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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 12 to 16

9. Leden 2026 v 16:00

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 12 to 16

NWOX hero

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Bus Driving Simulator : EVO

Ovilex Soft SRL

$19.99

Bus Driving Simulator: Evo – January 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Get behind the wheel and become a professional bus driver! This amazing bus simulator will allow you to transport passengers across three different cities (Rio de Janeiro, Munich and Los Angeles) using various bus models with realistic physics and graphics. Play this bus simulator in single player with career and freeride modes.


Loan Shark

Dark Product

Loan Shark – January 13 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You’re an indebted angler, trapped in a vicious cycle of borrowing and desperation. One dark, endless night at sea you haul up something unnatural: a talking fish named Cagliuso. It promises you riches — but its bargains come with terrifying strings. In Loan Shark, the nets you cast bring more than fish. They pull you toward sacrifice, secrets, and a deadline you may never meet. The “loan shark” isn’t just metaphoric — something is stalking the waters, your time is running out, and every deal you strike pushes you deeper into the unknown.


Xbox Play Anywhere

SimRail – The Railway Simulator

PlayWay S.A.

$34.99 $31.49

SimRail – The Railway Simulator – January 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

SimRail is a new era of railway simulators. Realistic driving physics, the environment generated on the basis of geodetic data and an extensive multi-player mode are just some of the elements that game includes. Visit about 500 km of real routes created with all details. Choose present European high-speed, long-distance and suburban tracks, or travel back in time to 1980 and drive steam train at sand railway of Upper Silesia, Poland: the socialist land of coal and steel.


Tavern Manager Simulator

Ultimate Games S.A.

Tavern Manager Simulator – January 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Tavern Manager Simulator is an exciting process of rebuilding, expanding and improving a tavern. Take different approaches to running an establishment and meet the challenges of the outside world to create your own unique story.


Bob The Brick Breaker

Brainium Games

Bob the Brick Breaker – January 14

A game inspired by old arcade games, where waves of bricks make the climb to the top increasingly difficult. Adding to the challenge are minions and bosses, who will put us to the test. Ask your friends for help, playing as a duo, or go head-to-head to see who’s the best. If you think you’re the best of the bunch, then get ready to prove to the rest of the world that you’ve got what it takes via the online leaderboards.


Cats Around Us: Giant Cat

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Cats Around Us: Giant Cat – January 14

A giant cat has made an (otherwise) peaceful village its napping spot! Can you find all the hidden cats scattered around the chaos? Explore four illustrated comic pages, search for hundreds of felines, and complete relaxing jigsaw puzzles. Cats Around Us: Giant Cat combines hidden-object gameplay with storybook art, offering a cozy, creative experience for cat and cartoon lovers alike!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Direction Quad

Eastasiasoft Limited

Direction Quad – January 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Hop your way through the dangerous swamps as you face the trials of your master the Wise Toad! Direction Quad is a 2D action-adventure presented in top-down pixel art style. Take the role of young Quad as he hops through the swamp in any diagonal direction, collecting coins and bugs along the way. The objective is to get Quad from his starting lily pad to the finish line of each stage without colliding with the terrain or any treacherous traps.


DreadOut Remastered Collection

Soft Source Pte Ltd

$29.99

DreadOut Remastered Collection – January 14

A collectors dream! A compilation consisting of the original DreadOut and DreadOut: Keepers of the Dark. DreadOut is a third person supernatural horror game where you play as Linda, a high school student trapped in an old, abandoned town. Equipped with her trusty smartphone and an SLR camera, she will battle against terrifying encounters and solve mysterious puzzles which will ultimately determine her fate. DreadOut: Keepers of the Dark is a new standalone horror game that takes place in the DreadOut universe. In this missing chapter, you will help Linda face the challenges of the DreadOut world with even more dangers lurking within.


Xbox Play Anywhere

God bless, or Goddess

NiuGamer

$19.99 $17.99

God Bless, or Goddess – January 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Handheld Optimized / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

They say the path to immortality is paved with hardship. But in your case, this hardship happened to take the form of seven dangerously beautiful women. You are Lin Fan, the chosen one of the Crane Illusion Sect. Born with a Pure Yang Lineage, you are destined to ascend to the heavens. However, no matter how hard you train, fate sends yet another challenge in your way…temptations in the shape of an unreliable master, a strict senior sister, or a saintess who seems far more interested in testing your heart rather than your skills. Can you survive the thousand tribulations of love, jealousy, and thunder? Or will your heart fall just before your heavenly ascension?


Xbox Play Anywhere

The Last Case of John Morley

JanduSoft

$12.99 $11.69

The Last Case of John Morley – January 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

The Last Case of John Morley is a first-person narrative adventure set in the 1940s. You play as an experienced detective faced with a case long buried by time. After months in hospital, John Morley receives an unexpected visit from Lady Margarette Fordside, an aristocrat haunted by the murder of her daughter twenty years earlier. Though the police closed the case, she believes the real killer was never found. What begins as a quiet look into an old case becomes a haunting investigation into forgotten places and long-hidden truths that refuse to stay buried.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Ninja Nightfall

Old School Vibes

Ninja Nightfall – January 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Ninja Nightfall is a fast-paced platformer where you are the last silent guardian—an elite ninja battling a city overrun by hostile AI. Conquer 10 intense stages filled with deadly robots, hidden zones, and high-security relics. Master stealth, speed, and precision as you navigate neon-lit rooftops and evade traps.


CASSETTE BOY

Forever Entertainment S. A.

$12.99 $11.69

Cassette Boy – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Is the moon there when nobody looks? Einstein once asked this famous question about quantum mechanics. This game takes that idea and turns it into a mysterious puzzle RPG, where the world itself only exists when you see it.


Disco Simulator

Ultimate Games S.A.

$14.99 $11.99

Disco Simulator – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Disco Simulator is a tycoon game focused on managing your own nightclub. Start from scratch, build walls, arrange furniture, hire staff, plan events, and invite artists to perform on stage. Create the ultimate place for music, dance, and fun!


Dreamscapes – Nightmare's Heir

Joindots® GmbH

Dreamscapes – Nightmare’s Heir – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Two years after waking from her coma, Laura believes she’s free from nightmares. But the Sandman, who once held her soul captive, is back for revenge. A relaxing trip to a snowy mountain resort turns tragic when Tim falls from a cliff and slips into a coma. Bound by her vow not to use her Power for personal gain, Laura can’t save him herself. Desperate, she turns to an old friend (the player) and enters Tim’s subconscious, now under the Sandman’s dark influence. Explore haunting dreamscapes, solve intriguing puzzles, and face the shadows before the Sandman claims his next heir.


KEJORA

Soft Source Pte Ltd

$19.99

Kejora – January 15

When Kejora realizes that her peaceful village has been reliving the same day over and over, she and her friends seek out to try and uncover the origin of the mysterious time loop cursed on her village There’s a mystery hidden behind this peaceful village, unknown to its inhabitants, who carry on with their daily lives. Kejora features hand-drawn art and animation, environmental platformer puzzles, and party-based inspired gameplay with 2 supporting characters with unique skills to help Kejora in her exploration and journey.


Mel The Space Cat

Ember Box Studio

Mel the Space Cat – January 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Mel The Space Cat, you’ll guide Mel, a courageous cosmic cat traveling across alien planets in search of safety even if that means escaping from energy traps, laser cannons, hazardous landscapes, and the mysterious alien Theo! Across 40 handcrafted space levels, your reflexes and timing will be pushed to the limit in a journey filled with charm, danger, and zero gravity surprises.


Apartment No 129

Axyos Games

$13.99

Apartment No 129 – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The story of a real event: in 2009, two young girls living in Apartment No 129 in Turkey performed satanic rituals with candles late at night. According to allegations, the girls, who lived on the top floor of the building, mysteriously lost their lives that night. Apartment No 129 is a single-player, first-person horror and thriller game.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Baking Time

QubicGames S.A.

Baking Time – January 16
Xbox Play Anywhere

Stack all kinds of mouth-watering baked goods, from croissants to cookie hearts and everything in between! Grab your spatula, lift the baked goods out of the oven, and put them on display so that customers can buy them! With a steady stream of hungry customers waiting in line, it’s up to you to deliver their orders quickly and efficiently!


Battle Puzzle 2048 – Queens of the Abyss

EpiXR Games

$6.99

Battle Puzzle 2048 – Queens of the Abyss – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Battle Puzzle 2048 – Queens of the Abyss brings a spellbinding twist to the classic 2048 puzzle game! Slide tiles to combine matching numbers, build powerful combos, and take on a colorful array of supernatural foes. Face off against crafty witches, playful vampires, and adorable girly demons, each armed with unique abilities like hexing tiles, draining health, or summoning chaos on the grid.


BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW

Serafini Productions

BrokenLore: Unfollow – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

BrokenLore: Unfollow is a first-person psychological horror game that dives into the dark side of social media and its effect on mental health. You play as Anne, a young woman haunted by the trauma of bullying, trapped in a surreal nightmare where she must confront her past and uncover a buried truth.


Grimoire of Domance

Gray Boss Game Studio

Grimoire of Dominance – January 16
|Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Grimoire of Domance, the natural order has been shattered. You are a high mage of a Mage Order, the only one capable of wielding the power of the legendary Grimoire to stop Bahg’Val, an ancient entity that has possessed your master and threatens to consume the world. In this 2D action-platformer, your magic comes from dominance. You are what you defeat.


Milo's Dream

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Milo’s Dream – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Milo is a very brave, smart, and playful dog! Only he can defeat the cruel King Big Flea and his evil henchmen who are terrorizing the fairy kingdom. Explore four magical branching locations, solve challenging puzzles, defeat dangerous enemies, and collect dog bones to earn special new abilities. Playing solo or together with local co-op multiplayer, only you can help Milo in his all-important quest!


Neural Requiem

Frostweep Games

Neural Requiem – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The world has fallen to a ruthless artificial intelligence determined to erase mankind. Cities lie in ruins, the skies swarm with machines, and the future hangs by a thread. You are John Veyron, a soldier reborn through brutal experiments, stripped of his past but armed with unbreakable resolve. With only steel and firepower at his side, John must march through hostile strongholds, confront merciless AI champions, and take the fight straight to the heart of the machine.


Super Farming Boy

Renxo Europe Limited

Super Farming Boy – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Super Farming Boy is an exciting mix of action, puzzle, and farming sim, heavily relying on chain reactions and combos. You play as Super, whose mom and friends have been captured by your evil nemesis, KORPO®©TM, who unlawfully hires you to work on your own land, taxing all proceeds for himself! Now, with your friends and mom up for sale, you must harvest your way through challenging adventures, saving enough to buy your mom and friends back!


Zumba – Marble Candy Rush

EpiXR Games

$4.99 $3.99

Zumba – Marble Candy Rush – January 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Zumba – Marble Candy Rush invites you into a delectable marble-shooter kingdom ruled by the Candy King! Select a level, aim your candy-cannon mouth, and fire to match three or more identical candy marbles before they spill past the sugar gate. Create explosive combos, clear waves swiftly, and earn up to three stars per level.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 12 to 16 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

This Year, We’re Leveling Up with Indie Games: Indie Selects for January

7. Leden 2026 v 18:00

This Year, We’re Leveling Up with Indie Games: Indie Selects for January

  • Raymond Estrada, Deron Mann, Steven Allen, Jessica Ronnell – ID@Xbox Holiday Recovery Squad
Indie Selects January 2026

Every Wednesday, dive into the Indie Select Hub — your gateway to a fresh, curated indie collection plus four themed spotlights that rotate weekly! You can always find this collection hub in the Xbox Store and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.

Our goal for 2026? Make it the best year yet for Indie Selects! Late November and early December indie releases often fly under the radar, so this month we’re giving them the spotlight they deserve. Our collection is stacked: a stylish tactics RPG, a challenging roguelite creature collector, a retro-inspired metroidvania with modern twists, a gripping text-based political sim, a mind-bending 47-minute time loop adventure, and yes—the psychic-powered baby simulator you never knew you needed. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):

Demonschool

Demonschool

Demonschool is a joyride of a tactical RPG that follows the charismatic demon hunter Faye, on an apocalypse-preventing quest filled with gangsters, quirky teachers, classmates, and, well… demons. Players are tasked with exploring a mysterious island and college campus through various missions and minigames, managing relationships and school schedules, discovering new skills, and constantly fighting waves of enemies. While all of it was fun, I think the combat captivated me the most! It features a two-phase turn-based structure that leverages action sequencing in a way that feels like solving choreography puzzles. Each character has different abilities, and if moved to the right space and triggered in the right order, you can maximize damage during the action phase. This carries a similar depth and level of player expression to that found in its peers, but its unique presentation enhances the satisfaction when successful. Paired with various enemy types, a mission rank system, and a forgiving rewind feature, the experience felt exciting, challenging, rewarding, and approachable.

Aside from combat, I was delighted by the detail shown through interactivity and easter eggs within each environment. Pet the dog and it might give you something. Throw a coin in a fountain. Talk to an NPC at the docks and learn how their great-grandpappy died as a demon-hunting fisherman. I found myself interacting with everything I could to find another mini-game or read another hilarious one-liner, like the kid who claimed they “marked their seat” during orientation. As a gamer who doesn’t normally play RPGs, I ironically found myself glued to this. The soundtrack is FIRE, the modern-retro aesthetic is beautifully designed, and the storytelling through its varied character personalities and charm kept things fresh and entertaining.

– Deron Mann

Demonschool

Ysbryd Games

9
$24.99
Demonschool is a new-style tactics RPG where motion equals action. Defeat big weirdos in between the human and demon worlds as Faye and her misfit companions, while navigating university life on a mysterious island.

Morsels

Morsels

My first few runs in Morsels taught me an important lesson: getting too attached is a fast track back to the start screen. Developed by Furcula and published by Annapurna Interactive, Morsels is a roguelike action game that rewards flexibility, experimentation, and the ability to admit when your current plan isn’t working. Rather than committing to a single character, players collect multiple “Morsels,” each with its own abilities and combat style. I quickly realized that success depended less on picking the “best” creature and more on knowing when to switch. Stubbornness, it turns out, is not a viable strategy.

The game follows familiar roguelike conventions, including procedurally generated rooms, escalating difficulty, and persistent progression between runs. What helps Morsels stand out is its intentionally strange visual style. Creature designs are unsettling in the best way, and the gritty environments feel like they were designed to keep you slightly on edge—just in case the enemies weren’t already doing that. Progression is driven by unlocking new Morsels and card-based modifiers. Some of these systems took a few runs to click, but experimenting with different combinations often led to those satisfying moments where things suddenly start going your way—right before they don’t.

Morsels doesn’t reinvent the roguelike genre, but its focus on adaptability gives it a clear personality. For Xbox players who enjoy learning through trial, error, and the occasional laugh at their own expense, it’s an engaging and memorable experience.

– Steven Allen

Xbox Play Anywhere

Morsels

Annapurna Interactive

18
$14.99
You are a hungry mouse, scrounging for scraps in the sewers, when you meet a magical sentient fatberg who teaches you to transform into a mighty little Morsel. With your new powers, set off to dangerous upper worlds where you battle against the cats' oppressive forces and collect new Morsels, strategically swapping as you go. From developer Furcula, Morsels is an oddball top-down, creature collector roguelite with a rotating roster of playable characters you switch between at will. Packed with frenetic action and personality, players use magical cards to transform into little monsters, collect and nurture a troop of your own monster friends to battle cat dominance, and persist at all costs to survive.

Gigasword

Gigasword

Let’s be honest: hauling around a giant sword is about as impractical as it gets for an adventurer—especially when vertical traversal is involved. I could write a hundred-page thesis on why that’s absurd, but honestly, GigaSword says it all. This action-puzzle Metroidvania from single-developer-led Studio Hybrid, feels like it leapt straight out of an NES classic collection, challenging your combat and strategy skills while confronting the harsh reality of our childhood dream: “the biggest sword ever.” Spoiler alert: swords are heavy, and you’re nowhere near as agile as Cloud Strife led you to believe.

Once you dive in, you’ll quickly realize the GigaSword’s weight is both a blessing and a curse. Combat feels straightforward yet fair—every swing is deliberate, and that extra wind-up means you’ll need to time attacks carefully or risk eating damage mid-swing. Things escalate when you face massive bosses that demand pattern recognition and precision.

But the sword isn’t just for fighting—it’s central to the game’s clever environmental puzzles. Detaching from it becomes essential as you navigate obstacles, using its heft to trigger pressure plates or even as a makeshift lever to shift platforms. The vibe? Think Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest meets the inventive puzzle mechanics of Legend of Zelda.

The game doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to its stiff combat, but unlike its NES predecessors, you’ve got save points to preserve your sanity. The sword’s weight constantly reminds you that speedrunning isn’t an option—but then come those moments when you tackle an entire dungeon without the blade, introducing a whole new layer of challenge. If you’re a fan of intricate puzzle platformers like Animal Well, this is a distinctive experience worth adding to your collection.

– Raymond Estrada

GIGASWORD

Akupara Games

8
$14.99
Balance the weight of the GIGASWORD, battling between brain and brawn in this action-puzzle metroidvania where the might of the sword will determine all. As tensions rise in Thoenhart, a city plagued by famine and disease, the humans within set their hopes on a final solution: invade the ancient tower Nestrium, slay the Nocturne, and take the God Crystal, Gnosis, for themselves. Said to grant prosperity to those who wield it, Gnosis has been long sought after by humanity for generations. However, upon raiding its resting place, the disturbance of this ancient power awakens an evil capable of destroying the very fabric of reality. Can Ezra reach the top of the Nestrium in time to stop this cataclysm, or will humanity’s ignorance lead the world to its doom?

Goodnight Universe

Goodnight Universe

Oh baby! What a game!  Not enough people are talking about this one.  Goodnight Universe is not a baby sim… it’s a supernaturally gifted baby sim. You take on the role and perspective of Isaac who’s a smart, keenly aware, and capable infant, able to tackle surprisingly complex problems.  That and the telekinesis ability, of which an evil corporation is very aware and want to use for their own purposes.

Before we even touch gameplay, the voice acting and writing are superb and captivating.  The narrator connects with the player as we both witness so many performances between fully fleshed out characters highlighting their family dynamics, their struggles, and their successes. The writing is heartwarming and fun, exploring themes of the messiness of domestic life and what it means to be human.  The overall narrative is, for me, the highlight of the game.

Gameplay starts out simple, seen through the baby’s eyes in first person. You click on objects for narration or interaction, but once powers kick in, that’s when things get interesting.  You will be able to move objects with your mind or even dive into someone’s thoughts. As the game progresses, you unlock new powers and tackle sequences where you must use your powers at the right time. 

The console version lacks the eye-tracking feature Nice Dream introduced in Before Your Eyes. I tested it on Steam, and while the mechanic adds an intimate twist to the first-person experience, albeit with occasional awkwardness, it isn’t essential here. Unlike Before Your Eyes, skipping it doesn’t compromise the core gameplay. The game took me about 4-5 hours to complete and I can’t recommend this enough, especially for anyone that loves unique, narrative-driven games… and babies.  Gamer dad approved.

– Raymond Estrada

Goodnight Universe

Skybound Games

19
$19.99
From the creators of Before Your Eyes. You are Isaac, a 6-month-old baby, developing mysterious psychic powers. What you want most is to be loved and accepted by your family, but a secretive tech corporation wants you for their own.

Suzerain

Suzerain

Suzerain is a critically acclaimed, narrative-driven government simulator that’s far more addictive than its niche genre suggests. At 11 p.m., I reminded myself that I was only supposed to play for a few hours. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure where you’re the newly elected president of a fictional nation, tasked with shaping its future. Will you lead with integrity and build a brighter tomorrow or plunge into corruption, spark wars, and line your own pockets? The choice is yours.

This is a text-based adventure, so expect plenty of reading as events unfold and characters speak, followed by dialogue choices that shape your path. But it’s not all dry policy.  Beyond signing bills or reviewing economic reports, you’ll navigate scandals, shady deals, and moral dilemmas. The intro alone lays out 50 years of rich lore for your homeland, and once I got into it, it felt like reading a truly great novel. Thankfully, the writing, presentation, and UI are top-notch.  Otherwise, I honestly haven’t read this much since my deep dive into Blue Prince.

Suzerain’s greatest strength is its replayability. The depth of the characters around me and detailed lore make every choice impactful, with each decision reshaping the course of my presidency. My first run focused on economic and social reforms that aligned with my actual ideology, but in this new run I’m currently going full corrupt leader, bribing my way through scandals and taking every unsavory side-deal that comes my way. With a 6-to-7-hour campaign, multiple playthroughs can easily triple your time. If you love strategic decision-making without twitch reflexes, this is for you—board gamers, I’m talking to you!

– Raymond Estrada

Suzerain Expanded Edition

Torpor Games

22
$31.99
The Expanded Edition includes the award-winning political drama Suzerain, and the Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia DLC. Suzerain As President Rayne, lead the nation of Sordland in your first term of this text-based RPG. Navigate a political drama driven by conversations with your cabinet members. With looming war, rooted corruption, economic crisis and reform needed, the choices fall on your shoulders. How will you lead? Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia Embrace the crown as King Romus Toras, and lead the Golden Kingdom to a new era. Reclaim lost territories through diplomacy or force. Engage with noble houses and oversee the resources of Rizia. How will you reign?

Rue Valley

Rue Valley

Rue Valley is a cozy, narrative driven mystery adventure with a dash of life sim flavor—think gentle exploration, quirky character encounters, and environmental puzzles tucked into every corner. It’s a kind of small-town mystery sitting somewhere between Night in the Woods and Oxenfree, but carrying its own soft-spoken charm. You arrive as the town’s newest resident, slowly learning the rhythms, secrets, and oddball personalities that make you feel welcome… and it’s just uncanny enough to keep you leaning in. Oh, and of course you are trapped in a strange time loop that causes you to relive exactly 47 minutes in perpetuity.

I’ve spent countless hours wandering Rue Valley’s winding streets—half exploring, half getting delightfully sidetracked by a neighbor who just had one more story to share. Somewhere between chatting up townsfolk and stitching together the town’s quiet mysteries, the game really pulls you into its world. The characters don’t behave like NPCs waiting to dispense quests; they feel like the familiar faces you always seem to bump into at your favorite café, each with quirks that make the town feel genuinely lived in.

And yes, there’s a learning curve—especially when you’re juggling exploration with dialogue choices—but it’s the kind that feels like easing into a new neighborhood. A little confusing at first, then unexpectedly rewarding once everything clicks into place.

What kept me hooked most was the atmosphere. Rue Valley is the kind of place where you sit down for “just ten minutes” and look up hours later. It’s cozy, a touch mysterious, and always ready with a gentle surprise when you least expect it. If you enjoy narrative adventures, small-town stories, or slow-burn games where the joy comes from noticing the little things—a flickering streetlight, a half-finished sentence, a lingering question—Rue Valley fits beautifully. It’s a world that invites you to slow down and let it reveal itself at its own unhurried pace.

– Jessica Ronnell

Rue Valley

Owlcat Games

14
$29.99
Break free from a mysterious time loop! Embark on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Delve into the enigmatic depths of the small godforsaken town: Rue Valley. Each day feels like an uphill battle against the shadows of your own mind. Along the way, you will encounter a captivating ensemble of characters, each wrestling with their own emotional complexities and revealing hidden depths as you get to know them. Can you muster the courage to unravel the secrets of this temporal anomaly? Can you discover the strength within yourself to rise above adversity and forge a brighter tomorrow? Craft your own personality in Rue Valley. You can be a cold-hearted loner who overthinks everything or a melodramatic loudmouth who always trusts their gut instinct. Whether you reflect your true personality or role-play someone entirely different, your character will shape your dialogues and interactions in the game. Store memories in a graph, unlocking intentions and mindsets as you progress uniquely through the story. Commit to quirky mindsets for unexpected and hilarious dialogues, and experience personality-altering Status Effects: become more outgoing when drunk, or extra sensitive when anxious. Experiment with different answers and timelines, because the loop will restart from the beginning anyway, won't it?

STAY TUNED: Indie Selects Anniversary is coming soon!

Mark your calendars for January 28 and get ready for our big Indie Selects Anniversary Celebration, packed with giveaways, discounts, and plenty of surprises!

The post This Year, We’re Leveling Up with Indie Games: Indie Selects for January appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Why PBA Pro Bowling 2026 Hits for Bowlers and Casual Gamers Alike

23. Prosinec 2025 v 21:30

Why PBA Pro Bowling 2026 Hits for Bowlers and Casual Gamers Alike

PBA Bowling key art

Bowling is one of those sports that anyone can play and have fun with, but only a few will have what it takes to master it. PBA Pro Bowling 2026 is no different. Whether you’re a dedicated bowling fan wanting to play the most realistic bowling game ever, or a casual gamer looking for a fun way to decompress and have fun with friends, PBA Pro Bowling 2026 is your next obsession.

PBA Bowling screenshot

The Balance Between Realism and Fun

When the FarSight Studios development team decided to make a new version of the game, they had one goal in mind: to make PBA Pro Bowling 2026 the most realistic and fun bowling game ever. Sounds easy, right? Not quite.

“We had to walk a fine line to make sure that the game was realistic enough to appeal to real bowlers, and still fun and engaging for casual gaming fans.” said Hale Obernolte, the game’s Director. “ Bowling is fun and approachable for everyone, but can also get repetitive fairly quickly if you aren’t a hardcore bowler. With this in mind, we added several new exciting game modes along with a deep and engaging career mode to make sure that the game always feels fresh and enjoyable. These important aspects of the game really elevated the playing experience and ended up being one of the main things that separates PBA Pro Bowling 2026 from other bowling games.”

PBA Bowling screenshot

Fresh and Exciting Ways to Play

The improved physics and need to adapt to changing conditions make the game fun and engaging for all kinds of players, but what most fans are truly excited for are all of the new game modes in the game.

The FarSight team made the decision to expand this version of the game beyond standard tenpin bowling by including two entirely different types of bowling: Candlepin and Duckpin. Never heard of them? You’re not alone; these niche versions of bowling are pretty much only found in New England (US). Candlepin and Duckpin not only add variety to the game, but also allows players to play versions of bowling they likely would not be able to try in-person.

PBA Bowling screenshot

Normal tenpin bowling is also kept fresh with all-new game modes such as Strike Derbies, Spare Pickup Challenges, Oil Pattern Roulette, Team Bowling, and more. These new types of gameplay are not only a highlight for true fans of bowling, but also bring an entertaining challenge for gamers that keeps the game interesting over time.

All-New Career Mode

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the game for long-time fans and new players alike is the overhauled career mode. PBA Pro Bowling 2026 has one of the most interesting and engaging career modes of any sports game on the market, where players can track their progress through achievements and stats as they master the lanes and make their mark on PBA history.

Character customization is always a highlight of any game – whether making a character that looks like you helps you to really immerse yourself in the game, or you’d rather have fun making the craziest character possible. Unlike past versions of the game, PBA Pro Bowling 2026 allows full customization of your character’s appearance!

PBA Bowling screenshot

You start off as a rookie in your home town and advance through local, state, and regional competitions on your path to becoming a PBA superstar. Becoming a PBA legend isn’t just about tournaments though, you’ll also get to play all of the new fun and exciting game modes along the way. As you complete tournaments and challenges you’ll earn Pro Shop Credits which can be used to collect over 110 pieces of apparel and over 250 bowling balls.

The new career mode has been a huge draw for bowling fans and sports gamers alike. Who knew that a bowling game could be so much fun!

Ready to Play with the Pros?

PBA Pro Bowling 2026 is available for purchase now on the Xbox Store! We can’t wait to see you on the lanes.

PBA Pro Bowling 2026

FarSight Studios

67
$39.99
PBA Pro Bowling 2026 is a skill driven bowling simulation with authentic ball motion, real oil patterns, and evolving lane conditions. From your first local league to competing with the pros, every throw comes down to strategy and execution. From Local Leagues to the PBA Tour • Progress through a deep single player career, starting in local leagues and advancing to the PBA Tour • Build your ball arsenal from 270+ officially licensed bowling balls • Customize your bowler with a full character creator and 120+ apparel items to collect Real World Ball and Oil Physics That Reward Skill • Realistic ball motion shaped by oil patterns, lane friction, and simulation grade physics • Oil pattern breakdown and carrydown change ball reaction over time • Adjust line, speed, rev rate, and ball choice as conditions evolve Improve Your Skills Across Multiple Modes • Traditional Tenpin bowling alongside Candlepin and Duckpin bowling • Skill focused challenges like Strike Derbies, Spare Pickup Challenges, No Tap, and Oil Pattern Roulette • Designed for practice, competition, and mastery Bowl Against Licensed PBA Pros in Authentic Venues • Compete against over 30 licensed PBA professionals • Bowl across 13 unique venues inspired by real and imaginative locations • Broadcast style presentation and commentary from the TV broadcast team of Rob Stone and Hall of Famer Randy Pedersen enhances the professional atmosphere Prove Your Skill Against Others • Compete in online multiplayer with friends and rivals around the world • Bowl with or against up to 4 friends in couch local multiplayer Designed for both newcomers and experienced bowlers, PBA Pro Bowling 2026 balances approachable gameplay with rewarding depth and long term progression. Do you have what it takes to bowl with the greats?

The post Why PBA Pro Bowling 2026 Hits for Bowlers and Casual Gamers Alike appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Injection π23 Tabula Rasa Brings Classic Survival Horror to Xbox Series X|S

23. Prosinec 2025 v 19:00

Injection π23 Tabula Rasa Brings Classic Survival Horror to Xbox Series X|S

  • Jose A. Muriel “JAM” – Solo Developer, Abramelin Games
Injection 23 key art

Summary

  • The third and final entry in a classic-style survival horror trilogy.
  • Solo developer Abramelin Games’ deeply personal approach to setting and pace.
  • Emphasizing careful exploration, investigation and tense, vulnerable combat over constant action.

It has been eleven years since I started building the world of Injection π23. Eleven years circling the same fears and the same question: what does fear do to the way we look at reality? Injection π23 Tabula Rasa is the end of that journey.

I’m a solo developer, and I’ve spent practically my whole life making music. There’s no big studio or office full of people behind Abramelin Games. The Injection π23 trilogy began as a need to put certain things in order, and it ended up becoming a love letter to classic survival horror.

Tabula Rasa is the third and final chapter. It’s the point where everything I’ve been hinting at for years – in the two previous games, in the symbols, in the imagery – finally comes into focus. It closes a loop.

The setting of the game is not invented. It’s based on a real town where I’ve lived, with its slopes, plazas, narrow streets and corners that only truly make sense once you’ve walked them many times. In Tabula Rasa I tried to recreate that feeling of being in a specific place, not just on a generic map.

Injection 23 screenshot
In-game street view inspired by the real town, showing bars and everyday shops under heavy rain.

First, I rebuilt it as faithfully as I could. Then I started to deform it. The town you explore in the game is a mixture of reality and altered perception: recognizable buildings twisted by anxiety, everyday spaces turned hostile, places that should feel safe and here feel profoundly strange. Walking through Injection π23 means walking through a mind contaminated by fear.

On the surface, Tabula Rasa looks like a story about symbols, experiments and hidden societies. There are codes, geometric figures, references to mind control and power structures working in the shadows. The protagonist’s mind is trying to give shape to something that is, deep down, much more mundane and painful.

Injection 23 screenshot
Symbolic interior scene with ritual circle, masks and stained glass, suggesting hidden structures and experiments.

It’s a story about broken trust. About what happens when the mind decides the world is too dangerous to look at directly, and builds a system of symbols and threats just to keep going. Two ways of looking at the same reality are constantly colliding: one tries to protect itself, the other refuses to keep hiding the wound.

In the middle of all this noise there is a presence that doesn’t need symbols or speeches, or emotional prosthetics like the smile on the character’s shirt.

Joy, the protagonist’s dog, is the emotional thread that runs through the entire trilogy. He represents a clean bond, a safe place to retreat to when everything else has fallen apart. Joy is the center of a small world the protagonist refuses to let go of.

Injection 23 screenshot
Cinematic shot of the protagonist as a child hugging Joy in his room, highlighting their emotional bond.

In terms of gameplay, Injection π23 Tabula Rasa is aimed at players who miss a certain kind of classic survival horror – the kind of game where moving slowly isn’t a flaw, but a design choice.

There is careful exploration, limited resources to manage, puzzles that rely on the environment, and encounters that don’t try to make you feel powerful, but vulnerable. The game trusts that you can find your own way: there’s no giant arrow telling you where to go every second, and getting a little lost is part of the experience.

At the same time, I’ve tried to keep that classic feeling from becoming an unnecessary barrier. Movement has weight, but the controls respond the way you expect from a modern game. The camera offers options so each player can find a comfortable balance between tension and playability. On Xbox Series X|S, the goal has been to use the hardware to deliver smooth performance, a clean image and very short load times, without betraying the slow rhythm the genre needs.

Injection 23 screenshot
Gameplay shot inside a small bar with arcade machines and a foosball table, showing exploration-focused survival horror.

Puzzles are another important part of the design. Some are necessary to progress; others exist only for players who enjoy staring at a symbol, a number or a strange pattern on a wall until it finally clicks.

There are visible layers – locks, mechanisms, combinations – and more hidden layers that connect different areas of the game, and even different entries in the trilogy. There are multiple endings, secrets for players who search every corner, and small clues scattered around for those who want to build their own mental map of the Injection π23 universe.

You don’t have to solve everything to complete the main story. But if you like sharing theories, taking notes, comparing details with other players and looking for a larger meaning in all the loose pieces, Tabula Rasa is built to reward that kind of obsession.

This game doesn’t try to appeal to everyone.

If you’re drawn to games like the early Silent Hill titles, classic Resident Evil, or that kind of horror that takes its time, you’ll probably find something here that resonates: heavy atmosphere, slow pacing, spaces that stay with you, and a story that doesn’t hand you every answer.

Oppressive restroom corridor with graffiti and decay, highlighting the uncomfortable atmosphere of the game’s spaces.

If, on the other hand, what you’re looking for is constant action, very clear on-screen instructions and an experience that never pushes you out of your comfort zone, Tabula Rasa might not be the best fit for you. And that’s okay. This game aims for a different kind of experience: more introspective, stranger, and sometimes more uncomfortable.

I can’t tell anyone how they should interpret what they’re going to see on screen. You will bring your own story, your own way of looking at the world. All I can offer is an honest space, built with patience and a clinical obsession with detail, for you to walk through at your own pace.

When Injection π23 Tabula Rasa comes to Xbox Series X|S, I hope that as you walk through this town you don’t feel like you’re just moving through a map. I hope it feels like stepping into a place someone has been trying to understand for a very long time – and that, in some way, that attempt connects with something in you too. Injection π23 Tabula Rasa is available today on Xbox Series X|S.

Injection π23 'Tabula Rasa'

Abramelin Games

3
$29.99
Classic survival horror focused on puzzle solving and strategy. Control a lonely character away from society who desperately searches for his dog and becomes involved in a dark conspiracy. Story about secret societies and mind control programs, inspired by historical facts and real events.

The post Injection π23 Tabula Rasa Brings Classic Survival Horror to Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Hela: A Co-Op Adventure for Every Kind of Player

2. Prosinec 2025 v 22:00

Hela: A Co-Op Adventure for Every Kind of Player

  • Norbert Litwiński, Marketing Manager at Windup Games
Hela key art

Summary

  • Cozy co-op adventure in a magical world inspired by northern Sweden.
  • Innovative Shade System lets solo players tackle puzzles and traversal challenges designed for multiple characters
  • Launching in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S.

Hela is a cozy co-op adventure where you play as a tiny mouse on a heartfelt mission to help a kind witch and the land she cares for. Explore freely, solve creative puzzles, and use teamwork—or the clever Shade System—to find the small wonders tucked throughout the world.

Welcome to the World of Hela

Somewhere in the far north of Sweden, beyond the fjords, lies the tranquil world of Hela, a place inspired by the untamed beauty of Norrland. Here, you’ll wander through lush woodlands, flower-dotted meadows, and quiet wetlands, all watched over by an old and kind witch who has long cared for every living thing—plants, animals, and people alike.

Hela screenshot

But even witches grow weary. After so many years of caring for others, her strength has begun to fade. To continue looking after the land and its tiny (and not-so-tiny) inhabitants, she now turns to her most loyal helpers: brave, curious field mice, each carrying a small, magical frog-shaped backpack gifted by the witch herself.

These little familiars are full of heart and wonder, eager to lend a paw to anyone in need.

A Big World for a Small Hero

In Hela, you’ll play as one of these tiny familiars — a small hero in a big, enchanting world. You’ll explore far and wide, from the forest floor to treetop canopies and underground burrows, listening to the needs of the local folk and helping them in small but meaningful ways.

As the witch’s trusted emissary, you’ll learn to brew potions in her cozy cottage, following each recipe step by step to bring the magic to life.

Hela screenshot

Throughout your journey, you’ll have access to a range of abilities — some fittingly mouse-like, such as running and climbing, and others tied to your magical backpack: gliding, swinging, plunging, pulling, and even creating Shades.

The world of Hela is designed as a giant playground filled with interactive objects just waiting for you to experiment with and explore. You can enjoy the full adventure on your own or team up with friends through two-player split-screen co-op or online multiplayer for up to four players.

The Shade System: Solo, But Never Alone

While many puzzles and challenges in Hela are built for teamwork, solo players will never have to face challenges by themselves. Thanks to the unique Shade System, you can create up to three spectral copies of your character, each one repeating the exact action you were performing when it was created.

If you’re playing solo, you can summon three Shades. If you’re playing with one friend, you can create two more — always up to a total of four characters.

Hela screenshot

These Shades aren’t AI companions. They act as extensions of yourself, repeating the action you imprinted onto them. You can switch between all characters freely, allowing you to tackle puzzles and traversal challenges designed for multiple players, even when playing alone.

Let’s Work Together

When playing solo, you can summon up to three Shades to assist you with multipart puzzles or platforming challenges. They’ll stay where you placed them for as long as you need, allowing you to orchestrate complex interactions that would otherwise require multiple players.

Hela screenshot

Building Bridges

Use your lasso to connect to a Shade just like you would to another player, and create a bridge you can walk or bounce across. Perfect for reaching high ledges and hidden paths.

Hela screenshot

I’ll Be Your Anchor

If a Shade is positioned higher up, it can serve as an anchor. Grab onto its lasso to pull yourself upward, or swing from it to reach new areas.

Hela screenshot

Let Me Hold That for You

Need to move an item onto a ledge or branch? Place one Shade, so the item hangs from their lasso, then grab it from another angle to guide it around obstacles.

Hela screenshot

Go Even Further

Your magical backpack lets you glide through the air. Mid-flight, you can create a Shade that continues gliding forward — then latch onto them to carry your journey even farther. It’s a clever trick for reaching hidden corners of the world and uncovering new discoveries.

Hela screenshot

A Helping Paw

Shades can also serve as makeshift checkpoints. If you fall or miss a jump, simply switch to a Shade you left behind and keep going, no restart required.

Hela screenshot

Tools of the Forest

Across the forests and farms of Hela, you’ll find tools meant for teamwork — like catapults. Typically, one player sits in the scoop while another pulls the rope and launches them into the air. With Shades, you can run the entire sequence yourself: place a Shade in the scoop, pull the rope, release, then quickly switch control and enjoy the flight yourself.

Made for Every Kind of Player

These moments are just a glimpse of how the Shade System opens up the world of Hela. Designed for creativity, flexibility, and teamwork, it gives every player the tools to explore and experiment freely.

Whether you’re navigating the forest in quiet solitude or teaming up with friends, Hela invites you to follow your curiosity, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the simple magic of helping others.

Hela is set to launch in 2026 as a multiplatform title, including Xbox Series X|S.

Wislhist Hela today!

Hela

Knights Peak

Tiny Heroes Embark On A Big Adventure In 'Hela' See the world through the eyes of a brave mouse in Hela, an enchanting 3D co-op adventure game. Explore breathtaking Scandinavian-inspired landscapes, solve puzzles, and be a force for good in a land where heartwarming storytelling and the beauty of nature intertwine. When a kind witch falls ill, her familiars embark on a journey to save her life. Playing as a tiny, intrepid mouse, you must venture out, gather ingredients, and brew magical potions to restore her strength. Journey Together Hela encourages you to work hand-in-hand to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Play solo or with friends through local split-screen multiplayer or online co-op as you delve into lush, vibrant vistas together, from rugged mountains trails, through magical forests, to tranquil lakes. Explore & Craft Your Tale Immerse yourself in this enchanting world as you glide through the air, collecting items, solve puzzles, and face the adversity of the natural world. The more you explore, the more story fragments you'll discover. Weave your own story by performing acts of kindness, feeling your impact ripple through the world. Game Features: – Explore & Discover: Traverse an expansive, lovingly crafted region inspired by Scandinavia, full of magical forests, tranquil lakes, and rugged mountains. – Magical Backpack: Use your trusty backpack to interact with the world, collect resources, and solve puzzles. – Realistic Physics: Engage with objects that behave realistically, adding a layer of immersion to your magical excursions. – Dynamic Environments: Adapt to a world that is constantly changing, and contend with the adversity of the natural world. – Puzzle Solving: Challenge your mind with engaging puzzles that blend seamlessly with the story, enriching your journey with rewarding challenge. – Heal the World: Influence the world of Hela through acts of kindness, witnessing their transformative effects on characters and yourself. – Play Together: Experience the journey solo or together with friends through local split-screen or online modes.

The post Hela: A Co-Op Adventure for Every Kind of Player appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Lost Twins 2 Water Update Offers Challenging New Puzzles and Improved Gameplay

2. Prosinec 2025 v 21:00

Lost Twins 2 Water Update Offers Challenging New Puzzles and Improved Gameplay

  • Fawad Asghar, Game Designer / Game Programmer, Playdew

Summary

  • Available now as a free update for all players.
  • The most challenging puzzles yet with new water-based mechanics and fluid physics.
  • Smoother gameplay, haptic feedback support, and new achievements.

Hey everyone! It’s time to dive back into the world of Lost Twins 2 with our biggest update yet! This update introduces a fresh set of mind-bending levels that test your creativity, timing, and teamwork like never before. This free update brings a whole new way to play, with flowing water as the heart of the challenge.

Get Ready to Make a Splash

You’ll be able to swim, shift, and move water between puzzle pieces to uncover paths, activate switches, and reach hidden areas. The flow of water isn’t just for show, it’s a living, moving part of each puzzle that changes how you think about space and movement.

Water behaves differently depending on how you interact with it. When a puzzle piece with water connects to another, the water naturally flows between them, equalizing the level just like real fluid. This means you can strategically redirect water to flood an empty piece, lower the level in another, or create just enough buoyancy to lift an object. Figure out where the water needs to go, how much of it is required, and how its movement will affect the environment.

Some puzzles require you to raise water levels high enough to swim up and reach new platforms; others challenge you to drain pieces so you can walk on dry ground. In more complex setups, you might chain several water-filled pieces together, timing your tile shuffles so the water flows exactly when and where you need it.

These mechanics stack together to create the most dynamic and thoughtful puzzles in Lost Twins 2 so far, pushing your creativity, timing, and problem-solving instincts to new heights. We can’t wait to see the clever ways you’ll twist and guide the flow to complete these challenges.

LT2 screenshot

Feel Every Moment with Haptic Feedback

To make the experience even more immersive, Lost Twins 2 now supports haptic feedback on compatible controllers bringing every action, movement, and moment to life. You’ll feel the subtle tremors as Ben and Abi push against heavy boulders, the gentle pulse when a puzzle piece locks perfectly into place, and the sharp crack of a glass dome breaking under pressure. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference in how Lost Twins 2 feels to play.

LT 2 Screenshot

Achievements and Polish Across the Board

Alongside the new levels, players can unlock brand-new achievements that reward creative thinking and mastery of the new water mechanics. You might earn one for completing a level in an unconventional way. Like solving it without placing a box on its usual button, or another for hauling a heavy boulder up a lift to impressive heights. There’s even an achievement that challenges you to complete puzzles using the fewest possible water moves, testing both precision and ingenuity.

We’ve also taken this update as an opportunity to make the entire experience smoother and more polished than ever before. Beyond gameplay, Lost Twins 2 now feels richer and more alive, with a host of visual and technical improvements, including:

  • More lively environments – Subtle details like drifting snow, floating dust particles, and waving flags bring each scene to life.
  • Enhanced visuals – Increased contrast and refined lighting make the world more vibrant and pleasing to the eyes.
  • Improved physics and character animations – Movements now feel smoother and more natural, especially when characters interact with objects or the environment.

Together, these upgrades make Lost Twins 2 shine brighter than ever.

A Free Update for All Players

Whether you’re returning to help Ben and Abi reunite across shifting worlds, or diving in for the first time, there’s never been a better time to play. The Water Update is available now as a free download for all Lost Twins 2 players.

So grab your controller, take a deep breath, and get ready to dive into the world of Lost Twins 2, which just got a whole lot deeper.

Play Lost Twins 2: Water Update today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One & PC (Microsoft Store)

Xbox Play Anywhere

Lost Twins 2

Playdew

1
$19.99
Lost Twins 2 is a cute puzzle platformer that will challenge your mind to the fullest, driven by a unique mechanic of sliding the world around you to create new paths. Only the most genius minds will guide Abi and Ben on their journey to find a way back home 🎮 KEY FEATURES: 🧠 CHALLENGING & REWARDING – Every puzzle introduces fresh ideas that test your mind 💡 INVENTIVE PUZZLE MECHANICS – Move the world itself to create new paths ahead 👯‍♂️ SOLO or CO-OP – Solve puzzles solo or team up in local co-op to combine brainpower against increasingly difficult challenges 🔍 SECRETS & COLLECTABLES – Unlock hidden paths, gather charming curios, and reveal concept art. 🌱 STRESS-FREE PLAY – No deaths, no timers, no enemies. Just pure cerebral adventure! 🎨 Whimsical World – Gorgeous visuals inspired by Studio Ghibli making every frame a visual treat. 🎵 Atmospheric Soundtrack – Original music designed to immerse and calm while you puzzle through each world. AWARDS: Best Puzzle Game – ChinaJoy People's Choice Award – ChinaJoy Pro PC Game of the Year – GDWC

The post Lost Twins 2 Water Update Offers Challenging New Puzzles and Improved Gameplay appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 1 to 5

28. Listopad 2025 v 16:00
Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 1 to 5

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Xbox Play Anywhere

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion

Dotemu

211
$29.99 $26.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Marvel Cosmic Invasion – December 1
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Tribute Games and Dotemu are teaming up again, in collaboration with Marvel Games, to craft an original, fresh beat ’em up. Featuring dynamic combat combos and dazzling pixel art, this planet-hopping adventure stands as a love letter to the Marvel Universe. Whether you’re teaming up with friends or family, Marvel Cosmic Invasion has you covered with local/online play and a drop-in/drop-out adaptive system. A cosmic battle awaits!


Xbox Play Anywhere

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 Digital Deluxe Edition

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

5
$59.99
Xbox Play Anywhere

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

5

Octopath Traveler 0 – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Start from zero and discover the newest entry in the Octopath Traveler series. Experience a story of restoration and retribution over the divine rings — an epic saga that unfolds across the realm of Orsterra. Enjoy familiar features such as the series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG; the player’s ability to roleplay using Path Actions of their choice; and the Break and Boost system that can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, brand-new features such as character creation and town building allow you to create your own character and restore your hometown.


Blood: Refreshed Supply

Warner Bros. Games, Atari, Nightdive Studios

Blood: Refreshed Supply – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Blood: Refreshed Supply follows Caleb, an undead gunslinger on a quest for revenge against his former demonic master, Tchernobog. Despite his once powerful position as a fearsome Cabal commander and one of Tchernobog’s “Chosen” few, Caleb and his fellow Chosen are betrayed by the dark god and slain for reasons unknown. Seeking answers and vengeance, Caleb rises from the grave to put a stop to Tchernobog and his murderous lieutenants once and for all.


Xbox Play Anywhere

ROUTINE

Raw Fury

Routine – December 4
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Routine is a first-person sci-fi horror title set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Curious exploration turns into a need for survival when a lunar base goes completely quiet. Searching for answers puts you face to face with an enemy who is certain the main threat is you. Discoveries lead to deeper unknowns and the only way to go is forward.


I'm on Observation Duty 8

Dreamloop Games

I’m on Observation Duty 8 – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Observe. Report. Survive the night. Monitor the surveillance system for anomalies and report them to survive the night. Use your sharp eyes and keen attention to detail to detect supernatural anomalies ranging from subtle environmental changes to eerie and unsettling otherworldly intruders. Can you survive the night shift, or will you succumb to paranoia…? I’m on Observation Duty 8 is the most ambitious title yet in the original viral franchise that ignited a trend in spot-the-difference horror games that have been loved by players and streamed for millions by legendary content creators.


Crime Simulator

Ultimate Games S.A.

28
$19.99 $17.99

Crime Simulator – December 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You’re out of jail, but the debt isn’t gone. Sneak, steal, and break into houses solo or in 4-player co-op. Use lockpicks, sleeping gas, and brute force to complete jobs, outsmart security, and make enough money before time runs out. Will you pay back what you owe, or lose everything?


Seven Days Until Morning

Dishsoap Studios

2
$5.99

Seven Days Until Morning – December 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Seven centuries in the future, humanity is collapsing. In an attempt to spare yourself the same fate as the rest of the system, you flee to the furthest away place you can feasibly survive: Pluto. Survive the downfall of humanity in a centuries old survival bunker, or at least the first week. You crash land on Pluto, it’s the furthest away place you could reach that was apart of the CCOT’s emergency shelter program. It had been centuries since it was last used, which has left it needing maintenance. Ride out the Plutonian night while hiding from the end.


Xbox Play Anywhere

BROK: The Brawl Bar

COWCAT

$9.99

Brok: The Bar Brawl – December 2
Xbox Play Anywhere

Brok, a former boxer turned detective, stumbles upon an underground bar hidden deep in the Slums. Old instincts kick in, and he jumps headfirst to prove he’s still top dog! (or…gator.) Solo or with a friend in co-op, take on creative challenges inspired by “Event matches” of platform fighters, taken to the next level with original addictive mechanics and variety. In this gritty-yet-humorous bar, meet unforgettable characters and uncover surprises around every corner as the story unfolds.


Cute Bonfire (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

1
$4.99 $3.99

Cute Bonfire – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step into the warm world of Cute Bonfire, a charming pixel-art puzzle game set inside a fireplace. Take control of a little fire spirit that moves tile by tile, pushing charcoal pieces to light up the bonfires. With 30 levels of gradually increasing difficulty, delightful visuals, and a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, Cute Bonfire is perfect for casual players who love the satisfaction of solving puzzles.


Elon and Friends: Winter Pack – 13 Games (Xbox+XPA+PC)

DERIK D.F

23
$8.99 $7.19

Elon and Friends: Winter Pack – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

This winter celebration pack contains the following games: Elon and the Divine Proof, Green Soldiers Heroes, Extreme Bikers, Prison of Illusion, Super Snake Block DX, and SHMUP Mania. Windows (PC) versions are optimized for handheld PCs.


SLEEP AWAKE

Blumhouse Games

1
$29.99

Sleep Awake – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Sleep Awake is an immersive first-person psychedelic horror narrative experience that explores the realm between sleep and death.  Submitted to perpetual insomnia, the denizens of the last known city on Earth are reaching a panic crisis of reckless experiments in an effort to avoid The Hush, the inexplicable disappearance of those who sleep. Playing as Katja, you must survive the devotees of various depraved death cults and desperately try to stay awake. Solve the puzzles of this mysterious world while avoiding the grasp of the death cults in an attempt to shatter the horrors of the past. 


Xbox Play Anywhere

Slimeboo

Zakym s. r. o.

1
$2.99 $2.39

Slimeboo – December 2 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Slimeboo is a simple and fun platformer game that is perfect for children of all ages. The game is controlled with a single button, making it accessible to even the youngest players. Boo, a small and adorable slime, has gotten lost on a tropical island. To find his way home, he must leap over all the obstacles in his path. Help him overcome them! Good luck!


Caput Mortum

Black Lantern Collective

Caput Mortum – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Caput Mortum is a short first-person horror experience inspired by retro 3D dungeon crawlers and survival horror games. Delve into a tower of forgotten nightmares, where every step could be your last. Overcome horrors from beyond death and unlock the secrets of forbidden knowledge.


Dungeons and Ducklings

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

$4.99 $3.99

Dungeons and Ducklings – December 3

An evil Lich has tainted Mama Duck’s beloved pond and kidnapped her ducklings! Arm up and beat him once and for all in this QuackMan roguelite – storm through dungeon mazes to rescue her family! With classic arcade controls and a twist – an attack button that lets you smash walls and enemies – you’ll fight back against the Lich and his army in no time!


Malachite: Temple of the Sun

Ocean Media

$9.99

Malachite: Temple of the Sun – December 3

Embark on a journey through the depths of a lost ancient jungle temple. Start your journey through the depths of a forgotten jungle temple. Match colorful balls, unlock powerful power-ups, and construct your own temple as you progress. Choose between adventure and endless modes, immersing yourself in classic match-3 gameplay!


Octo Curse

Ocean Media

$6.99

Octo Curse – December 3

A pirate turned into octopus. Can you break the curse? OctoCurse is an action platformer following the story of a pirate captain who has been turned into an octopus by an evil spirit. The little octopus embarks on the quest to save the rest of his crew and reverse the curse. Experience epic pirate adventure. Explore levels, collect coins, unlock doors and climb the mysterious tower as you get closer and closer to the final showdown. Make your way through the tropical jungle, brave the harsh winter, weather the storm and endure other exciting environs. Save your friends and meet new ones along the way.


RoboHero

Xitilon

$4.99 $3.99

RoboHero – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Classic sokoban with a twist and a sci-fi theme! A scientific organization sends a robot-expeditor developed on artificial intelligence to the newly discovered exoplanet Xeran, on which, most likely, there are very valuable resources for humanity.


Winterlight – Where silence says it all

Eastasiasoft Limited

$4.99 $3.99

Winterlight – Where Silence Says it All – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Explore a heartfelt and thought-provoking tale of bittersweet homecoming! As Elias returns to the coastal town that once sheltered him, he’s pulled into a slow winter of connection, memory and quiet decisions. Take the role of this young man and guide the choices he makes, surrounded by the warmth of townspeople young and old, often holding conversations in a bookstore over shared coffee.


Xbox Play Anywhere

YAKUZA: Shadows of New York

Porting.guru

2
$14.99

Yakuza: Shadows of New York – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Step into the shadows of New York City in Yakuza: Shadows of New York, a gripping action-adventure where the old codes of honor clash against the forces of modern corruption. Become Kaito Nakamura, a skilled enforcer on a mission to find his missing mentor while navigating the city’s dark and treacherous underbelly.


Baseless

First Break Labs

Baseless – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Baseless is a challenging planet-jumping shooter. Blast from planet to planet with 360° gravity, creatively demolishing every enemy in your path. Fire powerful weapons, rescue cute friends, and discover a galaxy worth fighting for!


Xbox Play Anywhere

DETECTIVE – Rainy Night

JanduSoft

$10.49 $9.44

Detective – Rainy Night – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Detective – Rainy Night puts you in the shoes of Iker Carmona, a police officer investigating a string of strange disappearances. After a long drive, Iker decides to spend the night at a small roadside motel called the Holiday. What begins as a quiet stop quickly spirals into something far more sinister.


Finding America: The Heartland Collector's Edition

Ocean Media

Finding America: The Heartland Collector’s Edition – December 4

Strap on your seatbelts for a trip to America’s Heartland! From South Dakota’s monumental Mount Rushmore to the humble farmhouses of Kansas, this lovely slice of American pie will have something just for you. Visit jazz bars in Illinois, Wisconsin’s cheese shops, and stunning national parks, all as lovingly crafted Hidden Object Scenes and challenging Minigames! Complete each chapter, unlock tons of trivia, and enjoy everything the Heartland has to offer in this all-American Hidden Object game!


Mist: Evolution

EpiXR Games

$9.99

Mist: Evolution – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Your daughter is missing. The world is gone. Only the Mist remains. In Mist, a devastating crash marks the beginning of your descent into a world lost to alien terror. As a father, you search desperately for your child—but what you find instead is a crumbling world buried in fog, crawling with monsters beyond comprehension. This is no ordinary RPG. Mist fuses idle progression, visceral real-time combat, and an evolving horror narrative into a genre-defying experience. As you explore the ruins of civilization, you’ll form a pact with a mysterious alien being that grants you strength—at a cost. Level up, mutate, and unlock terrifying new abilities as you battle grotesque creatures and uncover long-buried truths.


The Phantom

Art Of Play Interactive

$26.99

The Phantom – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Phantom is an arcade-style beat-em-up coming to PC and consoles. Play as the Phantom or his partner, Diana Palmer, in this 14-level adventure. The feared pirates of the Singh Brotherhood are battling for power and threatening the Phantom’s legacy, and it’s up to you to stop them. Use your hand-to-hand fighting skills and trusty weapons to dispatch this evil, and call in assistance from your animal friends Fraka the falcon and Devil the wolf. The Phantom features a brand-new story approved by King Features. Experience this canon addition through full-screen cut scenes and captivating in-game visuals, hand-illustrated and animated frame-by-frame by seasoned comic book artists and Art Of Play’s dedicated in-house 2D creative team.


ReSetna

Ocean Media

ReSetna – December 4

A warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. What’s left of humanity are minds trapped in circuits. You are awaken as ReSetna, a warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. Explore seven hostile zones, face seven brutal bosses and evolve through a unique upgrade system. Uncover horrifying truth and decide if the future is worth saving.  


Sacrifice For Sale (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

$9.99 $7.99

Sacrifice For Sale – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience interaction in a new and engaging way. Choose to respond to what the characters have to say… directly! Deal with your own hostage situation, negotiate for more than just your freedom. Learn about the people who hold you captive, deconstruct the cult, manipulate them- all to not end up as their next sacrifice.


Sophia’s Animal Clinic – Mission Wildlife Park

© 2025 Joindots® GmbH

Sophie’s Animal Clinic – Mission Wildlife Park – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Your veterinary adventure begins at the wildlife park! Help injured and sick animals such as horses, deer, ducks, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and many more. With a great deal of empathy, you examine symptoms, make diagnoses, and treat over 30 different diseases. Each animal has individual needs and is waiting for your expert help. Use modern instruments, accompany your patients’ recovery step by step, and experience a varied everyday life in the animal park. Intuitive controls, realistic treatments, and lovingly animated animals make this game a highlight for young animal lovers.


Connect It!

Gametry LLC

Connect It! – December 5

Connect It is a clever, visually striking puzzle game that challenges you to link matching colors scattered across a grid. Your mission? Draw connections between all the pairs—without crossing paths. It sounds simple… until it’s not. With over 200 handcrafted levels, each one more intricate than the last, Connect It constantly surprises with new layouts and clever twists. The controls are intuitive, the gameplay is smooth, and every solved puzzle delivers that satisfying “aha!” moment.


M.A.U.S

Cascadia Games LLC

$3.49

M.A.U.S – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

With his children away on the moon, there is no time to relax for Dr. Cavor. Once again, Victoria is under attack. The aging but brilliant scientist begins research on a new means of defense. After much work, he finds success with Mechanized Assault Unity 19 — M.A.U.S.


Pixapple Adventure

JM Neto Game Dev

Pixapple Adventures – December 5

Pixapple Adventure is a colorful pixel-art platformer starring a brave little apple with arms and legs! Run, jump, and collect all the stars to open the portal and reach the next level. Across three vibrant worlds — Forest, Snow, and the Valley of Fear — the challenge increases as you progress. Simple, fast, and fun, Pixapple brings back the joy of classic platformers with a charming twist.


Santa´s World

EntwicklerX – GbR Thomas Claus und Frank Menzel

Santa’s World – December 5

Santa’s World is a jump-‘n-run Christmas game inspired by classic platform games. The goal is to find the three lost Christmas gifts and go to the next level while collecting items. Traps, obstacles, and enemies make the quest very challenging. Find snowballs and throw them at enemies to remove them. 3D graphics packed in a nice graphics style, great 2.5D levels and proven gameplay gives you hours of fun.


Security Booth: Director's Cut

Cloud Colony Games

Security Booth: Director’s Cut – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The year is 1996 and you’re employed by a science lab called Nova Nexus. You work as a security guard at the front gate to the lab, inside a guard booth. However, tonight it seems something important is happening inside of Nova Nexus and things are… well… a little strange. Your job is simple. you must make sure that only the right authorized personnel are getting into the facility. To do this, when a car arrives at the gates, it is your job to go and talk with the driver and check their license plate. Make sure that the person is on the employee register by finding the license plate on the register. If the person is not on the register you must tell them to leave. Make sure to only open the gates to employees and keep the gate closed at all times.


Speed Factor

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Speed Factor – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Inspired by 80s and 90s classics, Speed Factor is an old-school racing game with pixelated graphics, arcade driving style, exhilarating punk rock music, and some awesome classic cars! Customize the difficulty level and traction assist level to your personal tastes to make the game as easy or challenging as you want. Cruise through 50 different tracks spread across 5 locations! Win races and earn money to level up and improve your ride!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Stacky Dash

QubicGames S.A.

Stacky Dash – December 5
Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready for non-stop fun in Stacky Dash! Slide to collect tiles, build paths, and race through colorful levels full of exciting surprises. Dodge blasting cannons, and zip through portals as you conquer each tricky stage! Save adorable animals to grow your own zoo and take on timed challenges to test your speed. With tons of cool skins to unlock, every level is packed with energy and fun!


Tank Mechanic Simulator – Reinforced

PlayWay S.A.

Tank Mechanic Simulator – Reinforced – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Fix, build and renovate highly detailed and fully interactive tanks (German, USA or Soviet), armored cars or self-propelled guns. Experience a realistic simulator game of being a Tank Mechanic. Find abandoned and destroyed tanks from battlefields of Second World War. Use special tools to find each tank, and extract it from the ground. Grow your repair service business and start your own tank museum.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 1 to 5 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Cat God Ranch: Deck-Building Meets Animal Ranch Management

25. Listopad 2025 v 01:30

Cat God Ranch: Deck-Building Meets Animal Ranch Management

  • Tudou, Lead Developer, CrazyPotato Studio
Cat God Ranch key art

Summary

  • Out now on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with Xbox Play Anywhere.
  • Unique blend of deckbuilding and ranch management with over 100 animals, including prehistoric creatures.
  • Our favorite genre combining animals, terrains, and props to create powerful synergies.

Hello everyone, we’re CrazyPotato Studio, and we’re thrilled to introduce our passion project — Cat God Ranch — to the Xbox community. Launching on November 20, 2025, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (with Xbox Play Anywhere support), this game is a fresh take on the roguelite genre, combining strategic deckbuilding with the charm of animal ranch management.

Cat God Ranch titled art

Standing on the Shoulders of Great Roguelite Games

When we formed our studio, we knew we wanted to create a roguelike game. Not only is the genre more manageable for a small team, but it’s also one we deeply love. We’ve spent countless hours playing roguelikes like Brotato, Balatro, and Slay the Spire.

Cat God Ranch screenshot

Cat God Ranch draws significant inspiration from Luck be a Landlord, and while the core mechanics share similarities, we’ve added our own twists and improvements

For example, we allow players to freely choose three families to bring into the game, primarily to prevent the card pool from expanding excessively and to facilitate future updates. We currently have eight families, and even if we increase this to ten families in the future, it won’t affect the spawn probability of individual animals. Furthermore, placing all animals into one large pool would limit both playability and creative freedom. We want you to be able to mix and match families according to your own ideas, further enhancing the game’s replayability.

Highlight Moments of Extinct Animals and Powerful Builds

For every type of extinct animal, we designed highlight moments for them to heighten the game’s excitement to deliver a uniquely thrilling experience. Take the Phorusrhacos, for instance. Its design aims to instil a sense of dread, so we made it capable of removing all other small animals upon entering the field and absorbing their contributions. This mechanic transforms it into a pivotal moment that drives the game’s pace and amplifies the emotional intensity.

Another example is Smilodon. It’s like an upgraded version of a tiger, but it leaves leftover meat after eating. While it looks less formidable than Phorusrhacos, when paired with mice, it can ignore distance and devour every animal on the field—a true highlight moment.

Besides the highlight moments, there are many more different builds to explore. For example, you can get an army of expensive Peacocks to get rich, allow Chimpunks to breed unchecked, or even discover more fun with prehistoric creatures in the latest DLC.

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Players

Our goal was simple: create a fun roguelike game filled with adorable animals. Since launching on PC, more than 100,000 players have supported us—and we can’t thank you enough. Now, we’re thrilled to bring Cat God Ranch to Xbox players. Thank you all for joining us on this wild, animal-filled adventure!

Xbox Play Anywhere

Cat God Ranch

E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd

1
$12.99 $10.39
Cat God Ranch is an animal-themed casual strategy roguelite game. Manage hundreds of animals to pay tribute to the Cat God! 8 animal families, 100+ animals, 10+ Cat Gods, 100+ items, and various animal combinations waiting for you to explore! New Content – Age of Dinosaurs New Content is included in this version! New rainforest scenario, 20+ dinosaurs, 20+ items, 2 cat gods, 10+ achievements, and more. Manage Your Ranch Take on the role of ranch manager and grow your fledgling herd of animals into one worthy of pleasing the Cat God! There are many different paths to choose from, but only one hurdle to overcome at the end of each week. Pay tribute to the Cat God or face his wrath and have your ranch shut down. 100+ Animals with Unique Abilities of 8 Families Whether it's alpacas, crocodiles, hyenas, larks, or a combination of all, you choose the kind of ranch you want to build. Feed your barnyard buddies to the carnivores, or watch an army of penguins and pandas propagate across your ranch. Utilize Different Terrains and Watch Your Animals Thrive Combine grasslands, caves, puddles, and other tile cards to create endless possibilities and combos. Tango with 100+ Prop Cards to Make Tribute in Time! As you improve on your ranch, the Cat God will bestow you with prop cards. Add these modifiers to your daily earnings and watch them grow! With 10+ cat gods, 100+ animals, 100+ props, 20+ toys, and 10+ tiles, it's time to build your own unique deck and appease the Cat God!

The post Cat God Ranch: Deck-Building Meets Animal Ranch Management appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Everything you Need to Know about Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury

22. Listopad 2025 v 23:00

Everything you Need to Know about Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury

  • Antoine Boulay, Producer at Fishing Cactus
Samurai Paws of Fury key art

Hello Xbox fans! Thanks for reading. I am thrilled to announce that our game Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury, which is based on the “Paws of Fury” movie, is out now on Xbox Series X|S, just in time for the holidays. Whether you’re playing solo or teaming up in local co-op with your friends and family, we wanted the game to feel fun-packed, wacky, and full of surprises. So, let me tell you a little bit about our game.

A Story That Picks up Right After the Movie Ends

Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury continues the story of Hank, our unlikely hero, right after the events of the “Paws of Fury” movie. Just when they thought the fighting was over, Hank and Jimbo are thrown back into combat, this time pitted against the mighty Shogun himself. Something’s changed, and the once-respected leader now commands an army of cats with one goal: to wipe out our heroes and the villages they’ve sworn to protect. As the chaos unfolds, it’s up to you to sharpen your samurai skills, defend Kakamucho, rescue Hank’s allies, and uncover the truth behind this evil plot.

Samurai Paws of Fury screenshot

During development, we had access to exclusive concept art from the animation studio, including never-before-seen environments and weapons. For us, huge fans of the universe, this was an absolute treat – and a huge dose of inspiration. If you’re a fan as well, we hope you’ll love what we created.

Discover Kakamucho Through Core Challenges and Quests

 We’ve kept things simple and joyful: no micro-transactions, just fun gear to help you become the wackiest hero around.

Samurai paws of fury screenshot

In our game, you’ll face two core challenges on your path to becoming a true Samurai:

Village Raid: A tower defense-style mode where you’ll protect villages from waves of ninjas and samurai. Use your surroundings wisely, samurai. Exploding barrels and hidden tools might just turn the tide in your favour!

Samurai Paws of Fury screenshot

Samurai Trial: A fast-paced 2.5D runner-platformer mode. Dash, dodge, and leap through obstacles as you race to the finish line. Every second matters!

Samurai Paws of Fury screenshot

Along the way, you’ll unlock powerful skills and two additional playable characters, Emiko and Sumo, each with their own unique abilities.

Beyond the main story, each hub offers optional quests, and if you’re paying close attention, you might spot something… odd. Rumors swirl of red-furred creatures sneaking around and listening at doors. You might even catch a glimpse of their tails in strange places! What are they up to? We’re not sure. But we definitely should be investigating.

Samurai Paws of Fury screenshot

Key Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks that will be useful to read before jumping into the adventure:

  • Optional quests will be useful before returning to the main quest, making the game easier.
  • Persistence is the key to succeeding in the Samurai Trials — don’t hesitate to retry to achieve the best time possible!
  • Take advantage of background elements during Village Raids — you’ll find plenty of items to help you face the Shogun’s armies. And who knows? A red barrel exploding at the right moment could be the key to victory! Sometimes, your katana alone won’t be enough.
  • Pay attention to your HUD for visual indicators that quickly show where threats are coming from.
  • Communication is key! Share important information with your teammate and ask for help or assistance to overcome the cats.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope that our game Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury has sparked your interest. Good luck Samurai! 

Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury

Maximum Entertainment France SAS

1
$24.99 $19.99
The village of Kakamucho is under attack by the Shogun’s cat armies! Join Hank, a dog samurai in a world of cats, and his friends as they reveal a sinister plot and save the day, samurai-style. Slash, dash, and laugh through this wacky third-person action adventure. The Story Just when they thought the fighting was over, Hank and Jimbo are thrown back into combat, this time pitting against the mighty Shogun himself. That’s right—the leader of the Paws of Fury world has had a mysterious change of heart. He aims to crush the blazing duo and the villages under their protection with his cat armies. It’s up to you to master samurai skills, protect Kakamucho, rescue Hank’s friends, and discover who is behind this evil plot. Become a True Samurai • Prove your skills and hone your lightning reflexes in progressively difficult samurai trials • Learn mystical skills to quickly traverse the scenery or ambush unsuspecting hordes • Wield an arsenal of gadgets and weapons to put an end to ever-rising enemy waves Protect the Humble Settlements • Defend the temples of Kakamucho, Dookiehill, and Pippishore against raids of powerful enemies, including Ninja ambushers, Viking warriors, and Jetpack elites • Use creative traps to cause massive damage and bring the fight to the shogun’s minions • Team up with beloved Paws of Fury characters and use their unique powers to assist in grandiose battles Explore a Wacky, Colorful World • Adventure to villages beyond Kakamucho in a vibrant, animated world packed with surprises • Unlock new areas, items, and playable characters to expand the realm as you progress • Discover and complete sidequests from quirky locals and friends both old and new, gaining fame, awards, and treasure Uncover the Evil Plot • Play through a lengthy story campaign, following the events of Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank • Follow the tale through animated cutscenes, featuring both old pals and new characters • Rescue your friends, unite the villages, and rally your allies to put an end to an evil conspiracy that threatens the empire and become a legendary hero! Samurai Shenanigans for All • Fun and accessible gameplay for players of all ages • Challenging Samurai Trials to compete with your friends • Local multiplayer mischief with split screen co-op: Play through the complete campaign with two players

The post Everything you Need to Know about Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury appeared first on Xbox Wire.

GigaBash’s Long-Awaited Gamera DLC Introduces Two New Characters

22. Listopad 2025 v 02:00
gigabash key art

GigaBash’s Long-Awaited Gamera DLC Introduces Two New Characters

It’s Time for A Rebirth!

Reports are coming in fast, folks. The oceans are rippling with the arrival of the newest additions to the GigaBash roster, blazing through from the Gamera universe as DLC characters! The GigaBash – Gamera – Rebirth DLC adds two new playable characters, Gamera and Guiron, into the game with their own unique skillsets to clash in the GigaBash arena.

Hat Trick

From the outset, GigaBash was always meant to be a love letter to the legendary franchises that have shaped and colored the childhoods of the Passion Republic Games team. We never imagined that our little homage would afford us the generous opportunities to officially represent titans of kaiju cinema in our game. The Gamera – Rebirth DLC is yet another notch on our belts, and an incredible chance to round out the big three of fan-requested collaborations with Gamera, just in time for the franchise’s 60th anniversary!

With quite the selection of remarkable kaiju from the animated series, how did we decide who would join Gamera in the arena? Guiron’s striking and unique design lent itself an edge when it came to making the cut to GigaBash‘s roster. The distinctive knife head and speed give Guiron a frantic, mobile moveset and playstyle — one that fans of the Gamera franchise are sure to enjoy playing as and against. Not to mention, Guiron is well-beloved and frequently pops up in fan requests when it comes to adding characters, so we are excited to be able to fulfill them at last!

Gamera and Guiron

The time has come for a closer look at the new characters coming into the game and their powerful moves. Let’s take a deep dive!

Gamera

gigabash Gamera hero

The one, the only, the guardian of children and protector of humanity. It’s Gamera in its most recent incarnation, as seen in the 2023 fully animated “Gamera – Rebirth” series! Speed across the arena with its Plasma Jets, giving it mobility beyond measure.

gigabash Gamera in flight

Overwhelm the foes from long range with Magma Blasters and Plasma Fireballs.

gigabash screenshot

Immolate the enemy with Scorching Hand, showcasing Gamera’s mastery over the purifying flame.

gigabash screenshot

Tough, determined, capable; Gamera is a force of nature not to be taken lightly. Nothing’s getting past this kaiju, and that’s a fact.

Guiron

gigabash screenshot

Sporting its sleek, agile form as shown on screen in the 2023 “Gamera -Rebirth” series, Guiron cleaves its way into the arena with alacrity! Its bladed head delivers swift and devastating slices, driven by acrobatic flips and leaps.

gigabash screenshot

Launch its razor-sharp Scale Shots at enemies who dare assume they’re safe out of blade’s reach.

gigabash screenshot

Tired of being outranged? Close the distance with a piercing headlong charge.

gigabash screenshot

Guiron’s agility makes it harder to pin down, and its body itself is a weapon to be reckoned with. Let the knife carve out a foundation for its dominance.

Making Waves

We hope the GigaBash Gamera -Rebirth DLC will resonate with longtime fans of the franchise as well as players yet to be introduced to such legends. It has been an honor for us to be able to bring these beloved characters to life and put them in your hands! Gamera and Guiron join the ranks of Godzilla and Ultraman, from the silver screen to your screens, in the ultimate kaiju fighting game.

With two of the most vicious kaiju ever put on screen entering the GigaBash stage, alongside a whole host of other iconic characters and 13 original GigaBash characters in the game, fans are in for a whale of a time. It’s high tide in the arena, and the waters offer no mercy, no remorse, and brook no quarter! Will you be the bulwark Gamera who stands unmoving against the break of waves? Or will you be the riptide Guiron, sharp and deadly, cutting off all hope of escape? Surge forth and take control of your fate!

GigaBash – GAMERA -Rebirth- DLC

Passion Republic Games

10
$5.99
It's time for a rebirth! This DLC adds "Gamera" and "Guiron" from the iconic Gamera series in their modern, fully animated incarnations into GigaBash, featuring their own unique skillsets. As seen in "GAMERA -Rebirth-", Gamera emerges to protect those it was made to destroy. Gamera shows that defense and offense go hand-in-hand, with plasma jets to close the distance and flaming projectiles to engage at range. Its thick armored shell ensures no attack gets through. The guardian kaiju is devastating and dangerous at any distance. Slicing through at lightning speed, Guiron launches into the fray in its "GAMERA -Rebirth-" incarnation. With unmatched agility, Guiron wields its iconic bladed head to drive destruction into any who stand in the way. Its razor-sharp Scale Shots threaten those who try to escape. This kaiju is a living weapon in name and purpose. Will you embody the cutting edge of Guiron and strike terror upon the world? Or will you don the shell of Gamera to purify and protect your allies?

The post GigaBash’s Long-Awaited Gamera DLC Introduces Two New Characters appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Spikeball Smash Brings the Party to Xbox Today

21. Listopad 2025 v 21:00

Spikeball Smash Brings the Party to Xbox Today

  • Hilary Goldstein, Head of Marketing – The Munky
Spikeball Smash key art

If you don’t live near a beach, you might not know roundnet, the clever twist on volleyball invented by Jeff Knurek in 1989. The game simmered for years, then exploded when Spikeball was founded. It took over college quads, grew into a pro circuit, and now it’s coming for a new arena: your Xbox.

Spikeball Smash is now available globally and offers an authentic take on the popular leisure sport. Featuring 2v2 local and online multiplayer, Spikeball is as competitive and intense as you choose to make it.

What is Spikeball?

Imagine volleyball, but the net is flat to the ground inside a 36-inch ring. Your team gets three alternating touches to return the ball to the net. Rally until the ball drops and a point is scored. First to 21 wins.

spikeball smash screenshot

After a serve, there are no “sides,” since the net is round. So unlike volleyball or tennis or any other “game with a net,” players move around 360 degrees in controlled chaos. There’s no real out of bounds, so huge smashes can send defenders sprinting and diving for last-second saves.

Why Bring Spikeball to Xbox?

We love the rush of the real thing, but we wanted a way to play anytime and with anyone from anywhere. Queue up online, drop into a quick match with cross play, or set up couch games for your friends. Turn up the music, chase the rally, and run it back.

Spikeball Smash is out now worldwide for $4.99 USD. It delivers an authentic take on the sport with 2v2 local multiplayer and full online cross play. Bad weather or absent friends won’t stop you from enjoying Spikeball Smash.

spikeball smash screenshot

What Comes Next

This is the starting line. We priced Spikeball Smash low for two reasons:

  1. We want to make it easy for anyone to jump in during the holidays.
  2. We have more on the way and early players get added benefits.

Our focus now is on giving you more reasons to keep playing and more rewards for your time. We’ll share those details soon.

See you on the field.

Xbox Play Anywhere

Spikeball Smash

The Munky

1
$4.99
Spikeball Smash brings the party to your room. Tap into the real-life energy of Spikeball solo or with up to four players. Feel the sand between your toes as you serve from the beach or listen to the cheers from the party as you dominate in the quad. Play to win with authentic Spikeball rules. Dive for a last-second save, get back to the net for the setup, and crush the winning smash. The competition is fierce, but the controls are simple. Easy to learn, deep enough to master. Play it casual with friends or climb in ranked play. There’s no wrong way to approach Spikeball Smash. Play for fun. Play for bragging rights. Play loud.

The post Spikeball Smash Brings the Party to Xbox Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for November 24 to 28

21. Listopad 2025 v 16:00

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for November 24 to 28

dude where is my beer

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


I'm on Observation Duty 8

Dreamloop Games

I’m on Observation Duty 8 – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Observe. Report. Survive the night. Monitor the surveillance system for anomalies and report them to survive the night. Use your sharp eyes and keen attention to detail to detect supernatural anomalies ranging from subtle environmental changes to eerie and unsettling otherworldly intruders. Can you survive the night shift, or will you succumb to paranoia…? I’m on Observation Duty 8 is the most ambitious title yet in the original viral franchise that ignited a trend in spot-the-difference horror games that have been loved by players and streamed for millions by legendary content creators.


Primal Fray

Indie Games Starter

Primal Fray – November 24
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Primal Fray is a turn-based strategy roguelite. Combat takes place on a procedurally generated hex based flying islands. You will use your units to outmaneuver and kill enemy troops. Choose between multiple heroes. Use their unique talents to conquer the Rift and learn more about their stories entangled with dark and ominous Ironclad Corp.


A.I.L.A

Fireshine Games

A.I.L.A – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A.I.L.A is a first-person horror game set in a near-future filled with immersive technology. Play as the sole game tester for a revolutionary new fictional AI. Survive intense horror experiences that prey on your deepest fears as the lines between virtual and reality begin to blur…


Compadrone: Land Wars

Seam Entertainment Limited

Compadrone: Land Wars – November 25

Year 2352, humanity is exploring the exoplanets for the expansion of its stellar empire. It comes as no surprise that we encounter alien adversaries – some easy to conquer, others far more advanced and harder to subjugate. To assist in the conquest, a dedicated fleet of fighter drones called Compadrones – or ‘compadre’ drones were created to serve as the ultimate vanguard of our attack forces. Compadrone: Land Wars is a family-friendly top-down roguelite arena shooter with elements of tower defense gameplay in which you play as a drone sent to fight off aliens on an exoplanet.


Delivery of Us (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

Delivery of Us – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Delivery of Us, you guide a clever carrier pigeon on a mission to deliver every letter across the city’s rooftops. Plan each route carefully, because every move counts. Once the counter hits zero, the delivery fails. This relaxing logic and movement-based puzzle game combines smooth mechanics, strategic planning, and calm visuals. Each level challenges you to find the most efficient path to every mailbox while avoiding walls, hazards, and obstacles along the way.


Xbox Play Anywhere

KILL IT WITH FIRE! 2

tinyBuild

Kill it with Fire! – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

You are the Exterminator on a crusade against the spider horde taking over the multiverse. Blast through the story campaign solo or with friends via online co-op for up to 4 players or jump into a frenetic Humans vs Spiders PvP mode for some laughs and screams.


Mudness Offroad & Buried Alive

Midnight Works

20
$18.99 $15.19

Mudness Offroad & Buried Alive – November 25
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Mudness Offroad & Buried Alive Bundle delivers a gripping mix of harsh survival and demanding terrain navigation. One tests your endurance in nature’s toughest environments, the other your will to escape the unthinkable. This bundle is made for those who never back down — whether battling nature or facing their deepest fears.


Project Motor Racing

GIANTS Software

$69.99

Project Motor Racing – November 25

Project Motor Racing ignites all the passion, beauty, and intensity of professional motorsport. Race across eras in 70 meticulously recreated cars across 13 iconic classes and 28 global layouts.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Brotherhood

Valkyrie Initiative LLP

Brotherhood – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

They are billions. You are alone. An ominous brotherhood of religious fanatics perform experiments on humans in their top-secret scientific complex. An ancient prison hidden deep in the Swiss mountains houses hundreds of test subjects whose bodies are mutilated in an effort to produce a new biological species of superhuman. You are one of them, but unlike other test subjects, your body is immune to mutagens. For you, it’s not poison anymore, rather a source of power that makes your body nearly indestructible. Steal the weapon and obliterate them.


Dude, Where Is My Beer?

Arik Games

$14.99

Dude, Where Is My Beer? – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Can you find a normal beer in a world of conspicuously flavoured craft beer, and solve the mystery of the elusive, missing pilsner, using nostalgic interface from the golden age of adventure games? Talk to West Coast IPA and American Black Ale drinking hipsters and solve beer related puzzles at different stages of drunkenness; explore locations like a sports bar, a microbrewery, a dive bar and a rock bar in the city of Oslo, in your quest of finding a pilsner.


King's Justice

Old School Vibes

King’s Justice – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Embark on a thrilling platforming quest across 10 handcrafted levels filled with deadly traps, diverse enemies, and escalating challenges. With an estimated playtime of 30–60 minutes, casual players will enjoy fast-paced action and precision gameplay.


Knight's Quest

Old School Vibes

Knight’s Quest – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Embark on a heroic journey in Knight’s Quest, a 2D platformer set in a world consumed by darkness. Play as a valiant knight determined to reclaim ancient ruins and defeat monstrous foes. Can you restore light to a shattered realm?


Poko's Arctic Quest (Xbox One)

Little Giant Game Studio

Poko’s Arctic Quest – November 26

Join Poko on a frosty and challenging adventure! Winter is coming, and the little penguin Poko needs to gather enough fish to survive the cold! Use your logic and planning to push blocks, open paths, and collect all the fish across 30 carefully designed levels inspired by classic puzzle games.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Schildmaid MX

Eastasiasoft Limited

Schildmaid MX – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Schildmaid MX is a fresh and frenetic side-scrolling 2D shoot ’em up in which you pick 1 of 3 ferocious fighter spacecraft to wreak havoc on the invasion fleet that threatens your planet. Embark on multiple attack runs and strike fear into the hearts of your enemy. The best pilots are immortalized on the online leaderboards!


Space Frontier

Head Bear Games

Space Frontier – November 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A classic space shooter reborn! Pilot your ship on an epic journey through the cosmos, facing hordes of space pirates across 13 intense levels. Defeat enemies to collect upgrade orbs and spend them in the shop to evolve your ship with more damage, extra life, and insane speed. Face colossal bosses in battles that demand strategy and razor-sharp reflexes. Every victory brings you closer to interstellar glory!


Torii

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Torii – November 26

Traverse through the surreal world suspended somewhere between dream and emotion on a touching journey through grief, guilt, and healing, as you search for your lost sister, Lulu. Solve puzzles, recover lost memories, face your deepest fears and regrets… And don’t be afraid to take the leap forward.


Delivery Driver Massacre

Everynot Games Studio

Delivery Driver Massacre – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Step into a first-person horror experience inspired by classic 80s slashers. A routine job becomes a night of terror as you explore an eerie suburban home hiding sinister secrets. Solve puzzles, find tools to escape, and outsmart a ruthless killer who’s always one step behind you. Grimy VHS visuals, haunting ambience, and shocking moments bring old-school horror to life in a new way.


Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil

Feardemic

Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

You were tricked by your friends. After the latest events, you’ll need to delve deeper into the mysterious establishment of Banban’s Kindergarten. Now, you’re completely on your own – your friends are either dead or against you… From now on, you’ll only meet new enemies, who will make sure you never feel alone. Be careful – in Banban’s Kindergarten, they are lurking in every corner, waiting for you.


Quick Whiskers (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

Quick Whiskers – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to jump, dash, and glide with Quick Whiskers, a pixel-art platformer where every move counts! Take control of a nimble cat and venture through 30 challenging levels across two unique biomes: the peaceful park and the bustling city. Your mission is simple but full of action: collect food cans and reach a cozy bed to rest.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Snake.io

Kooapps Inc

Snake.io – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Develop your skills, try to survive as much as you can and become the biggest snake. You start as a small snake, get bigger by eating other snakes who try to do the same. You have to attack wisely but defend skillfully. How long can you survive?


Star Ores Inc.

Three River Games (3RG)

Star Ores Inc. – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Star Ores Inc. is an intergalactic mining adventure that catapults you onto an abandoned space station in the middle of space. As a freshly minted entrepreneur, you begin your career in a world full of ores, machines, and galactic possibilities. Dig through massive asteroids and extract rare minerals, which you refine into valuable high-tech products. With the help of specialized robots, conveyor systems, and automated machinery, you build an efficient production chain — from raw material extraction to sales.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Street Racer Collection (QUByte Classics)

QUByte Interactive & bleem.net

Street Racer Collection (QUByte Classics) – November 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Combining the speed of an arcade racer with the brawling of a fighting game, this cult classic made its mark with its originality and its own dose of chaos and personality. Race on tracks filled with obstacles and crazy settings (from Mount Rushmore to Transylvania), use special moves to knock out your rivals, and explore modes that go far beyond traditional racing.


Aero Cosmos

Gametry LLC

Aero Cosmos – November 28

Take control of your spacecraft and dive into a cosmic odyssey where speed, precision, and exploration collide. Navigate surreal, gravity-defying landscapes filled with twisting asteroid rings and radiant celestial structures. With every level, push your reflexes to the limit as you dodge obstacles, collect vital energy cores, and uncover hidden mysteries of deep space. Only the sharpest pilots will survive the challenge — are you ready to conquer the cosmos?


Bee Simulator: The Hive

Untold Tales

Bee Simulator: The Hive – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

See the world through the eyes of a bee! Explore a world inspired by Central Park as you gather pollen, evade threats, and build your own thriving beehive. This edition combines the original Bee Simulator with The Hive expansion, introducing new mechanics, game modes, and fresh as a spring pollen content—all in one buzzing adventure, perfect for players of all ages.


Xbox Play Anywhere

BucketCrusher

QubicGames S.A.

BucketCrusher – November 28
Xbox Play Anywhere

Will you manage to completely destroy the wall until not a single brick is left standing? Immerse yourself in the most satisfying casual game where you tear down walls brick by brick using a circular saw! Push the bricks into your BucketCrusher to convert them into cash, but watch out because you can run out of fuel!


El Coco

Recotechnology SL

El Coco – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

El Coco is a 3D action roguelike that plunges you into a world of dreams, broken memories, and living nightmares. Descend into The Uncertain, a place as strange as it is dangerous, and fight to recover what you’ve lost—if you can trust your guide.


Emoji Battlefield – Origins

EpiXR Games

$9.99

Emoji Battlefield – Origins – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Emoji Battlefield – Origins throws you into a chaotic, rogue-like first-person shooter where emojis aren’t just harmless faces — they’re deadly enemies. Start each run by customizing your experience with unique modifiers: crank up the difficulty, make every emoji wear a ridiculous hat, or turn on bouncing mode for hilarious chaos. Then pick your unlocked arena — from The Bouncy Castle to Candy World or even outer space — each with its own hazards and interactive traps.


Habitat Shapes (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

Habitat Shapes – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Enjoy the relaxing puzzle of Habitat Shapes by organizing spaces for three animal families – mammals, birds, and reptiles – using Fence/Wall pieces to keep them separated. Watch out: different families cannot touch, and any attempt triggers a funny “fight cloud,” sending the last piece back to the conveyor.


Keypybara

Renan Games

Keybybara – November 28

In Keypybara, prepare for a classic 2D platforming experience with precise and responsive controls. You must navigate carefully handcrafted levels (each one a single, challenging “room”) filled with deadly traps. Your mission is clear: collect the key to unlock the exit. To do this, you will need to push boxes and dodge spikes. With instant respawn and 30 unique stages that progressively increase the challenge, the game offers an addictive, smooth, and rewarding gameplay loop with every obstacle overcome.


Red Pippy

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Red Pippy – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Red Pippy is a charming 2D pixel art platformer that follows the journey of a little red bird in pursuit of its biggest dream: learning to fly! With each level, Pippy learns new skills as he navigates vibrant and perilous environments, jumping across platforms and overcoming obstacles that bring him closer to his ultimate goal. Will he prove that he’s ready to conquer the skies?


Xbox Play Anywhere

Wild West: Hidden Objects

Crisp App Studio

$11.99 $9.59

Wild West: Hidden Objects – November 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Step into the Cyber Wild West! Take on the role of a sharp-eyed detective in a world where the Wild West collides with high-tech cyberpunk. Welcome to Red Hook, a mysterious frontier town ruled by circuits and secrets. But trouble is brewing… The town treasury has been stolen. The sheriff? Kidnapped. Now it’s up to you to crack the case.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for November 24 to 28 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

An Inside Scoop of the Boxes: Lost Fragments Development Process

6. Listopad 2025 v 21:00

An Inside Scoop of the Boxes: Lost Fragments Development Process

  • Emil Spasov, Game Designer, Big Loop Studios

Summary

  • Come behind the scenes with Big Loop Studios.
  • Focus on intricate mechanical puzzles and beautiful design.
  • Developed over 30 months with major late-stage improvements.

What if every puzzle you solved revealed another hidden layer beneath? Boxes: Lost Fragments invites players into a world of intricate mechanisms and mesmerizing mystery.

Hi everyone, we are Big Loop Studios – the creators of Boxes: Lost Fragments.

We have made many puzzle games before, but when developing Boxes: Lost Fragments, we decided to double down on intricate and satisfying mechanical designs, sensible puzzles, unexpected quirks, and a bit of surreal surprises. This game is for players who like tinkering with multi-component, beautifully crafted puzzle boxes at a relaxing pace.

Concept & Development

Boxes screenshot

We wanted each puzzle box to hold many layers of hidden mechanisms, riddles, and surprising revelations waiting to be uncovered.

The entire development took around 30 months – way, way longer than initially planned. But this extended period turned out to be a true blessing. As time passed, many ideas evolved naturally into better versions of themselves, and some were completely replaced. For example, the tower-like upward progression of the game was introduced in the last three months of production. Talk about last-minute…

If we have to share another peculiar detail, the initial release had a different ending that players did not like. So, thanks to our fans, we created an even better game.

Visuals & Atmosphere

Boxes screenshot

It was essential for the game to draw you in with its sheer atmosphere even before the puzzles begin. All puzzle boxes needed to be highly detailed and beautiful to just observe. In other words, a triumph of the visual crafts, combined with polished animations, effects, and audio.

We approached each box like a piece of art, carefully considering how each part connects to the whole, how each level transforms and evolves as the player solves different puzzle pieces, and how sound cues could build atmosphere and immersion. The result is a cohesive blend of visuals, animation, and audio designed to draw players deeper into the world without overwhelming them.

The load on our artists and designers was immense compared to previous projects, and they did an excellent job. So prepare to get mesmerized.

Puzzles & Gameplay

Boxes screenshot

Boxes: Lost Fragments rewards logical thinking, careful observation, and a willingness to experiment. The puzzles are varied, from clue finding to mechanical inventions and multi-step challenges that unlock new layers of intricacy. Striking the right balance between difficulty and flow was one of our primary goals. We will let you decide for yourself how close we got to this goal. If you ask us, we think the result leans more towards “enjoyably puzzling” than “brain-meltingly hard”.

Bringing Boxes: Lost Fragments to Xbox allows us to showcase every polished animation and detailed mechanism in full fidelity. The tactile feeling of interacting with the puzzle boxes using the controller’s precise feedback feels especially satisfying on Xbox Series X|S.

Boxes: Lost Fragments launches today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Dive into a beautiful detailed world of puzzle solving today!

Boxes: Lost Fragments

Snapbreak Games

4
$14.99 $13.49
As a legendary thief, your next assignment lures you into a grand and lavish mansion. There you find a series of puzzle boxes, designed for an unknown purpose. Suddenly, you realize that this is no ordinary building and that you are no longer in control of what is unfolding, and perhaps never were. What should have been a quick in-and-out, turns into your own harrowing struggle for freedom and answers. Inspired by the cryptic atmosphere, intricate machinery, and smooth controls of the best room escape games, we have created a diverse set of original puzzle levels that will test your resolve and skills to navigate this mysterious and compelling journey. Each level is beautiful, unique, and a true delight to explore and figure out.

The post An Inside Scoop of the Boxes: Lost Fragments Development Process appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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