Recently, in a rather discreet setting, we were able to take a look at five independent games that will soon be coming to Xbox Series and PC. Each in its own way, they stood out: some focused on poetry, others on exploration or emotion. There was a bit of everything, and above all, great promise.
Winter Burrow, a very poetic survival game with a cute little mouse
We were able to start quietly with Winter Burrow. A developer was holding the controller to show us the gameplay live. The opportunity to see how this charming winter adventure comes to life once the game is launched, and above all, to better understand its survival mechanics.
In Winter Burrow, you play as a little mouse who has returned to his old burrow, in ruins, in the heart of a forest plunged into a freezing winter. On screen, the hand-drawn universe is immediately captivating, but behind its cute exterior hides a real challenge. The cold is a constant danger. You have to gather wood, light fires to avoid freezing, cook hot meals, knit sweaters... and make do with the means at hand. Managing the burrow is central: it's your base, your cocoon, to be restored and customized little by little. As the adventure progresses, you also discover crafting plans, like that of a shovel, to help you in your task, and you even face formidable giant insects that have come to disturb the tranquility of the forest.
The game seems fluid, precise, and above all, very poetic. The developer showed us a well-oiled gameplay loop, between exploration, harvesting, management, and small moments of calm in the burrow. Winter Burrow manages to blend poetry and tension, gentleness and survival, with a real identity. A nice indie surprise to keep an eye on for its release in 2025 on Xbox, Xbox Game Pass (day one), and PC. For our part, we immediately thought of Beatrix Potter's magnificent illustrations as a source of inspiration in terms of D.A. We loved what we saw.
Outbound, the virtual van-life on Xbox Series and PC
In line with the presentations, Outbound captured our attention with a proposition that was as original as it was relaxing. This independent game, scheduled for 2026, invites us to adopt van life in the great outdoors, with gameplay centered on exploration, customization, and tranquility. But don't be fooled by its apparent softness: behind its warm universe, real survival and crafting mechanics are also hidden.
The adventure begins in a tunnel plunged into darkness. You take the wheel in first-person view, then, when daylight arrives, the game switches to third-person view. This is where your new nomadic life begins. The van is empty at first, without comfort. Little by little, you transform it into a real mobile home: workstation, cooking hob, decorative objects, rooftop garden, wind turbines to produce energy... Every detail counts. You can even repaint the vehicle as you wish, just to really make it your own.
During the demonstration, the developer showed us an exploration sequence where you had to find a plan hidden in the forest to unlock a barrier. The map, which opens like The Forest, encourages observation and curiosity. We often start by lighting a campfire, then we go looking for wood, we search the surroundings to collect resources, we make tools... and very quickly, we get caught up in the game. The world becomes an adventure playground, calm, but alive.
Outbound does not only focus on solitude: the game will also offer an online cooperative mode, for up to four players. Perfect for sharing your discoveries or building the van of your dreams together. Three different vehicles will be available, each with its own specificities and customization potential.
Graphically, the game adopts a Firewatch-like style that gives it a unique charm. This rendering, combined with a gentle soundtrack and a relaxed gameplay rhythm, creates a true bubble outside of time. It's no coincidence that Outbound far exceeded its goal during its Kickstarter campaign. The enthusiasm is there, and it seems deserved. With its original concept, its "cozy craft" approach, and its freedom of action, Outbound promises to be a little gem for fans of calm, immersive, and deeply customizable games. Let's hope it holds up equally throughout the adventure. The game is planned for Xbox Series and PC.
Hela, another mouse, but in a photorealistic and magical world, the star of the presentation on Xbox Series and PC
The mouse was definitely the totem animal of this Xbox presentation. After Winter Burrow, who plunged us into a gentle and drawn survival adventure, it was Hela who invited herself with a very different atmosphere. Same miniature protagonist, but a complete change of tone. Here, we're all about visual realism, magic, and wonder. And frankly, it works.
Developed under Unreal Engine by Windup Games, a young Swedish studio founded by former Unravel developers, Hela offers an open world inspired by the Scandinavian countryside. You play as a small familiar of a sick witch, launched into a quest to gather ingredients and concoct potions. The microscopic point of view and the human-scale universe offer a real sense of adventure, in a rich, ultra-detailed setting that's almost tangible thanks to the photorealistic rendering.
But what makes Hela truly unique is her magical backpack... in the shape of a frog. Its extendable tongue serves as a grappling hook to swing like Spider-Man, but it also allows you to push objects, interact with the scenery, and solve small environmental puzzles. The influence of Unravel is felt in the finesse of the animations and the importance of physics in the gameplay. If you're playing solo, you can even create a ghostly copy of yourself to hold objects or activate mechanisms.
During the demo, a developer showed us the game with a controller in hand. We were able to discover several charming interactions, such as the ability to enter human homes, meet wild animals, or become friends with a giant rabbit that, once tamed, can serve as your mount. All in a warm and magical atmosphere.
The game can be played solo, but also in multiplayer. It will be possible to share the adventure with two people online, each from their own console, or in local cooperation thanks to a split-screen mode, on the same machine. An ideal option for couples, friends, or families who like to play together, side by side. Hela clearly focuses on a warm and welcoming atmosphere (the developers insisted on this), where exploration and imagination take precedence over pure challenge.
No stress, no nerve-wracking combat: here, we take the time to discover, to marvel, and to create memories. A true little gaming cocoon. With its original concept, its discreet heritage from Unravel, and its superb artistic direction, Hela is already establishing itself as a potential favorite. A little mouse that could well leave a big mark. It was clearly the star of the Xbox presentation. The game will be released on Xbox Series and PC. No Xbox Game Pass release for release.
The Alters: a strong concept, clones... and a promising second encounter
This isn't the first time we've heard of The Alters. Far from it. The title from 11 bit studios, which brought us This War of Mine and Frostpunk, already caught our attention last year. At the time, we were invited by the studio to preview the game. A playable demo was available, and we even published a rather enthusiastic preview. The dark universe, the original concept, and the mechanics halfway between management, survival, and introspection clearly won us over.
A year later, The Alters returns in a more advanced, but still captivating, version. It follows Jan Dolski, a space worker shipwrecked on a desert and hostile planet. To survive, Jan can only count on himself... or rather, on alternate versions of himself. Thanks to a mysterious technology, he creates "Alters," clones born from different life choices. One is scientific, another more practical, another even more thoughtful or, on the contrary, impulsive. These doubles are not simple assistants: they have their own personalities, their moods, and sometimes their disagreements.
This is precisely where the game's strength lies. The Alters doesn't just offer an effective gameplay loop; it also explores the complexity of the individual, regrets, and identity. Creating an Alter isn't just about getting a skill bonus; it also means having to manage your emotions, your decisions, and even your conflicts. A brilliant idea, carried by careful writing and a heavy atmosphere.
Its release is still scheduled for 2025 on PC, Xbox Series, and Xbox Game Pass upon its release. Between strategy, psychology and science fiction, it could well make an impression.
Moonlighter 2, the circle is complete with the return of a beloved game on Xbox Series
To conclude this Xbox presentation, there could not be a better choice. After the intimate experiences of Winter Burrow, the contemplative escape of Outbound, the poetic flights of Hela, and the existential tensions of The Alters, it is Moonlighter 2 that has come to close this parenthesis dedicated to independent games. A long-awaited sequel, warm and full of promise.
Developed by Digital Sun and published once again by 11 bit studios, Moonlighter 2 takes the winning formula of the first opus and evolves it. Will, our favorite merchant-adventurer, is back, but this time lost in a new world: that of Tresna, a mysterious land with an interdimensional feel. The heart of the game remains the same: by day, you manage your shop, negotiate, and improve your village. By night, you delve into procedurally generated dungeons, looking for treasure and relics to sell.
But this sequel goes further. The universe is transformed into 3D, gaining in depth and immersion. The magic backpack plays a central role in the strategy, combining items and effects to maximize your chances of survival. Combat-wise, there are also some nice developments to note. It is now possible to actively dodge enemy attacks, which adds a real dimension of timing and responsiveness, especially during arena battles.
These fights require reading patterns, waiting for the right moment to strike or dodge, and add a good dose of dynamism to dungeon exploration. As for the shop, it remains the beating heart of the experience. This is where you sell the treasures brought back the day before, adjust your prices, buy new equipment, and interact with the local population. This constant link between action and management remains the game's strength, and here it seems more fluid than ever.
Moonlighter 2 retains this very particular charm, between commerce and adventure, lightness and strategy, all carried by an even more polished artistic direction. The game is planned for 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, and should arrive directly in Xbox Game Pass. By closing this presentation with Moonlighter 2, Xbox has shown its desire to support varied, human and meaningful experiences.
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