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Tag: Hitman World of Assassination

  • Xbox Partner Preview | November 2025: Everything Announced From Our Amazing Partners – Xbox Wire

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    Xbox Partner Preview returned today, shining a light on our third-party partners with world premieres, new announcements, DLC reveals and much more. During the 30-minute broadcast, we revealed five brand new games, released three that you can play today, and announced nine new titles that will be playable day one on Game Pass Ultimate -from partners such as IO Interactive, Poncle, THQ Nordic, and Future Friends, alongside other powerhouse developers.

    The broadcast kicked off with the world premiere of Armatus, the upcoming third-person action-roguelike from publisher, Fictions, ande wrapped up with the announcement of Raji: Kaliyuga, a surprise sequel to 2020’s action-adventure game, Raji. We also showed a world premiere of Vampire Survivors studio, Poncle’s new game, Vampire Crawlers. Even better – all three of these titles will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. We also saw new DLC and an Xbox release for Dave the Diver, plus a first look at the wild new Eminem Elusive Target mission heading to Hitman: World of Assassination next week, among many others.

    All of the games featured in today’s show are Xbox Play Anywhere, which means you’ll be able to play across console, PC and supported gaming handhelds with just one copy of the game.

    Additionally, we also announced that full screen experience—originally available on the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X—is generally available tomorrow (November 21) across all gaming handhelds currently in market. Plus, we’re expanding FSE to more Windows 11 PC form factors through the Xbox and Windows Insider programs soon.

    If you missed it, don’t worry, we’re here with a recap of everything announced during the show. Read on for more:

    007 First Light

    James Bond is of course, synonymous with fast cars packed with wild gadgets, and 007 First Light plans to honor that legacy with the inclusion of what else but a slick Aston Martin. The trailer showed a first look at the Aston Martin Valhalla, a state-of-the-art sports coupé with a few “special” modifications (guns) built in especially for on-duty 00 Agents. It looks as though this car will become a much-needed sidekick to young Bond’s activities in 007 First Light – and you can floor it over to our post to read more about the franchise’s long-running legacy with iconic vehicles.

    007 First Light launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on March 27, 2026.

    Armatus

    We got a first look at the worldwide premiere of Armatus, a third-person roguelite shooter from Counterplay Games. The trailer introduces us to a mysterious event known as The Vanishing, which has ended the world. Armatus sees you become a masked warrior, summoned and magnificently armed, to defeat the demonic horrors wandering the ruins of Paris. Your motivations are a mystery for now, so we’re excited to see what Armatus‘ narrative has in-store. You can also read more on Xbox Wire about the gothic horror inspiration and background of Armatus right here.

    Armatus launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud. It’ll also be available day one via Xbox Game Pass.

    CloverPit

    Gamble for your life (quite literally) in CloverPit, the roguelite where every spin contributes to your survival. Locked in a room with a slot machine and an ATM, you must play to pay off your debts and not be plunged into the depths below via a trap door. With a host of odd prizes and curious items that can trigger big wins, combos and boost your luck, every run ends up different and more compelling than the last. Find out more about CloverPit’s gripping loop, plus information about the upcoming DLC, here on Xbox Wire.

    And the ultimate jackpot – CloverPit is out today! Play it on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud, and via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium.

    Crowsworn

    This stylish action platformer blends tight traversal mechanics with fluid combat manoeuvres, and we got to see a little more of it in action during today’s Crowsworn gameplay trailer. The world of Fearanndal is under a terrible curse, and it’s up to you to fight through hordes of monsters and unravel the mysteries of this forsaken land. Uncover secrets, upgrade your abilities, and enhance your loadouts as you progress through this gorgeous metroidvania.

    Crowsworn launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud, and will also be playable day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

    Dave The Diver + In The Jungle DLC

    Dave the Diver arrives on Xbox today! Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC players can dive into this deep-sea RPG and explore the Blue Hole by day, and run a thriving sushi restaurant by night. Its whimsical setting combined with a deeply moreish gameplay loop is an absolute must-play. We also got a look at In The Jungle, a new expansion that sees our titular marine hero Dave exploring solid ground, riding through jungle settlements, and doing battle against a fierce, giant crocodile. Read more about the inspiration behind Dave the Diver, here on Xbox Wire.

    Dave The Diver is available today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud, and is optimized for handheld devices In The Jungle arrives early 2026.

    Echo Generation 2

    Developer Cococumber has unveiled a sequel to voxel adventure Echo Generation, and it looks interesting indeed. Echo Generation 2 is bringing back the first game’s spooky, supernatural setting, as well as its explosive turn-based combat against cosmic horrors and raging robots. We’re also seeing welcome inspiration from many beloved ’80s and ’90s action movies, including a Gremlins-esque battle sidekick. It looks like great fun, and we’re curious to see more.

    Echo Generation 2 is coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Xbox Game Pass.

    Erosion

    We showed the world premiere of Erosion, an isometric action game set in a stylish, western-themed voxel world. The trailer showed us a super interesting mechanic – when you die, you respawn 10 years later. In the time that passes, the world around you has changed, and other characters have gotten older, creating an urgency to find what you’re looking for. It’s a curious concept, and we’re looking forward to seeing more.

    Erosion is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Xbox Game Pass, and will launch into Xbox Game Preview on PC in spring 2026.

    Hitman World of Assassination

    The next Hitman World of Assassination Elusive Target mission is on the way, and it’s a truly fantastic concept. This job sees Agent 47 tasked with hunting down none other than the alter ego Slim Shady, at the request of… yes, rapper, Eminem himself. In this world, the younger Slim Shady has become an entirely separate, violent entity, and our intrepid assassin is tasked with taking him out by the real Eminem, in fear that his own creation will come for him. We’re truly excited for this one – pop over to our post for more insight into how Eminem’s Elusive Target mission came to life.

    The Mound: Omen of Cthulu

    A team of explorers ventures deep into an unwelcoming land in this upcoming co-op horror game. In this new gameplay trailer for The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, the expedition arrives on a mysterious coastline shrouded by dangerous jungles and supernatural forces beyond comprehension. Inspired by the inexplicable (un)realities of H.P. Lovecraft’s original stories, The Mound challenges players to work together and navigate shifting perceptions of reality to survive the horrors and uncover the treasures that lie within.

    The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu arrives in summer 2026, and will be available on Xbox Series X|S.

    Raji: Kaliyuga

    We’re thrilled to reveal a brand-new sequel to Raji: An Ancient Epic, the multi award winning indie action-adventure title, set in ancient India. Set six years after the original game, Raji: Kaliyuga expands on the conflict, portraying not just a war among mortals but a cosmic struggle involving gods, asuras, and mystical forces. You play as Raji and her younger brother Darsh as dual protagonists that you’ll control during different parts of the story. The sequel also makes bold new strides into a new genre, pivoting from the first game’s isometric interpretation of ancient India, into a full third person action-adventure, and we can’t wait to see more! For now, you can read more about how developer Nodding Heads Games is bringing this ambitious sequel to life, here on Xbox Wire.

    Raji: Kaliyuga is slated to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud. It’ll also launch day one on Xbox Game Pass.

    Reanimal

    From the creators of Little Nightmares – Reanimal is a darkly inviting co-op horror where you play as a brother and sister on a mission to rescue their missing friends and escape their home, which is now shrouded in horrors. As the duo, you’ll venture through a twisted world brimming with monsters and secrets. In this new trailer, we saw some new locations in this uniquely atmospheric setting, as well as some new gameplay mechanics that you’ll use to explore and survive this harrowing adventure.

    Reanimal launches February 2026, and will be available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud and is available to preorder today. If you can’t wait until then, a demo for Reanimal is available to play today.

    Roadside Research

    If you’ve ever wanted to be an alien working undercover at a rural gas station, well, that’s incredibly specific… and we’ve got the game for you. Roadside Research is a comedic co-op simulator where you’ll do just that, with the aim of gathering intelligence on humans. Day to day, you’ll be responsible for running the shop, stocking shelves, and appearing normal, while secretly conducting research on your customers. However, if you arouse too much suspicion, the government will show up, jeopardizing your Earthly mission. It looks like great fun, especially with friends.

    Roadside Research launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud in Q1 2026,and it’ll be available day one via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

    Tides of Annihilation

    Next up, we saw some incredibly cool gameplay from Tides of Annihilation, an upcoming fantasy action-adventure title inspired by Arthurian Legend. The trailer shows off an entire boss battle from start to finish, with protagonist Gwendolyn battling a giant winged entity, using abilities that allow her to shift through different realities to gain an edge in the fight. It’s a mesmerizing scene, complete with cinematic moments to add more flair to the frenetic combat.  For a full breakdown of what’s happening during that epic, reality-bending boss fight in the trailer, head over to our deep dive here.

    Tides of Annihilation is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud – stay tuned for news on a release date.

    Total Chaos

    From the creator of Turbo Overkill comes Total Chaos, a first-person survival horror brimming with mysteries to solve and monsters to kill/avoid/scream at. In this eerie, atmospheric world, you’ll scavenge materials to craft makeshift weapons, and battle against horrific creatures as you unfurl a nightmare narrative. The gameplay trailer alone looks tense and truly unnerving, but fortunately, you don’t need to wait to experience the horrors for yourself.

    Surprise! Total Chaos is available today, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

    Vampire Crawlers

    Poncle, the creator of Vampire Survivors, is back with a brand-new game announcement inVampire Crawlers – a first-person, deckbuilding, roguelike dungeon crawler brimming with the developer’s trademark chaotic approach. Many of your favorite familiar upgrades are featured – the bible, the whip, and of course, the garlic. It’s a fresh, interesting twist on the Vampire Survivors look and feel, with that same compelling, “one more go” appeal we know and love. Want to know more? Stick with Xbox Wire to read our exclusive interview with Poncle about building your future favorite time sink.

    Vampire Crawlers is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud and Game Pass Ultimate soon – keep an eye on Xbox Wire for news on a release date.

    Zoopunk

    Take control of a ragtag group of sky-faring, traditional-weapon-wielding anthropomorphic animals in Zoopunk, a new action game from TiGames, and part of the universe introduced by the acclaimed F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch. This new trailer sees one character on the hunt for an enigmatic object called “Spark”, before being captured by a rival group looking to take it for themselves. We also got a look at the fast-paced, third-person combat, which sees the characters pulling off different acrobatic moves and explosive abilities in battle.

    Zoopunk looks like a fun, sci-fi romp, and it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud in 2027.

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    Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor

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  • Hitman on iOS, martial arts survival and other new indie games worth checking out

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    Welcome to our latest recap of what’s going on in the indie game space. One very well-known indie found its way to iOS devices this week, though there are other new releases worth highlighting and plenty of other upcoming games to tell you about.

    First, though, there was a (paywalled) story in Game File this week that caught my eye. It’s about how Google’s AI Overviews feature offers up false video game tips. That’s a problem the developers of a game called Trash Goblin — a cosy shopkeeping game in which you chip away at junk to unearth trinkets you can restore and sell — have been dealing with.

    AI Overviews offered incorrect information about the game to some players, as well as the crew at Spilt Milk Studios when they tested the responses. For instance, AI Overviews suggested that a player could damage a trinket when they were removing debris from it, which is not true. It also in some cases delivered the correct information, but pointed the user to an incorrect source. In addition, AI Overviews offered information about another game entirely. This is obviously not ideal for players or the team behind Trash Goblin.

    We’ve seen many cases in which AI Overviews get information blatantly wrong. Like other large language models (LLMs), it guesses what the next word or words should be in its responses based on its training data. LLMs are about generating sequences of text; they’re not designed to deliver facts (one reason why there’s a disclaimer on AI Overviews that reads “AI responses may include mistakes”). They often just make stuff up.

    If you’re looking for help with a game, you’re far better off finding a community of players you can chat to. You might be able to find a clear, helpful guide to the game in question on an actual video game website, written by a professional video game guide writer. If, that is, you can evade AI Overviews to get to those websites in the first place (thankfully, it’s easy to turn off AI Overviews for your Google searches).

    New releases

    IO Interactive is independent, which means Hitman World of Assassination fits within our remit here. This week, the bundle of three core Hitman games from the last decade arrived on iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 16 lineup) and iPad. Supported iPad models are iPad Pro and iPad Air (M1 chip or later), as well as the A17 Pro iPad mini.

    Hitman World of Assassination is a sandbox stealth game in which you’re given a mission (usually taking out a target) and it’s up to you how to carry that out. Getting to know the layout of each level so you can plan your approach and escape is key. Understanding the route and actions of the NPCs will stand you in good stead too.

    The iPhone and iPad versions have touch controls with context-sensitive buttons. You can, of course, opt to use a third-party controller instead. IOI says it tapped into Apple’s MetalFX tech to help ensure the iOS port looks good.

    Hitman World of Assassination costs $70 on iOS. That’s fairly steep, but IOI says the game offers over 100 hours of gameplay. Alternatively, you can play the first location for free, and buy any of the 24 levels individually for $3 each.

    In addition, the game is coming to Apple Silicon Macs later this year. IOI will also bring the roguelite Freelancer mode to the iPhone and iPad versions down the line with a free update.

    Another game landed on new platforms this week as Alawar’s Karate Survivor hit PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch for $6. As the title suggests, this is a survivor-style martial arts beat-’em-up.

    You’ll be able to use the environment to your advantage by picking up items to use as melee or projectile weapons, kicking objects toward goons and swinging locker and microwave doors into bad guys’ mushes. You can unlock hundreds of different moves and there are permanent upgrades as well.

    First-person action-adventure Davy x Jones has set sail in early access on Steam. Until September 4, you can snap it up for $6.66. After that time, it will cost $10. However, the price will increase ahead of the game’s full release on PC and consoles, which is slated for late 2026.

    In this early version, you’ll have access to the main gameplay and combat systems (including legendary weapons), several islands, an array of enemies and some cinematic executions — hopefully involving a kraken. You’ll take command of a half-ship, half-whale vessel called Abby as you attempt to escape the underworld and seek revenge as the legendary pirate.

    Regular readers of this roundup will know that I’m a sucker for a game with a great title. Prop Haunt, which riffs on the prop hunt modes in many other games, is definitely one of those (as is another one I’ll mention later on).

    This is a spooky 1 vs. 4 multiplayer horror title from Silent Forest Games that just hit Steam early access for $15. The ghost players possess objects and it’s up to the investigator to find and stop them. The ghosties can teleport, blend into their surroundings and so on, while the investigator has cameras and other gizmos at their disposal

    Currently, there are four playable ghosts with different haunting styles, two maps and support for public and private lobbies. More maps, ghost powers, investigator tools and procedural prop generation are in the works.

    Upcoming

    Bye Sweet Carole had flown below my radar until the release date trailer popped up but, goodness, does it look gorgeous. The team at Little Sewing Machine took a hand-drawn approach to the art of this narrative-horror game, which mimics the look of classic animated films. Even the song in the trailer aligns with the type of showtune you’d hear in Disney movies.

    You’ll take on the role of Lana Benton, a young girl who sets out to find out the truth about her best friend Carole’s disappearance from an orphanage. It sounds (and looks!) pretty promising. Publisher Maximum Entertainment is bringing Bye Sweet Carole to PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 9.

    Rita is an interesting-looking puzzle game from SporkTank (aka solo developer Martin Stradling). You play as a chick that uses letters found in the environment to solve word puzzles, including crosswords, in order to progress. For instance, you might need to fill in a crossword answer for “stairs” in order to spawn a staircase (perhaps there’s a bit of a Baba is You influence here?). There are some platforming elements too.

    You’ll follow Rita throughout her journey from exploring as a young chick to becoming a grandparent. It all seems quite lovely. Rita is coming to Steam early next year. A demo will be available on September 18.

    Co-op survival game Lost Skies is set to exit Steam early access on September 17. Set on an archipelago of sky islands, you can explore this world with up to five buddies and try to learn exactly what led to this fractured civilization. You have a grappling hook, wingsuits and gliders to help you traverse these landforms and a customizable and upgradeable skyship that you’ll use for both transportation and combat. Players can also create their own islands, which they can share with the community.

    I never got around to checking out the demo for Lost Skies, even though I’ve had it installed on my PC for months. Still, this one from Bossa Studios and publisher Humble Games has me intrigued enough to perhaps try out the full game.

    Another game I’ve had my eye on for a hot minute is Bloodthief, which will debut on Steam on September 22. This is a Ghostrunner-inspired medieval parkour-slasher game from first-time game creator Blargis (Jake Bedard), who has been sharing development updates on YouTube over the last couple of years.

    In Bloodthief, you play as an agile vampire and use the blood of your enemies to enhance your speed, abilities and survival. For example, attacks help boost your momentum. I’m definitely looking forward to watching some speedruns of this because I’m fairly sure that, as with the Ghostrunner games, I’m going to be absolutely terrible at this.

    While you’re waiting (im)patiently for the full release of Hades 2, you might like to check out a similar flavor of isometric roguelite action — albeit with the addition of co-op. In Sworn, you’ll set out to save Camelot from a corrupted Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with the help of up to three other players.

    Sworn has been in early access since last year, and you won’t have to wait much longer for the full game. It’ll be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Steam on September 25.

    Let’s wrap things up for this week with another game that has a fantastic title. The Hero is too Powerful so let’s Pleeeease Settle this Peacefully! is the latest project from Night Stroll Studio (solo developer Trevor Thompson). It’s an RPG in the vein of early Zelda games in which you play as a hero who has exactly one attack.

    However, you can level up this attack to the point that it’s obscenely powerful. There’s also the option of talking your way out of sticky situations. This comedy adventure, which has maybe my favorite title of any game this side of I’m Going to Die if I Don’t Eat Sushi!, is slated to hit Steam later this year.

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    Kris Holt

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