Tag: Xbox Series X|S

Indie Selects for October 2025: Games to Get You Through Spooky Season

Posted on by faz_business


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 Key Art

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 Key Art

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 Key Art

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 Key Art

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 Key Art

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
Xbox Play Anywhere

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

Lego Voyagers Key Art

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


☆☆☆☆☆


★★★★★

Halo: Campaign Evolved – Answering the Big Questions About This Ambitious Remake

Posted on by faz_business


Summary

  • Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, coming in 2026 to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Play Anywhere and arrives day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
  • This fully-rebuilt campaign will introduce remastered 4K visuals, beloved Halo weapons and vehicles, plus brand-new story content.
  • We spoke to key leads at Halo Studios about how the team is utilizing 25 years of community feedback and technology to build on what makes Halo timeless.

It’s official; Halo marks the next chapter for the franchise with Halo: Campaign Evolved, a complete Unreal Engine 5 remake of the original campaign from Halo: Combat Evolved, including some brand-new surprises.

The original Halo: Combat Evolved is a stalwart of gaming history, a cultural icon that helped define the first-person shooter experience. For Halo Studios, bottling the impact of that original campaign and all of its special moments is the ultimate goal – for new players and long-time fans alike.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a modern evolution of that iconic story, thoughtfully brought to life in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning new 4K visuals, updated animations, remastered music, and re-recorded voice lines. Halo Studios is also bringing in a roster of beloved weapons and vehicles from later Halo titles, and adding three new bonus campaign missions, all designed to expand and celebrate  the adventure that started it all.

Halo’s legacy of cooperative play continues here, supporting the original two-player local split screen experience on console, and, for the first time, up to four players in online co-op across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5.

Ahead of announce, I was able to speak to several key leads at Halo Studios, and gathered up some unique insight on how the team seeks to capture the tone and feel of the original game for a new generation, all the new lore and gameplay additions, and ultimately, while staying true to what has always made Halo special at its core.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

Back to Where It All Began

Halo: Combat Evolved is where it all began, and for the team at Halo Studios – who have gone through an evolution of their own – there was no better place to start building this new generation of Halo. As Executive Producer Damon Conn puts it, remaking the very first campaign from the ground up was a perfect opportunity to craft an ideal entry point for new players and modernize areas that could better match today’s expectations for pacing and clarity (yes, we mean The Library, and we’ll get to that shortly).

“We wanted to start where it all began, with the original campaign that defined Halo,” Conn explains. “Starting here means people that have never played the game before will be able to understand the story from the very beginning, and that can help us chart a course forward with new Halo stories.”

“Focusing on the campaign experience means we can concentrate fully on really capturing the atmosphere, tone – the emotional impact of what made the first campaign so special and iconic.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

How Will Campaign Evolved Preserve the ‘Halo Spirit’?

Keeping that classic Halo “feel” is of course of prime importance, and capturing that took the team all the way back to the source material – the original Combat Evolved campaign as it was first presented in 2001. TThe goal was to understand how modern updates to systems and environments could complement, not replace, the essence of the original experience – to make it feel just as players remember, only smoother and more seamless than ever before.

 “The campaign has been rebuilt to feel handcrafted and immersive, true to what players remember, not just visually, but emotionally,” adds Conn.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

How Will Campaign Evolved Update Existing Missions?

Preserving the Halo spirit means the team has taken great care to not modernize for the sake of modernization. It’s not about rebuilding Halo: Combat Evolved’s story and spaces to ‘fit in’ with a roster of today’s games, but to ensure that its original feel has evolved to suit modern players. Every change has been shaped by the same question: Does this still feel like Halo?

“Because this is a remake, we’ve been able to carefully rebuild almost every level and every encounter with more fidelity,” says Max Szlagor, Creative Director. “As we’re building the technology for this game, we’ve had to do it piece by piece, which included reevaluating all of the individual elements as we’re revisiting them in the original game.”

“And now the campaign supports up to four-player co-op, we had to think about how all of the original encounters and spaces can scale to accommodate that many players.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

The Library is a perfect example to demonstrate how the team is thoughtfully enhancing existing spaces in an authentic way. Halo: Combat Evolved’s seventh campaign mission is a key example of where it felt right to make tweaks to several areas to create a new experience that balances nostalgia with the expectations of today’s gamers.

“We learned from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary that there was still an appetite for things like better wayfinding, navigation, and diversity in enemy encounters,” Szlagor says. “In The Library specifically, which features several Flood encounters, we wanted to reevaluate the pacing and enhance the environmental storytelling. We’ve added new lines to Guilty Spark, which guide players through the level, and there’s new dialogue that gives more insight into the narrative as it plays out.”

 “We’re not changing the stories, it’s about refining and adding context to this moment, and other levels like it, so players can stay on track.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

What New Elements are Halo Studios Adding to the Original?

In Halo: Campaign Evolved, you’ll be able to wield nine additional iconic weapons from across the Halo series inside the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, including the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle and Needle Rifle, giving you more ways to approach every encounter.

“Some of the weapons we’re bringing in could be used against you in Halo: Combat Evolved by the enemy, but you weren’t able to pick them up yourself.” Szlagor says. “Now, you can, and it feels natural because of how you can do that in other Halo games, it reflects the evolution of the series.”

Players can also look forward to two firsts for the campaign — you can now hijack vehicles and even pilot the Covenant Wraith tank for the first time in Halo: Combat Evolved.

For challenge seekers, Halo Studios is also featuring the most Skulls ever in a Halo campaign, for even more ways to modify the campaign experience.

And perhaps most exciting, the team has added three brand-new prequel missions set before the events of the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, which introduce entirely new environments, characters and enemies, which we’ll find out more about very soon.

Oh – and you can sprint now, if you’d like, or disable it if you don’t.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

How Are Halo Studios Using Unreal Engine 5?

The Halo spirit is not just about the debut’s impact – the studio is effectively incorporating 25 years of player feedback and technological advancement into Halo: Campaign Evolved. The latter is supported by the team’s pivot to Unreal Engine 5, which, with the foundation of Halo’s legacy code, will support the game’s development. It’s not an entirely new ecosystem for Halo Studios – they’ve dabbled quietly with Unreal projects in the past – and that has only reinforced that the tools on offer, combined with original resources, are what Halo needs to futureproof itself for the generations to come.

“Given that Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake, it is critical that we deliver gameplay that is 100% authentically Halo at its core, ” says Greg Hermann, Game Director on Halo: Campaign Evolved.

All of the new content created in Unreal Engine 5 is layered on top of code and systems carried directly over from the original games. That legacy code is instrumental in maintaining that authentic “Halo feel” within gameplay. It means that Halo Studios can achieve the desired visual goal with Unreal’s photorealistic rendering capabilities, with the simulation systems of Halo living and breathing beneath it, Hermann adds.

“For future titles, we will continue to push the boundaries of technology while ensuring the core Halo gameplay for that game can be seen, felt, heard, and evolved where needed.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved AssetHalo: Campaign Evolved Asset

How are Halo Studios Balancing Serving New and Core Players?

While the team knows its tools best, it’s the Halo community that plays a fundamental role in how Halo Studios moves forward.

“Our player-first approach has informed so many decisions for the better,” Szlagor adds. “When we introduce new features or make creative choices, we’re constantly checking in with players through our user research studies and our Halo Insider program. Their feedback helps us stay grounded in what feels authentic to Halo.

That commitment to player input also extends beyond the studio walls. Halo: Campaign Evolved will be playable for the first time at the Halo World Championships, giving our players an early hands-on look at how the game is coming along. Halo: Campaign Evolved doesn’t seek to replace the original game, but instead, offer a modern experience that can stand proudly beside it. When new players launch the game for the first time, it must recapture the indescribable feel of picking up Halo for the first time 25 years ago on the original Xbox. That’s the moment we all remember so fondly, a moment that the Halo team recalls as “transformative”, that it wants to share with as many players as possible.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Asset

“We’re so excited about bringing Halo to those who may not have had chance to play it in the past,” Conn adds. “At its heart, Halo is about connection, we’re thrilled to meet a new generation of players on their platforms of choice to fall in love with Halo the same way we did. We’re not trying to rewrite Halo’s legacy – we’re trying to immerse you in it like never before.”

“This is Halo for everyone.”

Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming in 2026 to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Play Anywhere and arrives day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.


Halo: Campaign Evolved
Xbox Play Anywhere

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Xbox Game Studios


☆☆☆☆☆


★★★★★


Experience Where the Legend Begins

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. Experience the original story rebuilt with high-definition visuals, updated cinematics, and refined controls, plus three brand-new prequel missions featuring the Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. A broader arsenal of weapons, vehicles, enemies, and gameplay-modifying “Skulls” – optional modifiers that change combat in fun and challenging ways – add fresh tactics and endless replayability.

Play it your way: solo, in 2-player split-screen co-op (console only), or up to 4-player online co-op with full crossplay and cross-progression support. Whether you’re discovering Halo for the first time or returning to the ring after 25 years, Halo: Campaign Evolved delivers an adventure that feels both timeless and brand new.

Discover the Ringworld

After crash landing on a mysterious ringworld known as Halo, the Master Chief is tasked with helping the remaining humans survive against overwhelming Covenant forces. Alongside his AI companion Cortana, he uncovers Halo’s dark secrets and fights to avert the annihilation of all life in the galaxy.

Key Features

The Complete Campaign, Rebuilt
Battle through the original missions, newly rebuilt with enhanced level design, updated cinematics, and improved wayfinding, refined to keep the pace moving without losing the wonder, tension, or heroism of the original.

Cinematics and Audio Overhauled
Iconic vistas, alien architecture, and sci-fi wonders are reborn with all-new visuals, cinematics, and animations. The soundtrack has been remastered, the sound design updated for greater immersion, and new voice performances recorded with the primary cast.

Combat and Weapons Expanded
Classic Halo combat feels instantly familiar yet sharper than ever. Sprint, aim, and engage with refined precision. For the first time in Halo: CE, you can wield 9 additional iconic weapons from across the series, including the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, and Needle Rifle, giving you more ways to approach every fight.

Three New Prequel Missions
Join the Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson in a brand-new arc set before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring new environments, gameplay, characters, and enemies.

Play Solo or with Friends
Experience the full campaign in 2-player split-screen co-op (console only) or 4-player online co-op, complete with crossplay and shared progression across console and PC.

Drive, Hijack, Wreak Havoc
Whether you’re racing across the map in a Warthog or flipping it over with friends, vehicles have always been at the heart of Halo’s fun. Now they go even further: for the first time in Halo: CE, you can hijack enemy rides and pilot a fully drivable Wraith, creating unforgettable chaos.

Remix Your Campaign for Endless Replayability
Use the campaign remix feature to return to any mission and remix the experience with the most gameplay-modifying “Skulls” ever in a Halo campaign. These optional modifiers add challenge and variety with randomized weapons, enemies, and environments.

Introducing No Man’s Sky: Breach, A Spooky Free Update For Existing Players

Posted on by faz_business


Summary

  • No Man’s Sky Breach is free to existing Xbox and Game Pass players now.
  • Uncover the tragic fate of the lost Fireship Arcadia corvette ship in No Man’s Sky’s all-new “Breach” update.
  • Salvage the wreck of the long-lost Fireship Arcadia corvette and earn exclusive ship parts to use in your own ship creations.

Well, we suspected that the No Man’s Sky Voyagers update was going to cause some excitement in the universe, but never did we expect such a huge influx that we would see player numbers we’ve not seen since our launch… nine years ago! 

It was genuinely humbling to see huge number of Xbox and Game Pass travellers return to the game or pick it up for the first time and start putting their minds to creating wildly imaginative ship creations with the all-new corvette customisation feature. 

The sheer joy of seeing people realise, in real-time, that they could invite their friends onto their custom-made ships and then jump out of it together to space-walk or sky-dive was incredible to witness.

No Man's Sky Breach screenshot

Our next update is called Breach and it leans into that thrill introduced in Voyagers. It is free to download today for existing Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox and PC Game Pass players.

No Man's Sky Breach screenshot

In Breach, players will traverse a desolate and abandoned universe and on their travels encounter the abandoned remains of ill-fated corvette ships, all ripe for scavenging ship modules to add to your corvette-building arsenal.

No Man's Sky Breach screenshot

Among the spoils you will find an array of corvette pieces including rare vertical parts which unlock a whole new range of build configurations for the more creative designers. There is also a set of Atlas-themed parts for those wanting to demonstrate their allegiance to the all-seeing entity.

No Man's Sky Breach screenshot

The jewel in the crown of these wreckages is the Fireship Arcadia, the fate of which you will learn as you venture through Breach. But you will have to face your fears and make a leap of faith into the black as you space-walk through these eerie systems to glean its unique remnants.

No Man's Sky Breach screenshot

The spooky Breach Expedition embraces the darker side of the universe and will also lure the bravest Travellers towards the ominous and foreboding purple-star solar systems which players first glimpsed in Worlds Part II back in January. The planets in these systems are particularly foreboding with their deep, abyssal oceans, unearthly entities and the notoriously imposing and volatile gas giants.

The tiny No Man’s Sky team have been running on more cylinders than even I thought they had this year with barely a breath taken between Worlds Part II, Relics, Beacon and the epic Voyagers. We’re still having a lot of fun, and, from the looks of our player numbers, so are many of the Xbox community.

No Man’s Sky’s Breach Expedition is available for existing players on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and PC Game Pass today.


No Man's Sky
Xbox Play Anywhere

No Man’s Sky

Hello Games


☆☆☆☆☆
1103


★★★★★



$59.99

$23.99


Xbox One X Enhanced


PC Game Pass


Xbox Game Pass


No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

Tumble, Build and Discover Together in Lego Voyagers, Out Today

Posted on by faz_business


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

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.

Taking You Back to School: Indie Selects for August 2025

Posted on by faz_business


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

Indie Selects is back for another month and, in honor of the new school year, we are pleased to inform you that the (definitely, absolutely real) ID@Xbox School of Independent Gamers has put together a curriculum of indie games that will give you an education in new ideas, advanced mechanics, and “having a really good time”. Here are the courses we think you should attend this month:

Indie Selects August 2025 Line-Up Image
  • Platforming, Ninjas, and You with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
  • Interpretive Loot-and-Shoot with Wildgate
  • The Politics of Ratshaking with, er, Ratshaker
  • Adrenaline 101 with Killing Floor 3
  • Illusionary Architecture Theory with Monument Valley 3
  • Advanced Communication and Coordination with Ready or Not

Here’s more on what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):

From the studio behind the Blasphemous series, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a new 2D action platformer that serves as a side-quel to Ninja Gaiden (NES), with all the modern-retro polish that publisher Dotemu (Streets of Rage 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) has become known for. Players control Kenji, a student of Ryu Hayabusa (franchise main protag, former Halo 3 armor), who’s merged with a rival ninja, Kumori, to fight off a demon invasion… and maybe the CIA.

If you’re wondering whether this can capture the gratifying difficulty of classic Ninja Gaiden, well, I’d say the game is called “Ragebound” for a reason (please don’t roll your eyes). It’s hard but it feels rewarding.

A combination of compulsive storytelling and satisfying gameplay mechanics helped me overlook the hours I’ve accumulated fighting the same boss, or when navigating the unforgiving level design. The emphasis on combat mastery and skill has been a staple of the modern series, while the tight platforming, pattern recognition and frankly, punishing enemy placement has been around since its first title on the NES. Developer The Game Kitchen has done an excellent job of bridging the two eras of Ninja Gaiden – leveraging a refined, classic 2D formula as the base while interweaving the combat complexity of the later installments.

Don’t be discouraged by the promise of difficulty, though – Ragebound does a great job of onboarding new players, and the difficulty curve is pretty graceful between acts. It doesn’t feel sudden, rushed or unexpected and instead played well into the narrative. Things got harder as the situation for Kenji became worse, which made sense, so I couldn’t really be mad (even if I frequently was). Regardless of what this game put me through, I could not put it down – I recommend this to you if you’re into old-school action and gameplay, if you’re a fan of the franchise… or if you just like ninjas – Deron Mann


NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

Dotemu


☆☆☆☆☆
110


★★★★★


$24.99


A NEW TWIST TO THE SIDE-SCROLLING NINJA GAIDEN SERIES EXPERIENCE

From the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now KOEI TECMO GAMES) NINJA GAIDEN series from the classic era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.

DIVE INTO AN UNTOLD CHAPTER OF THE NINJA GAIDEN SAGA

Our story begins when Ryu Hayabusa journeys to America to honor his father’s will. While he is away, the barrier between the human and the demon worlds suddenly shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, which now faces an unprecedented threat in Ryu’s absence.

To stand against this new threat, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa Village, rises to the challenge! Trained by Ryu, he fights fiercely but soon finds himself in desperate straits. Forced to tap into forbidden power, Kenji sets aside centuries of animosity and forms an alliance with the sinister Black Spider Clan, convinced that combining their souls and skills is the only way to protect the world out of the Demon Lord’s grasp!

OLD SCHOOL GAMEPLAY WITH A BRAND-NEW POLISH

Combining old-school feeling with modern precision, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound retains the pick-up-and-play action of the classic titles, while introducing new layers of depth.

Alongside the new protagonist, Kenji Mozu, is the skilled assassin Kumori. Take control of these two powerful ninjas simultaneously and unravel their interconnected stories.

Use the Ninja Fusion to unleash devastating abilities and obliterate your enemies. NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound features impeccable mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to truly master, challenging the skills of even the most seasoned fans of the NINJA GAIDEN series!

A SPECTACULAR PIXEL ART SHOWDOWN

Step into a reimagined version of the classic NINJA GAIDEN universe, brought to life through stunning, meticulously crafted visuals. Every enemy is recreated with a level of detail that was once impossible.

The brutal, nostalgia-filled aesthetic of NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound pays homage to the past while pushing the boundaries of modern pixel art, making every battle a feast for the eyes.

Do you have what it takes to become a true ninja master?

Wildgate is a team-based PvPvE extraction shooter that throws players into the chaos of deep space, blending high-stakes spaceship battles with close-quarters crew combat. Each match features 20 space pirates called Prospectors split into squads of four. The mission? Dive into space, raid PvE dungeons for loot, upgrade your ship, outgun rival crews, secure the mysterious artifact, and make your escape through the Wildgate. The game features a variety of weapons and abilities to contend with, deadly environmental hazards, and, of course, loot worth fighting for. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if Sea of Thieves and Overwatch had a baby—this is it.

From the very first match, it’s clear to me that Wildgate isn’t your typical multiplayer experience. Coordination over voice chat isn’t just helpful, but essential. You and your crew will be leaping from asteroid to asteroid, raiding different spots in pursuit of loot, upgrades, and the elusive artifact that everyone’s after. That means the faster you can be in and out, the less likely you are to run into an unexpected ambush.

But running and gunning is just half the battle, as your crew will have to coordinate piloting the ship, performing repairs, and boarding rival ships. With the right team, few things are more satisfying than hopping onto an enemy ship, picking it clean, and making a daring escape. But I’ve also been in squads that were either eerily silent or loud and chaotic – both of which can make the experience feel overwhelming or, worse, made us cannon fodder for more organized crews. You truly need to find a squad for this one.

Customization in Wildgate is impressively well-designed. Each of the characters you have to choose from, called Prospectors, have unique traits, loadouts, and a signature ability that can dramatically shift the tide of a match. Traits can include not needing to breathe, healing while aboard your ship, seeing through walls, or punching through enemy hulls, all of which can lead to some wild and memorable encounters with rival crews. The same goes for weapons, gear, and unlockable ships offering plenty of room for creative builds and min-maxing opportunities.

Wildgate’s design is layered and impressively polished, yet it still feels like it’s in its initial stages – there’s so much scope to grow from here. This could easily become a standout in the fiercely competitive extraction shooter genre as more content rolls out. If you’re a fan of the genre already, this needs to be in your queue – and if you’re a newcomer, get yourself a crew and come aboard – Raymond Estrada


Wildgate

Wildgate

Dreamhaven, Inc.


☆☆☆☆☆
151


★★★★★


$29.99


Blast off into high-stakes spaceship battles and intense first-person shootouts, where no two matches are ever the same. If you want to claim the ultimate prize — the mysterious and priceless Artifact — you’ll need to improvise on the fly, whether it’s chasing down rival crews and stealing their gear, repairing your damaged ship, or scanning for precious resources.

Your ship is your home and lifeline — for you, and your prospector crew. Keep it topped up with ice, fuel and ammo so you’re ready for anyone or anything the Reach throws at you.

EPIC SPACESHIP BATTLES
Blast your enemies with hi-tech cannons and gadgets, lure them into deadly traps, or even mess with their ship… as long as they don’t sabotage yours first. When your perfect plan goes out the airlock, there’s only one option… wing it!

NEW ADVENTURES, EVERY MATCH
Stay one step ahead as you and your crew navigate the Reach — a vast, procedurally-generated map that changes with every game.

UNIQUE PROSPECTORS
Choose from a variety of daring prospectors, each with their own abilities and tools. Whether you’re a brave pilot or a clever trickster, there’s no wrong way to commit space crimes!

EXPLORE THE REACH
The Reach is a dangerous, unpredictable place, filled with deadly hazards and treasure beyond your wildest dreams. Navigate through cosmic storms, battle space vermin, and plunder alien ruins for lost caches of loot. Just make sure you beat the other prospectors to the punch, or you’ll fly away empty-handed!

OUTRUN OR OUTGUN
The Artifact is the most valuable object in the known universe. Be the first to find it, snatch it, and pass through the Wildgate, or destroy the ships of every other crew and be the last crew standing.

I still remember my first time booting up the original Killing Floor – the frantic reloads, the eerie silence before a wave, and the absolute panic when a Scrake rounded the corner. Killing Floor 2 dialed it all up: better weapons, bloodier battles, and a glorious soundtrack that made every fight feel like a metal concert in a warzone. So, when Killing Floor 3 dropped, I didn’t hesitate. I was already home.

Developed by Tripwire Interactive, Killing Floor 3 is a co-op FPS that throws you and your squad into the heart of a sci-fi nightmare. You’ll face relentless waves of Zeds – genetically engineered monstrosities that are faster, meaner, and somehow even uglier than before. The combat is crunchy and satisfying, the maps are drenched in neon and dread, and the pacing keeps you constantly on edge.

It’s everything longtime fans love, but sharper. The atmosphere feels like Doom and Aliens had a baby, raised in a bunker lit by strobe lights and soaked in adrenaline. I’ve spent hours perfecting my loadout, yelling “Cover me, I’m reloading!” with unnecessary action hero bravado , and laughing with friends as we barely survived wave ten.

Tripwire Interactive knows exactly what makes this franchise tick – and they’ve delivered a third chapter that’s as brutal and brilliant as ever. If you’ve been with the series since the beginning, Killing Floor 3 feels like a love letter to the chaos we grew up with – just louder, faster, and somehow even more fun. And if you’re new? Welcome to the party. Just don’t forget to heal your teammates. Or at least pretend you tried – Steven Allen


Killing Floor 3

Killing Floor 3

Tripwire Interactive


☆☆☆☆☆
229


★★★★★


$39.99


It’s 2091. Join up with Nightfall, the last line of defense against megacorp Horzine’s inhuman army of monstrous zeds. The future is in your hands… if you can survive long enough to reach it.

Killing Floor 3 is the next installment in the legendary action/horror series. This intense FPS puts you in the boots of a Nightfall specialist joining forces with up to five teammates to battle waves of Zeds, earn dosh, unlock skills, and build the ultimate arsenal.

KILLER CO-OP
Assemble the ultimate zed extermination squad for frenzied 6-player co-op. You can also brave the battlefield alone in tense single-player mode.

RELENTLESS ZEDS
Brace yourself for the most lethal zeds yet. Every enemy has been redesigned and retuned with smarter AI; making them faster, deadlier, and more strategic than ever.

SURVIVAL TECH
From flamethrowers to shotguns to katanas, you’ll have an expansive arsenal at your disposal. Customize your own unique brand of bloodletting with hundreds of mods, gadgets, and skills to choose from.

DANGEROUS LOCATIONS
Drop into a variety of treacherous hot zones where you’ll have to contain the further spread of the Outbreak. Thankfully, you can use the environment to your advantage by activating turrets, fans, and other devastating traps.

MORE GORE
Our MEAT System returns to deliver even more realistic carnage. Featuring additional points of dismemberment and persistent blood, the game responds to your attacks with gruesome authenticity.

Monument Valley 3, the newest installment in the acclaimed puzzle series, has arrived on Xbox. Renowned for its serene, visually captivating gameplay, this series challenges players with clever puzzles while immersing them in stunning, artful environments. With its fixed perspectives, Persian-inspired aesthetics, and mesmerizing Escher-like architecture, this latest chapter continues to offer a soothing yet stimulating experience that’s as beautiful as it is brain-bending.

New to the series? No worries! While Monument Valley 3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, it tells a completely standalone story. With minimal dialogue and text, the game relies on subtle visual storytelling through movement, animation, and atmosphere to convey its themes. The crux of the story is that the world is crumbling, the water is rising, and you must find a way to restore light back into the world by navigating architecture-based puzzles.

After the introduction, you’ll find yourself guiding the protagonist, Noor, to the exit of each area by moving parts of the environment around – the architecture bending reality through optical illusions. Structures that go across an axis can sometimes blend into one another, changing the structure of the environment just by altering its perspective. At times, it feels like solving a living Magic Eye puzzle – spotting the hidden path can make your eyes work overtime.

The puzzle difficulty in Monument Valley 3 ramps up nicely. Early levels gently ease you into the game’s signature perspective-shifting mechanics before gradually presenting more and more intricate challenges that will have you scanning every detail for clues. A standout new feature in this installment is the addition of a boat, which you can navigate across rising waters. This mechanic adds a new layer of complexity, especially in puzzles that require you to coordinate movement between multiple areas to progress.

Monument Valley 3 is a beautiful, bite-sized puzzler that is very enjoyable while it lasts. I would recommend it for anyone that enjoys a calm serene puzzle but won’t get frustrated when the answer is literally staring you in the face – Raymond Estrada


Monument Valley 3

Monument Valley 3

ustwo games


☆☆☆☆☆
7


★★★★★


$19.99


Set sail for adventure in MONUMENT VALLEY 3, a brand new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series.

Guide Noor, an apprentice lightkeeper, through impossible monuments, shifting landscapes, and tranquil seascapes to uncover the Sacred Light and save her home.

Monument Valley 3 takes you beyond the monuments and into the open sea. As Noor, you’ll navigate stunning, changing environments, solve mind-bending puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Light. With her village threatened by rising tides, Noor must chart her own course—and discover her own strength—in this stunning, emotional adventure.

Sail between geometry, manipulate architecture to reveal hidden paths, and let the iconic soundtrack guide you forward. With new mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and the series’ signature charm, Monument Valley 3 is a voyage like no other.

Features:

– Defy Perspective: Rotate and manipulate the environment to reveal hidden paths, solve intricate puzzles

– Uncover The Mystery: Help Noor unlock the secrets of this ever-changing world.

– Beautiful Art: A stunning world inspired by modern design, global architecture and hand-crafted, personal stories.

– Every Update Included: Full Story is included, with brand new updates to come

Adventure awaits—will you uncover the light that guides the way?

ustwo games are proud independent developers, best known for the award-winning Monument Valley series, Land’s End, Assemble with Care and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure.

Every so often, a game comes along that defies neat descriptions. RatShaker is one of those. It’s short, strange, and unlike anything else I’ve played on Xbox and that’s exactly why it stuck with me. This isn’t the kind of game where you grind levels or chase loot. Instead, RatShaker asks you to slow down, lean into the absurd, and let yourself experience something that feels more like an experiment than a traditional adventure. The controls are simple, the pacing deliberate, and yet the effect is oddly captivating.

This is a game for players who appreciate the unconventional. If you enjoy titles like What Remains of Edith Finch, The Stanley Parable, or Don’t Touch Anything, you’ll likely find RatShaker intriguing. It’s perfect for those who value atmosphere, experimental design, and games that make you think (or squirm). If I had to pin it down, I’d call RatShaker a surreal narrative experience with elements of psychological comedy. It blends interactive storytelling with absurdist humor and a touch of eerie tension – think walking simulator meets performance art.

What impressed me most was how RatShaker balances its humor and its tension. It never feels like it’s trying to be a blockbuster or a polished crowd-pleaser – instead, it leans fully into its own identity. You’re invited to play along, to laugh, to feel uneasy, and, above all, to experience something you probably didn’t expect when you pressed start. It’s the kind of game I recommend not because it’s “fun” in the conventional sense, but because it’s memorable.

You’ll finish RatShaker in one sitting. It’s roughly 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much you explore or linger. It’s designed to be brief but impactful. You might finish RatShaker in an evening, but you’ll likely be thinking about it the next day, wondering how such a simple idea managed to get under your skin in such a playful way. If you’re looking for something different, something you can’t quite compare to anything else, RatShaker won’t be easily shaken after you finish – Steven Allen


Ratshaker

Ratshaker

Dark Product


☆☆☆☆☆
78


★★★★★


$3.49


RATSHAKER™ – The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems!
Tired of pests taking over your space? Say goodbye to them for good with RATSHAKER™, the revolutionary new way to deal with unwanted pests! Just take and shake, and RATSHAKER™ does the rest. No traps, no mess, no unmarked disposal barrels!

With RATSHAKER™, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake that rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, RATSHAKER™ ensures your space stays problem-free in no time.

Developed by Void Interactive, Ready or Not is a co-op FPS that puts you in the boots of a SWAT officer called in when things go from bad to worse. Hostage rescues. Barricaded suspects. Active threats. The tension is relentless, but the game makes it thrilling, not overwhelming. You don’t need to memorize military jargon or master complex controls. Just grab your gear, trust your squad, and try not to flashbang yourself (again). So, it started with a simple plan: hop online, play a few rounds, and maybe not embarrass myself. I’d heard Ready or Not was intense, but I figured, how hard could it be? Then came the mission.

A quiet suburban house. The briefing said, “hostage situation.” My brain said, “don’t mess this up.” We stacked up at the door, flashbangs ready, hearts pounding. Two floors cleared. One room left. The hallway was silent, too silent. Lights flickered. A suspect shouted from behind the locked door. My team waited for my signal. I nodded. Breach. Flash. Chaos. Victory. Fist-bump.

Since then, I’ve spent countless evenings laughing, learning, and slowly mastering the art of clearing rooms without yelling “clear!” into empty hallways. It’s got the tension of Rainbow Six Siege, but with more breathing room and a slower, more deliberate pace. Ready or Not doesn’t ask if you’re prepared, it surrounds you with silence, pressure, and the kind of intensity that makes you lean in. And once you’re in, you won’t want to leave – Steven Allen


Ready or Not
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ready or Not

VOID Interactive


☆☆☆☆☆
526


★★★★★



$49.99

$39.99


Become an elite SWAT commander and bring order to a city overwhelmed by chaos and corruption.

Lead a team of highly-trained SWAT officers through harrowing, high-risk missions against violent, cruel and calculated criminals to stop the city from spiralling into disorder. Equip real-world weapons and gear to tackle missions inspired by current events against Los Sueňos’ ruthless criminal element.

Every decision, from squad selection to tactical breach and engagement is the difference between life and death.

Are you ready?

FEATURES

Take Command
Ready or Not delivers an immersive SWAT experience. Equip your team with authentic weapons and gear, deploy into high-stakes, real-world inspired missions to secure locations concealing unknown criminal threats and potential civilians. Every mission demands tactical precision and situational awareness. Bullets from known and concealed threats react realistically with the environment, passing through walls, furniture and bodies. Cover your six, clear your corners, apprehend the threats and rescue the innocent.

The Weight of the Badge
Shoulder the weight of being a SWAT commander entrusted with confronting Los Sueňos’ criminal corruption and stopping it from overwhelming the city’s citizens. Every tactical decision matters, every outcome is yours to bear. Your choices in the field dictate mission success, the survival of your squad and the safety of hostages. Squadmate and hostage deaths take a profound psychological toll on surviving team members, affecting their performance or ending their careers altogether.

True Tactical Gameplay
Ready or Not is a true tactical shooter. Every mission is a high-stakes, life-or-death operation. Strategically forge your squad of elite SWAT officers, equip them with the right weapons and gear for the mission, position your team to tactically breach criminal strongholds and quickly identify and neutralize threats in tense, life threatening scenarios. Follow the rules of engagement, communicate with your team, and execute flawlessly – failure is for the unprepared.

Your Mission is the Story
Ready or Not confronts you with a raw, unflinching mirror of real-world crime, exposing the horrors of human trafficking, drug running, illegal arms dealing, militant extremism and terrorism through interwoven storylines that span multiple missions. Grapple with moral dilemmas as you’re forced to balance your duty to exercise constraint in the face of Los Sueňos’ most vile criminals.

Cross-Comradery
Team up with friends to stem the tide of crime infesting the city. Enhanced with crossplay, Ready or Not supports up to five players in a co-operative tactical experience on all platforms. Communicate effectively to increase your tactical precision, watch your squad’s back and successfully complete your mission.

Check out the Project EVILBANE Pre-Alpha Playtest Schedule!

Posted on by faz_business


At long last, the Project EVILBANE Pre-Alpha Playtest Schedule, revealed at IGN Live 2025, has been revealed! If you haven’t seen the video yet, check it out.

Xbox Insiders, now’s your chance to check the game out early and give us your feedback.
Join our official Discord server and be the first to see the latest news and project updates!

Game Overview:

“Project EVILBANE” follows a hardened team of apocalyptic survivors who have sworn to avenge their ruined world.
Join the battle to triumph over the Archdemon’s forces and save humanity!

About this Playtest:

“Project EVILBANE” is still in early development, and this is its first public playtest.

The primary goal of this playtest is to ensure that combat is fun.
This build features four characters and four weapons,
and players can simultaneously wield 1 ranged weapon and 1 melee weapon for strategic gameplay.

To learn more about the featured characters and weapons, please check out the official EVILBANE Discord server.

Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to your participation!

Playtest Schedule:

  • Start: Friday, August 29, 1:00 AM PT (4:00 AM ET)
  • End: Monday, September 1, 1:00 AM PT (4:00 AM ET)

Bookmark the EVILBANE website and join the Discord server to be the first to get the latest news!
[EVILBANE Discord]
[EVILBANE Website]

How to Participate:

  1. Launch the Xbox Insider Hub on your Windows PC (or, if necessary, download the Xbox Insider Hub from the store.)
  2. Navigate to Previews > Project EVILBANE
  3. Select Join
  4. Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install EVILBANE

NOTE: This playtest is only available on Windows PC.

How to Provide Feedback:

Once the playtest starts on August 29, you can report any issues using the Windows Feedback Hub. Please don’t forget to submit feedback so we can investigate:

  • Open the Windows Feedback Hub on your PC.
  • Select Report a problem.
  • Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation. Make sure to include the name “Project EVILBANE” in your feedback.
  • Select the Apps category and Project EVILBANE subcategory.
  • Submit the feedback.

Other resources:

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.



Exciting New Features of The First Descendant ‘Breakthrough’ Update – Available August 7

Posted on by faz_business


We’re just days away from The First Descendant Breakthrough update, launching August 7 – and I want to thank all of you who’ve been eagerly awaiting this major content drop. Your continued support means the world to us.

Today, I’m excited to share an overview of the new season’s key features with our Xbox community. It’s a pleasure to connect with you directly and give you a closer look at what’s coming.

The Story of Breakthrough

In Breakthrough, the main villain, Karel, Commander of the Vulgus, finally steps into the spotlight. With the activation of “Iron Heart,” chaos spreads across the entirety of Ingris, and dimensional anomalies are even detected at Axion Plains near Albion. While Descendants investigate these strange phenomena, grotesque Legion of Breach and Mutants emerge, and to make matters worse, a Dimensional Wall opens—summoning Colossus. Following Karel’s invasion, humanity faces a crisis greater than ever before. But why does Karel refuse to halt his invasion? What is he trying to achieve through the Iron Heart? His hidden motives will finally be revealed in Breakthrough.

Massive Field, Axion Plains

Axion Plains is a massive field that will serve as a key feature in Breakthrough. True to its vast scale, it is home to a variety of new monsters whose formidable attacks will make your combat experience even more thrilling.

Among Axion Plains’ most distinctive threats is the Legion of Breach—monsters that adapt to the elements used against them. This adaptive ability stems from their origin: the Breach Swarm Sac, which analyzes the elemental traits of Descendants and adjusts newly spawned Breach Creatures accordingly. This evolving threat can be reset by destroying Breach Swarm Sac or Swarm Tunnels, each affecting enemy adaptations differently. Alongside them, Assault Ships rain down enemies onto the battlefield and this can only be destroyed with specific skills or pickup weapons, adding a new layer of strategy and urgency to each encounter.

New Ride, Hover Bike

Hover Bike was created to help players travel quickly and smoothly across the wide Axion Fields, making exploration faster and more fun. We focused on making the riding experience feel natural, so you can get on and off while moving and even link it smoothly with actions like using the grappling hook. There are three types to choose from—Basic, Speed, and Balance—each upgradeable for better performance. You can also customize your Hover Bikes with different skins and, in the future, special attachments, so your ride can match your own style.

8 Player Co-op Colossus Raid, Wall Crasher

One of the most spectacular features in the Axion Plains is the colossus Wall Crasher. This massive enemy is summoned at set intervals by a central Colossus Guided Device located in the heart of the battlefield. When the time comes, warning signs spread across the field and then, the Wall Crasher appears.

Wall Crasher encounters take place in a special eight-player instance, offering a large-scale co-op battle. Towering over the battlefield, the Wall Crasher unleashes massive area attacks that demand constant movement and awareness. Despite its slow but heavy movements, players can read its patterns and react accordingly. Defensive Descendants like Ajax are especially helpful, using their skills to block key attacks and give teammates the space they need to focus on dealing damage.

New Descendant, Nell

The Breakthrough update also introduces a brand-new Descendant: Nell. Once known as the executive officer who stood by Alpha’s side in Albion Headquarters, Nell has now awakened as a full-fledged Descendant, with a completely new look and combat abilities. Living up to the excitement of players who have long awaited her playable debut, Nell features a bold and dynamic combat style that feels powerful and engaging.

Nell now fights with telekinetic powers, allowing her to control the battlefield with both style and precision. Her combat style feels straight out of a sci-fi action movie—powerful and sharp!

The First Descendant X NieR:Automata Crossover

We’re thrilled to announce our first-ever crossover, and it couldn’t be with a more perfect partner: NieR:Automata. Iconic characters 2B and A2 arrive as stunning playable skins in The First Descendant—along with beloved elements like Pod, Virtuous Contract, and Type-4O Sword as back attachments. To top it off, two special social emotes are included to bring the full NieR:Automata experience to life. As fans ourselves, we can’t wait for you to jump in, gear up, and experience this unique crossover in the world of The First Descendant.

We hope this article sparks even more excitement and interest among new and returning Descendants. See you on the battlefield on August 7!


The First Descendant

The First Descendant

NEXON


☆☆☆☆☆
907


★★★★★


(As of June 19 2025, The First Descendant is no longer supported on Xbox One. An Xbox Series X|S is required to play this game and add-on content.)

The First Descendant is a next-generation third-person co-op action RPG looter shooter featuring high-quality graphics created in Unreal Engine 5.

Players become a Descendant whose mission is to combat alien invaders – The Vulgus who crossed dimensions over 100 years ago and brought with them the devastating Colossi and destruction – for the survival of humanity and to protect Albion and the continent of Ingris. Players will encounter spectacular stories of forces fighting over the Iron Heart as they grow stronger through various missions and raids.

Encounter features that make The First Descendant’s gameplay unique: a variety of characters with unique concepts and combat styles, massive boss battles with up to four player co-op, free movement and coordinated action with grappling hooks, a variety of weapons and compelling customization options.

Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds

Posted on by faz_business


In Planet Coaster 2, you can push the boundaries of your creativity like never before. With enhanced and improved building tools, you can design a true water and theme park paradise that will delight and thrill your guests.

The latest free updates have included many new features for players to explore including modular souvenir shops, on-ride photos for guests to take home their memories, and tasty sit-down restaurants that can be fully customised to fit any theme in your park. Returning themes from the original Planet Coaster have also unlocked even more creative possibilities!

With this in mind, we’ve picked some of our favourite Xbox community creations from the Frontier Workshop to get you inspired and we can’t wait to share them with you!

These blueprints and park builds show off the fantastic tools and features you can use to create amazing theme and water parks in Planet Coaster 2, which can be downloaded into your game.

1. Lazy River by Baaty

Share Code – 62T-9L7-44L

A lazy river is a classic staple in any water park! The use of scenery items like the inflatables scattered around the pool add a fun moment of realism to the paradise created by the trees and plants along the water’s edge. A great example of the scenery brush, a tool that gives you the ability to place lots of objects in a short amount of time!

2. Ragnarök Ridge – Viking Themed Coaster by BluerRoosterUK

Share Code – 1NY-G28-19L

Building rides in Planet Coaster 2 isn’t only about the visuals! This epic build doesn’t just look great as a focal point for any park, it boasts excellent stats, making it ideal for Franchise Mode. It also features amazing custom animatronics that breathe life into this fierce Viking-themed rollercoaster.

3. Shabadoo’s Electric Garden by Daypass

Share Code – 3JG-Y3Y-S3Y

Dark rides are a fantastic way to play with the lighting in your park, and this ride shows that off brilliantly with a range of glowing scenery pieces and lights that really stand out! The number of lights and effects in Planet Coaster 2 allow you to create awesome dark ride experiences that your guests (and you – thank you first person mode!) can enjoy.

4. AquaAdventure World by SplashZone

Share Code – 2Z6-8J0-PJT

This theme park is what Planet Coaster 2 is all about! Using rocks, water and terrain tools allows you to add levels to the space, instead of having a flat theme park. The fantastic mix of coaster and water park elements on an epic scale looks amazing and goes down well with your guests too.

5. Fantasy Building by Birtie

Share Code – 1F2-J6W-016

Planet Coaster 2’s themes have wonderful versatility for creating details in your parks. By using the Aquatic, Mythology and Viking themes, this park building adds the perfect fantasy flair with all the little details – we want to walk around here ourselves!

If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your wonderful and wacky park building ideas, check out the Planet Coaster 2 community page to see the Featured Creators and Workshop Creations we’re loving right now.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and create a splash.


Planet Coaster 2

Planet Coaster 2

Frontier Developments


☆☆☆☆☆
139


★★★★★


$49.99


Create a splash with Planet Coaster 2 – sequel to the world’s best coaster park simulator!  

Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. 

Dive in now! 

EMBRACE CREATIVITY 

Expand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. It’s never been easier to bring your dream park to life.  

Create the ultimate theme park: Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customisable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique.

Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before!  Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember. 

Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes.   

Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity. 

MASTER MANAGEMENT 

Find the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. 

Take care: Provide for your guests’ health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool. 

Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new ‘heat maps’ feature lets you understand the wider park’s needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park.  

SHARE THE RIDE 

Create together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save! 

Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards! 

Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand – explore their worlds in first person as a park guest! 

Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in other’s creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online. 

How Capcom’s Remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Makes a Classic Game Better

Posted on by faz_business


“The game’s unique visual style greatly benefits from an improved HD resolution and 60FPS performance, making the swordplay feel more responsive than ever,” says Director Motohide Eshiro. “Since TV screens have moved onto the widescreen format in the intervening years, we’ve also updated the game’s output to fill a wide display, which zooms the image in, and I think makes the battle scenes feel even more immersive and exciting.”

I agree. Swordplay is extremely responsive – I’m able to effectively strike and block, while the battles feel intimate. That’s especially true within temple corridors, as I slash away at an onslaught of demons, trying to master an issen hit (a powerful counterattack), and absorbing the souls of my enemies to gain XP.

“A new player picking up this remaster in 2025 should feel the same exhilaration as someone did in 2002,” adds Eshiro. “This meant retaining the game’s core features and charm, while bringing certain elements up to the modern standards gamers expect. We had access to the original game’s assets, and to be honest even in 2002 the original team had made them very high quality. If anything, the standard-definition CRT display technology of the time was holding these assets back from being appreciated in their original quality, so we have used a variety of modern upscaling and uprezzing techniques to bring out all their detail on modern HD displays. This includes the moving video elements of backgrounds, so areas such as flowing rivers look better than ever.”

Zenless Zone Zero Arrives on Xbox This June – With In-Game Benefits for Game Pass Ultimate Players

Posted on by faz_business


Summary

  • Zenless Zone Zero, HoYoverse’s urban fantasy ARPG, will be available for free on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming in June.
  • Game Pass Ultimate members can play the game seamlessly across devices without downloads via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
  • Dive into the vibrant world of New Eridu, explore the brand-new area Waifei Peninsula, and experience exhilarating combat.

HoYoverse’s urban fantasy ARPG, Zenless Zone Zero, is set to officially launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming this June alongside its Version 2.0 update. Players will be able to enjoy the immersive urban life experience and thrilling action combat in this dynamic and vibrant game on Xbox.

As an exclusive benefit, Game Pass Ultimate members will unlock special in-game rewards—including Polychromes, Dennies, and more—simply by logging in after each major version update. It’s time to wishlist Zenless Zone Zero on Xbox now! Curious to learn more? Read on!

Stunning Performance on Xbox

In the world of Zenless Zone Zero, a calamity called the “Hollows” has destroyed modern society. New Eridu, the last remaining metropolis, has risen against the odds amidst this destructive catastrophe to become the last bastion of modern civilization. Players step into the shoes of a Proxy, a professional specializing in navigating the dangerous Hollows, guiding those who, for various reasons, need to venture inside.

With the extraordinary performance of Xbox Series X|S, Proxies can look forward to an exceptional audiovisual feast, featuring DirectX RayTracing and HDR support, as well as native 4K resolution running at a smooth 60FPS performance. In addition, Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to seamlessly play Zenless Zone Zero across multiple devices, including mobile phones, via Xbox Cloud Gaming without downloads.

Exhilarating Combat Experience

Zenless Zone Zero distinguishes itself with an exciting combat system that blends accessibility with depth. It is designed to make thrilling combat more accessible and satisfying for all players while offering deep mechanics for skilled action veterans who desire to hone their combat skills.

The game is optimized to support the Xbox controller, incorporating customized vibration feedback for different actions such as Basic and Special attacks. Players can fully unleash their skills in challenging battles while embracing the enhanced immersion and sense of impact during battle.

Play Zenless Zone Zero Anytime, Anywhere

Cross-progression and flexible server selection are fully supported on Xbox, allowing players to link their existing Zenless Zone Zero account from other platforms such as PlayStation, PC, Android, and iOS to Xbox. Furthermore, players can switch back and forth between multiple active games without lengthy loading times with the exclusive “Quick Resume” feature on Xbox Series X|S.

Currently, the game supports 13 text and 4 voice-over languages. All of these ensure that Xbox players can dive into Zenless Zone Zero with unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and instant accessibility — wherever and whenever they choose.

An Enchanting Journey Awaits in June 2025

Zenless Zone Zero fuses contemporary urban aesthetics with retro elements, crafting evocative narratives and authentic emotions that delve into the significance of ordinary people and their daily lives. Accompanied by distinctive characters, many players have found a profound sense of connection through this adventure in New Eridu.

We are so thrilled and grateful that Zenless Zone Zero will finally arrive on Xbox alongside the highly anticipated Version 2.0 this June. The new chapter of the game will unfold in a unique area called Waifei Peninsula, in which urban life and Hollow exploration closely intertwine, bringing a more cohesive and immersive narrative experience.

Soon, you will be able to join this spectacular journey as a Proxy and we just can’t wait to see you in New Eridu! Until then, stay tuned for more information on the game and on the exclusive rewards we are preparing for you. And of course, don’t forget to add Zenless Zone Zero to your Wishlist now!