Unlocked

Latest Episodes:

Do You Want a Mid-Gen Xbox Series X Upgrade? – Unlocked 611 Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

After a quick update on how our Starfield adventures are going, we discuss Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team’s big decision to bend the Series X/S parity rules to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, Destin’s big interview with Phil Spencer — including whether or not Microsoft will produce a mid-gen refresh for the Series X — the sad closure of Volition, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro & Replaced Delayed to 2024

00:12:05 - Xbox Drops Parity Requirement & Baldur's Gate 3 Coming!

00:22:10 - Blizzard/Activision & Game Pass?

00:39:10 - Mid-Generation Refresh for Xbox?

01:11:28 - Embracer Group Shuts Volition Down & Outro

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What We Think of Bethesda’s Long-Awaited RPG, Starfield – Unlocked 610 Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

This is the episode you've been waiting for: Starfield. We brought in our Starfield reviewer, Dan Stapleton, to have a spoiler-free discussion about what we think of the most anticipated Xbox game of the year. We talk about what we like, what we don't, and how it ranks alongside Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.

00:00:00 - Intro & Starfield Review Discussion

01:02:00 - IGN Icons

01:05:51 - Even More Starfield & Outro

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Gamescom Announcements: The Good, Bad, and Ugly – Unlocked 609 Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

Gamescom is underway, and this week's episode is dedicated to a recap and analysis of everything from the Opening Night Live showcase -- from the beauty of Alan Wake 2, Black Myth: Wukong, and Lords of the Fallen to our disgust at the knucklehead stage-crashers who are going to ruin access these events for fans. Plus: We can tell you that we're playing Starfield, and though we can't share any opinions on it yet, we let you know when you can read IGN's review.

00:00:00 - Intro & the Biggest gamescom Announcements

00:40:55 - Modern Warfare 3: Will It Be Good?

00:46:22 - Alan Wake 2 Reactions & Outro

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Why We’re Not Buying STALKER 2’s Rumored Release Date – Unlocked 608 Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

We're diving into the mystery surrounding STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl's potential release date. Is the December 1 date listed on Plaion's website for real? We've got the juicy details on what this highly anticipated game might bring, from survival mechanics to a dynamic day-night cycle.

Xbox is taking a stand against bad behavior with a fresh strike-based program. Learn all about the new enforcement system and how it aims to create a better gaming environment. But is eight strikes before a one-year ban too much? We're breaking down the pros and cons.

And hold onto your controllers, because Xbox Game Pass is about to drop a bombshell lineup! From Everspace 2 to Gris, and the eagerly awaited Starfield, we've got the scoop on the upcoming releases that'll keep you glued to your screens.

00:00:00 - Intro & Baldur's Gate 3 is Just SO GOOD

00:18:08 - Is STALKER 2's Release Date ACTUALLY Happening?

00:35:02 - Xbox Has New Strike-Based Program to Combat Toxicity

01:03:32 - Awesome Xbox Game Pass Games BEFORE Starfield

01:11:14 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

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The Biggest News from EVO 2023: Reptile, Azucena, A.K.I., and More! – Unlocked 607 Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

Get ready to dive into some exciting EVO news on this episode. We've got a crazy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover heading to Street Fighter 6, and there's a new character teaser for Street Fighter 6 that's brewing some serious curiosity. But that's not all, Mortal Kombat 1 is back with a bang, introducing Reptile, Ashrah, and Havik as fresh fighters. Red Dead Redemption has also been announced as a port for the PS4 and Switch, and a lot of fans aren't happy! And of course, you know we have to touch on some thoughts on Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3, and Forza Motorsport news. It's a packed episode with host Kahlief Adams, joined by Stella Chung and Destin Legarie, so don't miss this one!

00:00:00 - Intro & EVO 2023 News Galore!

00:15:28 - Alien is Coming to Dead by Daylight

00:19:03 - Xbox is Going Big for gamescom

00:29:07 - Could Starfield Learn Anything From Baldur's Gate 3?

00:43:29 - Red Dead Redemption PS4/Switch Port is Coming

00:49:33 - Outro

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We Need to Talk About Remnant 2 – Unlocked 606 Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

00:00:00 - Intro & Baldur’s Gate 3

00:06:25 - Remnant 2 Sells More Than One Million Units

00:23:25 - Our IGN Icons Picks! & FFXVI Coming to Xbox

00:35:09 - Elite Series 2 Replacement Parts Announced

00:40:02 - Games Joining and Leaving Xbox Game Pass & Outro

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What We Want From EA’s New Black Panther Game – Unlocked 605 Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

00:00:19 Intro

00:02:41 New Black Panther open-world game announced

00:18:47 Ubisoft cancels Immortals Fenyx Rising 2

00:26:16 Rainbow Six talk

00:32:29 Forgotten Ubisoft IP

00:40:17 Another Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III leak

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Xbox Live Gold Is Dead. But Is That a Good Thing? – Unlocked 604 Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

Though Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has cleared its biggest hurdle (the FTC), the deal isn't quite done yet. And all parties involved have given themselves more time to finalize the deal. We discuss that, plus Sony finally signing its 10-year Call of Duty deal with Microsoft, the death of Xbox Live Gold and its somewhat confusing replacement in the form of Xbox Game Pass Core, and more!

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Microsoft Defeats the FTC: Our Reactions – Unlocked 603 Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived: the verdict is in for Microsoft vs. FTC, and Team Xbox has won! We spend the entire show discussing the massive implications of the ruling, which seems to have set the stage for Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard to finally go through. We talk about the games we might see out of it - particularly from Raven Software - the very serious matter of how Xbox boss Phil Spencer must take steps to clean up the toxic workplace culture at ABK, whether or not Microsoft (and Sony) are done making big acquisitions, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro & ID@Xbox Impressions

00:09:31 - The FTC/Xbox Trial is Not Over Yet!

00:31:18 - What Games Could Return if Xbox Acquired Activision?

00:50:10 - What Needs to Change at Activision

01:05:38 - Is Microsoft Done with Acquisitions?

01:16:19 - Outro

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The Other Xbox News While We Wait for the FTC Verdict – Unlocked 602 Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

As we await the verdict in the Microsoft vs. FTC trial regarding the fate of Xbox's Activision-Blizzard acquisition, we dig into some of the other things happening in the world of Xbox, from the future of Banjo-Kazooie (if there even is one) to Ubisoft's rumored Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake to this month's hidden gem on Xbox Game Pass, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro & FTC v. Microsoft Updates

00:08:17 - Xbox & Bethesda at gamescom 2023

00:18:48 - Will We Ever See Another Banjo Kazooie Game?

00:36:40 - Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Getting a Remake?

00:48:39 - Outro

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