Latest news with #TheOuterWorlds2
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Xbox Games Showcase 2025: Everything announced and then some
Microsoft just wrapped up their biggest gaming showcase of the year, and honestly? They came loaded for bear. From brand new handhelds to surprise Final Fantasy drops, this wasn't your typical "here's what's coming eventually" presentation. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 delivered actual release dates, playable demos, and enough surprises to keep Twitter buzzing for weeks. The show's theme was clear: Xbox wants to be everywhere you are, whether that's your couch, your desk, or apparently now in your backpack. With every announced game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere and a shiny new handheld to show off, Microsoft is doubling down on their "play anywhere" philosophy in a big way. Let's break down everything that happened during this gaming extravaganza. Asus' ROG Ally is now an Xbox Inside: ROG Xbox Ally - Behind The Scenes Feature The biggest hardware surprise came courtesy of Microsoft's partnership with Asus. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X aren't just another Steam Deck competitor, they're Microsoft's direct answer to handheld PC gaming. Both the Ally(s) run full Windows, meaning you can access Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and pretty much any PC storefront you can think of. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nugegoda: Beautiful New Senior Apartments with Two Bedrooms Senior Apartments | Search Ads Search Now Undo The regular Ally packs an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage, while the Ally X steps things up with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 24GB of RAM, and a full terabyte of storage. Both launch this holiday season, and Microsoft made sure to mention that every game shown in the showcase will run on these handhelds. That's a bold claim, but if it holds true, these could be game-changers for portable gaming. The Outer Worlds 2 finally gets a real release date The Outer Worlds 2 - Official Story Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 After years of waiting, Obsidian's space RPG sequel has locked in October 29, 2025 as its launch date. The new trailer showed off the colony of Arcadia, which looks like it's having a significantly worse time than the locations in the first game. Rifts are tearing through space-time, factions are at each other's throats, and somehow capitalism is still the real villain. The sequel promises bigger RPG systems, more reactive storytelling, and full character customisation. Plus, there's an expanded Direct happening right after the showcase, so Obsidian clearly has a lot more to show. If you enjoyed the original's blend of dark humour and corporate satire, this looks like more of exactly what you want. Ninja Gaiden 4 brings PlatinumGames flair to Team Ninja violence NINJA GAIDEN 4 - Official Release Date Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 October 21, 2025 marks the return of one of gaming's most brutally difficult action series. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, which sounds like a recipe for some absolutely bonkers combat sequences. The trailer showcased new protagonist Yakumo pulling off impossible combos against hordes of enemies, with the signature weapon-switching and aerial juggling the series is known for. The game is set in near-future Tokyo, features connections to series legend Ryu Hayabusa, and promises to deliver that "git gud or go home" difficulty the franchise built its reputation on. If you've been missing proper character action games, this one's shaping up to be essential. Super Meat Boy gets an extra dimension Super Meat Boy 3D Announcement Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Sometimes the most unexpected announcements hit the hardest, and Super Meat Boy 3D definitely qualifies. Sluggerfly and Headup Games are taking Team Meat's masochistic masterpiece and literally adding another dimension to the suffering. The early 2026 release promises all the wall-jumping, buzzsaw-dodging, death-filled gameplay that made the original a cult classic, except now you can fail spectacularly in three dimensions instead of two. The trailer showcased the same tight platforming mechanics that turned controllers into projectiles worldwide, complete with Meat Boy's quest to rescue his bandage-wrapped girlfriend from that eternally creepy fetus in a jar. It's the kind of game that makes you question your life choices while simultaneously hitting "retry" for the 500th time – and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. Clockwork Revolution shows off its steampunk time-travel madness Clockwork Revolution | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 InXile's ambitious RPG got an extended look, and it's looking appropriately ambitious. Set in the steampunk city of Avalon, players discover that history itself has been manipulated by the city's ruler. Your solution? A time travel device that lets you hop into the past and change things, with consequences rippling forward into the present. The new trailer focused on the grittier side of Avalon, showing the downtrodden areas where gangs prey on the weak. It's a far cry from the polished upper city areas we've seen before, suggesting the game will have some real social commentary alongside its time-bending mechanics. No release date yet, but this is definitely one to watch. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 goes full sci-fi Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - Official Teaser | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 The final reveal of the show was perhaps the biggest surprise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, set in 2035. This isn't your typical modern warfare setup; the trailer suggested heavy sci-fi elements, psychological warfare, and the return of David Mason from Black Ops 2. The year 2035 apparently isn't going great for humanity, with the world "on the brink of chaos" following the events of previous Black Ops games. Treyarch and Raven Software are promising co-op campaign support, near-future weaponry, and the next chapter of Round-Based Zombies. The official reveal is coming this summer, but this teaser suggests the series is taking some big swings with its setting and tone. Gears of War Reloaded gets a multiplayer beta next week Xbox Games Showcase Deep Dive | Gears of War: Reloaded Sometimes the best announcements are the ones you can play immediately. Gears of War: Reloaded launches August 26, but Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can jump into a multiplayer beta starting June 13. This definitive edition of the original Gears features 4K textures, 60 FPS campaign, 120 FPS multiplayer, and full cross-play support. The remaster is coming to more platforms than any Gears game before it, including PlayStation 5. It's a smart move from Microsoft, using one of their biggest exclusives to showcase their multi-platform strategy while giving longtime fans the definitive way to experience the game that started it all. Grounded 2 trades the backyard for suburban wilderness Grounded 2 - Announce Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Obsidian's surprise sequel announcement came with an immediate Early Access date, July 29, 2025. Grounded 2 moves the action from a single backyard to the larger Brookhollow Park, featuring new biomes, new bugs, and one of the community's most requested features: rideable vehicles called Buggies. The game promises major quality-of-life improvements over the original, including an all-in-one Omni-Tool that should streamline the building and crafting systems. With over 25 million players shaping the first game's development, this sequel feels like a direct response to community feedback. Final Fantasy makes Xbox its new home FINAL FANTASY XVI - Available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC today | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 In the showcase's biggest surprise drop, Final Fantasy XVI is available on Xbox platforms right now. Not tomorrow, not next week, today. The game that many considered a permanent PlayStation exclusive just became part of Xbox's catalog, complete with Xbox Play Anywhere support and cross-save functionality. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - Coming to Xbox | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is following this winter, meaning Xbox players will soon have access to some of the most acclaimed JRPGs of recent years. Microsoft made sure to point out that every mainline single-player Final Fantasy is now playable on Xbox platforms, which is a pretty impressive collection to have. A handful of new RPGs are coming out Aniimo Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Three RPGs caught attention for their unique approaches to familiar genres. Aniimo is an open-world creature collecting game that lets players actually transform into the creatures they capture through something called the Twining system. It's hitting 2026 with a closed beta coming later this year. Aphelion | Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Beast of Reincarnation - Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Aphelion from Don't Nod (Life is Strange, Jusant) is a sci-fi adventure about an astronaut stranded on a frozen planet. What makes it special is its partnership with the European Space Agency, promising gameplay grounded in real science. Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak takes players to post-apocalyptic Japan with a cursed protagonist and her loyal dog companion fighting massive creatures. All three games are coming in 2026. Fighting games and indie darlings round out the roster Invincible VS | Official Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Quarter Up announced Invincible VS , a 3v3 tag fighter based on the hit comic and animated series. The trailer showed appropriately brutal superhero combat with characters like Mark, Thula, and Atom Eve beating the absolute stuffing out of each other. It's coming in 2026 and looks like it could scratch that Marvel vs. Capcom itch. MUDANG: Two Hearts | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Mudang: Two Hearts is a tactical action game set in a reunified Korea, following a North Korean operative and a K-pop idol whose paths cross during terrorist attacks. The cinematic presentation and Unreal Engine 5 visuals make it one to watch for 2026. Persona 4 Revival - Teaser Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Persona 4 Revival got the briefest of teases, literally about seven seconds of footage, but it's enough to confirm that Atlus is giving the beloved JRPG a full remake treatment. No release date yet, but seeing those updated visuals of Inaba was enough to get fans excited. DLC updates keep existing games fresh The Elder Scrolls Online - Tales of Tamriel | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Fallout 76: Gone Fission Launch Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Three major Xbox exclusives are getting substantial content drops. The Elder Scrolls Online is continuing its Worm Cult storyline with new content arriving June 18. Fallout 76 added fishing with the Gone Fission update, because apparently even post-apocalyptic wasteland dwellers need to relax sometimes. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants - Official DLC Reveal | Xbox Games Showcase Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is getting The Order of Giants DLC on September 4, taking Indy beneath the streets of Rome for a new adventure. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally shows signs of life The most anticipated indie game of the decade got its briefest of mentions, but sometimes that's all you need to send a fanbase into overdrive. Hollow Knight: Silksong appeared during the ROG Xbox Ally segment with a simple promise: it'll be available "at launch and in Game Pass" when the handheld arrives later this year. No new footage, no release date, just the confirmation that Team Cherry's long-awaited sequel is still breathing. The game's developer quickly clarified that Silksong isn't tied to the console's release and will arrive "before Holiday," which has fans cautiously optimistic that Christmas 2025 might finally deliver the Metroidvania sequel they've been waiting years for. After countless delays and radio silence, even this tiny update feels like a victory for the Silksong faithful who've been subsisting on hope and memes for far too long. Next year brings Xbox's 25th anniversary celebration [4K] Xbox Games Showcase 2025 | The Outer Worlds 2 & Grounded 2 Direct Phil Spencer closed the show by looking ahead to 2026 and Xbox's 25th anniversary. The confirmed lineup includes a new Fable, the next Forza game, Gears of War: E-Day, and what Spencer called "the return of a classic that's been with us since the beginning." Most fans are interpreting that last tease as Halo-related, possibly a Combat Evolved remake or remaster. It's a strong lineup for Xbox's quarter-century celebration, mixing beloved franchises with what sounds like a major nostalgic announcement. Whether it's Halo or something else entirely, Spencer clearly saved the biggest tease for last. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
CNET
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
The Outer Worlds 2 Launches at $80, Joining a New Trend in Gaming
The Outer Worlds 2, from developer Obsidian Entertainment, is the follow-up to its 2019 sci-fi action RPG that felt like a slightly shallower version of Fallout 4, but in space. There are a few differences between the two games, but one very glaring discrepancy is the price. When The Outer Worlds 2 launches on Oct. 29, it will carry a price tag of $80 for both the PC and Xbox versions -- a $20 increase from the original game's $60 launch price in 2019. It's the second major title confirmed at this higher price, following Mario Kart World for the Switch 2. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the price of The Outer Worlds 2. Back in May, Microsoft announced it was raising prices for its Xbox Series consoles and accessories. While the Xbox Series console price increase can be clearly attributed to tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump back in April -- since the system is primarily manufactured in China -- pricing for digital products isn't affected by those tariffs. Also, in the case of Mario Kart World, the game is available on a physical cartridge, which can have an increased cost due to the expense that comes with physical storage. In that same announcement, the company said it was also going to increase the price of its first-party games. "We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development," Microsoft said in its announcement about the price increases. "Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players." Developing a AAA game like The Outer Worlds can be expensive. The first Outer Worlds was speculated to cost between $30 million and $40 million and was noted for having a constrained budget, as team members mentioned in the documentary about the making of the game. In just a matter of a few years, developing the same game can cost double that amount. As the price of labor increases and the time for development continues to lengthen, the cost of making games will continue to rise. Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 reportedly has a budget of more than $1 billion, partly due to the game being in development for five to seven years. Due to that huge budget, some experts warn not to be surprised if GTA 6 costs $100. Fortunately, The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and Microsoft has given no indication that it plans to increase subscription prices anytime soon.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
The Outer Worlds 2 sets course for October, 2025—Microsoft's first $80 game
The Outer Worlds 2 Sets Course for October Obsidian Entertainment's satirical sci-fi RPG returns in style: The Outer Worlds 2 will launch on October 29, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and will be available day one on Game Pass. The announcement, made during the Xbox Games Showcase, was accompanied by a new trailer brimming with the franchise's signature wit and a not-so-subtle jab at runaway space in the sprawling new colony of Arcadia, The Outer Worlds 2 promises a bigger, bolder adventure with a new crew, expanded RPG mechanics, and even more outlandish science weapons—yes, the Shrink Ray is back and better than ever. Players will navigate a world torn apart by three warring factions: militarized utopians, corporate cultists, and prophetic scientists, each vying for control over humanity's future. As an Earth Directorate agent, you'll investigate mysterious rifts threatening to unravel the colony, with your choices shaping not just the story, but how Arcadia itself reacts—right down to its radio stations. In a move that's making headlines, The Outer Worlds 2 is Microsoft's first confirmed $80 USD game, with a Premium Edition priced at $99.99. The Standard Edition includes the base game and Commander Zane Battle Pack for pre-orders, while the Premium Edition offers up to five days early access, two future expansions, exclusive in-game items, and a digital artbook and Pass subscribers can upgrade to the Premium Edition for $29.99 to unlock all bonuses. Obsidian's creative director promises 'branching chaos, bigger choices, weirder science, and even worse decisions—just the way fans like it.' A dedicated Outer Worlds 2 Direct will dive deeper into gameplay, companions, and the wild new world of Arcadia later today. Buckle up: capitalism, chaos, and cosmic adventure await this October.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Outer Worlds 2 sets course for October, 2025—Microsoft's first $80 game
Obsidian Entertainment 's satirical sci-fi RPG returns in style: The Outer Worlds 2 will launch on October 29, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and will be available day one on Game Pass. The announcement, made during the Xbox Games Showcase, was accompanied by a new trailer brimming with the franchise's signature wit and a not-so-subtle jab at runaway space capitalism. Set in the sprawling new colony of Arcadia, The Outer Worlds 2 promises a bigger, bolder adventure with a new crew, expanded RPG mechanics, and even more outlandish science weapons—yes, the Shrink Ray is back and better than ever. Players will navigate a world torn apart by three warring factions: militarized utopians, corporate cultists, and prophetic scientists, each vying for control over humanity's future. As an Earth Directorate agent, you'll investigate mysterious rifts threatening to unravel the colony, with your choices shaping not just the story, but how Arcadia itself reacts—right down to its radio stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo In a move that's making headlines, The Outer Worlds 2 is Microsoft 's first confirmed $80 USD game, with a Premium Edition priced at $99.99. The Standard Edition includes the base game and Commander Zane Battle Pack for pre-orders, while the Premium Edition offers up to five days early access, two future expansions, exclusive in-game items, and a digital artbook and Pass subscribers can upgrade to the Premium Edition for $29.99 to unlock all bonuses. Live Events Obsidian's creative director promises 'branching chaos, bigger choices, weirder science, and even worse decisions—just the way fans like it.' A dedicated Outer Worlds 2 Direct will dive deeper into gameplay, companions, and the wild new world of Arcadia later today. Buckle up: capitalism, chaos, and cosmic adventure await this October.
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
The Outer Worlds 2 Is Taking Cues From Fallout: New Vegas
Obsidian Entertainment's particular flavor of sci-fi corporate dystopia returns in The Outer Worlds 2, and we got an in-depth look at their latest first-person shooter RPG during a special feature segment at the end of the Xbox Showcase. The Outer Worlds 2 is a much bigger game than its predecessor, even though it's limited to only one planet. Obsidian is redoubling their commitment to a prestige RPG experience, and is borrowing the best parts of Fallout: New Vegas to do so. Arcadia is a dangerous place, with landscapes and propaganda inspired by World War I-era battlefields. It'll take all of your wits (and a proper build and loadout) to survive as you step into a war between megacorporate giants on the frontier planet. Here's what you have to look forward to when The Outer Worlds 2 comes out on Oct. 29. Players will be able to augment their build in ways that completely change how they approach quests throughout the game. Obsidian Entertainment/Screenshot by CNET Classic Obsidian RPG elements are returning in a big way The Outer Worlds encourages players to put skill points into certain forms of combat and skills, but the sequel is leaning hard into specializing your character build. This time around, your character is an agent for the Earth Directorate, who's stepping into the middle of a war on Arcadia as the de facto "good guy." But there are three big choices you make when creating your character that will completely change the way you play the game. Even though you're a law enforcer, you get to choose your character's background -- which will change some of your approaches to problem solving throughout the game. You can be a by-the-books officer, a bad cop or a lazy louse a la Disco Elysium. You'll also get a chance to choose positive and negative traits which will change your dialogue options and give you passive buffs and debuffs that affect your build. Finally, you assign your skill points. The skill tree in The Outer Worlds 2 has been condensed down into fewer options from the first game, but each skill point you spend is more impactful. This is a system that Obsidian Entertainment has completely "borrowed" from Fallout: New Vegas, so it will be very familiar for fans of that particular ARPG. Your buildcrafting doesn't end when you leave the character creation screen. Some of the wackiest skills in the game are character flaws that get offered to you based on your gameplay style. If you're crouching around often, you'll get a permanent movement speed buff -- but your bad knees will crack when you stand back up, alerting nearby enemies. If you can't help but steal from vendors, you'll get bonus cash when you fence your items -- but your character will occasionally automatically loot whatever item you hover over. These flaws might make you develop cataracts, gain debuffs for firing off an entire magazine without reloading and more, and they're just one example of how your build and roleplaying experience will evolve throughout the game. One of the friendly faces you meet is a victim of experimentation with animal limbs. Godrick the Grafted sends his regards. Obsidian Entertainment/Screenshot by CNET New planet, pals and corporate propaganda While the original Outer Worlds game took place across several confined vignettes in the Halcyon star system, Outer Worlds 2 is focusing on a single planet embroiled in a three-way conflict between the authoritarian Protectorate, the altruistic Order and the ruthless Auntie Cleo's corporation. While Auntie Cleo's has a firm grasp on Arcadia, dangerous fractures in space called the warp are threatening the corporation's bottom line. All three factions want to solve the warp for their own selfish reasons, but they won't work together to do so -- instead, they're vying for the player's support in order to win the power struggle. You won't just be dealing with faceless factions as you gallivant across Arcadia, of course. Six new companions are scattered throughout the world, each outfitted with special gear, skills and character questlines. One of my favorite parts of the showcase was the Judge Dredd-like companion named Tristan. Players will be able to encourage his extrajudicial brand of justice or curb his murder-y machinations. It might be worth it to find an alternative way across the bridge just to avoid dealing with these guys. Obsidian Entertainment/Screenshot by CNET Different approaches to solving problems If you aren't looking to shoot your way out of every situation, you won't have to. Obsidian is committed to allowing you to shoot, stealth and talk your way out of problems throughout the game. And in certain scenarios, you may even figure out more unorthodox ways to complete the task at hand. The Outer Worlds showcase used an example from early in the game, where players will have to cross a bridge under the Protectorate's jurisdiction. They have a raptor problem, and no one is allowed to pass by until it's dealt with. The most straightforward way to gain access to the bridge is to help the soldiers wipe out the raptors, but there are clever (and unethical) solutions as well. Players can just as easily find hoverboots to fly over the chasm, circumventing the need for the bridge entirely. The most evil and self-serving players can toss their new companion down to the raptors and let them get torn to shreds, creating a distraction that lets them avoid the danger themselves. If you use your brain and engage with your character build, you'll always be able to find a way to progress -- it's another key takeaway from the Fallout: New Vegas design philosophy. Guns have a bit more character to them this time around, with special reload animations and tuned-up sound design. Obsidian Entertainment/Screenshot by CNET First-person shooting isn't taking a backseat Obsidian games generally focus on the RPG elements first and foremost. The gunplay isn't an afterthought, but it isn't usually anything to write home about. In The Outer Worlds 2, guns are getting mechanical and vibes-based upgrades that will help the moment-to-moment gameplay feel a lot more responsive and exciting. Aiming down sights is now a smoother experience, allowing players to more reliably take crackshots at enemies down range -- and new animations for weapon swapping, reloading and other gun interactions will help improve arsenal management. Weapon recoil has been mitigated to make more guns feel like satisfying bullet hoses, and the sound design has been retuned so that more weapons sound crunchy and impactful. There are also far more weapons to choose from in The Outer Worlds 2, including the introduction of throwables like frag grenades and noisemakers to help flush enemies out of cover. Returning science weapons are getting buffs to bring them in-line with the roster of new gadgets and guns. Obsidian Entertainment/Screenshot by CNET A wacky array of weaponry There are conventional weapons, laser rifles and explosive launchers in The Outer Worlds 2, and lots of them. But players are really going to want to hunt down the special science weapons that have unique firing modes and effects. Some science weapons are returning from the first game with buffs that make them even more viable -- like the Shrink Ray, which no longer wears off on enemies (and you can walk over and squish them like bugs this time around). Other science weapons are totally new treats that you can add to your arsenal. There is a tumor gun that fires exploding pustules, a gun that shoots arms that latch onto and maul enemies, a legally distinct BFG that shreds foes with warp energy and a sword that does more damage when you strike enemies to its beat. Science armors are making their debut as well. We saw one nasty fleshy bodysuit in the showcase, which will lash out at nearby enemies in the midst of combat. The Outer Worlds 2's new third-person camera mode will let you see these armor pieces in all their glory for the first time ever. The Outer Worlds 2 will be released on Oct. 29 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
