Microsoft’s Xbox Partner Preview, held on October 26, offered an exciting glimpse into upcoming third-party games, including highly anticipated titles like Alan Wake 2’s DLC, Like a Dragon’s pirate adventure, and a new co-op shooter in the Control universe. Over the course of 25 minutes, the event packed in more than a dozen game trailers, offering everything from survival horror to whimsical indie games. The preview showcased Microsoft’s collaborations with external developers, with all featured titles coming from third-party studios.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest announcements from the Xbox Partner Preview:
Alan Wake 2: The Lake House DLC
Kicking off the event was a spooky trailer for Alan Wake 2: The Lake House, a new expansion for the psychological horror game set to release on October 22. The dark, chilling DLC promises to deliver even more spine-tingling experiences, perfectly timed for Halloween.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Yakuza franchise ventures into pirate territory with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This new entry in the series combines the franchise’s signature over-the-top action with a tropical twist, adding pirates and a Hawaiian backdrop to the mix. Expect the same magical realism the series is known for, but with plenty of pirate adventures thrown in.
Subnautica 2
Fans of underwater survival horror got a glimpse of Subnautica 2, which will take players on a terrifying journey through an alien ocean. The co-op game, set for early access in 2025, promises both thrilling exploration and heart-pounding terror. The game will be available on Game Pass at launch.
FBC: Firebreak
Perhaps the most intriguing announcement was FBC: Firebreak, a cooperative shooter set in the world of Control. Players will team up to battle otherworldly forces threatening the Federal Bureau of Control in this three-player FPS. It’s expected to launch in 2025 and will be available on Game Pass.
More Horror Titles and Indie Gems
The event was packed with horror-themed titles. In addition to Alan Wake 2 and Subnautica 2, Microsoft revealed more horror with Chronos: The New Dawn, a creepy science-fiction game coming next year, and Phasmophobia, which makes its way to Xbox Series X on October 29.
On the indie side, players were treated to trailers for Animal Well, an enchanting neon platformer released the same day as the event, and Wheel World (previously known as Ghost Bike), a cycling adventure game from Annapurna Interactive, set for 2025.
Additional Announcements
Several more titles rounded out the showcase, including The Legend of Baboo, a heartwarming game where players can control a dog named Baboo, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, an action-packed game featuring intense swordplay in a grotesque world of death and decay. Both are slated for release in 2025.
Other notable announcements included Eternal Strands, a game that allows players the freedom to burn, freeze, or throw their way through a world full of monsters, and Mistfall Hunter, a unique combination of extraction games and Souls-like mechanics.
Microsoft’s Xbox Partner Preview highlighted a wide variety of genres and gameplay styles, from spooky survival games to lighthearted adventures. With many titles slated for release in 2025 and most confirmed for Game Pass, Xbox players have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
