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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17

10 October 2025 at 22:00

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17

  • Will Fulton, Xbox Wire Editor
Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Keeper

Xbox Game Studios

Keeper – October 17
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words. On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.


NASCAR 25

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC

$59.99

NASCAR 25 – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

With a physics model tuned by the experts, and based on real world feedback from actual NASCAR drivers and race teams, you’ll be immersed in the sights and sounds of race day like never before. From Quick Race, Championship, Multiplayer, or Career, the combinations of tracks, cars, and experiences will keep you coming back for more. Work your way from your backyard shop in ARCA Menards series all the way through a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion in Career Mode and show the world what you’re made of. It’s the NASCAR game you’ve been waiting and asking for! Welcome to NASCAR 25! Pre-Order and receive 5,000 Career Bonus Dollars, 3 Cover Driver Paint Schemes, and 500 Career Rep Points.


Xbox Play Anywhere

BALL x PIT

Devolver Digital

Ball x Pit – October 15
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Ball x Pit is a fast-paced fantasy roguelite where heroes must find the balls to plunge deeper into a seemingly bottomless pit of monsters. Develop arcane ammunition and resources in pursuit of treasure, recruiting additional heroes to aid you in your perilous quest.


Ember Knights : Heroes of the Nexus Edition

Twin Sails Interactive

Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In this fast-paced action rogue-lite, play as Ember Knights, the last spark of hope of a universe in turmoil. Praxis, the mad sorcerer, has syphoned the life out of the Ember Tree and fled through the Prime Worlds spreading corruption in his path. In solo or co-op (up to 4 players), use powerful weapons and skills to hack and slash deadly hordes, defeat epic bosses, free the decaying Prime Worlds and restore energy to the Ember Tree!


Decision: Red Daze

Nordcurrent Labs

Decision: Red Daze – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Dust Bowl, once a “thriving” society of corrupt politicians, rich property barons and everyday people who work for them “100% willingly,” has been overtaken by a mysterious phenomenon only known by survivors as the Red Daze. As the illness takes hold of the survivors and turns them into crazed and EXTREMELY dangerous mutated creatures, the world’s governments are running around like headless chickens. It falls to the few who remain to fend off the monsters in hopes of finding a way to eradicate the Red Daze once and for all.


Paint Path (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

Paint Path – October 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Paint Path, every step is a brushstroke. This pixel-art puzzle puts you in control of a walking canvas that must cross hexagonal maps to reach the right painters. The atmosphere is charming and relaxing, with sound design tied to each painting action, creating a cozy and artistic experience.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Captain Tideborne and the Siren's Call

Synnergy Circle Games

Captain Tideborne and the Siren’s Call – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

In this retro-inspired 2D platformer with pixel art charm, you’ll join Melissa Tideborne—a bold pirate chasing a childhood memory and the mystery of mermaids. Explore a sunken dungeon filled with deadly traps, lurking creatures and hidden treasures. Your stamina is always draining—every step, swim and second counts. Will Melissa find the mermaid at the end of the dungeon, or will the siren’s call become her last lullaby?


Xbox Play Anywhere

DETECTIVE – The Test

JanduSoft

$9.69 $7.75

Detective – The Test – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Do you have what it takes to be a great detective? In Detective – The Test, you will face three intriguing cases where only your observation skills and logical thinking will lead you to the truth. Explore crime scenes, analyze the connections between the people involved, and answer key questions: Who is the victim? Who is the culprit? When did the crime take place? There are no easy clues or shortcuts, only you and your deduction skills. Take notes, connect the dots, and uncover the truth in three distinct locations.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Kotenok

Eastasiasoft Limited

Kotenok – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Pounce with precision as a pixel art kitty in retro platforming style! Play as a lost kitten in a dangerous forest! Master tight platforming controls, sprint, pounce, and double-jump through 50 tricky stages filled with spikes, enemies, and clever puzzles. Explore vibrant pixel-art worlds, bounce on mushrooms, outsmart foes, and hunt for hidden collectibles. Can you guide this frisky feline home? A charming love letter to classic platformers!


One Military Camp

Abylight Studios

One Military Camp – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An evil maniac has conquered all territories in the region, except one. The world’s last hope resides in an old military camp located in this peaceful land. Bring it back to its former glory, to recruit and train a brave group of fighters to push back the evil forces. Face the challenge of building a military camp, keeping an eye on the resources and logistics. Place the buildings efficiently, hire the staff that will keep everything running and set up the training courses. Build defenses, because the enemy will send spies and drones to try to sabotage your camp.


Rabbiman Adventures

Israchem LTD

Rabbiman Adventures – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Ready for a true adventure? Imagine you’re traveling through time and space, where there’s always something new and amazing waiting for you. There are colorful locations, hidden routes, devious villains, magical items, and exciting puzzles to solve at each level. Your wits and ingenuity will be your best allies in unravelling the mysteries of this magical world and reaching the end.


STARBITES

IKINAGAMES

Starbites – October 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Starbites is a story-driven RPG where you meet various companions and strengthen your partner mecha while adventuring on the devastated planet Bitter in the aftermath of the space war. You will become the debris collector Lukida in Delight City, collecting spaceship parts and relics, and embark on an adventure with the laid-back and kind drinker Gwen-Dol and the calm engineer Badger, who supports the Lukida and Gwen-Dol duo. Will Lukida reach the truth at the end of the universe?


Xbox Play Anywhere

Blood West

New Blood Interactive

Blood West – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Weird West legends meet eldritch horror in Blood West, an immersive stealth FPS. Become the Undead Gunslinger, doomed to roam the barren lands until he manages to purge their curse, freeing his soul. 3 varied scenarios, perk-based character progression, and 20+ hours of gameplay await you!


Bumblebee – Spooky Nights

EpiXR Games

$11.99

Bumblebee – Spooky Nights – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X

On your quest to find a beautiful new home you will discover distant places, friendly animals, and amazing and dangerous habitats. You are a tiny bee in a giant environment and move continuously forward. You are free to fly wherever you want and explore the level to your heart’s desire. After you have played around a little and enjoyed the sensation of flying, you start to discover the nearby areas and hidden secrets.


The Cabin Factory

Feardemic

The Cabin Factory – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Welcome to The Cabin Factory! You’re now a newly hired Cabin Inspector – congratulations! Your job is simple: inspect the cabins and determine whether or not they are haunted. Step into the anomaly-hunting experience, inspired by liminal spaces and psychological horror walking simulators,


Cookie’s Trails (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

Cookie’s Trails – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Cookie’s Trails is a cozy tactical puzzle set in a post-apocalyptic world with a sweet twist. The player guides a friendly hamster survivor through zombie-filled trails, collecting baseball bats and medical kits to safely reach the camp. Combining strategy, charm, and a unique atmosphere, Cookie’s Trails is the perfect choice for fans of challenging and personality-filled puzzles.


Deathless. The Hero Quest

Fulqrum Publishing Ltd.

Deathless: The Hero Quest – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In Deathless, elements of a collectible card game, roguelike, and turn-based strategy combine seamlessly. Build a unique deck of cards, discover unusual relics, and defeat legendary bosses. Embark on the journey of each of the four heroes, unravel a web of intrigue, and protect the beautiful world of Belosvet.


Xbox Play Anywhere

The Elf on the Shelf®: Christmas Heroes

Outright Games Ltd.

$39.99

The Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Heroes – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Do you believe in Christmas magic? You’ll need every bit to help Santa save Christmas! Dash, swing, and leap through training to become an “official Scout Elf!” Pick your most festive outfit and spread cheer as you explore every room, dodge obstacles, and add sparkle to each corner of the home. This season, pledge to make things merry and bright. Are you ready to be a Christmas Hero?


Infinos

PIXELHEART

$4.99 $3.99

Infinos – October 16

Infinos is a pixel art side-scrolling shoot ’em up that pays tribute to the golden age of arcade shooters while offering fast-paced, modern gameplay. Take control of the Fauria, a powerful one-of-a-kind fighter ship, and face an overwhelming alien invasion threatening to destroy your entire civilization.


Infinos 2

PIXELHEART

$4.99 $3.99

Infinos 2 – October 16

Infinos 2 is a 2D horizontal shoot ’em up crafted as a loving tribute to the golden age of Japanese arcade classics. Pixel-perfect art, relentless action and tight, accessible mechanics combine to deliver an experience that’s instantly engaging yet rewards mastery. Each level unfolds a unique setting, fresh enemies and bosses with intricate attack patterns.


KAKU – Ancient Seal

Microids

$29.99

Kaku – Ancient Seal – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Play as Kaku, a lonely young boy living in the snowy mountains, suddenly thrust into a legendary adventure by a forgotten prophecy. Guided by this ancient prophecy and accompanied by Piggy, your loyal and surprisingly helpful flying pig, Kaku is the only one who can restore balance to the world. Explore forgotten continents, brave the challenges of the Ruins, face titanic foes, and uncover the mysteries of the Creator Saga in a journey as epic as it is personal.


Sokobear Winter

Bad Minions, Little Giant

Sokobear Winter – October 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Adjust the temperature and relax in the spa! Sokobear Winter is a relaxing puzzle game with 40 cozy levels to warm up your day! Push the logs into the correct spots to raise the spa’s temperature to perfection. But beware: blocks of ice block your path and must be broken before you can move forward. Challenge yourself to complete each stage with the fewest moves and in the shortest time possible.


Adrenaline Rampage

Games Harbor

$14.99

Adrenaline Rampage – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Adrenaline Rampage is a platformer roguelite set in a dark, sci-fi world where you play as a soldier with up to 5 weapons to fight techno-zombies. Choose characters and skills to rush through the space city, kill ugly bosses and survive.


AQUADREAM

YUME GAME STUDIO

AquaDream – October 17

AquaDream is a cozy underwater adventure that blends puzzle-solving with exploration. Players control a small anglerfish, navigating the depths of a mysterious ocean. Each world introduces new mechanics, gradually increasing the challenge while maintaining an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere. With its beautiful pixel art, intuitive gameplay, and a rewarding sense of discovery, AquaDream offers an experience that is both relaxing and engaging—perfect for players who enjoy exploring and taking on cleverly designed levels.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Ball Blast

QubicGames S.A.

Ball Blast – October 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

A wild rain of bouncing rocks crashes down – move fast, blast faster! Every rock has a number – hit it that many times and boom! It splits into two rocks with half the number and double the speed, turning the field into fast-moving chaos! Play solo or with a friend for double firepower. Beat hundreds of levels, survive endless waves, and climb the world leaderboard!


Bit ESC

Essssam

Bit Esc – October 17

Break free from the system as Bit in this action/adventure platformer where you and set out to escape from the tyrannic OS. Gaining your freedom, though, might not be as clear-cut as it seems…


Blaster Force 3000

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Blaster Force 3000 – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dive into retro FPS action where every level brings a new challenge! Battle relentless aliens in dark cellars, ancient castle halls, and the vastness of space. You’ll need to adapt to the environment and enemies on the fly. Explore hidden areas, rack up as many points as possible, and put your reflexes and aiming skills to the test!


Frobbutt 3D

Sweet Bread Games

Frobbutt 3D – October 17

Frobbut 3D is a 3D platformer about a goofy frog finally departing from his home to explore the land! Run, jump, flip and bounce across 5 big open levels searching every nook and cranny for valuable gems! Be creative with your movement abilities to reach the highest mountains and traverse the most dangerous paths to collect every treasure you can find.


Kamikaze Lassplanes

Crunching Koalas

Kamikaze Lassplanes – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Kamikaze Lassplanes is a brand new mix of Visual Novel and SHMUP with crucial story-branching decisions that lead to different gameplay and story outcomes, both for war, romance, and the protagonists’ fate. Meet and fall for Alba Trossé and Hannah Brandenburg, charismatic Lassplanes who transform into deadly war planes you pilot. Face the Imperial fleet together in challenging arcade shoot-’em-up encounters and discover the secret behind their mysterious origin.


Lumo 2

Numskull Games

Lumo 2 – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The isometric icon is back in the sequel to 2016’s arcade-adventure hit, Lumo. Experience a brand-new adventure of shifting dimensions and new perspectives, with gameplay that never stops evolving. Rewind the cassette and fall head over heels into a love letter to the trailblazing days of early ‘80s & ‘90s British videogames. Hunt for collectibles, and vault through portals – some even flip the script, morphing into wild genre twists that’ll keep you on your toes.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Ping Pong Up

Super Power Up Games

$6.99 $5.59

Ping Pong Up – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Feel the tension of the big match breaking through the screen. In Ping Pong Up, your reflexes and precision will be the key to success. Play face to face with up to 4 friends or against the AI.


Racing Champions

Revulo Games

Racing Champions – October 17

Experience the rush of motorsport in a unique blend of simulation and arcade racing, crafted with passion by true racing enthusiasts. With gameplay that’s easy to jump into, but rewards precision and mastery, this game invites you to chase that flawless lap again and again. Test your skills against a range of AI difficulties in single-player mode, or bring the competition home with local multiplayer to race head-to-head with friends.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Space Elite Force – Reloaded

Rising Moon Games

Space Elite Force – Reloaded – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Gear up for an intergalactic thrill ride! Space Elite Force is a frenzied space-shooter packed with weapon customization and epic boss battles. Take command of your ship and fight for the survival of humanity!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Super Hero Demolition

Entity3 Limited

Super Hero Demolition – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Suit up and wreck everything in your path in Super Hero Demolition—an explosive, pixel-packed game where destruction is just the beginning. You’re a super-powered wrecking machine on a mission to smash everything down to the last pixel. Run out of energy and your run ends. You’ll start over—but with all your upgrades intact. Smash harder, last longer, and earn faster every time you play.


Tiny Arctic Hero

Desert Water Games

Tiny Arctic Hero – October 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Tiny Arctic Hero is a cozy sokoban puzzle game about a clever little penguin who was taken by mysterious aliens to participate in their logic experiments. Solve puzzles, outsmart the alien tech and guide this brave Arctic Hero back home!


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster

10 October 2025 at 04:00

Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster

  • Mike Willette, Executive Producer, Invincible VS
Invincible VS Screenshot

Summary

  • Intelligence agent Cecil Stedman is the latest playable fighter in Invincible VS.
  • Invincible VS is a new 3v3 tag fighting game based on the beloved comic book and TV series.
  • Invincible VS comes to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in 2026.

With decades of rich storytelling across comics and television, a dynamic roster of charismatic heroes and villains, and a universe packed with superpowered beings wielding brutal and diverse abilities, it was only a matter of time before “Invincible” made the leap to video games.

Invincible VS Screenshot

Now, several months after Invincible VS’ reveal during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 in June, Skybound’s first in-house game development studio, Quarter Up, has been steadily unveiling a lineup of playable characters for Invincible VS, the 3v3 tag fighting game, and the latest addition is sure to be a fan-favorite surprise.

Recently, during Quarter Up’s developer livestream, which featured an appearance from
“Invincible” co-creator Robert Kirkman, the team revealed that intelligence agent and Director of the Global Defence Agency, Cecil Stedman, has joined the Invincible VS roster as a playable character.

Invincible VS Screenshot

A fan-favorite from the “Invincible” TV series and comic, Cecil has been one of the most requested playable characters. Pragmatic and driven, Cecil is willing to do whatever it takes to save the world, even when that means crossing a line. Decades of espionage experience and near-limitless resources fuel Cecil’s mission, and he refuses to let anyone – enemy or ally – stand in his way.

While he’s been behind the desk for a long time, he’s more than happy to dust off those old bones and get his hands dirty back on the battlefield. Usually heard as a voice in Mark’s earpiece, Cecil enters the fight in Invincible VS with specialized weapons, including plasma pistols, projectile launchers and grenades to keep opponents at a distance.

Invincible VS Screenshot

His ranged gameplay style is paired with tactical combat, allowing him to play cat and mouse with enemies. Cecil can also summon a limitless supply of ReAnimen for backup; his access to The Hammer, a massive orbital laser, makes him a devastating force on the battlefield.

Cecil joins a growing lineup of fan-favorite superheroes in Invincible VS, including Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, Bulletproof, Thula, Rex Splode, Battle Beast, and Omni-Man. Unlike the others, Cecil doesn’t rely on superhuman powers – instead he brings a tactical edge to the battlefield with a masterfully engineered arsenal of classic weapons, proving that timeless tech can go toe-to-toe with raw power.

Invincible VS Screenshot

Look for Invincible VS to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. Players can register for an upcoming Invincible VS Closed Alpha later this year here.

Find out more by following Invincible VS on Instagram, X (formally Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and online at InvincibleVS.com. Add Invincible VS to your wish list on the Microsoft Store below.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Invincible VS

Skybound Games

Invincible VS is a brutal superhero 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe, where you can battle to the death as a team of fan-favorite characters in iconic locations. Unleash bone-breaking combos through fast combat and smart defensive tactics to leave a trail of blood and destruction. Land vicious Super moves and Ultimates to leave your opponents in a mess of blood. Invincible VS features a variety of game modes including a captivating cinematic story mode with an original narrative from a writer of the animated series. Jump into Arcade and battle with your team, hone your combos in Training mode, and test your skills against the world in competitive and casual multiplayer. Show, comic fans, and fighting game lovers will experience unparalleled heroic brutality, where every earth-shattering blow will leave you feeling… Invincible. This is the debut title from the newly formed Quarter Up™—the first in-house studio at Skybound—led by former members of the core Killer Instinct (2013) dev team.

The post Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How to Get Started in Wizard101

10 October 2025 at 01:00

How to Get Started in Wizard101

  • Kayly Ginsberg, Head of Marketing, Wizard101
Wizard101 Key Art

Summary

  • Wizard101 is launching from Xbox Game Preview today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
  • Learn which School to pick, how to construct a deck, and other useful tips to get started in this turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG.
  • Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue.

Wizard101 has made its way to Xbox! While we’re eager to welcome new students into Ravenwood Academy, we know that starting such a massive adventure with so much history can feel a bit daunting. So, consider this article your first lesson: the 101 of Wizard101 to help you get started in the Spiral.

Choosing the Right School of Magic

There are 7 classes in the game, known as schools. The school you choose at the very beginning of the game will shape your style and the rest of your journey to come. Each school has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as special spells and even pets.


Wizard101 Screenshot

Fire

“The All-Rounder”

  • Strengths: Powerful hitter with lots of damage-over-time options
  • Weaknesses: Moderate accuracy and health
  • Great For: Beginners who want a balanced gameplay experience

Fire has a variety of powerful spells, many of which are damage-over-time. This makes breaking enemy shields a breeze while still packing that punch that players are looking for. Their survivability is not the best in the game, but it’s not the worst either. Therefore, Fire is a great school choice for those looking for a pretty straightforward and balanced game experience. Not too challenging, but not too simple either.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Storm

“The Glass Cannon”

  • Strengths: High damage
  • Weaknesses: Low accuracy and health
  • Great For: High risk/high reward players, people who are up for a challenge, group play

Storm is known for its explosive damage from even the earliest of levels. The school is very powerful, but comes with the tradeoff of high fragility. This can make Storm an incredibly challenging school to play solo, but easier to adapt to if you’re playing with a group of friends who can help heal and protect you.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Ice

“The Tank”

Strengths: High health, resistance, and survivability

Weaknesses: Low damage

Great For: Group play, patient solo players

Ice wizards have the highest health in the game and are great at absorbing damage. This makes them tough to defeat in combat and a great tank to have in group play. However, since their spells have low damage, Ice wizards usually have prolonged battles since they’re unable to deal damage quickly. Solo Ice wizards should be prepared to have patience during combat.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Death

The Survivor

Strengths: Can steal health from enemies, access to many universal buffs

Weaknesses: Moderate damage, health, and accuracy

Great For: Solo players, beginners

Despite its name, Death is actually a wonderful school for survivability. Because many of their spells allow you to both damage enemies and steal their health, Death wizards can hold their own in a fight – making it a fantastic choice for solo players. They also have access to multiple universal buffs which helps amplify their damage, allowing for quicker battles.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Life

The Healer

Strengths: Wide array of healing spells, high accuracy

Weaknesses: Doesn’t excel in damage or other areas

Great For: Support players, especially in groups

Life, as you may have guessed, specializes in healing themselves and others. With their high accuracy and various different heals to choose from, Life wizards are extremely dependable support players. They’re always useful in group settings to help keep the gang in tip-top shape, but the school is also a good solo choice if you don’t mind the lack of damage options compared to other schools.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Myth

The Manipulator

Strengths: Variety of minions to aid you, lots of double attack spells, decent damage

Weaknesses: Moderate survivability and accuracy

Great For: Solo players

Myth wizards are great at manipulating battles. They can summon a vast arsenal of minions to aid them and cast highly functional spells that are difficult for enemies to deal with. Myth wizards also excel at removing shields, whether through spell after-effects or double hit attacks. Because they have a variety of tricks up their sleeve to utilize, Myth is a great school for solo players.

Wizard101 Screenshot

Balance

The Support

Strengths: Extensive access to universal buffs and utilities

Weaknesses: No school prism, often needs to carry a specific deck for Balance enemies, challenging school to play

Great For: Group play

Balance shines brightest as a key support player in groups. With their wide variety of buffs, Balance wizards can boost the damage of any school in the game. The main drawback is their lack of prism, which creates difficulties when facing other Balance enemies. As a result, Balance wizards often carry dedicated decks for these encounters and makes Balance one of the most difficult schools to master, especially for solo play.


Understanding the Art of the Duel

Now that you’ve selected a school that fits your desired style, it’s time to ready yourself for combat! At its heart, Wizard101 is a turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG. Your success will largely depend on how you build your spell deck, whether you’re fighting solo or with friends, and if you have a bit of luck on your side.

Only 7 spells will be initially drawn from your deck during combat, so constructing a deck that will allow you to get the right cards at the right time is instrumental. Overloading your deck may result in you not getting helpful cards when you need them, but packing too few cards could mean you don’t have enough spells to finish the fight. It’s a delicate balance!

Constructing Your Spell Deck

There are 3 main types of spell sources: regular spells, treasure cards, and item/pet cards.

  • Regular spells are standard spells that you unlock on your adventure either through your professor or through quests. They get added to the “main” section of your spell deck.
  • Item/pet cards are spells that come from equipped items and pets. They appear in a specific section below your “main” spell deck. You can choose which pet/item cards you’d like to appear in battle by clicking on them.
  • Treasure Cards are single use spells that have a dedicated section in your spell deck. Once you use one during battle, it’s gone forever. You’ll need to continuously replenish your Treasure Cards if you find yourself using them often.

When it comes to spell deck strategy, we often find that less is more. It’s very common for new players to get excited and add as many spells to their deck as possible, but that makes it very difficult to fight battles effectively. For example, if you’re at full health, pulling heal card after heal card extends the battle length and doesn’t help you in that specific moment. Packing heal spells is fantastic idea, but make sure you’re keeping a good ratio in mind.

Don’t be afraid to leave some spots empty too … especially as you continue to level up and have access to larger decks!

How Combat Works

Walking up to any enemy will automatically trigger combat to begin. Once the combat starts, you’ll see a 30-second timer and 7 drawn cards from your spell deck. If you’re happy with those cards, amazing! If you’re not, you can always discard any undesired cards to make space for new cards to appear the following round. Discarding a spell also lets you draw a Treasure Card, if you added any to your deck beforehand. A max of 7 cards will always be shown at any given time whether they are normal spells or Treasure Cards.

When you’re ready to cast a spell, select it and choose which enemy (or ally) you want to play it on. You can also pass if you’d prefer to wait or if you don’t have enough pips to cast the spell you want. Pips are the energy/power you use to cast spells.

Once all players have selected a spell, the round plays out in a turn-based fashion where the spell cards are brought to life through whimsical animations. After all spells have been cast, the next planning phase commences with another 30-second timer. This continues until either you defeat all the enemies, or the enemies defeat you.

Helpful Tips for New Wizards

  • Speaking of efficient traveling, utilize the Mark and Recall for locations that you know you’ll need to visit again. You’ll save yourself a lot of walking and time!
  • The Bazaar is an incredible resource for obtaining good gear, especially early on. Check it frequently throughout your adventures to see if anything there provides better stats than what you currently have.
  • The pet system is robust and can be overwhelming at first, but training a pet can come in handy extremely quickly. You never know when a pet spell might just save you in battle!
  • When in doubt? Team-up! If you’re ever stuck on a particular dungeon or boss, you can ask for help through the Team-Up feature. This allows other players in the game to see that you need assistance and come running to your aid.

There’s so much more to explore in Wizard101, but hopefully you have a good understanding of the basics! We’re grateful to everyone who has played our magical MMO the last 17 years, and we can’t wait to see what the next 17 bring … this time on console!


Wizard101

KingsIsle Entertainment, gamigo group

311
Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue. Darkness threatens to engulf the Spiral as you master powerful spells, explore over 22 whimsical worlds, and team-up with friends in this nostalgic wizard turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG.

The post How to Get Started in Wizard101 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole

10 October 2025 at 00:00

The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole

  • Chris Darril, Game Director, Little Sewing Machine
Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

Today, all of us at Little Sewing Machine are thrilled to share five details about our upcoming horror-platformer Bye Sweet Carole that make us feel proud. This is a game born from passion, nostalgia, and four years of hand-crafted artistry. We hope that you will like playing it as much as we loved making it.

So, let’s get into it!

Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

Every Frame Is Hand-Crafted

Bye Sweet Carole is our love letter to the golden age of animation and the emotional resonance of childhood classics. Every single frame is drawn by hand by us – no shortcuts, no cut-out, no automation, no AI.

Over three years, our team meticulously animated each movement, expression and eerie twist. We wanted to create a visual style that channels the lush, expressive worlds of Don Bluth, from “The Secret of NIMH” to the legendary Dragon’s Lair saga, and traditionally animated Disney masterpieces like “Snow White” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

We hope that our visual style will hit a bit of that nostalgia – the feeling of old times, old movies, watching cartoons when we were kids. A way to transport back in time, using our memories and mind as a time machine. We hope that players will feel that when they play our story and I hope they’ll see and appreciate the little details in our animations that we poured our hearts into.

Childhood Wonder Meets Unsettling Horror

At first glance, Bye Sweet Carole might look like a whimsical fairy tale: birds flutter, gowns billow, and Lana, our protagonist, wanders through painted environments that echo forgotten animated reels. But beneath the surface lies something darker.

Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

Inspired by the quiet terror of childhood classics like “The Fox and the Hound,” “The Secret of NIMH” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” our horror doesn’t rely on gore or shock. Instead, it disrupts comfort zones, turning familiar spaces into sites of unease. We hope that players will like the slow burn and discover a fantasy land that is not as picture perfect as the surface might suggest. It’s always the things that are below the surface that show the true overall self, isn’t it!

A Story Rooted in History

Bye Sweet Carole is more than a game: it’s a narrative experience that delves into complex, human themes. It explores issues such as emancipation, human rights, loneliness and loss. Through Lana’s journey, we also touch on the impact of bullying and the silence of a society struggling to confront its own injustices.

Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

Rather than presenting Lana as a damsel in distress, we’ve shaped her as a resilient protagonist whose story reflects the quiet strength of those who dare to challenge the status quo. Her path is a tribute to the voices often overlooked that have inspired us to tell stories that go beyond entertainment and speak to the heart of social change.

A Fusion of Gameplay Genres

Bye Sweet Carole blends multiple gameplay styles into an experience of its own. You’ll find platforming, puzzle-solving, exploration and hide-and-seek mechanics woven throughout the journey. This genre fusion is designed to keep players engaged and surprised, constantly shifting between curiosity and caution, giving a feeling of wonder and adventure. We want you to explore the world together with Lana, through her wide-open eyes.

A Modern Homage to ‘90s Adventure Games

We drew inspiration from the spirit of ‘90s adventure titles like Dragon’s Lair, Another World, Clock Tower and Heart of Darkness, but also some unforgettable masterpieces of the 2000s such as Haunting Ground, Detention and the hardly discussed Rule of Rose. But we didn’t stop at nostalgia. We wanted to breathe new life into familiar formats. Bye Sweet Carole is our way of honoring the past while delivering something fresh, emotionally resonant and visually unforgettable.

Bye Sweet Carole Screenshot

Thank you so much for reading and spending these few moments with us! We hope that Bye Sweet Carole has piqued your interest — it’s available today on Xbox Series X|S.


Bye Sweet Carole

Maximum Entertainment

3
$24.99 $19.99
Step into Corolla… Immerse yourself in a world where the warmth of hand-drawn animation meets a rich story steeped in horror. From Chris Darril (Remothered series), Bye Sweet Carole invites you on a haunting journey full of secrets. Once Upon a Time… Set in early 20th Century England, as the suffrage movement begins to reshape society, young Lana Benton searches for her missing friend, Carole Simmons. Her path leads her through Bunny Hall orphanage and on to the mysterious kingdom of Corolla, a place controlled by the sinister Mr. Kyn, the ruthless owl Velenia, and swarms of ravenous tar bunnies. Caught between two worlds, Lana must find a way to survive and uncover the dark truth behind Carole's disappearance. Key Features: 🐰 A heartfelt love letter to the precious classic animated films of our childhood and the evergreen old school adventures of the 90s. 🐰 Explore the eerie corridors of Bunny Hall and the fantastical world of Corolla, each filled with secrets and dangers. 🐰 Meet a cast of memorable characters: from the kind Mr. Baesie to the ominous owl Velenia and the menacing Mr. Kyn. 🐰 Investigate through puzzle solving, sneaking around deathly enemies, and overcoming platforming challenges. 🐰 Transform into a rabbit and use your forms to escape the threats of Bunny Hall and Corolla.

The post The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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