Xbox Sales: TA Team Picks (September 8th)

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows PC games are once again getting the discount hammer on the Xbox Store, so the TA News team did a little digging to see what they could find.

It’s that time of the week again when we scour the latest Xbox sales to find the games we think are worth your attention – as the UK weather has decided that in a week we’ll have the should have rain of summer, it’s perfect timing. There appears to be a large number of games on sale this week spanning Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC. There are 71 quick deals marked this week, so be sure to check them out if you’re aiming for a big boost in Gamerscore.

While we’re missing one Heidi this week – we’ve been told her Ooblets menagerie wouldn’t grow on its own, and none of us have been brave enough to dispute that – Luke took it upon himself to offer four games in her place, himself if you are part of a package. With that, the three of us challenge you to join us on a high-speed adventure that will be tactically challenging, bullet-filled and insanely fun.

Bargains from the latest Xbox sales

I’ll preface this by saying that I haven’t actually played three of the games in this pack, but the way I see it, you’re spending three bucks on Bleed 2 – which is Great – and getting those other games for free anyway. Those others (Vertical Drop Heroes HD, Black Paradox, and Shikhondo: Soul Eater) look pretty good, I have to say, and at around 8-10 hours they seem to be much more manageable completions than Bleed 2 (which is solid). one piece and with significantly lower translations on top of that. If you’re into shmups and/or roguelikes, this bundle is an absolute steal…even if you’re just buying it for the one game in the set that I actually played. Bleed 2 is a fast-paced 2D run-and-gun action game with tons of tricks up its sleeve, including wild air jumps, dodges, projectile parries and more. There’s a bit of Max Payne in its DNA, as well as a bit of Devil May Cry, with each encounter being an amazing dance with death as you move in slow motion between waves of bullets as you shoot back… it’s just one of those games insanely satisfying when everything clicks and you have a great run. The levels are short enough that you can quickly revise them in search of better grades, and the better you get, the better it feels. So yes, shed some pounds on Bleed 2 because it’s brilliant and enjoy the other games that come with it.

Digerati Couch Co-op Vol. 2

It’s time to get cozy again with your best bud for another round of unmissable co-op action. This bundle includes the following games, all of which feature local/couch co-op modes (as well as single player modes):

Sean – Bad North

Bad North is an excellent real-time tactics roguelite that everyone should try. In Bad North you are tasked with defending small, procedurally generated islands from Viking invaders. These invaders are approaching your island by boat from all possible directions, and it’s up to you to choose your troops, choose your battles, and position your warriors to protect your lands. As far as strategy games go, Bad North is simple – there’s not a lot of mechanics, to be honest. This makes the game extremely accessible, and if you’re not careful, it will easily suck you in and consume your time. Its beautiful, stylized aesthetic really adds to its simplicity, and coupled with the game’s atmospheric sound design and music, you can quickly find yourself immersed in its gritty world. As for the Bad North achievements, the list is pretty basic until you get to the Folk Hero and Bathed in Blood difficulty-related achievements, which require a bit of grinding.

Bad North is on sale this week for just $4.49/£3.59/€4.49 and it’s an absolute bargain in my eyes.

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Your home is under attack. The king is dead at the hands of the Viking invaders. Hope is a distant glimmer in the mist that fades rapidly with each passing moment. As you rise to take your father’s place as ruler, it will be up to you to stage your defenses. But make no mistake – this is not a fight for victory, but a desperate fight for survival.

Tom- Crash Drive 3

My pick for this week is Crash Drive 3, a nifty little arcade racer from M2H. It’s not the usual type of game that I would single out as a good take, but I’ve recently started playing it with my son and it turns out to be a lot of fun. The game focuses on an open environment that a variety of players can explore in a variety of unlockable vehicles. There are a few different biomes where you can unlock collectibles and participate in events with the other players in the lobby. Events are randomized and entirely optional, featuring races, stunt modes, cops and robbers, and a range of other fun little activities – there’s even a floating island for tank battles. As for Crash Drive 3’s achievements, most are aimed at completing specific tasks within the game’s events, but there are a few cumulative ones that require a hefty grind. Master Mechanic challenges you to fully level all of the game’s vehicles, of which there are more than 50, and Event Master challenges you to win 100 events. I haven’t packed either one yet, but estimates put it between 30 and 35 hours complete.

Crash Drive 3 is currently on a 60% discount, so you can snag it for £5.99/$7.99/€7.99 if it sounds like your kind of game.

What do you think of our tips this week? Will you be adding these to your collection or do you have any recommendations of your own? Leave a comment below and let us know!