Unveiling New Adventures: Highlights from the ID@Xbox Showcase

It has been a slightly flashy start to the week – first with Annapurna Interactive showcasing its offerings and now with another edition of Microsoft’s periodic indie-focused ID@Xbox showcase. This time, we received several exciting announcements, a collection of release dates, a tanuki postman, a fresh dose of Tron, another look at the Lies of P DLC, and more. If you happened to miss any of the announcements, you can continue reading to discover more.

Revenge of the Savage Planet

If you are seeking a lighthearted, satirical sci-fi adventure – with plenty of goo, of course – then you might be interested in Revenge of the Savage Planet. This third-person follow-up to 2021’s Journey to the Savage Planet features new planets, online co-op, couch co-op, and more – and it is set to launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PS4, and PC on May 8th.

Jump Ship

Keepsake Games’ Jump Ship is a cooperative first-person shooter where up to four players attempt to navigate the universe by selecting from various missions. As the adventure unfolds, players can smoothly shift from piloting their spaceship to exploring planets on foot, even taking walks as necessary. There are also discussions of scavenging for upgrades and repairs, alongside collecting random materials to keep things interesting. Jump Ship will enter early access this summer.

Echo Weaver

Echo Weaver presents itself as a “time loop metroidvania where time is the premier resource and secrets are the only enhancements.” Players navigate through the remnants of a fallen civilization, a challenge intensified by the fact they are caught in a glitching time loop. To escape, they will need to harness the power of the loop itself, utilizing it for healing, upgrades, and more. Developer Moonlight Childhood proudly states, “No upgrades, no unlocks, just secrets… you can already do everything, you just don’t know how yet.” Echo Weaver does not have a release date yet, but it is definitely on its way to Xbox and PC with a day one release on Game Pass.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault

Fans of rogue-lite dungeon crawling and shop management can look forward to experiencing their favorites collide once again when Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault launches on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Game Pass later this year. Overall, the sequel from developer Digital Sun promises more of the same, but it does introduce a few fresh elements – including a brand new setting and a transition from the original’s charming pixel art to striking 3D graphics.

Blue Prince

There is already a considerable amount of excitement surrounding developer Dogubomb’s “atmospheric architectural adventure”, Blue Prince – an engaging puzzle game set within a continually shifting mansion. The primary objective is to discover the elusive Room 46 by deciphering the mysteries contained within its 9×5 grid of rooms; however, players can only progress so far before the environment reconfigures itself yet again. Blue Prince seems to be a delightfully clever creation, and it has now announced its launch date, set for 10th April on PlayStation, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass.

Outbound

If, like me, you have been yearning to get back into an orange camper van ever since your family’s beloved Volkswagen dramatically ignited in the middle of the road sometime in the 90s, developer Square Glade Games’ Outbound could be sheer joy. It is a game of open-world desert exploration and survival, where you’ll need to cultivate your own growth, gather natural resources for energy, personalize your vehicle, and construct a whimsically impractical dwelling atop your roof. Unfortunately, it won’t be released until next year, but I am eagerly anticipating it.

Herdling

Herdlings, the latest creation from Okomotive, developers of A Long Way: Lone Sails, is described as a “moving and breathtaking journey into the mountains… and beyond.” In this game, players will lead (or herd, perhaps) enigmatic creatures across a stunningly beautiful landscape populated with majestic peaks, mist-covered forests, and more. You’ll need to sharpen your skills to conquer its challenges and threats as well as navigate a few light puzzles — and you might need a few tissues too, since it promises to tell an “emotional, wordless tale of trust, survival, and companionship through a world in ruin.” Herdlings is set to be released this summer on PC and consoles.

Wax Heads

Wax Heads, from Patattie Games, offers an intriguing premise. It’s a “cozy-punk” narrative game centered on managing a struggling record shop, where players must meet the needs of eccentric customers by finding the perfect musical selection. The game features puzzles, arcade machines, stickers, and “punchy, witty” dialogue — and it’s set to launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC in “summer” next year.

The Lonesome Guild

The Lonesome Guild is a single-player adventure-RPG “filled with heart, combat, and relationships that transform everything.” Developed by Little Bull Studios, it follows the story of the protagonist Ghost (a spectral being) and their eclectic group of friends as they endeavor to save the world. The game promises intricate puzzles, intense battles, and a land overflowing with mystery and affection that players can traverse by seamlessly switching between party members—unlocking new side quests and abilities as relationships strengthen within the team. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC this autumn.

Buckshot Roulette

The essence of everything you need to understand about Buckshot Roulette is wonderfully summed up in its title. Developer Mike Klubnika’s darkly humorous take on Russian Roulette—where a shotgun is involved—features a game of negotiation, pleading, and treachery, as players strive to escape financially successful at the end of a 15-minute round. It generated a bit of a viral wave upon its release in 2023, and it’s set to arrive on Xbox and Game Pass “soon”.

Hotel Barcelona

Suda51 and Swery’s 2.5D slasher satire Hotel Barcelona did not quite meet its originally scheduled 2024 release, yet the recent ID@Xbox showcase suggests that it is still on track for a release this year. Its bizarre, eccentric concept features rookie federal marshal protagonist Justine—who harbors a deranged serial killer known as Dr. Carnival within her—disrupting a gathering of serial killers in the titular Pittsburgh establishment. This adventure involves rampaging through seven levels, each inspired by a unique horror film and showcasing a distinct boss character. Additionally, she receives assistance from the ghosts of her past efforts, who appear to battle alongside her.

Balatro

Developer LocalThunk’s poker-themed roguelite Balatro has seen tremendous success since its launch last year. If you haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet, you can now play it through Game Pass. To celebrate its addition to Microsoft’s subscription service, a complimentary new DLC—featuring cosmetic card backs inspired by franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Fallout, and Dead by Daylight—is officially releasing today across all platforms.

Rockbeasts

The last band management game I recall enjoying was Rockstar Ate My Hamster, which was released over 35 years ago. However, Rockbeasts by developer Lichthund somehow evokes that game’s chaotic essence, even though you’re controlling rebellious, grungy animals instead of parodies of real-life musicians. “Guide a crew of misfits on a thrilling journey to fame amid the era of MTV, rock ballads, and unfortunate hairstyles,” its official summary states, before revealing that it even features Iggy Pop. Rockbeasts, described as a “story-driven, role-playing management game,” is expected to launch on Steam and consoles later this year.

Ratatan

Ratatan, for those unfamiliar, is the spiritual successor to Sony Japan Studio’s beloved PlayStation Portable rhythm game Patapon. It successfully surpassed its crowdfunding goal within an hour of launching back in 2023, and development has been progressing smoothly since then. Led by Patapon creator Hiroyuki Kotani, along with former Patapon team members…
musician Kemmei Adach is additionally involved, making for an exciting blend of rhythm and side-scrolling action where players command an army of 100 Cobun to confront enemies. Ratatan was initially set to launch on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC this April, but its latest trailer shared during ID@Xbox now simply states “2025”.

Tempopo

When we last heard from developer Witch Beam, they had gifted us with Unpacking – an immensely satisfying experience that would go on to be crowned Eurogamer’s Game of 2021. Four years later, they are gearing up to release Tempopo, a vibrant musical puzzle adventure set in a realm of floating islands. Each island presents a puzzle, and solving it allows the main character, Hana, to recover a lost musical flower and replant it in her garden. However, finding the solution requires using Hana’s conducting abilities to guide the titular Tempopo forward, prompting them to shatter, block, grab, and push their way to success. It is set to arrive on PC, consoles, and Game Pass on April 17th.

Woodo

Diminutive Monks Tales’ Woodo is genuinely charming, and I’m already convinced based on that alone. More specifically, it is a “cozy 3D puzzle matching game” where players navigate a series of dioramas that illustrate a new chapter in the lives of Cunning and Ben the frog. Each new stage introduces a fresh array of objects – particularly, fully wooden carvings – and players must figure out where they fit, dropping them right into a scene with a satisfying splash. There is no release date for Woodo yet, but it is definitely coming to Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation, and PC.

Tanuki: Pon’s Summer

In Denkiworks’ Tanuki: Pon’s Summer, the Tanuki Festival is just a month away. However, the shrine is also in dire need of repairs – and that’s where Pon, a well-meaning Tanuki, comes in, as he takes on a part-time job delivering packages, all in an effort to earn some coins. There is a delightful cast of characters to assist, along with a multitude of side activities.