A solid showing of indie games
Microsoft held their ID@Xbox Showcase today showing off the lineup of upcoming indie games heading to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We got a good look at some promising-looking indie games that are coming out over the next year. Alongside world premieres we also got a few surprise today releases.
We’ve put together a recap of all the new game reveals and announcements from the showcase. There were twenty games showcased in this ID@Xbox event so there’s lots to talk about. Let’s dive in!
Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients
Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients is third person action adventure RPG about a mysterious powerful monolith threatened by dark forces. Embark on a dangerous adventure with the power of the Runic Swarm and crush minions of evil on your path to save the planet. Monolith is coming in 2024 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd
Hellboy Web of Wyrd is an upcoming action-brawler-roguelite where you can punch, dodge, and blast your way through the mysterious Web of Wyrd as the comic-favorite Hellboy. While no exacty timeframe was given, Hellboy Web of Wyrd is coming soon to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Everspace 2
Space action RPG Everspace 2 will finally be leaving early access and receives a full launch on August 15, 2023 on Xbox Series X|S. It is also a Day 1 on Game Pass title. Though it wasn’t mentioned, we also know it’s releasing on PS5 the same day. The full release will feature a 30+ hour main campaign story that is fully voiced in English and German.
Sea of Stars
We got another look at the Sea of Stars announcement trailer that was released a few months ago. The turn-based RPG inspired by the classics still looks as beautiful as ever. Sea of Stars tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who combine powers of sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic and fight back the evil Fleshmancer. Sea of Stars features special guest composer Yasunori Mitsuda who is well known for his music in Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The retro RPG will release on August 29 and will be day 1 on Game Pass. A demo is out now on Xbox.
Solace State
Take on the role of a young hacker confronting political plots in Solace State. The visual novel-style game claims choices will be important as you build relationships and support communities attempting to revolutionize against a corporate biotech conspiracy. Solace State is coming this summer to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Worldless
Worldless is a stylized 2D Adventure Platformer featuring turn-based combat. Explore a mysterious and abstract world as you attune to various polarities that change your style of combat. Worldless releases on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2023.
MythForce
Jump into a Saturday Morning Cartoon with first-person melee roguelike MythForce. Adventure through crypts and castles with your friends as you hunt down the evil Hexstar. MythForce launches on September 12 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Jackbox Party Pack 10
Timejinx and Hypnotorious were revealed as two of the five games coming in Jackbox Party Pack 10. We’ve already seen Tee K.O. 2 and FixyText revealed as two of the other games, meaning we’re still waiting on one more. Jackbox Party Pack 10 releases this fall on all major platforms.
Roman Sands RE:Build
This is a very unique-looking title. Roman Sands RE:Build is a delirium-charged journey into an apocalypse. Play through a variety of genres including visual novel, adventure, puzzle, horror, and survival simulation games. Roman Sands RE:Build is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in Winter 2023.
Scarlet Deer Inn
Scarlet Deer Inn is a narrative platformer featuring an emotional story and an interesting cast of characters. Explore a dark dungeon full of monsters and branching dialogue options where all character’s animation frames have actually been embroidered. Furthermore, all backgrounds have been hand-painted. The Studio Ghibli-inspired Scarlet Deer Inn is coming to Xbox Series X|S but no release timeframe just yet.
Rain World: Downpour
Rain World and the Rain World: Downpour DLC are out now on Xbox. Take control of five new characters as you explore the dark and mysterious world.
Second Wave
Wait, this isn’t an Overwatch skin pack? Apparently not. Second Wave is a free-to-play online multiplayer hero-based shooter MOBA in the world of Armantia. Choose from Domination or 3-Way Battle as you fight other heroes and exiles in an endless war for the Arcane Stone. Second Wave is coming to Xbox Series X|S but no release timeframe was given.
Vampire Survivors
Even though it was revealed a couple of weeks ago, we got another look at the Vampire Survivors couch co-op mode. Dust off your couch and jump into the bullet hell Vampire Survivors with up to four total players. The new mode is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass on August 17.
Axiom Verge 2
You can now explore the award-winning alien world of Axiom Verge 2 on Xbox. Our very own Eric Van Allen thought this was a beautiful Metroid-style game so it’s definitely worth checking out. Axiom Verge 2 is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S either alone or in a bundle with the first one.
Stray Souls
Ok, this probably has to be the best reveal of the showcase in my opinion. Stray Souls is a creepy-looking indie game that looks like a mix between Silent Hill and Resident Evil. The spooky third-person shooter features new music by legendary Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. Stray Souls hits Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2023.
Birth
I’ll be honest, Birth definitely looked unique but I wasn’t too sure exactly what I had just seen by the time the trailer was over. Apparently, it’s an adventure puzzle game about constructing a creature from spare bones and organs you find around a city. The art is hand-drawn and the gameplay involves you solving physics-based puzzles as you discover secrets around town. Birth releases on Xbox One on July 28.
Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Like the film, Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a game based on true events. Try to survive in this insanely chaotic survival game when it releases on August 18 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be a day 1 Game Pass release.
DREAMERS
It’s time to go on an emotional journey with DREAMERS, a new colorful adventure game by PlaySys. Explore a world full of challenges and mysteries on September 1. DREAMERS is releasing on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Stumble Guys
The mobile game variant of Fall Guys is now officially coming to consoles. Stumble Guys is another multiplayer knockout royale game coming to Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One.
The Making of Karateka
Based on the 1984 martial arts action game by Jordan Mechner, The Making of Karateka is an interactive documentary that also includes four pixel-perfect versions of Karateka. It will also feature an all-new remastered version of the game with new features. The Making of Karateka releases later this year on Xbox Series X|S.
Whew, that’s it! I’m personally really looking forward to Sea of Stars and Stray Souls. How do you guys feel overall about the ID@Xbox showcase?
