The ID@Xbox Showcase has brought an exciting lineup of upcoming games that will soon be available on Xbox and PC. The event showcased a variety of games, including Vampire Survivors’ second expansion, The Last Case of Benedict Fox with an extended gameplay preview, and a new game that resembles Pokemon but with cassette tapes.
The showcase highlighted 11 games in total, each with their own trailer. Here’s a breakdown of each game to keep you up-to-date on all the exciting releases:
Vampire Survivors: Tides of Foscari Expansion Gets a Gameplay Deep Dive and an Interview
In preparation for the April 13 release of the Tides of Foscari expansion for Vampire Survivors, the ID@Xbox team interviewed poncle senior marketing manager Geo Morgan to discuss what players can expect from the new content. The interview also featured gameplay footage of the upcoming expansion.
Set in the Great Forest of western Europe, Tides of Foscari introduces eight new characters, 13 new weapons, a new stage, seven music tracks, and 20 new achievements to the game, all for the affordable price of $1.99.
Among the new characters is the rogue, who was showcased in the gameplay footage during a preview run leading up to the expansion’s launch.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox Gets and Extended Gameplay Trailer Focused on Combat
The upcoming game from Plot Twist and Rogue Games, The Last Case of Benedict Fox, is a metroidvania set in 1925 Boston where players must navigate a haunted mansion full of monsters.
Luckily, the release of The Last Case of Benedict Fox is just around the corner on April 27. In the meantime, fans got an extended preview of the game’s gameplay and combat mechanics at the ID@Xbox Showcase.
Cassette Beasts Is a ‘Turn-Based RPG with an 80’s Vibe’ and a Bit of Pokemon
Cassette Beasts is an upcoming game that draws inspiration from Pokemon. However, instead of using Poke Balls to catch monsters, players use a cassette player to record and capture new monster forms. The game allows players to put a monster tape into the player to send their monsters into battle, and even combine them to create stronger creatures.
Described as a turn-based RPG with an 80s vibe, Cassette Beasts is set to release on PC and PC Game Pass on April 26, 2023, followed by a late spring release on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass.
Omega Strikers Looks Like a Joyous Mash-Up of Soccer and Air Hockey
A new glimpse of Omega Strikers was showcased at the ID@Xbox event, exciting Xbox fans for its upcoming release. This free-to-play online multiplayer game features a delightful combination of soccer and air hockey. Omega Strikers is set to launch on April 27, 2023, with 3v3 matches, and players will be able to utilize slime-slinging, tofu-tossing, and rocket boosting abilities.
The Karters 2: Turbocharged Gameplay Trailer Showcases Wild and Chaotic Races
At the ID@Xbox Showcase, a new gameplay trailer was revealed for The Karters 2: Turbocharged. The game draws inspiration from popular titles like Crash Team Racing and Mario Kart 8, and the trailer showcased the wild and chaotic racing action that fans can look forward to.
When The Karters 2: Turbocharged launches on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One in 2023, it will include online cross-play, ranked matchmaking, over 12 game modes, custom tracks, 6-player split screen, online tournaments, Team vs. Team and Cups, and various other features.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Tasks You With Making the Perfect Drink and Helping Others in the Process
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is the upcoming sequel to Coffee Talk, released in 2020. Once again, players will step into the shoes of a barista in a coffee shop and serve delicious drinks to fantasy-based customers while helping them solve their problems. The game features a range of unique customers, including Baileys, an elf freelance graphic designer, Lua, a succubus bisdev executive, Myrtle, an orc game developer, and more.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly will launch on April 20, 2023, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass on release day.
Homestead Arcana Is a Farming Witch Simulator That Has You Healing The World
Skybound Games’ latest release, Homestead Arcana, is a unique farming witch simulator that boasts features such as magic, exploration, crafting, and more. Players will take on the role of a young farmer named Billie, aided by her cat familiar, Huckleberry. Together, they must restore the world and push back against the evil force known as the Miasma.
Homestead Arcana is set to launch on April 21, 2023, for PC and Xbox Series X. It will also be available on Game Pass on its release day.
Closer the Distance Explores How a Community Deals and Moves On After Tragedy
The upcoming game, Closer the Distance, centers around the story of Angela, a young girl who died in a car accident in her hometown of Yesterby. Players take on the role of Angela in the afterlife, using her ability to influence those she knew in life to shape the destiny of Yesterby. The game explores themes of tragedy and the power of moving on. Closer the Distance is set to release on Xbox and PC in the near future.
The Explorator Is a ‘Semi-Open Fantasy FPS’ With a Striking Art Style
At first glance, The Explorator seems serene as players enter a stunningly stylized world. However, chaos ensues as cartoonish creatures clash with the idyllic surroundings, creating a unique gameplay experience. The objective is to find Atlantis and thwart a threat caused by explorers who came before you.
The Explorator is set to release on Xbox and PC in the near future.
Lil Guardsman Will Have You Deciding the Fate of Over 100 Characters Trying to Enter a Kingdom
Lil Guardsman is a game that puts players in the shoes of a 12-year-old who must take over their Dad’s job of working at a guard shack. The kingdom they are tasked with protecting decides who gets to pass through, who goes to jail, and who gets executed. With over 100 characters trying to enter the gates, players must make tough decisions about their fate. The game also includes a time-rewind feature to fix mistakes, but players must be cautious not to cause “irreversible damage.”
Lil Guardsman is set to release in 2023.
Kabaret Is a Dark Fantasy Folklore Adventure Game With Monsters from Southeast Asian Myths
Kabaret, a dark fantasy folklore adventure game that features monsters inspired by Southeast Asian myths, is currently available. The game follows the journey of a cursed protagonist who finds themselves trapped in a realm called “Alam Bunian.” With the guidance of a character called the Caretaker, players must engage in tea ceremonies and converse with the locals to uncover the key to returning home and breaking the curse.
And that is all the games featured during ID@Xbox. There are so many great games to look forward to, It’s hard for me to pick which games to try but I would have to say Kabaret peaks my interest as there aren’t many games out there that tackles the topic about Southeast Asian Myths.
Lil Guardian just reminds me of Papers,please so that is definitely on my list. And Cassette Beasts looks like a pretty fresh take on the pocket monster genre!
