All the news from Xbox's spring indie game showcase

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The slow rollout of the summer gaming showcases continues. Earlier this month, Nintendo held its indie showcase, showing off games like Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Little Kitty, Big City, and unfortunately not Silksong. But those hoping for some kind of news concerning the Hollow Knight sequel will get another bite at the apple with today's ID@Xbox indie showcase. Expect news about the life-stealing Vampire Survivors and some new games with interesting names like 33 Immortals and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.

• They're just giving away toes for free.

  In Promise Mascot Agency, a new game from Kaizen Game Works makers of Paradise Killer, you play as a disgraced yakuza sent up-country to run a mascot agency. This simple premise takes a turn for the surreal as you find out all the mascots are weird and unsavory like a crying block of tofu, a gutted fish, and a giant severed toe.

  
  
  

• A big ol' update for Vampire Survivors.

  The developers describe it as the "most ambitious free update yet" for the game, with such important features as mine carts and doors that can open. The "laborratory" update also includes new characters, weapons, and stages — and it's out today on all platforms.

  
  
  

• I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody.

  All You Need is Help, a new game from the Pixeljunk developers, features a gaggle of anthropomorphized tetrominoes (try saying that three times fast) you and your friends use to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles. The announce trailer also featured the cutest theme song that probably won't be the video game song of the summer, but it'll come close.

  
  
  

• Some beautiful dungeons.

  Usually they're all dark and scary, but in Dungeons of Hinterberg, the dungeons look like colorful, lively places begging to be explored. There's a hint of Moebius to the art style that I'm very into. It's coming to Xbox and PC on July 18th, and will hit Game Pass on day one.

  
  
  

• And now... something you can play today.

  Most of the games at this showcase are launching later in the year, but The Rewinder — an intriguingly dark adventure game that's already out on Steam — is now on Game Pass.

  
  
  

  Image: MistyMountainStudio

• You won't believe your eyes, or much of anything else.

  In Centum, a new game from Serenity Forge on display during Xbox's spring indie showcase, you're trapped in a computer game...or are you? The vibes of Centum are certainly spooky and the art style is reminiscent of Lucas Pope's Papers, Please and just as bleak.

  
  
  

• Jackbox gets naughty.

  The popular trivia series is getting an update that's a little, let's say, risqué. We don't know exactly what the new pack will include, but the developers say it'll be the franchise's first M-rated content. It's dropping later this year.

  
  
  

• Is this a new genre?

  Keylocker is described as a "cyberpunk, turn-based, rhythm JRPG." That sure is a lot of things, but at least it's all rendered with a pretty slick retro style. The game hits Xbox and PC some time this summer.

  
  
  

• Don't stand in the fire.

  Imagine a roguelike MMO that's just fighting raid bosses. In 33 Immortals, your job (along with 32 others) is to make it through ever-changing dungeons, preserving as many of your party members as possible, to face a massively difficult boss that gets easier the more players you have.

  
  
  

• Say hello to your newest pals.

  PalWorld is getting an update this summer that adds some new creatures. And, as the new trailer shows they're not only cute, but also flammable.

  
  
  

• Xbox marks the spot.

  The year's latest indie game showcase is coming very soon, with Microsoft's ID@Xbox event kicking off today at 1PM ET. Expect news on games for Xbox and PC, including new details for Vampire Survivors fans. You can watch it all at the embed below.

  
  
  

• Time to get your hopes up about a Silksong release date.

  If Nintendo's recent showcase didn't satisfy your need for indie game news, here comes Microsoft. The company just announced that its next ID@Xbox Digital Showcase will take place on April 29th, and will feature "another batch of hotly anticipated indies." Of course, there's one specific game we'll all be looking out for.