The November 2025 Xbox Partner Preview wrapped a few days ago, and if you blinked, you probably missed about four release dates and a shadow drop. It was a tight, thirty-minute sprint that felt less like a traditional showcase and more like a rapid-fire assault of trailers. Here’s what you missed!
Slim Shady, Zombies, and The Return of the King
The biggest story here wasn’t actually a game reveal-it was a resurrection. Counterplay Games is alive and kicking. After the mixed bag that was Godfall and the rampant rumors earlier this year that the studio had quietly folded, seeing their logo splash across the screen was a legitimate “wait, what?” moment. They’re pivoting hard. Their new project, Armatus, looks like it’s ditching the “looter-slasher” fatigue for a roguelite shooter format. It’s hitting all major platforms in 2026, and honestly… it looks aggressive, fun, and has all the potential of a redemption arc.
Then you have the absolute fever dream that is the Hitman update. IO Interactive has always had a dark sense of humor, but bringing in Eminem to put a contract out on his own alter ego, Slim Shady? Pretty awesome marketing move. Hitman World of Assassination will let Agent 47 settle a rap beef with a fiber wire, coming this December.
We also have to give it up for the “shadow drop” dopamine hit – Dave the Diver is finally hitting Xbox (and Game Pass, obviously). It feels perfect for the platform, and Mintrocket didn’t stop there-they teased the In the Jungle DLC for early 2026. Similarly, the psychological horror Total Chaos from Apogee Entertainment just appeared out of nowhere.
And how can we ignore Poncle? They looked at Vampire Survivors – a game famous for not needing you to aim-and decided to turn it into a first-person shooter called Vampire Crawlers. It’s a bizarre, risky pivot that introduces deckbuilding elements to an FPS format, and we are absolutely here for it.
The Waiting Game is Getting Old…
It wasn’t all high-fives and shadow drops, though. The “2026” timestamp appeared on the screen way too often for our liking. Crowsworn, a game that has been on the wishlist of Metroidvania fans for what feels like an eternity, showed up looking incredible-channeling Hollow Knight and Bloodborne with effortless style – but it still doesn’t have a release date.
Then there’s the issue of 007 First Light… why did we only get a car commercial? The new trailer focused almost entirely on Bond’s vehicle and driving mechanics. While it looked slick, it felt like a missed opportunity. We know IO can do gadgets and stealth; showing us a driving montage feels like hiding the essence of what should make the game a success.
We also have to talk about the tonal whiplash in Echo Generation 2. The first game was this charming, voxel-art love letter to Stranger Things and small-town mysteries. The sequel is… pivoting hard toward The X-Files and Blade Runner, adopting a cosmic horror vibe. Ambition is great, but completely changing the atmosphere of a cult classic is a gamble.
Paving the Way for the Future of Game Pass
When the dust settled, the November 2025 Partner Preview did exactly what it needed to do. It didn’t drop any massive announcements that shattered the internet, but it gives a path forward for the next few months. We’re getting Dave the Diver right now, Erosion later, and we’ve got a massive catalog refresh coming in 2026.
Exciting times to be a fan of Xbox. Let’s hope they keep it up!
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