IGN’s annual Fan Fest kicked off with an exciting ID@Xbox Showcase, packed with world premieres, Game Pass announcements, and fresh gameplay reveals. Indie developers showcased a diverse lineup of titles, ranging from action roguelikes to unique puzzle adventures. Here’s everything you might have missed.
Major Announcements and Release Dates
33 Immortals – Launching March 18
The long-awaited co-op action roguelike, 33 Immortals, is set to arrive on March 18. This game brings MMO-style raids into an accessible, pick-up-and-play format, allowing up to 33 players to battle against hordes of monsters and massive bosses. The latest trailer highlights its dark cartoon aesthetic and fast-paced combat.
Balatro – Out Today on Game Pass
The award-winning roguelike poker game Balatro is now available on Game Pass. Alongside its release, the game received the fourth Friends of Jimbo collaboration update, featuring themed cards inspired by Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Civilization VII, Rust, Slay the Princess, Bugsnax, Dead By Daylight, and Critical Role.
Blue Prince – Launching With Game Pass on April 10
Blue Prince is a genre-blending experience combining exploration, puzzles, and mapmaking. Players will uncover secrets within the mysterious Mount Holly Manor, which can be physically restructured during gameplay. It launches on April 10 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and will be available on Game Pass.
Buckshot Roulette – Coming to Xbox and Game Pass
This eerie tabletop strategy game, which reimagines Russian Roulette with a shotgun, is making its way to Xbox and Game Pass. Already a hit on PC, Buckshot Roulette adds new layers of tension with additional rules that amplify the stakes.
Descenders Next – Launching April 9 on Game Pass
The sequel to the hit downhill biking game Descenders expands the experience with multiple extreme sports disciplines. Descenders Next introduces snowboards and mountainboards, offering a variety of ways to race down treacherous slopes. The game arrives on April 9 with Game Pass support.
Echo Weaver – Coming to Xbox and Game Pass
A time-looping adventure described as a “Metroidbrainia,” Echo Weaver takes inspiration from Outer Wilds and classic platformers. Players must navigate a collapsing utopia, uncovering secrets across multiple loops. It will be available on Xbox and Game Pass.
More Upcoming Indie Highlights
- Herdling – A beautifully crafted adventure where players guide a herd of creatures across a ruined world. Arriving summer 2024.
- Hotel Barcelona – A 2.5D action-platformer from Suda51 and Swery, featuring horror-inspired enemies. Launching in 2025.
- Jump Ship – A 1-4 player FPS where players pilot a spaceship while engaging in on-foot combat. Launching summer 2024 via Xbox Game Preview.
- Lies of P: Overture – New DLC expansion bringing players back to the world of Krat, featuring Lea, the Legendary Stalker.
- The Lonesome Guild – An action-RPG from Life Is Strange developer Don’t Nod, where players build a team to navigate the collapsing world of Etere. Releasing fall 2025.
- Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault – A full-3D, isometric sequel blending shopkeeping and dungeon-crawling. Launching in 2025, coming to Game Pass.
- Outbound – An open-world exploration game where players customize a camper van and explore landscapes alone or with friends. Releasing in 2026.
- Ratatan – A rhythm strategy roguelike from the creators of Patapon, featuring large-scale battles with up to 100 characters on screen. Launching in 2024.
- Revenge of the Savage Planet – A humorous co-op exploration game packed with creative tools like the goo cannon and lasso. Launching May 8 on Game Pass.
- Rockbeasts – A story-driven rock band management RPG where players guide a ‘90s rock band to fame. Launching in 2024.
- Tanuki: Pon’s Summer – A courier life sim with stunt-based deliveries and town-based mini-games. Coming in late 2025, available on Game Pass.
- Tempopo – A puzzle adventure from the creators of Unpacking, featuring music-based sky island puzzles. Arriving April 17, launching day one on Game Pass.
- Tron: Catalyst – A Tron-based action-adventure featuring time-loop mechanics and Light Cycle exploration. Releasing June 17.
- Ultimate Sheep Raccoon – A chaotic 8-player bike-riding party game with creative obstacles and power-ups, coming to Game Pass.
- Wax Heads – A narrative-driven game set in a struggling record store, offering deep character interactions and hand-drawn art. Launching summer 2026.
- Woodo – A cozy, story-driven game with a unique 3D puzzle mechanic where players build the world piece by piece. Coming to Xbox.
Conclusion
The ID@Xbox Showcase demonstrated the vast creativity and variety of indie games coming to Xbox. With major titles launching soon and many joining Game Pass, Xbox players have a lot to look forward to in 2024 and beyond. Which game are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
For more on major Xbox releases, don’t miss our coverage of Avowed’s arrival on GeForce NOW, and read about Phil Spencer’s vision for Xbox Cloud Gaming.