What you need to know
- During Microsoft’s 25-minute October Xbox Partner Preview showcase, two new Xbox games were shadow dropped onto Xbox Series X|S: Blindfire and Animal Well.
- Blindfire is a new Early Access PvP shooter from developer Double Eleven in which eight players compete to be the last one standing in dark, gloomy environments “beneath a neon skyline.” Uniquely, defeated players can control cameras and traps in the arena to influence match outcomes.
- Animal Well is a Metroidvania released earlier this year on Windows PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, and quickly became one of 2024’s biggest indie titles. It has a ridiculous number of creative and complex secrets, with solo developer Billy Basso asserting that “players will be discovering hidden puzzles for years.”
- Blindfire is $8.99 and has a free trial, while Animal Well is $24.99. Both games are available to play now, though something to be aware of is that neither of them are on Xbox Game Pass.
As someone who’s been a dedicated gamer since the days of the original Xbox, I can’t help but feel a thrill of excitement when new games drop out of nowhere onto my beloved console. The recent shadow drops of Blindfire and Animal Well during Microsoft’s October Partner Preview event have certainly piqued my interest!
At Microsoft’s October Xbox Partner Preview event, most of the announcements were about video games set to release on Xbox and Windows PC in 2025. However, some of the games displayed are already playable on the Series X|S consoles due to unexpected early releases, or “shadow drops.” One such game has been made available through the Early Access phase via the Xbox Game Preview program, while another is a highly-rated PC game from 2024 that’s received an unanticipated port to Xbox.
Originally, it’s called Blindfire, a $8.99 indie first-person shooter (there’s a free trial available). This game was developed and published by Double Eleven. In this game, players engage in fierce competition in a gloomy underworld that lies beneath a neon cityscape. The visual style of the game brings to mind the competitive Breakout mode from Halo 5: Guardians, with its ominous, stylish maps. However, mechanically, it appears to prioritize quick, Counter Strike-like shooting and strategically utilizing environmental traps for an advantage.
In a first-person shooter (FPS) setting, matches can accommodate up to eight participants simultaneously. The objective is to survive until the end, whether in solo or team-based scenarios. Notably, those eliminated from the fight don’t have to leave the arena entirely; instead, they assume control over night vision cameras and traps as spectators, able to impact the game’s outcome by either aiding or hindering remaining players. This unique mechanic recalls the 2020 battle royale game Darwin Project, which allowed stream viewers to grant players special powers and bonuses, and promises a wealth of intriguing emergent gameplay scenarios.
2024 saw the explosive rise of the indie game sensation titled Animal Well. Initially launched on Windows PC (Steam), PS5, and Nintendo Switch in May, it swiftly earned a spot among the year’s most significant indie titles. Crafted by the brilliant solo developer Billy Basso, with valuable input from Jason “videogamedunkey” Gastrow’s game publishing label, this Metroidvania platformer is more than meets the eye.
While Animal Well’s primary narrative can be completed within approximately six hours, the true essence of the game lies in its myriad hidden secrets and intricate puzzles. The game’s description boasts that “players will continue to uncover hidden puzzles for years,” and this claim seems to hold true as its dedicated fanbase consistently uncovers new discoveries when I engage with the community. One particularly noteworthy puzzle even necessitated the collaboration of 50 players to complete a collective art mural.
The game isn’t only an exploration title; it occasionally incorporates elements of stealth and horror as well. The character you control, a small blob, lacks direct combat abilities and instead must evade or deceive predators to survive. However, exploration and puzzle-solving are indeed the core aspects of this $24.99 indie game.
It’s worth mentioning that the game Blindfire can be played on both Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S via the Microsoft Store. On the other hand, Animal Well is exclusively available for PC through Steam. Neither game is currently part of Xbox Game Pass, but it seems likely that Blindfire might join soon. As for Blindfire, there’s no announced release date or roadmap at this point. The developers, Double Elven, advise buying the game only if you’re comfortable with its current, unfinished state.
After trying it earlier this year, I wholeheartedly endorse Animal Well and plan to explore Blindfire through its free trial with friends this weekend. Although neither of these titles are major releases, it’s refreshing for Xbox gamers to have something fresh to play while they wait for the other games revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview.
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2024-10-17 23:09