Xbox Series X
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series X.
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Creative Assembly stays true to the first movie as Alien: Isolation 2 focus on atmosphere over scale
Creative Assembly developers Archie Whitehead and Ana Sopikova discuss the focus on atmosphere and authenticity for Alien: Isolation 2, drawing heavily from the original 1979 film. They emphasize a commitment to custom lighting technology and a blue-collar, retrofuture aesthetic over scale, aiming to recapture the dread of the first game.
GameSpot’s September 2026 Staff Picks
GameSpot's staff highlights their favorite recent game releases, focusing on hidden gems and overlooked titles. The picks include a variety of genres such as a job simulator, a gacha game, an action-heavy combat game, an action-platformer, a turn-based tactics game, a simulation game, a horror game, and a TCG simulator.
Gears of War E-Day – Everything To Know
Gears of War: E-Day is set to return the franchise to its grittier roots with an overhaul of its iconic systems. This feature provides an overview of what players can expect from the upcoming title, highlighting its focus on the series' origins.
Cat Lines Wants You To Think Like A Cat… Sort Of
Cat Lines, a puzzle game from Tribus Games Indie, is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S for £4.19. The game challenges players to guide a kitten to cover every block in a level with yarn, incorporating mechanics like directional blocks and portals. An editor mode also allows players to create and share their own puzzles.
"Xbox is not for sale": CEO Asha Sharma says "we will do whatever it takes" to turn the console maker's fortunes around
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the company is not for sale, despite significant internal restructuring and studio layoffs. She affirmed a commitment to doing "whatever it takes" to ensure Xbox's success. Separately, Rockstar Games detailed advancements in Grand Theft Auto 6's weather system, promising dynamic cloudscapes and localized, persistent weather effects.
Queen's Domain brings the spirit of King's Field to PC & consoles in October
Queen's Domain, an indie action-RPG inspired by FromSoftware's King's Field series, is set to launch on October 30 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Freshly Baked Games and published by Future Friends Games, the title aims to replicate the challenging combat and atmosphere of its 1990s predecessors.
Grasshopper Manufacture Splits from NetEase
Grasshopper Manufacture, founded by Suda51, has announced its independence from NetEase Games, effective October 1, 2026. The studio aims to deliver a wider variety of game styles as an independent developer. This move comes as NetEase has been scaling back its acquisitions and closing other studios, with Grasshopper Manufacture being a fan-favorite studio that NetEase likely chose to release due to its established reputation and ability to self-sustain.
GTA 6 completely "re-engineered" Rockstar's weather systems to "achieve a sense of scale we haven't felt before," adding hurricanes, rainbows and heavy rain
Rockstar Games has re-engineered its weather systems for Grand Theft Auto 6, introducing dynamic cloudscapes, hurricanes, and persistent rain effects to create a greater sense of scale. Vice president of art for lighting and rendering, Owen Shepherd, detailed how these advancements aim to make the world feel more dynamic and immersive. The game is set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19.
PlayStation Store Drops Fun Free PS5 Action Game
Neighbors: Suburban Warfare, a chaotic multiplayer party brawler, is now available for free on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game, which launched in early access in April 2025 and reached version 1.0 in September, features various modes like Destruction, Brawl, Prop Hunt, and Robot Invasion, where players use everyday objects as weapons to destroy or defend their homes.
Football Manager 27 release date confirmed as new deep dive released
Sports Interactive has announced that Football Manager 27 will be released on November 10, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with a mobile version on Netflix. The game aims to recover from the poor reception of Football Manager 26, which was built on the Unity engine and had a rocky launch. The new installment will feature revamped visuals, including improved crowd models and stadium designs, alongside user interface enhancements.
Elta: Defy All Gods Hands-on Preview – A man and his baby dragon god
Elta: Defy All Gods is an upcoming 3D metroidvania platformer from Afterburner Studios and Focus Entertainment, featuring a masked warrior monk and his baby dragon companion. The preview highlights engaging melee combat, Metroid Prime-inspired world-building, and a dynamic platforming system with grappling and gliding mechanics. The game is set to release in early 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Graveyard Keeper 2 Review | TheXboxHub
Graveyard Keeper 2 refines the original's darkly comedic graveyard management and farming simulation gameplay, making it more accessible with improved quest tracking and fully voiced characters. While it introduces combat against undead armies and retains the series' signature pixel art, the sequel feels too similar to its predecessor in story and progression, failing to significantly innovate beyond the original's solid foundations.
Xbox rolls out disc-to-digital program worldwide, but won't somebody please think of the hard drives
Xbox has globally launched its disc-to-digital program, allowing users to convert physical game licenses to digital ones. While this offers a way to preserve game libraries as the industry shifts towards all-digital platforms, the article highlights significant hidden costs related to the required storage space for digital backups, especially for users with extensive physical game collections.
Xbox Disc-To-Digital Program Is Officially Live For Everyone
Microsoft's Xbox disc-to-digital program is now available for all Xbox One and Xbox Series X users, allowing them to obtain digital licenses for physical games. Users can insert a supported disc into their console while signed in to claim a license, with an option to disable automatic installation for faster bulk claiming. Publishers like Square Enix and Ubisoft do not currently support the program.
Runes Quest Review | TheXboxHub
Runes Quest is a short, easy Sokoban puzzle game with 30 levels that offers a pleasant, retro-RPG-like presentation. However, the game lacks significant challenge, failing to introduce complex mechanics or offer features like collectibles or move counters, which may disappoint players seeking a more demanding puzzle experience.
End of Abyss: Explore and Fight Through the Abyss’ Horror
Section 9 Interactive, a studio founded by former Tarsier Studios members, announced that their sci-fi action-adventure game, End of Abyss, will launch on October 1 for Xbox Series X|S. The game features exploration, combat, and upgrades within a decaying underground facility, blending action horror and Metroidvania elements inspired by 1980s and 1990s media.
Little Nightmares 3 har fått det blöta DLC:t The Shores
The DLC 'The Shores' for Little Nightmares III has been released. Developed by Supermassive Games, this expansion is the third part of the 'Secrets of the Spiral' pass and follows characters Low and Alone as they navigate a coastal area and a lighthouse, facing both human enemies and giant leeches. The DLC is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.
End Of Abyss Commits A Metroidvania Cardinal Sin
End of Abyss is a sci-fi horror Metroidvania that blends inspirations from Little Nightmares, Soulslikes, and Resident Evil, but suffers from inconsistent execution. While the intricate world design and tense combat are highlights, a frequently unreliable in-game map and repetitive boss encounters detract from the experience, leading to frustration despite its atmospheric setting.
End of Abyss review: "Little Nightmares meets Resident Evil, but they meet at Frustration Station"
End of Abyss offers a tense, atmospheric survival horror experience at its best, but is marred by frustrating design decisions, particularly in its boss fights and item management. While drawing comparisons to Little Nightmares and Resident Evil, the game struggles with accessibility and can lead to tedious backtracking, despite rewarding exploration with lore and powerful weapons.
End of Abyss review: Secrets beneath the surface
End of Abyss is a strong debut survival horror title from Section 9, praised for its atmospheric horror, mysterious narrative, and excellent sound design. The game features exploration mechanics reminiscent of Metroidvanias and a subtle worldbuilding approach. While combat can sometimes feel repetitive, the overall experience is a tight and well-paced adventure that leaves players wanting more.
