The year is barely a month old and we’ve already had the equivalent of a big gaming cuddle from Microsoft and Xbox. Off the back of the Developer Direct, we’ve had the surprise packages of Goldeneye 007 and Hi-Fi RUSH, as well as the thankfully brilliant Dead Space remake. We even sidestepped Forspoken, which – by all accounts – is a good thing.
Two of those three releases weren’t even on the calendar at the start of January, so we may as well pack up the Up Next malarkey entirely. If Xbox keep stealth-releasing games then we’re going to be left chasing their shadows, giving up, and then posting some coverage of the next PAW Patrol game instead. Will no one think of the games journalists?
Luckily, the Xbox games that have actually, one-hundred percent been announced for release in February is still rather fabulous. Hogwart’s Legacy? Atomic Heart? Deliver Us Mars? Who needs surprises when you have nailed-on Xbox hits?
Deliver Us Mars
Cast your minds back to 2018, and the release of an unassuming little narrative title called Deliver Us the Moon. It had you castaway on the Moon like the proverbial Tom Hanks, gathering whatever vehicles, batteries and satellite arrays you could get your hands on, all in an effort to make the trip home.
The presentation was a little on the bland side, but Deliver Us the Moon was a pocket winner, delivering all of the tension and isolation that you would expect from being left alone on Earth’s biggest satellite. Well, now’s your chance to pull off the same trick but on Mars, which we suppose is less Tom Hanks and more Matt Damon.
This time round, in Deliver Us Mars, you’re not the damsel in distress: you’re the recovery crew, on a mission to find and determine the fate of some ARK colony ships that have been shipnapped by a mysterious faction called the Outward. Budgets have been increased, graphics look spangly, and Deliver Us Mars looks like it might be one giant leap for the series.
Hogwarts Legacy
Everyone and their mandrake has got an opinion on Hogwarts Legacy, the latest attempt to bring the Wizarding World to modern consoles. Whether you’re boycotting it because of the stuff that keeps tumbling out of Mrs Rowling’s mouth, or you’re writing fan fiction based on its characters, you can’t deny that it’s going to be something of an event.
It’s difficult to recall a game in the Wizarding World IP that has this much promise however. You only have to spend a few minutes with the trailer to see that this one could be spectacularus.
Hogwarts Legacy rewinds time back to the 1800s, as you experience what it’s like to be a student way before all that Voldemort nonsense. Discover magical beasts, craft potions, master spell crafting, kick elves, and generally put the RPG in Action RPG as you turn your student into one of the most powerful wizards in the land. Hopefully this will be more Prisoner of Azkaban than whatever has happened to the Fantastic Beasts films.
Wanted: Dead
Things get a little less wholesome next. The clue’s in the name, but also in the pedigree: Wanted: Dead comes from the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, neither of which are particularly known for their moments of quiet and heartwarming stories. Wanted: Dead is an unapologetically violent shooter that likes to have its cake and eat it, as it’s got a fully featured melee system too.
Wanted: Dead puts you in the Zombie Unit, an elite Hong Kong agency dedicated to dispatching the undead. You’re Lt. Hannah Stone, a hard-boiled cop who’s probably got an alcohol dependency and one final day on the job. Story-wise, Wanted: Dead’s heavy on the cliches, but who cares when there’s so much combat and blood flowing onto the pavement?
Tales of Symphonia Remastered
We’re getting whiplash from all the different gaming experiences that we’re getting in February. We’ve had movie tie-ins, melee-shooters, science-fiction walking simulators, and now we’re getting a JRPG remake.
Tales of Symphonia is possibly the best regarded of all the Tales Of games. Released on the Nintendo Gamecube in 2003, at the tail-end of the console’s life, it’s a game that fetches a pretty penny on eBay, so a remaster is going to save us all a few bob.
Using the patented Tales real-time combat, Tales of Symphonia Remastered is a more action-oriented slice of JRPG. It follows Lloyd Irving, as he and his friends try to save not one but two worlds, in a kind of interplanetary BOGOF. But what really matters is how much has been reworked, and this comes with a full graphical overhaul, gameplay improvements and eighty-hours of play.
Wild Hearts
Beginning a very tenuous theme of heart-based games in February is Wild Hearts, the latest original from EA. Think Monster Hunter mixed with, well, more Monster Hunter and you’re pretty much there. Oh, okay, add in some hulking beasts that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Okami, and the eastern trappings of Sekiro, and you’re closer.
Wild Hearts looks to be a big bet from EA Originals. It certainly looks lavish, with overgrown fauna stomping about glorious environments, as you aim for them to become the latest rug in your hub. Where Wild Hearts deviates from Monster Hunter, though, is an onus in creating technology, rather than scalping your trophies and wearing them as gear. There’s a significant crafting system and tech tree to ensure that your monster-hunting gear is very different from that of your friends.
Atomic Heart
See! Told you there was another hearts-based game in February. Now we just need Square Enix to stealth launch a Kingdom Hearts game and the circle will be complete.
Atomic Heart really came out of nowhere, didn’t it? But there’s no doubting that it looks very, very good indeed, and we can’t wait to give it a spin. It’s like a ramshackle Bioshock (stick that on your poster, Focus Entertainment), and it’s the compliment that we intend it to be.
As the owner of the Polymer Glove, you’re able to dabble in telekinesis, freezing, electricity bolts and many other abilities. It’s lucky that you’ve got one, as the world is overrun by malevolent mechanical, technological and biological threats. But as the old saying goes, if it’s got a heart, you can kill it with your overpowered glove.
Blood Bowl 3
Not a month goes by without something Games Workshoppy tumbling out from some publisher. What a job it must be in Games Workshop’s partnership department.
This time round, it’s Blood Bowl 3. Developed by Cyanide, the studio who brought you Blood Bowl 2 and, um, Blood Bowl 1, it’s going to be a very exciting release to a very specific group of people.
What makes this one notable is that Blood Bowl 3 adheres to the relatively new Second Edition ruleset for Blood Bowl. It’s the first of the games to do so, so those of you who are coming to the video game series off the back of the miniatures will feel immediately at home. For everyone else? Well, it’s more skaven, orcs, nurgles and dwarves beating seven shades out of each other while holding a football. Which has a certain appeal.
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
Every month, we like to reserve some space for the surprise packages; the games that didn’t really register on our radar until we started putting together the Up Next list. Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is very much that game. We will be honest, we hadn’t heard of it until now, but we’ve watched a trailer or two and it’s shot up our ‘must play’ list faster than a surprise launch of Goldeneye 007.
Most of what makes Clash: Artifacts of Chaos look so promising is its art style. Like Borderlands left in a petri dish to overgrow for a few years, it takes a cel-shading style and twists it into grotesque shapes.
You play Pseudo, a master of martial arts who’s drawn to a small creature by the music it plays. An unusual partnership develops as you bond with this ‘Boy’, and try to evade mercenaries who are either on your tail or the creature’s. What unravels is a deep fantasy story and some crunchy melee combat, as you move through the world of Zenozoik and try to figure out what the hell is going on.
Scars Above
Maybe we’ve got Dead Space on the mind, as Scars Above is ringing all sorts of bells. You play Dr Kate Ward, a scientist and not a soldier, as she has to learn to fight after waking up in the middle of an alien infestation. She was originally sent to investigate The Metahedron, a hulking alien marker – sorry, superstructure – that may well be the cause of the hazardous goings-on.
Scars Above comes from little-known outfit Mad Head Games, but what they’ve crafted is a gorgeous alien world that mostly wants to eat you. And eat you it will, as this is a game with the difficulty dial turned up to Returnal and Soulsborne levels. We can already tell we’re going to be rubbish at it.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
We can imagine our resident Yakuza fan, Richard Dobson, carefully restructuring his calendar. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the second in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s burgeoning Like a Dragon series, and this time it’s feudal. We’re reversing back in time for a history lesson delivered by the many favourite cast members of the Yakuza series and spin offs.
It’s not where we would have taken the series, but we’re in the capable hands of Ueda, so we should probably stop complaining and enjoy the ride. Four combat styles are there to be mastered, as you move seamlessly from The Swordsman to The Gunman to The Wild Dancer and, finally, The Brawler.
We’re wondering how Ueda and SEGA will manage to crowbar some arcade machines into a period piece.
Fashion Police Squad
Finally, we end on the game that tickled us the most when we started investigating the list. Who knows whether it will be any good: all we know is that the premise alone had us reaching for our wallet.
If you’re used to stepping out with socks in sandals, big shoulder pads or poorly tailored jackets, then watch out: the Fashion Police Squad have you in their sights. Armed with a Tailormade Sewing Machine and the Belt of Justice, they stalk the streets, shooting the shabby and gang-tackling the outmoded.
This looks to be a hilarious spoof in 90’s shooter clothing. Imagine Duke Nukem with a determination to rid the world of pantsuits and you’re pretty much on the money.
And just like that, we come to the end of February’s finest Xbox games. At a lean twenty-eight days, you would have thought it would be lighter on good games than other months, but it really does have some belters.
Will March follow the trend? Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, Resident Evil 4, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and EA Sports PGA Tour imply that yes, yes it will. 2023’s going to be a cracker.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day spent with your black boxes, and you can be sure that we’ll be here next month. Until then, let us know which Xbox games you are most looking forward to playing through February 2023.
FAQs
What is the next Xbox series? ›
In a new conference, TCL Technology have said that a new Xbox Series S/X and PS5 Pro are coming in 2023/2024.
How many games are on Xbox game pass? ›Xbox Game Pass has unlimited access to over 100 high-quality games—with titles added all the time. Whether you play console games, PC games, or both, there's a plan for you.
How many games are on Game Pass Ultimate? ›What is Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate? Xbox Games Pass gives you access to well over 300 games to download and play on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S for one monthly fee.
Is The Last of Us on Game Pass? ›The Last of Us is incredibly unlikely to ever come to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Game Pass, or Nintendo Switch. The game was developed by Naughty Dog, a first-party PlayStation Studio, specifically for PS3. Over the last ten years, the game has been ported to PS4 and PS5.
What is the next Xbox 2023? ›The Xbox Series X is Poised for a Big First Half of 2023
Coming in the first half of 2023 are Redfall, Forza Motorsport, and Starfield as Xbox console exclusives. Granted, these games still don't have a firm release date, but all have confirmed windows for the front half of the year.
Boasting a hefty 12 teraflops, Xbox Series X has twice the graphics processing unit (GPU) performance ability of the preceding Xbox One X system.
Is Xbox Game Pass $1 every month? ›With games added all the time, there's always something new to play. Join now to get your first month for $1. Subscription continues automatically at the regular monthly price unless cancelled through your Microsoft Account. See terms.
How much is Xbox Live for a year? ›$10 per month, or $60 per year
Xbox Live Gold is the online subscription service that started in 2002 for the original Xbox, and it allowed players to play multiplayer games online with voice chat.
Microsoft says Game Pass isn't dropping 'Xbox', despite logo change.
How long is Game Pass ultimate $1? ›If you play your cards right, you can use that same dollar to lock in a steep discount on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for up to three years. (Update January 2023: This trick still works as of January 31, 2023.)
How do I keep Game Pass games forever? ›
To keep playing the DLC, you need to buy the game itself from the Microsoft Store or on disc. As long as you were signed in to the Xbox network the last time you played, your achievements, game saves, and game progress will all be there.
How much is 2 years of game pass Ultimate? ›2-Years of Game Pass Ultimate for $135 (Save $224)
First up, your Game Pass subscription must not currently be active - I repeat, you must not have an active Game Pass for this to work.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Now Available In Xbox Game Pass.
Is Game Pass worth it? ›If you're someone that enjoys both PC and Console Gaming, Game Pass Ultimate is worth upgrading to. Some games are better on certain formats, and the cloud gaming and Gold features built-in means you're still getting a good deal.
Can you play Game Pass on TV? ›Stream hundreds of high-quality Xbox games directly on select Samsung 2021 and 2022 smart TVs via cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. No console required.
Will there be a PS6? ›The PS6 doesn't look likely to launch until at least 2028, according to official documents and speculation that has been made around them.
Which is better Xbox or PS5? ›If you're completely fresh to games and money is no issue, PS5 is the best console in 2023. If you have an Xbox games catalogue and / or you're looking for value for money as well as cutting edge tech, then Xbox Series X is the best option.
What is the next Xbox name? ›Xbox Series X console. Xbox Wireless Controller. 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
What Xbox game should I buy? ›- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Xbox One) deals. ...
- Elden Ring - Standard - Xbox [Digital Code] deals. ...
- Red Dead Redemption 2 deals. ...
- Halo Infinite Standard Edition - Xbox Series X & Xbox One deals. ...
- Control deals. ...
- Forza Horizon 5 - Xbox One deals.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X are a match in terms of price – in the US, at least. Both consoles cost $499, but if you're happy to ditch the disc drive, the PS5 Digital Edition is available for $399.
Is Xbox or PlayStation better? ›
However, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are similar in terms of quality and performance, the PS5's exclusive games and gameplay-focused features make it more enticing for buyers who want an immersive experience and don't want to miss major releases.
Is Xbox Live $1? ›Join now and get your first month of Ultimate for $1.
How much is a 14 Days Xbox Game Pass? ›Enjoy unlimited access to over one hundred great Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles for only $9.99 per month, including fan-favorites like Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16, and LEGO Batman. With so many games to discover ...
How much is Xbox Game Pass Unlimited? ›There's always something new to play with Ultimate. Subscription continues automatically at $14.99/mo. unless cancelled through your Microsoft Account. See terms.
Is Xbox Live going away? ›Microsoft shut down those rumors in August 2020, saying in a statement that Xbox Live "is an important part of gaming on Xbox today and will continue to be in the future." Last July, though, VentureBeat reporter Jeff Grubb said on the Giant Bomb podcast that "I just wanted to reiterate, Xbox Live Gold is still on a ...
How to get Xbox Gold free? ›Join Microsoft Rewards to earn Microsoft Points, which you can redeem for Xbox Live Gold free subscriptions. If you're planning to upgrade, all Xbox consoles and controllers come with an Xbox Live Gold gift card.
Why was GTA V removed from Xbox pass? ›GTA 5 Is Leaving Xbox Game Pass Again Three Months After Rejoining The Service. Sometime in August, Grand Theft Auto V and three other Xbox games will leave the Game Pass service to make way for a crop of new titles.
Can you refund a game on Xbox? ›Refunds are typically issued for requests made within 14 days of the purchase date for games in which you haven't accumulated a significant amount of play time. For single-use items (like consumables and in-game currency), your request is likely eligible only if the consumable was not redeemed or used.
What games were removed from Game Pass? ›...
Games That Left Xbox Game Pass In August
- Elite Dangerous.
- Hades.
- Myst.
- NBA 2K22.
- Signs of the Sojourner.
- Spiritfarer.
- Twelve Minutes.
- Two Point Hospital.
Memberships to Xbox Game Pass are available in different durations, including 1 month, 3 month and 6 month subscriptions so make sure you get the right membership value for you.
What is Microsoft Ultimate 1m? ›
Unlimited access to over 100 high-quality games across PC, console, and mobile devices. New games added all the time. Xbox Game Studios titles the day they release. Member discounts and deals. Free Perks including in-game content and partner offers.
How to get Game Pass for free? ›- Log into your Microsoft account or register for one if you haven't already.
- Go to the Microsoft Rewards page.
- Earn points by searching with Bing and completing tasks.
- Redeem the points for a free Xbox Game Pass.
These are subscription services that give players unlimited access to an expanding library of over 400 new and old games, and cost $120 or $180 for one year, respectively. XBGP lets you play on console or PC, and XBGPU lets you play console, PC and cloud gaming.
What happens if you don't pay for Game Pass? ›When this happens, you lose access to the subscription and its benefits. For example, if a renewal charge fails for your Xbox Live Gold subscription, you are locked out, and online multiplayer only works in free-to-play games. When this happens, you also lose your offer for Games with Gold.
How do I change my Xbox gamertag? ›Go to My profile > Customize profile and select your gamertag. In the Choose new gamertag section, enter the one you'd like to swap to, then check its availability. If it's available, you'll see a preview of how it will look, then can confirm.
How much is 3 years of Xbox Game Pass? ›If you go for 3 years (3 x 12 months stacked) then you're paying $5 per month for that duration. However, Game Pass Ultimate itself, after the trial period, retails at $15 per month for the same time period.
Can you buy 1 year of Game Pass Ultimate? ›Can you buy 12 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate? Yes. When I find a really good Xbox Game Pass Ultimate discount, I usually buy an entire year of the membership and because it's stackable, I'm set for 1 year.
Can I buy Game Pass for a year? ›Amazon.com: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 12 Month.
Is Red Dead 1 on PS4? ›Sony's service - now part of the newly-revamped PS Plus Premium, though formerly the separate PlayStation Now subscription - has been home to Red Dead Redemption since 2016. Its departure means there is now no way to play Rockstar's original cowboy epic on PS4 or PS5.
Is Red Dead free on Xbox? ›Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Available For "FREE" On XBOX Game Pass.
Has Red Dead 2 Been Removed From Game Pass? ›
Red Dead Online is dropping out of the service after just four months, which seems to be par for the course for Rockstar games. Both Grand Theft Auto V and the full version of Red Dead Redemption 2 have previously had four-month stints in Game Pass before being hoisted out of the library.
Is Game Pass cheaper than gold? ›If you only play a handful of online titles on your Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S and aren't interested in the hundreds of games available on Game Pass, you'll technically save a bunch of money sticking with Gold compared to the $14.99 per month Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
What is the best Game Pass to buy? ›Game Pass Ultimate
You'll also get perks like exclusive offers and in-game content, and it includes the EA Play subscription. For all-around gamers who don't want to compromise, this is your best bet. And new users signing up now can get their first month for just $1.
- Minecraft.
- Stardew Valley.
- Wasteland 3.
- Vampire Survivors.
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
- Pentiment.
- A Plague Tale: Requiem.
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.
There are two ways to play Xbox console games right on your Windows PC, phone, or other device. Cloud gaming lets you play Xbox games from the cloud using your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Are games free on game pass? ›Xbox Game Pass gives you unlimited access to a game library for one monthly fee. Rather than paying for each game you want to play, you pay $10 per month for unlimited access to a catalog of games. You can play these games all you like. There's also a fourteen-day free trial to get you started.
Can you play Xbox on a smart TV? ›The Xbox cloud gaming app currently runs on 2021 and newer Samsung smart TV models with software version 1300 or higher. To check your software version, press the Home button on your TV's remote and select Menu > Settings > Support > Software Update. The current version is listed on the right side of the window.
What Xbox is coming out in 2022? ›2022 Newest Microsoft Xbox Series X–Gaming Console System- 1TB SSD Black X Version with Disc Drive Bundle with Minecraft Full Game and MTC HDMI Cable. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Will there be a new Xbox console in 2022? ›A new rumor suggests that Microsoft will reveal new Xbox hardware in 2022, but it may be from a different product line than what people expect. The Xbox Series X/S is shaping up to be Microsoft's most successful console.
What's coming for Xbox in 2022? ›2022 produced a number of stellar games, particularly in the open-world genre. Elden Ring, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands are all good-to-great, and they offer wildly different experiences from each other.
Will there be a Xbox Series C? ›
When is Xbox Series X release date? Xbox Series X is launching at participating retailers worldwide on November 10, 2020.
Will there be a new console in 2023? ›“I'm not expecting a next-gen Nintendo console in 2023: we have 2024 in our forecasts,” Harding-Rolls said before noting that Switch hardware will still sell well this year thanks to the upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Is Xbox 360 still live in 2022? ›Xbox 360 live is still active normally. What happens is that not all games have their servers active. I remain at your disposal if you have any further questions. Was this reply helpful?
What is the most current Xbox? ›XBOX SERIES X
The fastest, most powerful Xbox ever.
- Dead Space — January 27, 2023. Trailer. ...
- Hogwarts Legacy - February 10, 2023. Trailer. ...
- Like a Dragon: Ishin! - February 22, 2023. ...
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - March 17, 2023. ...
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League - May 26, 2023. ...
- Diablo IV - June 6, 2023. ...
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum - Early 2023. ...
- Minecraft: Legends - 2023.
The Xbox Series X barely squeaks by the PS5 to take the title of most powerful gaming console. In practice, most people won't be able to tell the difference between the two, but if you want the best, you'll want to grab the Series X.
Is Xbox 360 end of life? ›...
Xbox 360.
| Left: Original model Xbox 360 (2005) Center: Redesigned slim model Xbox 360 S (2010) Right: Latest model Xbox 360 E (2013) | |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | WW : April 20, 2016 |
A few of the consoles have already been discontinued, but this marks the end for all Xbox One consoles, including the Xbox One S and One X variations. This means the company will no longer manufacture any of these, allowing it to focus on just the new Xbox Series S/X consoles.