The latest free update for Arc Raiders, Riven Tides, launched this week, and alongside the new Riven Tides map the update also introduces the new Arc Turbine, an enemy that can operate both in the air and on the ground. In this article you’ll find out more about the new Arc threat, how to fight it, and get some tips from the devs on how to set yourself up for success.

A new Arc threat patrols the skies

Scouts have reported sightings of a new Arc enemy in the Rust Belt. Moving slowly across the sky, the conical-shaped Arc Turbine scans the surface looking for suitable places to land. Although its ultimate purpose is unclear, scout reports suggest  it uses its inner machinery to collect airborne particulates from its surroundings, and enterprising Raiders are already eyeing its high-value Arc parts.

Defensive by design, dangerous when provoked

Rather than proactively attacking, the Arc Turbine relies on a series of defensive maneuvers to deter Raiders from interfering with its operations and actively tries to find landing spots far away from any threat, making it very challenging to reach, as it’s frequently spotted perching high up on roof tops and towers.

Dev tip: “Pick your spot. It’s safer to fight it in the open”

Mines, grenades, and zero mercy

The Arc Turbine is not the gentle giant it first appears to be and will respond with brutal force if provoked. Raiders who insist on hunting it down should adopt extreme caution as its electrically charged attacks will seek out anyone using the environment as cover, and motion detection mines will punish Raiders who try to charge up close to it.

Dev tip: “Plan your approach carefully and move slowly as you get closer – I wouldn’t recommend trying to hitch a ride on it!”

However, your chances to take it down increase dramatically if you band together, stalk it patiently and launch a flurry of coordinated attacks when it’s at its most vulnerable since it’s quick to relocate to safer grounds if threatened.

Dev tip: “Prepare for anything – pack traversal gear and Adrenaline Shots”

RIVEN TIDES UPDATE

The Riven Tides Update is the sixth free content update from Arc Raiders since launch, and the fourth update from the Escalation roadmap.

As well as a brand new Map, Riven Tides, The Riven Tides Update introduces a new large Arc threat, the Arc Turbine, plus a new minor Map Condition.  Additional new content includes a Player Event and seasonal Raider Project, the spread of the Vaporizer to additional maps, plus new equipment, items and quests.

See you Beachside, Raiders!

ARC Raiders – Deluxe Edition

Embark Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 10427

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: – “Valente” Outfit, – “Pathfinder” Backpack, – “Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment. Plus: Lip Scar Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Outfit, 2 400 Raider Tokens.

ARC Raiders

Embark Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 10270

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

SCAVENGE, SURVIVE, THRIVE In ARC Raiders, gameplay flows between the surface ruled by lethal machines, and the vibrant underground society of Speranza. Craft, repair, and upgrade your gear in the safety of your own workshop, before venturing topside to scavenge the remnants of a devastated but beautiful world. Play solo or in parties up to three, navigating the constant threat of ARC's machines and the unpredictable choices of fellow survivors. In the end, only you decide what kind of Raider you are – and how far you’ll go to prevail. EXPLORE AN IMMERSIVE WORLD Explore four distinct maps at launch, with more to be revealed as the underground society evolves and expands its reach. Each destination carries the weight of a world twice-destroyed, and the scars of conflicts both old and new. Sift through the remnants for valuable loot, and piece together the past as it's slowly reclaimed by nature. Evolving map conditions ensure that no two runs are the same, with varying weather, enemies, and mechanics adding unpredictability and danger. STAKE YOUR CLAIM In a society built on boldness and bravado, it is up to you to stake your claim as a Raider. The loot you scavenge can be sold for coin or crafted into all-new gear, allowing you take on increasingly lethal dangers head-on. Through both victories and hardships, you'll gain valuable experience; unlocking varied skills that enable all-new ways of play. In addition, you'll complete quests for Traders with differing motives and agendas; uncovering both the friction and comradery of a community under constant threat of collapse. BEWARE THE MACHINES Lethal machines known as ARC rule the surface, ranging from unrelenting drone swarms to mechanical giants that obliterate everything in their path. Their origins remain a mystery, but their ever-present danger is felt with every step you take. Each machine comes with distinct strengths and tactics, forcing you to pinpoint their weak spots and constantly think on your feet. And remember: the noise of battle carries. Other Raiders may be listening; eager to claim what you leave behind. FORGE YOUR OWN PATH Raiders survive by kitbashing scavenged materials; using long-lost tech and looted ARC parts to craft weapons, gadgets, and gear. Upgrade your workshop stations and learn blueprints to craft even more advanced items, or improvise quick fixes in the field to get yourself out of a bind. As you make a name for yourself, you'll be able to measure your skill against other Raiders by taking on Trials; rising through the leaderboards to earn valuable rewards. QUESTS In Speranza, everyone has an agenda, and the Traders are no different. They’ll send you topside on missions in exchange for rewards, slowly revealing more about who they are and what they want for Speranza’s future. Complete quests to earn gear, crafting materials, and XP to level up your Raider and unlock new skill points. SKILL TREE The ARC Raiders skill tree branches into three paths: Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning. Spend your points to shape your playstyle. Loot faster and move quieter with Survival skills. Outmaneuver your opponents and threats with Mobility. And enhance your Strength and Stamina with Conditioning. Choose how you grow and what your Raider brings to the battle. BUILD YOUR ARSENAL Whether you’re preparing to take down specific ARC enemies or fend off rival Raiders, there's a choice of weaponry for every fight. Cater to your style with a range of firearms including SMGs, rifles and shotguns, as well as more advanced options such as railguns and energy weapons. Grenades, traps, ziplines and deployables offer the tactical depth needed to outsmart your enemies, while augments allow you to tailor your loadout to your preferred playstyle; unlocking dedicated inventory slots and additional gameplay perks.

Hello! Today I’m excited to share some exclusive details about our next story arc, Children of Krypton. The teams at Dimensional Ink and Daybreak Games have been hard at work on this new adventure, which centers on a fan-favorite DC character who’s been gaining serious momentum in pop culture: Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl.

We recently wrapped our first story arc, Light and Rain, a four-chapter narrative released over the course of a year. That story explored themes of loss, regret, and redemption, and this new multi-chapter approach has given us the opportunity to tell more nuanced stories with higher emotional stakes and deeper character development. Children of Kryptonbuilds on that foundation, beginning with its first chapter, Shadows Over Argo.

At the end of Light and Rain, players discovered a newfound evil, Kryb, a monstrous figure from the Lantern storyline and a long-standing enemy of Guy Gardner. In this new arc, Supergirl is going to be the star of the show and pick up where Guy left off. The two share a history through the Lantern Corps, particularly during Supergirl’s time as a Red Lantern, and that connection drives her pursuit of Kryb back to Earth. Her search ultimately leads her to Argo, now resting at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Supergirl has always been one of my favorite characters. When I met my wife, she was also a huge fan and had a collection of signed Supergirl comics, which I felt was kismet. I’ve wanted to tell a Supergirl story for a long time, especially one involving one of her classic adversaries. As we began exploring the idea, DC let us know a Supergirl film was on the horizon, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

What draws me to Supergirl is her depth. She’s been portrayed in many different ways over the years, but I’ve always been most interested in versions of the character that explored her grief, anger, and not fitting in. That interpretation felt grounded and relatable in contrast to some of the more lighthearted Supergirls we’ve seen. I was really excited to see that the new Supergirl film draws inspiration from “Woman of Tomorrow,” which captures that complexity beautifully. We wanted to lean into that, so players are going to encounter plenty of Kryptonian lore and characters. This is, at its core, a Supergirl story.

As we began shaping this storyline, one of our key priorities was being thoughtful about representation – particularly within the history of comics. If you look back at the Golden Age, female characters were often relegated to supporting roles as love interests or sidekicks. Over time, we’ve seen a steady shift toward more prominent and fully realized female leads across comics, television, and film. That progress matters, and we wanted to be intentional about continuing it. With Supergirl, especially as she returns to the spotlight in broader media, it was important to us to do justice to the character and present her as a strong, central figure in her own story.

Of course, in DCUO, the “U” stands for universe. While Supergirl leads the narrative, she won’t be alone. Guy Gardner has been called off on official Green Lantern business, so unfortunately, the best haircut in the universe will not be appearing this time. However, Argo City’s location is at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean – and Atlantic means Aquaman! Naturally, this brings Atlantis into play, and so players can expect to encounter several prominent Atlantean heroes, along with a few additional surprises we’re keeping under wraps for now.

We have much more to say about Supergirl and the Children of Krypton story arc, which includes our thoughts about how expectations about superhero stories have changed as they’ve grown to dominate pop culture, geeking out about Supergirl, and a few surprises.

See you in DCUO, when Children of Krypton: Shadows Over Argo launches in June.

DC Universe Online for Xbox Series X|S

Daybreak Game Company, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆ 220

★★★★★

Get it now

DC Universe Online is now on Xbox One! Join thousands of other players in this Free-to-Play, massive online action game set in the popular DC Comics universe. Choose your side – Hero or Villain – and create your character to experience true action combat, as you fight alongside and against legendary characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Lex Luthor, and Circe. Jump in and explore the DC Universe; walk the darkened streets of Gotham City, investigate the mysteries of the futuristic cityscape of Metropolis, and travel to legendary locations such as Arkham Asylum and the Watchtower. The Xbox One version of DC Universe Online includes the following: – Xbox One Exclusive items: Powered-Up Character Emblem + Powered-Up Cape + Vapor Aura! Certain portions of the game, including online multiplayer and other online features, are not accessible by child accounts. “Child” means players under the age of 13, unless local laws specify differently. Become a part of our thriving community at DCUniverseOnline.com! Please note the download is around 64 GB and could take several hours, but it’s worth the wait! Bandwidth requirements may exceed 192 Kb.

DC Universe Online for Xbox One

Daybreak Game Company, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆ 7328

★★★★★

Get it now

DC Universe Online is now on Xbox One! Join thousands of other players in this Free-to-Play, massive online action game set in the popular DC Comics universe. Choose your side – Hero or Villain – and create your character to experience true action combat, as you fight alongside and against legendary characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Lex Luthor, and Circe. Jump in and explore the DC Universe; walk the darkened streets of Gotham City, investigate the mysteries of the futuristic cityscape of Metropolis, and travel to legendary locations such as Arkham Asylum and the Watchtower. The Xbox One version of DC Universe Online includes the following: – Xbox One Exclusive items: Powered-Up Character Emblem + Powered-Up Cape + Vapor Aura! Become a part of our thriving community at DCUniverseOnline.com! Certain portions of the game, including online multiplayer and other online features, are not accessible by child accounts. “Child” means players under the age of 13, unless local laws specify differently. Please note the download is around 63 GB and could take several hours, but it’s worth the wait! Bandwidth requirements may exceed 192 Kb.

Mention the word Renaissance and the modern person will think one of three things: Shakespeare, Ratatouille, or little summer fairs you go to watch men in shiny metal suits jump and wallow around in mud exclaiming “FOR THE KING,” gasping for air. The actual age of the Renaissance, a sweeping revival of culture, arts, and philosophical innovation, has been stripped of its oomph. Reduced down into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Monty Python, and a rotating door of Shakespeare adaptations nobody asked for – we’re looking at you Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet.”

And yet, birthed out of the wonderfully weird mind of Joe Richardson, a revolution was soon to take shape. He unknowingly took upon himself the burden of dragging the Renaissance into a new frontier, video games, developing what would become his critically acclaimed trilogy: Four Last Things, The Procession to Calvary, and Death of the Reprobate.

Alone in his Edinburgh apartment, later London, Joe studied Illustration with the ultimate goal of becoming an artist, fine-tuning his craft and channeling his inner Picasso all the while. That was until he realized, unfortunately, that he couldn’t draw for shit… With a quick flash of critical thinking and a rare bout of optimism, he pivoted into focusing on collages, movements, and interactions within art. His games became his canvas, and through them he showcased his deep love for Renaissance paintings, even with his self-proclaimed surface level understanding of each. Joe’s purpose wasn’t to understand the artists that painted them but to showcase these paintings in a way that makes them as fun for other people as they are to him, while at the same time transforming them into something entirely new. Something personal to him, his own work of art that’ll go down in history.

In relation to Joe’s background, his approach to game development is rather unorthodox. Every piece of art in the game is snipped and cut from existing Renaissance works in a collage style, down to the li’l knobs and bleeding peasants. His process starts the same with each title: cutting and placing each piece down on his canvas before any ounce of puzzling or dialogue is even considered. This way Joe can focus entirely on making the scenes work visually, preserving as much of the essence of the original paintings as possible. He creates a “sandbox” to play in if only to respect and stare at his own curated museum. Only after the foundation is laid is it time to incorporate puzzles, dialogue, and unearth a story from within. Everything is intertwined. The game isn’t just a visual collage, but a tapestry of elements all tightly woven together, all informed by and in service to the art.

The Immortal John Triptych takes Joe’s three critically acclaimed adventures and wraps them up in one ultimate Rabelaisian package. Four Last Things, The Procession to Calvary, and Death of the Reprobate are combined and bring with them never-before-seen deleted scenes, timelapses of Joe’s artistic process from blank canvas to finished world, updated languages, and an expanded soundtrack by Eduardo Antonello.

This isn’t just a collection – it’s the definitive way to experience Joe’s work, all three chapters of his Renaissance obsession in one place, with the curtain pulled back on how it was all made. Meet the locals, solve some puzzles and slap the arses of a number of unsuspecting cows and/or bishops in this fantastically silly vision of medieval Europe.

Wishlist the Immortal John Triptych on Xbox today and experience the Renaissance like never before.

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.

When was the last time you appreciated a bus? Public transit is an essential system for many cities all around the globe and one that becomes invisible the moment it works. The people that keep it moving? They fall into a blind spot; essential, unacknowledged and quietly holding the city together at the seams.

In Bus Bound, available now on Xbox Series X|S, we wanted to place the player at the center of that blind spot.

Public Service as Skill

If you put the concept of public transit under a microscope and zoom in carefully, you may realize that the ability to drive something the size and shape of a bus through a busy metropolitan area during rush-hour traffic takes serious skills. Consider every time you’ve been cut off in traffic and had to slam on the brakes. Now imagine doing it in a vehicle is 40ft long, somewhere around 35,000 pounds and with 50 passengers, many of them standing.

One of the core goals of Bus Bound is to allow you the opportunity to really experience the size and weight of these machines; to hone-in on what it takes to control a bus full of your fellow humans as you navigate the often-unpredictable nature of heavy traffic or of infrastructural obstacles like breakdowns or roadside construction on your way from point A to Point B with your passengers carefully watching. Good driving will get rewarded, while bad driving will be penalized and slow down your progression.

To accomplish this goal, we have placed a high emphasis on the finer details of the driving experience; the way that the buses look, feel and sound when you drive them. Each detail, from the way that the size and width of the wheels interact with the road to the button clicks, engine noises or the hiss of the brakes when stopping to drop off your passengers, was designed with one goal in mind: to make the driving experience feel authentic and real. 

The City on Your Shoulders

Progression in Bus Bound is directly tied to your ability to service your passengers and optimize your routes. You begin in one district with a small handful of buses and a mission to make the case that not only is public transportation necessary: it is also worth investing in.

Morning, noon or night in rain or shine, you will be tasked with optimizing your runs and upgrading each of the city’s 7 districts. As you unlock new buses of various sizes and shapes, you will notice a pattern emerging – that certain places in the city are busier at different times of day or in different weather conditions, making choosing a bus a strategic decision as much as it is an aesthetic one. Going through rush-hour traffic in the business district of New Heights, for example, will lead to denser, less-predictable traffic and a higher potential passenger count better suited for a full-sized bus such as the Bluebird Sigma or the NFI Excelsior. Alternatively, going through the educational district of Ashtree at night may not be as busy and you can opt for the Letenda Electrip or Vicinity Lightning to easier maneuver around tight turns. Once unlocked, you’re of course given the freedom to choose the bus you like the most; just be conscious of the tactical decision you’re making and that your ability to safely deliver passengers on time is the underlying rhythm of the city’s infrastructure program.

An Everyday Hero

We chose to base our game’s fictional city on real-life US cities like Nashville, Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina to take advantage of their sweeping asphalt highways with multiple lanes that aren’t common in most bus driving games. This presents us with the chance to explore new gameplay opportunities and utilize that space to develop the city itself as it grows into a pedestrian-friendly paradise for public transit. Spaces like parking lots suddenly transform into busy cultural hubs like plazas and parks for the citizens; traffic gets pushed out of certain areas in favor of bus lanes, reducing the region’s congestion but placing higher expectations on the time you have to run your routes.

Much like the city’s real-life inspirations, the ability to sustain and grow is the sum total of thousands of small, unglamorous decisions made correctly each and every day by a network of collaborators all moving in lockstep to keep the city in motion. In Bus Bound, you are the one taking action in that collaboration process. In a word, an everyday hero; the one that makes sure someone else makes it to their doctor’s appointment on time.

Keep the city in motion one stop at a time – Bus Bound is out now.

Bus Bound – Deluxe Edition

Saber Interactive Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Preorder Exclusive Players who preorder any edition of Bus Bound will receive an exclusive Day 1 unlock of the Horizon Hydrogen Gen 2 – a modern bus from the Horizon lineup, and a pack of 3 modern skins! The Deluxe Edition of Bus Bound includes the base game plus an additional unlock of the Horizon Speed 40ft–a retro-styled bus from yesteryear, and an additional pack of 3 retro-themed skins! Additionally Deluxe Edition owners will receive the Bus Pass which guarantees players day 1 access to three content expansions the moment they become available! (Expected in 2026)

Bus Bound

Saber Interactive Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Preorder Exclusive Players who preorder any edition of Bus Bound will receive an exclusive Day 1 unlock of the Horizon Hydrogen Gen 2 – a modern bus from the Horizon lineup, and a pack of 3 modern skins! Step into the driver’s seat in Bus Bound, the latest title from the creators of Bus Simulator 21. Explore a vibrant city behind the wheel of officially licensed buses, and help transform it into a pedestrian-friendly paradise—one stop at a time

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

Mixtape

Annapurna Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Mixtape – May 7
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

En route to their final party together, a perfectly curated playlist draws three friends into dreamlike reenactments of their formative memories. Experience a variety of narrative vignettes exploring the pivotal moments that shaped them. Players will immerse themselves in the teenage wasteland by playing through a mixtape of joyful gameplay, from skateboarding and flying to taking photos after hours at an abandoned theme park, hitting baseballs, and putting on a fireworks show from the backseat of a car. It’s the greatest hits of the teenage experience, from the first kiss to the last dance.

Wax Heads

Curve Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Wax Heads – May 5
Xbox Play Anywhere

Wax Heads is a cozy-punk narrative sim about working in a struggling record store. Chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands (and their drama!), or just slack off with your colleagues – whatever gets everyone’s groove back!

Axe Cop

Electric Airship

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Axe Cop – May 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Ever wonder what a professional-caliber jRPG would look like if it was written by a literal five year old? Welp… we did it. No filters – at all. Meet Malachai Nicolle, age 5, the narrative director of Axe Cop. He likes dinosaurs, warthogs, and Santa. Malachai pits Axe Cop and his team of strong fighters against the most deadly, disgusting, and horrifying bad guys his imagination can come up with. Take on missions against his most devious enemies such as Bad Santa Claus, Dr. Stinkyhead, Dr. Doo doo and more! Axe Cop is great for casual and hardcore RPG gamers alike, offering plenty of strategy, quests and story for any gamer to sink their axe into!

Dungeonloop

TERNOX

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Dungeonloop – May 5
Xbox Play Anywhere

Dungeonloop is a turn-based roguelite where every run plays out differently. Move and act on a grid, battle unpredictable enemies, collect powerful artifacts, and adapt your strategy as random encounters shape your path. Explore three distinct locations – each with its own atmosphere and boss – and build unique loadouts as you fight deeper into the loop.

Golem Lights (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Golem Lights – May 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready for a radiant journey in Golem Lights, an engaging puzzle where every beam of light can change everything. Take control of the Mage Golem and use its energy to illuminate the path, awaken other golems, and create luminous connections until you reach the mysterious Crystal Portal. With 60 levels spread across three enchanting biomes, from the cave’s edge to the crystal core, each challenge invites you to experiment, adjust, and discover new solutions. With no time limits, the experience is relaxed yet strategic, perfect for players who enjoy thinking calmly and testing different possibilities.

MOTORSLICE

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Motorslice – May 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Parkour through the ruins of a megastructure, climb massive bosses, and hunt down every construction equipment in this slice of life action-adventure with immaculate vibes. Play as a girl named P, and use everything at her disposal to escape from deadly traps. Run, climb, slide, crouch, wall run, perform stunts, and even use your chainsaw to cross impossible distances.

Magic Sheep (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$4.99

Get it now

Magic Sheep – May 6
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to fluff your brain and relax your heart, because this little sheep in a top hat is about to turn puzzle-solving into the cutest ritual of calm you’ve ever seen. Magic Sheep is a charming, slow-paced puzzle adventure where you push wooden barrels across peaceful gardens until each one rests perfectly on a marble pedestal. No pressure, no timer, only soft music, gentle thinking, and plenty of “oh, that was clever” moments.

THE TAG-ALONG OBSESSION

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Tag-Along Obsession – May 6
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Find a way to lift a curse on the lone survivor of horrifying incident in this cinematic first-person horror game! Hui-Ting’s investigation into a forgotten resort ended in tragedy. She was the sole survivor of a horrifying accident, plagued now by relentless nightmares. A desperate visit to a medium reveals a terrifying truth: she is haunted by a vengeful spirit, and the curse that took her colleagues is still tightening its grip on her life.

Tri6: Infinite 2

Clockwork Origins

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Tri6 Infinite 2 – May 6
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Welcome back to the digital endless loop! In Tri6: Infinite 2, you race futuristic vehicles across procedurally generated cyber tracks – faster and faster, more and more dangerous, more and more merciless. Obstacles, mines, and deadly power-ups are just waiting to knock you out of the race. But with the right timing, skillful evasive maneuvers, and clever use of your own power-ups, you can outsmart them.

Versebound

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Versebound – May 6

Re-write your legend through verse and blood, and bring respite to the tragic youth of Kalevala by besting mythical creatures, monsters, spirits – and even Life and Death themselves – in battle. Perform rituals, navigate treacherous lands, and learn from every misstep to become stronger.

Akuma Rise

KEMCO

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99 $17.99

Pre-order

Akuma Rise – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Set in the demon realm of Adribune, this story-driven JRPG follows Kaine, a demon who awakens with no memories after washing ashore on a remote island. With the Overlord gone, rival nations clash and heroes from the Radiant Realm invade, seeking to dominate the Shadow Realm. Joined by three demon princesses and a strange mascot, Kaine searches for fragments of his lost past while fighting to protect a world on the brink of collapse.

BAHAMUT AND THE WAQWAQ TREE

Soft Source Pte Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree – May 7

Discover a once-thriving ocean, now tainted by enigmatic dark entities. Your quest: decipher the mystery and rekindle the ocean’s radiant light. Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is a 2D adventure game deeply rooted in Arabian mythology. Dive into Ma’een, a stunning underwater realm. Once a thriving ocean, Ma’een is now corrupted by dark entities.

Decline's Drops

2BAD GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Pre-order

Decline’s Drops – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Put on your gloves and dive into Decline’s Drops, a fully hand-drawn 2D action-platformer! Play as Globule, a wooden puppet seeking revenge against the Decline, a mysterious force that is destroying his world. Explore hauntingly beautiful environments and uncover their secrets. Face the enemies that stand in your way with a demanding combat system. Every duel requires precision and timing. Avenge your ravaged garden and try to unravel the mystery behind the appearance of the Decline.

Froggy Hates Snow

Digital Bandidos

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Froggy Hates Snow – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

You are Froggy — a determined survivor in a hostile, snowy desert. Dig paths through the snow to discover treasure, battle eerie creatures, and adapt in a world where warmth is survival and the freezing temperatures aren’t the only thing that can kill! Stay out too long and you’ll freeze, unless you’ve upgraded your abilities to withstand it. But the cold is not the only threat. Eerie obsidian-black creatures prowl the drifts, each with unique behaviours and attacks. Mysterious anomaly zones offer deadly challenges with huge rewards. Use the snow as cover or blast it apart with flamethrowers and explosives to gain the upper hand.

iDigging

Dreland Enterprises

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

iDigging – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

iDigging is an exciting cooperative (up to 5 people) first-person game with bright, stylized, cute graphics where you play as a protagonist who decides to challenge the rules and laws. In this game, you’ll dig your way to success despite the bans and threats. The life of your character is not going well: his wife left him for the neighbor because he has no job and no money, and his house is empty. However, one day, the main character decides to change his life. In the game world, there is a strict ban on digging on your own property — all underground resources belong to the state since someone found treasure buried beneath the ground. But our hero decides to find this treasure and regain his status.

Noodlebound (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Noodlebound – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready for an action-packed adventure in Noodlebound, a 2D pixel art platformer that combines precise movement with direct and dynamic combat. Take on the role of a ramen samurai on a journey to recover ingredients that have come to life due to a mage’s magic, facing enemies, traps, and bosses across 30 stages full of personality.

Priest Simulator: Vampire Show

Ultimate Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Priest Simulator: Vampire Show – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A mockumental action game. Go forth and rock in the absolute weirdest and most messed up simulator in the history of sandbox shooters. Fully unprofessional English language version. This dub will have you in stitches. Priest Simulator is an action mockumentary with a completely messed-up story that will introduce you to the fantastic world of modern Poland. Put yourself in the cassock of a vampire priest who wants to get his batoon back and return to Hell. To that end, you must fight shatanistic hordes, beef up, renovate the church, and gather splendor.

WILL: Follow The Light

TomorrowHead Studio

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

Pre-order

Will: Follow the Light – May 7
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Will: Follow The Light is a story-driven, first-person adventure puzzle game about a perilous personal journey through the harsh northern latitudes. To find peace and reunite with his family, Will must sail across endless waters, face numerous challenges, and ultimately discover himself.

Barbarous: Survivor's Quest

QubicGames S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Barbarous: Survivor’s Quest – May 8

The land is overrun by hungry orcs, skeletons, ghosts, rats, and other dangerous creatures, and only the strongest will last! Fight through wave after wave of enemies, face powerful bosses, and upgrade your hero to become unstoppable. Every run is a new challenge! Choose your upgrades wisely and shape your build as you progress. Open treasure chests, gather experience, and stay in the fight as the enemy waves grow stronger. Improve your stats, unlock powerful weapons, and collect valuable rewards as you carve your way through the chaos!

Hydroneer

Foulball Hangover

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Hydroneer – May 8
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Hydroneer is a mining sandbox game where you dig for gold and other resources to build massive mining machines and a base of operation. Use primitive tools, hydro-powered machines, and player-built structures to dig and evolve your operation in this tycoon-style progression system.

In Trusted Hands

Games Harbor

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

In Trusted Hands – May 8
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In Trusted Hands is a narrative-driven repair shop simulator where fixing phones turns dealing with people’s private lives. Messages, photos, and hidden files can surface during repairs, placing you in the middle of secrets you were never meant to see.

Little Things

Dolores Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Little Things – May 8
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Play as a small creature named Whys on a journey to find the love of its life, Kys, who has been lost deep within the dungeons. Harness the power of colors to solve puzzles, unlock new abilities, and platform your way to freedom. Jump, dash, and even manipulate gravity itself to overcome every obstacle. Interact with your surroundings and use your agility to complete levels as quickly as possible and earn satisfying bonuses.

Starward, a 2v2 mecha girl combat game, launched a major collaboration event with the renowned Japanese IP Black Rock Shooter on April 16th. Players can claim the collab character Black Rock Shooter by completing in-game event tasks.

Fans of the Black Rock Shooter franchise are well aware of this iconic mecha maiden. Defined by her sleek, aloof charisma and dual-wield combat style, her core traits align perfectly with the core gameplay and thematic essence of Starward.

In this collaboration, Black Rock Shooter joins the roster as a 2.5-cost mid-range core character, faithfully retaining her original IP design. She can fluidly switch combat stances between her blade and the hybrid weapon “Rock Cannon”, balancing outstanding mobility and combat prowess.

In Bombardment Mode, she wields enhanced ranged firearms with an extended red lock range, enabling precise long-distance strikes. In Combat Mode, her melee capabilities are amplified alongside drastically improved mobility, allowing her to close in on foes swiftly and unleash relentless combos. This seamless toggle between two distinct forms perfectly embodies her overpowered persona from the original series.

Black Rock Shooter officially arrived in the game’s limited collaboration gacha pool on April 16. You can unlock this highly popular character by completing designated tasks or recruiting her, and experience her distinctive combat style firsthand.

Furthermore, the surprises of this collaboration do not end here. As Black Rock Shooter’s closest companion in the original IP, Dead Master will also be added to the collaboration gacha in a future update. Stay tuned to our official channels and don’t miss out on this special collab content.

We interviewed Zongzi, the game designer behind Starward, to uncover the story behind this crossover collaboration.

“ We’ve been preparing for this collaboration for a long time, and it all started with overwhelming player anticipation. A large portion of our community are huge fans of the Black Rock Shooter IP. Furthermore, her dual-weapon design fits perfectly with our gameplay framework. Imagine the cold, stoic beauty Black Rock Shooter stepping into the world of Starward — it makes for an incredibly compelling crossover. This has always been our core philosophy: listening to our players, staying connected with the community, and creating content they truly love.”

This mindset has driven Starward since its inception. Every character in the game features a unique visual design and distinct skill strengths. The best way to enjoy Starward is to pick your favorite mecha maiden and experience boundless freedom in thrilling 2v2 battles.

Lastly, Zongzi added, “We will continue to partner with more iconic IPs in the future to bring players brand-new and refreshing experiences.”

Starward is now officially available on Xbox platforms for free. You can obtain the collab character Black Rock Shooter by completing in-game tasks or pulling from the limited collaboration gacha. This cross-dimensional crossover will deliver an unprecedented mecha combat experience and let you discover the unique charm of Starward.

星之翼(Starward)

Shengtianyouxi

☆☆☆☆☆ 74

★★★★★

Get it now

Starward 3.0 Update is Here! The epic collaboration between Starward × BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER is live! Introducing the brand-new original character Voidsaber, plus the exclusive Skysaber skin and the S13 Battle Pass skin Sharp-Resting Time — all ready for you to unlock! The new event【Commander, Let's Go Out and Play!】is now available. Come join the grand celebration! Starward is a 3D fighting game that integrates mecha girls and classic GVG combat gameplay, with 1V1 and 2V2 mode as the core gameplay. In Starward, players can control mecha girls with distinct personalities and different combat styles, and experience three-dimensional combat experiences beyond the ground. Classic GVG-like Gameplay Starward faithfully recreates the GVG gameplay that has been popular in Japanese arcade halls for over a decade. It includes actions such as Beam Rifle, Machine Gun, Charge Shoot, fighting, blocking, stepping, dashing, allowing you to quickly showcase your skill level. The Starward experience spans across three distinct game modes featuring 2V2, 1V1 and Arcade gameplay. PvP is the main, featuring fast-paced battles lasting about 3 minutes per match. Mecha Girls VERSUS All characters are mecha girls, skilled in close-range fighting or long-range shooting. You can choose characters like Aliz, SkySaber, XiaoLing to play as vanguards; or characters like Elfin, Cavalry, Hikari to play as rearguards. Each character has its unique design, such as Chinese style, elves, witches, fully armed mecha girls, and more. The COST System The character's combat power "COST" is divided into four categories: 3.0/2.5/2.0/1.5. You need to allocate the "COST" of the team to achieve the most reasonable configuration.

What happens when a sandbox game keeps growing for six years?

The result is a game shaped by constant updates that evolved into a deeper, more system-driven experience. The team at Foulball Hangover brings Hydroneer to Xbox on May 8th, making it available to console players worldwide.

A port of the full game, along with the Journey to Volcalidus DLC, is coming to Xbox Series X|S. It brings years of mining, engineering, and system-building together into a definitive experience, with couch co-op support and the sum of all its updates.

Exploration Meets Engineering

In Hydroneer, your journey starts small. You dig up resources, process them, refine, and sell what you produce to expand your operation. As new tools and machinery are purchased, the loop of handling the manual labor yourself evolves into something more complex. You get access to conveyor belts that move materials, pipes that keep systems running, and drills that automate resource gathering.

Even with its focus on systems, Hydroneer remains hands-on from the very beginning. You start by digging and processing resources yourself, gradually building toward setups that can take over the work for you. As you play on, the goal shifts from doing everything yourself manually to designing systems that can run on their own, allowing you to focus on expansion or even exploration.

New dig sites open up opportunities to expand across multiple locations, while trade hubs and quests give you work direction. Vehicles like the Hydro Truck and the powerful Hydro Mole make it easier to manage large-scale operations. At the same time, systems like farming and fishing offer additional ways to unplug, unwind, and enjoy the world.

As your Operation Grows, So Does the World Around it

For those looking to approach their factories in a different way, the Journey to Volcalidus expansion introduces a new region with its own interesting progression systems. With a world bigger than the original, it brings in new challenges like frozen terrain that requires specialized tools, along with lava-powered machinery that adds a new layer to how players power and build their new operations.

Beyond that, players can take part in more advanced crafting systems, using the forge hidden deep within a settlement known as Icehelm, creating masterwork tools and experimenting with different materials and modifiers to fine-tune how you can play. It gives players more control over how their systems perform, whether that’s improving basic output or adapting builds to fit the more demanding environment of the Volcalidus DLC.

That depth extends into the economy as well, prompting players to craft higher-value goods like weapons and jewelry to sell, turning operations into something more than just resource gathering. Combined with new tools, new quests, and huge spaces to build in, Volcalidus feels like a natural next step for players who want to push the challenge up a level.

For the team at Foulball Hangover, Hydroneer’s journey to Xbox reflects years of iteration and collaboration with its community. The devs have worked closely with players as the game has grown, shaping systems and features over time.

Now, with its console release coming up May 8, they’re excited to see what Xbox players create and what places they will enjoy as they dig in Hydroneer.

Hydroneer

Foulball Hangover

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Hydroneer is a mining sandbox game where you dig for gold and other resources to build massive mining machines and a base of operation. Use primitive tools, hydro-powered machines, and player-built structures to dig and evolve your operation in this tycoon-style progression system. Dig Deep! Using a state-of-the-art voxel based terrain system, you can create cave networks, quarry pits, or even mud mountains. Discover relics of the past in the depths of Hydroneer, with better rewards the deeper you dig. Forge, Build, and Create! Hydroneer features a dynamic modular system for building structures and hydro powered machinery. Create the base of operations from your own design to optimise your work. Create networks of hydro pipes, control pressure. Craft resources, weaponry, jewellery, grow vegetables, and cook soup for villagers. Hydro Powered Vehicles Large hydro powered machines used for a variety of uses, from digging resources and finding ore veins, to transporting goods. Explore the World of Hydroneer Various parcels of land await you in the world of Hydroneer, each with their own advantages. Deeper pits, attractive scenery, and closer stores. You decide where to build your base of operations.

Hi, I’m Steven ter Heide, Creative Director at Wild Sheep Studio working on the cozy animal-adventure game, Adorable Adventures.

In Adorable Adventures, we set out with a simple intention: to create a cozy exploration game that captures the feeling we have when wandering through nature: relaxed, curious, and wonderfully distracted.

We realized that to achieve that feeling, the story needed to be grounded in a perspective that naturally encourages slow, playful exploration. That led us to Boris, a young boar who finds himself separated from his family after a forest fire. Everyone is safe, just scattered across the park and the fire is only part of the backstory. The adventure that follows is gentle and carefree.

This setup gave us a clear structure for the main quest: helping Boris find his siblings and bringing the family back together. But from a design standpoint, we didn’t want this to become a traditional objective‑driven quest. It is not about urgency or danger. It is about being Boris.

Boris is still young, and the world is full of smells he does not recognize yet. Following scents becomes its own kind of exploration, a way of navigating that should feel playful and instinctive. Sometimes the scent of a sibling is hidden behind a stronger smell he needs to learn before he can follow his nose and find his way.

His biggest challenge is not the environment. It is staying focused long enough to follow that nose. And honestly, he does not always succeed. Sometimes he wanders off. Sometimes he plays. Sometimes he just sits. The park itself encourages that. Each biome has its own personality, its own distractions, and its own little surprises.

We have filled the park with small interactions and details that reward curiosity, so wandering off the path often leads to its own little discoveries. This was important to us: exploration should feel self‑directed, not prescribed. And while the main quest is about finding family, the game never pushes you toward it. You are free to explore at your own pace, to follow whatever catches your attention. There is no right order to things. But as you grow your little group, the world opens up, giving you new places to reach when you feel ready to explore more.

To help guide the experience without breaking that feeling, we introduced the Forest Guard. He is the narrator of the adventure, but more as an observer than a storyteller. He knows the park well, he is particularly fond of Boris, and he understands the ways of the boars.

He does not tell Boris what to do, and he does not interrupt your exploration. Instead, he bridges the gap between our human understanding of trails and maps, and Boris’s world of scents and instincts. This lets Boris stay a real animal: curious, playful, and occasionally stubborn, while still giving you an anchor for the story and helpful observations along the way. His role is simply to share insights about what you are already doing, or what you just did.

As you find each sibling, the family grows, and so does your ability to explore. Some areas can only be reached when you work together, and each sibling brings their own little quirks to the group. They are happy to follow Boris’s lead, and we hope they make the world feel more alive and more connected. That each reunion feels like progress, not because the game tells you so, but because the family feels more complete.

That is the heart of the story we want to tell: a gentle adventure about growing up, learning the world, and finding your way back to the ones you love. Not through dramatic twists or high stakes, but through small discoveries and quiet moments.

In the end, Boris does not become a hero in the traditional sense. He stays a young boar. But he learns what it means to be one: how to navigate the world, how to trust his instincts, and how to help others.

And along the way, we hope you feel a bit of what inspired us: that peaceful, carefree joy of being outdoors, where it is okay to slow down, take your time, and let your curiosity guide you.

That is the adventure we wanted to create, the story we wanted to tell, and we are excited to share it with you. Adorable Adventures launches today on Xbox Series X|S and we hope you will check it out.

Adorable Adventures

PQube Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99 $15.99

Get it now

Adorable Adventures is a relaxing third-person exploration game where you play as Boris, a curious baby boar who must learn to use his nose to reunite with his family, who were separated after a forest fire. Across rolling meadows, sun-dappled forest paths, deep caves, and rocky highlands, identify scents and follow trails to learn more about the world around you. Search for your brothers and sisters, uncover secrets, and expand your library of smells against the backdrop of a gentle and heart-warming story.

Beginning today, we’re excited to share that Xbox mode will begin rolling out in select markets to Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever.

Whether you’re playing on a high-performance desktop, a gaming laptop, or a Windows handheld, Xbox mode makes it easier to jump into your games. It adds another way to enjoy games on your PC – with a controller-optimized, full screen experience that is built for play.

Some players in select markets will be able to download the Xbox mode experience today, with availability expanding to more players in those markets over the next several weeks.

A More Immersive Way to Play on PC

Xbox mode is designed for the moments when you want your games to take center stage on Windows 11 PCs and handhelds. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined interface that puts your library and recently played titles within easy reach while minimizing background distractions.

With Xbox mode, you can:

• Browse and launch games using a controller optimized interface.
• Jump back and forth between Xbox mode and the Windows 11 desktop whenever you want.
• Access an aggregated game library, including the full games catalog from Xbox Game Pass, and installed games from leading PC storefronts.

Because Xbox mode is built on Windows, you still get the flexibility and openness of PC gaming, while enjoying a more immersive and streamlined way to play.

Since first introducing Xbox mode, formerly known as “full screen experience”, on Windows handhelds, we’ve been listening closely to player feedback and continuing to evolve the experience across devices. Those learnings directly shaped Xbox mode on Windows 11 PCs.

Xbox mode is another step in our broader work to make Xbox feel consistent across screens while giving you more choice in how and where you play. Windows has long been an important part of the PC gaming ecosystem, supporting innovation through its open platform. Together with Windows, Xbox is taking everything we’ve learned about building a world-class operating system for gaming and continuing to evolve the experiences that meet players where and how they choose to play.

How to Get Xbox mode on Your Windows 11 PC

Xbox mode is rolling out gradually to ensure a great experience for everyone. To get access as soon as it becomes available for your PC, make sure your device is set to receive the latest Windows updates:

1. Open Settings on your Windows 11 PC
2. Select Windows Update
3. Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they are available

Once the update is available on your device, you will be able to jump into Xbox mode directly from your PC and start playing.

We will continue evolving Xbox mode based on your feedback as we continue enhancing the Xbox experience on Windows. We cannot wait to see how you make Xbox mode part of your gaming setup.