Two RPG adventures hit Xbox Game Pass this week
This week, Microsoft has two special treats lined up for RPG fans. Ashen shines with its co-op mode and should be of particular interest to those who enjoy challenging souls-like battles. Dead Island 2 may not be a classic survival RPG, but it still offers a Halloween-appropriate zombie scenario.
Ashen
Ashen is an action role-playing game with souls-like elements that takes players into a mystical fantasy world. The goal is simple: find a place the protagonist can finally call home – a challenging feat in the shadowy world of Ashen. Combat follows a classic Souls-like approach: circle your opponent, block, time your strikes carefully, and always keep an eye on stamina. Beyond the minimalist art style, Ashen stands out for its unique co-op system, temporarily pairing two randomly selected players as companions on this journey.
The souls-like RPG was developed by A44 Games and published by Annapurna Interactive in December 2018. On Metacritic, Ashen has mostly positive reviews: a Metascore of 78 and a user score of 7.1. On Steam, where the game currently costs around $37, the ratings are slightly worse, with 68 percent positive opinions. Alongside technical issues, the main criticism centers on the combat mechanics, which some players feel lack fluidity. Ashen will be available for Game Pass members to play via cloud, console and PC from October 29.
Dead Island 2
Dead Island 2 is an action RPG from Dambuster Studios, published in April 2023 by Deep Silver. The setting: a zombie-infested Los Angeles, also known as "HELL-A". Players choose from one of six Slayers – people who are infected with the zombie virus but have developed an immunity. The game centers on intense close-quarters combat, featuring a diverse arsenal of weapons – from makeshift tools like metal pipes and baseball bats to deadly machetes, axes, and chainsaws. Firearms also come into play, with pistols and shotguns adding ranged options to the mix. In the midst of the zombie chaos, players must not only survive, but also get to the bottom of the cause of their immunity.
Dead Island 2 is available on Steam for the standard price of $50 and has been well-received, with 74% positive ratings from over 6,500 reviews and similarly favorable feedback on Metacritic. Here, the action RPG has a Metascore of 73 and a user score of 7.4. From October 31, Game Pass subscribers will be able to beat up a few zombies in Dead Island 2, just in time for Halloween. However, the game is only available on PC.
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