Xbox Game Pass Unleashes Another Horde-Survival Spell: Halls of Torment Isn't Just a Clone, Mate.
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Xbox Game Pass just conjured up *Halls of Torment*, a 'Vampire Survivors-like' roguelike that's far more than a simple clone, packing robust RPG depth and stellar reviews. It's a prime example of Game Pass unearthing genuine indie magic amidst the big-name drops, and it’s well worth a look for anyone craving a deeper horde-survival experience.
Right, so apparently Xbox Game Pass just keeps on giving, and sometimes, it gives us something that looks familiar but tastes surprisingly fresh. You know that feeling when you cast a spell you've seen a hundred times, but *this* time, the incantation shifts, and suddenly you're doing something truly spectacular? That's kinda what we're looking at with *Halls of Torment*, which just materialised on the service.
*(Original article by Dominik Bošnjak for Game Rant, titled 'Xbox Game Pass Adds Another Vampire Survivors-Like Game'.)*
Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter 'Oh, another *Vampire Survivors* clone,' let's pause, take a deep breath, and dig into the digital tea leaves, shall we? Because while *Halls of Torment* proudly wears its horde-survival influences on its retro-styled sleeve, it's packing some serious magical punch that makes it stand out from the ever-growing crowd. And frankly, mate, I'm genuinely intrigued.
This German-made marvel from Chasing Carrots isn't just a simple bullet-heaven romp; it's a full-blown action roguelike with, and this is where it gets spicy, 'robust RPG mechanics.' Fair dinkum, they're talking gear, they're talking build options – the kind of stuff you'd expect in a proper hack 'n' slash RPG like a *Diablo 4*, not just a game where you try to survive waves of baddies by moving your character. This immediately tickles my curious bone. What happens when you combine that addictive, minimalist survival loop with the depth of character customisation? A potential runaway hit, that's what.
And the numbers, oh, the glorious numbers, back this up. *Halls of Torment* isn't just 'good'; it's 'Mighty' on OpenCritic, rocking an average score of 85 and a whopping, incredibly rare, 100% recommendation rate from critics. That's not just good, that's 'accidentally opened a portal to a dimension made purely of delicious snacks' good! And players? Over 20,000 'Overwhelmingly Positive' Steam reviews since its release 13 months ago. That's a lot of happy campers, or should I say, happy horde-survivors. It suggests there's a real substance beneath the familiar surface. It's not just riding the coattails; it's carving its own path with a very sharp, customisable sword.
So, the big news is, of course, its arrival on Xbox Game Pass on October 28th, 2025. And because it's not a day-one launch (it's been out for a while making waves, remember?), it's landed across all the juicy tiers: PC, Premium, and Ultimate. No dedicated Xbox One port, but for those still rocking the last-gen console, Cloud Gaming comes to the rescue. It's almost like Microsoft's saying, 'We see you, last-gen legends, we've got your back with a bit of streaming magic.' It's the first time we've seen a Chasing Carrots game hit Game Pass, which leaves us guessing how long it might stick around – usually, it's at least a year. But honestly, with a reception like this, I reckon they'd be daft to pull it anytime soon.
What's even cooler is that its Game Pass debut isn't just a drop-and-run. Nope, it coincides with a shiny new free update! A Bard character, balancing tweaks, bug fixes – all good stuff that shows the devs are still pouring love into their creation. And if you're truly hooked, there's even a brand-new DLC, *The Boglands*, available for purchase today, adding a new stage, two heroes, and over 50 quests. This isn't just a 'here's a game to pad out the library,' this is a 'here's a game we believe in, and the journey continues' kind of move. Always good to see a game arrive on a subscription service with fresh content ready to go, rather than feeling like a dusty relic from a forgotten realm.
Now, *Halls of Torment* isn't alone in this increasingly crowded (but undeniably fun) 'Vampire Survivors-like' arena on Game Pass. We've seen *Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor* pop up back in mid-September, offering its own sci-fi spin on the bullet-heaven formula. And then there's *Super Fantasy Kingdom*, which arrived on October 24th – a city-builder roguelike with a tower defense loop that apparently also appeals to us survivors-likers. It seems Microsoft is keenly aware of this emerging genre's popularity, and they're doing a grand job of curating a diverse collection for us to explore. It makes sense, really; these games often hit that sweet spot of addictive gameplay, quick sessions, and high replayability – perfect for a subscription service where you might just dip your toes in.
And speaking of dipping toes, October 2025 is wrapping up with *The Outer Worlds 2* (a day-one launch, no less!), and November 2025 is looking absolutely stacked. We're talking *Football Manager 26*, *1000xResist* (another day-one!), *Voidtrain*, *Winter Burrow*, and the absolute behemoth: *Call of Duty: Black Ops 7* (yep, another day-one!). Plus, *Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault* is on the horizon. My goodness, it's like Microsoft just opened a massive loot box and spilled games everywhere. While the big names certainly grab headlines, it's often these smaller, critically acclaimed gems like *Halls of Torment* that truly showcase the value of Game Pass. They're the unexpected potions that give you a sudden burst of joy, the secret rooms you stumble upon that hold untold treasures. It proves Game Pass isn't just about the AAA blockbusters (though they're welcome, don't get me wrong) but also about unearthing and championing genuinely innovative indie experiences. It's a bit like a digital wizard's apprentice discovering that a small, unassuming spellbook actually contains the most powerful enchantments.
So, if you're a fan of the ever-popular *Vampire Survivors* but have been craving a bit more depth, a sprinkle of RPG goodness, and perhaps even a dash of *Diablo*-esque loot hunting, then *Halls of Torment* should be right at the top of your 'To Play' list on Game Pass. It's a fantastic example of a game that takes a winning formula and evolves it into something truly special, proving that sometimes, the best magic isn't in inventing a completely new spell, but in mastering and enhancing an existing one. Go on, mate, give it a whirl. What's the worst that can happen? You just might accidentally discover your new obsession, and then you can thank me later. Or curse me for all the hours you lose to it – either way, it's a win!
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Roguelike, Horde Survival, Indie Games, Game Analysis
Original article: Game Rant