Hardware
- Xbox One S 1TB Battlefield V Bundle – $249.99
- Xbox One X 1TB – $429.00
- Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Bundle – $309.99
Accessories
Xbox One Elite Controller
The Xbox One Elite Controller is a perfect choice if you wish to make a controller a bit more custom. This particular controller will come with a few parts that can be swapped out for more comfortable counterparts. You can even customize the button layout functions though this controller is a bit pricey compared to the standard Xbox One controllers.
Recharge Kit
Oddly enough Microsoft relied on gamers to use batteries for their controllers. There are a few different options to add a rechargeable battery. Don’t skimp out on the rechargeable battery as you may find some don’t hold a long charge or may die out after so long of not being used. There are even kits that can hold and charge your Xbox One controller when you’re not actively playing.
Xbox Live
Just like with the last generation Xbox 360, the Xbox One will require gamers to pay a fee to enjoy online gameplay for their favorite video games. Xbox Live comes in a few different monthly to yearly installments but with it comes not only the ability to enjoy online gaming but a few other notable features such as access to your subscribed media services to even Party Chats that can host a group of friends.
Headset
A headset is pretty much a must now for online gaming. Long are the days of typing out messages in a chat system for your friends to read. Most systems anymore offers a makeshift headset though none are all that great to use and are more bare bones. As a result it’s best to throw down some money on an actual decent headset. Likewise you can find them in wide price range which could result in various features.
Storage
Video games as of late come with some really heft storage space requirements so you might find the use of an external HDD or a HDD internal upgrade may be required just to fit a few video game titles on the system.
Exclusives
Sea of Thieves
- Developer: Rare
- Publisher: Microsoft
Sea of Thieves is an action-adventure title that is centered around pirates. Players will take to the open seas with their cooperative crew as they search for hidden treasure and taking out other pirate crews that show up along the way.
This is an MMO game where players will consistently run into each other throughout their various adventures. Combat will take place both in ships and on land as well, giving players the full pirate experience. Players will also be able to attend safe-zones where they can trade, hire on new crew or even dabble into the black market goods.
Forza Motorsport 7
- Developer: Turn 10 Studios
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
While Sony has the Gran Turismo series, Microsoft holds their own beloved racing series, Forza. Developed by Turn 10 Studios, Forza Motorsport 7 is the latest installment within the main franchise, players will have over 700 vehicles to choose from with over 32 locations to race within. Likewise, this particular installment has a dynamic weather system along with the ability to customize a few components to the race such as the driver who is behind the wheel. This is a more realistic series of racers from the Froza lineup and as a result, some gamers may be a bit turned off. If you’re looking for the more arcade vibe style racing game then we suggest looking towards the Horizon lineup such as the latest installment, Forza Horizon 4.
Forza Horizon 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQNo8xtcAg
- Developer: Playground Games
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
The Forza series, in general, does fantastic in the market though that statement is especially true with their Horizon line. Forza Horizon 4 will still follow the same feel and tone as the past installments though it will be taking place in a fictionalized United Kingdom. With over four hundred licensed cars, players can race among each other through the variety of intense high-speed tracks. Likewise, there are servers that will support up to seventy-two players making races filling and competitive.
As mentioned the Horizon series from Forza always does well and the fourth installment is the latest release. If you enjoy racing video games then chances are you already have this game safely tucked away in your collection. However, if you’re not very fond of racing titles then you may still want to at least give this game a try.
Cuphead
- Developer: StudioMDHR
- Publisher: StudioMDHR
Cuphead, developed by StudioMDHR Entertainment, is a run and gun platform indie title. Overall, the narrative follows Cuphead and his brother Mugman, as they end up making a terrible bet against the devil. Losing the bet, Cuphead and Mugman are forced to give their souls to the devil, but it seems that our protagonist duo can save themselves if they go out and collect debts owed to the devil.
The devil has a number of souls that are owed to him by other sorrowful cartoon characters. If Cuphead and Mugman can go out and collect all the souls then the devil may just allow them to keep their own souls in return.
This is a perfect game to play with a friend as the majority of the game is filled with bosses to defeat. Each boss can be difficult making players to remember their moves and dodge attacks otherwise you’ll find yourself restarting the boss fight.
Gears of War 4
- Developer: The Coalition
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
The Gears of War franchise has been popular since it first debuted on the Xbox 360. Years later the game series received its fourth main installment that followed years after the events of Gears of War 3.
Players this time around took control of J.D. Fenix, the son of Marcus Fenix, who is a member of the COG army. With the world out of fossil fuels and new terrors lurk outside of city sanctuaries, COG must continue to keep humanity safe. However, new rebellious groups seeks a world that is rid of the COG reign.
Halo 5: Guardians
- Developer: 343 Industries
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Halo 5: Guardians is currently the latest main installment to the Halo franchise. Under the new development team, 343 Industries, fans of the franchise was given a slightly different take to a Halo game. Instead of the main focus being Master Chief, players were split between our beloved hero and a new team of Spartan’s.
It seemed that Master Chief had suddenly gone rogue leaving a new team to track and discover what is going on with the famed supersoldier. There was also some slight changes to the gameplay mechanics and while this title was received with positive reviews, the game wasn’t the most welcomed installment of the series for longtime fans.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Developer: 343 Industries
- Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Bungie really created a hit when they first released Halo: Combat Evolved. With the game franchise under the care of 343 Industries we had received a remasetered collection known as Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
In this collection, players will receive Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and lastly Halo 4 where players will once again fight back against the alien threat towards humanity.
Non Exclusives
Note: This list will also reflect our PlayStation 4 video game selections.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Developer: Rockstar North
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto V is by and large one of the biggest open world titles ever developed and it really fleshes out the city of Los Santos. Players take control of three protagonists this time around with narratives dealing with old kept secrets and new beginnings. Outside of the cast of characters featured within the main campaign, Los Santos acts as the setting for the online component known as Grand Theft Auto Online.
Online, gamers can face against each other in a wide variety of game modes, join together and complete missions or even decide to wreak havoc while fleeing the police. Years after its initial release, Grand Theft Auto V continues to be a popular video game to play.
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Developer: Rockstar Studios
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games has crafted up a number of incredible pieces of work. Their beloved long-running series Grand Theft Auto, the single IP release of Bully, and of course their old western series, Red Dead Redemption just to name a few. Red Dead Redemption has a massive following and gamers all over the world have been waiting for a new installment.
Within Red Dead Redemption 2 players take the role of Arthur Morgan who finds himself on the run from the law with his fellow members of the Van der Linde gang. Outside of being another western adventure full of gun battles and forming your protagonist as a law abiding citizen or morally corrupt outlaw, the game also sets players on a massive open world. This open world environment will also feature a variety of landscapes, wildlife and interesting characters.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom pain
- Developer: Konami
- Publisher: Konami
Taking place after the events of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, players can enjoy the last installment of the beloved franchise in which was directed under Hideo Kojima. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain follows Snake as he goes through a new mission that takes him to a Soviet-occupied Afghanistan territory.
During the journey, Snake seeks his revenge on those who destroyed his forces during the ending of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, however, to do so, Snake will be exploring an open world environment. For fans of the franchise, this latest installment is seen to be a bit different in terms of the gameplay with this time around, developers allow the players a little more freedom when it comes to completing objectives.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projekt Red
Fans of western RPGs will no doubt have played at least one of the Witcher games. This series of Polish games based on the works of Andrzej Sapkowski has gained a lot of fans over the years, mainly thanks to its complex world and stories, incredible graphics and deep gameplay systems.
The third and final installment in the series sees a much older Geralt of Rivia – one of the titular Witchers – as he deals with the invasion of the Northern Kingdom by the Nilfgaard Empire and the otherworldy threat of the Wild Hunt. Offering a massive open world, hours upon hours of story content and sidequests, tons of NPCS to interact with and monsters to hunt, a living economy that adapts to different locations and events and improved gameplay.
Monster Hunter: World
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
The Monster Hunter franchise is consistently growing and with each new installment a number of new gamers explore the monster filled worlds development studio Capcom has crafted. Monster Hunter: World is fifth main installment to the franchise and as you can expect, there will be a number of notable updates.
For instance, Capcom has placed larger maps, a more seamless experience between zones and what’s a Monster Hunter video game without the ability to hunt with friends? Outside of the offline campaign, the game will allow a four-player online co-op opportunity.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth game in Bethesda’s ever popular series of role-playing games. Like its predecessors, Skyrim takes place in an open environment which is full of exploration, wonder and a whole slew of quests. You can easily spend countless hours within this fantasy world and we’d honestly be surprised to find a gamer who has yet to experience this journey. If you have yet to do so, pick up The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and begin to weave your own tale.
Fallout 4
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
If you’re a fan of the Fallout franchise then it’s likely you’ve already picked up the latest release. However, if you’re completely new to the series, Fallout 4 still marks as a great first entry. Set during the events of a nuclear war, players manage to escape into a vault, only to awaken hundreds of years into the future. What’s left of your world is nothing more than decay and outsiders trying to make it by in this new world.
Each installment to the Fallout franchise manages to bring out an incredible wasteland to explore and Fallout 4 is no exception to that trend. You’ll come across old ruins, new structures, and a fleshed out cast of characters to meet along your journey.
Doom
- Developer: id Software
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Doom is an iconic franchise that sparked interest and a bit of controversy when it launched in 1993. Now, decades later, the game franchise received a much-needed facelift with a completely new reboot known simply as Doom.
The reboot launched in 2016 and thankfully the developer’s id Software did an incredible job at making a true reboot of the franchise. This is a flesh and blood torn massacre for the demons as our protagonist, Doomguy, unleashes a hell that even the demons weren’t prepared for.
Most often when video games feature demons or any type of creature, there’s a bit of survival horror element tossed into the narrative, but that’s not the case for Doom. Instead, gamers are humanity’s last hope for survival and you’ve got no problem ripping apart limbs off demons or blasting them away with a BFG 9000.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Developers: Ubisoft
- Publisher: Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set in 431 BCE where players will have the choice of being a mercenary that fights for Athens and the Delian League or the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. Either way, players will be a descendant of Spartan King Leonidas I during the Peloponnesian War.
Much like the previous Assassin’s Creed installments, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will feature a modern day protagonist as well. Ubisoft will be reintroducing players to Layla Hassan who was present during Assassin’s Creed Origins.
Developers over at Ubisoft seems to also be working more on an RPG progressive system in this title which ranges from dialogue choices to a skill tree that can help in aspects such as stealth and combat.
Likewise, due to the fact that players will have choices when it comes to the dialogue the story narrative is capable of changing. As a result, Ubisoft has incorporated multiple endings giving players an incentive in going back to replay the game.
