Not only did we get the announcement of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate being playable on Fire TV, but Amazon & Xbox are at it again... with bundles! Who would've thought this duo would ever be a thing?
For a limited time, you can get the new Prime Exclusive Bundles for a steal. The one that I recommend specifically... is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Bundle, which is $10 more than the standard Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. I wouldn't tell you it's worth the $10 unless it's truly worth it, so here's why you should go Max:
Double the storage (at 16GB)
4K UHD (at 60 fps)
Quad-core 2.0GHz Processor (850MHz GPU)
Faster performance, WiFi 6E Support
Fire TV Ambient Experience
The bundle also comes with a Carbon Black Xbox Core Wireless Controller + A Free Month of Game Pass (for New Members). Now... if you aren't a new member, sharing is caring. Hook up a friend who needs a little... cloud gaming in their life and tell em to game on!
You can get this bundle for $78.90 (or $14.58/month vs $119.98)! Let the good times take... control!
I didn't know what to expect from this game, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was... bad ass.
Before you dismiss it, let me clarify: “Kaku Ancient Seal” isn’t just for kids. While adults can certainly enjoy this open-world action-adventure game, there’s something special about it that I feel will resonate with younger players. As someone who fondly remembers the days when PlayStation ruled the realm of whimsical adventure games, I found myself transported back to that magical feeling while playing “Kaku Ancient Seal.”
“Kaku Ancient Seal” is an absolute blast, and we feel that it's a must-play for young adventurers age 7 and up. It’s the kind of game they’ll probably remember fondly from their childhood without you breaking the bank. The game features three difficulty settings. If Normal mode proves too tough, dial it down to “Easy.” As for the “Hard” setting, I’m intrigued and I feel that it’s a challenge I’ll tackle in due time.
Story: Unraveling Secrets
The heart of “Kaku Ancient Seal” lies in its captivating narrative. Players step into the shoes of Kaku, a young adventurer exploring a mysterious continent. Ancient ruins, strange creatures, and unique tribes await discovery. As you progress, secrets unfold, revealing the land’s history and the quest to restore balance. Brace yourself for an engaging adventure filled with twists and turns. I will let you find out for yourself who the supernatural being in the gold robe is. In the meantime, check out this First 30:
Combat System: Dynamic and Satisfying
Combat in “Kaku Ancient Seal” is dynamic and satisfying. Engage in real-time battles against various foes. Kaku wields both melee and ranged attacks, utilizing weapons like Spikey Stick and a trusty Wooden slingshot. Timing, strategy, and dodging play crucial roles. As you progress, unlock new abilities and learn enemy patterns—the combat system evolves, striking a balance between accessibility and depth.
Charming Touches: Characters, Cooking, and Crafting
Beyond combat, “Kaku Ancient Seal” offers delightful touches. Characters engage in funny interactions, adding to the game’s charm. And let’s talk about sustenance: sure, you can munch on raw ingredients for a health boost, but cooking them yields more potent effects. Don’t forget the crafting of sling shot projectiles—Pellets—each with unique properties (like the Thunder Pellets).
Upgrade System: Crafting Your Path
As you explore, collect resources, and defeat enemies, you earn experience points (XP). Invest those points wisely:
Upgrade Kaku’s skills
Enhance combat moves
Unlock new abilities
Discover recipes for cooking and crafting—these items can recover health, stamina, or enhance weapons.
Replay Value and Achievements
Replay value is a huge factor in this game, making it an adventure to enjoy overtime. It may be possible to complete it in one sitting, but that would require a lot to accomplish for no reason (unless you're a speed runner). Enjoy the adventure as you meet various characters and take on thousands of monsters like cannibal fruit, King Boar, Dustbadger, Firmament, Flaming Best, Hippogriff, King Salamander, Baruch, King Desert Fang, and more. You will have your work cut out for you if you try to hunt down more than the 80 achievements this game has to offer, and some will require certain circumstances to obtain them:
One missed opportunity: Hidden exploration achievements! Imagine unlocking rewards based on where you explore and what you find—it would add an extra layer of excitement and gives the level designer's more love. We will run it by the development team, and maybe we'll see such achievements in the future.
Visuals, Audio, and Price Tag
“Kaku Ancient Seal” delivers quality visuals and an impressive audio experience. The game doesn’t cut corners in a way that cheapens the experience—each detail contributes to its enchanting world. Sure there could be animations that involve Kaku pulling mushrooms out of the ground, but it doesn't its not a requirement to enjoy the actual adventure. Neither does blood and gore, you will find that there is none in this game making it safe for the kids and Mr. & Ms. Squeamish.
Here’s the kicker: "Kaku Ancient Seal" is priced at a mere $24.99. Shout-out to the indie developer, Bingobell, for crafting such a gem. Considering the animations, combat depth, vast worlds, puzzles, and overall adventure, this game could easily justify a $39.99 price tag. The fact that it’s available for less makes it an absolute steal.
Embark on a quest to restore balance, explore the four elemental regions, and conquer the lords alongside your supernatural companion, Piggy. “Kaku Ancient Seal” is available now, and I wholeheartedly give it two thumbs up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m diving back into prehistoric action. Game on!
Go to... the Luna App on your Fire TV or in your Fire Stick 4K
Dive in... and get access to XDefiant and many other games without an additional monthly fee beyond your Amazon Prime subscription.
Having the Fire Stick 4K certainly opens more doors because you have access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but... outside of that, I had to write this article because access to console quality gaming has never been easier. Sure we had TV's back in the day that had boxes containing little games (remember the ones in the hotels back in the day you weren't allowed to spend money on?), but... come on son! That's not the same, you can literally just turn on the telly and join gamers from other platforms to get in some game time.
I met a few gamers last week who were leaving work, and they were ready to get in some game time to round out their night. We chopped it up for about 10 to 15 minutes after they spoke about Call of Duty and Battlefield. Now you know... that caught my attention, and I had to ask them if they've ever played XDefiant. After that conversation, let's just say they were going to give it a whirl. Imagine the person who would love to play but they're left out because they don't have a console or PC?
Streaming has been around for awhile now (I was an Onlive user for the duration), but... Amazon is opening doors that I can't help but give props too. The games I owned on Onlive, disappeared with the platform, and while Amazon is much more stable than that company was... you don't have to worry about your stats and gear disappearing in XDefiant if it ever leaves Amazon Luna. Since it's tied to your Ubisoft account, just like your other games you can stream for free through Luna, you can pick up and play... elsewhere without skipping a beat (no starting over).
Overall, It's easier to get someone to consider a game when they find out that all they really need is a controller and an affordable streaming stick to get even more out of their Amazon Prime account, and the deal on the Amazon Luna Controller is a great way to get started.
For Prime Day, the Luna Controller is... 43% off ($39.99), and you can still do an $8/month payment plan on it, just like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
For Prime Day, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is... 42% off ($34.99), and the payment plan is $7/month if you with to go that route. There is no additional interest to worry about with other of these. So if you don't buy them both outright (for $74.98), you can have them both for... $15/month (paid off in 5 months). I'll leave it there, you have the information to do with what you will.
By the way, don't miss out on the free games being served up during prime day, one of which is... Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. So on that note, grab some games, power on your controller and... Game on!
Not much of a shift this week, but it was great to meet some of you. Sorry for all the rain during your trip to Orlando, but it was great to meet Hiep from Vietnam, the tech company who are behind multiple attractions (i.e. attractions in Epic Universe). They're from Australia, and they're hype to see things while here during crunch time. Carlos from Mexico, Travis from Germany, and... Riya + Mike + Aaron from Orlando, what's up?! Use those discounts and fun it up! Top 10... let's go!
