Latest Reviews of Microsoft Studios Games
Review Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Another Chance To Revisit The Classics On Series X
What once was old...
While we wait for Halo Infinite to land on Xbox Series X, at least we have a Series X|S optimised version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection now. Players with compatible displays will be able to experience up to 120 FPS at 4K on Series X and 1080p on Series S. This update also includes some graphic enhancements to the game...
Review Quantum Break (Xbox One)
The future is bright
Quantum Break is one of the most sophisticated cinematic experiences on Xbox One, with lavish production values, convincing performances, and a riveting science-fiction plot enveloping its time-bending mechanics. The developer Remedy Entertainment – known for Max Payne and Alan Wake – has crafted a third-person...
Review Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (Xbox One)
A little goes a long way
Ori and the Blind Forest released back in March of last year, and by now, you're likely well aware of the indisputable fact that it's a phenomenal game. We awarded it a 9 out of 10 in our review and called it "one of the best games available for the Xbox One," a statement we stand by 100%. With the Definitive Edition...
Review Halo 5: Guardians (Xbox One)
Combat Evolved
343 Industries took a lot of risks with Halo 5: Guardians. Tampering with the fundamentals of a series as respected and beloved as Halo could be disastrous, but the Microsoft-created studio went ahead and did it anyway. Considering Halo 4 divided the fan base and caused many to worry that the franchise might be in the wrong hands, you...
Review Forza Motorsport 6 (Xbox One)
Start your engines...
We reckon that we can do away with the preamble with this review, given that if you aren't aware of what the Forza series is by now, you probably never will be. With this sixth iteration (if you forget the Horizon interludes) being a pretty important title for Xbox One as a platform as it heads into the holiday season, let's...
Review Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Xbox One)
Changed like a remix and raised like a Fenix
Back in 2006, the original Gears of War was one of the first games to really showcase what the Xbox 360 was capable of, both in terms of technical prowess and cinematic delivery. With an engrossing campaign – which could be played locally with a friend – and a thrilling online multiplayer offering,...
From Rare with love
To celebrate its 30th year as a developer, Rare has crammed 30 of its games into a single package for just $30. Not only does that make for a brilliantly-coordinated promotion, it also makes for a value almost unheard of for a new release. Instead of breaking down each individual game in this collection, which would push us well...
Review State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition (Xbox One)
New and unimproved
When it comes to writing a review, sometimes the words are easy to put together, while the score causes problems and doubt. Sometimes, the opposite occurs and while you've got the score locked in your head, the words just don't flow. With Undead Labs' remaster of the cult Xbox 360 hit State of Decay, we seem to have run into...
Review Ori and the Blind Forest (Xbox One)
An unforgettable journey
Some people are bothered by the term Metroidvania, which we’ve never really understood. We’re fully aware that it’s an unnecessary subgenre classification that derives its name from two of the industry’s most respected franchises, Metroid and Castlevania, but we're quite alright with that. For those of you unfamiliar...
Scream if you wanna go faster...
Every so often – with increasing rarity – a game comes along that provides genuine doses of innovation on a wide scale. It may be entirely original. It may build and improve upon notes taken from another title, or even from more than one. But with more and more copycat products just rehashing the same old...
Latest Microsoft Studios Articles
These achievements come fast for furious drivers
Achievements and Gamerscore are a big part of Xbox culture. Not only do we like to unlock the most brutally difficult achievements to showcase our skills to our friends and followers, but sometimes we just like to send our Gamerscore skyrocketing by any means necessary. The best way to do that is to...
E3 2014 Microsoft Conference LIVEBLOG
Monday 9th June - Game on.
E3 2014 is going to provide some great surprises, we feel, and we'll be covering the entirety of Microsoft's "Game On" conference with a liveblog, allowing you to jump in and have your say about the things that are going on at the show. [liveblog=microsoft_e3_conference_2014]#XboxE3 #E32014
Feature Three Reasons Why Phil Spencer Is Just What the Xbox Brand Needs
Phil's the boss.
Phil Spencer - head honcho at Microsoft Studios - has been promoted and will serve as the head of Microsoft’s Xbox, Xbox Live, and creative teams, including Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Microsoft Studios (still.) The announcement came yesterday after a period of leadership that didn’t seem to have a great deal of direction. With...
News Microsoft Studios' Creative Director Defends 'Always-Online' Xbox
"Deal with it!"
It seems like Adam Orth, creative director of Microsoft Studios, has caused quite a furor with his recent comments regarding Durango's 'always-online' future, following a number of negative reactions to the prospect. Evidence is continuing to mount regarding the successor to the Xbox 360 requiring a constant internet connection in...
Competition Win a Limited Edition Fable: The Journey Console!
Spellbinding.
KINECTaku and Microsoft have teamed up to provide a boomer of a competition for you this holiday season. We're giving away an electric blue custom Fable: The Journey Xbox 360 console, complete with Kinect, Kinect Adventures!, a copy of Fable: The Journey, and a copy of Christie Golden's new novel - Fable: Edge of the World. Not only...
News SmartGlass Comes To Forza Horizon
Tablet-tastic.
Microsoft and Turn 10 have released the official SmartGlass app for Forza Horizon today. Dubbed the "Forza Horizon SmartGlass Experience", the app comes as a free download for Windows 8 PCs and provides gamers with a tablet-based interactive map of the game's take on Colorado. Players can view the entire map and zoom in using pinch...
These achievements come fast for furious drivers
Achievements and Gamerscore are a big part of Xbox culture. Not only do we like to unlock the most brutally difficult achievements to showcase our skills to our friends and followers, but sometimes we just like to send our Gamerscore skyrocketing by any means necessary. The best way to do that is to...
E3 2014 Microsoft Conference LIVEBLOG
Monday 9th June - Game on.
E3 2014 is going to provide some great surprises, we feel, and we'll be covering the entirety of Microsoft's "Game On" conference with a liveblog, allowing you to jump in and have your say about the things that are going on at the show. [liveblog=microsoft_e3_conference_2014]#XboxE3 #E32014
Feature Three Reasons Why Phil Spencer Is Just What the Xbox Brand Needs
Phil's the boss.
Phil Spencer - head honcho at Microsoft Studios - has been promoted and will serve as the head of Microsoft’s Xbox, Xbox Live, and creative teams, including Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Microsoft Studios (still.) The announcement came yesterday after a period of leadership that didn’t seem to have a great deal of direction. With...
News Microsoft Studios' Creative Director Defends 'Always-Online' Xbox
"Deal with it!"
It seems like Adam Orth, creative director of Microsoft Studios, has caused quite a furor with his recent comments regarding Durango's 'always-online' future, following a number of negative reactions to the prospect. Evidence is continuing to mount regarding the successor to the Xbox 360 requiring a constant internet connection in...
Competition Win a Limited Edition Fable: The Journey Console!
Spellbinding.
KINECTaku and Microsoft have teamed up to provide a boomer of a competition for you this holiday season. We're giving away an electric blue custom Fable: The Journey Xbox 360 console, complete with Kinect, Kinect Adventures!, a copy of Fable: The Journey, and a copy of Christie Golden's new novel - Fable: Edge of the World. Not only...
News SmartGlass Comes To Forza Horizon
Tablet-tastic.
Microsoft and Turn 10 have released the official SmartGlass app for Forza Horizon today. Dubbed the "Forza Horizon SmartGlass Experience", the app comes as a free download for Windows 8 PCs and provides gamers with a tablet-based interactive map of the game's take on Colorado. Players can view the entire map and zoom in using pinch...