ID@Xbox x IGN showcase: 7 highlights for Xbox and Game Pass

Microsoft and IGN have just wrapped up the October ID@Xbox showcase, a show for independent games heading to Xbox consoles, PC and Game Pass. The full recap on Xbox Wire lists around 20 titles. These are the seven announcements most worth knowing, with every date Microsoft gave.

A Game About Digging a Hole Together

Revealed at the show, the sequel to the minimalist sandbox hit is the same idea, now with friends: dig at the beach, collect and sell resources, upgrade your gear and search for treasure buried deep under the sand. It launches on 4 December 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, and it's on Game Pass from day one.

The Wolf Among Us Remastered

Telltale's 2013 detective story set in Fabletown returns with improved visuals, animation and audio, a new Noir Mode, behind-the-scenes extras and playable deleted scenes restored from the original production. The new trailer shows Bigby's redesigned werewolf form. It is released digitally on 29 October for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Three CRITICAL REFLEX games, one out today

Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX is bringing three cult indie hits to Xbox:

• Arctic Eggs, a surreal physics-based frying simulator, launched on Xbox Series X|S during the show.
• Mouthwashing, a psychological horror story aboard a stranded space freighter, arrives on 29 October on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One and Game Pass.
• No, I'm Not a Human, a thriller about spotting shape-shifting impostors at your door, comes to Game Pass in 2027.

Shrek 2 Remastered pre-orders

The co-op platformer based on the DreamWorks film comes back with better graphics, a Photo Mode and a Cheat Mode. It launches on 10 November on Xbox Series X|S. Game Pass members get up to 20% off pre-orders and non-members 10%, until 9 November.

ZERO PARADES: Director's Cut

ZA/UM's espionage RPG, from the studio behind Disco Elysium, comes to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on 3 November. The Director's Cut adds about 40,000 words of new story, a Backstage Mode and full English voice acting.

Magenta Down and Mr. Magpie

Two new reveals are due in early 2027. Magenta Down, from the makers of Unto The End, is an atmospheric sci-fi adventure on a harsh exoplanet, where you deal with injuries, radiation and scarce supplies. Mr. Magpie's Harmless Card Game, a creepy roguelike deckbuilder with Matt Mercer as the host, comes with Game Pass and Play Anywhere support.

Everything else, with dates

Want more indie demos? Steam's October Next Fest has more than 8,000. Microsoft is also experimenting with ports and new ways to play through its new Xbox Labs team. If you're upgrading your setup, our gaming monitor guide explains what matters.