Developer 17-Bit has announced that Skulls of the Shogun will feature cross-platform play across the Xbox 360, Windows 8 PCs, Windows 8 tablets like the Microsoft Surface, and Windows Phones versions of the game. So for example, you you can start up the Skulls campaign on your Xbox 360 in the morning, continue on with your mobile or tablet on your commute, and keep playing while at your work PC when the boss isn’t looking.
The multiplayer works the same way as up to four friends can fight each other through any of the supported device. Skulls is also the first game on Xbox to support asynchronous gameplay, and you’ll be notified when it’s your turn or when you’ve been invited to a match. Players can have up to ten matches going at a time too, and 17-Bit’s Jake Kazdal told me they’re looking into increasing that number.
The catch, though, is that you have to purchase multiple copies of the game to take advantage of the cross-play. The crew at 17-Bit have built such an absolutely wonderful game that I honestly wouldn’t mind buying it multiple times. There’s roughly a 10-15 hour campaign, plus the multiplayer will keep you coming back time and time again. Check out our extended preview to see why you can’t afford to miss this one.
So when’s it coming out? Skulls of the Shogun is going to be a launch title for Windows 8 when it’s released this Fall, with a simultaneous launch on Xbox Live Arcade, and Windows Phone. It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over!
