Latest Features
Reaction Xbox Developer Direct 2024 Proved That Microsoft's New Format Really Works
Another home run
Well, that's it folks, another Xbox Developer Direct is in the bag after the 2024 event came to a close yesterday evening. It was a fantastic showing all-in-all, with four Xbox studios and one surprise Square Enix appearance packing out a neat livestream that never outstayed its welcome. We didn't get an unexpected shadow release...
Roundup Here's What Was Revealed At The Xbox Developer Direct 2024
All the big announcements
Weren't able to catch January 2024's Xbox Developer Direct event earlier today? No worries! You can always go back and watch the on-demand version for yourself, which you'll find elsewhere on Pure Xbox. If you don't want to watch it all the way through, we've also detailed all the important reveals in this article. The...
Poll How Would You Grade The Xbox Developer Direct 2024?
Give us your verdict
The dust is now beginning to settle on January 2024's Xbox Developer Direct event! If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, you can catch the full thing over at our live coverage page, as well as check out our recap of everything that happened as part of the show. So, all things considered, what grade would you give the...
Feature Hands On With Palworld: The New 'Pokémon-Like' For Xbox Game Pass
"Mom, why does Pikachu have a gun?"
The following is a slightly altered transcript of our Palworld preview on the Pure Xbox YouTube channel. You can watch the full video up above, complete with a bunch of gameplay footage that we captured during our early access hands-on! This new 'gotcha' game has drawn comparisons to the likes of Pokémon which...
Poll Which Was Your Favourite Big Exclusive From Year-Two Of Xbox One?
2014 was a fantastic year for Xbox!
Somehow it's been a whole decade since we were all settling in with our Xbox One consoles! Yep, this time 10 years ago, we were becoming well-accustomed to Xbox One. The year after a big console launch is always a tough one, but we thought Microsoft handled year-two of the Xbox One's lifespan very well indeed. As...
Talking Point What Are You Hoping To See Over The Next Year From Xbox?
Developer Direct should be the start of another big year
Last year's Xbox Developer Direct event laid down a big marker for 2023 on the platform. The show focused on what Microsoft was hoping to put out that year, and by and large, the team stuck to its plan. However, as we near 2024's event later this week, the next 12 months still seem very up in...
Talking Point 10 Years Later, What Do You Think Of 'The Master Chief Collection' In 2024?
Are you still playing it to this day?
As ridiculous as it might seem, 2024 marks ten years since the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection! That makes us feel very old, although to be honest it's actually more like nine years right now (it released in November 2014). Anyway, the point is that it's been a long time since this first arrived in...
Feature These 10+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (January 15-19)
Including some BIG Game Pass titles!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for January 15-19! We've got some great games to look forward to on Xbox next week, including the superb Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, as well as the Xbox Game Pass releases of Resident Evil 2, Palworld and others! 2024
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 13-14)
Starting Valhalla for the first time?
It's been a long week (for us at least!), but the weekend is finally here! There's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days including some great new Xbox Game Pass additions, no less than seven Xbox Free Play Days titles, a great sale featuring hundreds of
Reaction PS5 60FPS Mods Have Us Wishing For More 'FPS Boost' Titles On Xbox
Red Dead 2 would be amazing!
So, the folks over at Digital Foundry have posted another interesting analysis today exploring some modded titles on PS5 - mods that manage to unlock frame rates in certain PS4 games. To be clear, these mods aren't official and can't be applied on normal PS5 consoles, however the results are interesting nonetheless - and...
Poll How Often Do You Buy DLC Packs & Expansions For Your Games?
Do you always buy them for your favourite titles?
If you look back at 2023 and some of the highest-rated games to come out for Xbox consoles, a few of them weren't full games at all - they were expansions. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty even made it into our Pure Xbox Game of the Year list (as voted for by you!), while Resident Evil 4: Separate...
Soapbox Microsoft, We'd Love Another Surprise Xbox Game Pass Release At 'Developer Direct'
Hi-Fi RUSH was an amazing surprise last year!
It's always exciting times when an Xbox event is coming up, isn't it? The big summer showcases are always good fun but I particularly liked Developer Direct last year. The more in-depth looks at those 2023 titles made Dev Direct a fantastic new format, and that surprise launch of Hi-Fi RUSH was just...
Poll Which Games Will Get Release Dates At Xbox Developer Direct?
Proper dates, that is!
We're very excited for Xbox's second-ever Developer Direct event later this month - featuring four upcoming titles. Sure, we've heard about all of these games before in some fashion, but last year's Dev Direct followed a fantastic deep-dive format and we're looking forward to getting some juicy details on each of these titles...
Talking Point Do You Think Xbox Will Ever Stop Making Consoles?
Or will Team Green always make hardware?
It's been an interesting start to the year for Xbox. We have a new Developer Direct announced that makes 2024 on Xbox look quite tantalising indeed, and there've been some great Game Pass announcements already - and we're not even halfway through January! Things are looking good then, especially with that...
Talking Point What Are Your Gaming Resolutions For 2024?
Dig into the backlog? Finish more games? Tell us!
To be honest, 2024 doesn't really feel like it's begun yet - we're still feeling the hangover of Christmas and New Year! Week 1 definitely wasn't the best for getting our resolutions in order... but we can always start with Week 2 instead! So, inspired by a recent discussion over at our sister site...
Feature 40+ Xbox Series X|S Games To Look Forward To In 2024
More games? Seriously?
Yes, in a tradition that's been rigorously upheld for way too long now, one year (2023) has given way to the next (2024) and, as a result, the games industry has made the brave decision to continue to churn out its wondrous wares for yet another 12 months. Not the kind of folk to be easily surprised - or defeated in mortal...
Talking Point Do You Like The 'Modern' Assassin's Creed Games?
Another one hits Game Pass next week
With 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins, Ubisoft went a different direction with its famous action adventure series. In fact, it basically became an RPG at that stage - and another of those Assassin's Creed RPGs is about to hit Xbox Game Pass. Yep, Assassin's Creed Valhalla comes to the Game Pass library on January...
Feature These 10+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (January 8-12)
Including four Game Pass titles!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for January 8-12! As you might expect for this time of year, things are looking somewhat quiet on Xbox over the next few days, although we do have some great Xbox Game Pass titles on the way! Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (January 8-12):
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 6-7)
Our first weekend of the year
The first week of the year is always a challenging one when you're back to work or school, but it's finally over now (for some of us at least)! We've got a couple of days to kick back and relax with some Xbox games, including some recent Xbox Game Pass additions along with a great new "Last Chance" sale on the Xbox...
Talking Point Has Xbox Done A Good Job With Gears Of War So Far?
Microsoft bought the IP 10 years ago
Gears of War is one of Xbox's premiere franchises - it has been since the first game arrived as an Xbox exclusive in the fall of 2006. Epic Games was at the helm back then — as it was for the whole original trilogy — but, how do you feel about the direction Xbox has taken since? If you remember, Microsoft...
Poll Xbox Mini Fridge Owners, How Is Yours Holding Up In 2024?
Is it still getting regular use?
It was back at Xbox's E3 showcase in 2021 that the Xbox Mini Fridge was revealed, and it ended up proving a smash hit, leading to multiple iterations in subsequent years including a new model unveiled as recently as December 2023. In terms of how they perform, the reviews have always been pretty good, but we've also...
Feature Five Activision Games We Want To Become Xbox Backwards Compatible In 2024
Microsoft, let's get this show on the road
It's officially 2024, which means we should —we repeat, should — be getting a huge batch of Activision Blizzard games on Xbox Game Pass this year. While the prospect of modern ActiBlizz releases from the Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro series' hitting Game Pass is an exciting one
Roundup The Biggest New Games Coming To Xbox In January 2024
All the release info you need to know
Welcome to our roundup of all new Xbox games coming out in January 2024! Below, we've listed every Xbox game with a January 2024 release date, including all confirmed Xbox Game Pass releases so far. In the list below, we've also highlighted some of the biggest new Xbox games releasing in January, including the...
Feature 2023 Has Been An Incredible Year For Games, And We Can't Wait For 2024 On Xbox
We should have a great year ahead!
This past year has been an absolute landmark 12 months in gaming, hasn't it? Here at Pure Xbox we've given out four 10/10 scores in 2023 - not to mention the long list of super impressive titles that haven't quite managed that top rating but have landed well all the same. This generation is finally kicking into...
Feature Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2023: The Results You Didn't See
Including how many votes Starfield got!
It's been a week since we published the Pure Xbox Game of the Year results for 2023, and the winner ended up proving pretty controversial as Starfield took the crown over the likes of Baldur's Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2. In fact, we've even come in for some criticism for it - despite the fact it was all based on...
Talking Point What Are Your Favourite Xbox Memories Of The Past 12 Months?
Does anything specific come to mind? Let us know!
This weekend, we're looking back on a crazy year for gaming in general, with some of the highlights for Xbox being the releases of Starfield, Hi-Fi RUSH and Forza Motorsport along with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Beyond all the headline-making news though, t
Feature Ten Of The Best Xbox Games We Didn't Get Around To Reviewing In 2023
Stop, stop! We're already dead
With the dust now settling on one of the best years we can remember for video game releases, we're finally managing to catch our breath over the festive break and take a look back at everything we've thoroughly enjoyed playing in 2023. Yes we've had all of the biggies, your Starfield and your Baldur's Gate 3, Alan...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 30-31)
We're saying goodbye to another year!
Well, it's almost time to close the book on 2023! In this final weekend before the new year, there's plenty to keep ourselves busy on Xbox including an incredible backlog of Game Pass titles and some new additions to the Xbox Countdown Sale! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I...
Pick One Which Is Your Favourite Xbox First-Party Release Of 2023?
Is it Starfield or something else?
Earlier this week we talked about Xbox's first-party lineup for 2023 - asking you for your overall grade of Xbox's output over the last 12 months. At the time of writing a 'Grade B' has been the most popular pick, which is a respectable rating, but now we want to know which release in particular you all liked best...
Hitting the open road
Naturally, our 2024 Xbox Game Pass lineup is a bit all over the place right now. We have quite a few games coming to the service next year already, but lots are carried over from 2023 and don't have specific release dates just yet. However, one title that does have a confirmed date is indie adventure Open Roads - and it's...
Talking Point Do You Think We'll See Another Forza Horizon Game Anytime Soon?
It's already been two years since FH5!
If you can believe it, we're already beyond the two-year point for Forza Horizon 5; the latest game in the Forza Horizon series launched in November 2021. At one point, a two-year release cycle was the norm for Forza releases, although that's clearly changed in recent years. The question is, how close are we to...
Talking Point 10 Years Later, Would You Consider The Xbox One Era Officially Over?
Countless games are still being made for it
The Xbox One has enjoyed a lifespan that's differed to every other Xbox console so far. Over 10 years since it first released back in November of 2013, this is a system that still continues to deliver in 2023 with countless new games. Microsoft clearly built the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S with the...
Talking Point What's Your Favourite Xbox Remake Of All Time?
There've been some amazing glow-ups over the years
Yesterday, we ranted and raved about Resident Evil 4 Remake and how it — and the likes of EA's Dead Space remake — deserves to be in the 2023 GOTY conversation. These are just a couple of amazing remakes we've had recently - and they both successfully built on fan-favourite titles adored by...
Feature In The End, Are You Happy With Xbox's First-Party Lineup For 2023?
What have you made of it?
After Xbox's much-documented barren spell in 2022, this year finally delivered some major first-party games to help fill out our 2023 gaming calendars. Largely bolstered by the recent addition of Bethesda alongside Xbox Game Studios, it's been quite a big year for Xbox with several AAA titles gracing the Game Pass library...
Talking Point If You Could Bring Back Any Old Xbox Feature, What Would It Be?
1 Vs. 100? Snap Mode? The Blades? Tell us!
This year marks the 21st anniversary of Xbox as a brand, and over the past couple of decades, Microsoft has learned an awful lot about how to develop new consoles, features and everything else in-between. But as great as the Xbox experience might be in 2023, we're still left wishing a few classic features...
Soapbox Remakes Like 'Resident Evil 4' Deserve To Be In The GOTY Conversation
Capcom has mastered the remake
At this time of year we're all thinking about our favourite games of 2023 - and it's been a heck of a year this time around! Personally, I haven't quite nailed down my number one spot yet (I'm still playing Alan Wake 2 OK, it's been a busy year cut me some slack), but I've started to see some chatter online about what...
Feature Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2023
The votes are in!
Well, well, well. If it isn't the end of another tortuous year on the hellish space prison that is planet Earth. 2023 has been a real one alright, simultaneously jam-packed full of some of the best games we've ever clapped eyes on, whilst the industry itself faced widespread job losses and closures that were, for the most part, due...
Poll What Were The Best Xbox Game Pass Additions In 2023?
It's been another hectic year!
Once again, it's been absolutely stacked year for Xbox Game Pass in 2023! We've seen so many games come to the service over the past 12 months, including some massive first-party titles along with the usual slate of third-party gems. Some of this really does blend into the Game of the Year discussion as well, as we've...
Soapbox El Paso, Elsewhere Should Be In Your Gaming Plans This Xmas Holiday
Now I Have A Machine Gun, Ho-Ho-Ho
As 2023 finally comes to a close, and we look back over all of the lovely gaming goodies we've been treated to over the past 12 months, it'd be easy to just auto-focus in on the AAA stuff, your big budget fare and returning famous franchises. I'm talking about the Alan Wakes here, the Starfields, Baldur's Gates and...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 23-24)
It might be a long weekend for some of us!
The weekend is finally here, and for some of us, that might mean an extended weekend into Christmas Day and Boxing Day! Whatever the case may be, there's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next few days - maybe you could dip into some recent Xbox Game Pass titles or take advantage of the Xbox Countdown Sale...
Talking Point What Have You Bought In The Xbox Countdown Sale 2023?
Too many games, too little time!
We're deep into the biggest Xbox sale of the year! The Xbox Countdown Sale 2023 has been live for around a week now, and we've still got nearly two more weeks in order to take advantage of the 1000+ deals on offer. There's a lot to sort through, so if you need any help, we've provided a bunch of coverage around it:...
Soapbox Xbox Play Anywhere Is Fantastic, But I Wish It Supported More Games
Phil Spencer seems to agree as well!
Back in the Xbox One generation, Microsoft unveiled a feature in the form of Xbox Play Anywhere that would allow you to purchase a game on your Xbox console and also get the Windows 10 version for free via the Xbox PC app. We're now multiple years into the lifespan of Play Anywhere, and while I've actually been...
Talking Point What Was The Greatest Xbox 360 Game Of All Time?
Talk about tough decisions...
There's no doubt that many Xbox fans consider the Xbox 360 era to be the greatest in the history of the brand, and a large part of that is due to how many incredible games the console received in the late 2000s and early 2010s. But out of the thousands of titles released on the Xbox 360, which was the very best?...
Review EON XBHD - A Sleek OG Xbox Adapter That's Just Too Expensive To Recommend
High definition dollars
The original Xbox was an incredibly impressive bit of kit when it launched back in 2001, and at the time it was one of the most powerful gaming machines on the market. We've moved on a lot since then of course, but somewhat surprisingly, OG Xbox games actually hold up quite well in 2023. The biggest issue these days is...
Poll Four Months Later, Are You Still Playing Starfield?
If so, how many hours have you put into it?
Amazingly, it's been almost four months since Starfield first landed on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC! Since then, the game has received a bunch of updates, been nominated for various awards, and has received its fair share of criticism as well - although the Pure Xbox community clearly thinks it's a...
Poll How Many Xbox Games Have You Actually Bought In 2023?
A few? A dozen? How about over 50?!
2023 has been a particularly fantastic year for great games on Xbox, from the first-party goodness of Starfield and Hi-Fi RUSH to the stunning third-party releases of Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4, Baldur's Gate 3 and so much more. It's also been a fruitful 12 months for the Xbox
Soapbox After The BG3 Saga, I'm Nervous About How Xbox Handles My Save Data
You can lose everything in a flash
Over the past week, I've been driving some of my colleagues mad at Pure Xbox HQ ranting about this deleted saves issue with Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. I have total faith in Larian and Xbox to get around the problem in the near future, but I'm also concerned about how many times I've seen...
Poll Three Years On, What Do You Think Of Quick Resume For Xbox Series X|S?
Is a feature you still use regularly?
We're now over three years into the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S generation (where did the time go?!), and if you recall back at launch, Quick Resume was one of the features that was being heavily promoted by Microsoft. You probably know this by now, but Quick Resume allows you to instantly resume a game...
Feature These 20+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 18-22)
Including this creepy viral sensation!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for December 18-22! Once again, the new releases lineup is missing that AAA shine as we get closer to the new year, but we've still got some very intriguing titles on the way... Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (December 11-15): Deleted - Cyber...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 16-17)
How about some Far Cry 6 on Game Pass?
Things are starting to calm down now as we approach the New Year, but there's still plenty to enjoy this weekend on Xbox! We've had a couple of new Game Pass titles this week, there are a few more Free Play Days offerings as well (including a CoD: MW3 free trial), and th
