Double Fine: New Release by Masters of Gaming Weirdness

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, shall we? Before Microsoft scooped in with its Game Pass-powered wallet, Double Fine was already a treasure trove of cult classics. Psychonauts (2005) is still one of the most imaginative platformers ever made. Seriously, who else would think to set levels inside the minds of characters, complete with a Milkman Conspiracy and a Meat Circus?

Then there’s Brütal Legend (2009), a heavy metal fever dream starring Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, and a whole lot of headbanging. And don’t even get us started on Stacking, the puzzle game where you play as Russian nesting dolls, or Broken Age, the Kickstarter-fueled return of point-and-click adventures. These games didn’t just break the mold; they smashed it, set it on fire, and danced on the ashes.

Keeper: The Weirdest Game Yet

Now, let’s talk about Keeper, the latest brainchild from Double Fine and their first big project under Microsoft’s banner. The Keeper was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. This game is quintessentially Double Fine with its quirkiness, emotion, and unapologetic weirdness. It’s a third-person adventure set in a post-human world, and get this: the main character is a sentient lighthouse. Yes, you read that right. A lighthouse. With legs. And it’s glorious.

Imagine being on a mysterious island, where a lighthouse that has been dormant for eons, and then… BOOM! It’s awake. Stumbling around like it has never walked before, which lighthouses have never been known to walk, the lighthouse is a mission to figure out its purpose. Eventually, it befriends a seabird, and they become a team and take on the creeping darkness that’s permeating the land.

The lighthouse’s beam of light isn’t just for show. It can heal the environment, fend off the malevolent tendrils, and generally make you feel like a glowing beacon of hope (literally). Together, this odd couple embarks on a journey that’s part Studio Ghibli, part 2001: A Space Odyssey, and 100% Double Fine.

The game is led by Lee Petty, the creative genius behind Stacking, Headlander, and RAD. Petty is about creating a gaming experience and not just a list of tasks that need to be completed. Inspired by the isolation of the pandemic and long hikes through nature, Keeper is all about companionship, transformation, and finding meaning in a world that’s moved on. It’s the kind of game that makes you think, “What if Shadow of the Colossus had a baby with Journey and raised it on a steady diet of indie films and existential philosophy?”

Why Keeper Is the Game We Need Right Now

Here’s the thing: Double has always been about taking risks. With Microsoft backing them, they’re swinging for the fences. Keeper isn’t just another game. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s exactly the kind of experience that reminds us why we fell in love with games in the first place.

And the best part? You won’t have to wait long to play it. Keeper drops on October 17, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud, and Steam. It’s also hitting Game Pass on day one, so if you’re already subscribed (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), you’ve got no excuse not to dive in.

Set your reminders and get ready to partake in more than just the release of a new game; get ready to experience the trek through the Keeper isn’t just a game, a quirky and creative journey that shows you what makes Double Fine a legendary name in gaming. If you’re not already hyped, maybe it’s time to level up your soul and let the lighthouse guide you to the light.