What’s coming to Xbox Dec 15-19 – horror, indie and strategy

Table of Content

Microsoft has outlined the next wave of titles arriving on Xbox across December 15-19. The slate spans horror, action, platforming, party play and puzzle hunts, with many games Optimized for Xbox Series X|S and several supporting Xbox Play Anywhere, Smart Delivery and Handheld Optimized modes. Below is a clear look at release dates and platform features, followed by gameplay highlights to help you decide what to queue up first. Dates are provided as listed by the official Xbox store pages and may be subject to change.

Release schedule at a glance

Use this quick table to see what lands on which day and which platform features are flagged by the publisher. It’s a snapshot of the week’s lineup – from narrative horror to arcade challenges.

Weekly Xbox release calendar (Dec 15-19)

Spotlight picks – horror, tension and atmospheric quests

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic (Dec 16)

This series entry shifts the scare fest to Murray’s Costume Manor, where an inventor’s abandoned workshop hides a prototype endoskeleton that can take on any costume – and any persona you dread. Expect methodical surveillance, gadget use and careful resource checks as you navigate light-and-shadow pressure to retrieve prized tech while evading a relentless stalker.

The Axis Unseen (Dec 18)

A heavy metal-infused horror hunt from one of the developers behind Skyrim and Fallout. You’ll track creatures from folklore across an open world, steal their heightened senses to turn the tide, and discover special arrow types with unusual effects. The design leans into the idea that the hunter can quickly become the hunted.

Fort Solis (Dec 19)

A response to a distress call leads to a desolate mining base and a night where a looming storm narrows options. The narrative unravels through exploration and environmental storytelling as events spiral and escape routes close, aiming for slow-burn tension rather than jump scares.

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Where is Billy (Dec 17)

A social deduction twist where the only hiding place is the crowd itself. Blend in with monsters at a haunted manor, identify your own character without tipping off others, complete objectives, and expose rivals while staying in character.

The Legend of Princess Lyria (Dec 17)

An adventure across the Forbidden Realms to restore a fallen kingdom. You’ll explore varied biomes, lean into emerging magical abilities, forge alliances, and make choices that can shape Lyria into a benevolent ruler or something far harsher.

Indie variety – platforming, defense, puzzles and arcade beats

• God bless, or Goddess (Dec 15) – A narrative-led tale about a chosen disciple whose path to ascension is complicated by seven formidable women and the trials they pose. Features Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Smart Delivery.
• Frogo Deluxe (Dec 16) – An endless “cross-the-road” challenge where coins unlock new animals with more lives. Difficulty scales with score; supports Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Smart Delivery.
• Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch (Dec 16) – A dungeon defense setup where you command synergizing summoned troops to repel intruders, rivals and deities.
• Balloball – Ribbit & Rescue (Dec 17) – Save frogs trapped in bubbles by calculating physics-driven shots and avoiding traps in a bright arcade setting.
• Hidden Cats in Istanbul (Dec 17) – A cozy hidden-object hunt with more than 900 items to spot across landmarks like the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and Gülhane Park.
• Explodera (Dec 18) – A post-apocalyptic run-and-gun about saboteurs battling machine armies en route to the central Mother Computer.
• Hoomanz! (Dec 18) – Stealth-adventure without combat, starring Shoo, a guardian scaring off invading humans. Emphasis on darkness vs light and humor.
• Humble Haunted House (Dec 18) – Action tower defense where a Succubus masquerades as a haunted attraction manager, placing props and acting live to scare waves of visitors.
• Scott Whiskers: The Search for the Golden Cat (Dec 18) – A family-friendly adventure with puzzles, island exploration and a treasure-hunting theme.
• Zumba – The Dragon’s Marble Trial (Dec 18) – Marble-matching stages where a dragon fires colored orbs to create combos and chase three-star clears. Listed as Optimized by Xbox Series X|S.
• Big Trouble in Little Chimney (Dec 19) – Festive bullet-hell arena survival against creatures emerging from a chimney, centered on score-chasing runs.
• Cup Heroes (Dec 19) – Collect coins and gems to unlock cup characters with distinct abilities, upgrading skills over time. Marked Optimized for Handheld and Xbox Play Anywhere.
• Escape From Crypt (Dec 19) – Precision platforming and combat through a trap-filled crypt using wall jumps and strong sword strikes to clear unforgiving gauntlets.
• Frog Hero DX (Dec 19) – Tight platforming with bounce attacks, blade-dodging and pinpoint landings across swamps, caverns and clockwork stages.
• Nom Nom Apocalypse (Dec 19) – Co-op shooter where mutant food creatures overrun a city and chefs fight back, leaning on teamwork and crowd control.
• Outbreak: Shades of Horror (Dec 19) – Survival horror inspired by ’90s-’00s design with restricted inventory, strict resource management and intentionally tough progression.

Final takeaway – a packed mid-December spread

This week’s Xbox lineup covers a wide spectrum – from retro-rooted survival horror and narrative sci-fi to precision platformers and cozy hidden-object hunts. If you chase scares, December 16 and December 18 deliver fresh horror angles; if you prefer quick sessions, the arcade and puzzle picks on December 17-19 fill the gap. Track the dates above, note which titles are Optimized for Xbox Series X|S or support Xbox Play Anywhere, and line up your next playthrough accordingly.