I hope you’ve not made plans this weekend, as it’s a bumper release day this Friday on Xbox One with 8 (yes 8!) new indies looking for your attention. First up we have forma.8 from MixedBag, a new take on the proven Metroidvania action-adventure formula. Players take on the role of a small exploration probe, left to explore the strange alien planet you’ve been stranded alone on. Separated from your companions by accident, you have a life or death mission to accomplish: find and recover a lost, powerful energy source before it’s too late. The game uses a striking visual style and features an huge open world with secrets and powerful bosses. You can pick it up this week for $13.49 or $14.99 thereafter.

Next we have A Pixel Story from Lamplight Studios and Rising Star Games. Set in a world hidden deep inside your computer, A Pixel Story is a tale of platforms and perils; of magical teleporting hats and sarcastic software; of thieving seagulls and maniacal operators. The game promises to be a journey through gaming history, packed with challenging platforming, devious traps, clever puzzles and a tongue in cheek story. Pick it up for $11.99.

Also releasing today is Chimed Sharp from Chilled Mouse, a sequel to 2009’s Chime. The game is a music puzzle game with an addictive, ambient heartbeat. Players need to combine various shapes to cover a grid, while a beatline reads those shapes as notes. As you cover the board, the music builds to a beautiful crescendo of your own design. It’s being described as a cross between Tetris and a music sequencer, probably best to check out our quick tastes video below to see for yourself. Chimed Sharp is priced at $9.99.

Chilled Mouse have been busy today, they also published Warhammer Quest from Rodeo Games and Twist Play. Based on the classic tabletop game, Warhammer Quest is an addictive mix of role-playing and strategy. Players need to lead their group of brave adventurers through the perilous dungeons of the Warhammer World in the search for wealth and glory. Crush Orcs, Goblins and Trolls and level up your party of heroes, looting weapons, armour and mysterious artefacts from fallen enemies. Pick it up for $29.99.

Next we have Trulon: The Shadow Engine. Set in a world of steampunk and magic, the game is an adventure RPG is based on a new novel from Jak Koke, author of The Dragon Heart Saga, and features a unique card combat system that combines traditional deck management with random elements. Players take control of four characters with different abilities each as they team up to adventure through the Trulon Universe where a mysterious disease has spread through the kingdoms of Tripudia and Maelon. Trulon: The Shadow Engine from Kyy Games and Headup Games, is currently $15.99 for 8 days increasing to $19.99 thereafter.

Sticking with the fantasy theme, we have We Are The Dwarves, an action-based tactical adventure from Whale Rock Games. The story begins as the Dwarven stars are slowly dying, putting the race at the edge of extinction. Deliverance is poised upon three Dwarven astronauts who are sent on an expedition to find a new star in the depths of the Endless Stone. Players take control of Forcer, Smashfist and Shadow as they explore the unknown territories of the stone universe while meeting new civilizations and ancient monsters from the deep layers of space. The game features an active pause, allowing you to slow time in order to queue up a series of commands. Pick it up for $14.99.

Next up is Riptide GP: Renegade, a Play Anywhere title from Vector Unit priced at $9.99 allowing you to play on Xbox One and Windows 10. Players delve into the world of illicit hydrojet racing, where armored riders kick out death-defying stunts over massive waterfalls, dodge cops through public waterways, and boost at breakneck speeds across surging waves. The game features a single player career mode where you unlock new vehicles, playable characters and customization features, then, take your skills online for the ultimate test as you battle opponents around the world in 8-player online matches or challenge your friends locally in split screen races with up to 4 players.

And finally, Bokosuka Wars II, from Pygmy Studio also hit the store today for $14.99. Players will need to team up to defeat the tyrant King Ogereth and free your allies in this 80s themed co-op action game. The original game released more than 30 years ago and now, an official sequel is finally here for Xbox One. The developers have taken the original style and flair of the original, and added a range of great new features including dynamic stages, a third warring nation, a new character and a 2 player co-op mode.

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