While we’re talking about microtransactions, allow me to mention the new so-called Bilge Rat Adventures. Those are bi-weekly events that grant you a special currency if you manage to complete specific “achievements” of sorts. A lot of people thought that they are just paving the way for a premium currency, but Rare made sure to let the players know that this is not the case. In fact, Bilge Rat Adventures and the doubloons they grant are just one more addition to the game, giving us something new to do every couple of weeks. So, not only are Rare always adding new content, but we’re also incentivized to interact with it as much as possi
Let’s not sugar-coat it: Microsoft has a problem with its Xbox One console, and it stems from its current roster of exclusive games… or lack thereof. Now, the tried and true first-party blockbusters have already appeared on the Xbox One – with Halo , Gears of War , and Forza all making their presence felt on the system – while new properties like Sea of Thieves and Sunset Overdrive have helped provide a unique reason for console gamers to invest in the hardware outside of its expected lin
And read what he said makes the wait for more first-party titles all the more troublesome is that Microsoft just released the Xbox One X – the most powerful video game console ever created – and they should be leveraging all that power by making Xbox One X exclusive games . On that note, one thing to keep in mind is that, because of those aforementioned cancellations and delays, Microsoft may be waiting to announce any new titles until they are sure those games will hit store shelves in a reasonable amount of time. Granted, they are doing exceptional work with Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Backwards Compatibility, but those aren’t enough when gaming is about looking to the future as much as it is about preserving the past. Let’s just hope that gamers aren’t left waiting too long for new, truly worthwhile cont
The pirated themed co-op was released this past March to mixed reviews. Critics praised the open-world gameplay but found there was too little content to keep players engaged . In response, the developer started churning out new content. Rare began sending out a stream of weekly patches as well as releasing several free expansion packs in order to keep gameplay interesting. The first three updates, The Hungering Deep , Cursed Sails , and Forsaken Shores unveiled a mixture of permanent and time-limited content. Gamers got fog, a volcano, and a megalodon battle added to a world already populated with treasure hunts and fights with angry skeletons. A fourth expansion pack, Shrouded Spoils is set to release later this mo
Still, there’s something that lacks within the library when compared to competitors’ critical darlings like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon: Zero Dawn . Indeed, it appears as if the competition has a stranglehold on triple-A exclusive games, and in that light, Xbox’s titles are lacking when placed head-to-head against the barrage of titles coming from Nintendo and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Admittedly, games like Sea of Thieves and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds have managed to garner significant player counts within their first few weeks of availability, and that’s great news for the firm. But the long-term appeal of these games remains to be seen, and the initial quality is far removed from that of the immediate competitio
Aside from that, Forsaken Shores also brings a generous helping of new cosmetics and titles to earn, alongside tweaks to make the inventory a little more user-friendly. Is all this enough to tempt players back? That’s up to you to decide. It’s free, though, so that’s definitely a st
When it comes to Sea of Thieves , there are plenty of opinions, both good and bad. I think it’s safe to say that Rare’s pirate-em-up didn’t have the smoothest of launches out there. When the game unexpectedly hit the shelves this March, after some hastily organized beta tests, it quickly came under fire for the lack of content and features. Players felt cheated by the state of the title on release and the torches and pitchforks were quick to app
Speaking of AI ships, I cannot help but mention the skeletons manning the cannons on various islands. While they certainly add an intriguing game mechanic for advanced players, I find them to be rather annoying most of the times. It’s not that I dislike their presence there, but I do believe they are a bit too accurate for creatures that lack eyes. I’ve probably taken more damage from them than from enemy crews and I’ve fought plenty of other players. So, I can only hope that the AI crew on skeleton ships will be a little less of a nuisance when it comes to firing their cannons. Otherwise, we all might as well say goodbye to our vessels for g
When Sea of Thieves clicks, most likely because you have a full galleon of fellow pirates to work with, it can create a rousing, fun experience whether completing a long voyage for the Gold Hoarders or even just sailing around, looking for any hidden secrets or loot. But remove that and becomes clear that you have a game with little in the way or content or variety. It’s still decent, of course, but it’s nothing to write home about without a group. There are probably several more depth-related puns to be made, but let’s just say that to get the most out of things, you had best work out something with some friends or fellow players to create a devoted crew, lest things get shallow quickly.