What could feel better on a Thursday than another Xbox Partner Preview broadcast? Once again, Microsoft is rolling out the spotlight for its partners, giving them a chance to showcase what they’ve been working on. As usual, the lineup mixes prominent third-party releases with a handful of smaller indie titles that are just as engaging — and the range here really did stand out. We heard about an exciting Stalker 2 expansion, a brand-new Serious Sam entry, fresh information on Stranger Than Heaven, a new release from Atomfall’s studio Rebellion, Xbox launch timing for Hades 2 and Dispatch, and even a small taste of Bluey! There’s plenty more on the way, and you can find the full set of announcements just below….
Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish revealed
Leading things off is a fresh installment in the Hunter: The Reckoning series. It’s been more than twenty years since the tabletop RPG made the jump to games, yet here we are again with Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish, described as an “action-RPG centered on modern monster hunters.” Importantly, Teyon is behind the development (with Nacon handling publishing), and the game is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC in summer 2027.
Wuthering Waves comes to Xbox
Want a few more trips through Wuthering Waves territory? Your wish is granted: Kuro Games’ free-to-play, open-world action-RPG Wuthering Waves is finally heading to Xbox, following its earlier launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. If you’re after gacha-style gameplay, mark your calendar for Xbox Series X/S this July, when it’s set to launch.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn gets a release window and beta
You may already know Owlcat’s upcoming project, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, which delivers a Mass Effect-inspired take on the well-regarded sci-fi TV series and novels. If that sounds like your kind of thing, here’s what we know now: it’s planned to launch in spring 2027. Players can even jump in earlier with a closed beta demo launching next month — though you’ll need to pre-order one of the more expensive editions to take part. It’s an interesting condition for the announcement, but at least the new trailer is available right now for everyone to check out.
Cosy farming sims collide with serial killers in Grave Seasons
What happens if you shake up the usual cosy farming routine by bringing in a supernatural serial killer? You get Grave Seasons. It keeps the familiar side of farming and relationship building, but because of the murder storyline, there’s also a detective-like layer woven into the gameplay. If you think you can handle life in the unsettling town of Ashenridge, Grave Seasons — developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games — is due to arrive on Xbox Series X/S on 14th August this year.
Serious Sam returns in the Shatterverse!
It’s been four years since developer Croteam’s wild, over-the-top hero Serious Sam last showed up in Serious Sam 4’s standalone expansion, Siberian Mayhem. Now he’s back for another round of chaotic shooting in Serious Sam: Shatterverse. Officially described as a “co-op roguelite FPS,” the game lets one to five players move through shifting universes, choosing boons and modifiers as they go up against Mental’s toughest forces. Expect it on Xbox Series X/S later this year.
Stranger Than Heaven heads to Xbox Series X/S
Like a Dragon developer Ryu Ga Gotoku’s Stranger Than Heaven has looked impressive since its first tease in 2024, when it was still referred to as Project Century. When the game finally got a proper reveal (and a title) last June, we also saw a major jump in the timeline — from 1915 in its teaser to 1943. Now we know why: as the codename suggested, Stranger Than Heaven stretches its story across a long span of years, promising an “epic tale of men struggling through five eras and five cities.” It also seems to share some DNA with earlier Like a Dragon releases, including open-world settings and real-time combat. Still, we’ll have to wait for additional specifics; there’s no release date yet, but Ryu Ga Gotoku has confirmed that it will come to Xbox Series X/S.
Super Meat Boy 3D gets a release date
Sixteen years after Super Meat Boy first launched and left players slightly stunned with its famously punishing debut, the platform series is moving into 3D. We already knew the shift was coming, but Team Meat has now shared a release date for this latest, snack-sized adventure. Super Meat Boy 3D is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and — naturally — Xbox Series X/S on 31st March this year, so it’s just around the corner!
Annapurna shares road trip adventure Forever Ago
Annapurna Interactive — known for critically acclaimed games like Stray, Outer Wilds, and Sayonara Wild Hearts — has announced its “heartfelt” road trip adventure, Forever Ago. It’s the first project from German indie studio Third Shift, which focuses on narrative-driven experiences. The story follows elderly protagonist Alfred as he heads north after a personal loss, using his instant camera to “help him comprehend his surroundings and the individuals who came before him.” The game’s soundtrack is composed by Clark Aboud, who worked on Slay the Spire 2, and it launches this autumn on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and PC.
Hack-and-slash roguelike Ascend to Zero launches in July
“Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stop time?” Ascend to Zero’s promotional material asks, and honestly, my answer is, “Not sure.” The central hook of Flyway Games’ “time-bending” hack-and-slash action roguelike is simple: players can pause time’s relentless forward pull while fighting through its neon-lit sci-fi world. As the studio puts it, “Starting with just 30 seconds,” you’ll use your time-manipulation ability to steal time from your enemies, swing powerful weapons and items, and push through faster progression as your build develops. If that sounds tempting, Ascend to Zero is set to arrive on Xbox Series X/S, Game Pass, and PC on 13th July.
Superhero workplace comedy Dispatch heads to Xbox
Dispatch is excellent. In fact, its quality is why we placed developer AdHoc’s superhero workplace comedy at number five in our top games of 2025. Xbox users will soon be able to jump in and find out what’s behind all the buzz. Dispatch is scheduled to arrive on Xbox Series X/S this “summer”.
Atomfall creator Rebellion unveils Alien Deathstorm
Is there anything worse than a deathstorm? Absolutely—an alien deathstorm, naturally! Take a moment to consider the people living in the devastated off-world colony at the heart of Atomfall developer Rebellion’s freshly revealed sci-fi action-horror FPS. In Alien Deathstorm, a catastrophic mega-storm is sweeping through, and on top of that, the colony has been overrun by hungry extraterrestrials. Yikes! Still, you’ll get the chance to fight back when Alien Deathstorm lands on Series X/S and PC next year.
Frog Sqwad lands on Xbox this June
We caught our first look at Frog Sqwad—Panic Stations’ “slapstick, physics-based multiplayer game” that I somehow always end up misspelling—toward the end of last year, but it’s back with fresh details on when you can expect it. Frog Sqwad sets out to deliver chaotic fun for as many as eight frog companions as they push through the sewers on behalf of the Swamp King, using their tongues to swing between pipes, tackling physics-based challenges, and much more. All of it is geared toward handling “unpredictable” objectives in a constantly shifting underground world. Curious? It hops onto Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass this June.
Bluey brings new moments to Xbox this autumn
The cherished animated series Bluey keeps its mission going later this year with yet another shot at the console video game space: Bluey’s Happy Snaps. Described as a fresh “photo-powered adventure,” it guides players through well-known places, letting them play with toys and use Bluey’s camera to capture those feel-good memories. It’s set to release on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC this autumn, which means Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen will be the first title to launch this May.
Stalker 2 is getting an expansion this summer
Developer GSC Game World’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic shooter sequel, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is preparing to head back into the Zone with a new expansion called Cost of Hope. The expansion is said to offer “dozens of hours of gameplay” as players explore two new regions alongside areas that haven’t been charted before, including the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. There are also reports of fresh weapons and gear, new hub locations, additional quests, and more—things you can expect when it releases on Xbox Series X/S and PC this “summer”.
Moosa: Dirty Fate brings a 17th-century action adventure
Moosa: Dirty Fate is all about sword-swinging action, promising intense fights and terrifying monsters in a “world where myth and history converge.” Moosa—which, according to the official description, reportedly means ‘martial artist’—is the work of South Korean developer Iggymob, and its story centers on “revenge, responsibility, and ambition” set in 17th-century Korea. A curse hangs in the air, and your people need to be saved—something you’ll be able to set in motion when Moosa: Dirty Fate arrives on Xbox Series X/S, Game Pass, and PC next year.
The striking Eternal Life of Goldman is getting an Xbox demo
The Eternal Life of Goldman keeps impressing with its magnificent look, thanks to its beautiful hand-drawn visuals. Weappy Studio’s eye-catching platform adventure—where an elderly man and his walking stick set off on a journey—has been on our radar for some time, and its 2026 release is getting closer. That said, Xbox players can try Goldman right now with a newly launched Xbox Series X/S demo. And if that still isn’t enough to keep you fired up, publisher THQ Nordic has also confirmed that Goldman will be available on Game Pass.
Vaunted lets you commit crimes across the universe in a tactical RPG
So what happens when you mix real-time third-person shooting with turn-based combat, then add a little sci-fi flair to create something wildly energetic? You get Vaunted, a new tactical RPG from Lost Lake Games—a team that includes veterans from StarCraft and Guild Wars. Vaunted promises a “tale of bullets, bravado, and outrageous deception” as its three ruthless criminal leads form a shaky alliance, moving through a universe full of treasure hunters and crime syndicates. It’s headed to PC later this year and will also be available via PC Game Pass.
Hades 2 finally reaches Xbox in April
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that the sequel to Eurogamer’s 2020 Game of the Year, Hades, is pretty exceptional. Though maybe you do—since it hasn’t yet made its way to Xbox or PlayStation, you might not have had the chance to play it. Either way, here’s the good news: developer Supergiant Games has announced that Hades 2, starring Zagreus’ sister Melinoë in the lead role, will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Game Pass on April 14th. And if you’d like to get familiar ahead of launch, why not take a look at what earned it five perfect gold stars in our review?
Head to a lavish “decopunk” dystopia in Artificial Detective
Last up is the visually stunning Artificial Detective—a “decopunk” action-adventure and the first project from developer Vivix. This studio is reportedly made up of film and game veterans, with past work that includes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Control, Dead Space, and Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots—an impressive background that may help explain its rich visual style. Artificial Detective is a real treat for the eyes, telling the story of a robot detective in a city overrun by rogue machines. Look for a mix of survival, some combat, a companion called Mowgli (one of the last humans), and an adorable robot dog. The description teases, “Explore the multi-layered districts of Conglomerate North, hunt for clues, utilize the environment as a weapon, and navigate sandbox encounters in your unique way,” adding, “Engage in battles, hack, and outsmart lethal machines to uncover the mystery of humanity’s disappearance.” This game is set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC next year.