Top 10 Xbox Games – Backwards Compatability and Next-Gen ExclusivesTop 10 Xbox Games – Backwards Compatability and Next-Gen Exclusives

Xbox Games

While Microsoft’s console strategy may be a little different to the PlayStation, it still manages to have an excellent game library and some next-gen exclusives that are worth a look. With backward compatibility on both the Xbox Series X and S, as well as access to Xbox Cloud Gaming via XCloud, there are plenty of great Xbox titles to enjoy even for those who don’t have the latest console.

The current Xbox consoles are also head and shoulders above the PS4. Control feels more precise and a lot more stable than on the base models, while both the Series X and S can do some truly stunning things with games. The ‘Ultimate Edition’ of the One X adds ray-tracing and high frame rates to the mix for those who want the best experience possible – but it’s not necessary for the vast majority of gamers, as the current generation still does an excellent job of running current and popular titles.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a dazzling 2D Metroidvania that’s brimming with life. The adorable cat/marsupial thingy is a joy to control, jumping around and swinging from vines with effortless grace. With cleverly judged new abilities added in drip-fed fashion, there’s plenty to discover on this journey through a colourful world.

Another classic is Grounded, which makes its way onto our Xbox Series X Games list despite a slow start in Early Access. After a couple of years, Obsidian released this survival game in full, rounding out the story and adding more content. The game is strange, inventive and fascinating to play as you explore a back garden turned into a wild wilderness Honey I Shrunk the Kids-style, battling a horde of bugs and other threats.

Cuphead is another great addition to this collection of Xbox Series X games. Taking its design cues from 1930 cartoon art like Betty Boop shorts and Disney’s Silly Symphonies, this shooter is a delight to play. While the levels aren’t huge, they’re packed with detail and challenge players to learn enemy patterns and dodge bullets in an absorbing shooter.

Lastly, Avowed was revealed at Microsoft’s July showcase as a next-gen Xbox Series X game from Obsidian. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it’s a first-person RPG experience that takes us to a world filled with corruption and wonder.

If you’re looking for a MOBA-style multiplayer experience, there’s also Smite on the Xbox. This third-person over-the-shoulder shooter works amazingly well on console and is far better than the top-down versions of LoL and DOTA 2.

If you’re looking for an amazing selection of games, the Xbox Series X is the place to go. It’s got a fantastic library of backward-compatible titles as well as new releases every month. And you can play it on the go too thanks to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which gets you access to the entire library for a monthly fee. You can even play your subscription on mobile and PC thanks to xCloud.

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Epic Games Introduces New Rating System For GamesEpic Games Introduces New Rating System For Games

Epic Games is the company behind Fortnite and Unreal Engine. It recently announced a new way to publish and promote games on its storefront with self-publishing tools, alongside a higher revenue share and more generous backend services. It’s wading into the treacherous waters of user reviews with a system that will ask players to rate games they have played at intervals after their play sessions. The idea is that the ratings will be more reliable, and will prevent co-ordinated behaviour such as review bombing, where a group of people work together to artificially inflate or deflate a game’s score on a rating website.

The ratings system will be introduced in an update to the Epic Games Store later this week, with feedback requests appearing randomly after a player has finished a game session. They’ll have to have spent at least two hours playing a title for it to be eligible for a rating. It’s not just the ratings, either: the company will also ask players to answer a series of questions after their play session. The results of these polls will then be used to populate a game’s store page with more information about it.

Users will be able to see what others have said about the game they have just played, and can click on a ‘more reviews’ link to view the full results. This should be a valuable resource for gamers and help them make more informed decisions about what games to buy. It’s a good idea, and it could even encourage more players to try out the store, which is currently behind Steam in terms of selection, but ahead of Google Play.

The store is also adding cross-play support to its platform, with a feature that will merge players’ Steam and Epic Games Store friends lists. The functionality will work across PC, macOS and Linux, with additional platforms, including mobile and consoles, to be added down the line. It will also allow players to find friends on other platforms and join multiplayer sessions with them, and Epic has broader ambitions for cross-play in the future. The company is working with developers to build support for the feature into their games, and several titles already have it in place, such as Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout.

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Top 5 Games to Play NowTop 5 Games to Play Now

With an abundance of games out there, it can be tricky to decide what to play. To help you out, we’ve compiled this list of the best games to play right now. These include the most popular, critically acclaimed and all-time favourites, so you can find something to suit your mood.

From the award-winning assassination game Hitman 3 to the expansive world of Minecraft, there’s so much to explore and enjoy in the world of PC gaming. Whether you’re playing in co-op or on your own, there’s always a new challenge to take on and a creative new world to build in this massive multiplayer online (MMO) title.

The latest entry in the franchise sees the alien invaders take over Earth, and this time you’re on the resistance side of the conflict. With a huge world to explore, loads of different factions to fight and a rich story to enjoy, this is an all-round brilliant addition to the franchise.

This is a game that makes you want to come back again and again. A true RPG, this bleak world is populated by complex characters that you can’t help but care about, and the quests they send you on will take you across mountain and bog, vineyard and dusty city. Its sprawling story may be lengthy, but with a strong community and regular updates, there’s plenty of reason to keep returning.

One of the most successful PlayStation-exclusives to make the leap to PC, God of War is a stunning technical showcase and an engrossing tale of fatherhood. Its dazzling visuals and mighty action are matched by a well-written script that allows the characters to express themselves honestly.

This sci-fi thriller takes place on a space station that’s mysteriously lost power, and you play as Dr Emma Fisher. As you explore the darkened corridors, you’ll solve paranormal puzzles and try to figure out what’s happening. Developed by the makers of Bastion, this is a game that’s full of heart and genuinely scary moments.

After spending a long time on the PS4 and then getting ported over to PC, Red Dead Redemption 2 is now one of the most popular games on the platform. The Wild West has never looked better, and a recent DLSS update means that the game runs even smoother than before.

The king of PC games is still as good as ever. With a huge map to explore, lots of different races and events to partake in and more car than you could possibly handle, Forza Horizon 5 is a racing spectacle like no other. Plus, the Forza Ultimate Edition adds the new ‘Rise’ DLC, which brings a host of improvements and upgrades.

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