The Underrated 2023 Game That’s Climbing the Xbox Sales Charts

The 1950s-set murder mystery game This Bed We Made has been steadily climbing the Xbox sales charts lately. The game, which originally launched late last year, has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to a discounted price for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. This exposure to a new audience has helped the title regain momentum on the bestseller list, proving that a well-crafted experience can find success even after its initial release.

Developed by the up-and-coming studio Oakwood Interactive, This Bed We Made has been praised for its captivating story, atmospheric presentation, and richly realized 1950s setting. Players take on the role of private investigator Jack Reilly as he delves into a complex web of lies and deception in a small town plagued by a series of grisly murders. The game’s narrative-driven gameplay and focus on clue-gathering and deduction have drawn comparisons to classic film noir, while the game’s striking visual style and jazz-infused soundtrack immerse players in the period setting.

Despite launching to decent reviews, This Bed We Made initially struggled to find a large audience amidst the crowded games market. However, the title has experienced a renaissance in recent months, likely bolstered by positive word-of-mouth and the boost provided by its Xbox Game Pass inclusion. Industry analysts suggest the game’s climb up the sales charts could signal the beginning of a breakout success story, proving that innovative, story-driven experiences can still thrive in the modern gaming landscape.

A Captivating Narrative in an Authentic 1950s Setting

This Bed We Made follows the story of Sophie, a curious chambermaid working at the Clarington Hotel in 1958. As players take on the role of Sophie, they’re given the opportunity to explore the hotel, eavesdropping on the lives of its temporary residents. In doing so, Sophie becomes entangled in a web of murder, deceit, and scandal, desperately searching for the truth behind a sinister mystery unfolding within the hotel’s walls. Developed by the up-and-coming studio Oakwood Interactive, This Bed We Made has been praised for its captivating narrative, atmospheric presentation, and authentic 1950s setting. The game offers a relatively compact but impactful experience, as players meticulously comb through three floors of the Clarington, uncovering the personal effects of those staying there and forming close bonds with both employees and guests. As Sophie, players are tasked with piecing together clues, eavesdropping on conversations, and observing the behaviors of the hotel’s occupants in order to unravel the underlying mystery. The game’s gameplay revolves around exploration, deduction, and dialogue, with Sophie’s own biases and personal circumstances adding an additional layer of complexity to the investigation. Players must carefully weigh the reliability of the information they gather, as the game’s narrative is intentionally shrouded in ambiguity and misdirection.

The Clarington Hotel itself acts as a richly realized character in its own right, with each floor and room imbued with a distinct atmosphere and personality. From the opulent grand lobby to the cramped, dingy service corridors, the hotel’s various spaces reflect the social divides and class disparities of 1950s America. Oakwood’s meticulous attention to period detail extends to the hotel’s furnishings, décor, and architectural flourishes, as well as the mannerisms and wardrobes of the characters that inhabit it. Complementing the game’s immersive setting is a jazz-infused musical score that evokes the smoky, romantic ambiance of classic film noir. The soundtrack’s sultry saxophone melodies and driving rhythms underscore the hotel’s air of mystery and intrigue, while also highlighting the game’s thematic exploration of themes like isolation, deception, and the fragility of the human condition.

As reported by Pure Xbox, This Bed We Made has recently experienced a resurgence in attention and popularity. The game currently boasts a 4.5/5 star rating on the Xbox storefront, with new players providing overwhelmingly positive feedback. This burst of renewed interest is presumably due to the title being featured at a discounted price for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Normally retailing for $24.99, Game Pass owners can now engage in Sophie’s detective work for the reduced price of $16.64. Notably, this same discounted price is also available on Steam, making it an appealing purchase for fans across platforms. The game’s climb up the Xbox sales charts suggests that well-crafted, story-driven experiences can still find success, even after their initial launch. Oakwood Interactive’s innovative take on the murder mystery genre appears to be resonating with a growing audience, demonstrating the enduring appeal of thoughtful, immersive gameplay. Industry analysts suggest This Bed We Made’s resurgence could signal the beginning of a breakout success story. In a gaming landscape increasingly dominated by open-world epics and live service experiences, the game’s focus on a tightly designed narrative and intimate character exploration seems to be striking a chord with players seeking a more curated, bespoke adventure.

Furthermore, the game’s thematic exploration of social stratification, moral ambiguity, and the human condition has drawn comparisons to classic works of noir fiction, highlighting Oakwood’s ambition to elevate the murder mystery genre. By seamlessly blending gameplay, storytelling, and atmosphere, This Bed We Made offers a refreshingly unique experience that challenges players to grapple with the complex truths that lie beneath the surface of its 1950s setting. As word of the game’s quality continues to spread, it’s likely that This Bed We Made will continue climbing the sales charts, potentially finding a wider audience among fans of thoughtful, character-driven narratives. The game’s ability to resonate with players long after its initial release is a testament to the power of compelling game design and the enduring appeal of well-crafted mysteries.

This Bed We Made Rising Up The Xbox Sale Charts Following Recent Discount

Recent reception to This Bed We Made has been overwhelmingly positive, with both Steam and Xbox player reviews praising the game’s captivating mystery and thoughtful exploration of the human condition. Many fans have highlighted the game’s compelling branching narrative, which allows players to delve into the personal lives of the Clarington Hotel’s various occupants and grapple with the consequences of their own voyeuristic tendencies. Reviewers often commend the skill with which This Bed We Made blends its detective-style gameplay and thematic examination of human nature. As chambermaid Sophie, players must carefully balance their role as investigator with their responsibilities as a hotel employee, leading to moments where the player’s desire to uncover the truth clashes with their moral obligations to the hotel’s residents. This dynamic creates a palpable sense of tension, as players find themselves torn between satisfying their curiosity and respecting the privacy of those they’re meant to serve. While some have noted the game’s relatively short length, with most players reportedly completing the experience in a single evening, the overall consensus seems to be that This Bed We Made offers a tightly designed, exhilarating narrative that leaves a lasting impact. The game’s ability to explore complex themes of social stratification, moral ambiguity, and the fragility of the human condition within the confines of a compact, character-driven mystery has resonated with many players.

Oakwood Interactive’s attention to period detail and immersive atmosphere has also been widely praised, with the Clarington Hotel itself serving as a richly realized character in its own right. The game’s jazz-infused soundtrack and meticulously crafted environments work in concert to create a palpable sense of place, further enhancing the player’s investment in the unfolding drama. Thematically, This Bed We Made delves into the ways in which our desire to understand others can often lead to unintended consequences. As Sophie, players are compelled to invade the privacy of the Clarington’s guests, eavesdropping on their conversations and rummaging through their personal belongings in search of clues. This voyeuristic behavior, while necessary for progressing the investigation, forces players to confront their own moral complicity in the affairs of the hotel’s occupants.

The game’s narrative is deliberately shrouded in ambiguity, challenging players to carefully weigh the reliability of the information they gather and consider the motivations and biases of the various characters. This sense of uncertainty extends to the game’s ultimate resolution, as the player’s choices and actions can lead to multiple, nuanced endings that resist simple moral judgments. In this way, This Bed We Made encourages players to wrestle with the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of deception, isolation, and the often-blurred line between truth and fiction. The game’s willingness to grapple with these weighty topics, while maintaining an engaging and atmospheric murder mystery narrative, has resonated with many players as a refreshingly unique and thought-provoking experience. Furthermore, the game’s examination of social stratification and class divides within the 1950s setting of the Clarington Hotel adds an additional layer of thematic depth. The disparities between the hotel’s opulent public spaces and its cramped, dingy service corridors reflect the broader societal inequities of the era, and Sophie’s position as a working-class chambermaid grants players a unique vantage point from which to observe these systemic power structures.

As players delve deeper into the mystery at the heart of This Bed We Made, they are forced to confront their own biases and preconceptions about the hotel’s residents. The game’s nuanced characterization and deft handling of moral ambiguity resist simplistic judgments, challenging the player to empathize with even the most unsavory of characters. This commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience has resonated with many reviewers, who praise the game’s ability to linger in the mind long after the final credits have rolled. Ultimately, This Bed We Made appears to have struck a chord with players seeking a thoughtful, character-driven experience that challenges them to confront the complexities of human nature. While its brevity may be a deterrent for some, the game’s ability to deliver a captivating mystery narrative paired with profound thematic exploration has resonated with a growing audience of discerning gamers. As word of mouth continues to spread, it’s likely that This Bed We Made will only continue to find new fans among those seeking a curated, immersive adventure that eschews easy answers in favor of thought-provoking exploration.