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Pure Fun & Entertainment => Video Game World => Topic started by: AngelOfThyNight on March 24, 2016, 09:16:45 PM

Title: Here are the Xbox Live Games with Gold titles for April
Post by: AngelOfThyNight on March 24, 2016, 09:16:45 PM
Here are the Xbox Live Games with Gold titles for April

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Update: Check out the free Games with Gold titles for April!

Microsoft is giving away even more free games at a rate of two Xbox One, and two Xbox 360 games per month. That is, as long as you're quick enough to snatch them up while they're available. Xbox's Games with Gold program hands out free downloadable copies of games from the Xbox 360 and Xbox One libraries, but if you miss out, you're not going to see those games for free anytime soon (oh and don't forget: all Xbox 360 Games With Gold are upcoming Xbox One games, 360 games, and currently available titles on Games with Gold - and all the ones you missed. So, without further nonsense, here are the free Games with Gold titles you can get right now and in the near future.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

The Wolf Among Us -  Available: April



Tall tales come to life in this dark and twisted take on the fairy tale characters you grew up on. The Big Bad Wolf is sheriff, Ichabod Crane is the mayor, Georgie Porgie runs a strip club, Beauty and Beast's marriage is on the rocks, and worst of all, someone's been murdered. Telltale's adaptation of the Fables graphic novels challenges you to find the killer and keep Fabletown from tearing itself apart.



Sunset Overdrive -  Available: April 16 to May 15



Somewhere at the intersection of Jet Grind Radio Avenue and Dead Rising Road lies Sunset Overdrive, Insomniac's surreal third-person shooter. In a genre dominated by cover mechanics and encouraging players to stay still, Sunset Overdrive wants you to bounce off cars, dash through the air, grind on power lines, and shoot mutant hordes with weapons like exploding teddy bears, rapid-fire vinyl album launchers, and tesla coils. Relentlessly goofy and self-aware, it's a great pick-me-up when you just want to see things go boom.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Dead Space -  Available: April 1 to April 15



Inspired by sci-fi horror films like Alien, The Thing, and Event Horizon, EA's Dead Space strands you on a mining vessel with naught but your wits and a plasma cutter to keep you alive. The halls are crawling with mutated, reanimated corpses that would love nothing more than to cut you to pieces, while the psychological stress of the situation slowly breaks your mind. Come for the monsters, stay for the twist at the end.



Saints Row 4 -  Available: April 16 to April 30



What happens when the leader of the biggest gang in Stilwater becomes President of the United States? Pretty cool stuff, actually. That is, until aliens attack and put you and your compatriots into a VR simulation. Lucky for you, hacking the system means you can bend the rules and go all Neo from The Matrix - super speed, super strength, even the ability to run up buildings and glide across vast distances are all yours to play with. For added fun, when choosing the voice for your custom protagonist, pick "Nolan North." You won't regret it.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments -  Available: March



The world's greatest detective (okay, the world's greatest detective who doesn't dress up like a flying rodent, since Batman has the same nickname) is back for more spin-tingling murder mysteries. Like any good detective, you'll need to use your intellect and powers of observation to piece together whodunnit. Be careful though, as Crimes and Punishments won't guide you to the right answer, making it absolutely possible that you could absolve or condemn the wrong person.



Lords of the Fallen -  Available: March 16 to April 15



While Deck13's game about a man on a quest to topple a fallen god may have been criticized for borrowing heavily from the Dark Souls series, it nonetheless features enough tweaks and differences that it stands apart. Unique visuals, a more plot-heavy focus, and combo-centered combat system make Lords of the Fallen a special kind of dungeon adventure.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Supreme Commander 2 -  Available: March 1 to March 15



The real-time strategy genre is usually the realm of PC gamers, but Supreme Commander 2 shows how it can work on console. Build bases, customize your army, and send them to battle on land, in the air, and on the sea. This massive-scale war game was known not just for its successful adaptation of combat to console controls, but spiritual connections to the Total Annihilation series.



Borderlands -  Available: March 16 to March 31



A classic co-op shooter, Borderlands is the game that put Gearbox on the map for many gamers. The RPG-infused FPS is known for its ultra-stylish, cel-shaded look, but (fun fact!) that almost didn't happen. With plenty of guns featuring randomized stats and four playable characters, each with their own skill three, Borderlands has hours upon countless hours to offer.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Hand of Fate -  Available: February



Hand of Fate is a bit of a strange concept to grasp; there's dungeons to explore and enemies to fight (simple enough), but attacks and abilities are drawn from cards (okay, a bit odd but not unheard of), while the cards also determine the dungeon itself and your hand a la a deckbuilding game (uh...). The good news is, now that it's part of Games With Gold, you can try it and see for yourself as a bonus of your Gold membership.



Styx: Master of Shadows -  Available: February 16 to March 15



More than a few video game heroes (and even some anti-heroes) are handsome, buff dudes. And while you could say that Styx has a certain... rugged charm about him, he's definitely not your typical protagonist. As the very first goblin, you'll sneak through realms occupied by man and elf-kind, seeking out the truth of your origins and a little coin for your trouble. Styx is formidable, but by no means a champion of martial fighting - you'll need to stick to the shadows to survive.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Sacred Citadel -  Available: February 1 to February 15



Taking place in the same universe as the Sacred action-RPG series, this sidescrolling beat-em-up turns the dark fantasy world of Ancaria into a colorful adventure. Familiar foes and gameplay elements are still here, including four-player co-op. Bring some buddies together and fight evil one more time.



Gears of War 2 -  Available: February 16 to February 29



Take everything you liked about Gears of War. Now add smoother controls, new enemy types, a level inside of a giant, city-eating worm and a section where you get to ride a Brumak. Gears of War 2 takes the cover-based shooter to Michael Bay levels of absurdity, while keeping the feel as heavy and satisfying as its predecessor.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Killer Instinct: Season One Ultra Edition -  Available: January



The classic fighter returns, with fast-paced combat and the most ridiculously long c-c-c-combos. Killer Instinct continues to expand with new characters and updates to this day, but Season One Ultra Edition will net you all of the original launch characters, plus a digital copy of the original Killer Instinct. Not a bad start.



Zheros -  Available: January 16 to February 15



In this 3D beat-em-up, you play as the smart, agile Captain Dorian ... and the lumbering Mike. As members of the ZHEROS squad, you fight to stop Dr. Vendetta and his evil scheme to mutate every living creature in the galaxy. Be the lone wolf or bring in a buddy and team up for co-op heroics.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Dirt Showdown -  Available: January 1 to January 15



Codemasters' Dirt racing series gets extra-competitive with Showdown, featuring Racing, Demolition, and Party modes. Go head-to-head in rally races, destroy your rivals in the arena, or even partake in a vehicular twist on capture the flag.



Deus Ex: Human Revolution -  Available: January 16 to January 31



Adam Jensen may famously have "never asked for this," but plenty of fans have: now the prequel to the original Deus Ex is available via backwards compatibility on Xbox One, and free via Games With Gold. Choose your own path in this cyberpunk RPG; do you smash through the wall ahead, sneak around, hack the terminal, or persuade the guard to let you in? Conspiracy and danger lurk around every corner, but how you handle the threat is up to you.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing -  Available: December



A game that combines the tale of the world's most famous vampire hunter (or rather, his son) with action-RPG monster-slaying gameplay. Think "steampunk Gothic Diablo" and you're starting to get the gist of things.



Max: The Curse of Brotherhood -  Available: December 16 to January 15



This charming puzzle-platformer might look saccharine, but the brilliant types at Kalimba developer, Press Play have given it a dark, smart heart. You're responsible for getting Max through the challenges he faces, drawing in pieces of level to get him by.



Thief -  Available: December 16 to January 15



This reboot of the classic Thief series (originally created by Looking Glass Studios, developers of Ultima Underworld and System Shock) has you breaking and entering into many a Victorian-style castle, as you race to recover an ancient artifact and save your friend. Stealth isn't just an option here, it's practically a sacred rite.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

CastleStorm -  Available: December 1 to December 16



Defend your castle while sieging the enemy's with a mix of infantry, ballistae, and spells in this 2.5D twist on the real-time strategy genre that merges cartoonish visuals and tower defense strategies.



Sacred 3 -  Available: December 16 to December 31



Team up with three other holy warriors in a hack-and-slash battle between Angels and Demons in this sequel to the long-running Sacred series. Five classes are available to choose from, including Seraphim Angels and blood magic-wielding Malakim.



Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising -  Available: December 16 to December 31



As a bonus for the holidays, Xbox is handing out an extra game in the second half of December. In Dragon Rising, you'll take charge of a special forces squad sent to quell a tense stand-off between China and Russia on the island of Skira. Codemasters' tactical shooter prides itself on realistic ballistics and weather simulations, making this a thinking gamer's shooter with plenty of difficulty to keep you challenged.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Pneuma: Breath of Life -  Available: November



A puzzle/exploration game built for the solitary thinker, Pneuma: Breath of Life has you exploring beautiful - but deserted - environments as you piece together the story of what happened. Might be a nice way to unwind after the thrills and chills of Halloween. Or holiday shopping. *shudder*



Knight Squad - Available: November 16 to December 15



If slow-paced brainteasers aren't your thing and you're looking for something more action-oriented and social, Knight Squad mashes Castle Crashers with Bomberman to create a colorful and hectic party game that supports up to eight players. Let off some steam and bash some knights.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Dirt 3 -  Available: November 1 to November 15



The ground outside is starting to freeze as dry leaves scatter across the landscape. But in Dirt 3, it can be summer eternal, with plenty of gravel and slick, wet mud to splash through. Or, take your rally racing to the streets and snow-covered peaks. Either way.



Dungeon Siege 3 - Available: November 16 to November 30



Up to four players can join in on this Dungeons & Dragons-inspired action RPG, as heroes battle across a fantasy realm to save their home. Use swords and sorcery to slay demons and beasts alike across a seamless environment - no loading screens. And when your friends aren't available, partner with the AI to take down the game's many challenges. Just remember to call dibs on the loot.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Valiant Hearts: The Great War -  Available: October



You won't find many happy stories in the trenches of the first World War, and Valiant Hearts doesn't shy away from showing pain, suffering, and anguish. You'll guide four humans (and one very determined dog) through adventure game puzzles and desperate combat situations alike as you try to reunite a German deportee with his French bride and son. It's kind of like Life as Beautiful, but 20 years earlier and not (quite) as sad.



The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season - October 16 to November 15



If you still haven't played through the gripping survival story of The Walking Dead: Season One, you're in for a treat. Well, a really stressful treat that will repeatedly have you questioning your own morals and sense of judgment. And also probably make you cry on more than one occasion. Make sure you're in a good, stable place emotionally before you check out the game that solidified Telltale's unique storytelling approach.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes -  Available: October 1 to October 15



After Peace Walker but before The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes reveals how Big Boss ended up in that nine-year coma. But even if you're not interested in Metal Gear Solid's notoriously loopy story, it's still a great way to check out the fluid stealth mechanics of MGS5 - and to extract some handy staff that you can import into your future Mother Base.

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season - October 16 to October 31



What, you thought you could get away with avoiding the fear-provoking, tear-jerking escapades of Lee and Clementine just because you don't have an Xbox One? Nope, The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season is free on Xbox 360, too.


                   

               

                   

                       
                       

The Deer God - Available: September

The Deer God is a unique platformer in that it doesn't just challenge your sense of momentum and hand-eye coordination, but your spiritual beliefs as well. As thoughtful as it is majestic, The Deer God is the game you fire up when you want to relax from a good round of headshots and flag captures to focus on contemplating the meaning of life.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition - Available: September 16 to October 15

Rise of the Tomb Raider may seem like a long ways away, but November 10 is closer than you think. If you want to catch up on the reboot that gave us a fresh look at a gaming legend, you'll want to spend time with Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. Lara becomes an honest-to-goodness explorer in this year's sequel, but it was the reboot that made her a survivor.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Battlestations: Pacific - Available: September 1 to September 15

World War II first-person shooters used to be all the rage. Those days have since passed, but WWII combat still continues to have a fervent following. Battlestations: Pacific lets you recreate historic battles of WWII, with realistic attention to detail. A slower-paced game of strategy and nuance that will make you re-examine the 20th century.

Crysis 3 - Available: September 16 to September 30

Of course, realism and taking wind speed into account isn't for everyone, which is why it's good that Xbox is balancing Battlestations: Pacific with Crysis 3, a game where you wear a nanosuit that can make you absorb bullets, turn invisible, super-jump and run at incredible speed while you fight aliens in the ruins of New York City. Oh, and it has a bow. Because bows are awesome.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes - Available: August

The sneak king comes to current-gen with Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, the prequel episode to September's Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Prep yourself for espionage gone open world as you infiltrate an enemy's base from any direction or method. Go guns-blazing or don't raise a single alarm. The choice is yours.

How to Survive: Storm Warning Edition - Available: August 16 to September 15

Some video game enemies never go out of style. Robots, demons, Nazis and walking mushrooms are classic examples sure, but zombies have left their mark on gaming as well. How to Survive mixes these undead antagonists with survival crafting as you attempt to survive on an isolated archipelago. The Storm Edition contains the base game plus six DLC for the complete care package.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Metro 2033 - Available: August 1 to August 15

If the bright sun and warm weather of summer is just too darn cheery for you, the Metro series might be for you. In Metro 2033, you play as a survivor of the nuclear apocalypse, living in the metro subway system. Everything above ground is irradiated, but monsters and scavengers below will just as happily take your life. Claustrophobic and tense, Metro 2033 merges horror with shooting in a way rarely seen.

Metro: Last Light - Available: August 16 to August 31

Hey, you survived! Picking up where Metro 2033 left off, Metro: Last Light once again throws you into the dark, depressing world of Moscow's metro system. The stakes are higher, the mutants are more vicious, but the graphics are also given a step up, creating an atmospheric experience few games can rival. A warning, however: it's not for the faint of heart.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (Xbox One) - Available: July

We don't get too many games that let you sail the high seas as a rum-drinking pirate, but Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is a fantastic example of how to do it right. It's got all of the wall-climbing, eagle-diving, stabby-stab action of the previous Assassin's titles, with the added bonus that you're the captain of your very own pirate ship. Battle the Templars in naval battles, siege coastal forts, and even board enemy ships to battle those evil scallywags on their own deck. It's pretty much everything you need to live the pirate's life.

So Many Me (Xbox One) - Available: July 16 to August 15

If you're going to make an indie puzzle platformer, you're best off making your main character cute. And what's more cute than a green slime ball with giant, adorable eyeballs? Answer: a multitude of controllable slimy eyeballs that can morph into all sorts of creatures and shapes. In So Many Me, you'll need to solve environmental puzzles using the help of your gooey clones as they transform into simple stone blocks, flying birds, and unbearably adorable dinosaurs.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Plants vs. Zombies (Xbox 360) - Available: July 1 to 15

It's the game that started all the subsequent years of garden warfare. Your objective is simple: Use whatever plants necessary to fight off wave after wave of undead invaders. Everything from pea shooters, sunflowers, and giant potatoes are at your disposal in this streamlined tower defense game. Yes, it's an absurd concept, but once you find that winning combination of vegetable barrages and defensive barricades, Plants vs. Zombies is hard to put down.

Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360) - Available: July 16 to 31

Marcus, Dom, and the rest of Delta Squad are back in the trenches, fighting to save the world from a new threat. This time, the Locust legions are on the warpath to stamp out the human race for good, but you know Marcus ain't havin' that. Like the previous games, Gears 3 pits you and your team of co-op (or AI) squadmates against an army of subterranean aliens. And if the story mode isn't your thing, the series' classic Horde Mode and competitive multiplayer are great places to disembowel friends and strangers alike online.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Massive Chalice (Xbox One) - Available: June

Double Fine's Kickstarted tactical strategy title is making its console debut for free. You'll have to battle your way through a 300-year war while building a lineage of heroes. You play the role of an immortal king and, as time goes by, you're able to influence the bloodlines of your warriors, build up their abilities and weapons, and expand your empire. The battles are in the same vein as XCOM: tactical endeavors requiring you to make careful, strategic moves or face the devastating wrath of your grotesque enemies.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Just Cause 2 (Xbox 360) - Available: June 1 to 15

Just Cause 2 is the ultimate open-world playground. Forget the realism you get in games like GTA, because Just Cause 2 is all about the grappling hook, which is at the heart of all the crazy antics you can take part in. Yes, there's a thoroughly entertaining story that has the highly skilled agent Rico Rodriguez attempting to overthrow an evil dictator. But once you grapple onto a flying helicopter and crash that thing into an enemy base while you parachute to safety, you'll just want to do that kind of stuff all day long.

Thief (Xbox 360) - Available: June 16 to 30

If skulking through the shadows and stealing stuff is your thing, don't miss out on Thief. Unlike many other stealth titles out there, it's not enough to just sneak around choking out unsuspecting guards and scoring silent kills - you want to go completely unnoticed. Mastery means getting in, grabbing all the treasure you can find, and getting out without anyone ever knowing you were there. You have an arsenal of gadgets like water arrows, lockpicks, and your trusty blackjack at your disposal. But remember, if you get caught prowling, it's probably best to run. You aren't an assassin, you're a thief.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

CastleStorm: Definitive Edition (Xbox One) - Available: May

The Vikings are coming to slaughter your knights, destroy your lookout tower, and knock down your castle. How do you stop them? Well, shooting giant arrows, boulders, and garbage at them should do the trick. CastleStorm is a 2D tower defense game that gives you complete control over one projectile-flinging watchtower and an army of brave knights and wizards. Build up your castle to train more fearsome units like bear riders, dragons, and gryphon riders as you bullseye your enemies with powerful missiles and magic abilities.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Mafia 2 (Xbox 360) - Available: May 1 to 15

This story-driven, open-world mob drama puts you in the role of a 1940s WWII veteran, Vito Scaletta, who falls back into his gangster roots after returning home. Turns out, while he was at war, Vito's family racked up a sizeable debt with the mob and it's up to him to pay it back. This all leads to you running amok in the city of Empire Bay taking odd jobs for mob bosses, having shootouts with cops, and stealing cars from innocent bystanders. Mafia 2 is a much more linear experience than a Grand Theft Auto game, but, come on, you play a tommy gun-wielding 1940s gangster hanging out of car windows and blowing stuff up. You can't pass this up.

Formula 1 2013 (Xbox 360) - Available: May 16 to 31

Here's your chance to brush up on your sim racing skills for free. F1 2013 offers a lengthy, hours-long career campaign for those dedicated enough for for a full Grand Prix experience, but also has shorter Season Challenge options for those without much time on their hands. You can challenge racing legends like Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansell, participate in classic circuits, and get behind the wheel of modern classic cars as well as classic models from the 1980s and 90s. Vroom!

                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Child of Light (Xbox One) - Available: April

In Child of Light, you follow the journey of Aurora, a little girl who becomes swept away to the land of Lumaria and must fight to keep the mystical land from being swallowed up by darkness. She may not look the part, but Aurora can kick a lot of ass. Challenging turn-based combat, environment puzzles, and vicious enemies await her on the path, but the compelling story and unique world will certainly drive you forward.

Pool Nation FX (Xbox One) - Available: April

Sometimes you just need to sit back and enjoy a nice easy game of billiards. In Pool Nation FX, the game takes into account all of the minute details and physics that involve shooting pool in real life, so playing on a controller essentially feels like the real deal. But unlike physically poking actual balls with a stick, you can choose to have guidelines show on the table to line up your shots just right - helping you to avoid those embarrassing table scratches.

                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Gears of War: Judgment (Xbox 360) - Available: April 1 to 15

Before Dom made Marcus' bail and the Gears began their crusade to blow the crap out of every locust they came in contact with, there was Baird and his Kilo Squad. Judgment is the prequel to the original trilogy, as it details the events of the aftermath of Emergence Day, and the then Lieutenant's early days with the Cole Train.


Terraria (Xbox 360) - Available: April 1 to 15

Not sure what Terraria is? Think Minecraft and Metroid all smashed into one game, and you've got a pretty good idea. In it, you're free to explore the world as you like, build structures and devices to help you survive it's hazardous world. Or you can hunt down dangerous creatures with weapons crafted with your own digital hands.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (Xbox 360) -
Available: April 16 to 31

The Assassin's Creed series' cloaked killers typically stick to prowling city streets and blending into crowds. In Black Flag, Edward Kenway can not only climb walls and parkour like the best in history's assassin lineage, he takes to the high seas and command his own ship and crew. That means, ship-to-ship battles, sword fights aboard ships, and even sea shanties are all part of the seafaring adventure. If you haven't played Black Flag yet, now is the time.

Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel (Xbox 360) - Available: April 16 to 31

Looking for a solid shooting experience that's perfect for couch co-op? Well, Army of Two is sure to satisfy your needs (especially when it's going for the price of free). In The Devil's Cartel, you play as the armored up, face mask-wearing, two man wave of destruction as they take down Mexico's most vicious cartel.

                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: March

Platformers are a dime a dozen in the gaming market, but it is rare to play one that captures the precision controls, outstanding visuals, and incredibly entertaining level design like Rayman Legends does. Every environment is a visual marvel, ranging from a Jack and the Beanstalk theme to musically coordinated, auto-scrolling challenges. Then there's four-player co-op, giving you and your friends a chance to work as a team, or troll the crap out of each other.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: March 1 to 15

Lara Croft had been out of the limelight for quite some time before the reboot came along. But when it did, the new game came bursting onto the scene with a brand new, rookie explorer who didn't know the first thing about raiding tombs. In Tomb Raider, you once again take Lara through complex, puzzle ridden environments as she battles evil zealots with bows, shotguns, and grenades. All together it's an excellent blend of action and exploration, and a game you definitely shouldn't miss. There's a reason why this game is on our best games ever list.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: March 16 to 31

Bioshock Infinite gives you one of the most atmospheric worlds to explore, entertaining shooting gameplay, and engaging stories you can experience in gaming. You start the game as a Pinkerton agent, travelling to the floating city Columbia (and by floating, I mean, in the sky...with balloons) to find a woman named Elizabeth. Quickly you find that Columbia isn't normal. The people are crazy, there are warring factions to deal with, and Elizabeth can open time portals with her mind. If you haven't played this classic yet, make sure you don't miss out.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: February

#IDARB (you've gotta say the whole thing) is an eSport waiting to happen, with the emphasis on "e". Two teams go head-to-head in up to eight-player matches, leaping around an arena as they try to drive the ball into a goal. Sounds simple, but that's just so it can build sheer mayhem on top - including pixel-by-pixel character creation, massive score multipliers for good teamwork, and "hashbombs" that let Twitch broadcast viewers splash a pixelated Rick Astley over the action, among other oddities.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: February 1 to 15

Inventive, clever, and heartbreaking, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was one of the grandest surprises ever to hit Xbox 360. Controlling each brother with their respective thumbstick and shoulder buttons can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll feel like some kind of two-brained genius when you work past its clever puzzles and dangerous encounters. And the story which weaves it all together is so heartfelt, even if you can't understand what anybody's saying.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: February 16 to 28

You can change the course of a war with a single bullet. You can also change the course of a person's nervous system with a single bullet, as Sniper Elite V2 sadistically celebrates. Seriously, if you thought Mortal Kombat's X-Ray moves were gratuitous, the X-Ray kill cam's anatomical assault will take you to a new realm of sympathy winces. But hey, if you have to bounce a bullet around anybody's cranium, it might as well be a Nazi warmonger.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: January

Dark Dreams Don't Die (D4, get it?) is another quirky adventure title from developer Swery65 -- the creative mind behind the now cult classic Deadly Premonition. D4 keeps the same sort of tone as Twin Peaks-based mystery. You play as a private investigator David Young who is trying to uncover the mystery surrounding his wife's murder. David lost his memory over the ordeal, but as he progresses through the investigation he is somehow given him the power to go back in time to uncover clues and prevent the murder. Looking for a quirky and entertaining mystery to solve? D4 is where it's at.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: January 1 to 15

Okay, you aren't necessarily getting as much game as you might expect with MX vs. ATV, being that much of the content is in DLC expansions. But the game does offer ups some pretty decent racing mechanics giving you independent control of your rider and vehicle with both two-wheeled dirt bikes and the quad ATVs. With a dozen tracks and plenty of bikes and quads to earn, MX vs. ATV is definitely worth a shot.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: January 16 to 31

This is your chance to catch up on the adventures of the White Wolf before the The Witcher 3 launches later this year. The Witcher 2 continues the story of the amnesiac Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, as he embarks on a quest to clear his name of regicide. Not a crime that you'd want to be accused of. Geralt will have to explore the monster-infested world to uncover the truth, all the while encountering colorful characters and deciding their fate. Make no mistake. This isn't the story of a hero. Geralt would just a soon slit a throat as he would save a kitten.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: December


Need a little more competitive couch multiplayer in your life? Well, look no further. Worms: Battlegrounds allows players to blow each other to smithereens in turn-based artillery strategy, as one of the quirky and adorable worms. But don't let their looks fool you. These little guys are armed to the teeth. You can pick up rocket launchers, grenades, and baseball bats to beat down and vaporize the competition.
                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: December


This game may have been overshadowed by some more popular point-and-click adventures like A Wolf Among Us, Tales from the Borderlands, and everything else TellTale is putting out these days, but if you're in the mood for a classic mystery adventure, give The Raven a shot. The animations might be a little stiff, and the puzzles a bit elementary, but there are few games out there that satisfy the urge to pull out a pipe, analyse clues, and catch the criminal behind a daring caper.

                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: November

Games like Volgarr The Viking harken back to more than 20 years ago--when games were stupidly difficult and that's the way we liked it, dagnabbit. This mash-up of Castlevania, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and Metroid will punish you with one hit kills and difficult platforming, but each step forward feels like a triumph in the tough but fair adventure. Already a hit on PC, this taxing downloadable debuts on Games With Gold, meaning every Xbox One owner needs to add it to their collection. Now get off my lawn!
                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: November 1 - 15

I try not to get bitter about things, but Viva Pinata's lack of success is a real downer. This paper animal husbandry simulator lets people of all ages know the fun of making paper mache animals, and it's filled with the type of cheeky humor Rare is known for. Viva Pinata works on so many more levels than its colorful leads you to believe, and now that the 2008 sequel will be free on 360, it's high time people discovered what they're missing. Once you've bred your first Pretztail, you'll never go back.
                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: November 16 - 30

Volition is now tied to the chaotic wackiness of Saints Row, but the developer also made one of the most addictingly destructible games of all time. Guerrilla sends players' asses to Mars, rebooting the shooter series as an open world revolution on the fourth planet from the sun. Nearly everything in the world can be destroyed, from the largest buildings to the smallest vehicle, making for endlessly rewarding mayhem. Any GTA-inspired game can give a "kill that guy" mission, but only Red Faction lets you do it by knocking over the three story building he lives in.
                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: October

Tired of not knowing whether or not you want to get the next unknown indie release? Well, Chariot makes it easy. At launch, this co-op platformer is free on Xbox One. The king has died and it's up to his daughter to find a suitable sepulcre to lay her father's body to rest. Except the king's spirit is really picky and forces the princess and her (co-op partner) fiance to traverse dangerous, puzzle-laden environments to find the perfect resting place. Sound interesting? Now's the time to give it a shot.
                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: October 1 - 15

Bad Company 2 is considered one of the high points of the much loved Battlefield series. The single player campaign is totally worth a play through with quirky characters, fantastic set pieces, and expansive levels to explore, but the real bread and butter is the multiplayer. You get all of the Battlefield trappings, including massive war zones, customizable soldier classes, and vehicular mayhem. Oh, and snipers get mortar strikes. How I miss the mortar strikes...
                   


               

                   

                       
                        Available: Octoper 16 - 31

Holy crap!  If you haven't played Darksiders 2, there are no excuses now. The sequel to the original God of War / Zelda clone mash up puts you behind the mask of the most powerful horseman of the apocalypse, Death. This time, the game takes a turn away from the Zelda-inspired dungeons and focuses on Diablo-esque looting. Mixing in improved combat, open-world gameplay, and a fascinating story, Darksiders 2 is a game you definitely shouldn't miss.

                   


               

                   

                       
                       

Available: September

There have been a ton of side-scrolling shooters over the years, but Super Time Force definitely stands out from the crowd. You play as a team of unique soldiers, all carrying their own prefered instrument of destruction. But the twist in the gameplay comes when you take hold of time itself and bend it