Tag: Keeper

From Our Worlds to Yours: Thank You for an Incredible 2025 – Xbox Wire

What would you like to say to your players after releasing Ninja Gaiden 4 this year?

Our deepest thanks to everyone who has played the game, from the Master Ninjas who have been supporting the series for a long time, to those who are playing the series for the first time! Our days were spent developing the game so that players can enjoy the series’ signature intensity and a variety of actions to overcome difficult situations, so I’m happy if you experienced even a bit of the game! I think the flavor of the action really comes through the more you play it, so please continue to enjoy the different characteristics of the two Master Ninjas, Yakumo and Ryu! – Hirayama

To everyone who has supported Ninja Gaiden over the years, and to those how have started playing the series from this entry, thank you for playing the game. I enjoy watching your gameplay videos and comments on social media every day. In this game, we aimed for the revival of pure action that transcends time, and the three companies put everything into developing it. The action is really exciting and it’s a stoically made game, so those of you who have played the game please continue to thoroughly study it… and those who haven’t played it yet, I’ll be thrilled if you give this feel good slash action a try! – Nakao

How does it feel to have the game out there after development?

First of all, to be able to deliver a new numbered title in the series after 13 years is something that our entire team is truly happy about. We continuously debated and adjusted the game towards its launch, and once it was released it felt like it passed in an instant so I didn’t feel anything immediately, but as I saw social posts and videos being posted every day, little by little I began to feel joy. – Hirayama

For our development team, there are many members who, during the golden age of slash action games, were players or were involved as developers. So, while we had confidence in the game itself, I felt more nervous and excited than I have ever been before. And my current feeling is of relief, since the action has been well received. – Nakao

Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?

For a long time, we were in the dark while developing this game but seeing everyone playing and reacting to it at gaming events was a big driving force in development, and we made use of it in the final adjustments towards launch. Thank you again for your support! Post-launch, we are checking every single piece of feedback, so please look forward to future in-game updates! – Hirayama

Although I’ve mentioned it several times, we’ve been receiving a lot of feedback that, “the action definitely feels good!”, and it’s the part we’ve put our most effort into, so I am extremely happy that everyone is pleased with it. In this game we’ve taken the big challenge of mixing the best parts of Ninja Gaiden with the best parts of PlatinumGames’ action, so nothing makes me happier than hearing everyone enjoying the action. – Nakao

What is your studio most looking forward to in 2026?

We are really looking forward to everyone playing “The Two Masters,” the additional content currently in development! In addition to new weapons for Yakumo and Ryu, we are planning on an additional story and other replayable content. We’re working hard to deliver it as soon as we can, so please wait a little bit longer! – Hirayama

There are many games coming out next year, and as always, several action games will be released, so as an action game maker we are looking forward to seeing these games. For us, in 2026 we are planning to release additional content for Ninja Gaiden 4, “The Two Masters,” which we are currently hard at work developing. Not only is there content such as a new story, but above all the new weapons for each character will provide a new play experience unlike any of the previous weapons, so we hope you look forward to it! – Nakao

[Back to Top]

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
447

★★★★★

$69.99

$48.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Source link

December 18, 2025
Seemingly Every Horror Filmmaker in Hollywood Agrees: ‘Keeper’ Looks Creepy AF

We’re just over one week away from Keeper hitting theaters, meaning the latest from Osgood Perkins can finally stop with the freaky, enigmatic marketing campaign and fully reveal itself to the world. However, there’s still time for one last trailer—filled with even more quotes from Perkins’ horror peers (and a few repeats from the last trailer), agreeing that this movie is going to blow your socks off.

However, and this is key, Keeper proves it’s fully aware of the “show me, don’t tell me” rule of filmmaking and throws down with some genuinely unsettling creature imagery to go with the praise from Bong Joon Ho, Fede Alvarez, Damien Leone, Guillermo del Toro, and others. (Video game titan Hideo Kojima calls Perkins “the wizard of horror.”) There are also some fresh looks at Tatiana Maslany’s character having a meltdown reminiscent of Wendy Torrance in The Shining.

Can you blame her, with all those drooling monsters roaming around? Oh, and it looks like Keeper has a fun new tagline too: “Hell awaits.”

While we still have very little idea of what Keeper‘s story is about, beyond it being a relationship drama that spirals into something supernaturally nightmarish, we feel very confident about the vibes: it’s gonna be an icky, nerve-jangling ride, possibly even more hysterical than Perkins’ The Monkey and more visceral than his Longlegs.

Will you be checking out Keeper when it arrives next week?

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Cheryl Eddy

Source link

November 5, 2025
Can You Survive This Mind-Mangling Osgood Perkins Triple-Feature?

The day before Keeper, Osgood Perkins‘ latest film—”a dark trip,” according to its marketing—hits theaters, fans can get an early glimpse as part of a triple feature highlighting Perkins’ dark trips from the past. Can your brain and sanity survive watching Longlegs, The Monkey, and Keeper in one sitting (and for just one ticket price)? Neon invites you to try.

The screenings will take place November 13; you can check here to see if a theater near you is participating, as well as find showtimes and ticket info.

Let’s break down what you’ll be getting yourself into. Longlegs stars Maika Monroe as a young FBI agent who’s brought in to assist on a perplexing case involving a gruesome serial killer played by Nicolas Cage. As we soon learn, she’s no ordinary agent, and he’s no ordinary killer—and there are all manner of oddities involved, including some truly distressing dolls.

Another doll, of sorts, anchors The Monkey, which is based on the Stephen King tale about a hideous toy that causes chaos—specifically for a family that includes twin brothers (Theo James in a dual role) who grow up on different but equally dysfunctional paths as a result. It’s also a horror comedy, in contrast to the more somber Longlegs, and features some of the most hilarious yet agonizing death scenes in recent memory.

And then: Keeper. What the hell is Keeper about? We know it’s a relationship drama with supernatural elements, but not much else; it stars The Monkey‘s Tatiana Maslany alongside Rossif Sutherland. Presumably, it will also follow the grand Perkins tradition of making you want to shriek and cover your eyes multiple times while watching.

If you just want to catch it as a standalone, Keeper hits theaters November 14.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Cheryl Eddy

Source link

October 29, 2025
Osgood Perkins’ Mysterious ‘Keeper’ Is About the ‘Horror of Heterosexuality’

If there’s one thing Osgood Perkins fans can count on, it’s that you never know what to expect from his films. Longlegs had a deliberately and persistently mystifying ad campaign—then, when it hit theaters, it proved to be a serial-killer tale that then mutated into something far stranger. The Monkey was a Stephen King adaptation—but only to a point, with Perkins’ script adding layers of gore and weirdness as the titular cursed object crossed generations. His next film, Keeper, is similarly enigmatic, though we now have a slightly better idea of what it’s about.

So far, what we’ve seen of Keeper are posters and a couple of trailers, one of which is anchored by praise from Guillermo del Toro and other horror titans. Today, Entertainment Weekly has some insights from Perkins and star Tatiana Maslany, though they are vague and guarded while talking about the movie. Of course.

“I’d always liked the idea of doing a relationship horror movie, so a horror movie where the relationship is the scary thing,” Perkins told EW.

The central relationship in Keeper is between Liz, played by Maslany, and Malcolm, played by Rossif Sutherland.

“It’s these hot-button topics like toxic masculinity or the patriarchy. You try to give it a shape in the way that horror passes through these eras where the monster is merely the shape of some bigger issue,” Perkins added.

For Maslany, “It’s like the lies that we tell ourselves about ourselves and about our partners in order to stay there. I don’t know how to word this without giving anything away, but the trap of the roles that we fall into and heterosexual expectations, I would say … Yeah, the horror of heterosexuality.” (The EW article noted she was laughing as she said that last part.)

One other nugget that emerges from the piece is that Keeper is definitely supernatural, with The Shining specifically noted as a reference point—interesting, but also bewildering. Sounds just like the right frame of mind to be in while sitting down to watch a Perkins movie.

Keeper opens in theaters November 14.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Cheryl Eddy

Source link

October 28, 2025
Keeper: A Note from Its Creator on Launch Day – Xbox Wire
Summary

Keeper, the otherworldly new adventure from Double Fine, arrives today.

Launching on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Steam. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and available day one with Game Pass.

Read a note from Creative Lead, Lee Petty, as his beautiful passion project arrives.
Hi there, my name is Lee Petty, and I’m a Creative Lead here at Double Fine Productions. I’ve been at Double Fine for almost 20 years! I was the Art Director for Brütal Legend and Broken Age, but was also the Creative Lead for Stacking, Headlander, Autonomous, and RAD.

My new game, Keeper, was inspired by the events of the last few years. Like most, I thought a lot about isolation and connection with others. I’ve always been into hiking, backpacking, and spending time outdoors with my family. During the pandemic, it became even more important to me. I wondered if the wildlife around me would be all that is left in the future. Would it continue to develop, to evolve? I thought of the mycelium, the vast underground networks that connect fungi, and how they are also used by trees to share nutrients and communicate with each other.

I imagined an isolated island in a far-flung future without humans. What sorts of life would evolve there? Would this life still be possessed with a need to connect with others and to have a purpose?

When thinking about what this world could look like, I was inspired by Surrealist painters, like Max Ernst and Salvador Dali, who created vibrant, dream-like worlds that are both familiar and unlike anything else. Some of my favorite movies, like ‘The Dark Crystal’ and ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’, are about strange, otherworldly places and unusual forms of life, and both present as family-friendly films but have weirder, darker undercurrents. This comes through in Keeper too, giving it a gameplay style that I like to call “Weird, but Chill”.

A story told entirely without words, Keeper is the tale of a long-forgotten Lighthouse on a post-human island, which awakens after eons of lying dormant. The Lighthouse’s ancient masonry crumbles and it falls to the ground, but then it grows legs, stands up, and sets off on a journey toward the mountain peak at the center of the island, joined by a spirited seabird companion, named Twig.

It’s a psychedelic tale of companionship and an adventure of mystifying metamorphosis, all set in a beautiful and surreal otherworldly realm beyond understanding.

It’s a game which is very much about the unexpected, and we have gone to great lengths to preserve the mysteries and surprises the game holds. I’m really excited for you all to discover them for yourselves as you play – and I’d like to ask you to please consider how you talk about these surprising elements, ideally preserving some of the mystery for others wherever possible. Thank you for playing!

Lee & The Team at Double Fine Productions

Keeper

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
200

★★★★★

$29.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words.

On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.
Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Source link
October 17, 2025
‘Keeper’ Continues Its Relentlessly Enigmatic Marketing Campaign

Osgood Perkins’ latest horror movie drops a new trailer filled with praise from Guillermo del Toro and other genre heavy-hitters.

Cheryl Eddy

Source link

October 15, 2025
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 – Xbox Wire

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!

Keeper

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Keeper – October 17
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words. On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.

NASCAR 25

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

NASCAR 25 – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

With a physics model tuned by the experts, and based on real world feedback from actual NASCAR drivers and race teams, you’ll be immersed in the sights and sounds of race day like never before. From Quick Race, Championship, Multiplayer, or Career, the combinations of tracks, cars, and experiences will keep you coming back for more. Work your way from your backyard shop in ARCA Menards series all the way through a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion in Career Mode and show the world what you’re made of. It’s the NASCAR game you’ve been waiting and asking for! Welcome to NASCAR 25! Pre-Order and receive 5,000 Career Bonus Dollars, 3 Cover Driver Paint Schemes, and 500 Career Rep Points.

BALL x PIT

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Ball x Pit – October 15
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Ball x Pit is a fast-paced fantasy roguelite where heroes must find the balls to plunge deeper into a seemingly bottomless pit of monsters. Develop arcane ammunition and resources in pursuit of treasure, recruiting additional heroes to aid you in your perilous quest.

Ember Knights : Heroes of the Nexus Edition

Twin Sails Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In this fast-paced action rogue-lite, play as Ember Knights, the last spark of hope of a universe in turmoil. Praxis, the mad sorcerer, has syphoned the life out of the Ember Tree and fled through the Prime Worlds spreading corruption in his path. In solo or co-op (up to 4 players), use powerful weapons and skills to hack and slash deadly hordes, defeat epic bosses, free the decaying Prime Worlds and restore energy to the Ember Tree!

Decision: Red Daze

Nordcurrent Labs

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Decision: Red Daze – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Dust Bowl, once a “thriving” society of corrupt politicians, rich property barons and everyday people who work for them “100% willingly,” has been overtaken by a mysterious phenomenon only known by survivors as the Red Daze. As the illness takes hold of the survivors and turns them into crazed and EXTREMELY dangerous mutated creatures, the world’s governments are running around like headless chickens. It falls to the few who remain to fend off the monsters in hopes of finding a way to eradicate the Red Daze once and for all.

Paint Path (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Paint Path – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Paint Path, every step is a brushstroke. This pixel-art puzzle puts you in control of a walking canvas that must cross hexagonal maps to reach the right painters. The atmosphere is charming and relaxing, with sound design tied to each painting action, creating a cozy and artistic experience.

Captain Tideborne and the Siren’s Call

Synnergy Circle Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Captain Tideborne and the Siren’s Call – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

In this retro-inspired 2D platformer with pixel art charm, you’ll join Melissa Tideborne—a bold pirate chasing a childhood memory and the mystery of mermaids. Explore a sunken dungeon filled with deadly traps, lurking creatures and hidden treasures. Your stamina is always draining—every step, swim and second counts. Will Melissa find the mermaid at the end of the dungeon, or will the siren’s call become her last lullaby?

DETECTIVE – The Test

JanduSoft

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.69

$7.75

Detective – The Test – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Do you have what it takes to be a great detective? In Detective – The Test, you will face three intriguing cases where only your observation skills and logical thinking will lead you to the truth. Explore crime scenes, analyze the connections between the people involved, and answer key questions: Who is the victim? Who is the culprit? When did the crime take place? There are no easy clues or shortcuts, only you and your deduction skills. Take notes, connect the dots, and uncover the truth in three distinct locations.

Kotenok

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Kotenok – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Pounce with precision as a pixel art kitty in retro platforming style! Play as a lost kitten in a dangerous forest! Master tight platforming controls, sprint, pounce, and double-jump through 50 tricky stages filled with spikes, enemies, and clever puzzles. Explore vibrant pixel-art worlds, bounce on mushrooms, outsmart foes, and hunt for hidden collectibles. Can you guide this frisky feline home? A charming love letter to classic platformers!

One Military Camp

Abylight Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

One Military Camp – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An evil maniac has conquered all territories in the region, except one. The world’s last hope resides in an old military camp located in this peaceful land. Bring it back to its former glory, to recruit and train a brave group of fighters to push back the evil forces. Face the challenge of building a military camp, keeping an eye on the resources and logistics. Place the buildings efficiently, hire the staff that will keep everything running and set up the training courses. Build defenses, because the enemy will send spies and drones to try to sabotage your camp.

Rabbiman Adventures

Israchem LTD

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Rabbiman Adventures – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Ready for a true adventure? Imagine you’re traveling through time and space, where there’s always something new and amazing waiting for you. There are colorful locations, hidden routes, devious villains, magical items, and exciting puzzles to solve at each level. Your wits and ingenuity will be your best allies in unravelling the mysteries of this magical world and reaching the end.

STARBITES

IKINAGAMES

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Starbites – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Starbites is a story-driven RPG where you meet various companions and strengthen your partner mecha while adventuring on the devastated planet Bitter in the aftermath of the space war. You will become the debris collector Lukida in Delight City, collecting spaceship parts and relics, and embark on an adventure with the laid-back and kind drinker Gwen-Dol and the calm engineer Badger, who supports the Lukida and Gwen-Dol duo. Will Lukida reach the truth at the end of the universe?

Blood West

New Blood Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Blood West – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Weird West legends meet eldritch horror in Blood West, an immersive stealth FPS. Become the Undead Gunslinger, doomed to roam the barren lands until he manages to purge their curse, freeing his soul. 3 varied scenarios, perk-based character progression, and 20+ hours of gameplay await you!

Bumblebee – Spooky Nights

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$11.99

Bumblebee – Spooky Nights – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X

On your quest to find a beautiful new home you will discover distant places, friendly animals, and amazing and dangerous habitats. You are a tiny bee in a giant environment and move continuously forward. You are free to fly wherever you want and explore the level to your heart’s desire. After you have played around a little and enjoyed the sensation of flying, you start to discover the nearby areas and hidden secrets.

The Cabin Factory

Feardemic

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

The Cabin Factory – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Welcome to The Cabin Factory! You’re now a newly hired Cabin Inspector – congratulations! Your job is simple: inspect the cabins and determine whether or not they are haunted. Step into the anomaly-hunting experience, inspired by liminal spaces and psychological horror walking simulators,

Cookie’s Trails (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Cookie’s Trails – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Cookie’s Trails is a cozy tactical puzzle set in a post-apocalyptic world with a sweet twist. The player guides a friendly hamster survivor through zombie-filled trails, collecting baseball bats and medical kits to safely reach the camp. Combining strategy, charm, and a unique atmosphere, Cookie’s Trails is the perfect choice for fans of challenging and personality-filled puzzles.

Deathless. The Hero Quest

Fulqrum Publishing Ltd.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Deathless: The Hero Quest – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Deathless, elements of a collectible card game, roguelike, and turn-based strategy combine seamlessly. Build a unique deck of cards, discover unusual relics, and defeat legendary bosses. Embark on the journey of each of the four heroes, unravel a web of intrigue, and protect the beautiful world of Belosvet.

The Elf on the Shelf®: Christmas Heroes

Outright Games Ltd.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$39.99

The Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Heroes – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Do you believe in Christmas magic? You’ll need every bit to help Santa save Christmas! Dash, swing, and leap through training to become an “official Scout Elf!” Pick your most festive outfit and spread cheer as you explore every room, dodge obstacles, and add sparkle to each corner of the home. This season, pledge to make things merry and bright. Are you ready to be a Christmas Hero?

Infinos

PIXELHEART

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99

$3.99

Infinos – October 16

Infinos is a pixel art side-scrolling shoot ’em up that pays tribute to the golden age of arcade shooters while offering fast-paced, modern gameplay. Take control of the Fauria, a powerful one-of-a-kind fighter ship, and face an overwhelming alien invasion threatening to destroy your entire civilization.

Infinos 2

PIXELHEART

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99

$3.99

Infinos 2 – October 16

Infinos 2 is a 2D horizontal shoot ’em up crafted as a loving tribute to the golden age of Japanese arcade classics. Pixel-perfect art, relentless action and tight, accessible mechanics combine to deliver an experience that’s instantly engaging yet rewards mastery. Each level unfolds a unique setting, fresh enemies and bosses with intricate attack patterns.

KAKU – Ancient Seal

Microids

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Kaku – Ancient Seal – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Play as Kaku, a lonely young boy living in the snowy mountains, suddenly thrust into a legendary adventure by a forgotten prophecy. Guided by this ancient prophecy and accompanied by Piggy, your loyal and surprisingly helpful flying pig, Kaku is the only one who can restore balance to the world. Explore forgotten continents, brave the challenges of the Ruins, face titanic foes, and uncover the mysteries of the Creator Saga in a journey as epic as it is personal.

Sokobear Winter

Bad Minions, Little Giant

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Sokobear Winter – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Adjust the temperature and relax in the spa! Sokobear Winter is a relaxing puzzle game with 40 cozy levels to warm up your day! Push the logs into the correct spots to raise the spa’s temperature to perfection. But beware: blocks of ice block your path and must be broken before you can move forward. Challenge yourself to complete each stage with the fewest moves and in the shortest time possible.

Adrenaline Rampage

Games Harbor

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Adrenaline Rampage – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Adrenaline Rampage is a platformer roguelite set in a dark, sci-fi world where you play as a soldier with up to 5 weapons to fight techno-zombies. Choose characters and skills to rush through the space city, kill ugly bosses and survive.

AQUADREAM

YUME GAME STUDIO

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

AquaDream – October 17

AquaDream is a cozy underwater adventure that blends puzzle-solving with exploration. Players control a small anglerfish, navigating the depths of a mysterious ocean. Each world introduces new mechanics, gradually increasing the challenge while maintaining an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere. With its beautiful pixel art, intuitive gameplay, and a rewarding sense of discovery, AquaDream offers an experience that is both relaxing and engaging—perfect for players who enjoy exploring and taking on cleverly designed levels.

Ball Blast

QubicGames S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Ball Blast – October 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

A wild rain of bouncing rocks crashes down – move fast, blast faster! Every rock has a number – hit it that many times and boom! It splits into two rocks with half the number and double the speed, turning the field into fast-moving chaos! Play solo or with a friend for double firepower. Beat hundreds of levels, survive endless waves, and climb the world leaderboard!

Bit ESC

Essssam

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Bit Esc – October 17

Break free from the system as Bit in this action/adventure platformer where you and set out to escape from the tyrannic OS. Gaining your freedom, though, might not be as clear-cut as it seems…

Blaster Force 3000

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Blaster Force 3000 – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dive into retro FPS action where every level brings a new challenge! Battle relentless aliens in dark cellars, ancient castle halls, and the vastness of space. You’ll need to adapt to the environment and enemies on the fly. Explore hidden areas, rack up as many points as possible, and put your reflexes and aiming skills to the test!

Frobbutt 3D

Sweet Bread Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Frobbutt 3D – October 17

Frobbut 3D is a 3D platformer about a goofy frog finally departing from his home to explore the land! Run, jump, flip and bounce across 5 big open levels searching every nook and cranny for valuable gems! Be creative with your movement abilities to reach the highest mountains and traverse the most dangerous paths to collect every treasure you can find.

Kamikaze Lassplanes

Crunching Koalas

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Kamikaze Lassplanes – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Kamikaze Lassplanes is a brand new mix of Visual Novel and SHMUP with crucial story-branching decisions that lead to different gameplay and story outcomes, both for war, romance, and the protagonists’ fate. Meet and fall for Alba Trossé and Hannah Brandenburg, charismatic Lassplanes who transform into deadly war planes you pilot. Face the Imperial fleet together in challenging arcade shoot-’em-up encounters and discover the secret behind their mysterious origin.

Lumo 2

Numskull Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Lumo 2 – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The isometric icon is back in the sequel to 2016’s arcade-adventure hit, Lumo. Experience a brand-new adventure of shifting dimensions and new perspectives, with gameplay that never stops evolving. Rewind the cassette and fall head over heels into a love letter to the trailblazing days of early ‘80s & ‘90s British videogames. Hunt for collectibles, and vault through portals – some even flip the script, morphing into wild genre twists that’ll keep you on your toes.

Ping Pong Up

Super Power Up Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$6.99

$5.59

Ping Pong Up – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Feel the tension of the big match breaking through the screen. In Ping Pong Up, your reflexes and precision will be the key to success. Play face to face with up to 4 friends or against the AI.

Racing Champions

Revulo Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Racing Champions – October 17

Experience the rush of motorsport in a unique blend of simulation and arcade racing, crafted with passion by true racing enthusiasts. With gameplay that’s easy to jump into, but rewards precision and mastery, this game invites you to chase that flawless lap again and again. Test your skills against a range of AI difficulties in single-player mode, or bring the competition home with local multiplayer to race head-to-head with friends.

Space Elite Force – Reloaded

Rising Moon Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Space Elite Force – Reloaded – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Gear up for an intergalactic thrill ride! Space Elite Force is a frenzied space-shooter packed with weapon customization and epic boss battles. Take command of your ship and fight for the survival of humanity!

Super Hero Demolition

Entity3 Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Super Hero Demolition – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Suit up and wreck everything in your path in Super Hero Demolition—an explosive, pixel-packed game where destruction is just the beginning. You’re a super-powered wrecking machine on a mission to smash everything down to the last pixel. Run out of energy and your run ends. You’ll start over—but with all your upgrades intact. Smash harder, last longer, and earn faster every time you play.

Tiny Arctic Hero

Desert Water Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Tiny Arctic Hero – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Tiny Arctic Hero is a cozy sokoban puzzle game about a clever little penguin who was taken by mysterious aliens to participate in their logic experiments. Solve puzzles, outsmart the alien tech and guide this brave Arctic Hero back home!

Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

Source link

October 10, 2025
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Ninja Gaiden 4, Keeper, Ball x Pit, Supermarket Simulator, and More – Xbox Wire
We surprise-added a bunch of games last week – for cloud, console, PC, and even the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds – with more to come, meaning we have something for everyone. Let’s get to the games.

Available Today

Supermarket Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Run your own supermarket in this store management game! Stock shelves, set your prices, take payments, hire staff, expand your store, handle shoplifters, and design your layout. Purchase goods from online or local markets around town and personally deliver online orders to your customers.

Coming Soon

Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions (PC) – October 9
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Available on console and cloud gaming and now coming to Xbox on PC! Gather your party; the RPG saga returns. Immerse yourself in an epic RPG series where every choice matters. Play over 100 hours of adventure in enhanced editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II!

The Casting of Frank Stone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 14
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

The shadow of Frank Stone looms over Cedar Hills, a town forever altered by his violent past. As a group of young friends are about to discover, Stone’s blood-soaked legacy cuts deep, leaving scars across families, generations, and the very fabric of reality itself.

Ball x Pit (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass: Ball x Pit is a brick-breaking, ball-fusing, base-building survival roguelite. Batter hordes of enemies with ricocheting balls and gather the riches of the pit to expand your homestead, generate resources and recruit unique heroes.

The Grinch: Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

The Grinch has a wonderful, awful idea – steal all the presents in Who-ville, using gadgets like his stealthy Santa costume and Candy Cane Lasso. Help him sneak around, freeze creatures with snowballs, and learn the meaning of Christmas along the way, in this festive platformer!

Eternal Strands (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Eternal Strands is the debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games. Fight epic, towering creatures while blending magical abilities with an arsenal of powerful weapons to keep the world from crumbling in this third-person, action-adventure game.

He Is Coming (Game Preview) (PC) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Deep in the forgotten corners of the world, a dark force stirs – the Demon King rises once more. Sharpen your wits, seek out powerful artifacts, and stand firm in the face of the apocalypse in this roguelite RPG auto battler.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black features the high-speed, ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.

Pax Dei (PC) – October 16
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Welcome to a vast, social sandbox MMO inspired by the legends of the medieval era. Here, myths are real, ghosts exist, and magic is unquestioned. Join thousands of players as you explore the land, build your home, forge your reputation, and craft your own stories. What world will you make?

Keeper (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 17
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a story told without words, in which a long-forgotten lighthouse is awakened and, joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, and an unexpected journey into realms beyond understanding.

Evil West (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 21
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Making a return to the Game Pass library! A dark menace consumes the Old West. In solo or co-op, fight with style in visceral, explosive combat against bloodthirsty monstrosities. Eradicate the vampiric hordes with your lightning-fueled gauntlet and become a Wild West Superhero.

Ninja Gaiden 4 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 21
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! The definitive ninja hack and slash franchise returns with Ninja Gaiden 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

In Case You Missed It

We recently revealed new details about Xbox Game Pass memberships. You can learn more about this below:

Hogwarts Legacy (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover magical beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be.

Little Rocket Lab (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Little Rocket Lab is a cozy, machine building RPG. You play as Morgan, an aspiring engineer! Head home to St. Ambroise to help complete your family’s dream-building a rocket. Help the locals with new machines, be creative, and become the ultimate engineer! That rocket isn’t going to build itself!

DLC / Game Updates

Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace – Available now
The skin tears. The head rises. The hunt begins. In Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace, play as The Krasue, forever cursed by insatiable hunger and a terrifying creature well suited for The Fog. The Krasue’s blood-drenched tale is one of ambition gone awry.

Diablo IV: Season of Infernal Chaos – Available now
Season 10 takes gameplay to chaotic heights, with updates that encourage deeper build experimentation and mastery through powerful Chaos Armor Uniques and deadly class-tailored Chaos Perks. The chaos persists in endgame with revamped Infernal Hordes, now overtaken by new, relentless Chaos Waves.

FBC: Firebreak – Breakpoint Update – Available now
The first free Major Update, Breakpoint is packed with systemic overhauls, new content, and quality-of-life improvements – all aimed at making FBC: Firebreak more fun, varied, and rewarding to play.

Grounded 2: Hairy and Scary Update – Available now
The Hairy and Scary update unleashes AXL the tarantula with a full armor set to craft, new weapons to wield, and new base décor. Fine-tune your loadout with new gear and build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M interface as you prepare to face AXL on the back of your Buggy.

Age of Empires II: DE – Chronicles: Alexander the Great – October 14
Pre-order now and save 15%! Prepare for the next chapter in the fan-favorite Chronicles saga by stepping into the sandals of history’s greatest conqueror. Embark on Alexander the Great’s epic journey in this narrative-driven campaign featuring three new civilizations, customizable armies, and fresh storytelling.

In-Game Benefits

Now all Game Pass subscribers can get in-game benefits for eligible free-to-play games and titles in the Xbox Game Pass library, in addition to special offers like Discord Nitro. Specific benefits may vary per plan, region, and time.

Valorant: Play the new Agent Veto (Console and PC) – Available now
Upset your enemy’s gameplan and take every fight on YOUR terms with Veto: Valorant’s new Senegalese Sentinel whose Radivore mutation shuts down and shrugs off enemy abilities.

Call of Duty: Warzone – Game Pass Pack 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Get a free in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone. This pack includes operator skins, weapon blueprints, emotes, weapon charms and more that you can use in both games.

Leaving October 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Be sure to pick up where you left off before they go and remember you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!
- Cocoon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Core Keeper (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutants Unleashed (Cloud, Console, and PC)
No matter how you want to game – be it on your PC, your console, a metaphorical ton of devices for cloud gaming (maybe a literal ton, if you count the CAR that has cloud gaming??), we have something for you. Talk soon!
Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

Source link
October 8, 2025
Gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo who underwent breakthrough medical treatment welcomes first baby

The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed its newest member!Gladys, the zoo’s 12-year-old gorilla, gave birth to a healthy baby boy Saturday morning.The zoo says the baby was born at 8:32 a.m. and that both mom and baby are doing well.Both Gladys and the baby’s father — Mbeli, a 23-year-old silverback gorilla — are first-time parents.According to the zoo, a 24/7 baby birth watch began four weeks prior to the birth, conducted by the Zoo Volunteer Observers, via remote camera.”The ZVOs reported signs of labor throughout the early hours on Saturday morning, and she was in active labor when I arrived at 5:30 a.m,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s head gorilla keeper, Ashley Ashcraft, in a news release. “A few hours later, keepers had the honor of quietly observing her birth! She has been very attentive to the baby and is doing all the right things. We are so proud of her.”The baby is the 51st gorilla to be born at the Cincinnati Zoo.Gladys and the new arrival are bonding behind the scenes. The keeper team is discussing names and looking for suggestions, which can be submitted on the zoo’s social media channels.The zoo did not say when the baby will be ready to be seen by the public.In 2024, Gladys broke her arm during a fight with her siblings. Thanks to the help of the world’s first 3D-printed titanium cast and months of physical therapy, Gladys returned to her normal self.According to the zoo, there are about 765 gorillas in zoos worldwide, including around 360 that are managed by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, with fewer than 175,000 individuals.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed its newest member!

Gladys, the zoo’s 12-year-old gorilla, gave birth to a healthy baby boy Saturday morning.

The zoo says the baby was born at 8:32 a.m. and that both mom and baby are doing well.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Both Gladys and the baby’s father — Mbeli, a 23-year-old silverback gorilla — are first-time parents.

According to the zoo, a 24/7 baby birth watch began four weeks prior to the birth, conducted by the Zoo Volunteer Observers, via remote camera.

“The ZVOs reported signs of labor throughout the early hours on Saturday morning, and she was in active labor when I arrived at 5:30 a.m,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s head gorilla keeper, Ashley Ashcraft, in a news release. “A few hours later, keepers had the honor of quietly observing her birth! She has been very attentive to the baby and is doing all the right things. We are so proud of her.”

The baby is the 51st gorilla to be born at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Gladys and the new arrival are bonding behind the scenes. The keeper team is discussing names and looking for suggestions, which can be submitted on the zoo’s social media channels.

The zoo did not say when the baby will be ready to be seen by the public.

In 2024, Gladys broke her arm during a fight with her siblings. Thanks to the help of the world’s first 3D-printed titanium cast and months of physical therapy, Gladys returned to her normal self.

According to the zoo, there are about 765 gorillas in zoos worldwide, including around 360 that are managed by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, with fewer than 175,000 individuals.

Source link

September 22, 2025
Keeper’s First Extended Gameplay Shows Us an Ever-Changing Adventure – Xbox Wire

There’s a primal human pleasure in simply finding out what something does. It’s the reason you’d still want to push a button that says “do not touch”, or wonder what’s behind a locked door. Keeper thrives on that idea, building out a game of discoveries and experiments around it.

Seeing extended gameplay for the first time at gamescom, Keeper’s key trick – of telling its story in a never-before-seen world, all without words – means that almost everything you do is less about completing an objective you’re told to follow, and more about finding out what the objective is.

Shine Your Light

First revealed at Xbox Games Showcase earlier this year, Keeper is a dreamy, otherworldly adventure that puts you in the misshapen body of a suddenly sentient walking lighthouse – but there’s no narrator, nor talking sidekick to explain where you are, what’s going on, and what you should be doing. Working these things out is the game.

“A key tenet of this game is the unexpected,” Creative Director Lee Petty tells me. “We wanted players to be able to relax a bit, chill out a bit, and embrace the unexpected. So to that end, there’s some experimentation, but there’s nothing the player can do to die in this game. They can’t mess up the experience. We sort of get the player on board early so that, when something unexpected is thrown at them, it’s not a moment of panic that they don’t know how to get through.”

In three portions taken from early sections, I see how Keeper slowly introduces new ideas in subtle ways. With only the ability to walk, shine a beacon, and the help of a bird companion called Twig, the player needs to work out what they should be doing through context clues.

“The lighthouse beam has two main modes,” explains Petty. “It has an unfocused and a focused mode. The unfocused mode is for exploring – as you shine it around, you might see little subtle shimmers or reactions in the world. Bigger transformations occur when the player focuses that bigger, brighter beam on things, and that’s often used to solve puzzles as well.

“Twig rides along on the lighthouse and can do things that the lighthouse can’t. The lighthouse doesn’t have arms, only legs. Twig however, can directly manipulate things in the world. So what the player can do, for example, to solve a puzzle is use a combination of that light ability and Twig’s ability to pick up and collect things.”

I see this early on, as the lighthouse comes across a lumpen… thing blocking its path. Under the unfocused beam, the creature bristles slightly, enough to show you that it’s reacting – and, focusing the beam, it puts a claw in front of its eyes. This produces a shimmer, which attracts Twig, who flies to grab the claw, and an option to “tug” appears on the screen. Twig pulls at the creature, who flops to one side, revealing a seed that Twig stows away for a future puzzle.

It’s a sequence of purely organic discovery – the game doesn’t tell you what you need to be doing, and the weirdness of it all means you don’t come in with a preconceived idea of what you should be doing, other than trying things out. And this is repeated throughout. I see the lighthouse effectively organising a dance of creatures attracted to its light to smash through a sheet of ice, a gorgeous discovery that touching a certain spore-like plant will allow the lighthouse to subvert gravity itself, and even a wild sequence in which it becomes apparent that the beam can control the flow of time on objects it touches in a certain area.

The real ace in the hole here is that Keeper’s world is unlike any other – its bucolic landscapes inhabited by scuttling, alien-like creatures, trees with faces, and flora with unusual effects. It means that, even once you do work out where to go, or what to look at, the effects of your interaction remain a surprise. Crucially, Double Fine never want that feeling to go away:

“We wanted the entire game to have this sort of organic, almost handmade, bespoke feel,” Petty adds. “It’s not a game of repeating actions as much as a game of wandering among unique areas and set pieces that change.”

In just 15 minutes of gameplay, I see – by my count – 11 different puzzles (not to mention smaller interactions as you prod and poke at the world around you). It’s clear that the aim here is to keep surprising the player with what they realize they’re being asked to do. Not all of this is ‘mission-critical’, either – the more you explore, the more you’ll find:

“There’s a lot of stuff for the player to discover along the experience,” adds Petty. “Some of those come in the form of environmental storytelling, some of those things are in the form of hidden interactions with the various creatures, and a lot of it is also just about the players’ interpretation of the games events, and finding meaning in the experience.”

Crucially, though, this is all done with the same small pool of button presses. It might have been complex for the developers to find so many ways to play with these toys, but they didn’t want the player to be bogged down by an unwieldy control scheme:

“We wanted Keeper to be an experience that wasn’t especially difficult to play,” says Petty. “It’s not a game about control, mastery or incredibly hard challenges, because we wanted this sort of unique, weird-but-chill experience for players to go on. We don’t have a need for all those buttons on the controller.

“And we also just have a really big set of accessibility features where people can map the controls to what they want. If they prefer to play with keyboard and mouse, or they play on a controller, we support both of them.”

For a game this overtly strange, it’s a way of easing you in – in all ways, Keeper has been designed as a welcoming experience, not an alienating one. You’re discovering this world, not being repelled by it – and it seems there’s a great deal to discover. What I’ve seen is from its earliest stages, and a literal cliffhanger at the end of the demo – in which the lighthouse tumbles into an abyss caused by a bridge, well, ceasing to exist under its feet – promises that there are far more surprises to come.

Keeper arrives for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Steam on October 17, priced at $29.99 USD. It will be an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and available day one with Game Pass.

Keeper

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words.

On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.

Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Source link

August 20, 2025