The Last Case of Benedict Fox now has a release date for when it will be joining the ranks of other indie games on Xbox Game Pass. As one of the most popular gaming subscription services, Xbox Game Pass has helped put a spotlight on indie games by putting them at the forefront of the service's catalog.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox was announced during the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase held in June 2022. Billed as a Lovecraftian Metroidvania, players take the role of the titular detective alongside his ominous demonic companion and fight against cosmic horrors while investigating a murder and disappearance in a mysterious mansion. A gameplay trailer for The Last Case of Benedict Fox was released last August and gave viewers a quick look at the game's map, upgrade system, 2D action gameplay, and small glimpses of its story.
Having previously been shown to be coming to Xbox Game Pass, gamers have finally been given a release date for when they can experience this enigmatic adventure. In a post on Xbox Wire, it was announced that The Last Case of Benedict Fox is releasing on April 27, 2023, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, becoming one of many indie games available on Xbox Game Pass. This announcement was made alongside the release of a 16-minute gameplay demo that showed more of the game's dialogue between Benedict and his companion as they explore the memories of Benedict's deceased father.
The demo also spotlighted some of the game's NPCs such as Harry Houdini who acts as a merchant for in-game items and The Tattooist who provides upgrades for the companion. Along the way, Benedict finds items used to conduct rituals and solve puzzles across various areas in order to progress. The demo ends with a peek at one of the game's first bosses, a large tentacle monster known as The Librarian that attacks Benedict using its tentacles while baring its teeth. As stated in the Xbox Wire post, the inclusion of The Last Case of Benedict Fox and other indie games in Xbox Game Pass acts as part of Microsoft's efforts to continue to bolster Xbox Game Pass in 2023.
Gamers in recent years have been spoiled for choice when it comes to Metroidvanias, which in turn means that each new one must come with its own quirks that help set it apart from the rest. The Last Case of Benedict Fox has done this by embracing Lovecraftian horror in its presentation and narrative. The influence of H.P. Lovecraft in gaming can be seen in everything from indie darlings like Amnesia: The Dark Descent to AAA releases like Bloodborne. The Last Case of Benedict Fox is sure to give fans of both Lovecraft and Metroidvanias even more to enjoy when it releases this April, and by being available on Xbox Game Pass, it opens the door for many to enter its uncanny world.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox releases for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on April 27, 2023.
Source: Xbox Wire