Xbox sales: TA Team Picks (April 22nd)

By Tom West,

We might have just had the huge Spring Sale, but Microsoft is back this week with discounts on a range of games on Xbox and PC. Here are some of the games the TrueAchievements news team thinks are good deals.

Microsoft has seen fit to slash prices on games across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC once again, thanks to this week's Xbox Sales, and with the addition of the Xbox Game Pass Add-ons Sale, almost 200 DLC packs have been discounted as well. As usual, the TA news crew is back to offer up a few of their top choices from the selection of discounted games. Let's take a look, shall we?

Discounts from the bargain bin

Luke

Luke — Temtem

When it comes to the best game like Pokémon that aren't locked on Nintendo platforms, I have to put Temtem on the top of the pile. With competitive 2v2 play at the very core of the game, this massive monster-taming RPG starts training you early for its genuinely challenging endgame and PvP battles, and your road to victory will be a long one. The Temtem achievements will likely take a good 200-odd hours to work through, with several that require crazy luck and commitment (trust me, going for this completion will make you hate fishing) and a lot of skill — as I mentioned, unlike the games that inspired Temtem, tamers here actually put up a fight, especially in the dojo rematches for which you'll likely need to train up specific counters to sub into your squad.

Temtem also has MMO elements baked into it, meaning you'll be able to see, chat to, trade with, and challenge other tamers all over the expansive world, and you can even bring a buddy along for co-op play in more or less all of the content. There's also an auction house, meaning those who prefer breeding to battling can make a small fortune producing competitive-ready creatures or eggs, and those who don't have time for that side of the game can just grind out cash to buy their way into a solid team rather than raising one from scratch. I felt I more than got my money's worth from Temtem even at full price last year, so while 25% off might not seem like much, it still works out as a matter of pennies per hour of game if you go for the completion, and even less should you stick around afterwards for the expansive endgame and lively competitive scene. Which, by the way, has cross-play, so there should be no shortage of tamers with whom you can trade and battle. It's time to Temtem up!
Temtem

Temtem

Temtem is a massively multiplayer creature-collection adventure. Journey across the lovely Airborne Archipelago alongside your Temtem squad. Catch every Temtem, battle other tamers, customize your house, join a friend's adventure or explore the dynamic online world.



Sean

Sean — Bad North

It’s slim pickings in this week’s Xbox sale, but a couple of gems are tucked away in there. One is Bad North, a minimalist real-time strategy game where you have to defend tiny islands from hordes of Viking invaders. On the surface, Bad North looks like a quite simple RTS, but it offers just enough complexity to keep things interesting. As you progress, you’ll come up against different enemy types that you’ll need to repel. You have to make full use of the terrain of each procedurally-generated island, quickly shifting your archers or your pikemen from one shoreline to the other to ensure the invaders don’t burn down the houses you’re trying to protect. Things can get intense quite quickly when you see boats packed with Vikings emerge out of the mist from each direction, though careful and quick planning will see you through. This compelling gameplay is combined with excellent visuals and sound that sometimes makes for an ominous atmosphere — don’t let those cutesy-looking sprites fool you! For just $4.49/£3.59/€4.49, you can’t go wrong with Bad North this week.
Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Your home is under attack. The king is dead at the hands of Viking invaders. Hope is a distant glimmer in the fog, fading fast with every passing moment. As you rise to take your father’s place as ruler, it will fall to you to stage your defenses. But make no mistake – this is no fight for victory, but a desperate grasp for survival.



Tom

Tom — Dying Light 2

Following my Dying Light recommendation last week, I've returned to suggest you pick up Dying Light 2: Stay Human, and not just own both of the games. I personally prefer Dying Light 2 over its predecessor, as I find the modern Dark Age theme exciting. There is something about seeing civilisation return to a humbler, yet undeniably terrifying, existence, as the last shred of humanity attempts to survive against the growing hordes of undead in crumbling cities. The story sees protagonist Aiden, known as a Pilgrim, searching for his missing sister in the ruins of The City, using a host of tools like the new paraglider to traverse the infected-filled environment. Guns don't appear in this sequel, so only melee, thrown, and bow weapons are usable, but the crafting system allows you to make plenty of toys to destroy the dead. The game's latest update has upgraded the gore system as well, so you can cause even more carnage when helping out the fine folks of Villedor. This week, you can pick up the base game for $29.99/£29.99/€34.99, which is half its usual price, or if you feel like having the entire package, the Ultimate Edition is rocking a 30% discount, making it $69.99/£62.99/€76.99. Both versions are currently at their lowest price, so it makes recommending them even easier!
Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

The virus won and civilization has fallen back to the Dark Ages. The City, one of the last human settlements, is on the brink of collapse. Use your agility and combat skills to survive, and reshape the world. Your choices matter.


Dying Light 2 Stay Human - Ultimate Edition

Dying Light 2 Stay Human - Ultimate Edition

The virus won and civilization has fallen back to the Dark Ages. The City, one of the last human settlements, is on the brink of collapse. Use your agility and combat skills to survive, and reshape the world. Your choices matter.



Will you be adding any of these games to your collection, or do you have something to recommend to us? Drop a comment below and let us know!
Tom West
Written by Tom West
Tom has been playing video games since he was old enough to hold a controller, experimenting with a number of systems until he eventually fell in love with Xbox. With a passion for the platform, he decided to make a career out of it, and now happily spends his days writing about that which he loves. If he’s not hunting for Xbox achievements, you’ll likely find him somewhere in The Elder Scrolls Online or fighting for survival in Battlefield.
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