This week Andrew, Keith and Aaron talk about the Call of Duty BLOPS 6 beta. What were some of the highs and low's over the weekend, and pleasantly surprised they all were. Is there enough to keep us playing more?

Thank you to our wonderful Sponsor Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/BAG20 and use promo code BAG20 to get 20% off your order!

Summary

In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, the hosts discuss the game Dicey Dungeons and debate whether it qualifies as a roguelike. They also explore the gameplay mechanics and different characters in the game. The hosts recommend Dicey Dungeons as a fun and relaxing game to play in between other games. They also touch on the Halloween and Reunion DLCs and the role of RNG in the game. They share their frustrations with certain enemies and the lack of strategic depth in the game. Overall, they find the creature designs and enemy variety to be interesting. Dicey Dungeons is a fun and accessible game with a unique concept and charming art style. The music is fantastic and the game is easy to pick up and play. However, it lacks the depth and replayability of other roguelike games. It's a great game to play in short bursts, but it doesn't offer the same addictive gameplay as other titles in the genre.

Check out Aaron's awesome network. https://superpodnetwork.com/

Thank you to our wonderful Sponsor Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/BAG20 and use promo code BAG20 to get 20% off your order!

This week we did the listener requested Rise of the Tomb Raider by: Crystal Dynamics. Rise of the Tomb Raider is a third person action adventure game where you are continuing the trilogy of Lara Croft's story. This takes place a few years after Tomb Raider when Lara is trying to uncover the mystery behind her father's greatest discovery. If you did not play the first one, have no fear because it doesn't matter.

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This week we had a special guest join us for our adventure with Garden Story by; Picogram. Garden Story is a top down action adventure role playing game where you play a young grape who is recently appointed guardian status. You have to fight the rot in order to unit the surround towns and uncover the mystery behind the rot.

This week the gang played Bugsnax by; Young Horses. Bugsnax is a first person bug catching adventure game. You play a journalist who is following the great explorer Lizbert, to a mysterious island where creatures are literal walking food. Uncover the mystery behind the island while helping out the completely helpless villagers. Seriously how did the villagers ever eat?

This week we had a listener request to play Evil Genius 2 by; Rebellion. Take control of an evil genius as you try to take over the world. Build your secret lair on a remote island, and train your minions in specialties. Defend your base as the forces of justice try to come and stop you. 

This week we did the listener requested Mass Effect from Bioware. Mass Effect is a 3rd person action RPG. Become the first human specter as you try to unravel the mystery behind the attacks of human colonies. Will you try to be paragon for the universe or get the job done no matter what as a renegade? Is this a story Keith actually listen to or did he just skip dialog like usual? Sorry it took Keith half the episode to realize his mic wasn't on.

So Keith decided to pick another roguelike, which surprises no one. This week we played Anvil by; Action Square. Anvil is a top down twin stick shooter, where you are controlling mechanized suits called Vault Breaker. Go on expeditions on alien planets in search of the vaults which hold advance technologies. Earn currency threw the battle pass to unlock new version of Vault Breaker. Join the fight with 3 other friends with online coop, or ask Keith because I am sure he will love to play more.

We talk about our thoughts on the Xbox Bethesda Showcase 2022. What games are we excited for? What games looked disappointing? Can anyone follow our random scoring?

This week we go back to a Xbox 360 classic. Viva Piñata by; Rare Studios. Take control of a owner of a new garden given to you by your grandfather. Grow various plants and trees in hopes to attract wild piñatas. Convince them to live in your garden, but be careful of the sour piñatas or they will destroy all you hold dear.   

This week we did the much requested Skyrim by; Bethesda Studios. Skyrim is an action RPG where you play the last dragonborn. A unique individual who has the power to absorb dragons souls and can use their power. How will you shape the land of Skyrim? Will you lead the rebellion or side with the empire? Will you go on a murder spree or help the less fortunate? The choices are endless and so are all the little secrets scattered through out the lands.

This week Keith wanted to do something different and pick a game that isn't a rogue like. He picked Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising by; Rabbit and Bear Studios. EC Rising is a 2D action platformer, where you are exploring dungeons in search of treasure to help rebuild a crumbling town. Quickly switch between 3 playable characters as you defeat enemies and bosses and uncover the mystery behind the dungeons.  

This week we played the much requested Subnautica: Below Zero by; Unknown Worlds Entertainment. SBZ takes place after the first where you are playing a young girl trying to uncover what has happened to your sister who is working on the alien planet. Explore the frozen lands and battle the climate or dive underwater and face the mysterious creatures. Collect resources and blueprints to build your self a base, or be like Keith and stumble around aimlessly. Usually Liz is the unobservant one.

This week we played Lost In Random by; Zoink! Lost in Random is a third person action game with a little bit of deck building elements. Take control of Even who is on and adventure to help save her sister Odd from the evil queen. Joining you on this adventure is a cute talking dice named Dicey. Battle the queens minions as you try to help the citizens of Random.

Thank you to Magic Mind for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.magicmind.com/gamep and use promo code GAMEP20 for a discount.

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This week we played the listener requested Titanfall 2 by; Respawn Studios. Titanfall 2 is a first person shooter with parkour elements. Take control of Jack Cooper, a new pilot who inherited a Titan named BT. Take the fight to the IMC as you try to make your way make to the Militia to deliver a message. Titanfall 2 is also a prequel to the popular battle royale, Apex Legends.

AUDIO WARNING!! This week we went back to the Sea of Thieves and explain how we feel the game has progressed. Since Sea of Thieves was an earlier episode apparently we decided to keep the tradition of terrible audio. Sorry about that, amateur hour over here. Sea of Thieves is a first person pirate role playing game. Take the seas in one of 3 ships and uncover treasure, or take on one of the story driven tall tale including ones with the pirate Captain Jack Sparrow. Hopefully next tall tale has Captain Morgan.

This week for a listener request we play Tunic by: Andrew Shouldice. Tunic is a top down action adventure game where you play a no name hero who is trying to free someone from a prison. Explore this gorgeous world as you try to collect pages of a game manual to help solve the mystery. This game may take some time to get in to but trust us it is worth the journey

This week we had to do a short game, and boy is this one short and sweet. Donut County by: Ben Esposito. Donut County is a puzzle game where you play a hole that is trying to grow by consuming things in the environment. It doesn't matter if it's grass, trees, animals, or people. Keep eating things and grow larger, which is also a very true statement for me and food.

We reached our goal of request for Halo 2 so we are continuing the story of Master Chief. Halo 2 is originally by Bungie Studios and the anniversary remake is by 343 studios. Halo 2 continues the story of Master Chief after he returns home, but it is also the story of the inner turmoil of the covenant. Is the story interesting enough to grab Keith, or will he be skipping the new gorgeous cut scenes.

We hit our 3 year anniversary so we decided to answer some listener questions. Thank you all so much who joined in and thank you for listening. We love you all.

This week Keith wanted to play a rougelike so he picked Tainted Grail: Conquest by; Awaken Realms Digital. Tainted Grail is a deck building roguelike RPG. You are a character who has woken up on a mysterious island that is covered by a fog called the wyrdness. You are tasked to help the citizens find their way out of the fog and return back to the village. If you play like Liz its more like exploring molasses then it is fog

This week we had a listener request to do Mirror's Edge by; EA studios. Mirrors edge is a first person parkour action adventure game. You play as a member of a special courier group know as the runners. You deliver sensitive packages through out the city via rooftops and alley ways with your parkour skills, but when your sister is framed for murder you have to solve the crime before it's too late.

This week a listener requested we play Guardians Of The Galaxy by; Eidos Montreal. Guardians Of The Galaxy is a third person action adventure game where you take control of Star Lord, the leader of a group of misfits who are try to work as hero's for hire. Struggle as hard as you can to keep this team together with various dialogue options and command your team on the battlefield as you explore different planets throughout the galaxy. 

This week we did a listener request to play Grounded by: Obsidian Studios. Grounded is a first person sandbox survival game. Take control of one of four kids who has been shrunk down to 1cm tall in a backyard. Try to survive as you craft tools and a base and try to survive the horrors that await you in the grass. Take this challenge solo or play coop with up to 3 friends. At the time of this recording Grounded is still in game preview so it is still a work in progress. 

Xbox Showcase 2024: Gaming's Next Big Hits

In this episode, we dive deep into the highlights of the Xbox Showcase 2024. From the exhilarating announcement of "Gears of War: E-Day" to the intriguing "Expedition 33," we explore the games that have captured our attention and the ones that left us wanting more.

We discuss the pacing of the showcase and how it brilliantly balanced cinematic trailers with gameplay reveals. We also grade the event, sharing our thoughts on the best and least impressive games presented.

Don't miss our in-depth analysis and personal reactions to the games that will define the next wave of Xbox releases. Tune in to find out which titles we're most excited about and which ones we think might just be worth the wait.

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This week we played the listener request  Spelunky 2 by: Mossmouth. Take the role of a young explorer who travels to the moon to rescue her parents. Explore the procedurally generated 2D dungeons as you try to get to the bottom. Experience the rage as you repeatedly die over and over. Take your friends with you in the coop mode. Laugh with your friends as you whip each other into spikes or place a convenient bomb next to them in the arena. Let Keith go first because he never notices traps and let him eat all the arrows.  

This week we played Nobody Saves The World by; Drinkbox Studios. Nobody Saves The World is a action role playing game where you have a magic wand that lets you shapeshift into different forms. With each form you unlock new abilities that you can mix and match with other forms. You can try to save the world by yourself or team up with a friend online for coop, or be like me and just jump in Keith's game when he's about to get an achievement.

This week we played the top down RPG Death's Door by; Acid Nerve studios. In Death's Door you play one of the few remaining crow reapers, where you are tasked to claim a soul. Of course your assignment does not go without a problems. You start to slowly unravel the mystery of why things are not properly dying when they are supposed too and things are carrying on for far to long, much like conversations with Keith.

This week we played the third person action platformer The Gunk by: Image & Form Games. Explore a desolate world that has been consumed by a mysterious black gunk. Unravel the mysteries of the planet as your character tries to discover a new source of energy.

This week we have finally started the most requested game. Halo Master Chief collection, but we are only starting with Halo Combat Evolved. Halo Combat Evolved is brought to you  by Bungie Studios. Start where it all began with Master Chief as you arrive at the mysterious halo while being chased by the covenant. Take down the Covenant while discovering the secrets of halo. Listen as we discuss whether this games has aged like a fine wine or if it's skippable in the halo universe. If people want us to cover more of the Master Chief Collection make sure you tell us at Gamepassgrabbag@gmail.com

This week we had a listener request to play Forza Horizon 5 by; Playground Studios. Forza Horizon  5 is a arcade simulation racing game where you take to the streets of Mexico and promote the Forza Horizon festival. Instead of dealing with the rain and snow with the changing season, you will now battle the harsh storms that take over Mexico as you carelessly drive around and do more damage to property then any storm would ever do, but hey its all for the sake of a festival. 

This week we had a Liz demand and a listener pick. The wildly popular Stardew Valley by; Concerned Ape. Stardew Valley is a top down farming simulator, where take the role of a new farmer who joins the town of Stardew Valley. Cultivate crops and relationships with the citizens of Stardew.  Manage crops and animals as you try to grow your farm from an abandon shack to a thriving farm. Don't like doing tedious chores? Well grab up to 3 friends and pawn off the boring work to them, but they may get mad at you, just ask Liz. 

We do a quick recap of some games coming out in January and a possible new subscription service from Ubisoft. Some notes after we recorded this, Anacrusis and Spelunky 2 are out now, and Stalker 2 was just delayed to December 2022.

As we say good bye and good riddance, the crew discuss some of their favorite Game Pass games, and also some not so good ones.

This week we played Curse of the Dead Gods by; Passtech Games. Curse of the Dead Gods is a top down rogue like where you play an explorer searching ancient Aztec tombs in search of riches and power. Balance the risk/reward system by paying for upgrades by taking on curses. This week Liz needed a break so we bring back our guest Dave to join us.

This week we played Chants of Sennaar by: Rundisc. CoS is a top down puzzle game where you play a mysterious character who awoke in at the base of a tower. You have no memory and don't speak the language of anyone. Climb the tower and decipher clues so that you may understand the language of each group of people.

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These week we played It Takes Two by; Hazelight studios. It Takes Two is a coop only third person adventure game, where you are a young couple going through some odd therapy. You and a partner will travel around the house as dolls, solving puzzles and traversing platforms. I am also very proud of Liz for not once singing "It takes two baby".

This week we played our first Series X or Series S game, The Riftbreaker by; Exor Studios. The Riftbreaker is a top down twin stick shooter/base management game. You play a young explorer who is sent to an alien planet to establish a link back to earth so humans can colonize the planet. You have to jungle resources, build multiple bases, and defend against an endless horde. Can you manage your massive base or will you get consumed by the hordes like keith who literally builds one tiny piece of wall at a time?

These week we played Deeeer Simulator by; Gibier Games. Deeeer Simulator is described as a slow town destruction game. You play and average everyday deer that has decided to destroy the town for you know...reasons. Gather weapons to have your deeeer transform into a living weapon. Explore the town and mess with the inhabitants with your strange abilities.

This week we tackled the roguelite card game Ring Of Pain by; Twice Different. In Ring of Pain you play a mysterious person who wakes up in an unusual nest. You are greeted by a mysterious creature telling you to light the tower at the end of the nest in order to end the ring. Is the creature to be trusted or are you forever trapped in the circle?

This week Keith picked ANOTHER roguelike. This week it is Into The Pit by; Nullpointer Games. Into the Pit is a first person shooter roguelike where you take control of a arcane hunter in search of their lost cousin. Dive into the pit and free the villages to grow your strength. Will this game make you want to go deeper or is it just the pits?

We figured we would try out discuss some Game Pass News. We would love to hear your feedback if you like it, or we should just stick to games.

We discuss: Cloud gaming on console, Next Space Rebel, Exo One, Fae Tactics, Undungeon, My Friend Pedro, Mortal Shell, Before We Leave, Deeer Simulator, Lawn Mower Simulator, The Gunk, Cyberpunk 2077, Mass Effect.

This week Liz chose Moonglow Bay by; BunnyHug. Take control of an fisherman who has lost a loved one at sea and lost the will to fish, but when the town of Moonglow Bay has a chance of revival you decide to pick up your fishing rod and save the town. Enjoy the adventure with couch coop and explore the seas together. Take control of your fishing vessel and explore or be like keith and forget how to drive and just keep reversing out to sea.

This week we played the very interesting The Good Life by; White Owls. The Good Life is a 3rd person RPG where you play a young reporter who is investigating a small town in England. Explore a story that really just goes all over the place, much like a lot of our conversations. 

These week we took a lesson in art in The Procession to Calvary by; Joe Richardson. The Procession to Calvary is a comedic point and click adventure game where the set pieces are famous historical artwork. Travel threw various scenes as your character tries to complete her holy war, or get distracted like Andrew and spend way to much time spanking the bishop. That's not a metaphor, you really can spank a bishop, its an achievement.

This week we played Back 4 Blood by; Turtle Rock Studios. Back 4 Blood is a coop first person shooter where you are fighting against an undead horde. Build your deck to help alter the way you play as you progress through the campaign, or take the role of a zombie in a 4v4 PVP mode called swarm. 

This week we played Senua Saga: Hellblade 2 by Ninja Theory. Hellblade 2 continues the story of Senua as she tries to fulfill the promise she made. She travels to the North Land in order to stop the slave trade that destroyed her people. Uncover the mystery behind the land as she seeks guidance from the locals and from the voices inside her head.  This episode is brought to you by our wonderful sponsor Magic Mind, Go to https://www.magicmind.com/gamep and use PROMO CODE: GAMEP20 for 48% off your first subscription or 20% off your first order.

This week a listener recommended we play Aragami 2 by; Lince Works. Aragami 2 is a third person action stealth came. Explore the feudal japan in the shadows as a super natural ninja. Complete missions as a solo ninja or coop with 2 other friends. Will you rule the shadows or bumble like a Keith.

This week we played The Artful Escape by; Beethoven and Dinosaur. The Artful Escape is a 2D music platformer where you play a young musical prodigy who is having an identity crisis. Travel across the universe as you play through this space rock opera. 

This week we decided to try a more simple game, Carrion by; Phobia Game Studios. Play the role of an amorphous creature that consumes all in its path. You think with such a short game it would be a quick episode? Well we have some thoughts and those thoughts sometimes get loud.