Here’s everything that was shown during tonight’s ID@Xbox presentation
It’s showcase week, it seems, and following the efforts of Nintendo and Sony last night, Microsoft took its turn today with another of its primarily digital ID@Xbox showcase events indie. And if you missed his typically meandering reveals, you can check out all that appears, much more succinctly, below.
Eville
Eville is a multiplayer social deduction game from developer VestGames coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass on October 11. It sees up to 13 players working together – or otherwise – in order to unmask the conspirators hiding in a murder-ridden village. Those who play as villagers must eliminate suspects during the day, while those who play as conspirators can decide who should be eliminated next at night.
Born from bread
Developer WildArts’ lightweight adventure Born of Bread features a mix of Paper-Mario-like exploration and turn-based combat in which players – in the role of a flour golem – must traverse the world, from the mysterious ruins of the Forest of Roots to the bustling metropolis of South Munch City, in order to save it from chaos. It all looks very adorable and will be coming to Xbox and PC at a currently unspecified future date.
Mysteries of property
Homestead Arcana is another entry in the increasingly crowded farming sim genre, but this one – from developer Serenity Forge – aims to shake things up by giving proceedings a more magical spin. Players take on the role of an agricultural witch who casts, farms, and crafts spells in order to restore a corrupt kingdom besieged by a force known as Miasma. It’s coming to Xbox and PC – as well as Game Pass Day 1 – next year.
And more Skybound…
Homestead Arcana is one of four games from publisher Skybound confirmed to be coming to Game Pass, along with 90s-inspired adventure Big Con, puzzle-platformer Rainbow Billy and The Walking Dead: The Final Season. from Telltale Games all joining the service “this year”.
Song of iron 2
Song of Iron 2 is the second installment in developer Resting Relic’s Nordic action-adventure series, and promises plenty of “visceral, ruthless, run-and-gun melee combat” as players navigate a dark landscape and fantastic in order to unite the clans of the region and prepare for the war to come. There’s no release date for this yet, but expect more details in due course.
Turnip Boy robs a bank
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank, the sequel to Graffiti Games’ Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (which Eurogamer’s Christian Donlan thoroughly enjoyed when he played there earlier this year), sees the titular root vegetable team up with the fearsome Pickled Gang to stage the “weirdest heist of all time”. It’s coming to Xbox, PC, and Game Pass next year.
Let’s cook together 2
Developer Yellow Dot’s Let’s Cook Together 2 is bringing another helping of co-op cooking action to PC and Xbox this fall, this time pitting players against a dystopian food government known as Nutri Inc.
Call of the Wild: The Angler
Call of the Wild: The Angler (from Expansive Worlds, the developer behind theHunter: Call of the Wild) does pretty much exactly what you’d expect – giving gamers the tools they need to get into some serious fishing adventures as they roam a vast open world in search of the perfect fishing spot to become a master fisherman. This is now available on PC.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Freed
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, which comes from Predator: Hunting Grounds developer IllFonic, is an asymmetrical multiplayer game offering four players the ability to attach proton packs and hunt down spectral nuisances controlled by a fifth player. There are unlockable cosmetics and upgrades, online and local play is supported, and there’s even an AI-driven single-player mode. This one will be released on Xbox, PC and Game Pass on October 18th.
SpiderHeck
If it’s spiders with laser swords you want, look no further than SpiderHeck – a “fast-paced co-op couch brawler” that combines frenetic parkour and chaotic combat as players, alone or in teams, fight to be the champion of the SpiderHeck arena. Alongside PvP, there will be wave-based single-player and multiplayer PvE when SpiderHeck comes to Xbox and PC on September 22.
City skylines: plazas and promenades
The Cities Skylines Plazas and Promenades expansion launches today. This is the 11th major expansion for developer Colossal Order’s acclaimed city builder, which focuses on the pedestrianization of the game, giving budding city planners the tools to add pedestrian-only streets, pedestrian zones and area-specific policies.
Shoulders of Giants
Shoulders of Giants is an “explosive sci-fi rogue-like” in which a sword-wielding robot and a gun-throwing space frog smash their way through a randomly generated landscape – combining a design craft-level with procedural generation – in an attempt to restore “life and light to shattered worlds”. It features up to four player co-op and a “best friend” mode that will allow one player to control the frog and another to control the robot. It’s coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S “later this year.”
Metal: Hellsinger
Musical shooter Metal: Hellsinger is an absolute champion, having just earned a Recommended badge on this same website. “A lean, tightly restrained mashup more than Rock Band and Doom,” is how Chris Tapsell put it in his review, and you’ll be able to strut your way through its carnage when it launches tomorrow. , September 15, on Xbox, PC and Game Pass.
Lunar scars
Moonscars is a dark action-adventure from developer Black Mermaid, set in a “ruthless, non-linear 2D world”. It features players as a fierce clay warrior known as Gray Irma, on a quest to locate the mysterious Sculptor – a journey that takes the form of a soul-like Metroidvania. It will be available on Xbox, PC and Game Pass from September 27.
You suck at the parking lot
A “racing game where your goal is to stop”, You Suck at Parking’s 100 increasingly difficult levels challenge players to race around the courses and stop in a tiny parking spot on the spot. as quickly as possible. It’s playable in single and multiplayer, with global leaderboards for those who want to try parking supremacy, and developer Happy Volcano says it will be “ever growing”. [and] always expanding,” with new cars, biomes, customization options, and even a level editor promised for the future. It’s available today on Xbox, PC, and Game Pass.
Amazing cultivation simulator
If you’ve already wasted hours with Rimworld and Dwarf Fortress, you might want to check out developer GSQ Games’ Amazing Cultivation Simulator, a strategy simulation/management game inspired by Chinese mythology. The goal is to rebuild your sect and train new followers – researching magic and gathering mystical artifacts along the way – as you continue your path to spiritual ascension. It’s been out for a while on PC, but is joining PC Game Pass today.
Ynglet
For something much more minimalist, there’s Ynglet – a “floating non-platformer” sporting a “highly responsive and dynamic soundtrack”. It is now available on Xbox.
Valheim
And finally, Coffee Stain Studios’ hugely popular Viking survival adventure Valheim now has a PC Game Pass arrival date. He will join the service on September 29.