InsideXO

Tag: reviews

  • We’re Back – InsideXO Returns Stronger Than Ever

    We’re Back – InsideXO Returns Stronger Than Ever

    It’s been a little quiet here on InsideXO lately. I wanted to take a moment to share what’s been happening. I also want to discuss where we’re headed next.

    The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for me personally. I started a new job. I had to take a short break to catch my breath. With so much going on, I had to step back from the site for a little while. But the great news is this: InsideXO is back and refreshed. It is ready to bring you more of the reviews, features, and community moments you love.

    What’s Coming Next

    Over the next few weeks, you can expect:

    • Fresh Reviews – More honest, in-depth takes on indie games, movies, and shows that deserve your attention.
    • Features & Spotlights – Deep dives, lists, and special highlights that celebrate the creativity of the industries we love.
    • Community Content – From Discord events to interactive posts, we’ll be exploring different ways. Our goal is to make you part of the story.

    For now, we’re going to temporarily pause our XO News section. I love the idea. But, it makes sense to focus on what InsideXO does best, thoughtful reviews and features. We will regain a steady rhythm first. Then we’ll explore reintroducing news in a way that feels natural. It should also be sustainable.

    A Thank You to the XO Community

    Even during this break, people have still been visiting the site daily, and that means the world. It shows me that InsideXO has already built something worth returning to. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your belief in what we’re creating together.

    Let’s Get Back to It

    So here’s the deal: InsideXO is back. The next wave of reviews and features begins Imminently, and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you.

    Alongside this, we are finally launching our XO Screen section. Keep an eye out for when that button goes live!

    This is just the beginning – let’s make InsideXO bigger, better, and more connected than ever.

    Stay tuned, and welcome back to XO.

    – SkullFireXO
    Founder & Lead Strategist, InsideXO

  • Phasmophobia Announces New Small Map – Neil’s Diner.

    Phasmophobia Announces New Small Map – Neil’s Diner.

    The Developer behind the beloved ghost-hunting horror Phasmophobia has announced their next Small Map

    ‘‘Nell’s Diner, serving the city of Tuscon, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.’’

    Neil’s Diner takes inspiration from classic American diners. It will be the next addition to the map list for players to explore in Phasmophobia. Neil’s Diner features 13 rooms and 11 unique ghost rooms. It will become the game’s 14th map. Many players are very excited to get a new small map. I find the big maps rather tricky with only a small duo!

    One cool feature they’ve mentioned is a freezer room. It makes it just that extra bit tricky to identify the ghost. You will struggle to find the freezing temps evidence!

    Sadly there isn’t a release date just yet, but we will keep you informed as soon as one is released!

    One thing we do have a release for however, is the rework of Grafton Farmhouse!

    This will now look completely different to its sister map, and will feature as more run-down and derelict, we can’t wait to dive in and check this one out on August 12th, 2025 when the update drops!

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    What do you think of the new map? share with your Ghost-Hunting squad, and let us know what you think in the comments, or join our discord for more!

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  • Battlefield 6 Loaded with Bots? DICE have responded.

    Battlefield 6 Loaded with Bots? DICE have responded.

    With Loads of chatter about the use of Bots in Battlefield 6 Matches, DICE Have finally responded

    Battlefield 6 has just entered into its Early-Access open Beta, and along side enormous queue’s and frequent glitches, players have shifted their concerns to another issue, Bots?

    The battlefield community have responded very negatively to comments made earlier this week about the potential use of bots to help fill lobbies

    Fortunately, In a statement posted to social media, DICE offered some context. They states bots are only used on the Training Grounds playlists within the Open Beta. This week, that means Breakthrough Initiation. These playlists are designed to introduce people to the core elements of Breakthrough and as such they offer a nicer experience than a full lobby, DICE explained.

    Here’s The Full Statement.

    Clarification on AI Soldiers within Open Beta. AI Soldiers are only present on the “Training Grounds” playlists within the Open Beta. This week is “Breakthrough Initiation”. Breakthrough Initiation is a playlist that allows you to experience Breakthrough alongside 15 other players, with additional AI Soldiers filling up the match thereafter. Training Grounds playlists are here to introduce people to the core elements of Breakthrough, and offer a smoother experience than a full lobby. Additionally, you can experience Breakthrough without AI Soldiers by playing Breakthrough from the “Featured” playlist row. Training Grounds is only available for the first 15 ranks, at which point it will disappear from the front end.

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    What are your thoughts in the growing use of bots and AI in games, useful tool, or fan enemy? Let us know in the comments below, or join our discord for more!

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  • Microsoft Halts development on Contraband

    Microsoft Halts development on Contraband

    4 years after its first announcement, Avalanche have posted a statement. They said that “active development has now stopped” on the game.


    Contraband was described as an open world, co-op heist game, Set in the 70’s. It comes from the developers of the ‘Just Cause’ Game series. However, in the 4 years since its initial teaser trailer, almost nothing has been heard about it.

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    Contraband joins a growing list of games cancelled by Microsoft, titles such as ‘Perfect Dark’ and ‘Everwild’ are such named victims of these cutbacks, it comes as Microsoft continues heavy lay-offs, despite continuing to be a financial powerhouse, recently pledging spending $80bn (£68.6bn) in massive data centres to train AI models.

    What are your thoughts on the cancellation? are you surprised with all these recent cuts? Let us know below in the comments!

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  • It’s Time To Break Your Fingers – and Maybe Even Your Keyboard, The Fun Way, with Type.

    It’s Time To Break Your Fingers – and Maybe Even Your Keyboard, The Fun Way, with Type.

    Genre: Casual, Action, Arcade, 2D

    Developer: Parcyval Studios.

    Release date: August 1st, 2025.

    Price: Free Demo

    Newly Available on Steam

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/3893260/TYPE_Demo/

    Type, a retro-vibe game about….you guessed it, typing! This hectic keyboard-mashing game will have you thinking you’re in the clear, and then you’ll slowly see a nuclear warhead coming at you, and well, I’m sure you can guess what happens next with that. Despite just the simple mechanics of typing gibberish words, no one wants to fail at anything, right? Well, yes. Unfortunately for you, this game will overwhelm you, and fast. Think you’ve got what it takes? Be daring to keep reading.

    First Thoughts 💣

    As simple as the concept is, for whatever brain chemical reaction created reason, it works. Looking at the recently added global leaderboard and seeing that your high score is just below someone else’s, it’ll have you going back for more. In the fast-paced retro arcade you will mentally find yourself in, even if your friends haven’t gotten their own high score yet, you’ll want to make sure they could never beat yours, let alone the rest of the world.

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    Can I run it? ⌨️

    For such a simple game, you don’t need a beast of a device to run and enjoy this one. Per the developers’ recommended minimum system requirement on Steam, specifically your device’s processor, it is noted as “Hamster Wheel”. I think that speaks enough volume for how easy it is for anyone to take on this challenge of achieving a higher score than someone else. There is absolutely no input delay with the letter being registered once pressed on your keyboard, and as soon as you have booted up the game, you’re immediately thrown into battle against the enemy of random sequences of words, with no loading screens or transitions between menus.

    Too Simple or Just Enough? 🤔

    We here at InsideXO would say this is just enough. As we will read a little more in depth later on of insights from Parsy himself, regardless of competitor games out there, there are gamers all over the world who like to type fast, challenge themselves to improve using non-traditional words, and know how a real word would be spelt. Others use it to learn to begin typing in general, or the English language we all know and love. Given that gibberish words might not be the most effective method for this, with the feedback Parsy has received, rest assured, updates are coming for this as well.

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    Game Over (The Good Way) 

    To take this all in, even though Type was only released a few days ago, and is not fully released, waves of its catchyness are already being felt through indie game communities, especially in Parsys own discord server, with his Type Leaderboard and Type Updates channels, where updates and new scores have been made consistently in the past weeks. You can show off your high scores, boost your competitive ego to keep being better, and show love to his creations (yes, there are more projects by Parcyval Studios!). At the end of the day, it’s all love and friendly competition, and who doesn’t love that? 

    We are born very similar, but life takes us different paths, and some lead to game dev some not.

    Read the Interview Here!
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    Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts down below, or join our Discord and discuss with the community!

    ChatGPT Image Jul 15, 2025, 11_54_25 PM

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    Your small contribution could go a long way. Help us out! 💞

    £3.00

    2 responses to “It’s Time To Break Your Fingers – and Maybe Even Your Keyboard, The Fun Way, with Type.”

    1. An Interview With Parcyval Studios – InsideXO avatar
      An Interview With Parcyval Studios – InsideXO

      […] I had the privilege of speaking with the developer of the newly found game “Type”, here’s how it went. Read the full review here! […]

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    2. Maurice Handwerker avatar
      Maurice Handwerker

      TYPE looks really cool. Im 100% gonna try it myself.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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