Skulls of the Shogun coming to Windows Phone, XBLA, and Windows 8 on January 30th

Skulls of the Shogun Skulls Anywhere

We're withal unsure almost the adjacent couple of weeks, just the drought of Xbox game releases for Windows Phone volition definitely cease by the cease of the month. Microsoft has made a rare advance release date announcement for a mobile game – and it's a good one. At long terminal, Skulls of the Shogun from 17-Bit and Microsoft Studios will debut on January 30^th for Windows Telephone 7 and 8, Xbox Live Arcade, and Windows viii and RT!

Lookout out, Culture

Skulls of the Shogun is a fast-paced, plow-based strategy game ready in a feudal Japanese underworld. In the single-player entrada, players take on the role of a full general who was betrayed in his one-time life. Awakening in the afterlife, he speedily builds an undead army and sets out on a mission of vengeance. The story'due south writing is both interesting and hilarious thanks to excellent writing, some of which you can witness in our easily-on video beneath.

Skulls of the Shogun XBLA Strategy veterans and people who've never played a strategy game earlier volition have no trouble learning Skulls' gameplay. When a character'southward plow comes up, his movement radius appears as a circle around him. Move him anywhere within that area and attack any nearby enemies. Eating the skulls of downed warriors buffs a unit. Each side has a General character with greater offensive power than the rest. But if your General dies, you lose, so part of the strategy is keeping him sufficiently protected.

Crossing platforms on deject

1 of the Skulls of the Shogun's nigh exciting aspects for Microsoft enthusiasts is its cantankerous-platform support. No, yous tin can't purchase a single copy of the game and play information technology on all iii platforms – we're a few years off from Microsoft hopping onto that train. But users who purchase Skulls on more than 1 platform (and fifty-fifty some who don't) will benefit from several awesome features.

First upwardly, users tin can start a game on one version of Skulls and then resume on some other version cheers to cloud saving. We've been clamoring for that feature in Windows Phone games for years, then it'due south always great to see a game that uses it. The "Pause, Play, Resume" feature seems ideally suited for players who desire to play on the big screen at domicile and and so take the game with them on a phone or tablet when they leave the firm.

Simply as cool, Skulls supports cantankerous-platform multiplayer for upward to 4 players! That ways Windows Phone, Xbox 360, and Windows 8/RT users will all be able to play against each other for the offset time in any game. Skulls' online multiplayer is asynchronous and competitive in nature. Each player will motion his or her warriors and then wait for the adjacent role player to practise the same equally they battle for supremacy. Think AlphaJax but fashion more than heady and without the cheating! Too, all versions support local multiplayer.

Finally, players dedicated enough to buy each version will enjoy three times the Achievements. Yes, they are stackable.

Mark that calendar

Smashing gameplay, cute art and music, precipitous writing, and the best cross-platform features of whatever game on a Microsoft platform should make Skulls of the Shogun a game to remember. All 3 versions launch on Wednesday, January 30^th. The XBLA and Windows 8/RT versions will toll $15 and the Windows Phone game $6.99/£v.49. A chip expensive for a phone game, but remember that it provides the full console/PC experience on the become.

Thanks to anybody who tipped us!

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