3on3 Freestyle’s new Career Mode is a PvE experience with its own, character-based progression and resources.
Incorporating roguelike elements for replayability, Career Mode serves as a great way to master the game’s core mechanics and get ready for competitive PvP play.
3on3 Freestyle is free to play and available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Play Anywhere.
3on3 Freestyle continues to evolve with the introduction of Career Mode, a new solo experience designed to help players learn the game, build confidence, and grow their skills at their own pace.
Built as a stage-based PvE experience, Career Mode lets players take control of their chosen character and progress through a structured journey, where difficulty gradually increases over time. Through hands-on play, players naturally learn core systems, positioning, and strategy, creating a more approachable experience for both new and returning players.
A Character-Driven Progression System with Scalable Challenge
Career Mode is built around character-focused progression. Each character features their own set of stages, and as players continue to develop their character, higher difficulty stages become available.
With increased difficulty comes more demanding challenges, along with access to Career Mode-exclusive resources that reward progression. In addition to scaling difficulty, players can further customize their experience by applying different conditions — such as strengthening opposing AI, applying limitations to their own character, or modifying match rules.
This flexible system allows players to shape their own challenge while steadily pushing toward higher levels of play.
Strategic Gameplay Built on Player Choice
Career Mode incorporates roguelike-inspired elements to ensure that each run feels fresh and dynamic.
At the start of each stage, players select from a set of randomized buffs that impact gameplay. These buffs persist across all stages within the current difficulty tier, meaning each decision plays a meaningful role in the overall run. Rather than serving as short-term boosts, these choices require players to think strategically about how they approach each stage.
Once all stages are cleared and players move to the next difficulty level, buffs reset, allowing for new combinations and strategies in the next run. This structure naturally encourages experimentation and replayability.
A Progression System That Connects Play, Rewards, and Growth
Career Mode is designed so that gameplay directly feeds into progression.
By clearing stages, players earn Career Mode-exclusive resources, which can be used to invest in progression systems that strengthen their characters. These include both character-specific growth trees and shared progression trees that benefit multiple characters.
Completing all stages within a difficulty tier grants additional rewards, providing further incentives to take on greater challenges. As players develop multiple characters, shared progression becomes more impactful, enhancing overall growth efficiency across their roster.
Built for Growth While Preserving Competitive Balance
Career Mode integrates naturally with existing progression systems, allowing players to bring in characters they’ve already developed through upgrades, ability cards, and P-Buff setups, while continuing to grow them further within the mode.
At the same time, all progression gained in Career Mode is limited to solo play and does not carry over into PvP modes. This ensures players can freely experiment and grow without affecting competitive balance.
Visual enhancements powered by Lumen also bring added depth to the experience, introducing more dynamic lighting and environmental detail that make on-court action feel more natural and readable, while maintaining the fast-paced gameplay players expect.
A Natural Path Toward Competitive Play
Career Mode serves as more than just a standalone experience — it acts as a bridge into the broader 3on3 Freestyle ecosystem.
By learning systems and mechanics in a controlled environment, players can build confidence and transition more smoothly into multiplayer and competitive gameplay, preparing them for higher-level play.
Step Onto the Court
With Career Mode, 3on3 Freestyle introduces a new way to experience the game — from learning the fundamentals to refining strategies and taking on greater challenges. It’s a space to experiment, grow, and prepare for what comes next.
3on3 FreeStyle
JOYCITY Corp.
☆☆☆☆☆ 2872
★★★★★
3on3 FreeStyle!
Welcome to the world of 3on3 FreeStyle street basketball.
Choose from 57 unique characters, each with their own signature skills, and lead your team to victory in intense 3v3 matches.
Experience fast-paced, stylish street basketball action.
Master each character’s skills and strategic team play to dominate the court.
Enjoy both single-player and multiplayer modes:
Grow your character in My Career (PVE) or compete in real-time 3v3 matches.
Play solo or together—create your own style and become the best.
Probability Item Info: http://3on3.fsgames.com/newNews/drawRate/5583/view
Dave The Diver: In the Jungle DLC is scheduled to launch June 18 on Xbox on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and handheld.
The newly released trailer teases details about Dave’s next adventure.
With a new village, new NPCs, and unique underwater experiences, the DLC aims to offer something fresh and distinct from the Dave the Diver experience you know.
It’s been a long time coming, and we’re thrilled to finally share the launch date for our upcoming Dave the Diver DLC called In the Jungle. Dave takes on this whole new adventure as of June 18, 2026!
The news about this expansion has been out for a little while now, so the time for being koi… (ahem, fish pun) is over! Today, we’re excited to share more about what to expect in this new DLC that gives Dave a whole new flavor while remaining true to its roots.
Let’s start with today’s new trailer. We saw a lot this time, and perhaps most notably the giant freshwater dinosaur washed ashore in the village. Fans of Dave know that there’s a whole story waiting to be uncovered there, and frankly, there are many surprises in store that we can’t wait to tease more of later. Oh, and you probably noticed one of the characters in that scene is not like the others…that’s Muna, Dr. Bacon’s assistant. We’ll learn more about her, too.
There’s also lots of sneak peeks into other new elements in this DLC, ranging from the new locations, puzzles, minigames, boss fights, and jungle creatures you’ll meet. But the true star of the show this time is the new campaign and the way our players will interact with new characters and the environment, as well as the implications a jungle setting has on Bancho’s choice of cuisine.
The new trailer showcases Dave and his friends’ next big adventure featuring an all-new jungle eco-system to explore, a fantastic new restaurant for Bancho to demonstrate his culinary skills and lots of surprises! Check out the trailer below:
[TRAILER EMBED]
A New Campaign, A New Jungle, Same Old Dave (Mostly)
When we started building In the Jungle, one thing was non-negotiable: it still had to feel like Dave the Diver, full of the same humor, wit, and orchestrated chaos that our fans know and love.
This time, Dave trades the Blue Hole for an entirely new biome, a lush jungle packed with new opportunities, exotic ingredients, loads of wildlife, and a bustling lakeside village called Utara. It’s alive, it’s vibrant, and it’s filled with new characters to meet, along with a few familiar faces who couldn’t resist tagging along for the adventure.
But make no mistake. This is no simple change of scenery for the gang. There’s a robust new life to be lived here, complete with danger, mystery, and lots of amazing food.
And of course, Dave is still Dave. Slightly overwhelmed, surprisingly capable, and somehow at the center of it all.
Jungle Gameplay: New Waters
Even in a whole new biome and trading the wetsuit for stained khakis, we’ve preserved Dave’s signature offbeat humor, stylised pixelated cutscenes, and the fulfilling blend of exploration and management that makes Dave tick. But of course, the jungle changes things.
This time around, Dave is traversing not only the surrounding jungle and village, but the massive lake in Utara where he meets many new fish species, discovers new ingredients, and other ecosystem-specific surprises, including the way the fish and other underwater animals interact with Dave. Freshwater fish have new movement patterns, new attack behaviors, and new environmental interactions that shift the rhythm of dives in ways that should feel both familiar and refreshingly different.
There’s also the villagers. As much as the ecosystem in the jungle lake beats with life, the village of Utara operates within its own unique system, one that Dave will need to learn and master. With some earned trust, a stroke of luck, and that undeniable Dave charm, the villagers can be welcomed to Bancho’s restaurant as guests. This new dynamic propels much of the storyline in this DLC, and it of course means new friends along the way.
Beyond the bird-hunting sequence from the trailer, we’re introducing several additional minigames that build on what players loved in the base game. As ever, they’re woven naturally into the story and the world, adding even more variety to Dave’s routine.
Bancho’s Grill: No Sushi, No Problem
Another area where In the Jungle departs from the base game is the introduction of Bancho Grill. This freshwater twist on Bancho’s restaurant features a fully-cooked jungle-themed menu – time to grill and chill!
This time, Dave isn’t stuck serving along a single horizontal plane. He can now move freely throughout the Grill, serving customers across multiple areas. And as I mentioned before, one of the most exciting aspects of the new restaurant is the interaction with the villagers themselves. As Dave interacts with local inhabitants, his bonds with them grow, and they’ll begin visiting Bancho’s Grill as diners, making the restaurant a key hub between Dave and the village community.
You’ll also be able to customize Bancho’s Grill, giving it a personality that fits your jungle journey. Meanwhile, Bancho will be hard at work transforming newly caught freshwater fish and locally gathered ingredients into entirely new dishes. After all, the jungle might be unfamiliar territory, but great food is universal!
The Jungle Calls
We have lots more to share about Dave the Diver: In the Jungle before launch on June 18. If you haven’t already, we welcome everyone to begin their underwater adventures in Dave the Diver today on Xbox, and check out all of the other DLC options — there’s something there for everyone! For more news about Dave the Diver and In The Jungle as it approaches launch, be sure to join the official Dave the DiverDiscord channel.
DAVE THE DIVER
MINTROCKET
☆☆☆☆☆ 240
★★★★★
$19.99
・An adventure, RPG, management hybrid
Explore and unravel the mysteries in the depths of the Blue Hole by day and run a successful exotic sushi restaurant by night.
It’s easy to get hooked on the satisfying gameplay loop!
・Casual combat and gathering gameplay with rogue-like elements
Dive into the ever-changing Blue Hole and use a harpoon and other weapons to catch fish and various creatures.
Upgrade and forge equipment with collected resources and sushi restaurant profits to prepare for the dangers that lurk in the unknown.
Running out of oxygen means leaving collected items and fish behind!
・Eccentric characters with a lighthearted narrative
Quirky but lovable characters and a story full of in-jokes, spoofs, and other humorous scenes provide an approachable and enjoyable gameplay experience.
・A beautiful sea environment with attractive 2D/3D Art
A combination of pixel and 3D graphics provides a stunning art style that showcases breathtaking underwater scenery. This oceanic adventure is set in the real marine environment of a Blue Hole filled with over 200 kinds of sea creatures.
・Ample additional content to complement the main gameplay loop
Minigames, side quests, and multiple storylines provide many hours of entertainment and varied gameplay.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
In forgotten lands shrouded by myth, Ro—a hunter from a small tribe—is overcome by grief following the death of her beloved son. Guided by voices from another world, she transcends into the realm of spirits, in hopes of bringing him back. Explore the realm of spirits and gather ingredients to craft cards from each region. Discover shamanic totems to enhance your deck and cast a variety of melee and ranged spells to balance your offensive and defensive skills. Each new card lets you tailor your tactical style while preparing for your next deadly encounter.
METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER Digital Deluxe Edition
The Beginning of it All. A remake of the 2004 game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, with the same gripping story and engrossing world, now with all new graphics and 3D audio that enhance the jungle atmosphere. Get ready for the ultimate survival stealth action experience.
After arriving early for a big meeting with the mayor of a bizarre Northern English town, a traveling salesman takes the time to explore and meet the locals, who are all very eager to give him a series of increasingly odd jobs… Thank Goodness You’re Here! is a comedy slapformer, which unfolds over time as the players’ exploration and antics leave their mark on the strange town of Barnsworth. With each completed odd job, new areas of the town open up, stranger and stranger tasks become available, and the clock ticks towards our salesman’s big meeting. The town’s colorful inhabitants are brought to life with vibrant hand-drawn animation, fully voiced dialogue, and wall-to-wall double entendres.
Dunjungle
Astrolabe Games
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Dunjungle – December 11 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere
Dunjungle is an action-packed roguelite about a monkey hero, adventuring into a jungle under the menace of a corruptive power that is transforming its peaceful creatures and destroying everything on its way. You’ll explore continuously changing dungeons, temples, crypts, and other mysterious places, where you’ll find all sort of weird enemies and an arsenal of weapons, spells, and relics, granting you a different experience every time you play.
Experience the events of ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ brought to life through glorious pixel artwork and action-packed arcade gameplay! Play as Sarah Connor and the T-800 through a variety of thrilling missions as they take on the T-1000 and try to put a stop to Skynet’s plans before the human race is annihilated. Lead the Resistance as John Connor in the future, fighting on the front lines as mankind’s only hope in the War Against the Machines. In this unique story blending iconic scenes from ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ with original scenarios and multiple endings, humanity’s fate is yours to decide.
After graduating high school, Kaito returns to his hometown for one final summer before stepping into adult life. The ocean that once shaped his childhood memories now calls him back—and so do the two girls he once shared it with. In Beautiful Sakura: Surfing Club 2, Kaito reunites with his former surfing partners and close friends, Michiko and Yuuki. Once inseparable, the three drifted apart after the events of the first game. Now older, more confident, and carrying new dreams, they decide to revive the Surfing Club for one last unforgettable season.
When students Graff and Ott are invited to celebrate “Natal Untail,” a twisted take on Atlasia’s ancient tradition, they’ll discover that even in a decaying world, the greatest treasures are the values of sharing and friendship. This “Special” release adds interactivity through choices and consequences, designed exclusively for consoles. Part of the Brok the InvestiGator universe, this prequel introduces key characters and can be enjoyed as a standalone story.
Dig deep, sell what you find, update your equipment to continue your journey further and further. With every spadeful you dig, you get closer to the truth. There’s no rush, no rules – just you and the adventure underground. Costs as much as a coffee, but is fun for longer!
Sanctum Push is a charming pixel art sokoban adventure where you play as a brave paladin pushing enemies into their rightful places to restore peace to a corrupted castle. Every move counts, plan carefully, position your foes, and clear each room to advance through the sanctum’s ever-changing halls.
Acting alone, without back up or deadly weapons, a forensic analyst searches desperately for evidence to connect a spate of disparate murders to a single Serial Killer, in this highly pressured Survival Horror Game. Focused on the real-life practices of forensic analysts, She’s Leaving allows the player to understand and uncover the truth behind the evidence they find. Throughout, you begin to discover that there has always been a target on your back. Equipped with only a taser, the choice is up to you – are you going to run and hide, or stand and fight?
Snaky Snakes is an exhilarating game where the player controls a snake through randomly generated obstacles while collecting cherries. Each cherry increases the snake’s length and score. Additionally, the player can use cherries to purchase new environments such as Desert, Asia, and Ballroom from the in-game shop. The objective is to achieve the highest score possible and unlock all environments.
Unbeatable is an anime-juiced rhythm adventure where you (figuratively) destroy on stage while you (literally) destroy on stage. During rhythm gameplay, you only need two buttons: a button for up and a button for down. Simple to understand! The complicated part is doing it. Try not to get destroyed yourself. Half the game is walking around and taking things at your own pace. The other half is trying to keep up with ours.
New beautiful game about Love! In this puzzle you need to swap the tiles to indirectly control the hearts that move towards each other until blocked by a wall. Help hearts to have a date!
Montezuma’s Revenge – The 40th Anniversary Edition
Experience a timeless classic adventure now fully evolved and complete for the first time! The 1983 classic multi-room platformer Montezuma’s Revenge returns in 2.5D glory, and now Pedro’s adventure is bigger than ever with 100 tricky rooms to explore! For its 40th anniversary, what was once an unfinished game is now resurrected to match the full vision of creator Robert Jaeger. This time you can choose between male and female explorers, Pedro or his sister Rosita, to delve deep into the dangerous ruins and hunt for treasures untold!
Remember turning the living room into your own railway kingdom? Experience a bit of that magic with Teeny Tiny Trains – Build tracks, flip switches, and dodge playful obstacles to guide your trains home.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is a stealth survival horror where you must bake to survive. Trapped inside a deranged bakery crawling with sweet-toothed mascot monsters, you play as a lost child searching for your brother. Sneak through candy-colored corridors, gather bizarre ingredients, and craft color-coded pies that can stun and destroy your enemies. Hide under tables, time your moves, and uncover the dark secret behind the bakery’s grinning faces. One recipe at a time, fight your way out before you become the next dessert.
Now you can enjoy 4 RPGs: Monster Viator, Crystal Ortha, Armed Emeth, Justice Chronicles, in one bundle! In Monster Viator, recruit over 20 different monsters as your allies! Explore a fantastical world where you can almost hear the breath of life as you search for lost memories. In Crystal Ortha, an odd party race to uncover the legendary mother lode! Pixelated animations bursting with immersive intensity! Set your skills freely and engage in battles your way. In Armed Emeth, ride golems and hunt for bounties! A tale set in a wasteland filled with the scent of dust and oil. The key to victory lies in golem customization! Justice Chronicles is an epic saga carved alongside guardian beasts. Overcome meetings and partings, despair and hope, and face new history in unknown battlefields.
In Sintropia: Fruits Together, cooperation is the main ingredient! Control fruits with unique abilities and solve puzzles full of creativity and charm. Switch between fruits to press buttons, activate platforms, fans, and elevators, clearing the way so everyone can reach the goal.
The Santa Claus dating sim you can play all year round! You don’t know what’s worse: your love life or your toy store’s sales reports. Desperate for some yuletide loving (and some new customers!), you make a wish on a Christmas Star. That’s when your store is visited by not one, not two, but SIX Santa Clauses. Sexy Santa, Saintly Santa, Sleepy Santa, Sassy Santa, Sad Santa, Secret Santa… it’s simply Too Many Santas! Can you watch all of them and run the store at the same time? Or will you be caught up in the sweet Santa romance?
Experience the beauty of winter in Aery – Winter Wonderland, a relaxing and immersive adventure where you take flight as a graceful bird. Explore breathtaking snowy landscapes, glide through icy valleys, and uncover a heartwarming story. Your journey follows Frosty, a curious traveler searching for a legendary magical flower hidden deep within the frozen world. As you soar through the skies, you’ll collect shimmering crystals that reveal pieces of the story, guiding you through different winter-themed environments. Each level offers a unique atmosphere, from serene snow-covered forests to towering ice peaks and frozen lakes, all designed to create a peaceful and visually stunning experience.
Ascendance is a calming, relaxing and minimalist first person 3D Platformer. Shape your way with mysterious abilities and rise with the enchanted wind platforms beyond the skies within a world which evolves and transforms around you. A journey which leads through different ages of our world awaits you.
Inspired by the gritty atmosphere and taut suspense of 80s slasher films, Christmas Mutilator is a gripping, stealth-driven horror experience set in the chilly seclusion of a lonely, snow-covered cabin. You take on the role of Amelia, a loving mother and wife who has traveled to the remote cabin to celebrate Christmas with her husband, Adam, and kids. But when a murderous maniac starts stalking the cabin, your vacation plans take a terrible turn.
Return to Renaissance Florence and uncover an ancient secret of immortality. After a great war more than a decade ago, Europe lies in ruins, struggling to rebuild. In the heart of Florence, Italy, an ancient secret of immortality is buried deep within the city’s veins. A shadowy web spun over centuries, now slowly unraveling. Is the fabled salvation a blessing… or a curse? One day, you encounter a mysterious girl with snow-white hair and beauty eyes like a witch’s. From that moment, the gears of fate begin to turn.
Everyone’s favorite dinosaur with a gentle heart in the Jurassic Era, “Dino.” One day, indiscriminate slaughter by brutal dinosaurs has begun in a peaceful forest. “Dino” sees his lovely girlfriend, “Meeshell” and his friends trying to escape, and decides to fight for them. Curls up himself, transforms into a ball with hyper strong power, and attack the enemy dinosaurs! “Dino” is taking a step into his epic adventure to bring peace back to the sky, sea and earth.
Gravity Escape From The Maze throws you into a thrilling, gravity-bending adventure where every second counts. You play as a fearless little square with an extraordinary power: the ability to flip gravity at will. Dive into mind-twisting mazes packed with deadly traps, shifting platforms, hidden dangers, and fast-moving obstacles. Collect keys, outsmart the labyrinth, and push your reflexes to the limit as you race for survival. Every flip could save you — or send you straight into danger. Can you escape the maze before it escapes you?
In Knight with Tactics, every move is a challenge, every enemy a puzzle. Guide your knight through a world of traps, weapons, and enemies where brute force isn’t enough — you’ll need brainpower to survive. Plan your path, grab your weapon, and defeat your foes in the right order… or face defeat. Each level is a tactical test that pushes your problem-solving skills to the edge.
Military Logistics Simulator puts you behind the wheel of real-world military logistics. Rise from a low-ranking soldier to a seasoned quartermaster as you manage vehicles, expand your base, and take charge of critical supply lines. Deliver vital cargo and defend it from drone attacks, rescue survivors, and help rebuild a war-torn region after conflict — all in immersive first-person simulation. Play solo or with friends and earn your place, leading military operations from behind the lines.
The ancient elven home is under siege! Step into the quiver of Elara, an elite elven archer and master of the bow and magic arrows. The heart of the forest and its ancient magical essence are being drained by the Shadow Blight, a sudden and sinister invasion. Run, jump, and shoot your way through corrupted environments, facing sinister creatures to save your people from the imminent darkness.
Night Swarm is a vampire-themed roguelite RPG bullet hell where you play as a fearsome young vampire lord rising to power. Gather loyal allies, unleash devastating abilities, and fight back against the relentless werewolf hordes that threaten to consume the night.
Help the panda collect the bamboos in this precision adventure! In Panda Bamboo Adventure, you control a cute little panda who must dodge spears and traps while collecting its missing bamboos. Use your double jump and dash abilities to overcome tricky obstacles and reach new areas. Jump on enemies’ heads to defeat them and clear your path through this charming and challenging journey!
Pyramid Quest 2 is an exploration and treasure-hunting game inspired by classic platform games. The goal is to find the three parts of an artefact and open the gate to the next level while collecting diamonds and coins. Traps, obstacles, and enemies from old days make the quest very dangerous and challenging.
Yuma, a first-year high school student, was eating lunch he had bought when a beautiful senpai, Mio, appeared before him. She offered him a homemade bento, saying, “I couldn’t finish it.” Thus begins a bittersweet youthful love story. Their special lunchtime together on the bench behind the school gradually connects their hearts. Through jealousy and misunderstandings, a story of first love blossoms. Includes Japanese voice acting.
Space Elite Force II is a space-shooting game for up to 2 players in local cooperative mode. With a wide variety of weapons, enemies and improvements to your ship, it presents all the intensity, depth and beautiful handcrafted pixels of a classic space-shooting game. Have fun in insane battles, facing epic bosses and unlocking a wide variety of achievements in one of three game modes, alone or with a friend in local cooperative mode.
SpotCat vs The Cheddar Mafia Back To Past is a thrilling “Find-the-Difference” game with a hidden object twist. They’ve been caught on Earth. They’ve been chased through space. Now the Cheddar Mafia is breaking all the rules by going back in time! Travel across iconic eras, spot every difference, and foil their most absurd plan yet! Explore vibrant, hand-drawn scenes from distant galaxies, spot the subtle differences, and stay sharp—mafia rats can appear when you least expect it. Your mission? Find all 25 mafia rats, solve every scene, and restore the timeline before it’s too late!
Get ready for a treasure-filled adventure beneath the waves! Merge coins and gems to uncover riches beyond imagination! Discover maps that change how you play, each with its own unique shape and background. Can you master them all and merge the biggest treasure?
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Tribute Games and Dotemu are teaming up again, in collaboration with Marvel Games, to craft an original, fresh beat ’em up. Featuring dynamic combat combos and dazzling pixel art, this planet-hopping adventure stands as a love letter to the Marvel Universe. Whether you’re teaming up with friends or family, Marvel Cosmic Invasion has you covered with local/online play and a drop-in/drop-out adaptive system. A cosmic battle awaits!
Start from zero and discover the newest entry in the Octopath Traveler series. Experience a story of restoration and retribution over the divine rings — an epic saga that unfolds across the realm of Orsterra. Enjoy familiar features such as the series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG; the player’s ability to roleplay using Path Actions of their choice; and the Break and Boost system that can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, brand-new features such as character creation and town building allow you to create your own character and restore your hometown.
Blood: Refreshed Supply follows Caleb, an undead gunslinger on a quest for revenge against his former demonic master, Tchernobog. Despite his once powerful position as a fearsome Cabal commander and one of Tchernobog’s “Chosen” few, Caleb and his fellow Chosen are betrayed by the dark god and slain for reasons unknown. Seeking answers and vengeance, Caleb rises from the grave to put a stop to Tchernobog and his murderous lieutenants once and for all.
ROUTINE
Raw Fury
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Routine – December 4 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Routine is a first-person sci-fi horror title set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Curious exploration turns into a need for survival when a lunar base goes completely quiet. Searching for answers puts you face to face with an enemy who is certain the main threat is you. Discoveries lead to deeper unknowns and the only way to go is forward.
Observe. Report. Survive the night. Monitor the surveillance system for anomalies and report them to survive the night. Use your sharp eyes and keen attention to detail to detect supernatural anomalies ranging from subtle environmental changes to eerie and unsettling otherworldly intruders. Can you survive the night shift, or will you succumb to paranoia…? I’m on Observation Duty 8 is the most ambitious title yet in the original viral franchise that ignited a trend in spot-the-difference horror games that have been loved by players and streamed for millions by legendary content creators.
You’re out of jail, but the debt isn’t gone. Sneak, steal, and break into houses solo or in 4-player co-op. Use lockpicks, sleeping gas, and brute force to complete jobs, outsmart security, and make enough money before time runs out. Will you pay back what you owe, or lose everything?
Seven centuries in the future, humanity is collapsing. In an attempt to spare yourself the same fate as the rest of the system, you flee to the furthest away place you can feasibly survive: Pluto. Survive the downfall of humanity in a centuries old survival bunker, or at least the first week. You crash land on Pluto, it’s the furthest away place you could reach that was apart of the CCOT’s emergency shelter program. It had been centuries since it was last used, which has left it needing maintenance. Ride out the Plutonian night while hiding from the end.
Brok, a former boxer turned detective, stumbles upon an underground bar hidden deep in the Slums. Old instincts kick in, and he jumps headfirst to prove he’s still top dog! (or…gator.) Solo or with a friend in co-op, take on creative challenges inspired by “Event matches” of platform fighters, taken to the next level with original addictive mechanics and variety. In this gritty-yet-humorous bar, meet unforgettable characters and uncover surprises around every corner as the story unfolds.
Step into the warm world of Cute Bonfire, a charming pixel-art puzzle game set inside a fireplace. Take control of a little fire spirit that moves tile by tile, pushing charcoal pieces to light up the bonfires. With 30 levels of gradually increasing difficulty, delightful visuals, and a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, Cute Bonfire is perfect for casual players who love the satisfaction of solving puzzles.
Elon and Friends: Winter Pack – 13 Games (Xbox+XPA+PC)
This winter celebration pack contains the following games: Elon and the Divine Proof, Green Soldiers Heroes, Extreme Bikers, Prison of Illusion, Super Snake Block DX, and SHMUP Mania. Windows (PC) versions are optimized for handheld PCs.
Sleep Awake is an immersive first-person psychedelic horror narrative experience that explores the realm between sleep and death. Submitted to perpetual insomnia, the denizens of the last known city on Earth are reaching a panic crisis of reckless experiments in an effort to avoid The Hush, the inexplicable disappearance of those who sleep. Playing as Katja, you must survive the devotees of various depraved death cults and desperately try to stay awake. Solve the puzzles of this mysterious world while avoiding the grasp of the death cults in an attempt to shatter the horrors of the past.
Slimeboo
Zakym s. r. o.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Slimeboo – December 2 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery
Slimeboo is a simple and fun platformer game that is perfect for children of all ages. The game is controlled with a single button, making it accessible to even the youngest players. Boo, a small and adorable slime, has gotten lost on a tropical island. To find his way home, he must leap over all the obstacles in his path. Help him overcome them! Good luck!
Caput Mortum is a short first-person horror experience inspired by retro 3D dungeon crawlers and survival horror games. Delve into a tower of forgotten nightmares, where every step could be your last. Overcome horrors from beyond death and unlock the secrets of forbidden knowledge.
An evil Lich has tainted Mama Duck’s beloved pond and kidnapped her ducklings! Arm up and beat him once and for all in this QuackMan roguelite – storm through dungeon mazes to rescue her family! With classic arcade controls and a twist – an attack button that lets you smash walls and enemies – you’ll fight back against the Lich and his army in no time!
Embark on a journey through the depths of a lost ancient jungle temple. Start your journey through the depths of a forgotten jungle temple. Match colorful balls, unlock powerful power-ups, and construct your own temple as you progress. Choose between adventure and endless modes, immersing yourself in classic match-3 gameplay!
A pirate turned into octopus. Can you break the curse? OctoCurse is an action platformer following the story of a pirate captain who has been turned into an octopus by an evil spirit. The little octopus embarks on the quest to save the rest of his crew and reverse the curse. Experience epic pirate adventure. Explore levels, collect coins, unlock doors and climb the mysterious tower as you get closer and closer to the final showdown. Make your way through the tropical jungle, brave the harsh winter, weather the storm and endure other exciting environs. Save your friends and meet new ones along the way.
Classic sokoban with a twist and a sci-fi theme! A scientific organization sends a robot-expeditor developed on artificial intelligence to the newly discovered exoplanet Xeran, on which, most likely, there are very valuable resources for humanity.
Explore a heartfelt and thought-provoking tale of bittersweet homecoming! As Elias returns to the coastal town that once sheltered him, he’s pulled into a slow winter of connection, memory and quiet decisions. Take the role of this young man and guide the choices he makes, surrounded by the warmth of townspeople young and old, often holding conversations in a bookstore over shared coffee.
Step into the shadows of New York City in Yakuza: Shadows of New York, a gripping action-adventure where the old codes of honor clash against the forces of modern corruption. Become Kaito Nakamura, a skilled enforcer on a mission to find his missing mentor while navigating the city’s dark and treacherous underbelly.
Baseless is a challenging planet-jumping shooter. Blast from planet to planet with 360° gravity, creatively demolishing every enemy in your path. Fire powerful weapons, rescue cute friends, and discover a galaxy worth fighting for!
Detective – Rainy Night puts you in the shoes of Iker Carmona, a police officer investigating a string of strange disappearances. After a long drive, Iker decides to spend the night at a small roadside motel called the Holiday. What begins as a quiet stop quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
Finding America: The Heartland Collector’s Edition
Strap on your seatbelts for a trip to America’s Heartland! From South Dakota’s monumental Mount Rushmore to the humble farmhouses of Kansas, this lovely slice of American pie will have something just for you. Visit jazz bars in Illinois, Wisconsin’s cheese shops, and stunning national parks, all as lovingly crafted Hidden Object Scenes and challenging Minigames! Complete each chapter, unlock tons of trivia, and enjoy everything the Heartland has to offer in this all-American Hidden Object game!
Your daughter is missing. The world is gone. Only the Mist remains. In Mist, a devastating crash marks the beginning of your descent into a world lost to alien terror. As a father, you search desperately for your child—but what you find instead is a crumbling world buried in fog, crawling with monsters beyond comprehension. This is no ordinary RPG. Mist fuses idle progression, visceral real-time combat, and an evolving horror narrative into a genre-defying experience. As you explore the ruins of civilization, you’ll form a pact with a mysterious alien being that grants you strength—at a cost. Level up, mutate, and unlock terrifying new abilities as you battle grotesque creatures and uncover long-buried truths.
The Phantom is an arcade-style beat-em-up coming to PC and consoles. Play as the Phantom or his partner, Diana Palmer, in this 14-level adventure. The feared pirates of the Singh Brotherhood are battling for power and threatening the Phantom’s legacy, and it’s up to you to stop them. Use your hand-to-hand fighting skills and trusty weapons to dispatch this evil, and call in assistance from your animal friends Fraka the falcon and Devil the wolf. The Phantom features a brand-new story approved by King Features. Experience this canon addition through full-screen cut scenes and captivating in-game visuals, hand-illustrated and animated frame-by-frame by seasoned comic book artists and Art Of Play’s dedicated in-house 2D creative team.
A warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. What’s left of humanity are minds trapped in circuits. You are awaken as ReSetna, a warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. Explore seven hostile zones, face seven brutal bosses and evolve through a unique upgrade system. Uncover horrifying truth and decide if the future is worth saving.
Experience interaction in a new and engaging way. Choose to respond to what the characters have to say… directly! Deal with your own hostage situation, negotiate for more than just your freedom. Learn about the people who hold you captive, deconstruct the cult, manipulate them- all to not end up as their next sacrifice.
Your veterinary adventure begins at the wildlife park! Help injured and sick animals such as horses, deer, ducks, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and many more. With a great deal of empathy, you examine symptoms, make diagnoses, and treat over 30 different diseases. Each animal has individual needs and is waiting for your expert help. Use modern instruments, accompany your patients’ recovery step by step, and experience a varied everyday life in the animal park. Intuitive controls, realistic treatments, and lovingly animated animals make this game a highlight for young animal lovers.
Connect It is a clever, visually striking puzzle game that challenges you to link matching colors scattered across a grid. Your mission? Draw connections between all the pairs—without crossing paths. It sounds simple… until it’s not. With over 200 handcrafted levels, each one more intricate than the last, Connect It constantly surprises with new layouts and clever twists. The controls are intuitive, the gameplay is smooth, and every solved puzzle delivers that satisfying “aha!” moment.
With his children away on the moon, there is no time to relax for Dr. Cavor. Once again, Victoria is under attack. The aging but brilliant scientist begins research on a new means of defense. After much work, he finds success with Mechanized Assault Unity 19 — M.A.U.S.
Pixapple Adventure is a colorful pixel-art platformer starring a brave little apple with arms and legs! Run, jump, and collect all the stars to open the portal and reach the next level. Across three vibrant worlds — Forest, Snow, and the Valley of Fear — the challenge increases as you progress. Simple, fast, and fun, Pixapple brings back the joy of classic platformers with a charming twist.
Santa’s World is a jump-‘n-run Christmas game inspired by classic platform games. The goal is to find the three lost Christmas gifts and go to the next level while collecting items. Traps, obstacles, and enemies make the quest very challenging. Find snowballs and throw them at enemies to remove them. 3D graphics packed in a nice graphics style, great 2.5D levels and proven gameplay gives you hours of fun.
The year is 1996 and you’re employed by a science lab called Nova Nexus. You work as a security guard at the front gate to the lab, inside a guard booth. However, tonight it seems something important is happening inside of Nova Nexus and things are… well… a little strange. Your job is simple. you must make sure that only the right authorized personnel are getting into the facility. To do this, when a car arrives at the gates, it is your job to go and talk with the driver and check their license plate. Make sure that the person is on the employee register by finding the license plate on the register. If the person is not on the register you must tell them to leave. Make sure to only open the gates to employees and keep the gate closed at all times.
Inspired by 80s and 90s classics, Speed Factor is an old-school racing game with pixelated graphics, arcade driving style, exhilarating punk rock music, and some awesome classic cars! Customize the difficulty level and traction assist level to your personal tastes to make the game as easy or challenging as you want. Cruise through 50 different tracks spread across 5 locations! Win races and earn money to level up and improve your ride!
Get ready for non-stop fun in Stacky Dash! Slide to collect tiles, build paths, and race through colorful levels full of exciting surprises. Dodge blasting cannons, and zip through portals as you conquer each tricky stage! Save adorable animals to grow your own zoo and take on timed challenges to test your speed. With tons of cool skins to unlock, every level is packed with energy and fun!
Fix, build and renovate highly detailed and fully interactive tanks (German, USA or Soviet), armored cars or self-propelled guns. Experience a realistic simulator game of being a Tank Mechanic. Find abandoned and destroyed tanks from battlefields of Second World War. Use special tools to find each tank, and extract it from the ground. Grow your repair service business and start your own tank museum.
Players should check out the BCX event for exciting new announcements, as well as play the free in-game anniversary event.
Managing Director Zeke Sparkes reflects on the early days of the game, how it’s grown to a community over 125 million players strong, and keeping the community at the core of the game’s vision.
Brawlhalla, the free-to-play platform fighting game, is celebrating its 10th anniversary since launching its open beta in 2015. What started as an indie game with five playable Legends has grown into a pillar of the fighting game community, with 67 playable Legends; a plethora of maps and biomes; crossovers with popular IP such as Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Halo, among many others; and over 125 million lifetime players.
Each year, around its anniversary, Brawlhalla celebrates in two ways: an in-game anniversary celebration, and the in-person Brawlhalla World Championship Expo (BCX). BCX 2025 is taking place at the Gateway Center in Atlanta, GA from November 21-23, and will feature world-class competitive Brawlhalla, announcements of what’s coming in 2026, and an expo packed with dev panels, cosplay, and more.
The in-game anniversary event runs now through December 3: a month-long celebration of Brawlhalla featuring new content, community events, rewards, and surprises. The festival introduces a new Legend – a cleric named Lady Vera – as well as the long-awaited Guild feature, which allows players to build community in new and exciting ways. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a new player, Brawlhalla’s 10th anniversary is the perfect time to log in, join a Guild, and brawl it out in the arena.
Zeke Sparkes is Brawlhalla’s managing director, and he’s been a developer on the game since its inception. We spoke to him to learn more about Brawlhalla’s beginning, how it’s continued to grow over the past decade, and how the team kept the player community at the core of the game’s vision.
What can you tell us about Brawlhalla’s early days of development and the vision for the game?
It was exciting because we realized pretty early on that we had something that had legs, but we didn’t know how far it could go. So, we poured our hearts into it and built really strong ties with the community early on. We knew, especially being free to play, that we had to be talking and listening and adapting based on what the community was saying. And so, we put ourselves out there and it’s been a wild ride seeing how far we can go.
Has the approach to development changed in the last decade?
I’d say the mentality is still the same. It’s a team that loves the game – everybody is here because they want to be working on Brawlhalla, and we are connected to the community. We’re constantly finding new ways to listen to the community and figure out what we can do to tweak the game, keep people interested and excited, see what things we’re doing that are working well, and what things we’re doing that aren’t working so well that we need to update. We’ve had a constant commitment to that.
Over the years, we’ve gone from launching just on Steam, where we could patch two, three, four, five times a week – really, really fast – to being on every major platform. That adds a layer of logistics we didn’t have early on; we have to plan a bit further ahead. So, the processes changed a little bit, but the heart and mentality are still the same.
As you’ve mentioned, community is a huge part of Brawlhalla, and being connected to the community has been the plan since day one. How did you build that community relationship? Was there any surprising feedback?
One of the first things we did was stream the game on Twitch, even before we really understood what Twitch was or how to do a good stream. We knew that it was going to be important, and it was one of the first times you could get real-time feedback from players as a developer, which was really exciting.
Because of that connection, we had a really big change early on. Originally, the game wasn’t character-focused; you would build an avatar and then spec out exactly how you wanted your character to be based on the weapons we dropped for you during gameplay. The early feedback told us the prototype was cool, the combat’s fun, but characters were missing. That’s when we started to think about pivoting to a character-centric game and started figuring out what archetypes we could add based on what we had made. We started with five Legends and released the 67th this month.
Now, we’ve got a full-on livestream studio with a set and awesome production values and motion graphics, but the core of the experience is still there, where it’s us talking to the community about what we’re doing, what’s going on, seeing how they react to stuff, and listening to the things they want to see in the game. That’s how we keep Brawlhalla moving forward.
Brawlhalla’s World Championship Expo (BCX) is taking place November 21-23 in Atlanta. What can fans expect this year?
That is the place to tune into. You get the best Brawlhalla gameplay in the entire world, and it just gets better every year. It’s incredible – the atmosphere is amazing, and it’s where we make some of our biggest announcements and reveals. We’ve got some really good ones lined up this year (I’m thinking of a couple now that are going to make people go crazy), so make sure you tune in on twitch.tv/Brawlhalla.
Any reflections on the past decade you’d like to share? What’s up next for Brawlhalla?
Lady Vera, our 67th Legend, is out now. She’s a cleric with some really interesting signature moves, and you can do some pretty fun stuff with her. She has a lot of radial skills, so depending on where you are when you do the move, the direction that your opponent goes can change pretty dramatically. So, if you’re creative, this really is a character for you. We’ve also just released phase one of our Guilds feature, which is a long-time player request. You’ll be able to build your community of players around a Guild that works across all different platforms, and that’s just phase one. We’ll continue to add cool, new, engaging mechanisms to Guilds as we move forward. Tune into BCX 2025 for more specifics of what’s to come!
I’d also like to say that building Brawlhalla with this team and with the community has been amazing. Over the past decade, players have shaped this game’s direction, fueled its esports scene, and fostered a welcoming space for brawlers of all backgrounds. The Anniversary Event is as much a celebration of the community as it is of the game itself. It’s exactly what we love to do and we’re so thankful for everybody that’s been on this journey with us whether you’re brand new today or you’ve been playing Brawlhalla since the closed alpha. We’re super excited that there’s a community of people that love the game and love what we’re doing.
Brawlhalla is free to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Brawlhalla
Ubisoft
☆☆☆☆☆ 1015
★★★★★
An epic platform fighter for up to 8 players online or locally. Try casual free-for-alls, ranked matches, or invite friends to a private room. And it’s free! Play cross-platform with millions of players on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and Steam! Frequent updates. Over fifty Legends._x000d_
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The Legend Rotation of nine free to play characters changes every week, and you can earn gold to unlock more Legends by playing any online game mode. _x000d_
Includes: Orion Legend unlock, Dark Age Orion Skin, Thumb’s Up Emote, Trident Weapon Skin._x000d_
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Brawhalla will always be 100% free to play with no pay-to-win advantages.
Every Wednesday, dive into the Indie Selects Hub—your gateway to a fresh, curated indie collection plus four themed spotlights that rotate weekly! You can always find this collection hub in the Xbox Store and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.
It’s spooky season, which means scary movies and creepy vibes are in full swing. If you’re not quite ready to face the dark alone, no worries — the ID@Xbox team has handpicked 6 awesome indie games to keep you company.
Some of these are in keeping with the dark vibes of October, but others are far from it – if you’re easily scared, we have some friendlier picks, too. Whether you want to team up with friends for a space raid, enjoy some alone time tending crops, explore strange buildings with even stranger gameplay, or solve wild puzzles in new lands, there’s something here to keep the shadows at bay.
Here’s more on what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
Jump Space (formerly Jump Ship) delivers one of the most thrilling sci-fi co-op experiences I’ve played in a while. This mission-based PvE co-op game puts up to four players in charge of crewing a spaceship with seamless transitions between ship management and on-foot missions. You and your crew head out on roguelike missions traveling across a chosen path gathering resources, engaging in cargo raids, and more – all with the hopes of bringing permanent upgrades back to your base. Aside from taking on quests to progress the narrative, you’ll also be doing side quests for the various vendors in the Hangar to earn credits, spacesuits, and Materia Ingots for upgrades. The gameplay loop is simple yet engaging: explore space, customize your ship and gear, and survive intense deep-space encounters together – and, if you’re lucky, upgrade.
After spending around 12 hours traveling the stars, I really enjoyed what’s here. Each mission is a roguelike journey made up of multiple jumps, where each choice affects future paths and rewards. Strategic route selection is key to optimizing both short-term success and long-term gains for your base. From what I’ve experienced so far, Jump Space truly shines when played with a group, because even in the most desperate situations, smart teamwork and a bit of luck can lead to the most exhilarating, last-second escapes.
Jump Space is still in Game Preview, but it’s already showing incredible promise. If you’re into games like Void Crew or Wildgate, this is an easy recommendation. But even fans of the spacefaring elements in No Man’s Sky or Starfield might be surprised by how much they enjoy it. I’m genuinely excited to see how it evolves over time – Raymond Estrada
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Echoes of the Plum Grove, my comfy farming obsession. Picture this: you wake up, the sun’s shining, and your biggest dilemma is whether to plant carrots or go chat with the quirky neighbor who keeps gifting you turnips. That’s Echoes of the Plum Grove in a nutshell—a charming farming and life-sim game that feels like a warm hug with a side of strategy. It’s all about growing crops, crafting, and building a life in a world that moves at your pace.
From the moment I started, I was hooked. There’s something magical about watching your little farm transform season by season. Sure, winter can sneak up on you (pro tip: stockpile food!), but that’s part of the fun—planning ahead becomes its own cozy challenge. And the townsfolk? They’re full of personality, making every interaction feel like a mini story.
If you’ve played Stardew Valley or a Harvest Moon game, you’ll feel right at home here. But Echoes adds a cool twist: generational gameplay. Your choices echo (pun intended!) through time, which makes every decision feel meaningful. I’ve spent countless hours tending crops, exploring hidden paths, and laughing at unexpected events. It’s the kind of game that makes you lose track of time—in the best way – Jessica Ronnell
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Detective Dotson is a mystery adventure game set in a vibrant pixelated version of modern India. The story follows a detective uncovering clues to solve various cases, each one revealing new details about the mysterious death of his father. The story is engaging as each case, no matter how small it might look, provides a new piece of the larger puzzle about the mystery of his father’s sudden passing. The game rewards exploration, you gather clues by interacting with the colorful cast of charismatic characters and engage in fun mini games – my favorite being dancing.
Masala Games perfectly captured nuances, vibes, and expressions of the characters and fun environments. The world is inviting and stimulating, I love spending time exploring to discover countless details in the background, from street vendors and people celebrating the Festival of Colors, to the hilarious moment when a guard throws a sandal at trespassers. It’s clear this is a labor of love, the lively soundtrack and top-tier voice acting elevate the experience even further, making the world of Detective Dotson a joy to explore.
There’s also a 60 minute movie available for free on YouTube that serves as prologue to the story. You don’t need to watch it to enjoy the game, but I recommend it if you want to dive deeper into Detective Dotson’s universe.
Overall, Detective Dotson is a charming, engaging experience that combines mystery and humor, with puzzles and mini-games. It’s a game that invites you to linger, explore, and return to catch the little details you missed the first time – Oscar Polanco
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion III is a wild mash-up of genres that includes Metroidvania-style progression, Match-3 puzzle “combat”, and visual novel presentation. You’ll make your way through dozens of branching paths as the seemingly cookie-cutter maybe-game hero, J.J. Hardwell, in order explore the eponymous mansion while stumbling upon some seriously goofy, deeply meta story elements that keep this firmly footed in comedy rather than creepy.
Spoiler alert: While this game has a “3” at the end of its title, this isn’t a sequel to any real-world existing game series. That fact alone should tip you off to the fact that the always clever minds behind CRDM3 at Strange Scaffold (I Am Your Beast, Clickolding, etc.) have cooked up a game that continually surprises in a way that I found absolutely compelling and entertaining. Each confrontation in the mansion – be it with a pterodactyl in clown make-up or a foul-mouthed tiny angry dino with a pistol – is solved through Match-3-style puzzle “fights”, each with unique attacks/abilities based on lining up colored gems or other symbols. I can’t say I’ve seen this type of mechanic used in this particular way to such silly, smartly written, and yet challenging effect. I loved every minute of it.
The systems in the game go much deeper than just “Candy Crush but with dinosaurs,” including branching dialogue choices that unlock “traits” which in turn give you access to new areas that you weren’t able to explore before. If you’re on board to dive into a wildly unhinged, hilarious, and very inventive interactive love letter to indie game development (and being “always online”), then look no further than this oddball delight. It may have all the trimmings of being a (fantastic) joke-filled romp on its surface, but ultimately there’s an earnest heart (especially for game creators in a tough, relentless industry) beating beneath all those layers of absurdity.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Hotel Barcelona feels like a hidden gem from the early 2000s, mixing 2.5D roguelike action with a wild blend of ’90s anime and ’80s horror. You play as Justine, a U.S. Marshal sharing a body with the soul of serial killer Dr. Carnival, on a mission to avenge her father. After a bizarre crash and a run-in with two hitchhikers, she ends up at Hotel Barcelona — a place she can’t leave thanks to a witch’s curse and a bunch of trapped serial killers. To survive, Justine and Dr. Carnival team up for fast-paced, over-the-top combat against waves of killers, bosses, and the witch herself.
I think the story beats are what kept me locked in, especially after an intense interaction between the hotel manager (easily my favorite character) and Dr. Carnival. I desperately needed to understand their connection. Honestly, nearly every character interaction was entertaining, and I found each character charming in their own unique way. As for the actual gameplay, it’s pretty challenging and I found myself dying on the first stage… a lot. However, there are several difficulty options, along with the ability to play co-op with friends to ease things up a bit. There’s a ton of variety such as run modifiers, skill & weapon upgrades, unlockable costumes, mini-games, and a unique Slasher Phantom system – allowing players to follow the steps of their previous run but also leverage their phantom’s attacks to fight enemies if properly strategized.
Hotel Barcelona is an entertaining roguelike, packed with inventive take on combat, some nice narrative touches, and a cast of delightfully unhinged characters. If you’re into horror, you’ll appreciate exploring the hotel and diving into the story — the game wears its weird, grindhouse vibes loud and proud – Deron Mann
HOTEL BARCELONA
CULT Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 29
★★★★★
$29.99
Justine, a rookie U.S. Marshal, thought this was just another routine case.
But when her car crashes in a freak accident at the edge of nowhere, she finds herself trapped in a twisted new world: HOTEL BARCELONA.
Seven serial killers.
One haunted hotel.
And a second personality living inside her head…
Meet Dr. Carnival: murderer, psychopath, devastating ancient monster.
THIS FALL… DEATH HAS A ROOM KEY
In this blood-soaked 2.5D sidescroller straight from your nightmares:
Battle through insane horror-themed floors!
Face killers inspired by the nastiest corners of your local video store!
Every time you die, your past self fights beside you – like a ghost with a grudge!
BLOOD IS POWER
The more you kill, the stronger you become.
But let the blood stop flowing… and you’re next.
CARNIVAL’S AWAKENING
Unleash the brutal power of the serial killer in your mind.
Turn the tide of battle. Become a legend.
Not recommended for:
Individuals with weak stomachs
Fans of quiet indie puzzle games
People afraid of mirrors
Anyone still emotionally recovering from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
There’s something timeless about sitting down to play with someone you care about — a shared laugh, a moment of discovery, that unspoken rhythm of working together. Lego Voyagers, from Light Brick Studio and Annapurna Interactive, captures that feeling perfectly. It’s a quiet, heartfelt co-op adventure that invites two players to journey through breathtaking Lego worlds where imagination and friendship guide every step. With no dialogue or instructions, the story unfolds naturally through play — a gentle reminder that connection doesn’t always need words.
Each puzzle feels like a conversation between two people. You’ll build bridges, balance across floating platforms, and find joy in the smallest details — the sound of a brick clicking into place, the light dancing off translucent pieces, the simple pride of solving something together. Lego Voyagers isn’t just about reaching the end; it’s about slowing down, communicating without speaking, and rediscovering the quiet magic of creating side by side. It’s a story that resonates long after the controller is set down, because it’s really about the people holding them.
Lego Voyagers shines with crisp visuals, soothing sound, and seamless co-op play — locally or online. Thanks to the Friend’s Pass, only one player needs a copy, making it easy to share the experience with anyone you’d like to reconnect with. Short, warm, and beautifully made, this is more than a game — it’s a shared memory waiting to be built – Steven Allen
What happens when a couple of Legobricks decide to chase their dreams of exploring space? You’ll find the answer in Lego Voyagers, the next brick-based adventure from the talented team at Light Brick Studio.
Light Brick has always been inspired by the Lego brick and the limitless ways it connects us – through storytelling, creativity, and the simple joy of building. Their debut title, Lego Builder’s Journey, invited players to create with bricks. With Lego Voyagers, they’re taking things one step further: this time, you don’t just build with the bricks, you become one.
Two Bricks are Better than One
In Lego Voyagers, you’ll tumble, jump and snap together as you explore a playful universe – and because bricks are always stronger when connected, the entire experience has been designed as a cooperative adventure. Whether online or side by side in couch co-op, you and a friend will solve challenging puzzles together, combining diverse thinking and the magic of teamwork to progress.
Because Lego Voyagers is fully cooperative, the team strived to make it as easy as possible to share. That’s why the game includes a Friend’s Pass – allowing you to invite a friend for free. For Light Brick, it’s a simple extension of their belief that play is best experienced together.
A Living, Buildable Universe
The world of Lego Voyagers is built from the same selection of Lego bricks you’d find in real life (1,694,756 to be exact – the devs counted) – meaning every structure you see could, in theory, be recreated with actual physical Lego bricks. This brick-built universe encourages curiosity and creativity with every tumble and snap. There’s rarely just one solution to a puzzle, instead players are encouraged to think outside of the box, experiment with different approaches, and discover surprising new outcomes. Rather than finding one straight answer, it’s more about enjoying the kind of open-ended play that the world of the Lego brand naturally inspires.
Storytelling Without Words
One of the most unique aspects of Lego Voyagers is how it communicates. The game tells its story entirely without dialogue (human dialogue, that is). Instead, the story relies heavily on visual cues, evocative music and environmental storytelling to guide players. In Lego Voyagers, Light Brick makes a point of visually establishing ideas before they’re needed, so that when players encounter a puzzle or narrative beat, it feels familiar and fair. This careful layering keeps the experience understandable without words while still leaving plenty of room for interpretation.
Composer Henrik Lindstrand – who also scored the critically acclaimed Lego Builder’s Journey – returns once again with a handcrafted soundtrack. This time, he expands his instruments to include his childhood Casio keyboard, giving the music a nostalgic coming-of-age feel. In Lego Voyagers, Lindstand works with recurring themes or leitmotifs that follow the characters and events, giving players a sense of familiarity and helps them connect emotionally with the story.
Lego Voyagers invites players to reflect, experiment, and form their own understanding of the story. The game asks open questions about friendship, connection, and how we navigate challenges together. Light Brick hopes these comments spark conversations long after the controller is set down. What does it mean to stay connected? How do we support each other when the path ahead isn’t always clear? The team doesn’t want to dictate the answers – and the game encourages players to find their own.
Looking Ahead
Lego Voyagers is playful, heartfelt, and true to the Lego brand. It’s a game about friendship, creativity and most of all – connection – built on a brand that has been inspiring players for generations. Lego Voyagers is out now! We can’t wait for players on the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One to set out on this journey together. Grab a friend, bring your curiosity and see what happens when a couple of bricks reach for the stars.
LEGO® Voyagers
Annapurna Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
From the makers of LEGO® Builder’s Journey comes a new 2-player co-op adventure about friendship and play. When two friends make it their mission to rescue an abandoned spaceship, they embark on a journey beyond their wildest dreams, ultimately learning the value of being connected.
● Experience what it feels like to be a LEGO brick. Tumble, jump, snap together, and build your way through rich brick worlds.
● Unravel a poetic, non verbal narrative, set in beautiful brick built environments, supported by an atmospheric soundtrack.
● Cooperatively solve the game’s many challenges and discover how two bricks are better than one. Play locally on the same screen, or online.
● Invite a friend to join your adventure for free with the Friend’s Pass. As long as one of you owns LEGO Voyagers, you can both play the full co-op experience together.
LEGO Voyagers asks open questions about building friendships, sharing dreams, and giving space.
It reminds us that while playing and being creative is for all shapes and sizes, it’s always better when you share it with a friend.
