The holiday season can be overwhelming, but taking a break with a relaxing game might be the perfect remedy for the festive chaos. Fortunately, Xbox has provided a delightful escape for Xbox Series X/S users with a free-to-play title that’s sure to help you unwind.
Discover “Preserve” – A Nature-Building Puzzle Game
Developed by Bitmap Galaxy, Preserve is a relatively new “relaxing puzzle nature-building game” where players create thriving ecosystems. By strategically placing plants and animals, you can nurture a vibrant and harmonious world full of life and color.
According to Xbox’s description, the game’s objective is to foster a diverse biome where all elements coexist in symbiotic harmony. Players must utilize strategic thinking and balance to place flora and fauna, tailoring the environment to their creative aspirations.
One of Preserve’s standout features is its vertical map expansion, allowing players to explore their worlds from various perspectives and make the most of the space. The game also boasts a variety of biomes, including alpine forests, savannas, and Caribbean reefs, each offering unique plants, animals, and challenges.
When the task of building your perfect biome becomes overwhelming, Preserve encourages players to pause, enter photo mode, and document their progress—providing a moment to reflect and appreciate their work.
Praised for Its Chill Gameplay
Currently holding a “very positive” rating on Steam, Preserve has won over fans of cozy, puzzle-solving games. One reviewer described it as “a super chill game with a beautiful soundtrack,” adding that its mechanics are easy to grasp but require thoughtful planning to achieve the best outcomes. Another called it “a lot of fun” and recommended it to anyone who enjoys relaxing gameplay with a creative twist.
For those seeking a tranquil escape this holiday season, Preserve might just be the perfect choice to balance the festive chaos.
Revisiting Halo: Combat Evolved – A Nostalgic Journey
While some games thrive with age, others struggle to meet the expectations of modern players. Over the past few weeks, I felt the pull of nostalgia and decided to revisit Halo: Combat Evolved—the game that launched a legendary franchise—via The Master Chief Collection on Xbox Game Pass. A friend and I set out to relive the series’ glory days by tackling the entire saga in co-op.
It had been almost 20 years since I last set foot on the Pillar of Autumn and onto Halo’s iconic ringworld. This time, the remastered visuals made the experience feel fresh. The updated graphics, while not entirely up to today’s standards, were impressive, and the option to switch to the original visuals at the press of a button provided a nostalgic thrill.
A Journey of Mixed Feelings
Despite these upgrades, my time with Halo: Combat Evolved left me conflicted. While the game’s cinematic storytelling and groundbreaking mechanics were revolutionary in the early 2000s, they feel dated today. Repetitive corridors, overused elevators, and recycled textures were frequent points of frustration. These design choices, though understandable given the technology of the time, highlight how far gaming has come.
That said, Halo: Combat Evolved still offers flashes of its former brilliance. Moments like stepping onto the ringworld for the first time or piloting a Banshee remind us why it was such a beloved title. However, those memories are often overshadowed by the game’s age and limitations.
Nostalgia vs. Reality
Replaying Halo: Combat Evolved wasn’t a bad experience. It was an enjoyable few hours spent with a good friend, revisiting the roots of a universe that would grow into something extraordinary. But it’s also a reminder that not all classics age gracefully. Sometimes, the best way to preserve fond memories of a game is to leave it in the past.
While my nostalgia was satisfied, the experience left me wondering whether some games are better remembered than replayed. Still, for fans of the franchise, Halo: Combat Evolved remains a cornerstone of gaming history—warts and all.
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