Tag: role-playing game

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will examine print ads from the 1980s and 1990s that caught my attention and I will explain why these are worth look back at.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. Back in the old days, many gamers trusted the print media a lot for information and images about games.

With those details laid down, here is the latest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Popeye multiplatform print ad

A fine example of promoting the Popeye video game on multiple platforms visually.

During the early 1980s, an arcade game based on Popeye was released and it became a hit with gamers who lined up and inserted coins to play. That game, which had three stages, was eventually ported by Parker Brothers to multiple platforms of Atari, ColecoVision, Intellivision, T.I. and Commodore.

The print ad you see above is a classic display of how one particular game appeared as a multiplatform release. The screenshots showed different versions of the Popeye game on multiple Atari platforms plus the others. See how different the game looks on each platform? The level of visual details and elements varied from one another as each machine had different specs that Parker Brothers had to adjust to. This is a fine example of promoting one game for different machines for those who love video games.  

2.  Kool-Aid Man Video Game print ad

I never got to play this Kool-Aid Man video game.

Remember Kool-Aid? For the newcomers reading this, Kool-Aid was a very popular product line of flavored juice drinks sold in powdered form. I myself used to mix Kool-Aid with ice-cold water and enjoyed drinking it. In 1954, a promotion of Kool-Aid with a touch of entertainment happened by highlighting the character Kool-Aid Man (famously known as the walking and talking pitcher filled with Kool-Aid juice). In later years, the Kool-Aid Man was often shown breaking through walls saying the line “Oh yeah!”.

The Kool-Aid Man gained tremendous attention as a pop culture figure in the 1980s when a new series of advertisements and promotions happened branching into video games and even comic books. The above print ad was a clever move to promote Kool-Aid as a drink as well as a video game for the Intellivision and the Atari 2600 consoles. Even if you were not too fond of video games in the 1980s, the Kool-Aid game ad would still make you think about the drink. Clever and entertaining!  

3. Zombies Ate My Neighbors game print ad

I saw the 2-page ad many times in comic books and video game magazines.

Going into the 1990s, Konami’s print ad of the video game Zombies Ate My Neighbors (for Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis) appeared a lot in the comic books I read when I was much younger. Having seen lots of horror movies – including zombie flicks – the ad easily caught my attention not because of the screenshots but because of the visual style used. For one thing, there was this 1950s America-inspired imagery on the photo of the scared woman with three zombies slowly approaching her. As for the game itself, there were plenty of small-sized screenshots that had lots of interesting details and pixel art (note: 3D polygons in video games were not yet common back then) which gave me a clear idea that it was a humor and horror-laced 2D adventure. Not only that, the text descriptions combined with the fake quotes added zest into the presentation. After having examined all the details carefully, I really felt like Zombies Ate My Neighbors would be a fun-filled game to play on the SNES.

4. Lunar: The Silver Star print ad

With anime artwork used, it was easy to have the impression that the original Lunar game was based on an existing anime series or movie.

In the early 1990s, Game Arts developed and released the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Lunar: The Silver Star on the Mega CD platform in Japan which in some ways was also a technological breakthrough – the game came with full motion video (for short videos), animated images, and CD-quality sound (that really made the soundtrack lively to listen to). After achieving critical and commercial success in Japan, the game was picked-up by Working Designs to be localized and released in the North American market for the Sega CD (the American counterpart of the Mega CD) platform. In promoting the game for American Sega CD owners as well as American gamers in general, a print ad highlighting anime images with five screenshots and only a few words was published on both comic books and magazines.

Even though Lunar: The Silver Star’s core concept was never described in the ad, the anime imagery was still eye-catching and the chosen screenshots gave viewers a preview of the gameplay and the animated images. That being said, it was no surprise that gamers who happened to be a bit interested in anime noticed the print ad. At the same time, the ad gave some gamers the impression that Lunar was a game based on an existing anime franchise. This approach on game advertising was daring and it happened at a time when Japanese RPGs had a limited audience among gamers in North America.

5. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad

In the 2nd half of the 1990s, a remake of Lunar: The Silver Star was released in Japan titled Lunar: Silver Star Story for Sega Saturn (1996), Sony PlayStation (1998) and Windows PC (1998). While it still maintained the 2D visuals for presentation, gameplay and exploration, the remake had smooth anime sequences, new artworks, better sound effects and music. Working Designs pounced on the opportunity to localize the game in America for PlayStation and released it in 1999 with the title Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. Not only did Working Designs work hard on localizing the game (the English dubbing and singing of the game’s songs were meticulously done), they released it with a very lavish packaging with the dedicated fans and collectors in mind.

By looking at the above print ad that magazines published, Working Designs highlighted the positive feedback quotes from EGM, Gamers’ Republic, PSM and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine to convince gamers Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete is a great game. While the screenshots showed what kind of eye candy gamers could expect, Working Designs made sure that they would know that the lavish package includes 4 discs (2 game discs, 1 music CD and 1 CD that had video documentary of the making of Lunar), a full-color map in the form of a cloth, and a hardbound art book and instruction manual.

Considering the dynamism of the Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad and the game’s packaging, I can only speculate that Working Designs had to do it aggressively because the gaming landscape changed dramatically as 3D polygonal graphics became the standard while lots of other Japanese RPGs from different publishers were released in 1999 (including the sequels Suikoden II and Final Fantasy VIII) and many of them had more elaborate game designs and visual presentations. Eventually market forces and unfortunate business events led Working Designs to closing down permanently in 2005.

6. Star Wars: Jedi Arena print ad

Remember when Luke Skywalker tested his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker in the 1977 movie?

Back in the early 1980s, Parker Brothers was very active releasing games on the Atari 2600 console which my family had. At that same time, Star Wars was very popular (and without the wokeness and identity politics garbage of Kathleen Kennedy and woke Disney) and any new game based on the sci-fi franchise was something to be excited for. In the above print ad of Star Wars: Jedi Arena, an artwork showing the iconic her Luke Skywalker testing his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker ball was displayed and located between Luke’s legs is a monitor showing the screenshot of the game. Looking at the text description, Parker Brothers creatively focused on the aspect of the Jedi way of using the lightsaber interacting with the Seeker ball. Having played the game myself, I can say the ad was creative and pretty much captured the core concept of the game.  

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Visions of Mana coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC this summer

Visions of Mana coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC this summer

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow gamers, geeks, and Xbox fans!

If there is anything that surprised me during the 2024 Developer_Direct event of Team Xbox, it was the guest participation of Square Enix which unveiled key details about their new action role-playing game (RPG) Visions of Mana which is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC this coming summer season. A release date will follow.

For the newcomers reading this, Square Enix announced previously that Visions of Mana is actually a multiplatform game. When compared to Team Xbox’s first party games unveiled during the Developer_Direct – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Avowed – Visions of Mana is the only non-exclusive game, the only 3rd party game, the only game not coming to Xbox Game Pass (XGP) and the first-ever game from the Mana series coming to the Xbox platform.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the Developer_Direct video presentation of Square Enix with Visions of Mana. Pay close attention to the details…

For added insight, posted below are selected excerpts from the Xbox.com article about Visions of Mana for you to read. Some parts in boldface…

What is Visions of Mana? – This sprawling new single-player action RPG puts you in the shoes of Val – a curious and carefree young man and skilled fighter. One eventful night, his childhood friend is chosen as an alm – someone who must travel to the Mana Tree and rejuvenate the flow of mana power. Val joins her as the Soul Guard to protect her on her journey, and an epic adventure begins.

As Val, you’ll explore vast areas, battle monsters, gain allies, and uncover the many secrets of this expansive world. And what a world it is! As you can see from the screenshots and trailer, it’s a beautifully vibrant game with rich colors and expressive characters.

The beauty is matched by equally appealing combat. Aerial combat allows for physical and magic attacks in mid-air, and the grand and mysterious powers of the Elemental spirits can assist players in the form of specialized weapons. It’s fast-paced, strategic, and endlessly satisfying.

In short, it’s a perfect entry point for those of you yet to experience a Mana game, as it brings together everything great about this incredible series.

What is the Mana series? – The Mana games are a long-running series of fantasy RPGs that typically feature fast-paced, action-based combat, appealing visuals and music, and stories that center around themes of nature and the majestic Mana Tree.

It’s one of the most immediately enjoyable series, with exciting combat, colorful worlds, and a desire to always innovate. Here’s how Mana Series Producer Masaru Oyamada defines it:

“There are different opinions on what makes a Mana game – as the Series Creator Koichi Ishii always tries to do something new with each game after all.

Expect a lot of action and adventuring in Visions of Mana.

“I think we’ve managed to capture all of these elements in one consistent visual style for Visions of Mana, which really reflects the spirit of the series.” – Masaru Oyamada, Mana Series Producer

“But from my own perspective, I think there’s very much a distinctive Mana style that is easily recognizable to everyone. You can see it in the Tree of Mana illustrations by the great Hiroo Isono, in Mr. Ishii’s unforgettable monsters, and in the characters that inhabit these worlds.

“I think we’ve managed to capture all of these elements in one consistent visual style for Visions of Mana, which really reflects the spirit of the series.”

Each Mana game is a standalone adventure, with its own characters, stories and even gameplay mechanics. There’s rarely any narrative connection between them – instead they’re connected by elements like repeating monsters, such as the adorable rabites.

In other words, you can jump into any Mana game as if it’s your first, and Visions of Mana is no different. In fact, it’s a particularly great place to start as it’s the first entirely new mainline Mana game in more than 15 years!

Which Brings Us to Visions of Mana – Visions of Mana offers a fresh new take on the series, with large areas to explore and a rich story, all portrayed with a beautifully colorful visual style.

That was something that the team was particularly eager to capture, as Mr. Oyamada explains:

“I asked the development team to try to create character models that captured the atmosphere of character designer HACCAN’s illustrations, and experiment to see if they could make a world that incorporated the beautiful depictions of nature from the artist Mr. Hiroo Isono.

“During this process of experimentation, I also managed to secure the support from Mr. Koichi Ishii, the creator of the Mana series and designer of many of its classic monsters, asking him to oversee the updating of his past monster designs into 3D for current generation graphics. All this led to a world that I felt was recognizable at a glance as being from the Mana series.

There is a lot waiting to be discovered in locations like this in the game.

For me, Visions of Mana is a very enticing RPG that has open-world environments, nice art style and the gameplay shown looks highly playable. Even though it is not bound for Xbox Game Pass, I encourage Xbox gamers – especially those who love RPGs from Japan – to take a close look at the game and see how it would fit into their games-to-play-in-2024 list. It should be noted that Visions of Mana reflects the reinvigorated business relationship between Square Enix and Team Xbox. The more Visions of Mana sells on Xbox, the better. Lastly, if you watched Square Enix’s Developer_Direct presentation, you would have noticed the game developers/creators acknowledged the Xbox community.

Watch out for the release Visions of Mana on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC this summer.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Avowed coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late 2024

Avowed coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late 2024

carlocarrasco

During the Developer_Direct video presentation, the Xbox-exclusive fantasy role-playing game (RPG) Avowed was highlighted with updates from developer Obsidian Entertainment followed by the announcement that the game will be released on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late-2024 (most likely October to December). The final release date will be announced some time later.

For the newcomers reading this, I blogged about Avowed previously and you can read them by clicking here, here, and here. First unveiled in the Xbox games showcase of 2020, Avowed is Obsidian’s latest attempt on the fantasy RPG genre with notable similarities to Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) that include the first-person view, melee combat, magic, and the exploration of a vast fantasy setting. Avowed is set within Obsidian’s established Pillars of Eternity fantasy universe with Eora as the world.

Avowed is set in the established world of Eora. The game developers promised a flexible approach on combat covering melee, magic and shooting forms of attacks during battle.

Of course, there are notable gameplay and technical differences that set Avowed apart from Bethesda’s mega blockbuster fantasy RPG. To get to know the game better, watch Obsidian’s segment of the 2024 Developer_Direct event as well as the extended gameplay breakdown below…

For more information, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article regarding Obsidian’s fantasy RPG. Some parts in boldface…

Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel gave us a first deep-dive into the gameplay in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy action RPG, from its dynamic combat, to its thoughtful reactivity, to its “colorful, vibrant, strange” world set in the Living Lands. Avowed continues Obsidian’s signature style of creating games with deep themes and player choice at the forefront.

Here is an example of a decision-making moment in Avowed. Before making a decision, you must pay attention to the details on what the other characters said.

Not only will you make narrative decisions that can impact changes in the game down the line, but Avowed is also looking to offer choice in combat. Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo discussed not only how varied your weaponry will be – with melee weapons, ranged guns and bows, and magic-based wands (even dual-wielded wands!) to name a few – but how flexible combat can be, allowing you to quickly change loadouts for enemy encounters. Swappable loadouts mean you can approach combat however feels right to you.

Art Director Matt Hansen then explained how the Living Lands is a mysterious island made up of wildly varied regions offering visually diverse backdrops and intriguing settings to explore. With secrets hidden throughout the regions, you’ll take in barren deserts, verdant forests, blighted wastes, volcanic biomes, and more.

A special attack performed.

Ever since it was first unveiled in 2020, I have been anticipating Avowed for a long time as I myself enjoyed the fantasy RPGs of Bethesda (specifically The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Skyrim) as well as Obsidian’s work in The Outer Worlds (2019) and Falllout: New Vegas (2010). I should also state that the first-person view makes exploration and combat in RPGs truly immersive and this alone makes Avowed very appealing to me. In relation to the first-person view, I am eager to find out how playable combat will be specifically on the part of the player and what interactive options will be made available. In a recent Xbox.com article, the developers confirmed there will be a variety of ways for players to tackle combat.

I am also excited to see how Obsidian will implement their clever and creative writing skills into the narrative and branching options within their upcoming fantasy RPG. Anyone who has played The Outer Worlds will know how the decisions you made in the game – even during side quests – affected the ending as well as the respective outcomes of your party members. That is something I hope to see again in Avowed, even though it is likely that Obsidian could adjust their methods on establishing the new game’s narrative as well as the outcomes.  

When exploring the many fantasy environments, always pay attention to details as you might find useful items, weapons, money or even details about quests.

Watch out for Avowed on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass in late-2024. For more details, click https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/avowed and https://avowed.obsidian.net/

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Sea of Stars is an enjoyable RPG and you should play it on Xbox now!

Sea of Stars is an enjoyable RPG and you should play it on Xbox now!

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow gamers, geeks, role-playing games (RPGs) enthusiasts and fantasy lovers!

In recent times, I completed my first playthrough of Starfield on my Xbox Series X and it lasted me over 220 hours of fun, discoveries and intriguing moments. Having played it so long, I will replay Starfield with a new playthrough only after Bethesda implements the next series of patches/updates (to refine the game) and release the planned downloadable content (DLC).

That being said, I finally started playing the inspired Japanese-style role-playing game (RPG) Sea of Stars on my Xbox Series X. Having played some hours of it, I can say that I am really enjoying Sea of Stars and I intend to finish it. Oh yes, Sea of Stars is available on Xbox Game Pass (XGP) right now!

This is one of many great looking scenes composed of really fine 2D art style and pixel artistry in Sea of Stars.

Developed by Sabotage Studio, Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG with a strong retro feel that will remind you of past Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. The game follows the exploits of two Children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer. Along the way, the two Children of Solstice start a quest joined by their friend and together they travel to different places encountering different inhabitants and engage in situations that only they can solve.

Having played Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy VI and a lot of JRPGs from the so-called 16-bit era of console gaming, I can say that Sea of Stars is a very inspired game that has lots of elements common with the mentioned games (plus more) with regards to art style, gameplay, quests, music, character development and visual presentation. To put it short, the guys at Sabotage Studio took a lot of inspiration from the classic JRPGs to make something fun for this current console generation. I am having a lot of fun with the game which itself is available for Xbox Game Pass (XGP) subscribers to avail.

An important meeting about to happen in the game.
A boss battle early in the game.
This is just a part of the world map of Sea of Stars.

In my experience and recollections from the past, Sea of Stars has visual style that is best compared with Chrono Trigger. Sabotage Studio really created a lot of nice looking 2D artworks and highly detailed sprites that made the new game look lively. With regards to the storytelling , character development and character expressions, the game has a wholesome tone that never felt childish. The tone as well as the humor made Sea of Stars comparable with several Japanese RPGs from the 16-bit age of consoles.

You will encounter really interesting characters who will join your party as the game progresses.

Sea of Stars is really fun to play and it is a great change of pace and style for me as I finished my Starfield playthrough which lasted more than 220 hours. This Sabotage Studio game will help ease my wait for the expected 2024 RPGs such as Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes and the Xbox-exclusive Avowed. As much as I hope to see past JRPGs like Xenogears, Breath of Fire and Lunar get remastered and released for Xbox consoles (and XGP), I know such possibilities remain uncertain and Sabotage Studio’s game easily fills the void. If you are looking for a Japanese-style RPG that is fun, nostalgic and visually pleasing, you can’t go wrong with Sea of Stars. Go for the game on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass now!

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Starfield’s successful launch boosts Xbox Series X|S sales in the UK

Starfield’s successful launch boosts Xbox Series X|S sales in the UK

carlocarrasco

Starfield, the epic sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) from Bethesda Game Studios (Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4), tremendously boosted the sales of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S (including the newer version) in the United Kingdom (UK) shortly after its very strong launch there, according to a report published by GamesIndustry.biz. Also available on Windows PC and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP), it is not surprising to see many gamers making decisions to buy the game brand new which helped it top the UK software sales chart. 

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GamesIndustry.biz report. Some parts in boldface…

The launch of Starfield and a new version of the Xbox Series S significantly boosted sales of Microsoft consoles.

GfK data reveals that Xbox Series S and X sales jumped 76% week-on-week for the seven days ending September 2nd.

GfK games boss Dorian Bloch says that the week is the biggest this year (so far) for Xbox Series S and X hardware sales in the UK. Meanwhile, the week ending September 9th is currently the second best week.

This was partially due to the launch of the new Xbox Series S 1TB edition, which accounted for 24% of all Xbox consoles sold during that week. The new version of Xbox Series S is roughly £50 more expensive than the standard Series S model.

Starfield is filled with a lot of quests, activities, exploration and sci-fi action that really engaged millions of people worldwide as I write this. The scope of the game is very immense.

But the jump in Xbox console sales was also due to the launch of Starfield. The Bethesda game officially launched on September 6th, but it was available on September 1st to those who were willing to pay for the Premium Edition. As a result, the standard Xbox Series X console posted a 46% increase in sales for the week ending September 2nd in the UK.

“It is currently the best week this year for Series X,” Bloch says. “And the following week [ending September 9th] is the fourth best for X. In-between is week one and week six, which were early year blips.”

Bloch says that the Xbox consoles overall had a decent showing for the week ending September 9th, with the new Series S 1TB model accounting for 20% of sales.

As mentioned earlier, Starfield is also a software sales success in the UK which GamesIndustry.biz also reported separately. Check out the excerpt below…

Starfield has topped the UK physical charts this week. GfK’s report showed that the space-action RPG sold more physical copies on Xbox than it did on PC.

Sarah Morgan is one of the key characters in Starfield. Interacting with her added a lot to the gameplay and engagement. Take note that Morgan is just one of the Constellation characters you will interact with.

Starfield’s premium upgrade (a box with a code that provided early access to the digital version) has fallen to No.34 after debuting at No.7 last week. This version experienced a 71% decrease in sales due to the game’s wider release on September 6.

The Xbox exclusive reached over six million players in two days, making it Bethesda’s biggest launch of all time.

As confirmed by the news above, the Xbox-exclusive Starfield succeeded big-time at retail in the UK and as Bethesda’s biggest launch of all-time (on a worldwide scale). Think deeply about those huge achievements that were realized without PlayStation at all. While lots of gamers in the UK spent a lot of money on the sci-fi RPG and Xbox Series consoles, there are also many Starfield players enjoying it on Xbox Game Pass. In fact, a lot of XGP subscribers paid for the early access to the game and that only showed how heavily anticipated Starfield really is as Bethesda’s newest intellectual property (IP). Apart from that, there is still a long way to go before the month of September 2023 ends.

The way the Xbox-exclusive game is succeeding as I write this, it is very likely that Starfield will grow into a franchise of in-depth RPGs in the years to come. Like Halo and the Forza Motorsport, Starfield will be an Xbox-exclusive franchise of games that fans and RPG-loving gamers can look forward to.

Even without PlayStation, Starfield became a massive success at launch in terms of software sales, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and Xbox hardware sales.

On my part, I have been playing Starfield on my Xbox Series X for more than a week now and the more I played it, the more enjoyable and even intriguing the gameplay experience turned out to be. There is just so much to have fun with this sci-fi RPG and by now, I have gotten myself more oriented with the user interface and the functions laid out.

With regards to the shooting (specifically with on-foot activities), the precision and response here are comparable with those in Fallout 4. Flying spaceships and using the controls for flight and weapons are really good and responsive enough.

While I won’t be spoiling plot details here, I can say that the gameplay experience has been pretty varied when I do the main quests, side quests, activities and when I freely explore the many in-game environments from one planet to another across different star systems. Check out the images and their descriptions below…

There is nothing like spotting Ecliptic mercenaries marching together in the middle of nowhere followed by my character and companion taking them out by surprise. If you encounter a random situation like this, engage with it.
I love the high-level of visual details as well as the impressive physics Bethesda prepared for space battles.
After defeating several armed bad guys and some dangerous turrets at a very discreet location, I got myself a brand new space ship! I now have four space ships as of this writing!
There is nothing like being able to board an enemy space ship, defeating all the bad guys and taking the valuables (including the opportunity to claim the ship as your own if your pilot skill is high enough). Starfield allows such opportunities to happen during space ship battles. Don’t just focus on destroying the enemy ship entirely as you will miss out on the opportunity to board it.

Starfield is very enjoyable and I believe that it still has a lot more to offer. I finished several side quests and activities, and still there is a lot more to discover and engage with! Of all the Xbox-exclusive games released in this current console generation, Starfield is already the most engaging one I have been playing, even more so than Halo Infinite.

If you are eager to acquire a digital copy of Starfield, head on to https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/starfield. By the way, an update is now available. In ending this, posted below are Starfield-related videos for your enjoyment.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Starfield is now available and I’m enjoying it on my Xbox Series X!

Starfield is now available and I’m enjoying it on my Xbox Series X!

carlocarrasco

Starfield, the epic sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) from Bethesda Game Studios (Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4) has finally been released on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP) and this early I am already enjoying it! Even gamers still hanging on with their aging Xbox One consoles could enjoy the game with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service and Xbox Cloud Gaming!

To put things in perspective, Starfield was made available to several gamers who paid for early access as early as September 1. The early access proved to be a big hit among Xbox Game Pass subscribers! This past March, the final release date of September 6, 2023 was announced. Even before that, a vague 2023 release was announced on June 2022 (note: November 2022 was the original release target for the game). In preparing for the game, I replayed Halo: Infinite and Fallout 4 on my Xbox Series X console, and I also watched Interstellar and Star Trek: First Contact on 4K Blu-ray disc format.

There is nothing like being able to fly your spaceship through an asteroid belt in Starfield.

A lot is at stake with Starfield which is the first new intellectual property of Bethesda and the team led by Todd Howard. Take note that Bethesda has been integrated into Team Xbox for more than two years now as a result of Microsoft’s acquisition agreement with parent company ZeniMax.

It is very clear that today, Starfield is the most ambitious Xbox-exclusive game and it was released at a time when the lack of Xbox-exclusive games was felt since early 2022. Apart from the positive reviews it received, Starfield just might motivate more people out there to buy Xbox Series consoles or new gaming PCs, stimulate sales at retail and boost the number of people subscribing to Xbox Game Pass worldwide. Not only that, this game is from the same team that made the much-beloved Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. Those four open-world Bethesda games are well known for the very deep engagement and intense fun that gamers enjoyed with a lot of longevity.

Ironically, the brand new RPG from Bethesda became a lightning rod of criticism and creative negativity from the PlayStation fanboys and the “Xbox has no games” zealots (plus other gamers who obsessively hate Xbox) who cannot help but be jealous and frustrated over the Xbox exclusivity. I understand that jealousy really hurts a person deep down inside and what is even worse is hatred towards Xbox combined with obsession caused by certain external forces. I know that there are gaming media writers, bloggers and vloggers who grew up with hatred towards Xbox and some of them even sold their souls to PlayStation in exchange for something. It is bad enough that in this divisive world, there are many so-called journalists who are actually political activists pretending to be journalistic.

Watch out for the character Marika during your first city exploration in the game.
If you are very used to shooting in Fallout 4, you will have to adjust yourselves to become proficient and comfortable with the gunplay in Starfield.

To those of you reading this, you are better off enjoying Starfield for what it is and what it has to offer regardless of what platform you have to play it on. This is, after all, a Bethesda game with the design and production led by Todd Howard and a team with an extensive record of experience, acclaim and success.

The PlayStation culture itself is toxic and I know because I myself used to be a PlayStation fanboy. That being said, I can say that PlayStation leadership today is the worst and I have seen lots of PS executives come and go. If the PlayStation people, their media partners-in-crime (read: IGN is just one of them) and other haters would not stop smearing Starfield and Bethesda itself because of Xbox and Microsoft (now owner of Bethesda), then there definitely is something wrong with those people. As such, you should NOT let them ruin your enjoyment of Starfield. The game is an Xbox-exclusive designed to entertain and engage gamers.

It is fun and intriguing to watch Sarah Morgan (a significant character you will spend time with) interact with another character she personally knows. Pay close attention to what they say to each other.

Going back to the game itself, I managed to find time to start playing it on launch day here in the Philippines. Without spoiling plot details, I can say that it took me three hours of learning and experimenting with Starfield’s gameplay and functions. Getting myself oriented with the new game proved tricky as I just finished replaying Fallout 4 on my Xbox Series X. For comparisons, I got myself oriented with the gameplay and functions of Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4 within two hours of initial play respectively.

By the time I reached the 4th hour of my 6-hour launch day session, I finally got myself oriented (this includes lots of on-foot exploration, space flights and misadventures before taking on the main quest) and Starfield became much more engaging as more quests, more characters and more locations emerged. By the time I stopped playing to get some much-needed rest, my enjoyment of the game really intensified complete with a growing sense of wonder about what awaits me in the huge galaxy Bethesda prepared. That being said, I went back to playing Starfield yesterday and I found myself enjoying it even more as I proceeded with the main quest while finding time to do side-quests. I have gotten more proficient with the way the game functions.

Right now, I am really eager to keep on playing Starfield during my free time, discover more within the game and have more fun along the way. Literally, I am only scratching the surface with Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG and as I played it, there were moments when I noticed the game had some similarities with Obsidian Entertainment’s own sci-fi RPG The Outer Worlds.

My character and the first-ever spaceship I got.

If you are eager to acquire a digital copy of Starfield, head on to https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/starfield

To get yourselves oriented early, check out Team Xbox’s Starfield guides by clicking here, here and here.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes release delayed to 2024

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes release delayed to 2024

carlocarrasco

If you are an Xbox gamer who loves playing Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) who missed the news, better brace yourselves for enduring another long wait as the release of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (bound for Xbox Game Pass) has officially been delayed to 2024. The game being made by Rabbit & Bear was previously announced for a 2023 release. The video below ended with “Coming 2023.”

To put things into perspective about the delay, posted below is the excerpt from the game developer’s recent update at Kickstarter.com. Some parts in boldface…

In order to deliver a game that many fans have supported, we announce a revised release date of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, with the game now due during Calendar Year Q2 of 2024. The decision was made in order to ensure the best possible story, and to reward the legion of backer with the best game experience possible.

Ever since Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was first announced, I got excited for it knowing it was the spiritual successor to Suikoden RPGs and its development team Rabbit & Bear had Suikoden creators involved. The JRPG (along with the spin-off 2D adventure game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising) was the most pleasant surprise I saw during the 2021 Xbox Bethesda Games Showcase and the confirmation of it coming to Xbox Game Pass added to my excitement. Take a look at the 2021 video below.

I was really looking forward to playing Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on my Xbox Series X this year because I wanted a different kind of Japanese RPG to play (note: I played and finished the remastered Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch on my Xbox months ago and I am still playing Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Collection) and also I wanted a gameplay experience inspired by the first two Suikoden RPGs of the 1990s (note: Konami has yet to release the remastered games this year) which I really enjoyed (note: read my Suikoden II retro review).

While it is a little discouraging to wait until the 2nd quarter of 2024 to play Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, I say let’s just leave it up to the game developers to finish their work and make it the best possible JRPG it could be. Besides, there is the massive sci-fi Bethesda RPG Starfield and Turn 10’s Forza Motorsport (2023) to enjoy before the year ends and those two are the hottest Xbox-exclusive games to look forward to. Antstream Arcade is already entertaining Xbox fans with over a thousand retro games made available and for more future releases, watch out for announcements at Gamescom 2023 where Team Xbox will have a huge presence. By mid-2024, the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers worldwide should get higher. That being said, the delay of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is not too painful in my view.

Let’s hope that developer Rabbit & Bear will ensure Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes to be a great JRPG to play once its 2024 release happens.

In ending this piece, posted below are recent Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Team Xbox and Square Enix renew business relationship as Final Fantasy XIV Online gets set for Xbox Series X|S launch in 2024

Team Xbox and Square Enix renew business relationship as Final Fantasy XIV Online gets set for Xbox Series X|S launch in 2024

carlocarrasco

Things have been turning out positively for Team Xbox and its millions of fans worldwide in recent times. Not so long after the big breakthrough for the Xbox-Activision-Blizzard deal and the launch of Antstream Arcade on Xbox, Team Xbox and Square Enix officially renewed their business relationship and symbolically it has been confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV Online got set for launch on Xbox Series X|S in 2024.

For the newcomers reading this, over the past years a notable number of Square Enix games were released without versions on Xbox consoles. It is already out in the open that Sony had been signing deals with game publishers and developers to exclude Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass so that the PlayStation platforms will gain the competitive edge (click here and here). This seems evident in Square Enix’s announcement of Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection coming to multiple platforms except Xbox.

Going to what happened this past weekend, almost out of nowhere Xbox chief Phil Spencer appeared alongside Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu and Square Enix video game producer Naoki Yoshida (AKA Yoshi-P) on stage during a Las Vegas event and symbolically confirmed the renewal of their business relationship. Adding credibility to the renewal was the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the Tweet from Xbox chief Phil Spencer himself…

Posted below is the excerpt about the big development from Windows Central Gaming’s report. Some parts in boldface…

Out of nowhere, today, Square Enix was joined on stage by Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox lead Phil Spencer to reveal that Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is finally coming to Xbox consoles in 2024.

Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs on the market, and one of the only credible alternatives to World of Warcraft, an MMO that Microsoft is poised to soon own with the Activision-Blizzard deal likely going through. FF14 has brought some serious competition to WoW in recent years, forcing Blizzard to up its game. It seems Square Enix isn’t taking that lying down either, announcing its own fresh expansion coming next summer, dubbed Dawntrail.

Additionally, incoming Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu had some warm things to say about Xbox that fans will no doubt be eager to hear (via Nova_Crystallis). Kiryu praised Phil Spencer for his “support” in bringing Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox. I believe Microsoft had to revert some of its long-standing Windows store policies around third-party content delivery networks in order to help get FF14 onto Xbox, and Spencer was naturally likely instrumental in getting that policy change through. Surprisingly, Kiryu also said that “with today’s announcement, and wherever possible, we are planning to bring our games to Xbox.”

“First off, I have thank you Phil-san for making the Xbox version of FF14 a reality. This is a project that would not have been possible without Spencer’s support. Please give him the biggest round of applause. As CEO of Square Enix, we want to continue to deliver fabulous games to fans across the globe. We want to welcome the Xbox community as well. Starting with today’s announcement and whenever possible we are planning to bring our games to Xbox for players to enjoy. Final Fantasy XIV is only going to get bigger and better. So I hope Xbox players give it a try.” – Takashi Kiryu, Square Enix CEO

Xbox lead Phil Spencer also emphasized that he looks forward to “building” on the relationship that brought Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox, and wants to partner with Square Enix on future games as well.

Indeed the renewal of ties between Xbox and Square Enix is a very positive breakthrough that will benefit not only the many millions of Xbox gamers (including those using Windows PC) worldwide but for video gaming as a whole. While Square Enix still has contracts signed with PlayStation still in effect, they and Team Xbox can collaborate on other available games for Xbox release. Whatever feelings you have towards the company behind the Final Fantasy games, this development opens the possibilities of releasing Legend of Mana games and a potential remaster of Xenogears on Xbox platforms. There is also the potential that Team Xbox can sign new deals with the Japanese titan to release more of its games on Xbox Game Pass (XGP).

While Final Fantasy XIV Online’s Xbox launch is still some time away, Xbox gamers have a lot to enjoy along the way with exclusives such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport (2023). Looking at the Xbox ecosystem as a whole, the renewed Xbox-Square Enix ties means more games from the Japanese titan will be released in the near future. Square Enix’s RPGs – both modern and classic – will add weight to Xbox as the ecosystem for RPG fans. That being said, I encourage you Xbox gamers to watch out for SE’s future releases. Also you might want to try the existing Square Enix RPGs still available on the Xbox store such as Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.

Final Fantasy XIV Online on Xbox

To gain a deeper understanding of the Final Fantasy XIV Online announcement, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article. Some parts in boldface…

After much anticipation, it’s finally confirmed – critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S.

First announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, let’s break down the announcement and reveal and what it means for Xbox gamers now that one of gaming’s most welcoming communities is set to get even bigger!

What is Final Fantasy XIV Online? – Firstly, if you’re not familiar with Final Fantasy XIV Online, as the name would suggest, it’s the fourteenth mainline game in the highly esteemed Final Fantasy series. As with all mainline numbered Final Fantasy games however, each entry is a standalone game that doesn’t require any previous experience with the franchise. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game before, FFXIV is the perfect place to jump in!

FFXIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn – a vibrant planet blessed by the Light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents, there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Her name — Eorzea. It is here that your tale begins to unfold. Beckoned by the Mothercrystal — the source of all life — you must embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.

As an online massively multiplayer role-playing game, FFXIV offers a realm where you and 27 million adventurers worldwide can embark on epic quests together. Filled with bustling cities, towering forests, and deadly deserts, FFXIV’s constantly updated, and ever-engaging world takes you to the far reaches of the land and beyond, with a captivating and ongoing story. But it isn’t just about defeating massive monsters with your personalized Warrior of Light. You can also gather materials and craft items, enjoy series staples including Chocobos, Moogles, and Airships, enjoy a day of mini-games and mahjong at the Gold Saucer, and even buy a house.

Your adventure, played your way! – If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, never fear! Though initially designed to be played online with others, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. In fact, by the time the open beta launches it’ll be possible to complete all the main story dungeons from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker solo, enabling you to comfortably experience the stories of Eorzea on their own.

When can I play it…and what have I heard about a Free Trial? – Final Fantasy XIV Online is set to launch in open beta on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Patch 6.5x series, which means you can expect it very soon indeed! Alongside 4K support on Xbox Series X, both consoles will enjoy fast loading times, making sure your time in Eorzea looks and plays great.

Additionally, you may have seen some copypasta lurking around the internet pertaining to a certain free trial… well, rest assured, the Final Fantasy XIV Online Expanded Free Trial will indeed be coming to Xbox Series X|S, meaning you too will be able to enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!

In concluding this post, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 7

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 7

carlocarrasco

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

Raiders of the Lost Ark videos

If you are feeling nostalgic about the Indiana Jones franchise and want to revisit the very first movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, then you are not alone. The new movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (made by the woke Disney company and handled by the unpopular Kathleen Kennedy with James Mangold as director) turned off a lot of long-time fans and this incidentally created renewed interest about the very first movie from 1981. For the newcomers reading this, Indiana Jones is the joint creation of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and they eventually collaborated together in making four Indy movies from 1981 to 2008. To learn more about Raiders of the Lost Ark and how the movie came to be, watch the videos below…

Starfield is approaching and you can prepare yourselves for it

Starfield, the epic sci-fi role-playing game (RPG) from Bethesda (Skyrim, Fallout 4), is coming out on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass with an official release date of September 6, 2023. For those of you who missed out on the recent Xbox Games Showcase, you can still catch up and learn more about the Xbox-exclusive Starfield by watching the videos below…

Planetshakers’ Worthy is the Lamb music video

Recently, Planetshakers released online the music video of their worship song Worthy is the Lamb (note: Words by Noah Walker and Andy Harrison, Music by Joth Hunt). The said song is indeed holy, beautiful and will help you move closer to the Lord. Just take note that this Planetshakers worship song is not to be confused with Hillsong Worship’s song with the same title. Watch the official Planetshakers music video of Worthy is the Lamb and the story video below…

Get ready for Forza Motorsport (2023) this October

It took Team Xbox and Turn 10 a long time but they finally revealed that their much-anticipated Forza Motorsport (2023) will be released on October 10, 2023 only on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. In relation to the announced release date, Turn 10 released a new trailer as well as an in-depth examination of the game. Watch the following videos of Forza Motorsport (2023) below…

A look back at Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures

For those of you who are still feeling nostalgic or still craving for more Indiana Jones-related content, be aware that way back in the mid-1990s, there was an official video game of the cinematic icon – Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures. While I myself played the Super Star Wars games on the Super NES back in those days, I never got to play Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures which itself was an official adaptation of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and made with side-scrolling adventuring in mind with a few Mode 7 sections set up to prevent the game from being too repetitive. Check out the following videos below…

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Xbox-exclusive fantasy RPG Avowed to be released in 2024

Xbox-exclusive fantasy RPG Avowed to be released in 2024

carlocarrasco

Following the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct double feature, excitement is high for Xbox-exclusive games as well as other games coming into the Xbox Game Pass (XGP) subscription service plus the others that the 3rd party game publishers will be releasing.

During the showcase, I was very delighted to see the gameplay trailer of Avowed, the brand-new fantasy role-playing game (RPG) from genre specialists Obsidian Entertainment (an Xbox game studio) for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC with availability on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Steam. The Xbox-exclusive RPG should be released sometime in 2024.

Avowed’s recent showing is significant not only because it is the first major update in three years but also because Team Xbox and the developers showed a trailer that ran on in-game graphics and featured the first-ever gameplay clips. To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article written by Obsidian’s studio head Feargus Urquhart. Some parts in boldface…

Expanding the universe that we created for the original Pillars of Eternity games, Avowed brings a new perspective, a new way to fight, and a new land to explore in the world of Eora. The Pillars games are near and dear to us and we can’t wait to share Avowed with everyone next year. 

In Avowed, you’ll explore the Living Lands, a plagued, wild island set in the world of Eora. The Living Lands are full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choice and consequences.

What comes to your mind with this view from Avowed’s fantasy world?

Unique to the world of Eora, the Living Lands is home to bustling port towns and rolling hills adorned with weird and fantastical plant life. Every part of the Living Lands is home to its own ecosystem. Around every corner there are creatures, sentient mushrooms, or tribes of lizard-like Xaurips looking to make you their next meal… 

As with all our past RPGs, the companions in Avowed play a major role in your adventure. The first companion you will find is Kai, the narrator of this gameplay trailer. Kai is a Coastal Aumaua currently residing in the Living Lands and is one of the only friendly faces you’ll find here. He is a former soldier, and his idealistic and pragmatic temperament will help guide you as you venture out into this wild frontier. 

First-person combat has been a huge focus for us. We’ve incorporated a host of ways for players to fight the flora and fauna of the Living Lands. You will have swords, shields, pistols, magical spells, and more at your disposal, including the ability to dual wield, creating a vast number of combinations to choose from. 

A look at the first-person combat in the game.

With combat so full of possibility, diversity in choice will be needed as you explore the treacherous Living Lands. Home to the Xuarips, plagued undead, and dangerous flora, this island is full of unique enemies to encounter. 

 We’re looking forward to sharing much, much more with everyone as we get closer to the release of Avowed next year.

I have reasons to be very excited for Avowed which happens to be one of the main reasons I bought an Xbox Series X and subscribed to Xbox Game Pass. In my experience as a gamer, I played past RPGs that Obsidian Entertainment made such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II on the original Xbox console, Fallout: New Vegas on the Xbox One and The Outer Worlds on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Whatever concept or type of gameplay they came up with, Obsidian delivered on gameplay that is fun and engaging, supporting characters that are worth remembering, and making role-playing really work.

On face value, Avowed looks inspired by Bethesda’s juggernaut RPG Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Like the old game, Obsidian’s new RPG has a first-person view and a lively fantasy setting filled with lots of characters and monsters. However, Avowed is distinct as it has the Pillars of Eternity as a fantasy foundation and the gameplay trailer shows how stylish and functional battles are. Definitely this is not a blatant rip-off of Skyrim.

While the Skyrim comparisons are raging in many gamers’ minds, it should be noted that Avowed won’t be having the open-world design for exploration. Rather, the upcoming game will have inter-connected open zones and the size of the in-game world will be comparable with those of The Outer Worlds and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II as stated by game director Carrie Patel. Her interview is included in the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 Extend video below…

While it could be disappointing to others that Avowed is looking like it will have the huge and separate maps for exploration instead of the massive open-world design, I don’t see this as a mistake since I myself have played The Outer Worlds which had separate maps that were not only huge but also dense and filled with side-quests, exploration opportunities and memorable discoveries. Take note that using the open-world format to present the in-game fantasy world would have definitely extend the development process of Avowed by at least a few more years not to mention costing a lot more money.

Now that Obsidian gave us a glimpse of the fantasy world, the conflict and moments of gameplay of Avowed during the recent Xbox Games Showcase, they will have to show us next time (note: Xbox Games Showcase 2024) more gameplay and demonstrate other aspects such as selective dialogue sequences, their approach to side quests, the tinkering and customization of weapons and equipment, and perhaps building up villages or taking over the castles occupied by enemy forces.

Imagine yourself facing many armed and armored people responding to your presence.

Right now, I am excited for Avowed. Here is hoping that Obsidian will be able to complete and polish the game for 2024 release. At this moment, Xbox is gradually becoming the haven for gamers who love not only fantasy RPGs but RPGs of different kinds.

In concluding this post, posted below are YouTube videos related to Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox for you to enjoy.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.