Latest Features
Poll Which Xbox Developer Direct 2025 Reveal Are You Most Hyped For?
It should be a good show!
We've finally got the confirmation of an Xbox Developer Direct event for 2025, and the good news is that it's only a couple of weeks away! We also know what's going to be included, with four titles featured in all. Three of these have been named in the form of DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight and the third-party
Feature 15 Of The Biggest Open-World Games Coming To Xbox In 2025
GTA 6, Fable and SO much more!
We've got a whole bunch of great open-world Xbox games heading our way in 2025, to the point where this list was very difficult to narrow down! Still, we've got to put a limit on it somewhere, so we've decided to highlight 15 of the very best open-world titles set to arrive on Xbox Series X and Series S (and in some...
Feature Speculating On Xbox's 'Surprise Brand-New Game' To Be Shown At Dev Direct
A little more speculation please
Well, Microsoft's 2025 Xbox Developer Direct announcement is here, with the company planning to detail four upcoming titles set to grace Xbox Series X|S this year. However, while we know what three of those games will be, Microsoft is being very secretive about its fourth title; the event will see Xbox "visit a...
Soapbox Xbox Should Start Embracing Its Past A Whole Lot More
We have history together, MS
It's no secret, Xbox is changing. After a wild 2024 that firmly pushed Xbox towards full multiplatform territory, we're all slowly getting used to Microsoft's new vision for the brand. In theory, I don't take too much issue with change — it's inevitable some day, in some form — but one thing I'd love to see more...
Soapbox I Can't Wait To See What Xbox Does With Activision This Year
And Blizzard for that matter
I think I'm still getting nightmares about that whole Activision Blizzard saga in 2023. Don't get me wrong, it was great for engagement here at Pure Xbox and was somewhat fun to discuss with everyone at the time, but it dragged on forever and undoubtedly caused controversy even within the Xbox fan community itself, which...
Talking Point Xbox Fans Divided Over Changes To 'Rewards' System
"They finally got rid of the daily achievement"
Earlier this week, we shared the news that Xbox Game Pass Quests would be getting a major overhaul to kick off 2025 (in some regions), and that overhaul has now taken place - marking significant changes to how the program works. As you can see in the image above, one of the biggest changes is that...
Feature Xbox Predictions: What We Expect To See From Microsoft In 2025
An interesting year ahead
A new year in gaming is upon us, which means plenty of Xbox reveals to get excited about, games to dig into, and knowing Microsoft - industry-shaking announcements to bare witness to in 2025. With a busy 2024 now behind us, then, we're looking ahead to the next 12 months in the world of Xbox. What will the team deliver on...
Talking Point It's Now Been 24 Years Since Bill Gates & The Rock Unveiled The Xbox
We could all smell what they were cookin'
Xbox fans around the world... it's officially been 24 years to the day since The Rock joined Bill Gates in unveiling the original Xbox! Yep, this big old chunky plastic box has been in our hearts and minds for almost a quarter of a century at this point, so we thought now's a good time to look back at the...
Guide Microsoft Rewards & Xbox: How To Make 10,000 Points Per-Month
How to get Microsoft Rewards points fast
We know how amazing Microsoft Rewards is, but did you know that if you live in a certain region and you have access to all the MS Rewards benefits on offer, you can make around 10,000 Microsoft Rewards points per-month? That's the equivalent of almost £10 / $10 worth of free Xbox credit every single month!...
Feature 10 Free-To-Play Games To Look Forward To On Xbox In 2025
Including some MAJOR new releases!
We've got hundreds and hundreds of new releases coming to Xbox in 2025, and inevitably there will be plenty of free-to-play releases amongst them! In fact, we already know about quite a few, including some major upcoming titles such as EA's Skate reboot and the massively popular action-RPG Path of Exile 2 later in...
Poll Which 'Xbox' Devices Will You Spend The Most Time With In 2025?
Is console still the #1 for you?
2025 marks the first full year of Microsoft's "This is an Xbox" campaign, in which the company attempts to convince the world that the term "Xbox" doesn't just refer to consoles anymore - it refers to anything that can play Xbox games! These days, that encompasses a wide range of devices. PC and mobile are the...
Feature These Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (January 6-10)
Including another Game Pass title!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for January 6-10! Once again, things are looking very quiet next week, but we do have a few intriguing new releases - along with the Xbox Game Pass return of our beloved Road 96! Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (January 6-10):
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 4-5)
The first weekend of 2025!
A new year begins, and this marks our first weekend of it! Xbox is remaining quiet at the moment (we're expecting things to kick off again next week), but don't forget to check out Carrion - it got added to Xbox Game Pass on Thursday! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I could get used to...
Feature Xbox Release Dates In 2025: A List Of New Games Coming Out This Year
Your month-by-month guide to all Xbox releases
Looking for a list of every game coming out on Xbox in 2025? You're in the right place! Below, we've provided a month-by-month guide to all the Xbox releases that have been announced for 2025 so far - with many more to come of course! Don't forget that we've provided a separate guide for every Xbox...
Talking Point Is 2025 The Year We See Everwild On Xbox?
A rare appearance
Here at Pure Xbox HQ, we've begun theorising on what games might show up at a potential Xbox Developer Direct later this month. We know that the showcase hasn't even been formally announced yet - but it's still fun to speculate on what could make an appearance if Xbox continues its recent trend of January showcases
Talking Point What Are Your New Year's Gaming Resolutions?
Anything in mind for the next 12 months?
With a brand-new year ahead of us, this is always the time when people begin to make their resolutions for the 12 months ahead, most of which they inevitably never stick to. Still, it's nice to have some goals in mind for the future! When it comes to gaming, there are all kinds of resolutions that you might...
Feature 30 Xbox Series X|S Games To Look Forward To In 2025
Hey, backlog, suck on this
Good day to you, future citizen, and welcome to 2025! 2024 was a very, very good year for games, and although Xbox's first-party output dried up at times and perhaps lacked a certain spark overall (at least in this writer's opinion), the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, CoD: Black Ops 6, Age of Mythology:...
Pick One Which Xbox First-Party Game Are You Most Excited To Play This Year?
An exciting year ahead!
As we mentioned in our Xbox Developer Direct article a few weeks back, Xbox has a pretty stacked games lineup heading into 2025, with multiple first-party titles already scheduled to release this year. The question is, which of these games are you most excited about at this stage? Right now at least, only one of these has a...
Talking Point Which Xbox Games Deserved More Love In 2024?
Does anything specific come to mind?
As 2024 officially comes to an end, we wanted to take this last chance to ask you about your favourite titles of the past 365 days - and specifically the games that you've enjoyed, but didn't receive enough love from the wider community. There are loads and loads of potential candidates in here, some of which...
Feature All New Xbox Games Coming Out In January 2025
Star Wars, Dynasty Warriors, Sniper Elite & much more!
Welcome to our roundup of all new Xbox games coming out in January 2025! Below, we've listed every Xbox game with an January 2025 release date, including all confirmed Xbox Game Pass releases so far. And yes, even though it's a traditionally quiet time of year, we've still got some really...
Talking Point Looking Back At A Turbulent But Productive Year For Xbox
It's been a wild 12 months for Team Green
As we come to the end of 2024, we have to look back on what's been a bizarre year to be an Xbox fan. Some of the team's recent acquisitions have really kicked into gear — namely Bethesda with Indiana Jones and Activision with Black Ops 6 — but it's hard to ignore the amount of mixed messaging and
Feature These Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 30 - January 3)
Get ready for a new year of Xbox releases!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for December 30 - January 3! As you can see, we're looking extremely quiet over the next few days, but there are still a handful of new releases - plus a returning Xbox Game Pass addition! Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (December 30 - January...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 28-29)
Trying out any new Christmas presents?
Welcome to the final weekend of 2024! There's not much going on in the world of Xbox right now, but don't forget you can spend some Christmas money on the Xbox Countdown Sale 2024 - it's still live until Thursday, January 2nd! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I inevitably...
Feature Pure Xbox's Top 10 Game Pass Titles Of 2024
Based on your votes!
Last Saturday, we asked you about your favourite Xbox Game Pass additions of the past 12 months, and just like we did with the Pure Xbox Game of the Year roundup, we thought we'd let you know of the results for this one as well! It'll come as no surprise to see that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle ran away with the votes...
Talking Point Which Xbox Games Have You Managed To Finish This Year?
Have you dug into your backlog?
As the year draws to a close, now's the perfect time to reflect on how we've tackled the relentless barrage of great Xbox games that have headed our way in 2024, which includes how many of them we've actually been able to finish! Of course, the idea of "finishing" or "completing" a game these days isn't quite as...
Feature Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2024: The Results You Didn't See
Including how many votes Indiana Jones got!
Yesterday, we published our Pure Xbox Game of the Year results for 2024, and the winner was crowned as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle by quite a huge margin, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Hellblade 2 being the runners up. <related ids="176203"> The GOTY feature is always focused on the...
Poll How Many Xbox Games Have You Actually Bought In 2024?
A few? A dozen? How about over 50?!
As we saw in yesterday's Pure Xbox Game of the Year 2024 roundup, Xbox fans have been treated to a massive range of great games on Xbox over the past 12 months, but naturally we can't afford to buy every single one of them! Of course, Xbox Game Pass is a huge factor here as well, as it's become very evident in...
Feature Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2024
The end of another great circle
2024. You piece of trash. Your time has come. Yes, it's the end of another year on this planet we're all involuntarily stuck to, and it's been another fairly atrocious one all round, truth be told. Whether its within the games industry itself, which is currently being eaten alive by straight-up greed, or on the world...
Talking Point Next Year Marks A Decade Since Xbox's Genius Backwards Compatibility Program
Launched for Xbox One in 2015
It's 2015, Microsoft has had a rough start to its most recent Xbox console generation, and it's banking on a megaton announcement to get longtime fans back onside. Fast-forward to the team's E3 Showcase in June - and it more than delivers. Xbox 360 backwards compatibility is announced for Xbox One, and the crowd goes...
Feature Xbox Game Studios: All Microsoft First-Party Developers & What They're Working On
Including Bethesda & Activision Blizzard
At this stage, Microsoft has lots of in-house development studios making Xbox games, including all those teams across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. So, as we close in on another year of Xbox, we thought we'd gather up every Microsoft first-party developer and what they're working on...
Feature Four Xbox Games We've Given 'Outstanding' 10/10 Scores To In 2024
What would your list look like?
Each year in Xbox land, we're typically treated to a short list of titles that end up earning an 'Outstanding' 10/10 review score here at Pure Xbox - and 2024 is no different. This calendar year, we've handed out four 10/10 review scores to what we deem some of the best games to grace the platform over the past 12...
Poll What Were The Best Xbox Game Pass Additions In 2024?
There's a lot to choose from!
Although Xbox Game Pass may have slowed down a little bit in 2024, we've still seen a huge number of incredible games added to the service over the past 12 months, including some extremely notable first-party titles as well! In recent weeks alone, the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops...
Feature These Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 23-27)
Christmas week!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for December 23-27! Naturally, considering it's Christmas week, the new releases are slowing down considerably over the next few days, but we've still got a few fun launches on the way! Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (December 23-27): 8 & 9 Ball Pocket...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 21-22)
It's a bit of Baldur's Gate 3 for us
Welcome to the weekend! Things have calmed down a lot on Xbox over the past week, but don't forget we've seen some great Xbox Game Pass titles throughout December, and the Xbox Countdown Sale 2024 remains live as well! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I'm so ready for a Christmas...
Poll What Do You Think Of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled On Xbox Game Pass?
Has it lived up to expectations?
One of the final big additions to Xbox Game Pass in 2024 was Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled back on December 4th, and ultimately it ended up getting overshadowed a little bit by the arrival of Indiana Jones a few days later. This is a game we've been enjoying for years outside of Game Pass though, and some might...
Talking Point If Developer Direct Returns, Xbox Could Have A Killer 2025 Lineup
So many awesome-looking games to choose from!
If the last few years are anything to go by, we could be around a month out from Microsoft dropping another Developer Direct; its now-annual showcase that dives deep into some of the year's biggest Xbox games. Although next year's event is yet to be announced, we see no reason for Xbox not to do another...
Video 30 Must-Play Xbox Games For Under $30 This Holiday Season
Our curated list
Christmas is coming up, and if you're anything like us here at Pure Xbox HQ, this time of year always provides a nice opportunity to sit down and relax with some good old video games over the holiday season. However, despite an ever-growing backlog of Xbox titles (guilty as charged), we can't help but be tempted into picking a few...
Soapbox Paying Tribute To The Best Map In Forza Horizon History
Stick the kettle on, folks
This weekend, Forza Horizon 4 will be completely delisted from digital storefronts, as Microsoft sunsets yet another Forza title due ongoing licensing issues related to racing games. It is, unfortunately, a reality we've gotten used to at this point - every Forza game before this one has already disappeared into thin air...
Feature These 10+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 16-20)
A quieter few days for new Xbox releases
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for December 16-20! Things are definitely quietening down over the next few days for new releases, but we've still got plenty of indies on the way - including a few which look particularly cool! Here's what's coming to Xbox next week: New Xbox Releases (December 16-20):...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 14-15)
How about some more Indiana Jones?
It's time for the weekend! You've got a bunch of things to play on Xbox over the next couple of days, including a heap of new Xbox Game Pass additions, five Free Play Days titles, and a few of this month's free-to-play releases! Here's what we're playing this weekend: Fraser Gilbert, Editor: I'm officially...
Poll What Is Your Xbox Game Of The Year For 2024?
Get your votes in!
It's that time of year again! We're looking to crown a Pure Xbox Game of the Year for 2024, and in order to do that, we're going to need you to vote for the best Xbox games of the past 12 months — only the top ten will make the final cut! Last year's winner ended up being Starfield, closely followed by Baldur's Gate 3 and Hi-Fi...
Poll How Would You Grade The Game Awards 2024?
Give us your verdict
The dust is now beginning to settle on The Game Awards 2024! If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, you can catch the full thing over at our live coverage page, as well as check out our recap of everything that happened as part of the show. So, all things considered, what grade would you give The Game Awards 2024? Vote...
Hands On Ibiza Returns To Test Drive Unlimited, But Solar Crown Spoils The Party
Fundamental issues remain
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Season 2 is now live, and with it comes the return of Ibiza; the main location from 2011's Test Drive Unlimited 2. While this is a cutdown version of the party island compared to its Xbox 360 counterpart, Ibiza is still a very nice addition to the game - it's just a shame that the...
Feature Xbox Winter Demo Event Now Live, 35+ Games Available
Download all the free demos here
The Xbox Winter Demo event has returned! From now until the end of 2024, Microsoft is providing access to over 35 free demos as part of the ID@Xbox program, some of which are very early builds for games that are far from finished. As part of the selection, we've got two titles that are already confirmed for Xbox...
Talking Point Are You Enjoying Indiana Jones And The Great Circle So Far?
Or are you waiting for the Game Pass release?
After a long old wait since MachineGames' last proper release with Wolfenstein 2, the team has just dropped Indiana Jones and the Great Circle into early access this past Friday. Of course, the big Xbox Game Pass launch is still to come, but early access players - we want to know what you think of the...
Feature These 30+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 9-13)
Still a few big releases left in 2024
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for December 9-13! We've got some exciting releases on the way over the next few days including Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, as well as the final two
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 7-8)
Did you pick up Indy's early access?
Welcome to the weekend! There's a lot to enjoy on Xbox over the next couple of days, including a bunch of new Xbox Game Pass additions, six Free Play Days offerings, and of course, Indiana Jones is now available in early access! Here's what we'r
Talking Point What Are Your Overall Thoughts On Xbox Game Pass In 2024?
Has it been a good year in your opinion?
Another year is almost over for Xbox Game Pass! Next week appears to mark the final two additions to the service before the end of 2024, as Microsoft isn't planning another major roundup until we get into early January. So, this gives us a chance to look back on some major additions that have proved...
Talking Point A Year Later, What Do You Think Of Forza Motorsport?
Has it evolved in the way you'd hoped?
It's been just over a year now since the Forza Motorsport reboot finally reached the starting line on Xbox and PC, and although it received great reviews at launch, it was also suggested that the game would evolve substantially over time. And yeah... that's definitely been the case. Over the past year-or-so,...
Talking Point What Are You Expecting From Xbox At The Game Awards 2024?
The big event is just over a week away
It's definitely crept up on us, but The Game Awards 2024 is just over a week away now! The final major gaming event of the year promises to deliver plenty of fun surprises and big updates, but will Xbox have anything major to share? The biggest Game Awards moment in Xbox history undoubtedly happened back at...