
We're very, very happy to see Arkane's Redfall finally dated; slotting into the upcoming Xbox Game Pass 2023 schedule on May 2nd. While the game's inclusion in Microsoft's subscription service provides incredible value (the game is $70 to buy separately), we're not quite sure the same can be said for its Deluxe upgrade.
Yep, alongside Redfall's release date reveal, all of the pre-order stuff went live on Xbox's digital storefront, giving us more information on the previously-leaked Deluxe upgrade. The 'Bite Back' upgrade pack is mostly focused on new Heroes and bonus content, and to be honest, it doesn't sound like great value.
The upgrade pack is available for $30 / £30, with an additional 10% off for Xbox Game Pass members.
Here's what's included in the Bite Back pack:
- Redfall Hero Pass with Two Future Heroes
- Laser Beam Multi-Weapon Skin
- Tactical Knife Stake Weapon Attachment
- Northern Expedition Devinder Outfit
- Eyes in the Dark Jacob Outfit
- War Clothes Layla Outfit
- Engineer Volunteer Remi Outfit
So, outside of a selection of bonus outfits, a weapon attachment and a weapon skin, the meat of this pack is the "Redfall Hero Pass". However, with only two future heroes planned, we're struggling to see how this is worth $30 all things considered.
Having said that, we don't know how much of an impact two new characters will have on proceedings, with Arkane saying they'll bring "unique powers and gameplay" to the mix. We're hoping that once we go hands on with the title, we'll have a bit more of an idea of the full value of this upgrade pack.
The game itself does look bloody good though - we're absolutely on board for Redfall after its Developer Direct showing. We'll just be keeping our wallets closed regarding DLC, for now.
What do you think to the value of this upgrade pack? Leave your thoughts down below!
Comments 31
That's a "no" from me. Still, the game looks great.
Two heroes don't seem much of a "pass", maybe the costumes are part of that.
I hope this isn't becoming a common theme: Giving the base game on Xbox Game Pass but flog a premium upgrade version. Hi-Fi rush just did the same and other games have done it previously.
Not a good look.
thats um well steep for alot of nothing
@themightyant thats exactly whats going to happen
Maybe new areas for the new characters?
But if that's case, then they should just say so, I guess?
@themightyant I don't see the issue personally. How is it different from games like Far Cry having a Gold edition that includes the season pass for £30 more? That's basically what this is but with the base game for "free" on game pass.
@MattWithoutFear majority of 'deluxe/special/whatever' editions are around 20 more. appears that not only have games gone up $10 but potentially dlc etc increased too.
@MattWithoutFear Pretty sure most games on game pass have "super deluxe editions" you could buy instead. Didn't Forza Horizon even do the separate "deluxe upgrade" for GP subs thing at 40ish?
A bit like the “FTP” Halo multiplayer and the really short campaign…. This is the GPU future.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I’d rather pay for exclusives and they be the full complete package, with good sized campaigns. That being said £70 is ridiculous.
The industry is on a slippery slope
@abe_hikura for expansions and DLC in the ultimate edition is a lot of extras. To what is already a robust load of content. I’m not a fan of season passes and dlc in general but if you are going to have them Forza Horizon gets it right IMHO
As the game seems a bit 'Borderlands' like - albeit on a single open world area more like Far Cry, Each additional 'hero' is likely to offer a 'different' way to play the Campaign.
Which ever 'hero' you pick, you are stuck with that choice throughout your playthrough. That may affect the way you tackle each mission/encounter based on what skills, strengths etc your character has. So having 'new' Hero's could give players reasons to play the 'entire' game again in a 'different' way - either Solo or with others. Its like adding 50% more 'content' as you have 50% more choice and another '2' characters to level up and play through...
That being said, I have no intention of 'upgrading' to the 'deluxe' edition, even with Game Pass discounts. I see no point in 'committing' any money before I know whether or not I even enjoy the game and its not as if I can't buy at a later date.
In truth, I wouldn't be playing Redfall (Starfield or any 'new' game costing over £50) at launch anyway as I refuse to pay that much for ANY game. Prices are often highest at launch with games often at their worst, with the least' amount of content so I can wait for inevitable price drops, patches and content drops. Game Pass too means I don't have to 'commit' money upfront and can play until I get 'bored' and/or the price drops low enough - inc 'deluxe/special editions/content'
MattWithoutFear wrote:
I don't like it when games do that either. Effectively cut content out of the game to sell it at a premium. Don't want to see it become a regular thing on Game Pass.
They're goofy.
@MattWithoutFear every game that has done this has been a bargain bin purchase for me so the publisher didn't see a cent. I don't do pre-orders either.
Yeah I definitely think that's the norm going forward.
OTOH, Game Pass isn't really relevant to that conversation, is it? The same questionable "deluxe" upgrades apply if you purchase at $70 and don't subscribe to GP as well, so it's still the same old day 1 DLC conundrum instead of anything relating to Game Pass. The model is really Ubisoft's model of base game at $60 (formerly) vs "gold" version at $100 (formerly.) Except you don't have to pay the first $60 (now $70.) Non-GP customers are in this $30 deluxe hole even after $70 retail.
Having said that, this is the same Bethesda with canvas-bag-gate and all the FO76 nonsense since long before MS owned them. Is this an MS thing, or a Bethesda thing, both in the case of this, and the Hi-Fi Rush DLC? I know Forza did it, but Forza has always had expensive DLC and in fact the FH5 DLC thing ended up cheaper than the series used to be, and this policy seems very in line with where Bethesda was going BEFORE MS was involved. I.E. even if Bethesda was still independent, multiplat, and not on GP, this is exactly how I'd expect they'd have launched these games at retail.
I don't disagree that I don't like the FOMO push that your "free" games come with a paid "upgrade" day 1, but it's technically a grumble not related to GP or no GP, it applies to the retail games, and some publishers like Ubi (and Atlus) had that model before GP was even a thing, and Bethesda had started down that route already. I dislike it, but, I'm not sure it has much to do with GP other than that you get access to buy the same DLC retail does, which also sucks. Heck, retail customers have to pay MORE for it than GP customers.
@Stocksy Heck Nintendo's been outlining the DLC lineups months before they even launch the game and sell the DLC pass along with preorders. Sony hasn't gotten in on that action yet but they've been pushing out last-gen games so far pretty much across the board. You just know this nonsense is coming their way soon enough....
@SplooshDmg They don't actually have horses in space, but there will be a lot of horses in Starfield because all the horses that arbitrarily launched into the sky back in Skyrim had to end up somewhere.
@SplooshDmg The cart is stand alone DLC. The game includes one voice actor. You can purchase additional voice actors for $6.99 each.
I'm pretty sure that one is only available via mod on PC. It's free. But you get what you pay for. And every character just talks about shared experiences.
I'm a little confused, if you buy the "Bite Back pack" then do you also have access to the full game if you stopped being a member of game pass?? If not then aren't you just buying this DLC for a game you don't technically own?
@themightyant when it's just the season pass though, that's just DLC right? Admittedly this seems more like a deluxe version with characters and seems priced highly for that; if it was Forza-level expansions being promised with a new island area or something, that might be different and more palatable.
@PapaTauren you would be buying it for a game you don’t own. However, besides the price of this one in particular, I don’t see a huge issue with that.
I bought the Forza Horizon 5 expansion pass without owning the game. I have access to the game on Gamepass; and if I ever desperately need a copy I can buy one when it’s cheaper (either digitally or physically).
This is optional content, same as 99% of games have these days. Not saying people have to like it but it’s irrelevant to Gamepass.
You can still purchase these games that are on Gamepass.
@MattWithoutFear Yea the price of this is perhaps not worth it; but the practice itself is literally the same as every other deluxe upgrade that is a ripoff and really just for the die-hard fans.
@MattWithoutFear I guess my issue is that Xbox has been trying a few different things to try and upsell Game Pass games. E.g.
Forza Horizon 5 had a "pay to play a few days early" feature which kinda shoots their own "Play day 1 on Game Pass" mantra in the foot. "Play day 5 on Game Pass" doesn't quite have the same ring to it.
Minecraft Dungeons had more added paid DLC than actual game.
Now both Hi-Fi rush and Redfall have deluxe packs, others have done this too.
Not a fan of this upselling. It's a slippery slope, just like horse-armour, and I don't want to enable it becoming the norm, hence having a bit of whinge
I think I'll keep my £30 cheers.
At first sight, it does not sound too appealing to me, but would need to know more about the game.
A hero might amount to quite a bit of content, if each hero has a full storyline arc attached to them. A full progression tree for each character is expected, so that can add a bit of meat to the pass. Either way I would wait for a sale to buy it, if I buy it at all.
@themightyant it’s not new to offer this kind of stuff on top of games for DLC. Most recently they did it with Forza Horizon. Halo Infinite didn’t do it because they barely were able to ship the base game as is, much less plan expansion content.
Edit:
I don’t think this is day one content, but content they are committing to create and deliver over time. The skins likely are day one, but don’t expect the ”hero pass” content to become available for months (more reason not to buy it until it’s actually out.)
@PapaTauren someone else replied already but yes, you would own dlc for a game you don’t own. Same can happen for a borrowed or rented game, or even a physical copy you give away or sell later.
@themightyant
It was always the case with most of the games on GamePass, nothing new.
@themightyant ah geez I'd blocked horse armour from memory! shudders I will say that the Forza "play early" included the season pass so I bought that knowing I wouldn't be disappointed down the line. I guess if that was the standard I'd be happy but not everything is going to be a Forza expansion
@MattWithoutFear Yep, Horse armour is where all the Microtransactions began on console. Thanks Bethesda! So I am aware of the history and always wary of where these new monetary models will end up, not just what they appear to be now. As I said it's a slippery slope.
Not least you can hardly call a lot of these new transactions MICRO anymore, MACROtransactions is more like it nowadays with many people spending more on in game economies that the games themselves. Add to that Season Passes, Battle Passes & all sorts of other slimy monetary tactics and I will call them out as I see them!
Re: FH5. Yes I also bought that perk without knowing. As it was included in the season pass + car pack upgrade. Wouldn't have wanted to support it directly had I known. The kicker is i've barely played FH5 or Hot Wheels. Doh!
So people aren't running to pick t his up right now... but htat is because we are still a few months away.I remember the Forza Horizon special edition was $40 for the content if you were just playing the game through game pass and I think like $80 to buy the special edition and game.
The special edition content also let you play the game a week early...
They got a million people to pay $40-$80 for Forza that week. I wont be surprised if they get a million to sign up for this during the prior week of the Red Fall launch.
For the people bringing up Hi Fi Rushes premium pack, it is only $8.99
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