Vampire Crawlers
Vampire Crawlers, developed by Poncle, is a fresh addition to Xbox Game Pass this weekend. This roguelike deck-builder invites players to explore a very old-school dungeon from a first-person perspective. As you progress, you’ll build a deck that allows you to unleash 'world-ending combos' to defeat each level's boss. Giovanni Colantonio praised the game, stating, 'Poncle has once again created a game that takes the visual language of classic games and naturally fuses it with fresh design ideas.' With a 93% Critics Recommend score on OpenCritic, Vampire Crawlers promises an engaging experience for both new and seasoned players.
Quick Facts — Vampire Crawlers
| Developer | Poncle |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Xbox Series X, PC |
| Genre | Roguelike, Deck-builder |
Kiln
Another notable title hitting Xbox Game Pass is Kiln, developed by Double Fine. This multiplayer party brawler allows players to create unique pots that battle each other, with stats influenced by their design. Smaller pots excel in speed, while larger ones can absorb more damage. Project lead Derek Brand noted, '[Kiln] is the most fun when it is a pottery power fantasy [...] This is a way to do whatever you want and make whatever you want, and the game enables you to do that.' While it hasn’t garnered extensive critical reviews yet, players are enjoying the game, as evidenced by its 'Mostly Positive' rating on Steam.
Replaced
Finally, Replaced made its long-awaited debut this month after nearly a decade in development. This 2.5D platformer tells the story of an AI trapped in a human body, evading a shady corporation while uncovering its secrets. After overcoming numerous delays due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, Replaced has received an 80% Critics Recommend score on OpenCritic and a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. It balances exploration and combat, making it a must-try for players looking for a narrative-driven experience.