One of Xbox Game Pass’ biggest supporters is going cosmic horror with its first sequel, and we just got our first look

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Today is Xbox Partner Preview day, bringing a lot of exciting game news and reveals from various third-party developers who work with Xbox. It’s also a great opportunity for indie game studio Cococucumber to announce their next project – and the first time they’ve ever created a sequel to one of their games!

I’ve been taking a look at Echo Generation 2, and it’s shaping up to be a really interesting sequel to their 2021 game. It’s definitely going for a darker tone and builds on everything that made the first one unique – the world is bigger, the gameplay is more varied, and their signature voxel art style has evolved nicely. I recently had a chance to chat with Cococucumber’s Game Directors, Vanessa Chia and Martin Gauvreau, to learn more about it before the official announcement.

I discovered that Echo Generation 2 offers something new and exciting. I’m so intrigued that I’ve already downloaded the original game to play it before the sequel comes out on Xbox and Xbox Game Pass in 2026.

A returning universe, but a very different game

We previously reviewed the first Echo Generation and loved its beautiful pixelated graphics, strategic combat, and captivating story. However, much of my conversation with lead programmer Martin Gauvreau focused on how the team aimed to create something quite different with Echo Generation 2.

Echo Generation 2 is a bit unique – it tells a story that happens both before and after the original game. Instead of playing as the kids from the first game, you’ll play as their father, and the story begins several years earlier than the events of the previous title, according to Gauvreau.

Echo Generation 2 will heavily feature supernatural themes, expanding far beyond the original game’s location. The sequel will take players to new worlds and galaxies, manipulating time and space to deliver a bigger, more intense, and darker story.

Echo Generation 2 is larger, darker, and more violent than its predecessor.

Echo Generation 2 will feature significantly more horror elements, and the game’s distinctive visual style has been refined to support this. According to the developers at Cococucumber, they’ve pushed the boundaries of voxel art, combining it with smooth animations, dynamic lighting, and other advanced techniques to create their most visually impressive game yet.

But what really sets Echo Generation 2 apart is its gameplay. Unlike the first game, which used comic books, the sequel features a deck-building system where players collect and combine cards. There will be a huge variety of cards to find, allowing for many different strategies and deck combinations.

As a researcher observing the development, it’s clear these cards will significantly change how players experience the game *outside* of battles. The team really pushed boundaries, making substantial changes from the original. I spoke with Gauvreau, who mentioned they constantly questioned whether they were altering too much for fans of the first game – a real balancing act.

I’m really looking forward to playing Echo Generation 2. Gauvreau’s enthusiasm and the team’s vision for the game were incredibly inspiring.

A tight partnership with ID@Xbox and Xbox Game Pass

Cococucumber first gained recognition with the release of Echo Generation on Xbox Game Pass, which started a strong relationship with the ID@Xbox team and Xbox. Later, in 2023, I reported on Cococucumber’s positive feedback about Game Pass after the successful launch of their fantasy action-adventure game, Ravenlok.

I’ve always been impressed with Cococucumber – they’re huge fans of Xbox Game Pass, and it sounds like Xbox feels the same way about them! I was talking to Vanessa Chia, and she told me that working with Microsoft and Xbox on Echo Generation 2 was a super easy decision for them. It’s great to see that kind of partnership!

Xbox Game Pass has been a huge help for Cococucumber, a small independent game studio, giving them exposure they might not have received otherwise. The ID@Xbox program has also provided valuable resources, tools, and marketing support—even enabling us to connect with the developers, Chia and Gauvreau, thanks to Xbox’s assistance.

Chia praised the team, saying, “Everything is looking great!” Echo Generation 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting in 2026, and will also support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning you can buy it once and play on your Xbox Series X|S, PC, or through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

FAQ

What is Echo Generation?

Echo Generation is a role-playing game series with a nostalgic feel, drawing inspiration from the 1980s and 90s. It features a distinctive blocky art style and tells a mysterious story filled with supernatural elements.

Do I need to play the first Echo Generation?

While Echo Generation and Echo Generation 2 are linked, you don’t need to play the first game to enjoy the second. However, if you appreciate interconnected stories and recurring themes, playing Echo Generation either before or after Echo Generation 2 will add extra depth.

Is Echo Generation 2 coming to Xbox Game Pass?

Echo Generation 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass the same day it launches in 2026. Plus, it supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning you can play it on both Xbox and PC with one purchase.

What is the Xbox Partner Preview?

The Xbox Partner Preview is one of several events Xbox holds. While the Xbox Games Showcase is a large annual event featuring games from all developers, and the Xbox Developer_Direct focuses on upcoming first-party Xbox games, the Partner Preview specifically highlights games from Xbox’s third-party partners – the other studios that make games for the platform.

This Xbox preview highlights new games coming to both Xbox and PC that feature Xbox Play Anywhere, letting you play on either device.

How can I watch the latest Xbox Partner Preview?

The newest Xbox Partner Preview event was live on November 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time / 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You can watch it in 4K at 60 frames per second on YouTube at YouTube.com/Xbox. Separate streams are also available on the same YouTube channel with Audio Description and American Sign Language (ASL).

You can also watch the show live in 1080p at 60 frames per second on Twitch at Xbox.tv. No matter where you tune in, live subtitles will be available in English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish (from both Spain and Mexico), and more languages will be added shortly after the show.

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2025-11-20 22:12