So, since you enjoyed last month’s ID@Xbox title Chariot so much, we decided to follow up with another fantastic, brand-new indie title for the Xbox One crowd. This time, it’s Volgarr the Viking, an old-school, hack-and-slash platformer. And for the Xbox 360 gamers among you, Games with Gold gets you two classics, both the highlights of their particular series: Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise and Red Faction: Guerilla. As usual, all games are available only for a limited time, as part of the ongoing Games with Gold program – so find a buddy (or not), and jump in!



Volgarr the Viking ($9.99 ERP): Available from Nov. 1-30 on Xbox One (note that Volgarr the Viking is only available in select territories – gamers in Germany, Russia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil can look forward to the full version of Powerstar Golf instead!)

is only available in select territories – gamers in Germany, Russia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil can look forward to the full version of Powerstar Golf instead!) Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise ($14.99 ERP): Available from Nov. 1-15 on Xbox 360

Red Faction: Guerrilla ($19.99 ERP): Available from Nov. 16-30 on Xbox 360

Sick and tired of games that are too easy? Looking for a balanced, rewarding challenge? Well, that’s what Volgarr the Viking is all about! For Xbox One gamers, this is a journey back to the days of yore, when times were tougher, and you really only needed a couple buttons to play a game. Sure, the controls are easy to learn… but the challenge comes from all angles as you take on the role of sword-swingin’, shield-blockin’, spear-throwin’, bearded Viking. Death comes from all sides, so be ready for dastardly enemies and clever traps – but there are quite a few secrets to discover that will help you along your way. Did we mention top-quality, 16-bit pixel graphics and a pulse-pounding soundtrack? Yeah, you get that too.

For the Xbox 360 crowd, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise is on offer in November. This sequel to the wildly popular Viva Piñata places you once again at the helm of your own personal garden paradise, where your job is to create a home for your piñata companions. You’ll face challenges from the evil Professor Pester and his Ruffians, and you’ll face even more just trying to please and attract new piñatas to your garden. Trouble in Paradise gives you better controls, more tools, and more robust multiplayer support than the original game, meaning you can get all the help you need. Of course, if you’d prefer not to worry about challenges and managing needs, Trouble in Paradise also features a sandbox mode, where you can simply build your garden to your heart’s content and fill it with your favorite piñata buddies. This is a great game for the younger ones in your family to enjoy, but there’s plenty in Trouble in Paradise’s intricate economy and variable challenges for adults to have fun too.

Finally, Xbox 360 players also get access to Red Faction: Guerilla. On Mars circa 2125, players find that the Earth Defense Force – the original good guys from the first two Red Faction titles – have become corrupt, and are exploiting the miners and the good people of Mars. Using a variety of weapons and vehicles, players must take down the oppressive regime and set up new power structures in its place. Guerrilla is different from other Red Faction titles, in that it’s open-world – players have the option to go where they want and engage in a variety of emergent missions. Buildings and other cover objects are fully destructible, so players can wreak havoc with rocket launchers and heavy weapons. Guerrilla has a strategic element, too: Cause too much destruction or let too many civilians die, and morale will drop among the populace, making the game progressively harder. It’s a big, deep, balanced third-person shooter with plenty to do.

So, feel free to say your Thanksgiving “thanks” early this year, as when November rolls around, you’ll have three new, fantastic games to choose from, all completely free. Check out the full details on our Games with Gold program, and make sure you get in on the action while you can!