Xbox Series X games: every exclusive and cross-gen game announced so far

We're starting to hear more about Xbox Series X games as the next-gen console's launch date creeps ever closer. Faster and capable of more advanced graphics than its predecessors, Microsoft's next-generation hardware promises to be the most powerful games console in the world when it launches late in 2020 – even more so than the PS5, which is expected to hit shelves around the same time.

We've now had a somewhat-substantial first look at the Xbox Series X game lineup, with a number of third-party titles having been announced – and shown off with in-engine gameplay – during the Xbox Series X gameplay reveal. We now know that, because of Smart Delivery, Madden 21 will be the first official Xbox Series X game you can buy beginning in August and that there are two Xbox Series X-exclusives so far: The Medium and Scorn. 

But, for those waiting to hear more about first-party Xbox Series X games like Halo Infinite, we'll have to wait until July when Microsoft will showcase Xbox Game Studio titles as part of its Xbox 20/20 monthly streams.

To know what you're going to be playing on the next-gen console, here's every Xbox Series X game Microsoft has confirmed so far – and some others that we hope, expect (or demand) to see.

Every Xbox Series X game and Xbox Series X exclusive confirmed

We had our first Xbox Series X gameplay reveal on May 7, and got a number of new Xbox Series game announcements along with it. They're all third-party games, but you can check out the announced titles below, with previously confirmed titles (like Halo Infinite, for one) below that. We'll be sure to update these entries as more information on each of these games becomes available.

It's also worth pointing out that, while most of the games listed below are likely to be cross-gen compatible, there are two that are Xbox Series X exclusive - The Medium and Scorn. According to Scorn's Kickstarter page, the developers chose Xbox Series X primarily because of its powerful hardware, and also plan to bring the game to PC via Steam, Windows Store, and GOG.

Bright Memory Infinite

Bright Memory Infinite

Chinese FYQD Studio is behind the first game to be shown off in the May 7 Inside Xbox stream, Bright Memory Infinite.

It has a very sci-fi feel, but with swords and shields mixing with assault rifles and... magical beams of light acting as a grappling hook? There are even futuristic car chase sequences right out of Blade Runner – and while we don't know much about the game, our first in-engine look of the game running on Xbox Series X definitely got out attention. (The game is reportedly made by a single person, too.)

We know it's coming to PC, too, and that owners of the previous Bright Memory title will get the new title for free.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Dirt 5

Dirt 5

A new Dirt game! Dirt is a classic racing game series from developer Codemasters, and we're not surprised to see it make the way to next-gen consoles. Expect... fast cars? Racing? With only a brief look so far, we can't say much more, but it's sure to be rendered beautifully, and have the smooth drifting we'd expect from a next-gen console and Xbox Series X controller. Dirt 5 will be supported by Smart Delivery, too.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Scorn (Xbox Series X exclusive)

Scorn

Oh boy, this trailer was disconcerting. Scorn appears to take place in a grim, gray, and bloody world, with mysterious stone statues and intestine-lookalike worms combining for... something. We got some serious Alien / Prometheus vibes – fitting, given the clear influence from Alien designer H.R. Giger – and know it's a first-person horror game, set in "a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry".

It's said to be an Xbox Series X exclusive, though it also appears to have a Steam page, so we imagine it will be a timed exclusivity window.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Chorvs

Chorvs

Chorus is a space-flight combat simulator, with Mass Effect stylings and a neat Knight Ryder gimmick – your spaceship being sentient – powering the galactic action.

There's some confusion around the name, given the font seems to write it as 'CHORVS', but we're sticking with 'CHORUS' for our collective sanity. Either way, with "mind-bending abilities" and plenty of space combat promised, this could be a great test of the Xbox Series X's graphical upgrade.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

MADDEN 21

MADDEN 21

That's right! The next Madden game is coming to Xbox Series X. The NFL game will bring American football to your console with high-quality graphics and (hopefully) super smooth gameplay on the high-spec console. Also confirmed for Xbox Smart Delivery.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

The sequel to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is here! With telekinesis, monstrous puppets, and (of course) plenty of vampirism, this looks like a must-buy game for Xbox Series X. It sounds like it will have a banging soundtrack too.

With the previous game releasing in 2004, there's a lot of hype for this title, and the next-gen specs look set to make it a first-person vampire game to remember.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Call of the Sea

Call of the Sea

Call of the Sea looks to be a narrative-led mystery game, tasking you with finding your lost husband among the jungles, oceans, and islands of the South Pacific.

It's already confirmed for both Xbox Game Pass and Smart Delivery – and we'll update you as we find out more.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

The Ascent

The Ascent

If Cyberpunk 2077 isn't enough dystopian sci-fi for you, The Ascent may have you covered. With dirty, high-tech cities, alien populations living side by side, and talk of supernovas causing havoc, will The Ascent be an imitator or an innovator? We'll find out soon enough.

We do know the game will be a top-down shooter, and is the first game from developer Neon Giant.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

The Medium (Xbox Series X exclusive)

The Medium

The Medium is a next-gen psychological horror game from the developer behind Blair Witch – and with the composer behind the Silent Hill series helping to score the action. 

Players will inhabit the body of a spiritual medium called Marianne, bordering this world and the next. We can pretty much guarantee it will sound terrifying, and with it being so many years since a Silent Hill game, we can't wait to see if The Medium is a worthy successor.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus

From Bandai Namco, this unsettling action game sees you fighting off flowery enemies to protect humanity. It has an art style clearly informed by modern 3D anime, with a teenage protagonist with the gift of 'psychokinesis', laying waste to some sort of sentient plant life – with human legs? We don't get it, but from the outset this looks like a hack-and-slash adventure worth a lazy afternoon. It's been confirmed for Smart Delivery too.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Second Extinction

Second Extinction

Earth has fallen. Rally your squad. Shoot dinosaurs. This FPS game sees you gunning down dinos to help retake earth from these scaly beasties. The name isn't inspiring, but the trailer suggests there may be some cooperative or competitive element to keep things interesting.

Xbox Series X Optimied? Yes.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Want to play a Yakuza game on Xbox Series X. You'll be able to from the console's launch.

If that seems soon, it is! Like A Dragon technically came out in Japan this January (on PS5), though, so it's only the Western release that's being timed for next-gen consoles. It's been confirmed for Smart Delivery too.

Given how beloved the Yakuza series is, though, it'll be sure to get a lot of attention – with this title seeing you play as young man Ichi as he navigates the organized crime world of urban Japan – but the trailer above shows it off better than we could summarise it.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Want to know what else you can play on Xbox Series X? Here are all the games that had previously been confirmed for the next-gen console – with some rumored or speculated titles below that.

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite

Image credit: Microsoft

Halo Infinite is was the first title that Microsoft confirmed for Xbox Series X - so we definitely know Master Chief is making the jump to the next-generation console. 

Not only that, but Halo Infinite will be a launch title for Series X, releasing in Holiday 2020 alongside the console (or consoles). It's not particularly a surprise, considering Master Chief has served as the face of Xbox for nearly 18 years... 

According to Microsoft, Halo Infinite (like all exclusive Xbox game Studios titles) will use the new Smart Delivery feature. That means you only have to purchase the game once, and you'll have the access to the best available version for whichever Xbox console you choose to play on. 

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Warframe

Warframe

Leyou Technology, parent company of Warframe developer Digital Extremes, has revealed that its free-to-play online sci-fi shooter Warframe will be coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

In an earnings report by Leyou Technology, the company stated that it's "preparing to expand Warframe to more platforms, such as the next-generation consoles and other devices".

However, there's no indication of when Warframe will land on PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

Image credit: CD Projekt Red

CD Projekt Red was reticent to say whether or not its upcoming title will be releasing on the next generation of consoles. Thanks to a tweet by the developer, we now have confirmation that Cyberpunk 2077 will be coming to Xbox Series X - and the game will even make use of Microsoft's new Smart Delivery feature, allowing players to upgrade their Xbox One version of the game to the Xbox Series X version for free.

In addition, a "proper, full-blown next-gen version" of Cyberpunk 2077 will come to Xbox Series X – but it won't be available on the console at launch.

That's according to CD Projekt, the parent company of Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red, who revealed during an earnings call (via VGC) that, while the game will still release in September and will be available on Xbox Series X "from the get-go", an enhanced, next-gen version will be released at a later date.

“In terms of Microsoft’s console, like I said, we have officially confirmed both the update and the cross-gen availability, meaning that you’ll be able to play the game from the get-go on the next-gen,” CD Projekt SVP of business development Michal Nowakowski said during the call.

“However, when it comes to a proper, full-blown next-gen version, that’s going to come later, we haven’t announced when and I don’t have a new comment here on that."

A CD Projekt Red spokesperson confirmed to VGC that the “full-blown next-gen version” Nowakowski referred to is the previously announced Xbox Series X upgrade.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Gothic

Gothic

After gauging interest with a playable teaser, developer THQ Nordic has confirmed that it's going to remake its 2001 cult classic and bring it to Xbox Series X.

Nordic is planning to "stay as faithfully as possible to the original experience" and modernise gameplay mechanics but it's also promised fans that it'll be playing close attention to player feedback from the playable teaser; already the developer has said that it's hearing calls for a "grittier and less colourful world".

Development is still in the very early stages, though, and we shouldn't expect to see it launch on Microsoft's console in 2020.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege director, Leroy Athanassof, has confirmed in an interview with Windows Central that Ubisoft's plan is to have the online tactical shooter be available on Xbox Series X from the console's launch day. 

Ubisoft doesn't want players to face being split up from their friends just because some have jumped into the new generation when others haven't so it's also been confirmed that the game will support cross-gen play. That means Xbox Series X players will still be able to play with the Xbox One friends. 

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Xbox Series X's name and design was officially revealed during the Game Awards 2019. Alongside a look at the next-gen console we also recieved an official announcement that there's another Hellblade on the way - and it's coming to the next Xbox. 

We don't know much about what Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be about but the announcement trailer, harnessing the Series X's next-gen technology, was extremely impressive - and it's likely the game will make use of Smart Delivery.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft has confirmed that the next chapter in the Assassin's Creed series is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla sees players take on the role of Viking raider Eivor, who leads their clan from their native home of Norway to the shores of Dark Ages England – with a hope of settling for good. But resistance from the Saxons won't exactly make it easy.

This new Assassin's Creed game leans more into RPG elements, allowing players to build and manage settlements, raid towns for resources, form alliances and even customize their character.

We got our first look at gameplay on May 7 on an Inside Xbox stream, but it was something of a disappointment in how little it showed. We're hoping the eventual game will have more to it than the little blips of action we've seen.

Xbox Series X Optimized? Yes.

Outriders

Outriders

People Can Fly has confirmed that its upcoming co-op shooter Outriders will land on both PS5 and Xbox Series X in "Holiday 2020" (AKA between October and December this year) - the same release window that we have for both next-gen consoles.

We don't know a huge amount about Outriders just yet, but the developer has described it as "a co-op RPG shooter for a new generation set in an original, dark and desperate sci-fi universe".

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

Announced in March 2019, Daedalic's Gollum game has now been confirmed for PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

The developer confirmed to Edge, that The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will be a "stunning next-gen adventure". Previously Daedlic confirmed Gollum will release in 2021 for PC and "all relevant console platforms at that time". Whether the game will be cross-generation (releasing on PS4 and Xbox One also) is still unconfirmed however.

But what will the game actually be about? Gollum is an action-adventure which focuses on the ring-obsessed creature. According to Daedalic, the narrative-driven game"tells Gollum's story from a perspective never seen before ... while staying true to the legendary books."

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Gods and Monsters

Gods and Monsters

Just like Watch Dogs Legion, Gods and Monsters is another title from Ubisoft announced for Xbox at E3 2019 that's been delayed from its original early 2020 release into the next financial year. 

Knowing now that we could see Gods and Monsters released any time between April 2020 and March 2021, we've long thought it's likely that the title will make an appearance on the Xbox Series X platform. 

This has now been officially confirmed. Along with Rainbow Six Quarantine and Wathdogs: Legion, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has said it will be coming to the next-gen platform.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Battlefield 6

Battlefield 6

Electronic Arts has confirmed that Battlefield 6 is coming to Xbox Series X and PS5 in 2021. 

Speaking to GameSpot, EA said that Battlefield 6 will be "targeting new innovation that will be enabled by next-gen platforms". We're still largely in the dark about what Battlefield 6 is about, and whether it'll also be available on current-gen consoles, but we can't wait to find out more.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Rainbow Six Quarantine

Rainbow Six Quarantine

Rainbow Six Quarantine was first confirmed during Ubisoft's E3 2019 press conference. It was never given a solid release date but it has since been delayed into the 2020-2021 financial year. 

So, while we still don't know a release date, this delay has pushed the game closer to the Xbox Series X launch and increases the likelihood we'll see it playable on the next generation of consoles. Of course this has now been officially confirmed by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot in an earnings call to investors in November, 2019.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Watchdogs: Legion

Watch Dogs: Legion

First announced at E3 2019, Watch Dogs Legion was initially confirmed for a March 2020 release. However, since then Ubisoft has confirmed that the game will now be delayed into the next financial year which runs from April 2020 to March April 2021, meaning Watch Dogs Legion could see a delay of as little as a month or up to a year. 

This delay does, however, make it more likely than ever that Watch Dogs Legion will launch for Xbox Series X as a cross-generation title. Which has now been officially confirmed by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot in an earnings call to investors in November, 2019. Watchdogs: Legion will be joining Rainbow Six Quarantine and Gods and Monsters on the next-gen platform.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

WRC 9

WRC 9

It's been officially confirmed that the latest version of the FIA World Rally Championship will officially hit Xbox Series X and PS5. The racing title will release in September 2020 for PC, Switch, Xbox One and PS4, but will also release on next-gen consoles. 

“The introduction of new-generation gaming consoles is a wonderfully exciting step and we’re delighted WRC 9 will be the first rally game to become available to gamers on such platforms,” WRC Promoter managing director Oliver Ciesla said.

According to the game's website, WRC 9 will feature rallies in Kenya, New Zealand and Japan from the 2020 WRC calendar, alongside over 400km of roads from all 13 scheduled rounds of the 2020 season.

WRC 10 and WRC 11 have also been confirmed.

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2


During an interview with Wccftech at E3 2019, developer Techland confirmed Dying Light 2 is set for next-gen consoles. 

"Techland always has an eye on the latest new toys!" Techland's chief technology officer, Pawel Rohleder, said. "To be more specific - yes, the plan since the beginning of production has been to make Dying Light 2 a cross-generation title."

Xbox Series X Optimized? TBC.

Suspected Xbox Series X titles

Everwild

Everwild

A surprise announcement during XO19 was Rare's next original title: Everwild. This game is still in the very early stages of its development and there's no release date just yet. This certainly suggests that the game could be a cross-generational title, launching on Series X and Xbox One as an exclusive. 

We don't know much about Everwild just yet but Rare has said that it will "give you memorable, engaging and meaningful experiences for players everywhere to share."

Starfield

Starfield

Image credit: Bethesda

Bethesda has quite a lot of projects in the works, but the one we seem to know the least about is Starfield. All we know so far is that Starfield is the gaming behemoth's first new IP in 25 years and will be a single player RPG set in outer space.

Having only seen an announcement trailer, we don't expect Starfield to release until at least 2020 which means it will land in the prime window to become an Xbox Series X game. Bethesda hasn't let slip if this will be the case, but it seems likely we will be venturing into Bethesda's galaxy on next-generation consoles.

The Elder Scrolls 6

The Elder Scrolls 6

Image credit: Bethesda

As we said, Bethesda has been pretty busy behind the scenes since E3 2018. Not only is Starfield on the cards, but the long-awaited Elder Scrolls 6 has also been confirmed to be in the works. 

Bethesda's Todd Howard has already stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 won't be coming out until after Starfield. So it'll be a while before we venture into Tamriel again, likely on next-generation consoles. 

Grand Theft Auto 6

GTA 6

Image credit: Rockstar Games

Ok, yes, we are being a bit hopeful here - mainly because Grand Theft Auto 6 has not been announced by Rockstar Games. But it's almost guaranteed that we will see a new instalation in the Grand Theft Auto series, and it's not going to be for a while. 

Therefore, it is likely that a release date will fall into the next generation, making GTA 6 an Xbox Series X game.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Image credit: Square Enix

Again, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake has not been confirmed to be an Xbox Series X game but Square Enix has confirmed the title will come to PS4 first - with an Xbox One and PC release likely in the future .

Given the age of the Xbox One, and the ambitious nature of the game - it's coming in multiple episodes across a multi-year release schedule - a cross-generation title with next-gen platforms isn't out of the question. So we're definitely hoping to see the Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Xbox Series X.

Check out everything we know so far about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2.

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Pokémon Sword and Shield reviews, release date and Pokédex changes

Pokémon Sword and Shield are Nintendo and Game Freak's first foray into bringing the main Pokémon games to the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite.

Due for official release on November 15, Pokémon Sword and Shield sees the beloved series undergoing a bit of a (somewhat controversial) redesign. Pokémon Sword and Shield is set in the brand-new Galar Region (basically, a Pokémon-ified version of the United Kingdom) and includes a number of new Pokémon including starters Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey, alongside a new combat mechanic called Dynamaxing that will replace Z-Moves and Mega-Evolutions. 

However, in making room for these new Pokémon, Game Freak has decided to make big cuts to Pokémon Sword and Shield's Pokédex while also doing away with the national Pokédex. It's a controversial decision that has been some fans in uproar and #GameFreakLied trending on Twitter.

Despite the controversy, Pokémon Sword and Shield has been getting rave reviews, with critics praising the games' beautiful new region, more strategies Pokémon battles and, in some cases, referring to the games as potentially the best entries in the series to date.

So, with the official release date just days away, here's everything we know about Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The eighth-generation of Pokémon games
  • When can I play it? November 15, 2019
  • What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Image credit: Nintendo

Pokémon Sword and Shield review roundup

The reviews for Pokémon Sword and Shield are in and it's a hit from critics - even if some fans aren't quite as impressed.

Some fans have expressed anger over the new changes - with #GameFreakLied trending on Twitter following leaks.

However, Pokémon Sword and Shield has been hailed as one of the best entries in the series to date by critics, with reviews praising the beautiful region of Galar, the freedom to explore and the new strategic elements to Pokemon battles.

We've yet to have enough time with the game to meet our review standard, so keep an eye on TechRadar for our verdict shortly. But, until then, we've rounded up the verdicts of those who have for your reading pleasure below, along with a link to each publication's full review. Once we get our hands on code, Pokémon Sword and Shield will get the same thorough, comprehensive test that you'd expect from a TechRadar review.

GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge - 4.5/5

This is a seriously memorable Pokemon adventure. The story delivers enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, steeped in the kinds of myths and legends that you forget the British Isles are chock-full of. It might lack the puzzling areas of previous series' entries like Silph Co, but there's plenty to love about Pokemon Sword and Shield, especially the loveable cast of characters, and the impeccable attention to detail in the Galar region both visually and in terms of the regional dialogue. It's a great way to start the next core generation of Pokemon games. 

IGN

Casey DeFreitas - 4.5/5

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are closer to my dream Pokemon RPGs than anything that’s come before. I’d still like better cutscenes, companion Pokemon, the complete Pokedex, and a more visually interesting Wild Area, but nitpicks are just not very effective when everything else was such a complete joy to play. The way they respect my time is wonderful, and the removal of monotony from random encounters and other odds and ends distills it down to only the pure and charming fun of capturing, training, and battling wonderful creatures. And hey, if I’m missing any tedious repetition, I can always get back into breeding.

Nintendo Life

Alex Olney - 8/10

What we've got here is an experience full of highs and lows, from the unadulterated wonder and joy of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium full of cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we just wanted to skip. The wonders of exploring the Wild Area feels like the true evolution of the series, but even this brave stride forward is balanced out by the inclusion of restrictive and boring Routes from games of old. The niggling issues are impossible to ignore, then, but on the whole, Pokémon Sword and Shield are a solid start to the HD generation of Pokémon games, but there's ample room for improvement with the next outing.

Gamespot

Kallie Plagge - 9/10

In collecting, battling, and exploring, Sword and Shield cut out the bloat and focus on what makes these pillars of the Pokemon games so captivating in the first place. You're not held back by overly complicated back-end systems or hoops to jump through; from the outset, you can start wandering the Galar region, seeing its new Pokemon, and trying out its new battle strategies with very little in your way. This leaves you free to enjoy what Pokemon is all about, and that makes for an incredibly strong showing for the series' proper debut on Switch.

Eurogamer

Chris Tapsell - No badge

Pokémon Sword and Shield project a sense of scale and ambition far beyond any previous ones in the series, but to take it back to those gargantuan new Dynamax forms, the size is merely a shadow. A shallow projection, in place of the real thing.

Pokémon Sword and Shield release date

During a special Pokémon Sword and Shield focused Nintendo Direct on June 5, Nintendo revealed that Pokémon Sword and Shield will release globally on November 15, 2019 for Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. 

Pokémon Sword and Shield trailers

Wondering what towns in the Galar region might look like? A trailer dropped during Gamescom will give you a better idea. Rolling verdant hills, quaint train stations and the ever-familiar comfort of the Pokémon Center. Check out the new footage below:

Pokémon Sword and Shield will made battling bigger and better than ever, and we mean the former quite literally. In a trailer released in August 2019, some new battle mechanics are explored. Watch the trailer below to see new Hidden Abilities, moves, items and some more details about Dynamaxing. 

A new day, a new trailer. We were expecting possibly more of an in-depth Pokémon Direct, but this two-minute clip does give us a look at some new Pokémon designs – as well as some 'rivals' you'll be facing off against in the game.

Check out the video below:

Another Pokémon Sword and Shield trailer gave us a closer look at Dynamaxing, new Pokémon and the Galar Pokémon League. Check it out below:

The best glimpse we've had of Pokémon Sword and Shield was during a special Nintendo Direct in June. The Nintendo Direct shed a lot of light on what new features we can expect alongside some new Pokémon pals. 

Check out the video below:

The first Pokémon Sword and Shield trailer didn't give too much away, but you can see the first glimpse of the environments and art style.

You also get a first look at three new starter Pokémon: the fire-rabbit Scorbunny, twig-monkey Grookey, and a sad-looking tadpole (sadpole?) called Sobble.

Check the trailer out below:

Another trailer, released right around the time of E3 2019, highlighted some of the geographical features of the Galar Region and introduced us to raid battles – a mechanic taken from the Pokémon Go mobile game.

Pokémon Sword and Shield news and features

Pokéleak
Resetera user Atheerios posted several spoilers and leaks about the new games, including a list of every Pokémon we can expect to see in them, including lists of every generation eight Pokémon, several Galarian forms and evolutions, and new gigantamax forms. Plus a lot more.

We're not going to post any spoilers here, because it's up to you if you want to go find them for yourself but the lists highlight which classic Pokémon are returning - and which aren't.  

What we will tell you is that there's a total of 81 new species and 13 Galarian forms - making for a total of 94 new Pokémon and an overall total of 400 Pokemon. 

Ditching Nintendo Switch Online?
The upcoming Pokémon games on Nintendo Switch are set to launch this week, though players wishing to take part in online bouts with each other would usually require a subscription to Nintendo's paid online service – as you do for the likes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, or similar multiplayer games.

However, Sword and Shield seems to be doing things a bit differently, with an option to pay for online access for your Pokémon game alone.

The official Nintendo website cites the unusual payment strategy in the text below (emphasis our own): "Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. This game includes an in-game purchase option for users who do not have a membershipNot available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online."

By the sounds of it, even those without a full, paid subscription to Nintendo Switch Online will have a way to partake in online battles, trading, and the like – though we're yet to see whether it would be a cost-effective alternative, given the already low $3.99 / £3.49 / AU$5.95 price.

Another research update
As promised, a new research update was shown on October 16 and it gave fans a peek at some of the new Gigantamax forms that will appear in the game. The video (embedded below) reveals that Pikachu, Meowth, Eevee, Charizard and Butterfree will have Gigantamax forms. 

While Charizard and Butterfree will be generally available through Max Raid battles in the game, Pikachu and Eevee will be available to those who purchased the relevant Let's Go title and still have play records on their Switch, while Meowth will be an early purchase gift for those who get the game before January 15 2020. 

Download size revealed
It's time for a clearout! Pokémon Sword and Shield will take up 10.3GB of storage on your Nintendo Switch.

Glimwood Tangle Livestream
Aspiring Pokemon researchers have tuned into the promised Sword and Shield livestream and what have they discovered over the 24 hours? Well, it looks like there's a Galar region variant of the horse-like Pokémon Ponyta

This psychic type will be exclusive to Shield, balancing out the recent announcement that Sirfetch’d will be exclusive to Sword. 

This Ponyta will have two special abilities: Pastel Veil and Run Away. The latter seems fairly self explanatory while the former will prevent Ponyta and its allies from being poisoned during battle. This ability can also cure poisoned Pokemon when they join a battle. 

Autosave
The rumor that Pokemon Sword and Shield will be the first games in the series to include an autosave feature have been confirmed. In an interview with GameInformer, director Ohmori said that autosave will run in the background throughout the game. The feature will be turned on by default, but fans looking for a more traditional experience can go in and turn it off and save manually. 

Exp Share
Another feature that will be automatic in Sword and Shield is Experience Share which will see XP fairly distributed among your Pokemon team by default, rather than subject to the use of an item. 

Meet Sirfetch’d
Nintendo has introduced the new Wild Duck Pokémon: Sirfetch'd. According  to the Nintendo, "Farfetch’d that inhabit the Galar region can evolve into Sirfetch’d after experiencing many battles". However, this new Pokémon is exclusive to Pokémon Sword.

Check out the reveal trailer for the leek-wielding Pokémon below:

Nintendo Direct September 2019
Nintendo dropped a Direct in early September with some brand new details on Pokémon Sword and Shield. 

First up, as we already knew character customization is making a return but it's going to be more wide-ranging than ever before. Now in addition to changing tops and bottoms, you can change hairstyles, apply make up and pull some stylish outerwear. Catching Pokémon in a leather jacket? You betcha. 

There's also Pokémon Camp which allows you to pitch up a tent during your journeys and play with your Pokémon. This will improve their performance in battle and you can even take your Pokémon to visit the camps of other players online. 

Camping also means cooking. Now you can lovingly create dishes of curry and rice for you and your Pokémon with more than 100 variations to enjoy. To keep track of your recipes you'll be using the Currydex (yes, seriously). 

Of course, there are also some new Pokémon. The Direct introduced us to flying-water-type Cramorant and ghost-type Polteagiest. 

Gamescom 2019
Gamescom 2019 came and went, and despite that fact that Nintendo dropped a new Pokémon trailer merely days before the event, more new footage was shown. Aren't we spoiled. 

The new footage gave us a good look at an as-yet-unnamed town in the Galar region. This footage revealed that in addition to the previously revealed flying taxi service in the game, players will also be able to travel by train. Hopefully the attempt to reflect the UK will only be surface level or we'll get nowhere by rail. Towns will also have, as expected, Pokémon Centers, grocery stores and clothing stores to have a look around and spend some money. 

New battle mechanics
In a trailer, some brand new battle details have been confirmed. 

Corviknight is shown to have a Hidden Ability called Mirror Armor which will allow it to reflect any stat-lowering effects back at its opponents. 

Hidden Abilities, it’s been confirmed in a blog post, are slightly more special than standard abilities as they’ll only feature in Pokémon that have been caught in Max Raid Battles (so a Corviknight you catch from a normal encounter won't have the Mirror Armor ability). 

These Max Raid Battles, coincidentally, are the way to encounter another kind of special Pokémon: one that's capable of Gigantamaxing. If you’re really lucky you might go into a Max Raid Battle and come away with a Pokémon that can Gigantamax and has a Hidden Ability but that’ll be a very rare event and you’ll have to take part in a lot of Raids. 

New items will also be introduced to the game. One of these is Room Service, which will lower the speed of the Pokémon holding it during Trick Room. The other is Eject Pack which will switch the holding Pokémon out of battle if its stats are lowered, allowing you to replace it with another from your team. 

Battling online
A few more details on the Online Battle Stadium have been confirmed. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription will be able to connect over the internet and compete in single or double battles. These battles can be ranked or casual, with the former involving facing trainers of similar ranks to try and earn points to move up, while the latter is, well, just for fun. With things working through the Nintendo Switch Online service, that means Pokémon Global Link is not supported. 

Pokémon have jobs now
An official listing on the Pokémon Sword and Shield's website shows a way of earning experience points by freelancing your Pokémon out to random employers. Exploitation, or a fun summer job? At the very least it's a great way of ensuring your boxed Pokémon aren't languishing while you take your main team on your adventure as can sometimes happen. It seems something of a shame that you can't go along with your Pokémon and take part in a mini game for some jobs but either way it's a great way to keep your Pokémon training and to bring in some special items as rewards. 

Region variants
Regional variations of familiar Pokémon always make exploring new areas even more fun. The region variants for the Galarian region really play up that U.K inspiration. 

There’s Galarian Weezing which is clearly drawing heavily on the Industrial Revolution with its chimney pipe hat and Victorian factory-owner vibe. 

Meanwhile Zigzagoon and Linoon have taken on a more badger-like appearance.

There’s also an entirely new Pokémon confirmed for the Galar region: Morpeko. This little hamster-like creature is adorable until It gets hungry. In perhaps the most relatable Pokémon behaviour ever, when Morpeko enters hangry mode, it goes from electric type to dark type and looks utterly merciless. 

The bad guys
Pokémon grunt organisations are very rarely subtle and Team Yell are continuing that trend with their name, their fashion and their utter adoration of Marnie. 

Marnie is one of your main rivals in Sword and Shield and she’s hell bent on becoming a champion. Team Yell are her followers who will get in your way in order to help her get there. 

Bede is your other rival. He’s a little more mysterious than Marnie (and looks a little more like a grandmother too). While he’s also aiming to become champion, he’s got other motives you’ll be aiming to uncover. 

Brand new models
The Pokémon Sword and Shield development team has been facing ire from fans following the news that every single Pokémon ever won’t be available to catch in the new games with the latest rumors suggesting that Game Freak has been utilising old 3DS creature models for the Switch game in order to cut costs. This theory has been shot down by an older Famitsu interview with Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori (via Polygon) in which it’s stated that the models for the new game have been created from scratch. 

It was also said that the more intensive graphics of the Switch has lengthened the time needed to render Pokémon so the limited Pokédex would have come at some point. 

Version-exclusive Gym Leaders
Pokémon Sword and Shield will have version-exclusive Gym Leaders. In Pokémon Sword you will battle karate prodigy Bea, while in Pokémon Shield, you take on emo king Allister.

Gigantamaxing
Previously we had heard of the Dynamax feature that allows Pokémon to become super-sized during battles, however Nintendo has now revealed the "phenomenon" of Gigantamaxing. 

While Dynamaxing can only occur in specific areas of the Galar region, and is a common occurrence for Pokémon from the region, Gigantaxmaxing is only specific to certain species of Pokémon and kicks things up a notch by not only increasing a Pokémon's size but also its appearance.

In addition, Gigantamaxing boosts the power of the Pokémon and allows it to use a unique move known as a G-Max Move - each G-Max Move is particular to a specific species of Gigantamax Pokémon.

More new Pokémon

In a recent trailer Nintendo introduced us to some more new Pokémon we'll be encountering in Galar, including the walking ice-cream sundae Alcremie, adorable puppy Yamper, coal chunk Rolycoly and steel dragon Duraludon.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Image credit: Nintendo

Doubling Down
Pokémon producer Junichi Masuda has reiterated the news that not all Pokémon would be available to catch in Sword and Shield in a statement to fans on the official Pokémon site. In the statement, Masuda thanked fans for their love of the Pokémon series but reaffirmed the decision to limit Pokémon in the game to those within the Galar region. 

He did, however, add that "even if a specific Pokémon is not available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, that does not mean it will not appear in future games."

Fan backlash against the news has been severe but it seems that Game Freak is sticking to its guns. Masuda added in his statement that the Galar region will see “the world of Pokémon continues to evolve. The Galar region offers new Pokémon to encounter, Trainers to battle, and adventures to embark on. We are pouring our hearts into these games, and we hope you will look forward to joining us on this new journey.“

Can't catch 'em all 
It's been confirmed that Pokémon Sword and Shield will not feature every Pokémon from the franchise so far, making them the first mainline games to do so. Given there are now more than 800 species of Pokémon this is, perhaps, not all that surprising.

The reason, according to Game Freak producer Junichi Masuda (via Famitsu), is that on reaching generation eight there will be more than a thousand Pokémon in the Pokédex. Such a large number means "it has become extremely difficult to make Pokémon with a new personality play an active part and to balance their compatibility" as well as to make sure they'll all be balanced in battle.

Not only that, it would be too difficult to have so many in-game models with a high enough graphical quality. 

Though the choice saddens Masuda, he says that it's a decision he "had to make some day" and that he's opting to "choose the quality". 

Poké Ball Plus

Pokémon Ball Plus
We didn't hear much about Pokémon Sword and Shield during Nintendo Direct at E3 2019, but it was teased that the Pokémon Ball Plus can be used to take your in-game Pokémon for "a stroll". However, the ball cannot be used as a controller.

In addition, it was teased that "good things" will happen if you build up a strong connection to one Pokémon in particular.

Release date revealed
Nintendo held a special Pokémon Sword and Shield focused Nintendo Direct on June 5 that revealed both games will release globally on November 15, 2019.

Max Raid Battles
Much like Pokémon Go, Sword and Shield has a feature which allows trainers to team up with up to three others online to take on more powerful Pokémon.

Legendaries
Pokémon Sword and Shield's wolf-like Legendary Pokémon are Zacian (sword) and Zamazenta (shield).

Dynamax Mode
This new mode allows trainers to make their Pokémon giant and super-powered. This mode can only be activated once during a battle and lasts three turns before a Pokémon reverts to normal size.

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Image credit: Nintendo

More new Pokémon
Alongside the starter Pokémon, Nintendo has also revealed a few more new Pokémon joining Sword and Shield: Wooloo (sheep Pokémon), Gossifleur (a fancy lady Pokémon that evolves into Eldegoss), Drednaw (who resembles a snapping turtle) and Corviknight (a raven and glorified taxi service for the Galar region).

Wild Area
Galar features a Wild Area where trainers can explore, battle and capture Pokémon. Which Pokémon appear depends on the environment and weather.

Stadiums
Trainers will battle Pokémon leaders in Stadiums rather than the usual gyms. These stadiums are huge and packed with a cheering audience. 

New characters
Nintendo revealed your new rival is Hop, whose older brother is the Pokémon champion of Galar. Meanwhile Professor Magnolia and her assistant Sonia will act as your guides.

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Image credit: Nintendo

Trainer outfit customization will be a feature
While it's not a brand new feature, trainer outfit customization has been popular with Pokémon players since it was introduced in X and Y. And it's a feature which a recent Uniqlo competition has confirmed will be in Pokémon Sword and Shield. 

In a collaboration with The Pokémon Company, the clothing brand asked fans to design a top which would then be sold in stores. Now that the winning entry has been chosen (a design featuring Magikarp and Gyrados) it's been revealed that the top will also be wearable in Pokémon Sword and Shield as a trainer outfit.

Just how many more outfit options there'll be in the games isn't known yet.

Made for handheld
While the Pokémon Let's Go games were developed with TV mode in mind, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has stated that Pokémon Sword and Shield will "emphasize the fun of playing Nintendo Switch in handheld mode." Furukawa made the comments during Nintendo's March 2019 Financial Results Briefing (via Nintendo Life).

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Image credit: Nintendo

A whole new world
We know the game is set in a brand new region of Galar, rather than a rehash of Kanto or a previously visited territory. Galar seems to be loosely inspired by England's cities and countryside, with rolling hills and brickwork cities to explore.

The trailer also showed glimpses of jewel-encrusted mines and what might even be a football stadium (see the kit below), though we're waiting to see whether competing in a Pokémon-themed Football World Cup will be possible for players.

Brand new Pokémon
Yup, this is a new generation of Pokémon, meaning you'll be seeing a lot of new faces – as well as a lot of old ones. The trailer gave us a mix of familiar Pokémon like Pikachu and Hoothoot along the new starters, and we're hoping Game Freak manage to keep the new designs interesting (no ice cream or candelabra Pokémon, please.)

Modern to the core
Sword and Shield look to retain the look and 3D animation style of the Pokeémon Let's Go games that launched on Nintendo Switch last year.

Pokémon games haven't been flat 2D games in years, and has increasingly been moving towards full-size avatars and 3D environments. Some may miss the old-school pixel charm of the earlier games – and find the 3D creature models a bit bland – but for better or worse this is what we're getting.

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Ahead of Cyberpunk 2077, we played Cyberpunk Red – and it escalated quickly

Night City: a broken, whirring machine of a metropolis, a place of dirt, blood, and flashing gadgets under a darkened red sky – colored by the afterglow of a nuclear explosion that ripped the city apart.

This is a city of extremes, split between those who have everything, and those who make do with nothing – but it is also a place of overlap, where flesh meets metal, isolation meets connection, and those who spend the best part of their days in cyberspace are both present and absent.

On the rooftop of a tired, five-story apartment building – just a stone's throw from the heart of the corporation high rises – a curious scene is unfolding. Nikki Lovelace, an alcohol-drenched Rockerboy is trying to manhandle a large woman over the railings, while Montana, a former farmboy turned gun fanatic, is trying to detach the cyber arm of Bolt Harrison, a gruff ex-military Solo, from the rooftop door he has somehow soldered himself to. Meanwhile, an insurgence of soldiers are trying to force themselves through the other side. 

And it all started with the TechRadar team, some donuts, a couple of pizzas and an eagerness to find out more about Cyberpunk 2077.

TechRadar goes tabletop

Cyberpunk 2077

We needed a Night City fix

Here at TechRadar, we don't tend to cover tabletop games. They aren't exactly 'tech' and therefore don't really fall into our parameters. However, as we patiently wait for the release of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, a thought occurred to us. We don't need to wait to jump into Night City. We can do it right now, with Cyberpunk Red.

Now, for those who don't know, Cyberpunk 2077 is based off the Cyberpunk pen and paper role playing game: Cyberpunk 2020. By pen and paper RPG we mean like Dungeons and Dragons, where the game is conducted through speech. You create a character using stat sheets, which outlines their background, skills etc; and then you describe the actions you want them to do undertake based on what you think they would do. 

Meanwhile, there's a very stressed Gamemaster (GM) acting as a narrator, referee and organizer (among other things). They take the players through the game, setting each scene and making sure everyone doesn't get too carried away. 

"As we patiently wait for the release of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 - a thought occurred to us. We don't need to wait to jump into Night City. We can do it right now, with Cyberpunk Red."

Essentially, all the actions you want to do require you to roll a certain number on a dice – paired with your own skills – to do so. So, say you want to punch someone, whether that is successful will depend on how athletic you are mixed with how high your dice roll is. It's a bit confusing at first...

Cyberpunk 2020, which the upcoming video game is based on, is the second edition of the original Cyberpunk RPG by Mike Pondsmith, and was published in 1990. Since then, several new editions of the game have come out. 

The latest new edition of Cyberpunk is Cyberpunk Red, which has been released to coincide with the launch of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077. Even better, R. Talsorian Games has published a Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit which is marketed as the "perfect introduction" to Cyberpunk – in other words, it's for newbies.

So, our thinking was that we could get our Night City fix by trying out Cyberpunk Red and maybe, in doing so, learn a bit more about Cyberpunk 2077.

Having seen an hour's worth of Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay at Gamescom 2019, I realized that we were successful.

Set the scene

Cyberpunk 2077


Let me quickly set the scene for you because tabletop RPGs are a slow-burner. Our group had three players: myself (gaming writer Vic Hood) as the Rockerboy Nikki Lovelace, our phones editor James Peckham as Bolt Harrison and staff writer Tom Bedford as Montana – who turned out to be the wildcard. Not one of us had ever played a pen and paper RPG before.

Meanwhile, our GM was staff writer (and regular DnD player) Henry St Leger. It was Henry's job to take us through the garbage-strewn alleyways and neon-clad streets of Night City. 

However, before starting, we all had to brush up on the lore of Cyberpunk. That means reading the world and rule books – to understand the world we were inhabiting. This in itself painted a clearer picture of Cyberpunk, it forced us to learn the history of Night City, the tech, the character types and even the food we would be eating. If you want full lore and immersion before Cyberpunk 2077, jump into the Cyberpunk world book.

"It was under the guise of fun, but at the same time we were becoming more and more part of Mike Pondsmith's world - more connected with each encounter."

But, actually, we found that simply playing Cyberpunk Red was enough to automatically sponge up aspects of the Cyberpunk world. Once we got over the real-world ties of embarrassment and sank into our madcap dystopia, everything fell into place.

We learned about Exotics from Beanie, the odd cyber-enhanced cat lady our group met at the start of the game, and discovered the unsettling power of megacorporations through our violent scuffle with Militech (which saw sweet farmboy Montana shotgunning a man point-blank and Nikki punching a woman in the throat). It was under the guise of fun, but at the same time we were becoming more and more part of Mike Pondsmith's world – more connected with each encounter.

This didn't become inherently obvious until I went to see Cyberpunk 2077 at Gamescom 2019 – about a week after our first dive into Night City. I'd watched Cyberpunk 2077 footage previously, but this hour long gameplay presentation seemed to click more than ever before.

The character creator, the allocation of skills: it was essentially the stat sheets we had filled out for our own characters a week before. The terms used by characters, the ambiance of the city and the gangs which inhabited it, everything felt clearer than it had before. It's also a testament to how Cyberpunk 2077 hasn't abandoned its roots.

The Gamesmaster

Cyberpunk 2077

As a player, Cyberpunk Red is fairly straightforward. You sit back and enjoy the ride mostly. The real hard work, taking Pondsmith's world and making it real, falls down to the Gamemaster (AKA Henry). 

So after the Cyberpunk Red session, I caught up with our narrative wizard to chat about how he found the experience – because, as a player, you're not allowed to read certain parts of the rule book to avoid spoilers and such.

Henry's points were pretty straightforward: Cyberpunk Red has extensive GM notes and guides; while stats can be intimidating, the mechanics help with guidance; the game in PDF format is much easier to navigate than a hardback book; and Tom Bedford's Montana is a psychopath. To be fair, Montana shot at least three characters during our short playthrough. 

“As a previous tabletop RPG player, I was familiar with the kinds of mechanics and stats that Gamemasters running a game have to deal with, but Red has its own personal flavor that doesn’t make it feel like a copy," Henry explains.

"Red has its own personal flavor that doesn’t make it feel like a copy."

“I found it somewhat easier to pick up and play than some other TTRPGs – like Dungeons & Dragons – as the character customization options are a lot looser and stick to only 1-2 pages per class, with ready-made characters concepts to choose if you don’t want the pressure of making up your own. 

"As a Games Master, the example story they provided ran me through everything I needed from the environment, NPCs, and story threads too – even if we naturally ended up tweaking the template to suit the party we played with (all journalists having a taste for the sensational).”

What we're saying is...

Cyberpunk 2077

You don't need to play Cyberpunk Red before Cyberpunk 2077, but if you want to immerse yourself in the world before the videogame comes out then we highly recommend it.

With the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit you can control the game world within your boundaries, without controversy or living in a developer's specific interpretation. It's the perfect time for those who have been intimidated by tabletop RPGs to finally jump in and for veterans to remember why they loved them in the first place – even if that's the simple pleasure of a wildcard player sending the GM into meltdown.

Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit is available now and Cyberpunk 2077 will release for PS4, Xbox One, PC and Google Stadia on April 16, 2020.

Henry St Leger, James Peckham and Tom Bedford contributed to this article.

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The Outer Worlds release date, news, trailers and gameplay

The sci-fi shooter-looter The Outer Worlds is set to be one of the wackier AAA RPGs of recent years. A new single-player experience from Obsidian Entertainment, with more than a pinch of corporate satire, it looks set to inject some fun into the classic Fallout formula we know and love.

Set on the frontier of space, The Outer Worlds has the player awakening from hibernation amidst a conspiracy to destroy Halycon – a colony residing at the edge of the galaxy  driven by big-brand corporations.

Not only is this the team that brought us one of the most beloved entries in the Fallout franchise, Fallout: New Vegas; according to its senior narrative designer, Megan Starks, The Outer Worlds also isn't afraid to borrow the best parts from Bethesda's post-apocalyptic franchise directly.

Cue dialogue trees, nonsensical sci-fi weapons, and the odd (and we mean odd) companion to aid you on your quests – whatever direction you decide to take the story in. The Outer Worlds is an open-ended game that lets you pick and choose the interactions, quests, and battles you want to have.

Interested? So are we. Here's everything we know so far about The Outer Worlds.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? Obsidian's new single-player sci-fi RPG
  • When can I play it? October 25 2019 
  • What can I play it on? PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
  • How much will it cost? $60 (£50 / AU$80)

The Outer Worlds release date

The Outer Worlds will come out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 25 2019. The announcement came during Microsoft's E3 2019 keynote, which is available to view down below.

The Outer Worlds trailers

Obsidian showed off 20 minutes of gameplay footage at PAX East, with some witty dialogue, crazy-looking weapons, and a companion who always jumps into the action feet-first. It's also a great look at one of the vibrant city environments (read: a lot of neon).

And in this Game Informer video, The Outer Worlds' co-director Tim Cain and lead designer Charles Staples show off some combat gameplay:

Obsidian announced The Outer Worlds at The Game Awards 2018 with an official announcement trailer. You can check it out below:

The Outer Worlds: news and features

Influences from Star Trek, Firefly – and Futurama

Speaking to Den of Geek, narrative designer Dan McPhee pointed to the popular cartoon Futurama as a big influence on the game's tone, as well as some classic sci-fi franchises:

"In terms of characters and dialogue, we took a lot of inspiration from things like Firefly in that we really wanted to preserve this spirit of companionship and having a core crew that you ran around with [...] We're all big Star Trek fans. We just took from a bunch of different settings and inserted our own little twists."

Slow-mo combat

Comparisons to Fallout's V.A.T.S. system will be inevitable, but the PAX East demo shows off something called "tactical time dilation", which slows down time to take the pressure off fast-paced combat encounters:

"We are trying to give opportunities for people who aren't the best shooter players, to slow things down a bit, get their bearings, and then make decisions that will actually help them during combat".

Science weapons

The demo also mentioned 'science weapons', which are apparently high-tech items with fun or downright oddball effects – think glowing scythes with corrosion damage, or a purple stick that freezes enemies and shrinks civilians' heads. There'll be science weapons for every weapon type, so it won't just be in melee either.

Six main character stats

There'll be six main character stats influencing your character's skills, speed, and success in both combat and social interaction: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Perception, Charm, and Temperament.

It's the last one that interest us most: does a grumpy temperament stop people wanting to talk to you, or an easy-going one change your dialogue options?

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

All of the jokes

All signs point towards The Outer Worlds not taking itself too seriously. The NPCs really lean into parody, rattling off the names of their favorite brands and speaking obliviously of their "odious interpersonal skills" – while your dialogue options will really let you poke fun.

Old-school customization

While you'll get to customize your character's appearance, it seems you won't even have a voice. In an interview with Polygon, co-creator Leonard Boyarsky revealed the team has taken an "old-school" approach to the game to allow resources to be focused on a complex narrative.

Obsidian through and through

Speaking to TechRadar at E3 2019, senior narrative designer Megan Starks assured us that The Outer Worlds will not disappoint fans of Obsidian's previous games.

"The things you love about the games that we make, we want to provide to you in The Outer Worlds," Starks told us. "It is very player-choice driven, we want a really rich story but everything you do has reactivity to it and you can play the way that you want to play whether that’s good, evil, psychopath, whether you want to side with the scientists and try to save the system or whether you want to join the board and reinforce their agenda or if you want to double-cross both of them and do a lone-wolf thing. 

"I think that’s part of it. The games people already like from the studio, you are going to get that same experience here. "

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

The world is affected by your actions

Starks also explained that the player's actions not only affects the story but the world around them. Starks presented the example of Marauder-infested areas, which can be cleared out. If you choose to do so then you may find wildlife take over the area later in the game. 

Similarly other choices affect character reactions (including whether companions choose to abandon you) and environment. "We do in every way try to have the game react to what you’re doing in the world," Starks explained. 

Brand awareness

As a story centred around corporations, it's no surprise The Outer Worlds will offer various weapons and items to purchase from 10 different brands. Where will your (brand) loyalties lie?

Alternative consequences

Rather than take the immediate consequence of something like a critical wound, you have the option to accept a flaw instead. This is a permanent negative debuff which will remain with you throughout the game.

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

Companions

Once you progress far enough in the game you will receive your own star ship and crew. These crew members can act as companions as well as offering their own opinion on current events and choices. There's no romance options, though (you can save that stuff for Dragon Age 4). However, if you do something your companion dislikes then it's possible they will abandon you.

The Outer Worlds: what we want to see

We're sure to get more details over the coming months in the run-up to The Outer World's release (whenever in 2019 that is). In the meantime, here's everything we're hoping Obsidian delivers with the final product.

A gripping main storyline (with some meaningful choices)

Blending real player freedom with a structured narrative is a difficult juggling act. Few games have managed this as well as the original Mass Effect trilogy, so we'll be eager to see whether Obsidian can repeat the trick for their own sci-fi RPG.

A working game engine

You'd think we wouldn't have to put this, but so many big studios are ending up shipping unfinished games because of the scale of their enterprises (Assassin's Creed Unity, Fallout 76, etc). Obsidian's track record, though, and the smaller size of its team, suggests they'll be working within their means.

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

Some actual space exploration

Sure, having giant planets looming in the sky is cool, but if we don't actual get to enjoy exploring the stars it's little more than wallpaper. Here's hoping Obsidian gives you an environment to explore, rather than making a game that could just have easily been set back on Earth.

The beginning of great things to come

With Microsoft having recently acquired Obsidian, there's no telling what that injection of cash could do to the development team's ambitions. If The Outer Worlds proves a hit, we could be seeing a lot more of it down the line, with the resources to really make it galactic.

(Image credits: Obsidian Entertainment)

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