Tag: Talking Point - Page 3
Talking Point Is There A Popular Xbox Franchise You've Struggled To Get Into?
Maybe Halo? Gears? Forza?
It's time for a confession - I've never really been a fan of the Gears series. Yes, Gears 5 looked incredible when I first played it on the Xbox Series X in 2020, and Gears Tactics was pretty fun too, but in general it's just never grabbed me as much as I'd hoped. I tried starting again with Gears 1 recently (which might...
Talking Point What Do You Think Of Dragon Age: The Veilguard So Far?
BioWare's latest epic is available now
With Dragon Age: The Veilguard being available to the public for a few days now, we wanted to check in with you folks on how you're all finding BioWare's latest RPG so far - if you've managed to put some time into it at this stage. As you may or may not have already seen here at Pure Xbox, we really liked our...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 2-3)
Is The Veilguard calling?
November is here, and we have another weekend of gaming on the cards! There've been some huge releases recently like Black Ops 6 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard that will no doubt be taking up lots of our time this weekend - but we've also got a fresh Free Play Days selection as well. Here's what we're playing this weekend:...
Talking Point Xbox Released One Of Its Best-Ever Exclusives 10 Years Ago Today
Going into overdrive
It's often spoken about that Microsoft had one of its poorest runs for exclusive games back in the Xbox One era, but the first few years of that generation were hugely overlooked in our book. Earlier this month, we talked about one of the team's standout launch Xbox One games in Ryse: Son of Rome, and today marks the anniversary...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 26-27)
It's got to be Black Ops 6, right?
It's the weekend! We're sure many of you will be enjoying Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 over the next couple of days, but don't forget we've also got some Free Play Days titles along with the ongoing Shocktober Sale to take advantage of. Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: Well, I'
Talking Point Xbox & Nintendo Switch Owners, How Do You Split Your Third-Party Purchases?
Same question for Steam Deck owners too!
These days, there are more options than ever for playing third-party games across a wide range of devices. Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go... even Android and iOS at times! If you own multiple versions of these, it suddenly becomes difficult to figure out...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 19-20)
How about some South Park on Game Pass?
Another weekend begins! There's lots to enjoy on Xbox over the next few days, including a bunch of recent Xbox Game Pass additions, a selection of Free Play Days titles, and the usual hundreds of new discounts on the Xbox Store! Here's what we'
Talking Point How Do You Feel About Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal One Year On?
Yes, the deal closed a year ago!
It feels like forever since Xbox first announced its plans to buy out Activision Blizzard, but it's actually only been one year since the deal finally closed in October 2023. Yep, after a long old fight with multiple regulatory bodies around the globe, Microso
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 12-13)
How about the incredible Metaphor: ReFantazio?
Hooray for the weekend! You'll find plenty of things to check out on Xbox over the next couple of days, including a few new Xbox Game Pass titles, a bunch of Free Play Days offerings, some great deals on the Xbox Store, and multiple new releases that we've been enjoying rec
Talking Point Does Xbox's 'New Dawn' For Halo Mean The Series Will Come To PS5?
Let the speculation begin
Xbox has only just rebranded 343 Industries to 'Halo Studios' in the wake of the series' big Unreal Engine 5 revolution - and already the speculation is out there that this hints at a strong push towards a PS5 release. That speculation may partly derive from previous reports suggesting Xbox was working on a Halo: Combat...
Talking Point Which Xbox Games Have The Best Box Art?
Is there anything that stands out in particular to you?
Regardless of whether your Xbox library is predominately physical or digital these days, there's one thing that all games still need in 2024 - some eye-catching box art. It's the first thing you see on both the Xbox Store and on the highstreet! You only get one chance to make a first...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 5-6)
How about some Sifu on Xbox Game Pass?
The weekend begins! There's lots to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days, including some new Xbox Game Pass additions, a couple more Free Play Days titles, a free beta for
Talking Point Which Licensed Games Deserve A Comeback On Xbox?
There are so many to choose from!
The licensed game landscape feels quite different today to what it once did, with Marvel and DC tie-ins being some of the major licensed game efforts that still get lots of care and attention in the modern era. However, after just playing through The Patrick Star Game and ultimately being very disappointed in it,...
Talking Point Xbox's Forza Horizon 2 Changed The Open-World Racing Game 10 Years Ago
The start of a racing game dynasty
Well folks, it's come to our attention that Forza Horizon 2 is a decade old today, so yep, we had to make all of you feel like you're getting on a bit as well. Aye, believe or not, Xbox's second stab at open-world Forza is now 10 years old, and we just want to take a moment to reflect on what's been a rather good...
Talking Point What Is Your Download Speed On Xbox These Days?
How long does it take you to install games?
In 2024, it's never been more important to have access to a decent internet connection as an Xbox owner. Even if you buy nothing but physical games, it's nearly impossible to get away from the day one installations, the countless title updates every month, dashboard improvements and the need for a stable...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 28-29)
How about the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters?
Welcome to the weekend! There's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days, including some recent Xbox Game Pass additions, another batch of Free Play Days titles, and the NHL 25 trial with Game Pass Ultimate. Here's what we'r
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 21-22)
How about the EA FC 25 trial?
The weekend starts here! There's so much to discover on Xbox over the next few days, including more Xbox Game Pass additions, 10 Xbox Free Play Days titles (!), a free trial for EA Sports FC 25, and
Talking Point What's Your Favourite Xbox Game Of The Year So Far?
We've only got a few months left!
So, here we are. Nine months into a year that's absolutely flown by, and we've seen some fantastic Xbox games in that time. There's a lot more to come as well, of course, so this feels like a good interim point to reminisce. It's been so long that we actually forgot about some of the cool releases that launched at...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 14-15)
Did you get The Crew 2 for 98% off?
Welcome to the weekend! We've got some amazing new releases and Riders Republic on Xbox Game Pass to check out over the next two days, along with more Free Play Days titles and a free beta for Amazon's New
Talking Point What Are Your Fondest Memories Of The Original Xbox?
Any highlights to share with us?
It's amazing to think that the original Xbox is almost 23 years old! We have loads of amazing memories of that console, but realistically we'll also have plenty of Pure Xbox readers who weren't even born when it came out in 2001! So, to finish off the week, we're interested to know what memories you have of the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 7-8)
We're still on Star Wars Outlaws
Another weekend begins! If you're looking for things to play, we've got a few new releases on Xbox Game Pass, a couple of sport-focused Free Play Days titles, and hundreds more deals available to grab on the Xbox Store right now. Here's what we're playing this weekend:
Talking Point Five Years Later, What Do You Think Of Gears 5 In 2024?
The Ultimate Edition released on September 6, 2019
We've already talked about Starfield's one-year anniversary today, but Gears 5 is celebrating one as well! It was back on September 6, 2019 that players were first introduced to Gears 5 as part of the game's Ultimate Edition, although the full release wouldn't occur until a few days later. It had...
Talking Point A Decade Since Its Xbox One Release, Where On Earth Is Current-Gen Minecraft?
We're still waiting!
Minecraft has been around for what feels like forever, but its enduring popularity means that it's always a part of the conversation - heck, a freakin' movie based on the game was just shown off this week. However, despite the Xbox One version of this everlasting survival game being a decade old today, Microsoft still hasn't...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 31 - September 1)
How about some of that Black Ops beta?
The weekend is officially here! We have a busy one on Xbox too, with plenty of bits and bobs to get stuck into this weekend - including the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Beta, a couple of Free Play Days titles and lots more besides. Here's what we're playing this weekend: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: As mentioned up...
Talking Point So, Is Anyone Still Waiting On A Refund For Their Redfall DLC?
We're hearing mixed reports on the status of these refunds
Around two months ago now, we started seeing reports that players were beginning to receive refunds for Redfall's cancelled DLC - which happened in the wake of Xbox closing down developer Arkane Austin. However, a new social media post has cropped up to suggest that not everyone has been...
Talking Point What Did You Think Of Gamescom 2024 Overall?
Which of the events did you enjoy most?
So, that's another Gamescom in the books! This week's event in Germany brought us announcements for a variety of upcoming Xbox games, including the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield: Shattered Space. The big event was Geoff Keighley's Gamesco
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 24-25)
Any Atlas Fallen on Xbox Game Pass?
The weekend starts here! We've got plenty of great content to check out on Xbox over the next few days, including more Xbox Game Pass additions, four Free Play Days titles and a whole bunch of Gamescom discounts on the Xbox Store. Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fra
Talking Point Does Microsoft Have A '30FPS' Problem With Its Xbox Series X|S Output?
Or is it a non-issue?
With the confirmation that Obsidian's Avowed is aiming for a 30FPS frame rate target on Xbox Series consoles, we're starting to see some heated discussion on the topic and whether it's becoming a bit of an issue for Xbox. Microsoft's last three major first-party releases (Forza aside) have all launched at 30FPS in Redfall,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 17-18)
We're going back to some classic DOOM
Welcome to the weekend! If you're looking for things to do on Xbox over the next couple of days, don't forget we've got some great recent Xbox Game Pass titles, a bunch of Free Play Days offerings, and hundreds of discounts as part of the Xbox End of Summer Sale - including a pretty cool dis
Talking Point What Improvements Would You Like To See Made To The Xbox Store?
We have a few ideas in mind
The Xbox Store (or the "Microsoft Store" if you want to call it that) is a place that we're constantly browsing on a near-daily basis here at Pure Xbox, and it's obviously a crucial part of the console (and PC) experience for all players. This is the place you go to buy new games, buy them on discount, check out the Free...
Talking Point Have Xbox Series X|S Dynamic Backgrounds Lived Up To The Hype?
What do you make of them?
One big new feature for Xbox gamers this generation has been the dynamic background option for Series X and S consoles. Microsoft, along with various third parties, regularly drops free dynamic backgrounds for us to enjoy, but do you actually use them? Or, are they a bit pointless with the current Xbox dashboard? In...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 10-11)
Have you tried Creatures of Ava on XGP yet?
Welcome to another weekend! As usual, there's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days including a bunch of new Xbox Game Pass titles, various Free Play Days offerings and a wide selection of great discounts. Here's what we're playing th
Talking Point How Would You Feel If Xbox's Major Fall Release Is Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6?
Will Indy make it this year? Are you fussed if not?
Avowed has officially been delayed. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle doesn't have a release date yet. Most of Xbox's other releases this year are DLC packs, aside from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 of course. So, how wou
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 3-4)
How about the second UFL beta?
Welcome to the weekend! There's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days, including some recent Xbox Game Pass additions, a bunch of Free Play Days titles, a UFL beta and lots of discounted titles via the Xbox Sto
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 27-28)
Getting into the Olympic spirit?
Welcome to the weekend! If you're looking for things to play over the next couple of days, we've got the obvious addition of Call of Duty: MW3 to Xbox Game Pass, various Free Play Days titles, a handful of betas that are currently running on the platform, and hundreds of fantastic deals that remain available in the
Feature Last Orders! What Are You Getting Before The Xbox 360 Store Closes?
July 29th is just around the corner
Here we go then, folks! We know we've mentioned this a ton recently, but after Monday, you won't be able to buy anything on the Xbox 360 store again! This weekend marks your last chance to grab whatever you want before it closes. The Xbox 360 store closing date is July 29th, 2024, after which it'll permanently go...
Feature Four Years Later, People Are Still Getting Confused By Xbox's 'Horrible' Console Names
What are your thoughts on them?
When Phil Spencer announced back in late 2019 that the next Xbox console would be known as the "Series X", it immediately sparked conversations over whether the naming convention had become too confusing. After all, we already had the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, and by late 2020 we also had the Xbox Series X and Xbox...
Talking Point What Are You Buying In The Xbox Summer Sale This Year?
We're tempted by a bunch of things
We're now a few days into the big Xbox Summer Sale for 2024 (also known as the "Xbox Ultimate Game Sale 2024"), and we're definitely finding ourselves tempted by a whole range of great deals that are available until July 31st. Some of those include recent AAA titles such as Alan Wake 2 and Suicide Squad: Kill The...
Talking Point How Hyped Are You For Indiana Jones On Xbox Series X|S?
It's definitely the big release of 2024 for us
We've passed the halfway point of 2024 now, and we're very much looking ahead to what's in store for us during the latter part of the year. There are absolutely tons of fantastic-looking games on the horizon, but we'd probably still single out Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as our most...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 20-21)
There's plenty to choose from on XGP!
Welcome to the weekend! We're spoilt for choice on Xbox at the moment, with lots of new Game Pass additions, some excellent Free Play Days titles, a Throne and Liberty Beta, the new free-to-play release of
Talking Point Do You Think This Generation Will Be A Short One?
Shutting up shop early
So, we're almost at the four-year mark of the Xbox Series X|S generation, and if the last few console cycles are anything to go by, we should be around the halfway mark right now. Xbox 360 lasted eight years, Xbox One lasted seven, but what about Xbox Series X and S? Will they go the distance and turn in similar numbers?...
Talking Point If You Had To Limit Yourself To Three Xbox Games, What Would They Be?
Our own "Desert Island Discs" scenario
Over here in the UK, we have a popular BBC radio series called Desert Island Discs in which celebrities choose a selection of songs that they'd bring with them to a desert island - it's just a way of asking for their favourites basically. So, how about we do the same with Xbox games? For this weekend's...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 13-14)
How about Neon White on Xbox Game Pass?
Welcome to another weekend! We've got a bunch of new Xbox Game Pass titles to enjoy over the next couple of days, along with more Xbox Free Play Days additions and a special "Teaser" sale ahead of the Xbox Summer Sale 2024! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I'll tell you what...
Talking Point Two Months On, Did Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Live Up To The Hype?
It was such a long wait...
It's weird that we're not talking about Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 as much anymore. Pure Xbox was on an indefinite hiatus when the game was first revealed back at The Game Awards in 2019... it's been that long since it was revealed! And of course, the past few years have built more and more hype for Ninja Theory's latest...
Talking Point Do You Ever Pre-Order Xbox Games Anymore?
Are your buying habits changing?
Earlier today, reports started to swirl about the biggest UK games retailer stopping in-store pre-orders in 2024, and the news has got us thinking about the practice and whether it still has a place in gaming these days. At one time, pre-ordering new games felt like a much more worthwhile thing to go out and do...
Talking Point Have You Ever Bought Any Official Xbox Merchandise?
If so, was it worth the money?
On quiet Tuesdays like this, all kinds of conversations come up at Pure Xbox HQ, and today the topic is official Xbox merchandise. Specifically, we're interested in knowing if you personally have ever bought anything like this. Obviously we're not talking about controllers or consoles here. Instead, we're referring to...
Talking Point Is There A Place For 'Snap Mode' On Xbox In 2024?
Not gonna lie, we actually miss it
It's been over 10 years since Xbox introduced a new feature called "Snap Mode" that would allow Xbox One owners to watch TV or access apps at the same time as playing their favourite games, and it's still being talked about to this day. That's despite the fact that Snap Mode hasn't existed for ages now - the...
Talking Point Xbox Fans, How Are You Getting On With Microsoft Rewards In 2024?
How many points have you got right now?
Earlier this week, we talked about Microsoft Rewards for the first time in a while - and that's not usual for us! Truth be told, we've soured on the program a little over the past year, and that's simply because you can't earn as many points as you used to. It's still a fantastic service, don't get us wrong,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 6-7)
Any Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 on Game Pass?
It's time for the weekend! As usual, there's plenty to enjoy on Xbox over the next few days, including a couple of new Xbox Game Pass additions, some big recent free-to-play releases, and over 700 deals on the Xbox Store! Here's what we're playing this weekend:
Talking Point Has Your Gaming Slowed Down As You've Got Older?
Do you play more or less than you used to?
In two years' time, we're going to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox, and that's a slightly scary thought if you're of a certain age! We can very much recall enjoying the OG console in its heyday, and yet the reality is that plenty of fully-grown adults weren't even born when it first...