an essential games console. PS5 still has the superior library of exclusives, but with Microsoft's prolonged yet likely upcoming acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the Xbox ecosystem is only going to get stronger from here on out.

Xbox Series X, I officially apologize for using you as a glorified 4K Blu-ray player for the past two years. I’ll give you the respect you finally deserve and remove that little streaming service box that’s currently blocking your vents.

Ready to give the Xbox Series X a go, but want to save some money? Our Microsoft discount codes page provides you with all the latest ways to save on the Microsoft store. 

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I’ve never really gotten into Xbox Game Pass, because my lack of free time makes it hard to justify paying for a gaming subscription service. And if $10 a month never felt worth it, $15 for Game Pass Ultimate sure as heck wasn’t on my to-do list. So I’ve never really given cloud gaming a fair shot.

The arrival of Starfield changed things somewhat. I didn’t plan on buying the game, given its size, $70 price tag, a hefty backlog and the release of Spider-Man 2 only a stone’s throw away. But having acquired a free month of Game Pass Ultimate, I decided it would be worth giving it a shot. Especially since God of War Ragnarok is proving a little too frustrating for my loot-obsessed brain to deal with right now.

It turns out Starfield is the perfect example of how cloud gaming can work really well, but also some of the pitfalls of trying to stream such a big (and popular) game. But regardless of how it played, the whole experience proved that the cloud isn't really for me.

My first Starfield cloud gaming experience was a disaster

The first couple of times I tried to load up a Starfield stream, things didn’t go so well. Mainly because there were so many people playing at that specific moment, I had to wait for a good 10 minutes before the title screen even appeared on my phone. Then again, if I’d purchased the game and attempted to download, or play from a disc, I’d have to wait at least that long before I was able to physically play the first time. 

Of course, having it happen the second and third times I tried to play didn’t really help matters. This was the point where the countdown bar just straight-up stopped moving, and frustration kicked in. I gave up failing at Surtur’s Gauntlet to sit and watch a screen with an ugly green rocket ship pretending to fly.

Once I started playing through the tutorial mission, things weren’t so bad. The game was running from a server, straight to my phone, without any discernible lag or graphical issues. Of course, the tutorial mine is very self-contained and not the most interesting place to be, so when I finally got outside, things started to go wrong.  

Starfield just plain started going wrong, visually. The latency wasn’t a problem, as far as I could see, so my movements were being relayed to the server correctly. It’s just the graphics couldn’t keep up. Fighting off pirates when you have blotches of lost textures stuck in the middle of the screen, while the screen is visibly refreshing down the street to try and catch everything up, is not particularly easy.

However, it wasn’t until I got into space for the first time that the game became nigh-unplayable. Fighting pirates on the surface with shoddy visuals is one thing, but it gets even harder then you suddenly have 360-degrees of maneuverability to contend with. It was at this point, after realizing I had better things to do than be blown up, that I gave the game a break.

After that things were… not so bad. Switching between remote play and cloud gaming has been causing some confusion with synced save data, but sticking with a single gameplay method should keep you from panicking at the prospect of lost progress.

Starfield runs surprisingly great on the cloud (most of the time)

After that first turbulent day, Starfield has been running pretty smoothly. I suspect that my initial concerns were down to the sheer number of people trying to play the game at once — as shown by the 10-minute wait. The fact that minor problems seem to be exacerbated when the game had a 3-minute wait time would back that assumption up. 

It’s not been perfect, and there have been a few cases of minor glitches or the analogue stick overshooting and ruining my sneak attack, but these are all issues I’ve experienced during remote play sessions with my Xbox Series X was sitting in the next room.

It’s actually pretty shocking just how good Starfield looks and performs when you’re playing on the cloud, particularly if you’re navigating the never-ending reaches of space or some desolate planet.

In fact, the only other time I’ve run into a serious problem is coming across one of the classic Bethesda glitches trying to enter a gun store for a quest. Long-time gamers will know it all too well: the loading screen straight-up freezes and forces you to quit and try again. In a weird twist, it only affected the local version of the game, rather than the one in the cloud.

Of course, the obvious downside to cloud streaming this way is that I’m using a smartphone, which is not as high quality as my TV. It’s QHD, rather than 4K, and is significantly smaller which can make some of the text a little more awkward to read. This isn’t a game made for Nintendo Switch, after all, where it’s expected that people might be playing on a smaller display.

It’s still fun to play, though, and in the absence of a big screen you can still get that Starfield experience on the smaller screen. Considering I’ve spent most of my time running around doing random tasks for the many NPCs, it’s pretty clear Bethesda isn’t deviating from its usual formula anytime soon. Not that I’m complaining, just that I’d wish the developers would hurry up and get to work on Elder Scrolls 6.

I get it. Space is mind-bogglingly big, and that means Starfield took a long time to make and do justice to the open-galaxy experience. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to return to Tamriel in a game I haven’t already played to death. 

I’m not likely to stick with cloud gaming in future 

As impressive as this stint in Starfield has been at showing me how well cloud gaming can work, I’m probably not going to carry on beyond the end of my free trial. I can see the appeal if you don’t have an Xbox, or you have an Xbox Series S with limited storage space. 

Starfield on PC is proving to be rather demanding, and the Xbox version needs over 100GB of storage space. With both those things in mind, it makes running the game from a cloud server seem a little more appealing. But I don’t play on PC, and I’ve just managed to upgrade the storage on my Series X for a fairly reasonable price. 

The only tangible benefit to playing from the cloud is that I don’t need to get up and open the door to the unit that houses my Series X console — to ensure proper ventilation and avoid heat build-up. Doing that only takes about 30 seconds of my life, and it means I can access the game right away with zero risk of being made to wait several minutes waiting for my turn to access the cloud. The trade-off certainly isn't worth $15 a month.

That will mean I need to buy a copy of Starfield at some point in the future, but I’m happy to do that anyway. Just not right now, because it would be a waste of money. I’m already committed to playing Spider-Man 2 at launch, which is less than a month away. 

Plus with another Prime Day sale and Black Friday season on the way, I’m going to see if I can find a physical copy at a discount. It might be a little too close to launch for any substantial savings, but there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of hope — no matter how minute it may be.

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Microsoft is eyeing a 2028 launch window for a successor to the Xbox Series X and Series S, according to a new document made public as part of the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. Or at least, that was the understanding back in 2022, as outlined in an internal chat log between Microsoft executives at the time, Axios reports.

The 2028 launch plan was referenced in a May 2022 meeting attended by more than a dozen senior Microsoft executives, including CEO Satya Nadella, CFO Amy Hood, and head of gaming Phil Spencer, the document states. During the discussion, one attendee asked the gaming leadership team if the new Xbox console would continue to have fixed hardware standards or go in a new direction, which they described as "a Windows like flexible/capabilities like model." One member of the group said fixed hardware standards were useful for developers, as it means all game makers are on the same playing field, as opposed to the Wild West found on PC.

Kevin Gammill, the corporate vice president of gaming ecosystems, replied that Microsoft had "already started this journey " toward more flexibility with the Xbox One and Xbox One X and, more recently, with the current-gen Xbox Series X|S.

"We need to be even more flexible going forward with gen 10, but also provide the ability for creators to take advantage of unique hardware capabilities," he added. 

We'll have to take all this with a grain of salt for now, as odds are the participants in these internal chats never expected their statements to be publicized. However, the launch target is consistent with June statements from Microsoft's lawyers suggesting that the anticipated starting date of the next console generation is 2028. This latest document hints that Microsoft is, at the very least, considering releasing different versions of its next Xbox console or making it more modular akin to PC.

PC games could soon come to Xbox Cloud Gaming

All these court documents relate to the ongoing dispute about Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard and what it means for the future of Call of Duty and other popular video game series. The legal feud has unearthed plenty of juicy insider information already, and a targeted console launch date isn't the only news that came to light this week. 

A batch of 2021 internal emails between Microsoft execs reveal Microsoft has been planning to stream PC games through its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, the Verge reports. Since the service runs on specialized Xbox Series X chips, cloud streaming is currently limited to Xbox titles. But when rumors surfaced of the now-defunct Google Stadia becoming a white-label cloud gaming service for developers, Xbox began working on a competitor. 

In July 2021, Nadella emailed Spencer, Microsoft's head of cloud gaming Kareem Choudhry and head of Xbox creator experience Sarah Bond about leveraging the company's Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform to stream PC games over Xbox Cloud Gaming. Spencer replied with confirmation that Microsoft was working on a solution powered by Azure servers to enable streaming native PC games from the cloud. Microsoft would be able to offer this service to other companies as well, he added. Choudhry corroborated this in the email chain, making it clear Microsoft was working on streaming PC games over the cloud as early as July 2021.

Microsoft has been dropping clues for a while now that Xbox Cloud Gaming could soon support PC games. In the past year, Microsoft has inked partnerships with several tech companies to build out its cloud computing infrastructure, including NVIDIA, EE, and others. Microsoft has also been conducting beta testing for mouse and keyboard support on Xbox Cloud Gaming, albeit it's limited to games originally designed for Xbox consoles. 

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Microsoft is teaming up with global financial services provider Barclays to launch an Xbox Mastercard later this month, the Xbox maker announced Tuesday (Sept. 12). Cardholders will be able to use the points they earn for every dollar they spend to exchange for games and add-ons on the Xbox Games Store. 

The card, which has no annual fee, will be available exclusively to Xbox Insiders in the U.S., Alaska and Hawaii starting on Sept. 21. After Insiders get their shot, Microsoft will open the credit card up to all Xbox players in the U.S. during 2024.

“With the Xbox Mastercard credit card, players can earn card points with everyday purchases to redeem on games and add-ons at xbox.com,” explained Dave McCarthy, CVP of Xbox player services, in a company blog post. 

APR rates range from 20.99% to 31.99% based on credit. And as with most credit cards, you'll rack up more points from buying certain things than others. Purchasing eligible products on the Microsoft store will net cardholders five times the number of points for every dollar they spend, while subscriptions to some of the best streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus earn three times the points. All other types of purchases will earn the regular 1x rate. 

Somewhat confusingly, the Xbox Mastercard also isn't linked to the Microsoft Rewards program in any way. Instead, the card is its own separate pot of points that can be earned through purchases. 

Applications open on September 21 for U.S.-based Xbox Insiders, Microsoft's early access program to test new Xbox features.

There are five card designs to choose from, which you can see above, along with the option to customize it with your Xbox gamertag. 

As an added sign-on bonus, cardholders will also get 5,000 points ($50 value) after their first purchase with the card along with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new Game Pass members. Or if you're already a subscriber, you can gift the free three-month subscription to friends or family.

We've often touted Microsoft's monthly video game subscription service as one of the best deals in gaming. The top-end Ultimate tier, regularly $15/month, offers all of best bells and whistles: access to a library of over 400 games, an Xbox Live Gold membership for online gaming, cloud streaming available across Xbox, PC, Android and iOS and a handful of select titles to fully own.

Microsoft is no stranger to unconventional collabs (usually seeming to come out of nowhere) to expand the Xbox brand. Last week, Mattel announced a new kit for its Lego-style rival Mega of the Xbox 360, complete with lights, working parts and a bricked-up copy of Halo 3. And let's not forget the eye-watering $10,000 limited-edition Xbox Series X from Gucci. 

As far as credit cards go, we haven't seen Microsoft offer an Xbox card since the early days of Xbox Live. But given that rival Sony already offers its own points-based PlayStation credit card, it tracks that Microsoft would aim to roll out an Xbox competitor. 

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If you go in with low expectations, you’ll never be disappointed, right? That was my thinking when approaching Starfield on Steam Deck. The year's biggest Xbox Series X title and potentially one of the best PC games we’ll see in quite some time isn’t the sort of project that was designed with Valve’s handheld in mind.

Recently, I’ve grown to massively appreciate the handheld PC after being an elitist ignoramus who still owes every Steam Deck owner a massive apology. With that said, I’m still keenly aware of its limitations. 

This is a piece of portable hardware that was designed to make indie darlings sing. Serve Steam Deck the likes of Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Dead Cells or kitty-centric sensation Stray, and you’re going to have a blast. 

Starfield, on the other hand, is exactly the sort of game the Deck wasn’t built for. With thousands of sprawling procedurally-generated planets, this is a space saga painted on the broadest of canvases.

With its relatively meager AMD APU — which consists of a Zen 2 CPU and a GPU that runs on 8 RNDA compute units — it clearly can’t match the power of the best gaming laptops.

From a purely technical perspective, Starfield vs Steam Deck looks to be about as fair a match up as pitting Little Bo Peep against King Kong over 12 rounds. And yet, it’s actually not quite the technical horror show I was expecting.

Stacking the Deck

Don’t get me wrong, Starfield on Steam Deck is definitely playable but it isn’t going to blow your space socks off. You're also going to have to drop literally every graphical preset to low (and I really do mean every single one). You also have to enable AMD’s subpar FSR2 upscaling technique to have any chance of locking down a consistent 30 fps at native 720p resolution. 

If you can stomach a whole lot of visual cutbacks, though, the game often hovers between 24-30 fps. Not great, but again, 'playable'. Of course, when heated battles break out, performance can tank into the teens. 

At time of writing, Starfield has only been out a matter of days, so there’s every chance Bethesda Softworks could implement future patches to boost performance. Steam Deck’s tirelessly committed community will also no doubt come up with clever mods and tweaks to improve the experience of playing this epic sci-fi RPG on Valve’s handheld hit. 

Right now, both Bethesda and the modding community have work to do across the board. Playing Starfield on Steam Deck shines a light on its biggest visual flaw, and it’s a problem that plagues both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S versions, too. 

Brighten up

Regardless of whether you’re playing on Xbox, one of the best gaming PCs or Steam Deck, Starfield has a serious HDR problem. The game’s high dynamic range features currently appear to be borked on Microsoft’s consoles, while there’s no native HDR support for the PC version at all. 

Sure, you can find out how to turn on Windows 11 Auto HDR, but on my high-end gaming rig, the game constantly looks washed out in darkened areas on my Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED gaming monitor. 

The only way I could make contrast performance look semi correct to my obsessive eyes was by going into the Game Optimizer on my LG C2 OLED TV and turning the Black Stabiliser all the way down from its default setting of 10 to a big fat zero. Hardly an ideal or elegant solution to fixing a visual flaw that should have been addressed before the vast space adventure was released.  

In this respect, Starfield on Steam Deck is doubly screwed. Not only does its 7-inch LED screen pale in comparison to the best OLED displays when it comes to generating convincing black levels, but the poor little handheld isn’t helped by a baffling in-game omission on Bethesda's part. Drum roll, please…

Starfield currently has no in-game brightness slider. And no, that’s not a typo. At time of writing, there’s no way to manually tweak how bright or dark you want Starfield’s image to look from the game’s menus. As I said, a truly head-spinning omission. 

Bethesda has at least admitted there’s an issue with Starfield’s HDR output / general color gamut issues, with its support team tweeting the following statement (thanks, Pure Xbox):  

In the meantime, we just hope Starfield’s current performance problems on Deck and general HDR issues across all platforms can be addressed post-haste. If you’re playing on PC, mods like this are trying to fix the game’s washed out image issues.

Until Bethesda confronts these technical hiccups head-on, though, I fear Starfield isn’t going to shine quite as brightly as it should; be it on Steam Deck or Xbox Series X. 

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The wait is over — this week, Xbox gamers finally got the chance to play Bethesda’s latest epic RPG and so far, Starfield has lived up to the hype.

In our Starfield review, we hailed it as “one of the biggest Xbox series X games of the year if not the generation” and like the rest of the team at Tom’s Guide, I’ve been working my way through the opening missions of the game. However, while others have been playing it on the Xbox Series X, I’ve been using the new Xbox Series S 1TB in Carbon Black ahead of my upcoming review.

Even though the Series S still remains underpowered compared to its larger sibling, Starfield looks great on one of the best Vizio TVs. As I don’t want to hog the biggest screen in the house, I broke out the xScreen attachable monitor for the Series S and played on that for a bit. It then dawned on me that with one of the best handheld gaming consoles, I could play Starfield anywhere around my house or even on the go for that matter.

Since I don’t have a Steam Deck, an Asus ROG Ally or any other Windows 11 handheld, I’ve been using Razer’s Android gaming handheld instead. It’s been perfect for playing Starfield at home but with its 5G connection and a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, I even managed to play outside. Here’s how it went.

Not your average handheld console

Following the success of the Steam Deck, we’ve seen the release of several cloud gaming handhelds like the Logitech G Cloud with Sony’s own PlayStation Portal set to launch later this year. One such device that seems to have gone under the radar is the Razer Edge. 

Unlike the competition, the Razer Edge isn’t actually a cloud gaming handheld. Instead, it’s a hybrid device that can run Android games locally with quite a bit of power thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chip and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM (on the 5G model). It can also stream games from Steam, GeForce NOW, PS5 and of course, the Xbox Series X and S. With Wi-Fi 6E support as opposed to just Wi-Fi 5, it’s a much better device for gaming streaming than the Logitech G Cloud.

Another thing that helps set the Razer Edge apart is that its controller is detachable. It ships with the Kishi V2 Pro ($150, Amazon) which has several features the regular Kishi V2 lacks like a headphone jack and Razer’s HyperSense haptics for vibration. Replacing the Kishi V2 Pro is a lot easier than taking the entire device apart if something goes wrong; since it’s detachable, it’s also easier to slip the Razer Edge into your bag or even your pocket

The vastness of space in the palm of your hand

So what’s it like playing Starfield on a handheld console? Surprisingly comfortable, and the game looks great on the Razer Edge’s 6.8 144HZ AMOLED FHD+ display. To everyone’s dismay though, Starfield is locked at 30 FPS and the game can’t take advantage of the display’s higher refresh rate, though the best Steam games can with GeForce NOW Ultimate.

While playing Starfield remotely at home, I didn’t see any dips in streaming performance or frame rate drops, probably because I’m using one of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers. Gameplay was fluid and smooth and once I got used to playing the game on a smaller screen, I lost track of time.

One of my favorite things about the Razer Edge and the Kishi V2 are the programmable buttons just above the left and right bumpers. Like past Bethesda games, you’re constantly adding items to your inventory by pressing A. With A mapped to either the M1 or M2 button, you can loot fresh corpses without having to take your thumbs off the joysticks which really comes in handy in the middle of a firefight in Starfield.

Besides these extra programmable buttons, I really enjoyed how the deep blacks of space popped on the Razer Edge’s AMOLED screen. At the same time, I got to experience Starfield’s music, dialog and sound effects in spatial surround sound on the Razer Edge as I’m using the 5G version of the Android handheld which ships with Verizon Adaptive Sound.

Playing Starfield on the go

After playing Starfield at home on the Razer Edge all week, I decided to take it out into the field to see how it performed on Xbox Cloud Gaming over Verizon’s 5G network. I performed a similar test back in the summer when I spent a week using the Razer Edge as my main console. However, this time around things went a bit differently.

I loaded up the Xbox Cloud Gaming app, opened Starfield and then nothing happened at first. While I thought my data plan might have run out or that I had lost signal, it turns out that Starfield is a very popular game and therefore I had to wait to play it on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The app told me I had to wait nine minutes but fortunately, an xCloud server opened up before then and I found myself at Starfield’s start menu.

The last time I played the Razer Edge in this exact location, I noticed a few hang-ups and performance issues in Halo Infinite. Maybe it’s because Starfield is a slower paced game, but I didn’t experience any issues this time around — both while walking through Akila City in the Cheyenne system or when traversing space in the game’s first ship, the Frontier

While I mainly plan on playing Starfield from the comfort of my own home once everyone else has gone to bed, the fact that I can reliably play it on the go is nice. Who knows, maybe I can get a few missions in from the comfort of a hotel room or even while out and about on my next vacation.

An almost perfect handheld Xbox

The Razer Edge is in its own class when it comes to handheld gaming consoles designed for remote or cloud play. However, there is one big limitation if you’re using it to play Xbox like I’ve been.

With a 20:5:9 aspect ratio, the Xbox or Xbox Game Pass apps will never fully fill the device’s screen. Unlike with YouTube and the best streaming services where you can pinch to zoom in and see content on the entire screen, Microsoft still hasn’t implemented anything like this for Xbox. It probably won’t anytime soon either as in a game like Starfield, doing so would cut off important parts of the game’s user interface.

If you can get over the fact that there are going to be black bars on the side when playing Xbox remotely or over the cloud on the Razer Edge, it’s a great device for playing games like Starfield on a small screen. It’s worth noting that you can take full advantage of the device’s screen with Starfield on PC but as I’m in the process of testing out the new Series S, I plan on doing my first playthrough of the game entirely on Xbox.

In my opinion, Starfield is a fantastic game so far, and with the Razer Edge on hand, I don’t have to limit myself to playing on my TV if I want to experience it on a stunning display.

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The long wait for Starfield is almost over.

Developer Bethesda recently announced the Xbox exclusive’s global release times and recommended PC specs in a blog post. Though Starfield officially launches on September 6, its early access begins this Friday, September 1.

The launch and early access will happen at midnight around the world, respective to a country’s timezone. Starfield will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass and on PC. Here's everything you need to know.

Starfield: Global release times 

Early access is available on September 1 for those who pre-order or buy the premium edition, premium edition upgrade or the Constellation Edition. If you pre-order the standard edition, you’ll have to wait until September 6 for the game to unlock on Xbox and PC. The graph above shows global release times, which we've also listed below. 

As IGN notes, Americans in Eastern and Pacific time zones can play Starfield at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET this Thursday, August 31. Players in the United Kingdom and Europe can get in on the action at 1 a.m. BST and 2 a.m. CEST, respectively. If the graph above doesn’t show your region listed, you can convert 00:00 GMT to your time zone to figure out when early access begins for Starfield. 

August 31:

• 5 p.m. PDT
• 6 p.m. CDT
• 7 p.m. CDT
• 8 p.m. EDT
• 9 p.m. BRT

September 1:

• 1 a.m. BST
• 2 a.m. CEST
• 5:30 a.m. IST
• 9 a.m. JST
• 10 a.m. AEST

Starfield: Constellation Edition 

Bethesda lists what you can expect in the Starfield Constellation Edition, which is effectively its collector’s edition.

• Starfield Steelbook Display Case
• Credit Stick with Laser-Etched Game Code
• Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
• Up to 5 days early access
• Constellation Skin Pack
• Access to Starfield Digital Artbook and Original Soundtrack
• Embroidered Constellation Patch
• Starfield Chronomark Watch and Transit Case

The post states the Starfield Chronomark watch only supports English, while the ‘Starfield Watch’ companion app supports English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. The app won’t support weather features at launch. It’s important to note that the Starfield Chronomark watch does not transmit phone calls, does not support cellular service and is not a touchscreen device like the best smartphones and smartwatches. 

Follow this link to learn more about the other Starfield Edition.

Starfield: Recommended PC specs

Lastly, we have Starfield’s recommended PC specs. Despite the game’s large scope, its PC requirements aren’t egregious. If you own one of the best gaming PCs, you should be able to at least meet the minimum requirements — though the recommended requirements aren’t unreasonable either.

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 125 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Required

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 125 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Required

Starfield: Outlook

Starfield is the biggest Xbox exclusive releasing in 2023, so it’s a safe bet that Xbox owners and Bethesda fans alike are clamoring to dive into this space-based adventure. Now that we know when the game launches globally, we can prepare for what will surely be one of the most talked-about titles of the year.

Expect our full Starfield review on August 31.

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Starfield is now mere weeks away, but for people who want to dive into the game as soon as it arrives on September 6, you can preload the massive sci-fi RPG today (August 17). 

Set to gobble up 125GB of hard disk space, Starfield is going to be a chunky game (though a lot of the best Xbox Series X games and best PS5 games can be storage hogs). So by preloading you can at least make sure your machine of choice, be it an Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Windows PC, has the space needed for Starfield. Meaning that once the game is officially released, you can dive right in rather than waiting for a lengthy download. 

Preloading is dead easy on Xbox: simply go to the game store and buy an edition of Starfield and you’ll be promoted to pre-load it. On PC, this happens in the Microsoft Store. 

Alternatively, subscribers of Xbox Game Pass, on both Xbox and PC, can start preloading Starfield by going through the Game Pass section in the Xbox dashboard or in the Xbox PC app.

Those with access to the Starfield Constellation Edition or the Digital Premium edition will be able to play Starfield five days earlier than people who’ve oped for the standard version or those on Game Pass.

PC gamers who want to order and play Starfield on Steam will have to wait until August 30 before they can pre-load the title. Unfortunately, that means Steam users with premium editions of Starfield will be somewhat rushed to get the game downloaded for Early Access, which starts September 1.

While 2023 has already seen the debuts of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur’s Gate 3, both of which have launched to massive critical acclaim, Starfield is still set to become one of the biggest game launches of the year. I hope Bethesda can hit the same vein of gaming gold it did with Skyrim; I'm crossing my fingers and toes.

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Microsoft is preparing to sunset Xbox Live Gold and replace the long-running online subscription service with an additional tier of Xbox Game Pass, according to a new leak. 

This rumor started via a (now-removed) Windows Central article claiming that Xbox Live Gold will shut down on September 1, 2023. The same source indicated that taking its place will be Xbox Game Pass Core. This new Xbox Game Pass tier will cost $9.99 a month (the same price as Xbox Live Gold) and include access to online multiplayer on Xbox consoles alongside a host of additional benefits.

The current Games with Gold perk will reportedly be shuttered, and instead replaced with a selection of more than 25 Game Pass titles made available to members at the new Core level. The same leak suggests that the launch lineup will include flagship first-party games such as Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5 and Halo 5: Guardians, plus several games from Microsoft-owned publisher Bethesda such as Doom Eternal, Dishonored 2 and Elder Scrolls Online. 

Xbox Game Pass Core will supposedly offer members-only deals and discounts, which is another benefit currently enjoyed by Xbox Live Gold subscribers. The leak also makes it clear that any free games previously acquired via Xbox Live Gold will remain available to users who claimed them at the time even after the switchover. 

It’s believed that existing Xbox Live Gold subscribers will be automatically converted to Xbox Game Pass Core in September, and this change will effectively bring to an end the Xbox Live brand after more than two decades. However, it does make sense that Microsoft would want to unify its Xbox subscription offerings under a single umbrella, and Xbox Game Pass is now arguably the stronger brand having become ubiquitous with the current Xbox ecosystem. 

The arrival of a Core tier would bring the total number of Xbox Game Pass membership options to four: Core ($9.99/month), Console ($10.99/month), PC ($9.99/month) and Ultimate ($16.99/month). And would roughly bring it in line with Sony’s revamped PlayStation Plus which offers three distinct tiers including “Essential” which is comparatively similar to the rumored Xbox Game Pass Core.  

Of course, this news remains unconfirmed for now, but if true, it’s not the only way that Xbox Game Pass is being shaken up. Earlier this month Microsoft announced it was ending the Xbox Game Pass “Friends & Family” plan which it had been testing in select markets. There is no word yet on whether it will return at a later date, or if it will ever see a global rollout. 

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There’s never been a better time to game on the go now that the best handheld gaming consoles are experiencing their own little renaissance.

The current crop of handheld gaming consoles owe a lot to the Nintendo Switch, but we’ve seen the Steam Deck and even the recently released Asus ROG Ally build on the momentum of Nintendo’s hybrid console. While all of these devices run games locally, others are bolstering their libraries by turning to cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now and others.

One such handheld gaming console is the Razer Edge 5G. However, in addition to letting you play games via the cloud, its Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chip and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM mean that it’s more than powerful enough to play the best Android games, and even more demanding titles via emulation if you’re willing to go that route.  

While I’ve spent the last month or so familiarizing myself with Razer’s new handheld gaming console, I decided to leave my Nintendo Switch behind and only take the Razer Edge 5G on a week-long trip. Although we’ve had our doubts about cloud gaming on 5G in the past, I was left pleasantly surprised by everything Razer’s 5G mobile gaming handheld can do.

A modular approach to handheld gaming

The Razer Edge 5G combines the best parts of Razer’s existing experience with Android smartphones and mobile game controllers. Just like with the Razer Phone 2, the device itself features an almost stock Android experience and as for its controls, it uses a modified version of the Razer Kishi V2.

This modular approach to a handheld gaming console is quite different from the route Logitech took with the Logitech G Cloud since if you end up with stick drift or a broken controller, you can replace the Kishi as opposed to the entire console. It’s worth noting that the Razer Edge 5G doesn’t actually ship with the Kishi V2 and instead sports the Kishi V2 Pro which adds a headphone jack on the left and uses Razer HyperSense haptics for vibration.

Besides being modular, the Razer Edge 5G includes 5G connectivity from Verizon (there’s also a cheaper Wi-Fi-only version available) along with support for Wi-Fi 6E which really helps when playing games via the cloud at home or streaming them from your Xbox Series X, PS5 or gaming PC locally. Keep in mind though that you will need one of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers to take full advantage of this handheld gaming console. This is another way that Razer has set this device apart from the Logitech G Cloud which only supports Wi-Fi 5.

Even though the Razer Edge 5G almost feels like a phablet with its 6.8-inch FHD+ 144Hz AMOLED display, it’s a handheld gaming console first and foremost which is why it’s locked to landscape mode right out of the box but you can turn on auto-rotation. Its front-facing 5MP camera is also positioned in the middle of the display instead of on the side.

If you’re familiar with the Razer Kishi V2, then you’ve likely already tried out the Razer Nexus app. I personally like how all of your installed games, remote play apps and cloud gaming services are just a tap away in the app. This means that you don’t have to waste time scrolling through your app drawer when looking for something to play.

The perfect cloud gaming companion

With my Razer Edge 5G review unit configured and set up with all of my favorite apps and games, I set off on a week-long trip to San Antonio. As Razer also provided unlimited 5G data from Verizon for me to test out the device, I knew I would still be able to play games via the cloud even if my Airbnb had a spotty Wi-Fi connection.

With GamePass Ultimate, I was able to use the Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta app to play some newer Xbox titles like Halo Infinite as well some classic Xbox 360 games like Skate 3. While I expected slower games like RPGs and indie titles to run well over a 5G connection, I was really surprised at just how responsive both Halo and Skate 3 were when playing on the Razer Edge 5G.

The Razer Edge 5G is no slouch when it comes to Android gaming either and in between my cloud-powered Xbox GamePass sessions, I also played a fair bit of both Dead Cells and Rocket League Sideswipe. Playing the mobile version of Rocket League looked gorgeous on the device’s AMOLED screen and it helped keep up my Rocket League momentum since I’ve been playing a match here and there on the Razer Edge 5G remotely at home from my Xbox Series S.

Even though the Razer Edge 5G has a 5,000 mAh battery, I often found I needed to charge the device after putting it down for a bit. The reason for this is that the Kishi V2 Pro drains the battery when left attached to the Razer Edge 5G which is why Razer currently recommends taking it off in between play sessions. However, the company is working on a fix to prevent idle battery drain.

Tabletop and even docked mode both work surprisingly well

Playing the Razer Edge 5G in handheld mode was quite comfortable even for long stretches and I attribute this to the drastic improvements in the design of the Kishi V2. Besides the microswitch face buttons and its D-pad with mechanical clicks, I really like the placement of the programmable buttons at the top of the Kishi V2 which are located between the controller’s bumpers and triggers. 

Just like with rear paddles on a pro controller, they let you keep your thumbs on the controller’s joysticks instead of having to move your right thumb to hit the face buttons. The Kishi V2’s programmable buttons are mapped to the A and B buttons right out of the box and I found this really convenient in Skate 3 which uses EA’s ‘Flickit’ controls to perform tricks on your skateboard. However, I also liked using these extra buttons for boost and jump when playing Rocket League Sideswipe.

As the Razer Edge 5G essentially functions as one of the best Android phones albeit without the ability to make actual phone calls, it’s compatible with a wide range of third-party controllers including those from 8BitDo. 

When I wanted to sit back and play with a full-size controller while gaming on the Razer Edge 5G, I propped the device up on the Lamicall T Stand ($16, Amazon) and used the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+. Since tabletop mode is actually one of my favorite features of the Nintendo Switch, I really enjoyed playing this way when I had a few minutes before heading off to the next stop on our itinerary. 

And while I didn’t have a chance to play on the Razer Edge 5G in docked mode during our trip, I was impressed when I plugged the device into the USB-C port on my Samsung M7 Monitor and everything just worked. If your monitor doesn’t have a USB-C port, don’t worry as you can also use the Genki Covert Dock Mini ($50, Amazon) to achieve the same result even though it’s intended for use with the Nintendo Switch.

Playing docked mode on a monitor with the Razer Edge 5G worked well with Xbox GamePass games streamed from the cloud as it did with most of the native Android games I tried. However, for some reason, Rocket League Sideswipe had some black borders around the side of the screen. Also, as the Razer Edge 5G has an impressive Virtual Controller Mode, you can use it to play games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact on a larger screen too.

A great alternative to gaming on your phone

With the Razer Edge 5G and other handheld gaming consoles designed with cloud gaming in mind, the question most people are going to ask is “Why wouldn’t I just use my phone instead?” and I completely understand.

At a starting price of $399 for the Razer Edge or $599 for the Razer Edge 5G, you could pick up a Nintendo Switch OLED, a Steam Deck or even the Asus ROG Ally instead and be just as happy. However, when you factor in the Kishi V2’s $99 price tag and realize you can use the Kishi V2 Pro on other devices, this can help soften the blow. Also, you won’t need to take your handheld gaming console apart if it begins suffering from stick drift or stuck buttons.

Another thing worth considering is that not everyone wants to game on their smartphone. Perhaps you have one of the best iPhones and want to dip your toes into the Android ecosystem for a wider selection of emulators. Likewise, you may be the kind of person that just isn’t ready to let go of your current phone like I am with my OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren or maybe you prefer using one of the best small phones that just won’t work well with a mobile controller like the Kishi V2.

There are plenty of reasons the Razer Edge 5G might or might not be the right choice for you when gaming on the go. However, after spending a week gaming on it exclusively, I’m thoroughly impressed with its performance and just how good games can look on its AMOLED screen. My time spent with the Razer Edge 5G also has me kicking myself for not picking up a Razer Phone back when I had the chance to.

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Xbox Game Pass is generally considered one of the best deals in the gaming industry, offering access to hundreds of games for a single monthly subscription fee. A bunch of those games can even be streamed from the cloud onto phones and other devices that would be unable to run them. Unfortunately Microsoft has just announced the price is going up.

Game Pass Ultimate will rise from $14.99 to $16.99 in the U.S., from £10.99 to £12.99 in the U.K., and from AU$15.95 to AU$18.95 in Australia. Meanwhile the basic Game Pass tier on Xbox will rise from $9.99 to $10.99 in the U.S., from £7.99 to £8.99 in the U.K., and from AU$10.95 to AU$11.95 in Australia. PC Game Pass prices are not changing, according to The Verge.

These new prices will come into effect on July 6, or August 13 for existing monthly subscribers. If you want to keep the normal price for as long as possible, we recommend picking up some pre-paid membership cards and redeeming them soon.

Microsoft also confirmed that it will be increasing the price of the Xbox Series X in a number of regions, though the U.S. will not be one of them. American buyers will, for the time being, still be able to pick up the console for the same $500 price as always. Sadly U.K. and Australian gamers won’t be so lucky, with the price of the console increasing to £479.99 / AU$799 from August 1.

Raising the price of gaming hardware isn’t new. Sony notably raised the price of the PS5 last year, in defiance of traditional mid-cycle price cuts, citing challenging “challenging economic conditions.” The U.S. was unaffected, and to date the PS5’s price has remained the same in the region. Other countries weren’t so lucky.

At the time Microsoft remained committed to freezing the Xbox Series X launch price, but didn’t rule out a future increase. Now it seems the company has decided the time is right to raise prices across several regions. Speaking to The Verge, Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, said that the company has “adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.” 

As for the rising cost of Game Pass, it’s no big surprise that Microsoft wants you to pay more. The cost of subscriptions have increased over the past couple of years, while Game Pass has remained steady since it launched in 2017. Given the increasing number of titles on offer, it’s understandable that prices would have to increase eventually.

That’s not to say we have to be happy about it, but we do understand. And $11 a month to have access to over 400 games, including day one inclusion of first party titles, is still a pretty good deal; certainly compared to paying $70 for a solo copy.

But it’s crucial subscribers be aware of any pricing changes, just so you can be prepared for them. And make sure you know how to cancel Xbox Game Pass, just in case the changing price isn’t acceptable to you.

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The latest generation of consoles has been one of the strangest yet. Although we saw the release of the PS5 as well as the Xbox Series X three years ago, gamers that wanted to upgrade were unable to do so as next-gen consoles just couldn’t be found.

While some paid obscene prices for a PS5 or Xbox Series X from scalpers online, others waited patiently for restocks. Since I had my trusty Nintendo Switch and gaming PC to help me bide my time, I didn’t mind waiting to get in on this console generation.

Though there are better exclusives among the best PS5 games and the Xbox Series X is technically more powerful on paper, I’ve always found the Xbox Series S to be the most intriguing next-gen console. Sure, it’s not nearly as powerful as its larger sibling but I just can’t get over its design.

I recently started taking a closer look at the best PC game controllers for Tom’s Guide, and many of them also work with Xbox. Going to a friend’s house to test the performance of the HyperX Clutch Gladiate made sense, but I soon realized that I needed an Xbox of my own for testing.

While I could have gone all out and bought a Series X, I decided to pick up the Series S instead. And after using it for the past week with the new 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. Here’s why.

A pint-size powerhouse that’s also portable

At just over 10 inches long and 6 inches wide when positioned horizontally, the Xbox Series S is absolutely tiny. The size difference between it and the Series X is almost comparable to the original PS2 and the PS2 Slim.

With a family at home and plenty to do, I rarely play games on my 4K TV. Instead, I do most of my gaming at one of the best standing desks once everyone else has settled in for the night. As I recently mounted a mini PC behind my monitor to free up some much-needed desk space, I had plenty of room for the Series S.

Although it isn’t a hybrid console like the Nintendo Switch, its small form factor means I can easily bring the Series S out to the living room when I do want to play on a big screen. It’s also small enough that you can actually use it like a portable console — especially when paired with its own screen like the xScreen. In fact, this kind of configuration almost turns Microsoft’s smaller Xbox into a little gaming laptop.

Unlike the Switch, which needs a bulky USB-C adapter to play in docked mode with the official dock, the Xbox Series S uses a universal power cord. For instance, if you have an original PS4, both consoles actually use the same cord. Alongside my new Series S, I also picked up a few of these power cords and I plan to have them spread out throughout my house so that I can move the console and essentially "dock" it to play on any larger screen.

The Series S may be underpowered compared to other next-gen consoles, but given its small size and ability to play most of the latest games reliably well, it’s a real steal if you want to get back into Xbox gaming without paying a fortune. There are also plenty of used and refurbished Series S consoles floating around online, and I expect to see massive discounts on them come Black Friday.

Jumping back into games is easy with Quick Resume

In order to properly put my new Series S through its paces, I also signed up for Xbox Game Pass which to be honest is one of the most compelling reasons to choose an Xbox over a PlayStation this generation.

With plenty of first-party games and even older Xbox and Xbox 360 titles to play, I’ve already almost filled up the Series S’ 512GB of storage space. Down the line I plan on picking up one of WD’s new Xbox expansion cards but for now, I want to make my way through Halo Infinite and some of the newer Xbox games I’ve missed out on.

Besides Game Pass, Xbox’s Quick Resume feature has been really useful. With my Series S set up on my desk, I like how I can easily jump back into whatever game I’ve been playing and switch between multiple games without having to load them from scratch. Being able to pick up right where I left off is one of the reasons I’m a big fan of the Nintendo Switch, but with Xbox's Quick Resume, the feature has been turbocharged.

I did find a few faults with Quick Resume especially when it came to games that are always online like Street Fighter 6. Even though I’ve been working my way through each individual character’s story in arcade mode, my Xbox still needs to relaunch the game if I put my console to sleep or wait too long. 

Overall though, I’m really pleased with just how quickly the Series S boots up and lets me get right back to what I was doing. This makes it easy to take a quick break and get a few minutes of gameplay in during my downtime.

Putting my wired controllers to good use

Over the years, I’ve built up a substantial controller collection as I’m always interested in checking out new controller designs or revisiting past ones like the Hyperkin Duke pictured above.

One of the reasons I’m holding off on getting a PS5 is that, unlike with the Xbox Series X/S, you can’t make full use of your older controllers. You can use a Dualshock 4 to play PS4 games, but you can’t use one for newer titles that work with the DualSense’s adaptive triggers.

The great thing about the Series S/X though is that all of your old Xbox One controllers work with these newer consoles. This saves you from having to get new ones to play couch co-op games with your friends, and if you have quite the collection like I do, those other controllers won’t start gathering dust.

With the Series S set up on my desk, it’s also not an inconvenience to use wired controllers instead of wireless ones. Just like with one of the best gaming PCs, you’re only a few feet away and you can have the cable run across your desk so that it’s not in your way.

Still a great secondary console

I’ll admit I primarily bought an Xbox Series S to test out controllers for reviews, but even then, I had still been considering picking one up. While I had hoped to wait for a big sale on Black Friday or even Amazon Prime Day next month, I still paid less than if I had bought the console brand new.

It’s given me a chance to see how Microsoft has turned things around to avoid repeating the same mistakes as its last console generation while also allowing me to get a few more gameplay sessions in each day. However, based on performance reviews conducted by Digital Foundry using some of the latest games, it seems like the Series S may have trouble keeping up.

Even if I do upgrade to a larger, more powerful Series X later on, I don’t think I’m going to regret getting a Series S. Its design and small form factor have really captivated me and it will still make a great secondary console even if I do upgrade.

If you’re on a tight budget or are more of a casual gamer that doesn’t need the latest and greatest hardware, don’t sleep on the Series S. It’s an affordable way to make the jump to next-gen gaming that won’t overshadow the rest of the devices in your entertainment center or on your desk.

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Xbox Game Pass is one of my favorite things in gaming. For a reasonable monthly fee I have the Ultimate version, which not only gives me access to new Xbox Series X games on day one, but also a mass of other great games, PC games and even the option to stream games on all manner of devices via the power of the cloud. But now Microsoft could ruin it. 

That’s because there’s speculation that Microsoft could introduce ads into Game Pass. This is fueled by Sarah Bond, Xbox Corporate VP for game creator experience and ecosystem telling Rolling Stone: "We’ve talked about how we’re experimenting with other models, like what does it mean for advertising in games which is more prevalent in mobile — are there models of that that work well in PC and console? Are there other models where you might have timed slices of games and stuff like that?"

Add into the mix that Microsoft put out a Spanish-language survey to gauge interest in a cheaper tier of Game pass supported by a system that includes "advertisements before the game" (hat tip to Ars Technica), and this has me thinking ads within Game Pass could become a reality sooner than later. 

 Logical but lamentable

On the business side, this makes sense. Game Pass is a great deal and makes Microsoft a lot of money. But it has to support a swathe of developers, and making games isn't getting any cheaper. Plus subscription growth has slowed, and ultimately will peak at some point. So finding ways to ensure Game Pass keeps generating money is smart. 

And Bond noted that Microsoft is committed to “always extend access to games” - a free ad-supported tier of Game Pass could be one way to do that; we’ve seen Netflix take a similar approach. 

It’s likely Game Pass Ultimate would remain ad-free, with people incentivized to pay more to avoid ads. This is all logical, so what do I think it’s a bad idea? 

Well, for starters, the advertising experience in other Microsoft platforms has never been great in my experience. Ads have felt intrusive and un-targeted, pulling me out of the experience of say customizing Windows. Microsoft does a lot well, but I’m not convinced serving ads is its forte. 

Ads did pop up in the Xbox One dashboard and I wasn’t a fan of those. They made the tile interface look scruffy and took me out of the experience of getting ready for a gaming session. These were just static ads, and I’d be concerned that Microsoft could pursue serving up video ads, which, going by how many YouTube forces into my eyes, could be very distracting and frustrating. 

Then there's the question of what type of ads will be delivered. I don’t want to get an ad for dental floss when I’m about to play Elden Ring or be encouraged to join a trading platform when I’m about to tear around the Mexican countryside in Forza Horizon 5. Microsoft could work to make such ads targeted, but I've not seen it do a great job of that in the past. 

This is a bad idea

Of course, if Microsoft does pursue advertising within Game Pass, paying for the Ultimate subscription could help bypass them. But my skeptical synapse is tingling, and I’d not be surprised if Microsoft raised the price of Ultimate as part of a move to channel impatient players onto the top subscription tier. 

Then there’s the question of where will such advertising efforts stop. They could start with Game Pass but then end up on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S interface; after all, Microsoft sells the consoles at a loss so could see advertising as a way to claw back some of that money. 

Compared to the PS5’s user interface, I find that of the Series X a tad bland and a little busy. It’s functional but uninspired. So adding ads into it will likely erode that experience further.

Bond did mention that timed slices of games could be offered to players in return for watching ads, which is interesting. But then it'll make the whole trying out of a game a transactional experience, which doesn't feel ‘gamer-friendly’ and not likely aligned with Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s idea that Xbox is all about game access. When platforms like Steam offers easy refunds and likely increased options to trial games,
these Xbox machinations could leave a sour taste. 

Before I condemn Xbox, it’s important to note that all the above is educated speculation. It comes from a solid pool of reports, but there’s always a chance Microsoft could scrap any ideas for ads on its console and Game Pass. 

Think different 

After the hammering Redfall received, and a lot of hope being pinned on Starfield, including my own, I can understand why Microsoft might want to look at other ways to keep Game Pass and Xbox overall as a money-spinning platform. But I don’t think ads are the way to go when you’re a tech behemoth like Microsoft. 

The Redmond company has impressed me before with the likes of its Surface Pro machines, developer-centric cloud services, and even the never-released Surface Neo. Microsoft can be creative and inspiring. 

So rather than go down the advertising route, why couldn’t Microsoft use Xbox (both as a console and services ecosystem) to offer access to, say, coding courses run by its engineers or product design workshops? Phil Spencer has already said Xbox can’t “out console” PlayStation, but it could do something different. 

I’d certainly be intrigued by a presentation from an Obsidian (it’s a Microsoft-owned studio) narrative designer on how to devise and write great game stories. The same goes for a beginner's guide on coding and creating apps that tap into the power of the Microsoft Azure cloud. 

I really think there’s potential for Microsoft to find a smarter way to diversify what Xbox can offer rather than going down the advertising route, which… well, feels a bit basic. 

My feelings are the future is still bright for Xbox. I just hope creativity is embraced over virtual billboards. 

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While fun, the whole PS5 vs Xbox Series X debate is a bit silly. Both consoles share multiplatform games and have similar power, yet also have slightly different approaches: PS5 favors more exclusive games and the Xbox Series X is more the ultimate Xbox experience. 

As such, I’m a champion of having both; I do appreciate at a time when the cost of living is spiraling upwards spending $1,000 on gaming kit might be hard to swallow, but the Xbox Series S offers a capable and affordable alternative to its bigger sibling. 

So the whole ‘console war’ is moot in my eyes… or so I thought. 

Sony’s push to stop Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard from going through and the Xbox boss Phil Spencer saying that Xbox can’t compete with PlayStation has muddied the waters a fair bit. 

Now I’m aware Microsoft has basically positioned Xbox as more of a gaming service provider, what with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming, rather than a pusher of console and game sales. Yet to remain relevant and successful in the world of gaming, Xbox still needs to offer something special to stand out compared to PlayStation, which not only had a head start by one to one-and-a-half console generations, but also has a very dedicated following. 

Xbox Game Pass, which we’ve dubbed the best deal in gaming, combined with Xbox’s excellent online services, seemed to be the feather in Xbox’s cap. An affordable monthly subscription that gets you access to more than 100 Xbox games, including new releases, as well as PC games and cloud-streamed games if you pay a little more, was and still is a great offer.

Add in the promise of more exclusive games, thanks to Microsoft gobbling up developers and behemoth publisher and studio Bethesda, and Xbox Game Pass started to look pretty unassailable as a gaming must-have. 

However after Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 made their debut on Game Pass in 2021, I’d argue there haven’t been any heavy-hitting semi-exclusive games on the service for some 18 months. Sure Pentiment at the tail end of last year was rather special, and the surprise drop of Hi-Fi Rush at the start of this year won kudos for Team Xbox. But neither of these games was a big triple-A title. 

Still, 2023 was hyped up as the year of Redfall and Starfield, two hotly anticipated Xbox/PC exclusive games from two major studios with fantastic track records. Xbox also has plenty more in the hopper, but I’d say these two titles are seen as the big ones for 2023. 

Then Redfall was released on May 2… and oh dear. 

Red...fail

Despite developer Arkane’s excellent reputation for making brilliant games, most recently with Deathloop, Redfall launched with a load of bugs and no promised 60 frames per second mode. But even worse, the core game beats at the heart of Redfall appear to be lackluster and a long way from the engagement of Dishonored 2. 

Unfortunately, Tom’s Guide didn't get a review code ahead of Redfall’s release, but our colleagues over at PC Gamer and GamesRadar noted Redfall hasn't lived up to expectations and doesn't feel like the finished article for the ambitious game. 

As a fan of Arkane games, this comes as a huge disappointment to me. I'm quietly hopeful that Redfall will be improved over time, but this messy launch is a bad look for Xbox, especially as Redfall was already delayed. 

In fact, the fault from Redfall has been so heavy that Xbox boss Phil Spencer has put himself up for the blame, telling  Kinda Funny that "there's nothing that's more difficult for me than disappointing the Xbox community. I've been a part of it for a long time, I obviously work on Xbox [as] head of the business, I have a lot of friends [and] get a lot of feedback. And, just to kind of watch the community lose confidence, be disappointed — I'm disappointed. I'm upset with myself."

As a result of this Redfall disappointment, a lot of people are (rightly so) getting concerned about the quality of Starfield, which got delayed until September 6. There's a feeling that even after delaying a game, Xbox can’t produce a high-quality product.

Starfield must reach for the stars

Now Bethesda Game Studios is different from Arkane, and is making a game that has a lot more in common with its previous big hitters like Skyrim; comparatively, Redfall was a bit of a different tack for Arkane. So we can’t make an apples-to-apples comparison. 

Yet Arkane and Bethesda Game Studios are both part of publisher Bethesda Softworks, which is run somewhat separately from Xbox Game Studios. So the overarching workflows that could have influenced the state of Redfall could potentially hang over Starfield. 

But putting away speculation at the inner workings of Xbox and Bethesda, what's clear is Starfield really needs to be a well-polished great game. If not, the rest of 2023 could be grim for Xbox and that could see a real cooling off in positivity towards The Series X and S, as well as Xbox as a gaming brand.

Obviously, not everyone will like Starfield; open-world design and RPG elements can’t appeal to everyone after all. 

Yet for people to have faith in Xbox, whether that’s realized in Game Pass subscriptions or continued adoption of the Series X and S, the brand needs a big hitter this year. Realistically, Starfield looks like the only game that’ll carry that torch, so it’s important Xbox and Bethesda get it right. 

But Bethesda’s previous open-world games have a reputation for being buggy, despite receiving critical acclaim. That was the case when the game studio was independent of Microsoft. With the Redmond company’s tech and resources, one can be forgiven for currently expecting Starfield to be far more polished than similar Bethesda games of the past. So that’ll be another expectation for Starfield to meet; the pressure builds. 

The 'console war' lives, it's just different

It’s worth bearing in mind that Spencer doesn't see Xbox competing with PlayStation or Nintendo for console market share. "We are not in the business of out-consoling Sony or out-consoling Nintendo,” he said, noting that even high-quality games won’t see Xbox surge ahead of the PS5. “There is no world where Starfield is an 11/10 and people start selling their PS5s. That's not going to happen."

Rather Xbox is about being a gaming platform that delivers great gaming experiences across multiple formats, from consoles and PC to phones and tablets. “We have to go off and do our own thing, with Game Pass, with the stuff we do with xCloud and the way we build our games,” explained Spencer.

That’s an admirable goal, but that still means Xbox as a platform and service needs a handful of compelling exclusive games that launch in a polished state. Something needs to encourage people to buy into Xbox as a brand and ecosystem, rather than simply invest more in their PS5 games library.

And with Redfall looking like a swing and a miss, faith in Xbox could dwindle if Starfield isn't a critical hit. Of course, I doubt that’ll cause Xbox to die, given Game Pass alone still has a mass of great games to play. It’s just without new high-profile and successful games, the Series X/S could whither this year, and the Xbox brand could wane a fair bit. If that happens then Xbox may no longer be held up as a rival standard bearer for PlayStation to be motivated by and measured against.

A microcosm of this could be seen in the form of the Halo franchise. Far from dead, Halo is no longer a name for people to put their gaming faith in. The move from Bungie to 343i as the developers arguably led to a low point in the Halo series, especially with Halo 5: Guardians. Halo Infinite won back some appeal, but its multiplayer audience rapidly waned in 2022 and cuts were made at 343i leaving the future of Halo as a huge Xbox game in doubt.

If Starfield doesn't hit a high watermark in gaming, then it could mark a downward trend for Xbox as a pair of current-gen consoles and an overall platform.

The more puckish PlayStation fans could rejoice in this. But such a decline would be bad for gaming overall, as rivalry — whether real or perceived — encourages innovation and can help prevent the creep of cookie-cutter games and iterative sequels from flooding the market.

In short, I think a heck of a lot is hanging on Starfield being a success. And as a fan of Bethesda’s open-world games, you better believe I have my fingers and toes crossed for Starfield.

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