Gaming Xbox Series X|S

Which of these do you prefer

  • Microsoft Game Pass

  • Xbox Game Pass

Results are only viewable after voting.
A bit more on the combat mechanics and puzzles: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2024/05/21/senuas-saga-hellblade-ii-review/

The sequel is a lesser game than its predecessor. There are fewer combat mechanics in play, removing the melee button and directional attacks and replacing them with nothing.

The scale of the puzzles are also smaller, as the game's level design has shrunk. The former game had larger areas with vertical structures. This game's level design is mostly a straight line, with a few small puzzle areas to break up the pacing.
 
It never struck me as a game that needed a sequel. The first was a game with limited gameplay but was still a very cool experience with the audio, facial animation, story etc.
 
DixieDean said:
I'm looking forward to digging into Hellblade 2, tomorrow. It seems like headphones are a must!

I bought a switch so I have not played xbox much recently.
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The first one was definitely must play on headphones. Don't get anywhere near the same atmospheric tension without them.

I see people have issues with the game being short, 6-8 hrs playtime. I don't care if it's short as long as those 6-8 hrs are enjoyable. Portal 2 and Max Payne 2 are one of my favorite games of all time and both were similar length, didn't ruin the experience one bit.
 
Played Hellblade 2 for a few hours, really like it so far. Absence of any hud at all makes it really immersive too.

Avoided the reviews because they lost all meaning, most of todays game critics are unreliable. So many people today play "Metacritic" more than actual video games.
 
Really been looking forward to Hellblade. Shame it just crashes my PC despite it easily meeting the requirements.

Time ditch Gamepass.

I imagine this will be on the PS5 by the time I get one.
 
Getting mixed reviews averaging out at around 8. It seems as though those looking for narrative and atmosphere will love it but those wanting gameplay will find it bland. My hope for this was that they would nail it as a game but basically they’ve doubled down it on the cinematic aspect. No issues, it seems a worthwhile expeience for me at some point but not one I’m dying to play.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
Getting mixed reviews averaging out at around 8. It seems as though those looking for narrative and atmosphere will love it but those wanting gameplay will find it bland. My hope for this was that they would nail it as a game but basically they’ve doubled down it on the cinematic aspect. No issues, it seems a worthwhile expeience for me at some point but not one I’m dying to play.
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Why would anyone expect something different than the first one though? I loved the first one and this one only continues on that, which is fine.
 
First thoughts are this is exactly what I’d hoped it would be. Atmosphere is incredible and the graphics are mega. Fighting feels weighty again which is great.
 
VeevaVee said:
First thoughts are this is exactly what I’d hoped it would be. Atmosphere is incredible and the graphics are mega. Fighting feels weighty again which is great.
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Yeah, weighty is a good word for it.

I'm in the boat with people who think we didn't need a sequel, but so far I'm glad they did it.
 
I think I'm going to take the back off my Xbox to clean the fan. It's got very loud.

If I can't fix it, I hope it doesn't get worse because I'm not buying another
 
Graphics and audio are on another level.
 
We might be getting the old COD's on GP soon. Which is exciting, as there are a few campaigns that i've missed.
 
DixieDean said:
We might be getting the old COD's on GP soon. Which is exciting, as there are a few campaigns that i've missed.
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I think it makes sense to roll the Black Ops out with one each month culminating in the release of Black Ops 6, then put the rest on at some point after that so the players aren't spread too thin.
 
I’ll have to dust the old long forgotten Xbox down and set up today. Hellblade 2 time. Can’t wait. One of the two reasons I bought an Xbox.
 
The Series X might be the best worst console ever. Best in that it's a great piece of tech, worst in that there's nothing decent to fecking play on it.
 
Massive Spanner said:
The Series X might be the best worst console ever. Best in that it's a great piece of tech, worst in that there's nothing decent to fecking play on it.
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I always feel that way until I browse gamepass and realise there's a shit ton of stuff I would probably like to play.

But then I think I don't have any motivation to play a game I don't own so I tend to duck out and go play Switch instead.

There's something about this feeling that I can't quite explain.
 
If I didn't have a kid I'd be finishing off games one by one on gamepass. Either I was stupid to buy an Xbox when my wife was already pregnant or I was stupid to have a kid when I also wanted an Xbox.
 
Hellblade 2 is really breathtaking. Obviously if you didn’t enjoy the first there won’t be much to convert you but if, like me, you loved the first for its intimate and powerful narrative, solid controls and incomparably good lead character then you will love the second too.

Best looking and sounding console game I’ve ever seen and it’s a genuine win for XBox here, these games are class. Almost ultimate hybrid entertainment, game / film crossover. Senua herself is by far and away the best avatar in a game in terms of realisation and connection.
 
Vidyoyo said:
I always feel that way until I browse gamepass and realise there's a shit ton of stuff I would probably like to play.

But then I think I don't have any motivation to play a game I don't own so I tend to duck out and go play Switch instead.

There's something about this feeling that I can't quite explain.
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It's the anxiety of a game being kicked from GP at any moment while being right in the middle of it. I had a bunch on my 'play later' list and only started a single one before I let my subscription lapse. Unsurprisingly, I never finished it and by now it has left GP. Instead, I poured hundreds of hours into games I purchased and could play (or not play) whenever I wanted.

Ultimately, it's a loss of agency inherent to the subscription model.
 
1950 said:
It's the anxiety of a game being kicked from GP at any moment while being right in the middle of it. I had a bunch on my 'play later' list and only started a single one before I let my subscription lapse. Unsurprisingly, I never finished it and by now it has left GP. Instead, I poured hundreds of hours into games I purchased and could play (or not play) whenever I wanted.

Ultimately, it's a loss of agency inherent to the subscription model.
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Yep and this is why I never use gamepass for long games, just short ones I know I'll finish in a week or two. I find it's nice to know I own something and can take a break from playing it for a month if I get burnt out.

The problem for MS is that those short experiences don't sell the service. Most blockbuster games nowadays are 30+ hours minimum which is both a blessing and curse for a subscription service. Good for marketing. Bad for adults.
 
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I've got a new gig which is going to require a lot more travel so I got myself a series s to take with me. People can criticise the strategy of it - but the size is absolutely insane.

It's unbelievable how small they got it for the output. Absolutely class.
 
If you believe the rumours a handheld will be announced on Sunday which should be even more suitable for travelling.
 
Alock1 said:
I've got a new gig which is going to require a lot more travel so I got myself a series s to take with me. People can criticise the strategy of it - but the size is absolutely insane.

It's unbelievable how small they got it for the output. Absolutely class.
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There's a screen attachment you could get for it. No idea how much it costs but would work well as an almost portable thing until the Xbox handheld is out.
 
1950 said:
It's the anxiety of a game being kicked from GP at any moment while being right in the middle of it. I had a bunch on my 'play later' list and only started a single one before I let my subscription lapse. Unsurprisingly, I never finished it and by now it has left GP. Instead, I poured hundreds of hours into games I purchased and could play (or not play) whenever I wanted.

Ultimately, it's a loss of agency inherent to the subscription model.
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I don’t see how this is an issue really. There’s loads of time to finish games and they give warning too. If you really wanted to finish it you likely could just buy it off cd keys. Not exactly anxiety inducing.
 
Alock1 said:
I've got a new gig which is going to require a lot more travel so I got myself a series s to take with me. People can criticise the strategy of it - but the size is absolutely insane.

It's unbelievable how small they got it for the output. Absolutely class.
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It's a great console because with all the benefits of gamepass for under £200. What's not to like?
 
VeevaVee said:
I don’t see how this is an issue really. There’s loads of time to finish games and they give warning too. If you really wanted to finish it you likely could just buy it off cd keys. Not exactly anxiety inducing.
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It might not be an issue for you, but it is for me.
 
Alock1 said:
It's unbelievable how small they got it for the output. Absolutely class.
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it’s easy for them to make it that small as there a no games worth playing to take up any space.
 
Looking forward to Xbox showcase, today. I’m hoping we get some old COD’S going into gamepass.
 
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