If you only took a quick glance at November’s release date calendar, you might walk away with the idea that Xbox players are only getting one game this month: Grand Theft Auto 6. While that’s certainly the only big game coming to Series X, the first few weeks of November are deceptively crowded. A stack of indie hidden gems and nostalgic remasters are here to make sure you have something to play while you wait for your return to Vice City.
These are just five of the games you can look forward to in November. Yes, the list includes the big one, but there’s more to check out than you might think. If you’re not interested in going on an open-world crime spree, you’ll still have some solid options this month.
5
Gravhounds
Release date: Nov. 2
Though Xbox Game Pass isn’t getting any major tentpole releases in November, it is adding a lot of promising smaller games. Chief among them is Gravhounds, a new co-op shooter where you shoot aliens and build a base together. Sounds simple enough, but there’s one eye-catching twist: You play as a pack of humanoid dogs. Gravhounds has a real “WTF” factor that made it a standout game during this year’s Gamescom, so we’ll be curious to see if the shooting holds up to the wacky visuals.
4
Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School
Release date: Nov. 5
If you’re in the market for a great couch co-op game this month, don’t miss out on Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School. It’s an expanded sequel to 2023’s Escape Academy, a well-designed escape room game built for split-screen play. Back 2 School is building on its predecessor with more puzzle rooms, more fleshed-out worldbuilding, and even an explorable campus lined with secrets. If it’s even half as clever as the first game, it should be November’s best couples game.
3
Warhammer Survivors
Release date: Nov. 10
Do you like Warhammer? How about Vampire Survivors? If your answer to either of those questions is yes, you’ll want to check out Warhammer Survivors. The developers behind the very fun Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun are putting their knowledge of the tabletop universe to good use in a “bullet heaven” game full of carnage. Is it a bit of a gimmick? Maybe so, but you could say the same about Boltgun, and look how that turned out. Warhammer Survivors should offer plenty of reliable fun for fans of the auto-shooting action genre.
2
Shrek 2 Remastered
Release date: Nov. 10
Okay, it might look like Shrek 2 Remastered is only here as a gag, but hear me out. 2004’s Shrek 2 video game actually has some serious historical significance for Xbox: It was a major piece of Xbox’s E3 2004 presentation. In fact, it was the second game shown during the presentation, shown right after a short trailer for Unreal Championship 2: The Liandari Conflict. As weird as that seems, Xbox had a lot of faith in what turned out to be a pretty decent licensed game in an era where that wasn’t a given. The freshly remastered version brings history back to Xbox in the form of a nostalgic co-op adventure game.
1
Grand Theft Auto 6
Release date: Nov. 19
What else do I need to say here? Grand Theft Auto 6 is not only the main event of 2026, but likely of the decade at large. Rockstar’s open-world crime game promises to be a massive, boundary-pushing experience full of Florida flair. And despite the fact that so much about it has leaked, it still feels like we know next to nothing about the Bonnie and Clyde-inspired love story at the heart of it. That could stand to elevate a reliable bit of criminal chaos into something tender. We’ll find out together when the gates to Vice City finally open on Nov. 19.
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