Jesse 'Doncabesa' Norris
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
XboxEraLatest Reviews
Atomfall is best when it’s difficult. While I had a few issues with the story, my main concern is the crashing I experienced on Xbox. If that is smoothed out this one is an easy recommendation for those with patience. It can be brutal, but it’s oddly endearing and full of intrigue that’s well worth downloading via Game Pass and is part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program.
Overall there’s been a fair bit of negativity in this review. I hope the post-launch support brings the gear grind that series veterans know and love. As things are at launch if you have a group of friends to play with it will be a fun, albeit easy 30 to 40 hours before you run out of content to push. If they can bring back the grind of needing specific items to have any chance against the toughest monsters then you can add a few points to this final launch score.
One of the biggest surprises, and I’m hoping a Day One patch can fix it, is the performance on console. Previous Orcs Must Die! games looked and ran well on the console. This one feels like it might be 60 while looking incredibly fuzzy. It’s difficult to say exactly what feels off about the performance, but on Series X it’s “off” somehow.
Sniper Elite: Resistance is available on Day One on Game Pass, and that’s how I’d recommend anyone but the most ardent fan of the series plays it. At $60 MSRP it’s a big ask for something that can be completed in a night or two. While there is some replay value on offer there isn’t enough new here for those familiar with the series to warrant a full purchase. If you love Sniper Elite and want more though, then you’ll find nothing here to displease you.
Eternal Strands is a fantastic first title from Yellow Brick Games. It’s an IP I hope to see more of in the future, as its excellent gameplay felt like a breath of fresh air for the genre. It’s out Day One on Game Pass and even in this bloated 2025 release schedule I wholeheartedly recommend checking it out no matter where you play.
One last area that had me excited was the talk of streamlining the game’s upgrade currencies, where Hugo shared a little more on a ‘streamlined economy’ – “We’ve streamlined the economy and the currencies in the game. I think that’s another thing we learned from DOOM Eternal is if you have too many currencies and too many skill trees, you can confuse the player.”
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a brilliant reboot of the series. Playing as a central character instead of hopping between classic heroes works. It looks damned good most of the time, sounds great, and features an excellent mix of group and single-fighter combat. For those new or returning to the series you’ll find dozens of hours of combative bliss.
Marvel Rivals is an excellent start to what should be a long-running franchise. NetEase has done a great job of proudly using mechanics that are well-known while crafting a uniquely crazy experience all their own. This 6v6 hero shooter/fighter has started from a place of strength. With proper leadership, it should only improve and grow as the years pass this multiverse by.
The Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered feels barebones. You get these titles with a few new bells & whistles and not much else. It is thoroughly disappointing for a game that was in more need of a full gameplay remake than just a graphical uplift. With so many great remaster/collection packages hitting, I wish this one had been given a little more love.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is everything fans of the franchise could have ever dreamed of. Twelve years after the last entry GSC Game World has overcome adversity and created something special. It will not be for everyone, but it is on Game Pass on Cloud, Console, and PC, so why not give it a go. The Zone is calling and I cannot wait to answer it once again.