Learn more about Aniimo, the creature collecting action-RPG revealed at Xbox Games Showcase.
Aniimo is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in 2026.
Sign up for a closed beta today!
It’s been an exciting time for the whole Aniimo team as, during the Xbox Games Showcase, we were finally able to open the doors of Aniimo to players and welcome them to our passion project; an open world creature collecting action-RPG.
This is truly the game of our dreams. We’ve been focused on crafting something new and unforgettable, laying the foundations for a magnificent open world with immense potential. All of us are excited to have players join us in discovering the world of Aniimo, and getting them involved in the next step of development by sharing valuable feedback with us during an upcoming closed beta test.
If you’re keen to know more, let me break down our new game for you:
The Aniimo
Thanks to Aniimo, we have discovered a fascinating bunch of creatures called, you’ve guessed it, Aniimo. These are magical beings who we are getting to know better every day. The Aniimo have captured our curiosity, and we’re constantly learning more about them – their personalities, abilities, charm, our own emotional connections with them and how they adapt to Idyll, the world that they live in. One example is Budclaw, a shy crab-like Aniimo who is good at digging and navigating different terrains, but can’t see too well underground. That’s a good trick to know because if it hits a rock it will go dizzy and be easier to catch. Another is Nimbi, the cloud-shaped sheep who reacts to its environment, making it incredibly light and able to jump to huge heights – but who behaves very differently in thunderstorms.
This world is so rich and detailed that we’re still seeking more Aniimo out, learning about them, capturing them, battling with them, developing and evolving them, and we’re excited to be able to now have players join us on this journey of discovery.
The Gameplay
When players join us in the world of Idyll they will gradually embark on their own unique journey of exploration. This is a multiplayer game in a fully open world. Players can choose the areas they want to explore, and the narrative will be shaped by their choices. Everyone’s adventure will be different.
There are two battle modes in the game. By capturing an Aniimo you can engage in real-time battles with other Aniimo, and grow your own Aniimo’s strength and skills. But beyond having a creature with incredible abilities and powers, wouldn’t it be even better if you could experience those powers for yourself? By “twining” with the Aniimo, a spiritual connection takes place, essentially enabling us to become our chosen creature, and experience the game in a totally new way.
We can move through the world as an Aniimo, battle as an Aniimo and explore the world of Idyll through the unique features of the Aniimo we have twined with. This feature also immerses us more fully in the Aniimo’s society – the everyday exchanges and habits that the Aniimo have developed amongst themselves.
The Open World
Idyll is a huge, living world, but there are bigger reasons for travelling around it than simply to see the sights. Each Aniimo reacts to the different environments and conditions and adapts their behavior accordingly. For example, an Aniimo may be able to leverage terrain to burrow and dodge attacks, or use special vision to spot danger, which takes the discovery of the world to a whole new level.
Join the Closed Beta
This is just the beginning! We can’t wait to welcome players to Idyll and introduce you to the Aniimo! Our closed beta test will open for PC players later this summer and more information on how to participate can be found here.
Aniimo
Kingsglory Games
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Aniimo is a next-gen open-world creature-catching ARPG set to launch in 2026.
At Fate’s End is an upcoming action-adventure game about love, rivalry, and loyalty among siblings.
As Shan, you’ll decide the fate of your family with crucial narrative choices and dramatic sword-fights.
Thunder Lotus’ Creative Director discusses how the team is building on the success of its previous game, Spiritfarer.
When we set out to create At Fate’s End, we knew we didn’t want to make just another story about royal succession. We wanted something more personal; something that captured the strange mix of love, rivalry, resentment, and loyalty that can exist between siblings. The result is a game where the biggest battles aren’t just about swords and powers – they’re about family; what we inherit from it, what we lose because of it, and whether it’s ever truly possible to break away.
In this game, you play as Shan, the youngest daughter of the ruling Hemlock dynasty. The Hemlocks don’t just govern the game’s world, they command God-Swords, powerful living weapons passed down through generations. To wield such swords, each heir must give something up, often a part of their body, or something deeper. A sword doesn’t just bond with its wielder. It changes them. And to command her sword Aesus, Shan had to give up her voice. In return, Aesus copies the powers of the other Swords and reveals hidden truths.
This is crucial, given that in the beginning of the game, Shan has been unexpectedly, controversially named Princess of Swords: your mission is to confront your six siblings, to take their God-Swords, and to return the seven blades to the castle to begin a new cycle of rule. It’s a ritual of succession that’s equal parts tradition, test, and bloodshed.
Now, Shan’s siblings aren’t motivated to simply hand rulership – and their blades – to their kid sister. Their reasons vary; as with all sibling relationships, there’s a complex shared history, and a fair bit of emotional baggage – not to mention their own personal ambition. So this will take some persuasion – and some good old-fashioned sword dueling. But armed with Aesus, players can attempt to not only match Shan’s siblings in battle, but they can also see what they’re trying to hide.
In At Fate’s End, combat strikes a balance between strategy and intensity. The powers Shan inherits, drawn from the Tarot-inspired Major Arcana of her siblings, give players the freedom to mix quick, responsive action with thoughtful, time-suspended tactical moves. Whether you prefer agile strikes, calculated maneuvers, or a seamless blend of both, the system adapts to your playstyle by letting you choose which option to equip.
While Shan will face plenty of more straightforward encounters on her journey, the heart of the experience lies in the high-stakes duels against her powerful siblings and a roster of deadly duelists. These aren’t just fights, they’re emotional, mechanically rich showdowns that define the soul of the game.
Each sibling represents a unique challenge, both in combat and emotionally. First, the Shan must uncover three secrets about each of them: dark, painful, complicated truths that shaped them. Some are rooted in failure. Others are born from betrayal or grief. Players won’t just fight these characters, they’ll investigate them, piece together their stories, and decide what version of them to believe.
This choice is visualized through Tarot-inspired Minor Arcana cards. Each sibling’s story is symbolized as a card, and players choose whether to keep its Upright or Reversed side, two sides of the same truth. Upright might reflect compassion, forgiveness, or hope. Reversed might embrace bitterness, rejection, or pride. These choices shape the relationship between Shan and each sibling, and ultimately, the shape of the world she’s meant to rule.
All this may admittedly seem like a big shift from our previous game, Spiritfarer, where combat didn’t exist at all. Spiritfarer was designed to be a peaceful experience, slow, contemplative, warm. We designed Spiritfarer so that hugging a character, cooking them their favorite meal, or building their personal space on the boat would make players feel something through interaction, not just dialogue.
From a certain perspective, the idea of secrets being uncovered through a Tarot-inspired system in At Fate’s End is an evolution of our approach to bringing meaning and depth to the relationships between characters in Spiritfarer. But more fundamentally, in both games, we want mechanical actions (investigating, choosing sides of a card) to feel like emotional choices. To give weight to interactivity, and allow game mechanics to carry the message, not the other way around. In this sense, the games are similar – it’s the themes and the relationships explored that are different.
In At Fate’s End, we’ve chosen to explore tension, conflict, and choice in more direct ways than in Spiritfarer. We knew that meant bringing in combat, but we didn’t want it to overshadow the emotional storytelling, we wanted it to serve it. That’s why combat is paced carefully, why it ties into narrative decisions, and why every duel ends not just in victory or defeat, but in conversation. The combat here is still about power fantasy and catharsis, but overall, it’s about the cost of inheritance, and what it means to confront the people who shaped you.
Our experience with Spiritfarer showed thatplayers deeply connected with characters not because their arcs were wildly dramatic, but because they felt real. The small details such as regret over a failed relationship, anxiety about death, longing for unspoken closure, resonated.
Now with At Fate’s End, we had the certainty that we had tolean into emotional nuance. Let characters be contradictory, not be afraid to write siblings who are kind one moment and cutting the next. People don’t need perfect arcs. They need honest ones.
So, one of our core goals was to make each sibling feel real. Their stories are inspired by our own experiences growing up with siblings: the petty fights, the moments of closeness, the quiet rifts that form over time. This too mirrored our approach to Spiritfarer, which took inspiration from lived experiences with grief offered by members of the team. In At Fate’s End, we also looked to historical accounts of royal families—where betrayal and love often lived side by side. We wanted each encounter in the game to feel like peeling back layers of a shared childhood shaped by power and pressure.
As developers, we wanted to explore a story where power doesn’t come from dominance alone, but from understanding. Shan’s journey will eventually raise a larger question for players: Is this cycle of succession and sacrifice worth repeating, or is it time to end it?
We can’t wait for you to step into Shan’s journey—and decide what kind of future you’ll shape. We hope you’ll keep your eyes peeled for updates about the project! At Fate’s Endwill be released in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Xbox PC (also coming day one to Game Pass).
At Fate’s End
Thunder Lotus
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
At Fate’s End is an action-adventure game where you fight the ones you love and your skill tree is your family tree. Explore a lush fantasy world, defeat the foul creatures of the realm, and face your estranged siblings in intense, emotional duels to decide your family’s fate. Wield your blade. Confront your kin. Decide your fate.
At Fate’s End is an action-adventure game where you fight the ones you love. Wield the legendary God Sword Aesus as Shan, the deft young heiress of the Hemlock clan. Explore a lush, hand-crafted fantasy world. Defeat the foul creatures of the realm in combat. Solve intricate narrative puzzles, uncover painful truths, and hone both your blade skills and knowledge to face your estranged siblings in intense, emotional duels – and ultimately decide your family’s fate. Battle with both swords and words.
Your blade may cut deep, but you journey will demand more than combat prowess. Shape confrontations through tactical dialogue and psychological insight, using your deep knowledge of your family’s secrets to gain the upper hand. Your skill tree is your family tree.
Each sibling you defeat — or reconcile with — shapes your destiny. Collect seven swords of power to expand your arsenal of abilities and ultimately shape your family’s legacy. From the Spiritfarer Team.
From the acclaimed team behind Spiritfarer, At Fate’s End weaves tight, visceral action with rich narrative depth, exploring the complicated bonds between brothers and sisters in a world where swords clash and family wounds run deep. Fight with your sword. Speak with your soul. Face your family — at fate’s end.
Let me open with this – Resident Evil Requiem will allow you to play in first and third person. For most games, this would be a neat feature; but for a new, mainline Resident Evil entry, it feels closer to a philosophical statement.
The early third-person classics in the series set the standard for survival horror – tense, knotty frighteners that combined action, resource management, and byzantine puzzling. The more recent first-person games have been more visceral affairs, hovering somewhere between a video nasty and gung-ho action cinema. And appropriately, Requiem aims to do both.
Placed in a pitch-black room at the heart of Summer Game Fest, I was shown exactly how in a 30-minute demo that proved one thing above all others – Resident Evil Requiem wants to scare you as much as it possibly can.
At the heart of all this is Requiem’s new main character, Grace Ashcroft. As we saw in the game’s reveal trailer, Grace is a technical analyst for the FBI sent to a ruined Raccoon City to investigate a mysterious disease outbreak – and unlike most other heroes in the series, she’s simply not equipped to deal with what she finds there. Grace has the energy of a classic horror Final Girl – she’s not a fighter, simply someone stuck in the absolute worst place, at the absolute worst time, and that colors everything about the game around her.
My demo begins with Grace strapped, upside-down, to a medical gurney, having her blood drained by someone unknown for reasons unknown. Getting herself unstrapped less than gracefully, she finds herself in an abandoned medical ward – the game offers no objective markers, no stated aim, but the goal is abundantly clear. Find a way out.
What followed was 30 minutes of pure tension I’ve rarely felt from a game demo. Requiem’s hyper-realistic looks – this is a next step for Capcom’s already-beautiful RE Engine – play with light and darkness throughout. I creep around the ward, searching everything I can for clues. A classic Resident Evil puzzle quickly reveals itself – a locked gate, a broken fuse box, an ornate door hiding secrets both mechanical and narrative.
It draws on well-established ideas from across the series, but places them in a new context – I’m absolutely dreading every new hallway, and finding out what’s behind every new door. It’s almost funny quite how far this section of the game pushes that familiar feeling of waiting for a jump scare to happen. Grace herself is a part of this – she reacts with audible fear to each new location, and gasps when she hears something walking around the hallways, unseen. It puts you in a state of near-constant tension. Where previous games broke that tension with ambushes, or small-scale fights, Requiem simply lets you stew in the fear.
Your choice to play in first or third person (and you can switch at any time) might alter how you view all this, but the results are the same. Capcom’s clearly put a huge amount of work into making neither choice feel like the “true” way to play. Animations have been tweaked for both perspectives to help it feel natural, never breaking the fearful spell it casts as you quietly pick your way through this truly ominous place.
And when that tension finally, finally breaks, things only get more unpleasant. After finding a lighter, I use it to creep down an inky black hallway to a nurse’s station, and get my first, full jump-out-your-skin moment – a diseased body tumbles out of the next door I open. Grace screams – and then something else appears to feast. We saw a glimpse of the Requiem demo’s main threat at the end of the reveal trailer, but I got a full look. It’s a monstrous, bug-eyed creature that might have once been one of the nurses working in this ward – so tall that it needs to stoop through doorways to get around.
And from here, the demo switches vibe. The closest analogue in the series is clearly Mr. X – a stalking threat that can’t be killed, only survived. You’ll need to use every location you’ve found to hide and confuse the creature, picking your way carefully around it to reach your next goal. But there are ideas being drawn from further afield, too. The ward’s looping, terrifyingly humdrum presentation calls to mind Hideo Kojima’s traumatizing P.T., and there’s a hint of Alien: Isolation in the way you’re never quite sure how much this creature knows. It sniffs the air while searching for you, smashes cover you might have used to hide before, and can yank itself into holes in the ceiling, leaving you terrified that it might appear somewhere else entirely as you explore.
There’s a sense of malevolent intelligence behind it – at one point, I flee into a side room, closing the door behind me, fully expecting the creature to smash through. Instead, it does something to the lights and disappears, leaving one of the ward’s few safe spaces suddenly as frightening as everywhere else. “Seriously?”, Grace says, summing up my feelings perfectly.
My demo ends as I finally find the fuse I need to get out – I manage to scare the creature by smashing a bottle against a wall (another personality trait the game seemingly lets you find out all on your own), and bolt up the hallway to the gate I need to open. It’s a moment of rare gaming triumph – or at least it would have been if the creature didn’t grab Grace, and drag her back into the darkness. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
Capcom won’t be drawn on how this section ties into the wider game. Is this a one-off segment in the vein of Resident Evil Village’s House Beneviento, or does it represent an overarching gameplay idea; that this is more about powerlessness, and finding ways to avoid danger rather than confront it? That’s a question we’ll have to answer later, but it’s quite the first impression. It might be combining ideas from the past and present of Resident Evil, all wrapped in that choice of perspective, but the outcome is something that feels like a new future for the series.
Resident Evil: Requiem comes to Xbox Series X|S on February 27, 2026.
Will you lovingly tame wolves as Dawn or build your own Chicken Shack as Steve? No matter what type of adventurer you are, there’s a hero and skin to suit your playstyle.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE isn’t just for the silver screen! Bring the adventure to your small, medium, and big screens with a free wallpaper. Simply go here to choose your screen size or download the entire set by clicking the button below.
We couldn’t be more excited for you to finally see A MINECRAFT MOVIE! We hope you have fun seeing the Overworld through a new lens and enjoy the ride together with Steve, Garrett, Dawn, Natalie, and Henry. And remember, always bring a water bucket!
* Requires Internet, a valid Microsoft account, and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (sold separately). Geography limitations, country and balance restrictions, taxes, platform-specific online subscription requirements and Internet connection fees may apply. Add-on, skin pack, and DLC are available on Minecraft Marketplace until 12/31/2025.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 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!
Embark on an epic journey with Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose, the newest DLC that puts you in command of two well-known armies inspired by history. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to the series, this DLC delivers rich, historically inspired content that can be enjoyed across a variety of modes.
Faircroft’s Antiques: The Mountaneer’s Legacy Collector’s Edition
With Earth on the brink of ecosystemic collapse, DOLOS A.E.C. leads to efforts to find a new home for the human race. Whether by chance or fate, its prototype space station, the Tiqqun, finds itself cast adrift, a disintegrating ark upon which the remnants of humanity must find sanctuary – and you, Administrator, are at its helm.
A spellbinding third-person, action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you’ll encounter creatures of Southern folklore and explore a macabre, fantastical world. You can play early starting today, April 3, by picking up either the South of Midnight Premium Edtion or the Premium Upgrade Edition for Game Pass members.
Witness the very beginning of the legendary elite WWII force in Commandos: Origins. The long-awaited sequel to the Commandos series brings you right back to the foundation of the real-time tactics genre. And to the days where Jack O’Hara, the Green Beret, and his five companions met to form the infamous unit sent to complete missions which no others would dare to accept.
A mystical Victorian detective story in which you play as a ghost girl helped by a ghost cat. Jane wakes up in a crypt as a ghost and begins investigating the death of her family. Seeking and researching evidence, you’ll build a case by utilizing a laboratory to research evidence.
Ellphaser throws you into a frozen world where every jump reshapes reality. In this 2D platformer with puzzle mechanics, platforms disappear and reappear with each jump, creating dynamic challenges at every move. Control a fearless elephant and plan each jump carefully to escape traps — sharp spikes, electric orbs, and unstable platforms are waiting for a misstep.
Little Droid
Stamina Zero LLC
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$5.99
Little Droid – April 9 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
An adventure platformer that takes you to a world of mysteries, tough enemies, and hidden dangers. The journey is packed with challenges, requiring careful battery management to keep the droid energized at crucial moments.
Following an unfortunate episode of mental illness, Alma is sent to a cottage in the countryside where she finds peace tending to the overgrown garden. However, while admiring the large ivy growing across its fence, she discovers a leaf bearing a single written word – hello. Her father and caregiver brush it off as nothing but a hallucination, a symptom of her hysteria. Can you help Alma find her power and solve this dangerous mystery before it’s too late?
The moment of destiny has arrived — the dragon eggs are ready to hatch! As the revered Elder Dragon, it is your sacred duty to guide these young hatchlings, ensuring they grow, evolve, and rise to become majestic, unstoppable forces of nature. Will you lead them to greatness, forging a new era of dragonkind in this puzzle game inspired by Suika?
Welcome to Mt. Holly, the mysterious manor with shifting rooms. In Blue Prince, you embark on a genre-defying experience, filled with a unique mix of mystery, strategy, and puzzles that weave together to create an unpredictable journey. Will your explorative steps lead you to the rumored Room 46?
Experience the ultimate relaxing puzzle game collection with Hook: Complete Edition, featuring both Hook 1 and Hook 2 in one package. A minimalist puzzle game where your goal is to remove all hooks from the board using intuitive mechanics. No timers, no scores, just pure, stress-free gameplay complemented by a calming ambient soundtrack.
Become the leader of an ever-expanding group of survivors. Manage supplies, upgrade your team, and craft deadly contraptions to defend yourself! Remember, exploration is vital in this harsh new world. Prepare to forge bizarre alliances and, together, face the many dangers of the wastelands.
Monaco is a city overflowing with luxury and greed, which makes it a perfect target for you and your international gang of criminal masterminds. The best of the best has been assembled, and they’ll need to work together using their unique abilities to rob the city blind. Do you and your friends have what it takes to bring the city of Monaco to its knees?
Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game
Get ready for the official 2025 Supercross season with Monster Energy Supercross 25! Experience the thrill of racing on newly designed tracks that replicate real-world events and compete against the latest roster of professional riders: forge your path in a revamped career featuring intense competitions, rivalries, and strategic choices.
An exploration-based adventure game set in a colorful galaxy where you guide Pilo, an apprentice explorer, on a journey to document the universe’s wonders and solve mysteries. Using the Holobook, a powerful encyclopedia-like tool, Pilo collects stickers to record his discoveries and uncover the story behind a mysterious dark force known as the Tar.
Inspired by classic fighting games from the ‘90s such as Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, and The King of Fighters, Pocket Bravery channels the Neo Geo Pocket aesthetic for a modern fighting game with a retro twist! With original characters, vibrant colors and an impressive combat system, Pocket Bravery is designed with high-level players in mind, while making it easily accessible for beginners to pick-up-and-play!
From the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols – they’re unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!
Steel Seed is a single-player, stealth action-adventure game set in a dark sci-fi world. In her epic journey inside a hostile underground facility run by AIs, Zoe is alone with Koby, a flying drone, as her only companion.
In the rural town of Yushibana, the Ashiya family holds much of the wealth. After they discover a rare gemstone, a showing is scheduled in Ashiya Tower, drawing the attention of many of the townspeople. However, during the exhibit, the tower is flooded with smoke, activating emergency shutters that trap eight people inside. With twelve hours until their release, they must grapple with an increasingly complex series of unnatural events.
Step back into a world of thought-provoking puzzles, philosophical intrigue, and breathtaking visuals with The Talos Principle: Reawakened. This definitive edition revisits the groundbreaking narrative of The Talos Principle, immersing players in an expanded and remastered journey through the world of the Simulation.
A casual platformer designed to be simple and relaxing. With 40 short and challenging levels, you’ll guide a cute bear through obstacles at a light and pressure-free pace, thanks to infinite lives. Easy to play, fun to master – perfect for any player, anytime!
Get ready to lock, load, and dominate the wild like never before with Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy! This groundbreaking experience takes the #1 arcade hunting game to thrilling new heights, delivering over 3X the content of its hit predecessor.
A single-player, first-person psychological horror game that takes players on a chilling journey into the depths of the human psyche. When selling her soul for fame and fortune, Laila Rose faces the consequences of her actions. A tale where greed, fear, and change intertwine.
Become the best chef on the summer islands! Play as a Capybara named Capy, a young chef who is out to prove that your culinary talent can outshine even the most renowned chefs in the world! Embark on a journey full of obstacles and puzzles and cook the most delicious dishes in exciting mini-games to delight as many residents of the summer islands as possible!
The mail has been scattered! Take on the mail route from hell, recover and deliver mail to its rightful place! Mayhem Mail is a classic single screen arcade platformer with some added puzzle elements.
Experience the strangely satisfying thrill of watching your mob multiply as you aim and shoot at the gates. Witness your army grow to massive proportions! Strategically deploy your mighty champions to break through enemy mobs and reach their bases. Choose the best combo to win!
Mortisomem is an adventure, mystery, and horror game with retro visual aesthetics. The game takes place in the year 1917, in the vast forest of inland Brazil. Explore the forests of inland Brazil, meet people, uncover the region’s history, and escape from Mortisomem alive.
West Escape throws you into a chaotic frontier where the law is on your tail and alien invaders are wreaking havoc. As a fugitive desperate to reunite with your lost love, you’ll need to collect scrap, upgrade your gear, and face off against relentless extraterrestrial threats.
Embark on an exhilarating journey as a bird navigating the skies alongside your flock. In this beautifully crafted adventure, you will soar through 11 vibrant and diverse levels, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking landscapes. Your mission isn’t just about speed—it’s about staying connected with your flock as you all journey together, guided by instinct and unity.
South of Midnight launches on April 8, or play now with the Premium Edition.
The game arrives for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and will be available day one with Game Pass. And with Xbox Play Anywhere, play on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and cloud with full cross-entitlements and cross-saves.
To celebrate release, we’ve put together 6 tips to help you in both exploration and combat.
South of Midnight invites you into a dark, fantastical world drawn from tales of the American South – and while this might look like a fairytale, both the stories it tells and the challenges it poses are far from simplistic.
Telling the tale of Hazel, who gains the magical power of Weaving after her mother is swept away by a supernatural flood, you’ll need to cross a warped take on the South in your hunt to find her mother, and answers to what exactly is going on. Along the way, you’ll battle Haints – corrupted enemies borne from the sorrow of the world – and cure the wounds of Mythical Creatures, the subjects of real-life folktales brought to life by developer Compulsion Games.
Premium Edition owners can play from today (ahead of an April 8 release date for all players), and to celebrate we’ve put together some tips that cover both exploration and combat, which will help you prepare for this very unexpected journey:
Look Everywhere
Navigating each of South of Midnight’s chapters could be as simple as following your Guiding Strand – a feature that sees magical threads guide you to your next goal. But that’s far from all there is to discover. Each location is stuffed with hidden areas – some require platforming to reach, others need you to use your spells, while others will lead you into battles you might never have otherwise had. All of them will require a keen eye to find.
Your rewards for doing this usually come in the form of Floofs – the game’s upgrade currency – and we hugely recommend you take the time to look for them. With just a bit of concerted exploration, you can add upgrades to your skill tree (more on those later) much faster than by simply running from one objective to the next.
Even better, you may also find Life Filaments as you go. Most chapters contain one of these – usually in its most hidden side area – and collecting three offers a permanent upgrade to your health bar.
Expand These Stories
South of Midnight is all about stories – from the tale of Hazel’s search to find her mother, to the tragic backstories of the Mythical Creatures you’ll find along the way. But if you want to dig really deep, make sure to search each chapter for items, notes, and more. You’ll see these marked by small circles as you approach, often in out-of-the-way locations.
Far from your regular world-building, each chapter’s hidden notes add even more detail to the characters and stories you’re learning about along the core questline. You may discover hidden motivations for why characters are the way they are, simply because you took the time to read about their lives. It’s an enriching way to add to the wider tale.
Upgrade Early and Often
As mentioned above, you can speed through the upgrade tree with a bit of exploration – and when you start hitting harder combat sequences, you’ll thank yourself for doing it. Even on its regular difficulty level, South of Midnight’s combat packs a punch, with even the most basic Haint enemies removing whole chunks of your health bar after a single hit – never mind when you come up against a Mythical Creature. Upgrades are your means of turning the tables.
Upgrades tend to focus more on offering you added perks, rather than simply buffing an ability’s existing stats. When you Unravel a downed enemy to claw back some health, for example, you can add an area of-effect blast to stagger any nearby Haints before you get back into the fray. Adding a quick double-dodge to your repertoire, meanwhile, will come in very handy when you start meeting enemies that can quick-fire multiple projectiles. Take the time to explore the skill tree, and prioritize upgrades that look like they’ll solve problems.
Use Dodges as Attack and Defence
Hazel doesn’t have the ability to block attacks – but she more than makes up for that with a powerful bonus to her dodge. Hitting the dodge button will help you escape in any direction (with some invulnerability frames thrown in) – but hitting a perfectly timed dodge, just before you’re hit, comes with a nasty surprise for whoever was trying to hurt you.
Perfect Dodges send out a blast of energy, staggering any enemy around you and doing some nice damage, too. It’s worth paying attention to not just what attacks enemies can do, but the time it takes to pull them off – pretty soon, you can be doing almost as much damage by not attacking.
Use Spells as Interrupts
As we mentioned, getting hit in South of Midnight can get very nasty, very quickly – and while Hazel has that handy dodge, it can sometimes be easier simply to stop an attack in the first place. Against most enemies, throwing out a spell – whether that’s a Pull, a Push, or a Weave (which incapacitates most Haints) – will break them out of an attack completely.
While it’s tempting to spam your spells as soon as they’ve cooled down, we’d recommend keeping one in reserve as an emergency interrupt – if you see an enemy winding up during your combo, simply hit them with a spell and keep thwacking.
Chain Your Spells
If you really want to keep an enemy locked down, you can use your full spell repertoire to keep attacks going without interruption. This is particularly useful once you have a few upgrades under your belt.
For example, you could Pull an enemy towards you, with an added Weave effect (which you can also upgrade to have them take more damage while tied up). As soon as they break free, Weave them again with that core spell – and when they break free again, use Push to deal some damage and keep your distance, before charging up your ranged attack to deal the killer blow.
With a bit of practice, enemies that felt like they took an age of dodging and poking to beat in the early game can begin to go down in a single combo – it’s extremely satisfying.
South of Midnight will be available on April 8, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam and cloud, and arrives on day one with Game Pass. Play from today by purchasing the Premium Edition, and get access to digital extras.
South of Midnight Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$49.99
Immerse yourself into the macabre and fantastical world of South of Midnight with the Premium Edition, which includes the full game, up to 5 days early access, and digital access (in English) to: • South of Midnight Artbook • Original Soundtrack composed by Olivier Deriviere
• The Boo-Hag Comic book by Rob Guillory
• Music Video: Songs & Tales of South of Midnight • Documentary: Weaving Hazel’s Journey, Director’s Cut UNRAVEL THE PAST From the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world. When disaster strikes her hometown, Hazel is called to become a Weaver: a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. Imbued with these new abilities, Hazel will confront and subdue dangerous creatures, untangle the webs of her own family’s shared past and – if she’s lucky – find her way to a place that feels like home. A DARK MODERN FOLKTALE When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory made real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown. In this folktale for modern times, Hazel will need to reconcile the weight of family, history, and legacy against her own identity. CONFRONT MYTHICAL CREATURES Wield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them. Cast weaving magic to fight destructive Haints, explore the diverse regions of the South, and reweave the tears in the Grand Tapestry. HAUNTING BEAUTY OF THE GOTHIC SOUTH Discover the lush, decayed county of Prospero and its locals. Experience a crafted visual style, touching storytelling, and immersive music inspired by the complex and rich history of the South.
South of Midnight
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$39.99
From the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world. When disaster strikes her hometown, Hazel is called to become a Weaver: a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. Imbued with these new abilities, Hazel will confront and subdue dangerous creatures, untangle the webs of her own family’s shared past and – if she’s lucky – find her way to a place that feels like home. A DARK MODERN FOLKTALE When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory made real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown. In this folktale for modern times, Hazel will need to reconcile the weight of family, history, and legacy against her own identity. CONFRONT MYTHICAL CREATURES
Wield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them. Cast weaving magic to fight destructive Haints, explore the diverse regions of the South, and reweave the tears in the Grand Tapestry. HAUNTING BEAUTY OF THE GOTHIC SOUTH
Discover the lush, decayed county of Prospero and its locals. Experience a crafted visual style, touching storytelling, and immersive music inspired by the complex and rich history of the South.
Two-Toed Tom, a legendary beast of Southern folklore, comes to life in South of Midnight, the new action-adventure from Compulsion Games
To celebrate the launch, Xbox has recreated Two-Toed Tom and dropped him in a real gator-infested bayou for a truly unique gaming experience. Register now for a chance to enter the belly of the beast.
South of Midnight launches on April 8, or play now with the Premium Edition.
Deep in the heart of the bayou, something stirs. Bigger than any gator you’ve ever seen, Two-Toed Tom is a legend of scales, survival, and insatiable hunger. More than double the size of the world’s biggest recorded alligator, Tom is an unstoppable force of nature.
To celebrate the launch of South of Midnight, in which Tom makes a very big appearance, Xbox has brought this monstrous gator to life in the gator-infested waters of Marrero, Louisiana, a location chosen for its haunting resemblance to the game’s Southern-inspired setting. Murky swamps, ancient cypress trees, and the distant splash of unseen creatures make it the perfect place to step into Hazel’s world and experience the bayou’s dark magic first-hand.
Our recreation of Tom is truly startling – at 40 feet long, his jaws alone stand open at almost twice the height of a person, and inside his belly lies a 20-foot cabin, inspired by the very one that Hazel, the protagonist of South of Midnight lives in.
It’s another jam-packed weekend and a Free Play Days first, with Age of Wonders 4 unlocked on both console and PC!
Dead by Daylight, Catanand Everspace 2 are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday April 3 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, April 6 at 11:59pm Pacific.
Age of Wonders 4 is free for all Xbox members to try from April 3 until April 6 (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership not required). Additionally, those on PC can try the game for free through the Xbox App.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)
Age of Wonders 4
Paradox Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆223
★★★★★
$49.99$32.49
Age of Wonders 4 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Rule a fantasy realm of your own design in Age of Wonders 4! Explore new magical realms in Age of Wonders’ signature blend of 4X strategy and turn-based tactical combat. Control a faction that grows and changes as you expand your empire with each turn. Explore more Age of Wonders 4 additional content together with the latest expansion – Giant Kings.
Dead by Daylight
Behaviour Interactive Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆1596
★★★★★
$29.99$11.99
Xbox Game Pass
Dead by Daylight Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Trapped forever in a realm of eldritch evil where even death is not an escape, four determined Survivors face a bloodthirsty Killer in a vicious game of nerve and wits. Pick a side and step into a world of tension and terror with horror gaming’s best asymmetrical multiplayer.
CATAN® – Console Edition
Dovetail Games
☆☆☆☆☆208
★★★★★
$16.99$5.09
Catan Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery A Board Game that comes to life! Catan is reimagined on Xbox, with an interactive board, online multiplayer, couch multiplayer, and all the fun (and frustration) of the classic board game beloved by enthusiasts all over the globe.
EVERSPACE™ 2
ROCKFISH Games
☆☆☆☆☆264
★★★★★
$49.99
Free Trial
Everspace 2 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere Take flight in this fast-paced single-player space shooter, where vicious encounters and brutal challenges stand between you and that next epic loot drop. Explore the war-torn star systems of the Demilitarized Zone of Cluster 34—each massive handcrafted area is packed with secrets, puzzles, and perils to encounter.
If you’ve been missing the streets of Los Santos, I’m excited to share that Grand Theft Auto V is making its way back to Game Pass on April 15! And for those of us who play on PC, I’m even happier to announce that GTAV Enhanced will be playable with PC Game Pass, and includes the latest features, like Hao’s Special Works Vehicles and more.
Ultimate, PC, and Standard players — keep an eye on @GamePass and @XboxGamePassPC on April 15 for our favorite “available today” reminder!
GTA Online Features
Everyone playing GTAV Enhanced on PC will have access to new vehicles and modifications, Chameleon Paints, and a bunch more all in Hao’s Special Works.
When playing GTA Online, you’ll need to make sure you and your friends are all playing in the same edition so you can squad up — the good news is that Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard players have access to all console and PC editions so you can download to play whatever your friends are on. And PC Game Pass players, both editions are available for you to download and play, even if your friends are on Steam or Epic Games.
Oscar Guzman Flies Again
No matter what version you’re playing, everyone will have access to Oscar Guzman Flies Again, the latest update where you can take to the skies — taking control of the McKenzie Field Hanger in Grapeseed. Play new arms trafficking missions, fly new aircraft, and more.
This is something special. See, I didn’t get acquainted with Call of Duty: Warzone until recently, so I missed out on the initial launch of Verdansk back in March 2020, an iconic Battle Royale map that was released at a time when so many of us needed a place to play together online. For many of you, this is a return home – to where it all started. But for those of us, like me, who may have missed out on it the first time, we can rejoin the fray and discover what makes this map so special for so many people when it launches as part of Season 03 of Call of Duty: Warzone on April 3, 2025.
So, for us newcomers who are coming at this “new” map for the first time, I’ll cover some of the key things you need to know about Verdansk, the modes you can expect to play, iconic locations we should check out, and a deep dive into some of the new quality of life features that will be rolling out with Season 03.
What’s the Big Deal?
The iconic Verdansk map is back and has been meticulously reconstructed to provide an amazing Battle Royale experience for up to 150 players, mixing the iconic gunplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, adjusted movement mechanics, and the captivating, signature Warzone gameplay we’ve come to know and love.
Consulting the official Call of Duty Blog, some key areas newcomers should get acquainted with early on include the Lumber, Military Base, and the Train Station. That’s due to their sheer variety of engagement opportunities, like navigating through the maze of barracks looking for loot, hiding between pallets of timber, or battling across sky bridges above train tracks; these all sound like key areas we should check out to get a feel for Verdansk’s variety. You can find a full breakdown on many of the POIs here along with some suggested approaches to each of these key zones.
I’m sure my first couple of forays into these zones is going to be a challenge – many returning players likely have their favorite nooks and crannies on lockdown. But Verdansk was highly regarded for a reason. Even if I may stumble my first time exploring Train Station or Lumber, you can bet I’m going to be looking for ways to establish my own foothold in these “new” areas on repeated visits.
The official Call of Duty Blog also highlights that popular fan-favorite hot-drops will return, including the top of Dam, the roof of Hospital, the Superstore, and the remote Karst River Quarry. We’re told these are key spots to hit up if you’re looking to quickly get into battle and it feels like this is likely to be the case again — might be worth prioritizing these areas on your first drops into Verdansk if you’re looking for a fight. Personally, I’m a bit more cautious. You can find me looting on the outskirts avoiding these areas, at least until I’ve built up some confidence in the map’s layout. Check out the interactive Call of Duty: Warzone Tac-Map on CallofDuty.com to investigate these areas further.
There has also been fine tuning to bring movement more in line with what players experienced in the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone. Season 03 will fine-tune player movement by slightly scaling back some of the speed increases introduced with Black Ops 6‘s Omnimovement system, bringing it more in line with the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone.
We’ll also get access to the Heli along with four ground vehicles – Cargo Truck, Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), Polaris RZR Pro R 4, and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) — rebalanced in the spirit of the original iteration, with more rapid acceleration and handling. Alongside that, Circle Collapse mechanics (seeing a creeping cloud of acrid gas) will feature Loadout Drops at the second and fifth circles, like the original.
A Retro Refresh
If you’re wondering why all the loot is floating above ground – don’t worry, that’s completely normal. Floating loot makes a return to Warzone in what is being deemed as a “retro refresh” of how it initially behaved. Also, Lethal and Tactical Equipment have been adjusted to be closer to what was formerly available. Here’s a breakdown:
Field Upgrades: Munitions Box, Heartbeat Sensor, Deployable Cover, P.D.S. (Decontamination Station), Trophy System, Loadout Drop Marker (Grenade and Crate), Armor Box, , Recon Drone.
Newer players can check out an updated version of Call of Duty: Warzone Bootcamp to refine their skills across Verdansk. While waiting for your squad to assemble – or if you want to earn some quick XP by completing missions and earning rewards – drop into a Resurgence-sized section of the map, like the Karst River Quarry, and take down bots of varying skill levels.
Progression is limited in this mode (results will not count against your stats) but expect to receive about half of the normal XP compared to standard Battle Royale. This is definitely an area I’m looking forward to checking out myself once Verdansk drops on April 3. Getting a feel for some of its key zones, and taking out some bots to build my confidence, seems like the perfect way to be introduced to this map – and collecting a bit of XP and earning rewards along the way is a nice bonus. You can get more details on Bootcamp here.
New Game Modes
Not everything old is new again – there is some new stuff coming in Season 03 for all types of players, with a wide variety of new Game Modes.
Battle Royale Casual: This mode has 148 players, including 28 humans and 120 bots, ideal for warming up, or a less intense experience.
Battle Royale Ranked Play: Available mid-season, this competitive mode lets 150 players in trios showcase their skills and earn rewards.
Plunder Quads: This mode includes 100 players in 20-minute matches. The objective is to collect the highest amount of in-game money.
Call of Duty: Warzone Bootcamp: This training mode includes 44 players, comprised of 12 humans and 32 bots, in 15-minute matches. It is intended to assist newer players or those seeking to improve their skills.
Resurgence: This mode will be available on Rebirth Island during the launch window and includes 44 players in 15-minute matches. The objective is to survive and redeploy fallen teammates.
Look for mid-season to introduce additional modes, including the LTM: High Trip with resurgence potential, a special narrator on comms, and gameplay boosts. Full details can be found here on CallofDuty.com.
Additional Quality of Life Improvements for All Players
Season 03 isn’t just about the return to Verdansk, although that is a big part of it. There will also be several additional gameplay enhancements coming to the game. Check out the Call of Duty: Warzone Patch Notes for more information on these and other improvements.
Squad Redeploy at Buy Stations: Got multiple Squadmates ready to return but only a moment to buy them back? Select “Redeploy All” at the Buy Station to bring everyone back with sufficient funds. If short on cash, choose specific players to rejoin the match.
Weapon Inspect to View Attachments: When you acquire a weapon from ground loot, a fallen enemy, or a Loadout Drop, you can now view a list of the attached Attachments at any time by inspecting it. During the inspection, the icon and name of each Attachment are displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This feature can be toggled on or off in the Settings > Interface > Gameplay HUD Menu.
Prioritize Favorite Loadout in Gunsmith: Once you have completed your preferred Loadout in the Call of Duty: Warzone Gunsmith and designated it as Favorite within the Loadout Options, the selected Loadout will be prioritized and positioned at the top of the list.
Tac Map Zoom and Centering Settings: The new Tac-Map settings under “Map Assist” provide various control options: Auto Zoom & Center, Auto Center, Zoom & Center Once, Center Once, and Off. These options offer you different ways to manage your map during the match.
Detailed Death Recap Widget: When you’re eliminated in a match, you see your opponent and a brief HUD message about how they defeated you. The Death Recap will now include more details on gameplay elements used by the attacker. Current and new recaps cover:
Throughout the season, this feature will roll out additional gameplay tracking elements, helping you better understand how you were defeated in combat – and prepare for your next encounter.
List of attackers with their name, weapon, damage and hits (this appears currently in Call of Duty: Warzone).
Affected by Live Ping: If the enemy had you pinged via line-of-sight.
Affected by UAV: If the enemy had you pinged in the minimap via a UAV, UAV Tower (if available), or Advanced UAV.
Affected by Unsuppressed Weapon: If firing your weapon revealed your location on the minimap to nearby enemies.
Updated Squad Widget (Field Upgrades): In Duos, Trios, or Quads, quickly check the Squad Widget in the bottom-left HUD to see your teammates’ Armor Plates, Gas Mask, Killstreak, and Field Upgrade (or a white dot if none) — this will be more efficient than asking over comms.
Ping Duration Settings: You can now control how long pings stay on your screen, with options to make them disappear quickly or remain longer.
Play the Return to Verdansk Event
On April 3, 2025, you can unlock free rewards in the Return to Verdansk Event that include the infamous Kali Sticks Melee Weapon, and if you’re lucky you can potentially unlock a special Verdansk-themed Operator Skin for Caine as the ultimate reward! Learn more here.
There will be six weapons available to unlock within Season 03 including the Kali Sticks — as new players let’s be sure to check out additional Verdansk-era originals: the Kilo 141 Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone download & launch reward), CR-56 AMAX Assault Rifle (Battle Pass Reward), and the HDR Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass Reward).
All-up, there will be a variety of quality-of-life updates for Call of Duty: Warzone like Squad Redeploys at Buy Stations, attachment descriptions at Weapon Inspects, detailed Death recaps, and later in the season, a HUD flag so you know when your Loadout is available to buy. Naturally, there are plenty more revelations, Easter Eggs, and hidden clues to uncover that will be fun for newcomers and veterans alike in Verdansk once it launches April 3, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Battle.net, and with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).
In The Fog, a Ghoul’s power is to be feared, but also to be respected. They can traverse great distances in the blink of an eye. They can tear flesh apart, devouring it with a gluttonous appetite. They can strike quickly, leaving deep gashes and emotional anguish.
Some might say they are the ultimate killers – especially when they fully embrace their dark nature. Upon being tortured beyond comprehension by a sinister Ghoul named Jason, Ken Kaneki did exactly that. Escaping with newfound power awaken by his most primal impulses, he soon found himself engulfed by black Fog…
A Ghoul Unleashed
Now trapped in an endless cycle of Trials and twisted by The Entity, it’s safe to say the Ken Kaneki you once knew is gone. In his place stands The Ghoul, a masked nightmare as cruel and cunning as the captor who once placed a centipede in his ear. Any Survivor in his path will face the full might of the Kagune – a Power brought to life by Dead by Daylight’s Principal Game Designer Janick Neveu and his team.
“While his personality is different, it was important for players to feel like they’re playing the Kaneki they know from the series,” explains Neveu. “The surreal existence of his tentacles are such an integral part of the character, so we knew right away that they would form the basis of his Power.”
The team recognized that the Kagune tentacles could be utilized for mobility, which immediately proved appealing. “High-mobility Killers are quite popular, so we knew expectation would be high,” continues Neveu. “We paid close attention to make sure that the gameplay felt fresh, fun, and fair for both sides, as these types of Killers can feel oppressive.”
Despite the inherent potential of a high-mobility Killer, the design team wanted The Ghoul to be accessible to new players, so fans of the series coming to Dead by Daylight for the first time could have a familiar face to try out. “He’s simple to use and hard to master,” explains Neveu. “Our last few Chapters featured complex Killers with advanced learning curves, but The Ghoul is much easier to pick up and play. Of course, there’s a high skill ceiling for our veteran players, with plenty of depth to discover.”
All The Rage
Some of that depth comes through Kaneki’s Enraged Mode, a special ability that really lets players unleash their true power. “While in Enraged Mode, Kaneki’s tentacles become momentarily stronger,” explains Neveu. “If you successfully hit a Survivor with your final lunge, you will injure them with a Deep Wound and become Enraged. While Enraged, you’ll gain an additional lunge, and if you manage to connect to a Survivor, your follow-up Vault will be even faster. Gaining a key benefit from attacking a Survivor helps adds a fun strategic element to The Ghoul’s gameplay.”
With a versatile Power and three unique Perks (Hex: Nothing But Misery, Forever Entwined, None Are Free) that incentivize spreading pressure, Ken Kaneki will feel like he’s everywhere at once.
Experience this terrifying take on Ken Kaneki with Dead by Daylight: Tokyo Ghoul, hitting Xbox today.
From Solitaire to Game Pass – gaming has been a driving force of innovation at Microsoft for decades. And since the creation of Xbox over 20 years ago, we’ve been innovating to bring the joy of gaming to everyone, introducing new ideas and finding more ways to empower players and creators around the world.
As we get ready to celebrate Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary on Friday, April 4, we honor the game-changing memories you’ve made, and the games you’ve played, over five decades with us. This journey was only made possible by you – our players and developers around the world.
As a thank you for 50 years together we’re launching new dynamic backgrounds, profile themes, badges, and even a new Microsoft Solitaire theme, all available now:
50th Anniversary Dynamic Background
Celebrate some of the iconic characters that have been part of our shared gaming story over the last five decades – including Master Chief, Marcus Fenix, Vault Boy, and many more – brought together with a new dynamic background.
Go nostalgic with brand new profile themes, including three new Gamerpics featuring an old Windows cursor, a floppy disc and, of course, Clippy. Match your Gamerpic with a new profile background to complete the look.
As a thank you for 50 years of experimenting, innovating, tinkering, and playing together, we’ve created a special Microsoft 50th Anniversary badge that you can add to your Xbox profile.
Here’s how to claim your badge:
First, you must join – or be an existing member of – the Xbox Insider Program. See here for how to join.
Launch the Xbox Insider Hub on console or PC (if you don’t already have the app, search for it in the store).
Select ‘Previews’ on the left navigation menu.
Click ’50th Anniversary Badge’ under the ‘Available’ section.
Join the preview!
50th Anniversary Theme for Microsoft Solitaire
Celebrate with the game that started a love of gaming for so many. Available now for Windows devices, the Microsoft 50th theme adds a custom background, deck style, and card backs to the game.
Here’s how to download and apply the theme:
Open Microsoft Solitaire (or download from the Microsoft Store)
Hit “Menu” in the top-left
Navigate to “Themes”
Click “Microsoft 50th” to download and apply the theme
To learn more about Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary and how you can join in on the celebration, visit the 50th Anniversary website.
It’s time to confront some magical creatures (or maybe just your backlog) with these games coming soon! Some surprise benefits and announcements you might have missed, day one games (with some amazing music; looking at you South of Midnight), and more. Let’s get to it!
Coming Soon
Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 3 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition packs bazillions of guns and is a mayhem-fueled adventure, featuring the base game plus all four campaign add-ons, Director’s Cut content, and all cosmetic packs! Blast through worlds and enemies as one of four Vault Hunters, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot, and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.
All You Need is Help (Console) – April 3 Now with Game Pass Standard
Dive into a quirky multiplayer co-op puzzle game where adorable, fluffy cube-shaped creatures collaborate to reach their goals. This cooperative-centric game is designed for enjoyment across generations – from children to grandparents – making it perfect for family and friends.
Still Wakes the Deep (Xbox Series X|S) – April 3 Now with Game Pass Standard
From the award-winning developers at The Chinese Room comes a terrifying tale of isolation. You are trapped on an oil rig in the North Sea, running from an unknowable horror that has come aboard. With no escape and no way to fight back, all you can do is survive.
Wargroove 2 (Console) – April 3 Now with Game Pass Standard
Embark on an all-new adventure filled with unlikely friendships, unknown adversaries, and ugly revenge plots. Wage war against your foes with a cast of new Commanders. Design and share maps, cut-scenes, and campaigns with easy-to-use editors and in-depth customization tools.
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition (Console and PC) – April 8 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
This Ultimate Evil Edition contains both Diablo III and the Reaper of Souls expansion set, together in one definitive volume. Rise as one of humanity’s last defenders – crusader, barbarian, witch doctor, demon hunter, monk, or wizard – and collect legendary loot while mastering devastating new powers and abilities.
South of Midnight (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 8 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! South of Midnight is a new action-adventure from Compulsion Games. Explore the mythos and confront mysterious creatures of the Deep South in this modern folktale while learning to weave an ancient power to surmount obstacles and face the pain haunting your hometown. Game Pass members can save 10% on the Premium Edition Upgrade to unlock up to 5 days early access, plus digital access to the South of Midnight Artbook, the original soundtrack, and more.
Commandos: Origins (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S) – April 9 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass!Commandos: Origins revisits the six iconic commandos from the original series. Witness elite stealth-tactics gameplay, use your team’s unique abilities to execute complex strategies, and combine your forces in 2-player co-op multiplayer. The battlefield is calling. Do you have what it takes?
Blue Prince (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S) – April 10 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! Welcome to Mt. Holly, the mysterious manor with shifting rooms. Blue Prince is a genre-bending, atmospheric, architectural adventure where you explore an ever-changing manor of 45 shifting rooms. Discover secrets and mysteries in a house you build one room at a time. As you discover more with each passing day, the question asked is – can you find the rumored Room 46?
Hunt Showdown 1896 (PC) – April 15 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available now on PC and coming soon to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) and Xbox consoles! Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a new era of the addictively unforgiving extraction shooter. In corrupted backwaters lost to history, fight back alone – or with friends – against timeless evil. Twisted monsters and other ruthless Hunters stand between you and your Bounty. Risk everything as Hunt consumes you.
In Case You Missed It
EA Sports College Football 25 (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Step into iconic stadiums with unforgettable traditions and get unlimited access to EA Sports College Football 25. Members can chase college greatness with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, score a Supercharge Pack by April 24.
More In-Game Benefits for Free-to-Play Games
For Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, we announced we’re bringing even more benefits for select free-to-play games. You can expect in-game benefits like cosmetics, characters, in-game currency, and more with seasonal content drops. Starting today, members will get access to the following in-game benefits for Asphalt Legends Unite:
Asphalt Legends Unite (Console and PC) – link your Gameloft Club account Speed into action with the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 10 St. Patrick’s Card Packs, and 500,000 credits to upgrade, enhance, and dominate the track.
DLC / Game Updates
Dead by Daylight: Tokyo Ghoul – Available now From anime to the horrific realm of video game horror, Tokyo Ghoul’s Ken Kaneki has come to Dead by Daylight. Feel the tear as your gruesome Kagunes spring from your back-flesh to propel you forward, teeth gnashing in anticipation.
Sea of Thieves: 2025 Edition Update – Available now To celebrate Sea of Thieves‘ Seventh Anniversary, fresh 2025 Editions are now available. These new options contain the latest version of the full game and offer a range of choices at different price points, packed to bursting with bonuses including some of the game’s most popular items!
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Season 03 – Starting today Season 03 Multiplayer and Zombies content kicks off today! Players can jump in and get locked and loaded prior to Verdansk officially launching in Call of Duty: Warzone tomorrow April 3rd. Game Pass members can save 10% and maximize their gameplay with Season 03 BlackCell which includes the standard Battle Pass with an added BlackCell Page Unlock with bonus unlockable content, 20 tier skips, 1,100 Call of Duty Points, and more. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, stay tuned for in-game benefits dropping soon.
Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose Expansion – April 8 Pre-order and save 15% on Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose today and prepare to experience the stories and strategic warfare of the Knights Templar and House of Lancaster. These variant civilizations innovate upon the French and English, bringing new weapons, units, buildings, and technologies to the battlefield.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
New Perks are here! Check the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on Windows PC to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership. Perks vary by region, platform, and over time.
The First Descendant: Beyond the Void Bundle – Available now Enter Beyond the Void, the next chapter of Season 2 in The First Descendant! Claim the Episode 2 Bundle to gear up in style, customize your loadout, and join your fellow Descendants on new missions in the uncharted Sigma Sector!
Candy Crush Solitaire (Mobile): Sweet Starter Pack – Available now The Sweet Starter Pack gives you the perfect edge to sharpen your strategy and sweeten every move. It includes 5,000 coins, 4 undo moves, 3 Color Bomb boosters, and 1 Wild Card.
Sea of Thieves: Seventh Serving Emote – Available now For a limited time, celebrate seven years on the Sea of Thieves with this Emote and carve a slice of delicious dessert!
Leaving April 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, which means it is time to re-shuffle your play list and check these out before they go. Remember to use your 20% membership discount on your purchase if you would like to keep them in your library.
Botany Manor
Coral Island
Harold Halibut
Homestead Arcana
Kona
Orcs Must Die! 3
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition
Turbo Golf Racing
We’re adding more games over time to the ‘Stream your own game’ collection for Game Pass Ultimate members. Go to Xbox.com/Play to see the list of available cloud playable games to stream on supported devices if you own them.
As always, love to chat with you about what games you’re playing and what you’re downloading next! Catch us at Game Pass, PC Game Pass, or Xbox, and we’ll remind you when these “coming soon” games turn into “available today”. Cheers!
This is where The Dark Ages truly breaks free from expectation. In my final (and longest) section of the demo, I’m placed into id’s take on a sandbox open zone and told to approach it however I’d like. My solitary goal is to close five demon-spewing portals, but how I do it, and what diversions I take, are entirely up to me. Over the course of an hour, I’m repeatedly reminded that I’ve never played a DOOM game like this before.
As you’d hope for, this sandbox sequence is stacked with optional goals – heavily protected artillery batteries to take out, caches of gold to spend on upgrades, and more. At one point, I’m simply running somewhere, when a cathedral-sized tentacle bursts out of the ground and begins to attack – this isn’t a scripted moment, or even an objective I’m given, it’s just another surprise hidden along the way.
But the core objectives themselves hold surprises, too. In that first story mission, closing portals was simply a case of clearing an arena, but it’s never quite the same in this case. Some portals transport me to a dungeon, requiring me to solve puzzles in order to find my way to the energy source powering them. Others introduce Leader enemies – overpowered beasts who are invulnerable to my attacks until I kill enough of their followers, and come with permanent upgrades after your victory. Along the way, I find new guns, augmenting my armory with new options. It’s restlessly, relentlessly inventive, as if id has been waiting for an opportunity to transplant new ideas into the DOOM format.
And that’s the key takeaway from my full session with DOOM:The Dark Ages – this feels like a developer brimming with enthusiasm, not just for DOOM itself, but for what DOOM could be. I was expecting a new story, new guns, and new demons – I wasn’t expecting new genres. I cannot wait to find out what else this team has in store.
DOOM: The Dark Ages launches for Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and cloud on May 15, 2025. It will be available day one with Game Pass.
Unleash chaos across three worlds as part of a greater cosmic storm.
Discover the hidden connections between three DCF games as you challenge fate itself.
Fight for blood, blaze through a crime-fueled bullet hell, and defend an alien kingdom.
At first glance, Bunny Battle Nemesis, Tony and Clyde, and Cruz Brothers may seem like three wildly different games. A futuristic war waged by alien rabbits, a crime-fueled bullet hell, and a brutal fight circuit where warriors fight for blood. But in the DCF Universe, nothing happens in isolation. The smallest spark can send shockwaves across worlds. A trickster god’s prank, a heist gone wrong, and a fighter chasing glory in the Pride Fists tournament. It twists fate in ways no one could predict. And now, in the Triple Trouble Bundle, you are at the center of this storm.
And this storm is not just about stabs, slashes, jabs, blasts, and empty clips. Broken noses, flying teeth, and shattered ribs. It is about more than just blood splats, shotgun blasts, and smashed bottles. High-speed chases, bank heists, and last-second dodges. And it’s much more than the smell of gunpowder burned in the morning mixed with sweat, blood, and tears.
The DCF Universe goes beyond all the violence and the endless struggle for survival. It is about proving one’s worth in the eyes of the Allfather, Orochi. As the creator of existence, Orochi established that only those warriors who embody honor, courage, and perseverance may enter his realm and cross the gates of Valhalla. But this is not just a myth buried in this cosmic lore. It is something players can unravel firsthand in Cruz Brothers, the first game released from the DCF Universe. Through the in-game collectible DCFU Cards, players unlock fragments of the universe’s secrets, revealing how Orochi and the Creator Gods gave birth to existence and, eventually, to the homo sapiens.
Creator Gods? Sounds a bit over the top, right? But don’t worry, you will be seeing them all over this bundle. They have been heating things up since Cruz Brothers and now they are causing even more trouble in Bunny Battle Nemesis.
Legends say that one morning, Loki Orochison woke up and thought, “What a laugh we’d have if I freed one of my sister’s Maidens and sent her off to cause some chaos? Too right, mate?” But let’s just say, the Leporidae are not laughing.
And that Maiden was Amanda. Once a prisoner among the Maidens, now, she has invaded the Leporidae Kingdom. Not to thank Loki for his trickery, but to take revenge on the one who bound her in chains, the Goddess of Death, Hell Ella, by striking at her beloved children, the Leporidae, on their own planet.
Now, the Leporidae warriors are fighting for their survival, standing against Amanda and her Mamba Rangers who threaten their home planet. And you, as the player, will be their guiding hand on the battlefield of Bunny Battle Nemesis.
You can also fight back by stepping into the shoes of Valentina, another of Hell Ella’s Maidens. But unlike Amanda, she has not gone rogue. In fact, she is deeply grateful to Hell Ella for saving her from a cruel fate, one that played out far from the Leporidae Kingdom, in a world of outlaws, chaos, and relentless gunfights in Tony and Clyde.
You see, in the DCF Universe, nothing happens in isolation. The Triple Trouble Bundle isn’t just a collection of games, it is three different perspectives on a storm of chaos. A fighter proving their worth in the Pride Fists tournament, outlaws carving their own path in a crime-fueled bullet hell, and an alien kingdom resisting a war sparked by a trickster god. Each battle is a challenge against fate itself.
One purchase. Three explosive experiences. Are you ready for trouble? Step into the DCF Universe, where chaos reigns, battles never end, and every fight is part of something bigger. Take on intergalactic war in Bunny Battle Nemesis, unleash pure outlaw mayhem in Tony and Clyde, and rise as a legend in the brutal arenas of Cruz Brothers. Three games, one connected universe filled with action, attitude, and unstoppable madness. Suit up, lock and load, and let the trouble begin!
Dust off that vintage leather jacket, put on your fingerless gloves, and enter the arcade, where you get to hang out with Garrett and play as the heroes from the movie. Go head-to-head with Steve, Dawn, Henry, and Natalie or your friends for the top spot on the leaderboard in three competitive, action-filled mini-games inspired by iconic scenes from the movie. Rumor has it you’ll get a trophy if you beat all the records…
What will it take to win? Get a sneak peek at the three mini-games and see which skills you’ll need to claim the top spot:
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, 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!
Embark on a perilous journey across a realm forsaken by the gods and devastated by an arcane cataclysm. Accompanied by a hardy crew, you must trade, fight, and explore your way to success as the leader of a traveling company in Vagrus, an award-winning turn-based post-apocalyptic fantasy RPG.
Blankspace is an escape room visual novel with point-and-click elements. Interact with Beryl, investigate your surroundings, solve puzzles, and find your way out of a strange-looking room!
Strategically choose from a variety of buffs and spend coins to unlock up to 15 frogs with unique gear and armaments. Increase movement speed, max out weapon power, and take advantage of other enhancements. As you earn permanent upgrades, additional challenging stages become available. Can you survive them all?
Little Ant Adventure is a charming 2D platformer where you guide a brave ant through three vibrant worlds filled with traps, enemies, and challenges. With 15 hand-crafted levels, hand-drawn animations, and an immersive soundtrack, even the smallest hero can overcome great obstacles!
A retro pixel art platformer that delivers intense action and precise challenges. With stylized, green-toned visuals, it captures the essence of classic games as you control a swift ninja trying to escape from a deadly dungeon filled with traps. Use your sword to defeat enemies and your dash to evade deadly hazards. Quick reflexes and precision are essential to survive in this unforgiving world.
Show everyone who is the best in polygon shape in games and collect all the unique pictures in the one poly artbook! All you need is to swipe to rotate the poly puzzle and find the correct angle at which the figure will be complete. Create unique poly art masterpieces and challenge yourself inside a polysphere world!
After waking up with amnesia, Alex Thorn finds herself lost and confused in a room she doesn’t recognize. A weird flashback tells her that she somehow has been robbing casinos with a mysterious criminal known as The Silent Ace. The police are now on her tracks, and The Silent Ace is about to rob the biggest casino in town: The Sol Dorado.
Play a middle-aged pathologist whose life has taken a turn for the worse. After a career downfall and the loss of your beloved wife, you live each day shattered and exhausted. One day during a routine post-mortem, you find a relic of your past hidden inside a body. Now, it feels like something just won’t let go…
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Bee Flowers, a delightful puzzle game where you guide busy bees through hexagonal grids to pollinate vibrant fields of flowers. With its relaxing mechanics and progressively challenging puzzles, the game offers the perfect blend of strategy and serenity.
An atmospheric walking simulator where you must look and listen. Caligo is the darkness everyone descends into one way or another, and to each of us it’s something different. For some it’s a short but exciting adventure, some will see it as a place to relax. Yet others will be reminded of their worst nightmare, while for a few, it might come as a revelation. One thing is certain however: everyone will have to answer one big question.
A horde of horrible monsters is attacking your kingdom. Build your towers fast and survive all the waves. If arrows or stones are not enough, use elements to your advantage and slay them all. Build towers on the free spots and they will automatically attack monsters that come near them. Use different combinations of towers and elements to your advantage. If you still feel pressured, use spells and upgrade your towers to maximum.
Embrace the excitement of the world’s favorite sport in Sociable Soccer 25, appearing on Xbox for the very first time this season. With its vast array of features, extensive real-world player roster and intuitive gameplay, the game sets the stage for a footballing adventure like no other.
Get ready for an amazing adventure on an alien planet, full of dangers, puzzles and unexpected allies in the game Alien Cat Story. Only you can help the cat fix his ship and leave this dangerous world.
Winter is coming, and Chippy, the cleverest squirrel in the forest, needs to stash his precious acorns! In Chippy’s Stash, a charming tile-based puzzle game, you must help Chippy push acorns into hollow tree stumps, overcoming obstacles that will test your wit and strategy.
A mix of horror and first-person puzzler. You are trapped inside a cabin deep in the forest, and its owner offers to play a computer game in exchange for freedom. But the cabin and the game are much more connected than you might think. Traps from the game begin to appear in reality, and your actions in the cabin affect the computer game. And very soon you realize that the stake in this game is your life!
In this big, dark world, you’re a little stickman with a huge mission. Get ready to ignite the excitement and light your way through an epic adventure! Light up each figure, bringing it to life with vibrant colors. Get ready to test your reflexes and agility as you navigate through this colorful world of shapes and light!
The universe is vast and filled with adventures, mysteries to solve, and enemies to fight… who knows, you might even meet a few friendly faces along the way. Better yet, invite up to three of your friends to join you in the split-screen local co-op mode because it’s always more exciting with friends!
An intense and immersive game experience where you take on the role of an Observer tasked with guarding the Motherbase of the Project 13 Organization. Your mission is clear: prevent any “Observator Prisoner”, each potentially containing a dangerous anomaly, from infiltrating the Project 13 Headquarters. Equipped with a high-tech binocular, your keen observation skills are the key to success.
The Renovator: Origins is a first-person psychological horror game. Explore the mysterious world of art, where each exhibit contains the mysteries and secrets of its era and its creator. The game will immerse you in the past and another world that is behind the paintings. You play as the son of a restorer, a museum worker who died tragically. While searching for the memorabilia, the door suddenly closes, and strange things begin to happen. The hero is waiting for immersion in the world of art and the paranormal.
With the power to command the dragons, the Chosen One could be a great hero… or foe! Old friends, a settlement of fairies, and many ancient creatures will come to your aid as you explore the magic forest and search for hidden objects in your quest to restore splendor and tranquility to the kingdom. See all there is to uncover in this magical world and be the force to tip the scale of fate!
Retro-inspired 2D action-platformer filled with secrets and danger.
Explore mysterious corridors, upgrade your gear, and battle powerful enemies.
Coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC.
Hi, I’m Pavel Kalinichenko, CEO of Stamina Zero, and I’m excited to introduce you to Little Droid, a handcrafted pixel art Metroidvania coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on April 10, 2025.
In Little Droid, you take control of a small but determined droid, navigating a mysterious world filled with danger, puzzles, and secrets. Every move counts as you manage your energy, battle relentless enemies, and overcome tricky platforming challenges.
Exploration is key—each ability you unlock, from double-jumping to dashing, opens new paths to hidden upgrades and secret areas. The environments, from forgotten ruins to flickering machinery, are handcrafted with care, bringing a unique atmosphere to every part of the world.
Combat is fast and rewarding. Enemies won’t go easy on you, so you’ll need quick reflexes and smart decision-making to survive. But it’s not just about fighting—you’ll need to explore carefully, solve environmental puzzles, and manage your energy wisely.
For the console release, we worked hard to optimize performance, refine visuals, and introduce an optional easier difficulty mode—making sure Little Droid remains true to its challenging metroidvania roots while being accessible to more players.
If you love uncovering hidden paths, facing tough challenges, and exploring richly detailed pixel art worlds, Little Droid is for you.
Little Droid launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on April 10, 2025. Pre-order today for $5.99 on the Microsoft Store.
Little Droid
Stamina Zero LLC
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$5.99
Little Droid is an adventure platformer that takes you to a world of mysteries, tough enemies, and hidden dangers. The journey is packed with challenges, requiring careful battery management to keep the droid energized at crucial moments. Explore a richly detailed environment, collect weapons to overcome various obstacles, and uncover secrets as you pursue the source of a mysterious signal. Game Features: • Metroidvania-style exploration, unlocking new areas with each gained ability. • A high difficulty level designed for players who seek a rewarding challenge. • Beautiful, hand-crafted 2D pixel art that brings the atmosphere to life with intricate details.
Calling all Guardians! Today brings the latest content update to Sea of Thieves, and with it, some radiant new additions to the Pirate Emporium – Lightbearer items, inspired by the world and characters of Destiny, have arrived!
Whether your pirate is as silent as a Hunter, mighty as a Titan or wise as a Warlock, they’ll find a ship set to suit their style, complete with Collector’s cosmetics and a Ship’s Crest. An array of matching weapons and a costume set to round out the range ensures you’ll be ready to take on whatever otherworldly foes may stand in your way.
At first glance, venturing across the solar system may seem like a far call from securing swag in a tropical pirate paradise — so how did this celestial collaboration come to be? Adam Park, Director of Brand & Licencing at Rare, sheds light on the partnership:
“As we’ve seen with our other cosmetic crossovers and our Tall Tales, our teams are always looking for opportunities to bring other worlds into Sea of Thieves and put a unique spin on them, no matter where the inspiration comes from. Even though it might not seem like an obvious choice, Destiny’s classes and co-operative play presented a ‘crew-like’ bond that we thought was a great fit, along with some striking iconography, vivid art style and a sense of being mythical in tone and scope.”
Handily, there were already plenty of accomplished Guardians at Rare with a deep understanding of the Destiny universe, though the team completed more than their fair share of Quests while gathering ideas. If you want a sense of how much the team at Rare wanted to make this happen, just know that they’ve been working with Bungie on this idea since 2023!
Once plans were agreed, the next step in making the Lightbearer collection a reality was to create concept pieces for ship sets, weapons and clothing. Andria Warren, Director of Creative Operations at Rare, oversaw their development.
“Working with Bungie to bring Destiny 2 into Sea of Thieves was a creatively rich and deeply collaborative process. From the earliest concept sketches to finalising designs that honoured both universes, every step challenged us to think differently. We explored how iconic Destiny elements could be reimagined through a Sea of Thieves lens, translating tone, visual language, and character into something that felt fresh but unmistakably faithful. It pushed our teams creatively in the best possible way, and the result is something we’re truly proud of!”
Working alongside the Destiny team to iterate and refine the various Lightbearer items culminated in one of Sea of Thieves’ most comprehensive collections. “Partnerships like this can take a lot longer than people realise to make happen,” Park muses, “But when you see the results it really does showcase the talent and hard work of everyone involved. We’re sure the Lightbearer items will be a big hit with Destiny fans old and new, and can’t wait to see people making creative use of them as they go about their adventures. Good luck, Guardians!”
You can check out the trailer below to see the full Lightbearer assortment, and then visit the Pirate Emporium to gear up and get ready for battle – the seas are counting on you!
Live a fulfilling life in the Zone with crafting, farming, cooking, and tons of quests and stories.
Attention, fellow Ghoul Hunters! Welcome to the Zone. Or shall I say: welcome to your final demise? Because according to my studies, only one in a hundred Ghoul Hunters will survive in the Zone! Deadly Distortions, dangerous mutants, heavily-armed bandits, and yes, the cursed Visitations! They are here to claim your life and your soul.
But fear not: the Cossacks are here to help! We’ll provide you with the best gears and training (for a small fee, of course), and we’ll always have your back. Now, if you can spare me a few minutes, I’m sure a few tips and tricks can get you started.
Don’t Get into Fights Unless You Have to
You may trust your grandpa’s Makarov and sawed-off double-barrel, but what are you up against? AK’s, sub-machine guns, AS-Val, SVD, oh and even RPD and PKM – bad guys armed to the teeth who don’t even bother to loot rookies like you!
So here’s my advice: stick to the shadows, sneak past your foes, and learn to take them down quietly with a garrote. But when you get a hold of those big toys, work on improving your skill level with each kind, and find weapon attachments to unleash their true power.
Take Good Care of Your Gears
Life in the Zone is not your dream vacation. Your armors will degrade. Your devices will run out of battery. Your guns will jam.
Remember, your life depends on your gears working flawlessly, so use a repair kit to maintain them after every battle! You can bring any worn-out weapon and armor to our workbench for repair – free of charge, as long as you know how to fix them.
Always Keep Your Eyes Peeled for More Loot
There are always supplies in every nook and cranny for you to find. Food, ammo, medicine, serums, ingredients, they are all crucial to your survival in the Zone. Especially iodide pills for radiation, and Vodka for Tunguska Syndrome – if you need more, come see our trader and we’ll cut you a good deal.
Don’t forget: you can craft almost everything you need in the Zone. Cooking, farming, loading bullets, brewing serum, and even distilling alcohol for the serum lab (and of course, for escaping from your troubles and sorrow!), you can essentially live a life here.
Finally, Bring All Your Spoils to The Cossacks
After all, you are here to be Ghoul Hunters, right? Remember: bullets don’t do you any good – they’ll just rip up all those mutated body parts that you’ll need to make money with. On the other hand, melee weapons give you the best chance to harvest high quality serum ingredients. Just bring them to us and we’ll make you rich, because the Cossacks make the best serums!
So join us now, and we’ll fight together, hunt together, and prosper together, only in Tunguska: The Visitation today on Xbox!
Tunguska: The Visitation – Complete Edition
Rotorist Workshop
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Seek fortune as a Ghoul Hunter in an abandoned Soviet Exclusion Zone. Use your grit and ingenuity to survive deadly radiation, mysterious anomalies, and poisonous mutants. Go in guns-blazing, or stay in the shadows – your choice. Uncover the dark secrets of Tunguska from the Soviet era. Venture across desolate villages, abandoned facilities, toxic swamps, and ominous tunnels in this top-down adventure RPG, in a realm cursed by the mysterious Tunguska Event in 1908. Inspired by the novel Roadside Picnic, Tunguska is one man’s vision and creation of a new post-Visitation zone: a place not just full of horror and danger, but also the freedom and opportunities sought after by many near the fall of the USSR. SURVIVAL Tunguska: The Visitation is 3D top-down action shooter, infused with moderate survival elements such as food, medicine, body energy, character stat buff, hazardous environments, and inventory management. The slow-paced, methodical gameplay inspires critical thinking and strategic planning. A perk-based skill system lets you decide on how to build expertise – be it combat-heavy, stealthy, crafty, or just an all around survivor of the Zone. COMBAT Put your grit to the test with real time melee brawls and gunfights. With a large arsenal of weapons, you can be creative and come up with the best approach for each combat scenario. Stick to the shadows and use distractions, if being stealthy is up your alley. CRAFTING The Zone is not a barren place. Collect wild herbs, grow crops, and hunt for wild animals to collect ingredients for cooking and brewing. Use the workbench to craft ammunition and repair your gears. COMPLETE EDITION Includes: main game, Ravenwood Stories, Shadowmaster, New Game+, and Slaughterhouse.
This hardcore ARPG, set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, features immersive 3D cel-shaded animation and unforgettable boss encounters.
Born to rage –embark on Khazan’s journey of revenge to become the first berserker.
With today’s worldwide release of hardcore ARPG The First Berserker: Khazan, set in the iconic Dungeon and Fighter (DNF) universe, we want to highlight one of the game’s standout features — its breathtaking 3D cel-shaded art style. This visually striking direction combines cinematic realism with stylized animation, offering players a completely new and immersive experience within the DNF universe.
A Fusion of Realism and Stylization
The art direction for The First Berserker: Khazan introduces a powerful combination of photorealistic textures and 3D cel shading, giving the game a look that is both immersive and visually striking. The photorealistic textures create depth and grounding in the world, while the cel-shading technique brings a vibrant, animated quality that ensures the game retains the dynamic, expressive appeal of the DNF universe.
For those not familiar with the universe, it is a dynamic and action-packed world where ancient legends clash with dark forces in a fight for survival. Known for its fast-paced, combo-driven combat and deep character customization, the game immerses players in a realm steeped in rich lore and myth, making each battle feel like a piece of a larger, epic narrative.
This innovative fusion of styles is designed to appeal not only to long-time fans of the series but also to newcomers, who will find the art style instantly engaging. It maintains the visual identity of DNF while pushing boundaries to create something that feels both modern and timeless.
Immersive Boss Encounters
Boss encounters in The First Berserker: Khazan are elevated by the game’s art style, with each boss meticulously designed to reflect its power, personality, and role within the story. These larger-than-life characters are not just imposing figures; they are key components of the narrative, with their designs serving to enhance their storytelling impact.
The stylized visuals play a crucial role in making each boss battle, such as Blade Phantom, feel like a cinematic event. The game’s use of 3D cel-shading enhances the visual drama by emphasizing the bold outlines, vibrant colors, and high contrast, which help bring the bosses to life in a striking and exaggerated way.
The detailed design of Blade Phantom, with his fluid movement and imposing presence, is crafted to heighten the intensity and emotional weight of the fight. These visuals ensure that each encounter feels like a significant, high-stakes moment, where the player can feel the gravity of the battle through both the gameplay and the stunning visual presentation.
The visual design of the bosses is central to their role in the game, making each fatal encounter more than just a challenge, but an unforgettable moment in the story.
The Power of Cel-Shading
The decision to use 3D cel-shading helps create a visually striking art style that complements the narrative and emotional tone of the game. The bold outlines and vibrant colors, characteristic of cel-shading, bring out the dramatic aspects of the world and its characters.
The high contrast visuals amplify the emotional weight of key scenes, helping players immerse themselves more fully in the story and feel a deeper connection to the game’s events. This visual approach not only enhances the game’s aesthetics but also supports the storytelling by making it more engaging and expressive.
This art style allowed the team to play with intensity in ways that wouldn’t be possible with traditional approaches. The result is a game that visually communicates the high stakes and drama of Khazan’s story, making each moment feel alive and powerful.
[DELUXE EDITION Bonus]
The First Berserker: Khazan DELUXE EDITION includes the following content: 1. The First Berserker: Khazan (main game) 2. Hero’s Weapon Set
・ Hero’s Dual Wield
・ Hero’s Spear
・ Hero’s Greatsword 3. Hero’s Armor Set
・ Hero’s Helm
・ Hero’s Wristguards
・ Hero’s Pauldrons
・ Hero’s Leggings
・ Hero’s Combat Boots 4. Digital Artbook
・ The digital artbook features concept art from The First Berserker: Khazan. It can be accessed from the in-game main menu screen. * The Hero’s Weapon and Armor Sets are The First Berserker: Khazan DELUXE EDITION exclusive items and cannot be obtained through alternative means at a later date.
* The Hero’s Weapon and Armor Sets can be used cosmetically. These sets can also be upgraded and/or have their options adjusted, allowing for continued usage.
* Clear Mission 2 and open the reward barrel in the Crevice to obtain the Hero’s Weapon and Armor Sets.
* Updating to the latest version of the game may be required to access this content. [About This Game]
Experience the brutal action of The First Berserker: Khazan, a hardcore Action RPG adventure set 800 years before the events of the Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) Universe. You will experience the vast universe and journey to the continent of Arad and discover the untold story of General Khazan. Master deep and immersive combat mechanics while you engage in strategic battles against a diverse array of foes and bosses. Will you embrace the path of the First Berserker and embark on Khazan’s path of revenge? THE FIRST BERSERKER
The Great General Khazan is falsely branded a traitor and mercilessly tortured. After narrowly escaping death, Khazan forms an unlikely alliance with the ghostly entity Blade Phantom, gaining otherworldly powers. Witness Khazan’s journey for revenge and learn his path to becoming the first berserker in the DNF Universe. BATTLE-HARDENED GENERAL
Khazan is a master of combat, wielding an arsenal of dual-wield weapons, spears, and great-swords with unmatched prowess. Collect, upgrade, and combine these weapons with various armor sets to create your own unique combat style. Develop Khazan’s abilities through multiple in-depth skill trees, allowing players to customize their playstyle and specialize in different combat techniques. While challenging for hardcore gamers, the two difficulty settings and variety of combat and skill mechanics make the game approachable for players of all skill levels. LEGENDARY BOSSES
Khazan engages in unforgettable boss battles, where each foe presents distinct attack patterns, exploitable weaknesses, and unique abilities. These battles require strategic thinking, precise timing, and a deep understanding of the combat system, encouraging players to adapt and learn quickly. By mastering Khazan’s versatile weapons and skills, players can effectively customize their tactics to conquer various boss types and navigate diverse combat scenarios. ANIME MEETS AAA
The First Berserker: Khazan’s striking 3D cel-shaded graphics bring the world of Arad to life with the vibrant look of animated films. The essence of the Dungeon and Fighter Universe is captured and reimagined with a unique blend of bold, cel-shaded art and realistic textures, creating an immersive visual experience.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Nexon Korea Corporation
☆☆☆☆☆133
★★★★★
$59.99
[About This Game]
Experience the brutal action of The First Berserker: Khazan, a hardcore Action RPG adventure set 800 years before the events of the Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) Universe. You will experience the vast universe and journey to the continent of Arad and discover the untold story of General Khazan. Master deep and immersive combat mechanics while you engage in strategic battles against a diverse array of foes and bosses. Will you embrace the path of the First Berserker and embark on Khazan’s path of revenge? THE FIRST BERSERKER
The Great General Khazan is falsely branded a traitor and mercilessly tortured. After narrowly escaping death, Khazan forms an unlikely alliance with the ghostly entity Blade Phantom, gaining otherworldly powers. Witness Khazan’s journey for revenge and learn his path to becoming the first berserker in the DNF Universe. BATTLE-HARDENED GENERAL
Khazan is a master of combat, wielding an arsenal of dual-wield weapons, spears, and great-swords with unmatched prowess. Collect, upgrade, and combine these weapons with various armor sets to create your own unique combat style. Develop Khazan’s abilities through multiple in-depth skill trees, allowing players to customize their playstyle and specialize in different combat techniques. While challenging for hardcore gamers, the two difficulty settings and variety of combat and skill mechanics make the game approachable for players of all skill levels. LEGENDARY BOSSES
Khazan engages in unforgettable boss battles, where each foe presents distinct attack patterns, exploitable weaknesses, and unique abilities. These battles require strategic thinking, precise timing, and a deep understanding of the combat system, encouraging players to adapt and learn quickly. By mastering Khazan’s versatile weapons and skills, players can effectively customize their tactics to conquer various boss types and navigate diverse combat scenarios. ANIME MEETS AAA
The First Berserker: Khazan’s striking 3D cel-shaded graphics bring the world of Arad to life with the vibrant look of animated films. The essence of the Dungeon and Fighter Universe is captured and reimagined with a unique blend of bold, cel-shaded art and realistic textures, creating an immersive visual experience.
The First Berserker: Khazan DEMO
Nexon Korea Corporation
☆☆☆☆☆233
★★★★★
This is the demo version of The First Berserker: Khazan.
The demo contains the first two missions from the game.
Progress made in the demo can be carried over to the full game via your save file.
Difficulty settings can be adjusted after clearing Mission 1. The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action RPG based on the Dungeon Fighter Online (DnF) universe, Nexon’s flagship IP with more than 800 million players worldwide. Set 800 years before the events of DnF, the game unfolds on the continent of Arad and explores the untold story of Khazan, the first Berserker. Players will experience Khazan’s legendary journey firsthand as they master intricate and engaging combat mechanics and strategic battles that bring his epic tale to life. [Game Overview]
1. Epic Boss Fights and Action-Packed Gameplay
The First Berserker: Khazan captures the essence of Dungeon Fighter Online with its blend of flashy hack-and-slash combat and hardcore difficulty, delivering polished, high-impact action. Intense boss battles maximize tension, while hard-earned victories provide a deep sense of accomplishment, offering players a thrilling combat experience.
2. A Gripping Story of Revenge
In the 89th year of the Pell Los Empire, the Great General Khazan is falsely accused of treason and banished to the snowy mountains. Having narrowly escaped death, Khazan embarks on a quest for vengeance. Witness his growth as he uncovers the conspiracies that led to his downfall, masters lost combat skills, and unveils the truth about the empire.
3. 3D Cel-Shaded Graphics
Built with Unreal Engine, the game’s 3D cel-shaded style captures the essence of animated films. The continent of Arad has been reimagined through a striking blend of bold, cel-shaded art and realistic textures, offering a vivid and immersive experience. [Game Features]
1. Dynamic Item Collection and Progression System
Khazan wields a wide range of weapons with unmatched skill, including dual-wield weapons, spears, and greatswords. Collect and upgrade these weapons, along with various pieces of armor, and complete gear sets to develop your own distinct combat style.
2. Vast Skill Combinations
Each weapon comes with a variety of skills that can be combined to create a combat style that’s entirely your own. Go beyond simple attack and defense mechanics and experience gameplay that rewards strategy and creativity. The First Berserker: Khazan is the ultimate experience for players looking for a hardcore action RPG with an incredibly immersive story. Join Khazan as he overcomes the challenges that lie before him and becomes the legendary Berserker.
Let’s end March on a high note with five games for you to try this weekend with Free Play Days! Blindfire, City Transport Simulator: Tram, Big Helmet Heroes, Tiebreakand Make Way are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday March 27 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, March 30 at 11:59pm Pacific.
Big Helmet Heros is also free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days with a 2-hour timed trial.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Membership Required)
Blindfire (Game Preview)
Double Eleven Ltd.
☆☆☆☆☆163
★★★★★
$8.99$6.29
Free Trial
Blindfire (Game Preview) Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Blindfire is an online multiplayer first-person shooter that takes place in the dark. Set in a shadowy underworld, the ultra-wealthy bet on illicit bloodsports beneath a neon skyline. For contestants lured by the promise of untold riches and unimaginable glory, it’s kill or be killed. Brave the arena alone or team up in matches of up to 8 players. This game is a work in progress. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.
City Transport Simulator: Tram
Dovetail Games
☆☆☆☆☆4
★★★★★
$24.99$19.99
City Transport Simulator: Tram Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Grab up to 20% off City Transport Simulator: Tram – Standard Edition on this Free Play Days, and get an authentic tram-driving experience with three iconic vehicles that set the stage for your journey. Operate the sleek ULF A1, ULF B1, and R2.2b trams and discover what makes each one unique in both Career and Sandbox Mode gameplay options.
Big Helmet Heroes
Dear Villagers
☆☆☆☆☆24
★★★★★
$24.99$19.99
Free Trial
Big Helmet Heroes Optimized for Xbox Series X|S For a limited time only throw yourself into a free trial of an epic 3D beat’em up adventure with adorable knights, full of surprising worlds and situations. Grab your buddy and play in 2 player co-op to save the princess, this is only the beginning.
TIEBREAK: Official game of the ATP and WTA
Nacon
☆☆☆☆☆17
★★★★★
$49.99
Tiebreak Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Tiebreak is the most lifelike tennis simulation ever released, showcasing the essence of gameplay on court and the challenge of managing a career through an entire season of 90 official tournaments against 120+ officially licensed pros. Each professional women’s and men’s player from Novak Djokovic to Nick Kyrgios, and Iga Swiatek to Caroline Wozniacki, has been studied with minute detail to reproduce their signature techniques and strategies, immersing players into the core essence of WTA and ATP play.
Make Way
Secret Mode
☆☆☆☆☆57
★★★★★
$14.99
Make Way Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Make Way sees up to Six players battling it out in weapon-filled, round-based races. But there are no pre-built courses. Instead, players must construct the track together, using a random selection of pieces and hazards (train crossings! loop-de-loops! seesaws!) to invent a unique raceway that gets bigger and wilder every round.
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