Summary

• How an improvised design element snowballed into a strange puzzle.
• The unexpected chain of reactions that weaved three titles together.
• A look into my design process for The Immortal John Triptych.

OK, It’s summer 2022. I’m making a house interior for my Renaissance-paintings-come-to-life style adventure game, Death of the Reprobate (one of three critically-acclaimed titles in The Immortal John Triptych) and I’ve ended up with more doors than I anticipated.

These games are made entirely from chopped up Renaissance paintings, so I can’t just remove a door – not without finding a matching piece of blank wall at least. But large areas of blank wall tend not to be the preferred subject matter of many artists.

I don’t want too many ‘corridor’ scenes because they make for annoying backtracking. And I don’t want too many loops because they tend to make navigation confusing. Also, I’m trying to keep this game small (that didn’t work out), so I’m now in urgent need of a dead end.

I have some on-brand garden/courtyard paintings in a folder called ‘village bits’, but I can’t find a way to stitch them together nicely, and they are full of bloody doors anyway, so I eventually give up and move onto something else. Maybe I go and painstakingly cut around every leaf in the silhouette of an attractive tree, or write a joke about frog’s butts, I don’t remember.

Six months later I’m aimlessly browsing museum catalogues again when I stumble across this beauty!

But, Joe! 1820-1830?! That’s not a Renaissance painting! Well, yes, I admit I have been using the term ‘Renaissance art’ increasingly loosely, and at this late stage of development I have been forced to cast my net rather wider than initially intended. But look at it! Clear boundaries either side, a nice open floor area, a potentially petable dog! It even has a stable style door similar to the one exiting the previous scene… The gods have truly smiled upon me.

It will need some work though. The woman kind of has her back to us, and she is performing an action I can’t easily animate in a loop, and the boy looks like a dickhead, so let’s get rid of them. And let’s open up that door and pop a background musician in there while we’re at it (every scene in the game has diegetic music).

Getting there, but the scene looks a bit empty now. And I didn’t do a great job of patching that gap where the people were, so I need to find something to fill the void. I need something big enough to cover the bad patch job, but ideally something nice and easy to animate. I scroll through my “Use Me” folder and find a man in his wife’s dress, angrily wielding a large stick. It’s funny, but a nightmare to animate. I find a creepily over-sexy Adam and Eve by Hans Baldung. Again, very funny, but it’s too tall to cover the bad patch work. Finally, I move on to my “stuff” folder and stumble across this wonderfully rectangular, mercifully static bull.

Now we have a scene. It’s time to see if we can add some interaction, The Immortal John Triptych is meant to be a game after all. The obvious first step is to see if we can get that pump working. I’ll turn the handle around so we can access it more easily, and try my best to chop some bits of river together into a passable running water animation.

That’ll do! But… Wait a minute… look at the angle the bull is standing at… its butt is… what if I just flipped and tinted that water animation…

Oh dear. I have made myself chuckle. Now I have no option but to write a puzzle involving a bucket full of pink cow excrement. The rest writes itself. Of course I’m going to let you feed the bull. Of course different food will produce different colours of poop. Of course I’m going to let you collect the poop in a bucket and refer to it as a bucket of milkshake and make you feed it to one of those screaming children in the previous room. There is literally nothing I could have done to prevent any this happening. I didn’t want a bucket full of pink BS in my video game. You certainly didn’t. But the artwork has spoken and I’m merely it’s humble conduit.

The Immortal John Triptych, for better or for worse, with my most sincere apologies, will be available on XBOX August 27. Wishlist it now.

The Immortal John Triptych

Akupara Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Immortal John Triptych is the ULTIMATE anthology of the Joe Richardson games. Four Last Things, The Procession to Calvary, and Death of the Reprobate are brought together under one glorious sun with never-before-seen deleted scenes, updated language parity across all three titles, an expanded soundtrack by Eduardo Antonello with new original recordings, manual saves for Four Last Things, backflips in The Procession to Calvary, and a button to trigger a superfluous trumpeted fanfare whenever you need to celebrate. Embrace the absurd, the profound, and the sweet soothing aesthetic of the Renaissance in The Immortal John Triptych. Immortal John is dying. A holy war has ended in chaos. Sin itself demands reckoning. Three interconnected tales unfold across a world built from Renaissance paintings and Classical music, where the ridiculous and the profound collide. Help locals with their daily tasks, only to find the Devil lurking in the shadows. Chase a tyrant across kingdoms while assisting inept magicians and negotiating with God Almighty. Navigate sin, death, judgement, heaven and hell, all topped with a cherry of gleeful flippancy. From quiet countryside kindness spiraling into madness, to holy vengeance wrapped in absurdity, to cosmic philosophy delivered with a wink and a nudge, The Immortal John Triptych proves that the most intelligent thing you can do is embrace the utterly ridiculous.

The post How a Bucket Full of Pink Cow Dung Became an Item in The Immortal John Triptych appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Summary

• Now available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC.
• Control adorable monsters in a a bullet heaven roguelite.
• The Brazilian developer’s own words about his first game and realizing a dream.

Produced by Brazilian studio The Root Studios and published by Nuntius Games, Shard Squad is a bullet heaven roguelite featuring charming pixel art visuals, and it finally arrives on XBOX consoles today with Xbox Play Anywhere support after months of anticipation.

Starring an adorable cast of little monsters known as Shards, the game blends action and strategy against increasingly intense enemy hordes without sacrificing on-screen clarity. Players recruit new creatures throughout each run and build powerful synergies, making every playthrough feel like a new discovery.

A Cast that Will Warm your Heart

What truly makes the game special is the care and personality poured into each of its adorable monsters. According to Shard Squad director Rennan Costa, the team wanted to create a world that felt alive and ensure that its more than 20 playable Shards would be seen as more than just gameplay mechanics. Some were even inspired by the developers’ own pets in an effort to share that same emotional bond with players.

“In many games, character choice ends up being based only on which one is the strongest or which ability best matches your playstyle. That’s important, of course, but we wanted there to be a connection beyond the mechanics,” Rennan says.

“That’s why we created a universe where the Shards have relationships with one another. They can be friends, family members, rivals, or simply share important moments in the story. That context gives each character a stronger identity and makes them feel like they truly belong in a living world. In the end, that creates a deeper connection with the player: they don’t choose a character only because they’re powerful, but because they like them, their personality, their design, and the story they carry.”

An adventure Full of Possibilities — Now Even Moreso on XBOX

Shard Squad is packed with content designed to provide many hours of gameplay and memorable moments. With the game’s arrival on XBOX, every monster comes equipped with the Prime Evolution system, allowing them to evolve during a run and unlock an exclusive appearance along with even more powerful techniques to overcome challenges.

You can also choose from more than 90 relics with unique effects that help shape your own playstyle. Experimentation is the key.

As you survive the hordes and evolve your Shards, special events may occur that grant even more rewards. Explore the possibilities and play your way!

If you’re thinking about giving Shard Squad a try and want a tip to get started on the right foot, the studio already knows exactly what you should focus on.

“The main tip is to pay close attention to the synergy system. Each Shard has three synergies based on its element, appearance, or even its relationships with other Shards. Combining Shards that share the same synergy grants unique bonuses that make your squad even stronger!”

A Major Achievement for the Brazilian Developer

Shard Squad’s launch on Xbox is a major milestone for The Root Studios. In Rennan’s words: “The fulfillment of a dream!”

According to Rennan, when he was younger, the idea of having a game published on XBOX felt incredibly distant, and seeing that dream finally become reality is surreal—especially considering that this is the studio’s first released game.

Reaching a new audience also comes with the hope that the emotions the team set out to create will resonate with new players. “I want people to get to know and fall in love with our Shards,” says Rennan. “The process of unlocking them and discovering their designs and stories has captivated many players, and I want XBOX players to experience that same feeling.”. Embark on your story today!

Shard Squad

Nuntius Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 6

★★★★★

$6.99 $6.29

Get it now

Survive an insane army of enemies with a squad of elemental creatures! Recruit new members for your team by defeating the bosses that cross your path, and combine their traits to unlock powerful effects! Unity not only brings strength, it also creates new abilities! MEET THE SHARDS Over 20 Shards can join your squad! Experiment and discover which ones will become your favorites! FORM AN ELEMENTAL SQUAD Choose Shards of Fire, Electric, Water, Nature, and Crystal! Your squad, your rules! Build the team of your dreams to survive the crisis devastating the world of Mellunia! COMBINE TRAITS Each Shard has three distinct traits capable of unlocking powerful abilities and effects! Having more than one creature with the desired trait in your team will increase your squad’s power level! OVERCOME CHALLENGES Unique events and powerful bosses will appear to test your squad’s skills! Overcome these challenges to earn special rewards for your survival!

The post Hard Work Pays off as Shard Squad Comes to XBOX appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Hi, I’m Jake Yeom, CEO and Game Designer at CIRCLEfromDOT, a Korean development team working on our first game – the high-octane hardcore top-down shooter, Kusan: City of Wolves.

You play as Jin in Kusan: City of Wolves, an ex-solider turned gun-for-hire living in the heart of a city where the line between predator and prey has already been crossed. This isn’t just another job though, a mysterious girl fitted with a city-grade atomic weapon is linked to a violent conspiracy that threatens to shift the balance of power. As chaos erupts, Jin must cross every line to save the girl, confront his past and the betrayal of a commander he once trusted without question.

One wrong move means death, so you’ll need precision, style, and the right skills to succeed. While I am excited to see how everyone tackles the game, I wanted to share some tips to help get you started as you venture into the neon–soaked streets of Kusan.

Death is Part of the Process

The enemies you’ll face in Kusan: City of Wolves don’t hold back, so don’t be afraid to die! The game is designed around learning through failure, with each death teaching you something new. Stay aggressive, keep experimenting, and don’t be discouraged if you fail. If one approach isn’t working, learn from your last run and try something different!

Experiment with Your Loadout

You’ll encounter many different enemy types, from grunts to bosses, throughout your time in Kusan: City of Wolves and there isn’t always a single ‘correct’ way to deal with them. Thankfully, Jin is equipped with a range of different weapons, including the Quantum Knife, the War Hand, Pistol, Revolver, Shotgun and Crossbow. With plenty of weapons, abilities and upgrades for you to choose from, you can experiment to find those you prefer, and then build a loadout that fits your playstyle. Switching up your arsenal may help you overcome challenges that have previously blocked you from progressing, or help you score the impressive SS rank.

Finding an efficient strategy that matches your playstyle, and refining it through repeated attempts, is one of the most rewarding parts of the game.

Tackling the Techtrix

Early in the game, you will learn about the Techtrix – the system where you are able to upgrade your weapons and abilities, and equip them for loadout. The first skill you pick can make a big difference to your gameplay, so I have a few recommendations depending on your preferred playstyle.

• Quick Step. This upgrade is ideal for you if you like to play action gamesaggressively, staying mobile and constantly keeping the pressure on your enemies. You’ll be able to navigate combat scenarios faster than before!
• Auto Recovery. If you prefer a safer approach to combat scenarios, this is the upgrade for you. After throwing your Quantum Knife it will now return to you seconds later, instead of you having to manually pick it back up, helping you keep distance from oncoming enemies.
• Counterstrike. If you enjoy parrying, the counterstrike upgrade is perfect for you! Your precise timing is rewarded by turning defense into offense – counter at just the right moment and enemy projectiles will be sent back to their source.

Try not to look for a single ‘best’ skill to use while playing!, Choose skills that best compliment the way you want to fight to help suit your style.

Quantum Knife Combos: and Your Own Rhythm

You may not realise it at first, but the Quantum Knife isn’t just a standalone weapon. It can be used at the same time as your other attacks, letting you create combinations that suit your own playstyle.

When watching new players, I usually notice two common approaches. Some naturally combine the War Hand with the Quantum Knife, creating an aggressive close-range fighting style. Others prefer to pair the Quantum Knife with firearms, controlling enemies from a safer distance while keeping constant pressure on them.

Either approach is ‘correct’! I suggest you try both, discover what feels most natural to you, and build your own combat rhythm.

Once you’re comfortable, challenge yourself to combine all three attack options—the Quantum Knife, your firearm, and the War Hand—into a single flow. Mastering these combinations, together with stylish play bonuses, is one of the keys to earning the coveted SS Rank.

I hope these tips will help you feel more confident on your first playthrough. While your first run might not see you achieve the highest score, you can replay levels at any time to keep aiming for the highly sought after SS rank.

After eight years of development, this is the first game our team has brought into this world, and we are really excited to see how each and every one of you experience it. We have poured our passion, dedication, and countless hours into every part of this project.

Kusan: City of Wolves launches today on Xbox Series X|S and we hope you enjoy your time in the streets of Kusan and experience the action, characters, and story we worked so hard to create.

Kusan: City of Wolves

PQube Limited

☆☆☆☆☆ 5

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

Welcome to Kusan: City of Wolves, a brutal top-down shooter set in a neon-drenched urban jungle consumed by violence and corruption. Kusan delivers hardcore action where one mistake means death. Master gunplay, perfect your movement, survive the streets and combat arenas ruled by furious kingpins that demand speed, precision and flawless execution. Every moment of action is intensified by Korean hip-hop heavyweight Loptimist’s adrenaline-fuelled soundtrack drenched with head-bopping loops and deep 808s pushing you forward without mercy. You play as Jin, a skilled ex-soldier turned gun-for-hire, living in the heart of a city where the line between predator and prey has already been crossed. This isn’t just another job though, a mysterious girl with immense but uncontrollable power is linked to a violent conspiracy that threatens to shift the balance of power. As chaos erupts, Jin must save the girl, confront his past and the betrayal of a commander he once trusted without question. Everyone in Kusan wants something and nobody plays fair. For Jin, there is only one way forward: flawless planning, ruthless execution and saving the girl from criminals while relying only on his wit and unrelenting will to survive the battlefield. With the whole city at stake, Jin knows it is time to not only clean-house but restore balance. Dive into Kusan: City of Wolves and descend into a city on the edge. It's more than just a fight, you are the last line between order and oblivion.

The post How to Smash, Slash, and Shoot Your Way to Victory in Kusan: City of Wolves appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Summary

• Out now on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, and XBOX on PC.
• A story of how Leafy Corner was inspired by real-life houseplants.
• Details of some of the features and how they relate to real-life horticulture.

There’s something magical about watching a plant grow. The slow unfurling of a new leaf over days and weeks. My partner and I are a husband-and-wife development team behind Leafy Corner, and our apartment is overflowing with alocasias, monsteras, and many other houseplants. They’re not just decorations; they’re our daily inspiration.

I’m thrilled to announce that Leafy Corner is out now on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, and XBOX on PC, and today, I want to share how real-life houseplants shaped every part of this cozy shop management game.

From our Apartment to Your Screen

I’ve spent hours watching how plants in my private collection grow, and there is nothing better than the sheer joy of spotting the first tiny sprout.

This attention to real houseplant behavior became the foundation of Leafy Corner. Plants in the game grow over time, unfolding leaf by leaf as time passes. I wanted that same rewarding feeling you get when you see your real-life houseplant thrive.

Moreover, growth speed is affected by whether a plant is overwatered or underwatered, or if it’s in a pot that is too small for its current size. It’s a simple but satisfying system that mirrors the real-world care plants need.

Every Plant is Different

If you’ve ever owned houseplants, you know that each one has its own personality. A succulent thrives on neglect, while a fern wants constant attention. In real life, overwatering is one of the most common ways new plant parents accidentally harm their green friends. Succulents, in particular, store water in their leaves and are highly prone to root rot if they’re watered too frequently.

We brought this variety into Leafy Corner, and in the result each plant type in the game has its own watering needs. Succulents and cacti need less water and are more sensitive to overwatering. Other plants, like ferns and calatheas, prefer more consistent moisture.

Helping Customers

Ask any plant shop owner, and they’ll tell you that choosing a plant isn’t only about looks. That’s why customers in Leafy Corner come with specific, realistic requests.

A customer might walk in and ask for a pet-safe plant because their cat is constantly nibbling on leaves. Someone else might want a plant that’s low-maintenance for their office desk. You’ll need to know your stock to match each customer with the right plant. Thankfully, you can always check the attributes of each plant in the Compendium to learn more about them.

Discovering Variegations

If you’re a plant enthusiast, you know the rush of finding a rare variegated plant. Those splashes of white, cream, or pink on leaves are natural mutations, and collectors go crazy for them. I wanted to capture that excitement in Leafy Corner. As you fill your shop with plants, you can randomly discover plant variegations, and then propagate them in order to have more. It’s a small detail, but it’s one I know plant lovers will appreciate.

Build Your Cozy Shop

Beyond the plants themselves, Leafy Corner is about creating a space that feels like your own. You can decorate your shop with unlockable furniture, shelves, and plant pots, mixing colors and styles to reflect your personal taste. It’s your cozy corner, and we want you to make it shine.

We poured our love for plants into every aspect of Leafy Corner. From the leaf-by-leaf growth animations to the thrill of discovering a rare variegation. We can’t wait for you to create your own plant shops on XBOX starting today.

Leafy Corner

Fireline Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 6

★★★★★

$9.99

Get it now

Run the plant shop of your dreams in Leafy Corner, a cozy shop management game where you grow, sell, and care for real-life houseplants! Step into the role of a plant shop owner. Grow plants, serve your customers, and create a warm, inviting space filled with greenery and charm. Watch your plants grow over time, unfolding leaf by leaf as you care for them. Not everyone knows what they’re looking for. Sometimes customers bring unusual or tricky requests. Finding just the right plant to fit their needs adds a fun challenge. Decorate your shop with a variety of unlockable items, from shelves to plant pots. Pick colors that fit your mood and create a space that reflects your unique style. KEY FEATURES – Grow, care for, and sell 100+ unique plants. – Discover plant variegations. – Build and decorate your shop with a variety of pots, furniture, and decoration options. – Fulfill orders and help customers. – Complete tasks to progress your shop. – Increase your shop’s reputation to unlock new content. – Customize your character. What Leafy Corner does NOT offer: – Hardcore management (deep economy, hiring staff) – Advanced plant care – Storyline

The post How Real Houseplant Horticulture Inspired Leafy Corner appeared first on XBOX Wire.

If you’ve played Reforj before, now is the perfect time to jump back in. And if you’ve been waiting for a reason to join the playtest, this update is the biggest transformation the game has seen yet.

Meet the Rixel

At first glance, a Rixel might look familiar. Much like pixels are the building blocks of traditional digital art, Rixels are the building blocks of Reforj’s new visual identity—but they’re capable of much more. Traditional pixel art relies entirely on square shapes. Rixels can currently take on up to 23 unique shapes, with each shape supporting its own material properties such as metallic levels, roughness, and more. The result is a world that feels sharper, cleaner, and far more expressive while retaining the charm and readability that players love.

The idea emerged from a challenge many voxel-style games face: creating crisp, geometric artwork without sacrificing visual clarity. The previous faceted art style often struggled with diagonal lines and fine details, which could appear fuzzy or inconsistent. To solve that problem, the team experimented with multiple approaches. By combining vector-inspired techniques with custom geometric block shapes, the programmers developed a solution that immediately stood out—not just as a technical improvement, but as the foundation of an entirely new artistic direction.

And so, the Rixel was born.

A New Look for Reforj

While Rixels began as a technical solution, they quickly became the foundation for a completely new artistic vision for Reforj. From environmental textures to mobs and characters, every corner of the game has been touched by this new technology. Whether you’re exploring familiar locations or seeing Reforj for the first time, the difference is immediately noticeable.

Smaller Files, Bigger Possibilities

The benefits of Rixels extend far beyond aesthetics. Under the previous system, a single texture could require a 512×512 image, consuming approximately 4MB of storage. Thanks to Rixels, that same texture can now be represented in roughly 72KB. That’s a 98.2% reduction in storage requirements.

Why does that matter?

By dramatically reducing texture storage costs, Rixels unlock new possibilities for the future of Reforj. The team now has greater flexibility to create more content, experiment with new materials, and explore ideas that simply weren’t practical before. For players, that means a stronger foundation for future updates and continued innovation as development progresses.

Get the Latest Build

Join the preview in the XBOX Insider Hub to play today and discover the world of Reforj.

1. Sign-in on your XBOX Series X|S console and launch the XBOX Insider Hub app (or install the XBOX Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
2. Navigate to Previews > Reforj
3. Select Join
4. Wait for registration to complete. You’ll then be redirected to the Store, where you can install Reforj Pre-Alpha.

NOTE: Please reboot your console after completing the enrollment process to ensure you receive the latest preview build.

NOTE: This playtest is only available on XBOX Series X|S consoles.

Join the Reforj Community

Want to connect with other players, share your creations, discuss the latest updates, and get the latest news from the development team? Join the Reforj community on the Reforj Discord and be part of the conversation as the game continues to evolve.

We Want Your Feedback

This update represents months of experimentation, iteration, and collaboration across the art and engineering teams. Now it’s time for players to experience it firsthand. Whether you’re a returning player eager to see what’s changed or a newcomer curious about the future of Reforj, we invite you to jump in and explore the game with fresh eyes.

If you encounter bugs, performance issues, visual glitches, or have thoughts about your experience, please submit feedback directly from your XBOX console:

1. Hold down the XBOX button on your controller.
2. Select Report a problem.
3. Select the Games category and Reforj Pre-Alpha subcategory.
4. Fill out the report with as much detail as possible to help our team investigate.

Every report helps us identify issues, prioritize improvements, and make Reforj a better experience for everyone.

Other Resources:

• Get the XBOX Insider Hub app
• XBOX Insider FAQ
• How to provide feedback as an XBOX Insider

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.

The post A New Look for Reforj: Explore the World’s Stunning Rixel Transformation appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Beast of Reincarnation – August 3
Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, humanity’s only hope lies with Emma, an outcast shunned from society for her affliction, and Koo, the blighted dog. Together, they embark on this expansive adventure in this one-person, one-dog action RPG. Experience a journey where you feel moments of loneliness, and also the reliability and comfort of your companion. Savor a world of impermanence, where forests suddenly burst forth amidst the wasteland. As Emma and Koo travel through this beautiful yet harsh world, their bond and abilities blossom.

Pre-order Beast of Reincarnation and receive a Brown Shiba Skin for Koo plus 30,000 Amber (in-game currency)!

Beast of Reincarnation

Fictions

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, humanity's only hope lies with Emma, an outcast shunned from society for her affliction, and Koo, the blighted dog. Together, they embark on this expansive adventure in this one-person, one-dog action RPG. Experience a journey where you feel moments of loneliness, and also the reliability and comfort of your companion. Savor a world of impermanence, where forests suddenly burst forth amidst the wasteland. As Emma and Koo travel through this beautiful yet harsh world, their bond and abilities blossom. Customize your playstyle with unique skill trees, gear, and spirit stones to survive this beautiful yet brutal world. Define your own playstyle through your preferred loadout, including ranged, stealthy, and aggressive combat. In this world ravaged by blight…what will you find at the end of your journey? Emma and Koo’s Synergy Emma and Koo create a revolutionary action RPG experience. Fight as a unit with the protagonist, Emma’s sword abilities while giving Koo commands to unleash various techniques, just like in a turn-based RPG. Japan: Year 4026 Travel through a beautiful yet harsh post-apocalyptic world. Experience the ever-changing scenery, in the blighted forest, and the Bosses that rule this world. Emma and Koo, who met in the far east, are tasked with battling Bosses from all over the world and capturing their powers in order to defeat the Beast of Reincarnation. A Story Filled With Secrets Dive into a brutal narrative where every character hides a dangerous truth. Uncover the intertwined fates of Emma and Koo in this profound story.

Kynseed – August 4
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

A beautiful life sim sandbox RPG from veterans of the Fable series. Embark on a lifetime of adventure in a beautiful world of creativity and intrigue. Raise a family, customise your farm, run a business, craft items, and battle monsters! Your actions and decisions matter in our adventurous story filled with purpose and promise. Lend a helping hand to villagers in need and discover the unique blend of creativity and choice that sets Kynseed apart. Come and join us – your legacy awaits!

Kynseed

PixelCount Studios Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

A beautiful life sim sandbox RPG from veterans of the Fable series. Embark on a lifetime of adventure in a beautiful world of creativity and intrigue. Raise a family, customise your farm, run a business, craft items, and battle monsters! Your actions and decisions matter in our adventurous story filled with purpose and promise. Lend a helping hand to villagers in need and discover the unique blend of creativity and choice that sets Kynseed apart. Come and join us – your legacy awaits! • Story-driven RPG set in beautiful regions, where you’ll battle dark faery tale creatures. • Customise your farm and farmhouse using Kynseed's customisation mode with hundreds of items and limitless design possibilities. • Take on the role of shopkeeper and run your own blacksmith, potion shop, tavern, or bustling goods store. • Develop relationships with villagers who will remember your deeds, actions, and pranks! • Combat the evil Hob army as they construct powerful totems and cause the destruction of crops and buildings. • Rebuild broken houses and buildings for your neighbours and new NPCs. • Gather materials to create items, forge weapons or mix cures for bizarre maladies. • Buy strange artifacts from the mysterious Mr. Fairweather — items that ease your chores, boost your combat skills, or simply let you bend the rules of the world. But beware his life tax: each one costs years from your life. • A world where everyone ages – raise a family then step into your children's shoes and continue your legacy. In Kynseed, live your life the way you choose in a lovingly handcrafted 2D open world.

Detective Holmes: Hidden Objects – August 3
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Get ready to dive into the thrilling new adventures of the legendary Sherlock Holmes! If you’re a fan of detective stories, mystery, unexpected plot twists, and clever puzzles, this game is made for you. Join Holmes and his trusted friend, Doctor Watson, as they take on a brand new investigation filled with secrets, suspense, and surprises lurking in every scene.

Detective Holmes: Hidden Objects

Crisp App Studio

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$11.99 $9.59

Pre-order

Hello, fans of hidden object detective games! Get ready to dive into the thrilling new adventures of the legendary Sherlock Holmes! If you're a fan of detective stories, mystery, unexpected plot twists, and clever puzzles, this game is made for you. Join Holmes and his trusted friend, Doctor Watson, as they take on a brand new investigation filled with secrets, suspense, and surprises lurking in every scene. Inspired by the world of Arthur Conan Doyle, this hidden object game challenges you to test your powers of observation. Search for carefully hidden clues in beautifully detailed environments from dark streets to warm, old-fashioned rooms. Every object you find could bring you one step closer to cracking the case. Remember, even the smallest detail might be the key to unraveling the mystery. The game features realistic, richly detailed scenes brought to life with your favorite classic characters. You can enjoy a variety of gameplay modes, including hidden object searches, spot-the-difference challenges, matching pairs, and more. Many of the hidden objects are genuine antiques, making it a treat for vintage lovers. It’s a relaxing way to train your brain while immersing yourself in a timeless detective adventure. With intuitive, easy-to-use controls, the game is perfect for both casual players and puzzle enthusiasts alike. Step into the shoes of a true detective and help Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson solve their latest case. Adventure awaits!

Space Tail: Definitive Edition – August 3
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Every journey shifts the perspective – it grows with the traveler. Our game tells a story about self-exploration, transformation and understanding of the world around us. The game’s story is inspired by real events from the early days of space exploration, when animals were the first to venture beyond Earth. Many of them never returned. This game is a tribute to those early pioneers, told through the story of Bea – a dog who, in our story, beats the odds and finds her own path among the stars.

Space Tail: Definitive Edition

Bohemia Interactive a.s.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Every journey shifts the perspective – it grows with the traveler. Our game tells a story about self-exploration, transformation and understanding of the world around us. The game's story is inspired by real events from the early days of space exploration, when animals were the first to venture beyond Earth. Many of them never returned. This game is a tribute to those early pioneers, told through the story of Bea – a dog who, in our story, beats the odds and finds her own path among the stars. Bea is a cheerful and brave companion-but at heart, she’s still just a dog. She barks, wags her tail, and discovers the world through her senses. Her instincts are key to gameplay: sniffing, listening, and observing form the core of a detective mode that helps her explore and make sense of her surroundings.

Fading Clouds – August 4
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Embark on a peaceful journey through the skies in Fading Clouds, a charming puzzle adventure where every step transforms the path ahead. Carefully plan your moves, cross clouds that vanish beneath your feet, and discover the perfect route to reach the star waiting at the end of every challenge.

Fading Clouds (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Embark on a peaceful journey through the skies in Fading Clouds, a charming puzzle adventure where every step transforms the path ahead. Carefully plan your moves, cross clouds that vanish beneath your feet, and discover the perfect route to reach the star waiting at the end of every challenge. Explore 30 carefully crafted levels where new cloud types and clever mechanics make every puzzle feel fresh and rewarding. Restore clouds at the right moment, adapt your strategy, and discover creative solutions as the difficulty gently grows with each stage. With beautiful pixel art, a relaxing atmosphere, and thoughtful puzzles that encourage careful planning without pressure, Fading Clouds is perfect for players who love to think, experiment, and celebrate every clever solution. Plan your route, rebuild the clouds, and prove that every great journey begins with a single step.

Five Hearts Under One Roof – August 5
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Five Hearts Under One Roof is a first-person interactive FMV romance game where every choice shapes your relationships and story outcome. You play as Yuman, a man who has spent most of his life alone. Everything changes when five very different women suddenly begin living under the same roof. Through conversations, choices, and unexpected moments, you will build relationships, uncover hidden stories, and decide who will ultimately win your heart.

Five Hearts Under One Roof

StoryTaco.inc

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Five Hearts Under One Roof is a first-person interactive FMV romance game where every choice shapes your relationships and story outcome. You play as Yuman, a man who has spent most of his life alone. Everything changes when five very different women suddenly begin living under the same roof. Through conversations, choices, and unexpected moments, you will build relationships, uncover hidden stories, and decide who will ultimately win your heart. Will your longtime childhood friend become something more? Will your first love return to your life? Or will an unexpected romance change everything? Every decision leads to different story branches, romantic moments, and multiple endings. [Meet the Heroines] * Mal-sook Go Your childhood friend of 20 years. Warm, caring, and always by your side — but hiding feelings she can no longer ignore. * Min-jung Park Your first love and a former idol singer. A familiar face returns with emotions that never truly disappeared. * Gran Dong Your demanding boss with a playful and provocative personality. Confident, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. * Eun-bi Go A bold and energetic younger girl who suddenly appears in your life. Straightforward, fearless, and determined to win your heart. * Seung-yi Jo A shy recluse who slowly opens up to you. Quiet, mysterious, and deeply emotional beneath the surface. [Key Features] Interactive First-Person FMV Experience Experience the entire story through the protagonist’s perspective in a fully immersive live-action romance adventure. Branching Storylines and Multiple Endings Your choices shape relationships, unlock hidden scenes, and lead to different endings and epilogues. Five Unique Romance Routes Each heroine features her own personality, emotional storyline, and memorable romantic journey. High-Quality Live-Action Performances Enjoy realistic acting performances and cinematic visuals that bring every relationship and emotional moment to life. Replayable Narrative Experience Discover new scenes, alternative routes, bonus videos, and hidden outcomes through multiple playthroughs.

Mate’Morphosis – August 5
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Strategize and conquer in a brainteasing twist on a tabletop gaming classic! Mate’Morphosis is a chess-inspired puzzle game built around the concept of becoming the pieces that you capture. Outsmart each board, adapt to evolving mechanics and hunt down the rival king across every stage! Instead of commanding multiple pieces, you’ll need to navigate the board with a single player piece that transforms into the type of piece you’ve just defeated.

Mate'Morphosis

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Solve puzzles by becoming the pieces you defeat in a strategic and brainteasing twist on classic chess! Strategize and conquer in a brainteasing twist on a tabletop gaming classic! Mate’Morphosis is a chess-inspired puzzle game built around the concept of becoming the pieces that you capture. Outsmart each board, adapt to evolving mechanics and hunt down the rival king across every stage! Instead of commanding multiple pieces, you’ll need to navigate the board with a single player piece that transforms into the type of piece you’ve just defeated. Step up from pawn to knight, bishop or rook in order to take out the queen and finally gain the freedom of movement necessary to checkmate the king. Your route evolves with every move. Learn as you go, even if you’re not a master at classic chess! Enjoy retro 2D pixel art presentation and tight hand-crafted challenges with quick restarts, fast strategic pacing and a gradual climb in difficulty across dozens of unique stages!

Aery – Surreal World – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Aery – Surreal World is a relaxing, story-driven flight exploration game that carries you through a series of impossible, dreamlike worlds where reality has quietly lost its mind. You play as a tiny spirit drifting endlessly forward through landscapes that shouldn’t exist. Glide alongside an enormous dirty whale as it tumbles weightlessly through a sky laced with glittering rainbows — close enough to see the barnacles and grime clinging to its hide as streaks of violet and gold light wash over it. Descend into a sunken apartment block resting silently on the ocean floor, where coral has crept up the wallpaper, fish drift through the living room, and the television still flickers faintly in the deep blue dark. Soar through a vast kingdom where every tree, every cloud, and every cobblestone has been consumed by solid, gleaming gold — beautiful, eerie, and utterly silent.

Aery – Surreal World

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Aery – Surreal World is a relaxing, story-driven flight exploration game that carries you through a series of impossible, dreamlike worlds where reality has quietly lost its mind. You play as a tiny spirit drifting endlessly forward through landscapes that shouldn't exist. Glide alongside an enormous dirty whale as it tumbles weightlessly through a sky laced with glittering rainbows — close enough to see the barnacles and grime clinging to its hide as streaks of violet and gold light wash over it. Descend into a sunken apartment block resting silently on the ocean floor, where coral has crept up the wallpaper, fish drift through the living room, and the television still flickers faintly in the deep blue dark. Soar through a vast kingdom where every tree, every cloud, and every cobblestone has been consumed by solid, gleaming gold — beautiful, eerie, and utterly silent. Each world is its own self-contained dream: a unique color palette, atmosphere, and mood that tells a different piece of a larger, quietly unfolding story. Hidden across every level are glowing memory fragments — scattered clues to what this broken universe once was. Collect enough of them and the next impossible world opens up. Aery – Surreal World is designed above all else to feel good. The flying is smooth and freeing, the worlds are strange and beautiful, and the story unfolds gently without ever demanding anything of you. Whether you play to explore, to collect, or simply to get lost somewhere wonderfully weird, there is always something waiting just around the next impossible corner.

Herd Dispatch – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Get ready for a cozy and adorable adventure in Herd Dispatch, a charming puzzle game where every little sheep is counting on you to find its way home. Watch carefully, think quickly, and switch the paths at just the right moment to guide each sheep safely to the pen that matches its color.

Herd Dispatch (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Get ready for a cozy and adorable adventure in Herd Dispatch, a charming puzzle game where every little sheep is counting on you to find its way home. Watch carefully, think quickly, and switch the paths at just the right moment to guide each sheep safely to the pen that matches its color. Explore 30 carefully handcrafted levels across 3 delightful rural biomes, where every new stage puts your logic, planning, and attention to the test. As the challenges grow, you'll need to anticipate each sheep's movement and create the perfect connections before they wander down the wrong path. With charming pixel art, a warm atmosphere, and mechanics that are easy to learn yet surprisingly clever, Herd Dispatch delivers a relaxing and rewarding experience for anyone who loves creative puzzles and casual challenges. Switch the paths, guide the flock, and prove that no little sheep will ever get lost under your watch!

Montabi – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

A Creature-Collector Roguelike Deckbuilding Game. Assemble your team of Montabi to outsmart the bad guys and save the city! If you’re going to be the big hero and save the city, you’ve gotta get some Montabi! Each Montabi has a unique set of skills, giving you endless combinations for team synergies. Collect equipment and charms and utilize them to chart the path to victory!

Montabi

Akupara Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Pre-order

A Creature-Collector Roguelike Deckbuilding Game. Assemble your team of Montabi to outsmart the bad guys and save the city! If you're going to be the big hero and save the city, you've gotta get some Montabi! Each Montabi has a unique set of skills, giving you endless combinations for team synergies. Collect equipment and charms and utilize them to chart the path to victory! Train your Montabi to grow stronger, unlocking new moves to enhance your team's strategy. As they level up, your Montabi evolve into more powerful forms, gaining new card abilities and expanding your tactical options. If you work together, there's nothing you and your Montabi can't achieve! Deploy your best strategies to beat up the bad guys in a unique 3×3 grid-based system. With every Montabi's unique abilities, you'll have endless options to outthink the competition and win the day. Just make sure you rest up at a cafe every now and then to recover those hit points! Select from diverse trainers, each with a unique playstyle. Do you wanna put your team in the perfect position, get right up in their faces and duke it out, or buff up your Montabi with a hearty meal? When the city's at stake, everyone pitches in! Just make sure to stay safe! Like the king in chess, if your trainer is defeated, the game ends.

Sokogem – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Sokogem is a minimalist puzzle game that challenges your logic through precise, thoughtful movement. Slide your character across each level, pushing gems until they hit the treasure chests. Fill every chest with the exact number of gems to unlock the exit and progress to the next challenge.

Sokogem

Misc.261

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Sokogem is a minimalist puzzle game that challenges your logic through precise, thoughtful movement. Slide your character across each level, pushing gems until they hit the treasure chests. Fill every chest with the exact number of gems to unlock the exit and progress to the next challenge.

Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint is a hardcore, side-scrolling beat-’em-up inspired by classic Korean crime dramas. As Mr. Peppermint, a hard-boiled detective driven to the extreme, find out who gives orders at the top of the crime ladder, and enact brutal, bloody vengeance. Countless criminals infest a seedy underbelly, with a sinister cult poisoning the guts of this corpse of a city. Destroy anyone in Peppermint’s way with anything he can get his hands on. Wade through mountains of corpses, wipe blood off the edges of Peppermint’s suit, and beware that this detective might be his own worst enemy.

Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint

indie.io

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint is a hardcore, side-scrolling beat-'em-up inspired by classic Korean crime dramas. As Mr. Peppermint, a hard-boiled detective driven to the extreme, find out who gives orders at the top of the crime ladder, and enact brutal, bloody vengeance. Countless criminals infest a seedy underbelly, with a sinister cult poisoning the guts of this corpse of a city. Destroy anyone in Peppermint’s way with anything he can get his hands on. Wade through mountains of corpses, wipe blood off the edges of Peppermint's suit, and beware that this detective might be his own worst enemy. Long ago, a serial killer kidnapped two siblings, a brother and a sister. The boy miraculously managed to escape, but the girl was not so lucky… Twenty years later, the boy, now a man, has become a detective just like his father, believing that law and order are the foundation of society. Yet, his grief and pain have driven him to the brink of madness, peering into the abyss of rage. Now, with red-hot clarity, he must punish the murderer responsible for his sister's death, no matter how many people stand in his path.Peppermint's obsession with revenge transforms him into a killing machine. Use incredibly precise controls to choreograph combos and carry out brutal fatalities. Improvise weapons in the environment and pummel enemies into a fine red mist like hooks, meat processors, or ovens…anything can bring a goon's criminal career to a brutally spectacular end.A rampage of revenge can take its toll on Mr. Peppermint. The crueler his actions, the more twisted the story unfolds and his psyche crumbles. Paradoxes and inconsistencies appear. Unanswered questions manifest. As this once dedicated detective spirals out of control, question who is really the serial killer…

Yellowcreek Stories – The Cabin Watcher – August 6
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

A stormy night. A remote mountain cabin. Someone is watching you. A masked killer stalks the area and reacts to sound, light, and movement. No combat. No second chances. Survival is about staying unseen, keeping calm, and making the right call under pressure. The killer actively searches based on your behavior, turning every encounter into a tense mind game.

Yellowcreek Stories – The Cabin Watcher

JanduSoft

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$10.49 $8.39

Pre-order

A stormy night. A remote mountain cabin. Someone is watching you. A masked killer stalks the area and reacts to sound, light, and movement. No combat. No second chances. Survival is about staying unseen, keeping calm, and making the right call under pressure. Survive by mastering – Noise: every action matters — loud mistakes draw attention – Light: your flashlight can save you… or expose you – Movement: sprinting is risky; careful steps keep you alive – Hiding: when you’re spotted, you’re already behind The killer actively searches based on your behavior, turning every encounter into a tense mind game. Features – First-person stealth slasher inspired by classic 80s horror – Stealth built around sound, light, and movement – Reactive enemy behavior and search patterns – Minimal HUD with real-time noise/visibility feedback – Interactive cinematic moments

INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges – August 7
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

The classic joy of hidden object puzzles, perfected. INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges brings back the satisfying gameplay of the original, now completely upgraded with silky-smooth controls and beautifully detailed black-and-white illustrations.

INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges

AVGAM

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$5.99 $5.39

Pre-order

The classic joy of hidden object puzzles, perfected. INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges brings back the satisfying gameplay of the original, now completely upgraded with silky-smooth controls and beautifully detailed black-and-white illustrations. Take a deep breath, observe the intricate sketches, and start your hunt. Move around the canvas and zoom in on the finest details with our newly improved, incredibly fluid camera controls. When you spot a cleverly hidden item, experience the simple, tactile satisfaction of drawing a circle around it to mark your discovery. With 40 brand-new levels, this is the perfect cozy puzzle game to unwind with after a long day. Expect 1 to 2 hours of stress-free, pure observational gameplay.

John Fox – August 7
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

John Fox is an elite warrior and super soldier who saved the leaders of various States. He was a professional mercenary who retired with honor. One day after getting out of the subway, John’s pet, Milo is killed by a toad. John Fox rushes in pursuit of the harmful toad and encounters an army of clone frogs, which flooded the entire city. If the big toad manages to defeat John Fox, the world will be doomed to misery and chaos.

John Fox

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

John Fox is an elite warrior and super soldier who saved the leaders of various States. He was a professional mercenary who retired with honor. One day after getting out of the subway, John's pet, Milo is killed by a toad. John Fox rushes in pursuit of the harmful toad and encounters an army of clone frogs, which flooded the entire city. If the big toad manages to defeat John Fox, the world will be doomed to misery and chaos. Features: * Survival mode * Variety of terrains and scenarios * 2D pixel beat 'em up * Boss battles * Thrilling music

Limbot – August 7
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Welcome to Limbot, the ultimate physics-based city stomping experience where up to 4 players must attempt to pilot a person dressed as a giant cardboard robot! Embrace the chaos in a paper-craft metropolis designed to be crushed, smashed, and destroyed! Stomp, kick, and punch your way to completing wacky objectives set in a fully destructible cardboard world, where every building, obstacle, and enemy can be bashed to pieces or flattened into pulp! Smash down skyscrapers, face-off against paper foes, and take down the biggest (and silliest) crafted bosses this world has ever seen…

Limbot

Ionized Studios Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Welcome to Limbot, the ultimate physics-based city stomping experience where up to 4 players must attempt to pilot a person dressed as a giant cardboard robot! Embrace the chaos in a paper-craft metropolis designed to be crushed, smashed, and destroyed! Stomp, kick, and punch your way to completing wacky objectives set in a fully destructible cardboard world, where every building, obstacle, and enemy can be bashed to pieces or flattened into pulp! Smash down skyscrapers, face-off against paper foes, and take down the biggest (and silliest) crafted bosses this world has ever seen… Go full DIY and unlock upgrades to customise your robot such as strapping a soda can to your leg for a handy speed boost, wooden spoons to give your Karate chops some added range, or slap on some stickers to add some extra style. Mix and match upgrades to make your perfect robot! Intuitive controls make moving limbs simple and accessible to players of all ages and abilities. All you need to do is figure out how to work together… good luck with that! Oh, one more thing, if the robot trips, it's definitely your teammate’s fault!

The Relic: First Guardian – August 7
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Transformed into an apocalyptic landscape by the destruction of the great relic, the once-prosperous Arsilthus lies in ruins. But through the silence we began to hear breaths that have not yet faded, faint whispers carried on the wind: promises, waiting, fear, and love. These forgotten voices are Relics; fragments imbued with the emotions and wishes of those who lived before. It rests with you to find and use these powerful Relics, to honour their memories and lead the world back to prosperity. You are the last hope for Arsilthus.

The Relic: First Guardian

Perp Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Created by a small and passionate core team of a dozen people, Project Cloud Games has created a fresh new take on combat, with a heavy emphasis on balancing action and vulnerability, their unique, dark, and gritty spin on classic Korean stories has been in the making for six years. "It has a unique art style and combat that looks spectacular" – Dualshockers "The Witcher Meets Dark Souls in Gorgeous 2026 Action-RPG" – Gaming Bible “Stylish combat, tragic bosses, and a world inspired by Asian folklore combine to make The Relic: First Guardian one of the most exciting upcoming action RPGs” – PC GAMER Transformed into an apocalyptic wasteland by the destruction of the great relic, the once-prosperous realm of Arsilthus lies in ruins. Set in a dark and haunting atmosphere enriched by the rich tapestry of Korean folklore and ancient mythology, this shattered land echoes with faint whispers lingering on the wind – promises, fear, and love. These forgotten voices endure as Relics: powerful fragments imbued with the emotions and final wishes of those who came before. As the last hope for Arsilthus, it falls upon you to gather these ancient fragments, honour their memories, and lead the world back from the brink of extinction. Fast Paced Brutal Combat The Relic approaches combat differently – delivering freedom in attack, intensity in survival. Unleash an unstoppable onslaught with attacks that cost zero resources, allowing you to strike continuously with relentless creativity and consistency. Your stamina gauge is reserved strictly for high-stakes defence like dodging and blocking, while high-power magic operates on cooldowns and a dedicated meter. Attack without limits, defend with absolute precision. Explore a Shattered, Semi-Open World Traverse a vast, interconnected realm filled with forgotten ruins, hidden dungeons, and atmospheric landscapes. The world of Arsilthus rewards curious Guardians who venture off the beaten path with ancient artifacts, secret encounters, and pieces of lost lore buried deep within its ruined regions. Confront Up to 80 Tragic Bosses Step into battle against up to 80 mythic encounters – each a dark, standalone folktale brought to life, bound to a tragic lore that can only be laid to rest through ultimate victory. Adapt or perish: no two legends fight alike, and a strategy that slays one nightmare offers no guarantee of surviving the next. Weapons Woven with Narrative Command five distinct weapon masteries: Sword & Shield, Battle Staff, Daggers, Two-Handed Weapons, or the Longsword. Without a single duplicate weapon to be found – every single item is a bespoke, one-of-a-kind creation with its own tragic history. Discovering a new blade means uncovering a piece of the world's past, transforming your arsenal into a personal collection of living legends. Master Ancient Weapon Skill Trees Forge a deeper bond with your chosen armoury through specialised skill trees powered by relic energy. Channel forgotten power into game-changing passives alongside awe-striking, visually spectacular ultimate abilities. Unbound Build Freedom Forget traditional levelling – your power is forged entirely through the gear and Relics you discover. Collecting and equipping relics is as much about augmenting your character as it is about uncovering the world's past. With over 70 unique passive effects scattered that alter combat tempo and skill, the relic system encourages you to experiment endlessly. Freely swap game-changing passives, manipulate attack tempos, and tailor your build on the fly – giving you complete freedom to adapt instantly without ever being locked into a single playstyle.

Tailbreak – August 7
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

A new dinosaur-blasting adventure is in town! Serving as a follow-up to Railbreak and as a retelling of the hit DINOBREAK, Tailbreak evolves the arcade on-rails shooter experience from mere resurrection to pleasingly primal for up to two players! Weapons and mechanics have been intensified; starting with just a handgun, you’ll need to make tough choices about your sub-weapons and juggle pick-ups with the new item system.  Do you dedicate an item slot to a grenade or a healing item?  Do you stick with your trusty machine gun, or do you switch it up with a heavy rifle?  

Tailbreak

Dead Drop Studios LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99 $22.49

Pre-order

A new dinosaur-blasting adventure is in town! Serving as a follow-up to Railbreak and as a retelling of the hit DINOBREAK, Tailbreak evolves the arcade on-rails shooter experience from mere resurrection to pleasingly primal for up to two players! Weapons and mechanics have been intensified; starting with just a handgun, you’ll need to make tough choices about your sub-weapons and juggle pick-ups with the new item system.  Do you dedicate an item slot to a grenade or a healing item?  Do you stick with your trusty machine gun, or do you switch it up with a heavy rifle?   With new and realistic lighting utilizing Unreal Engine 5.7, Cypress Ridge looks more sinister and desolate than ever before.  A new, fully-voiced, six-act Story mode tells the plight of heroines Alex and Rin as they struggle to survive the events of DINOBREAK without becoming dino food.  The Arrange mode brings custom handguns and upgradable sub-weapons to the fray for something a little zanier, while the Mutation Matrix randomizes the game’s encounters and items for an unpredictable experience every play-through! More bonus modes and features await as you take on nature’s ancient beasts on the safari of a lifetime in Tailbreak! Features: NEW Item System:  Pick up healing items, ammo, and more, but be careful: you can only hold two at a time!  Will you prioritize the extra firepower of a grenade, or will you hold onto a precious, life-restoring sprout for a rainy day? Fierce Firepower:  Blast away with both returning and new weapons.  Carefully manage your sub-weapon ammo, or you may find yourself up dino creek without a paddle!  In Arrange mode, choose between handguns with different effects, and level up your sub-weapons to make them more powerful. Deliciously Cheesy:  Enjoy a new story where lead characters Alex and Rin check out the coolest new game in Cypress Ridge Arcade – Tailbreak! It’s all about their search for safety in a city ravaged by raptors.  All six acts feature full voice acting with hysterical banter and the crazy camp you’d expect in your favorite B-movie! Gameplay Galore:  Bonus modes like Score Attack, Arrange Mode, and Mutation Matrix add additional depth and extra replayability to the game.  Plus, all content can be experienced solo or in local co-op play with a friend! Scarily Beautiful:  The world of Cypress Ridge comes to life whether you’re blasting through a restaurant or sulking through dark caverns thanks to the power of cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5.7, which brings stunning ray traced lighting to the varied, highly-detailed environments you’ll flee through during your exploits.

The post Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 3 to 7 appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Synaptic Simulations is a wonderful story of a group of young enthusiasts with a ton of talent and passion following their dreams. It’s a Cinderella story of a team emerging from the freeware scene and making an astonishingly complex airliner as their very first professional release. Warmest congratulations to Synaptic Simulations and iniBuilds on their launch, and we wish them great success with the A220.

We recently caught up with the Synaptic team to learn more about the people behind this exciting new add-on product and the process of turning it from an idea to reality.

What are your names, and what are each of your roles on the A220 project?

Harsh Duba: Synaptic’s team consists of eight developers working across systems and avionics programming, 3D art, and creative production. The project is led by me, as Synaptic’s CEO and art manager; Shaye, lead systems programmer; and Mike, lead avionics programmer. Together, we oversee the broader team and ensure every aspect of the A220 comes together as one cohesive aircraft.

How long have you known each other? How did you meet?

Michael Romashov: Most of us have known each other since around 2020 or 2021, when we independently joined what was then a community-led freeware A220 initiative. The project initially attracted contributors from across the flight-simulation community through Discord and Reddit. Over time, a smaller core group naturally formed as we identified the people with the commitment and complementary expertise needed to take the aircraft further. That core group ultimately became the Synaptic team working on the A220 today.

Before you became add-on developers, what were your career plans?

Shaye Garg: Before the A220, none of our career plans were completely set in stone. Most of the team were only 16 or 17 and fresh out of high school when the project began. Like many people in the flight simulation community, we grew up with Microsoft Flight Simulator, which sparked our interest in aviation, technology and creating things of our own. That passion ultimately inspired us to start building add-ons. Since then, we’ve pursued degrees in engineering and computer science and gone on to work across the software industry. In many ways, developing the A220 helped shape those paths, with the technical, creative and collaborative skills we gained through the project carrying directly into our education and professional careers.

Creating a modern airliner as a first development project seems like an incredibly daunting task. What inspired you to bring the A220 to Microsoft Flight Simulator rather than starting with a less complex aircraft?

Harsh Duba: We saw a clear gap in the flight simulation world. Many of today’s most popular airliners were already well represented, but the A220 was still a very new and modern aircraft at the time and had no serious high-fidelity simulation in development.

We also wanted to create something that felt genuinely unique and gave flight simmers a different experience from the familiar aircraft already available. Starting with such a sophisticated airliner was undeniably ambitious, but our passion for the A220 made us willing to learn as we went. What began as an attempt to fill that gap gradually became a long-term commitment to recreating the aircraft with the depth and accuracy it deserves.

When and how did you partner with one of the largest creators in flight simulation — iniBuilds? What are iniBuilds contributing to the project?

Harsh Duba: The partnership came about through a colleague, who had been working with iniBuilds in a freelance capacity. Having seen first-hand how iniBuilds operate, he felt it was the right home for the A220.

We had long admired iniBuilds’ work and reputation for delivering high-quality aircraft, so it quickly became clear they were the ideal partner to help bring the A220 from a passionate community project to a formalized product.

iniBuilds has provided the structure, production environment and resources needed to take the project to the next level. Beyond publishing support, the team has been responsible for the majority of the texturing artwork, full passenger cabin, liveries, animations and numerous refinements throughout the flight deck. They produced the custom sound package and developed a bespoke Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), helping deliver a more polished and accessible experience for simmers.

Are there any unique features of the A220 that you’re particularly excited about?

Michael Romashov: There are many unique aspects of the A220 that we’re excited to share. From its distinctive exterior and cockpit design, accurately recreated by our 3D team, to the quirks throughout its systems and avionics, the aircraft is full of details that set it apart.

One highlight is the 3D terrain map, supported by a custom compression algorithm and designed to faithfully represent the system found in the real A220. The Synaptic A220 also features a sophisticated graphical flight-planning system that allows pilots to modify their route directly through the navigation display – including creating holds, defining crossing constraints, rerouting, and much more.

We’ve also modelled a good amount of interactive circuit breakers, both physically within the cockpit and digitally through the aircraft’s displays. These are integrated directly into the A220’s deep electrical-system simulation, meaning that interacting with them produces the appropriate effects across the aircraft.

Even the soundscape is distinctive, particularly the A220 engine’s recognizable “whale howl,” which we’re excited to reproduce in the simulator. Combined with the accurately modelled autoflight behavior and other core systems, there will be plenty for users to discover both inside and outside the cockpit.

What were some of the most interesting challenges you had to overcome during development of the A220?

Shaye Garg: Because the A220 was our first aircraft-development project, one of our greatest challenges was the steep learning curve involved in reproducing such a complex modern airliner. As our knowledge, experience, and standards grew, we often reached a point where improving the existing work was no longer enough – we needed to start again and rebuild it properly.

This has affected nearly every part of the aircraft. We rebuilt the 3D model from the ground up to achieve the accuracy and level of detail we wanted while taking full advantage of Microsoft Flight Simulator’s capabilities. The aircraft’s systems and avionics have similarly undergone several substantial rewrites as our understanding of both the real A220 and software architecture evolved.

Although those rebuilds significantly expanded the project’s scope, each one produced a more accurate, robust, and maintainable result. Learning when to refine existing work and when to rebuild it entirely has been one of the project’s most difficult and most valuable lessons.

What excites you most about the A220?

Harsh Duba: What excites us most is how different the A220 feels to fly and operate compared with more conventional Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Its distinctive systems, avionics, and operating flows give pilots something genuinely new to learn, making it an interesting and rewarding aircraft to fly.

Beyond the aircraft itself, we’re excited to see how the community receives it. After years of development, the prospect of finally placing such a unique and modern airliner into the hands of thousands of flight simmers is incredibly rewarding. We’re also looking forward to supporting and expanding the A220 well into the future, guided by feedback from the community and the continued evolution of the simulator.

The Synaptic Simulations / iniBuilds A220 Airliner is available now from the Microsoft Flight Simulator in-sim Marketplace for USD 64.99.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, PlayStation 5, and on supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit our website at: www.flightsimulator.com.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Aviator Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 2068

★★★★★

$199.99 $159.99

Get it now

Aviator Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Aviator Edition includes everything from the Premium Deluxe Edition plus the entire fleet of 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator between 2021 and 2024. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Premium Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 2083

★★★★★

$129.99 $103.99

Get it now

Premium Deluxe Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 25 additional aircraft and 10 additional handcrafted international airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 2030

★★★★★

$99.99 $79.99

Get it now

Deluxe Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 10 additional aircraft and 5 additional handcrafted international airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 3317

★★★★★

$69.99 $55.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Standard Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Standard Edition includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.

The post A Microsoft Flight Simulator Cinderella Story: Building the A220 Airliner appeared first on XBOX Wire.