The Xbox Showcase delivered plenty of surprises, but one of the standout reveals came from Counterplay Games and publishing partner Fictions. The studios officially unveiled Armatus, a third-person roguelite shooter that combines modern firearms with supernatural, celestial abilities. If you have ever wanted to unload an assault rifle while calling down divine retribution on a demon the size of a bus, this might be your kind of apocalypse.
Armatus casts players as a resurrected warrior summoned to fight the demonic forces overrunning the world. The debut trailer gives a moody, combat-heavy tour through Dark Paris, a ruined city crawling with possessed monstrosities and swirling supernatural energy. In classic roguelite fashion, your warrior is expected to die, resurrect, and try again, unlocking new weapons and power combinations until the demonic hordes become slightly less overwhelming.
The game launches in 2026 and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass across Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the cloud. PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch 2 will also get in on the action. It’s the broadest platform spread Counterplay has ever released a title on, and it positions Armatus as one of next year’s most accessible shooters.
Counterplay Games Studio Head Ming Zhang describes Armatus as a deliberate fusion of elements:
With Armatus, we wanted our gameplay to be a blend of modern firearms and supernatural powers, plus a little melee for good measure. By layering in dynamic build choices for each run, we’ve created the frenetic, hyperkinetic combat that really defines our gameplay.
The team emphasizes dynamic builds as a core part of the experience, ensuring each new attempt feels distinct. Think of it as a little Hades, a little Returnal, and a whole lot of stylish demon slaying.
Fictions Producer Kelsey Hansen echoed the excitement, calling the combat “intense, fast-paced,” and something that feels great the moment it’s in a player’s hands. For a studio founded in early 2025, Fictions has grown quickly, and Armatus joins a lineup that includes Beast of Reincarnation and LEGO Party! with more announcements promised soon.
Fans interested in the project can dig deeper through the official trailer and media assets, and follow along via Counterplay’s and Armatus’s official websites. If the reveal is any indication, Armatus is shaping up to be one of 2026’s heavy hitters, barreling forward with a blend of style, supernatural flair, and frenetic gunplay that stands out in a crowded action genre.
