So there's four of these, but only the second is numbered?

The previous episode had some fantastic beasts, but this one is set in the century of dragons. That's right, the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has selected the fourth title in Bioware's RPG franchise for assessment on this episode! Well, it's the fourth one if you leave out Awakening and that freemium mobile game, but most of the franchise isn't numbered anyway, so is anyone keeping track? Further diverging from its early roots as a tactical RPG, this latest entry in the series is decidedly an action RPG. Unlike previous installments, combat control is focused on just one character and the design team dropped the open world approach for something that's much more linear. Will these changes be embraced by the modern audience? More to the point, will Tom and Chris prefer the mandated hour here over the time they spent with Dragon Age II way back in episode 105? There's no need for additional suspense, the answer is available now in their review, one must simply press play to find out!

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1H1D #251: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Let's get you sorted, doubly so!

The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button is this show's equivalent of a certain famous sorting hat. It's fitting (pun intended) that it has selected that franchise's action role-playing game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Portkey Games for this numerically significant episode. The game in question puts you in the robes of an unusually late addition to the Hogwarts roster, complete with a special ability and some corresponding intrigue that is sure to add complications to that youngster's schooling. There have been plenty of Harry Potter games created throughout the years, and they have certainly had mixed receptions. Where will this modern entry land in the minds of our two hosts? After the mandated playtime, will they be fully invested or seeking for a way to unenroll? Tom and Chris have played their hour, now let's learn if this title is worth at least one of yours!

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1H1D #250: Hogwarts Legacy

Think you can run a better park? Prove it!

Back in 1993, Tom was convinced he could succeed where John Hammond had failed. Fortunately, the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has seen fit to give our hosts an opportunity to test that theory with this dinosaur theme park management simulator developed and published by Frontier Developments. The studio is no stranger to the genre and this isn't even their first rodeo with the beloved license, so the odds of a successful sim seem squarely in their favor. Will they deliver on entertainment as promised or will a familiar sense of hubris prove the undoing of this story as well? Join our hosts as they roll up their sleeves to operate their own Mesozoic zoos and see if things will run smoothly or if life will find a way... to create chaos!

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1H1D #249: Jurassic World Evolution 2

Saddle up and pedal forth for adventure!

The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button spun through its options and landed on a choice that will have Tom and Chris spinning their own tires! Enter the latest game developed by Messhof, this time with publisher support from Annapurna Interactive. In this third person open world racing game, players are tasked with collecting some legendary items to save the world. Sounds pretty standard, except these items are actually stolen parts of a sentient bicycle. If you think the plot sounds unusual for a cycling game, our hosts don't disagree! But will they agree that it is worth your time? Join our dynamic duo as they discuss what they discovered while exploring this world of wheels and learn if it's worth a visit!

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1H1D #248: Wheel World

Roguelites are our own personal hell.

Venturing to the underworld ought to be met with a sense of dread, but for Chris, the dread he's feeling is centered on the roguelite nature of this isometric action RPG developed and published by Supergiant Games. Tom is a bit more optimistic, buoyed by the game's strong reception from both critics and players alike. Which of these two attitudes will rise up to the surface after an hour of escape attempts through a gauntlet of undead enemies? It's frankly impressive that they haven't given this game a try in the years since it launched... heck, there's already a sequel! Either way, the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has spoken and, at least around here, its word is law. Join our hosts and see if they'll be returning to hell after the mandated hour is up!

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1H1D #247: Hades

Not the German comedy series.

There seems to be no shortage of cleaning simulators these days, but this one developed by President Studio and published by PlayWay has a different hook. Instead of power-washing someone's driveway or de-cluttering someone's home, this title puts you in the shoes of a former high school janitor that must clean up after criminals so those villains won't be caught for their dastardly deeds. Mopping up blood? Absolutely! Destroying evidence? You betcha! Disposing of victims? Well, you've come this far, no backing out now. Tom and Chris rolled up their sleeves and did some real dirty work during their hour long stint as one of those "Dinner Reservation" folks from John Wick. It certainly was a novel experience, but was it an entertaining one that's worthy of your precious free time? Our hosts have been caught red handed and they're ready to spill the beans!

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1H1D #246: Crime Scene Cleaner

Take a trip to the 90's... the 2090's.

The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button delivers on its name with the selection of this retro-anime inspired FPS developed by Hammer95 Studios and published by Epopeia Games. Neither of our hosts had heard of this before it was chosen, so they are going in with zero expectations other than whatever they may associate with mullets. With an hour on their play clocks and just ten seconds to cause chaos and literally earn their (continued) living, will this fast-paced shooter stand out against the many options competing for their attention? Join Tom and Chris as they step into the shoes of Jack Banhammer and race off to score some sweet sneakers. All they need to do is mulch multiple millionaire murderbots on their way to rescue a positively popular princess! Slap this episode in your tape-deck and crunch play to hear if this one is worth your time!

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1H1D #245: Mullet MadJack

Are we trading rogues or roguishly trading?

Buckle up, buttercup! The grimdark of the Imperium awaits in this turn-based tactical RPG developed and published by Owlcat Games. The studio first cut their teeth translating another tabletop game (Pathfinder) to the digital realm. Despite some early challenges there, they found their rhythm, launched a sequel, and then were tasked with taking on 40k's roleplay system. Tom and Chris previously enjoyed their foray with this franchise on Episode 166 when they reviewed Boltgun, but this is a completely different genre and guaranteed to be a very different gameplay experience. Will they enjoy this RPG as much as they enjoyed that FPS? How many other acronyms will they be able to cram into this bite-sized review? Let's find out!

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1H1D #244: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

Anthropomorphic Orange is the New Black?

The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button is sending our hosts directly to jail. They won't be passing go and they won't be collecting $200 on the way. Thankfully it's just part of the experience of playing the pixel-art RPG developed by Metal Head Games where the player takes on the role of a humanimal that must set things the wrong things right from behind bars! With nothing to go on but a title and some key art, Tom and Chris really have no idea what to expect from their hour-long experience with this very indie title. Will it be a break-out hit or deserving of incarceration? Join our dynamic duo as they discuss their time in this digital clink and see if it's a place they will recommend you visit of your own recognizance!

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1H1D #243: Back to the Dawn

Wait, isn't that the character from Arcane?

Still completely oblivious to League of Legends outside his love for the animated show, Tom (and his pal Chris) must engage with another spin-off property, this time thanks to the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button. For this episode, the team will be investigating the digital collectible card dame developed and published by Riot Games. This game has been around for years, but thanks to its genre, it has sailed completely under the radar of our hosts. But there in lies both of the bane and the beauty of random game selection, nothing is off the table... even when that table is digital. As per usual, our hosts will play for a full hour and then report back on whether or not it's worth your precious time. Will their inherent bias (against card games) leave this destined for deletion or will some newfound appreciation (for the art and lore) grant this particular title a fair shot at a stable spot in play rotation? We've heard that... sometimes taking a leap forward means leaving a few things behind.

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1H1D #242: Legends of Runeterra

Tom and Chris are college buddies and life-long gamers. Unfortunately, responsibilities of middle-age life are hindering their opportunities to try many of the great games out there! With the help of Xbox Game Pass and its "Surprise Me" button, they play just 60 minutes of a random game and decide if they will keep at it or trash it.

1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)