It really is hard to think that the Xbox Series X console was first revealed in December 2019 at the Game Awards and since then, Microsoft has been first in not only reveal the console appearance but also in the specs of it long before Sony stepped up with the PlayStation 5 reveal. Last month Sony not only finally revealed the look of the PS5 but also what titles Sony Studios have been working on for release, well today it is the turn of Microsoft Studios to showcase what they have been working on for Xbox Series X and Xbox One going into the new generation of consoles.
Personally I am more excited for the potential surprises the Showcase might have in titles we would not expect from Xbox, but believe me…HALO Infinite and a possible FABLE IV release is firmly on my need to see list. Below you will find all the trailers, news and my own final thoughts on the showcase:
HALO Infinite: Demo Gameplay
Showcase opens up with actual gameplay from HALO Infinite from what looks like a playable Demo, but the trailer before that…showing the Master Chief’s new armour was…as a HALO Fan….incredible. Also….Chief has a grappling hook?
State of Decay 3: Official Announcement Trailer
Watch the official announce trailer for State of Decay 3 and see what’s in store for the next chapter in State of Decay. Play State of Decay 3 day 1 with Xbox Game Pass.
Phil Spencer confirms Five new Games will be revealed along with updates from the other Micoroft Studios. Push for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on PC and console especially on Xbox Series X.
Forza Motorsport: Official Announcenment Trailer
Witness the power of Xbox Series X through Forza Motorsport. Automotive entertainment is reimagined for a new generation.
Everwild : Eternals Trailer
Tell me Why: Chapter 1 Launch Trailer
Experience Chapter One of Tell Me Why, the latest narrative experience from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind Life is Strange. Play as twins Alyson and Tyler as they use their special bond to unravel the mysteries of their loving but troubled childhood. Set in beautiful Alaska, Tell Me Why features true-to-life characters, mature themes and gripping choices. And with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can enjoy unlimited access to over 100 great games on Xbox One and PC, including all the new Xbox Game Studios games the day they launch.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Xbox Series X Edition
Critically acclaimed Ori and the Will of the Wisps will be optimized for Xbox Series X / 4k / 120fps
The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon DLC Trailer
A severed arm and a mysterious message lead the crew of the Unreliable to the Gorgon Asteroid, formerly the site of one of Halcyon’s most ambitious and disastrous scientific undertakings – now a lawless den of monsters and marauders. Wealthy recluse Minnie Ambrose tasks the crew with finding answers about Dr. Olivia Ambrose, her mother and the doomed project’s disgraced director, but they are soon ensnared in an intrigue that will change the colony forever.
Grounded: Launch Tailer
Play Grounded day one with Xbox Game Pass or pre-order now on Xbox One, Microsoft Store, and Steam. Obsidian Entertainment reveals the all new official launch trailer for Grounded, their upcoming survival adventure game. On July 28th, go big or never go home. An Xbox Game Preview title built with community feedback.
Avowed
Watch the official announce trailer for Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s next epic, first-person RPG set in the fantasy world of Eora.
As Dusk Falls: Official Announcement Trailer
One town. Two families. Three decades of secrets. As Dusk Falls is an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT that explores the entangled lives of two families across thirty years. Starting with a robbery-gone-wrong in small town Arizona, the choices you make will have a powerful impact on this epic story of sacrifice, betrayal, and resilience.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 – Behind the scenes Series Episode 2
Welcome to the second episode in the series of ‘Dreadnought Development Diaries’, here we see the team travel to the incredible landscapes of Iceland, scouting locations and setting the scene for the upcoming Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Pyschonauts 2: Gameplay Trailer
Raz takes a journey through the mind of a mystery brain he found in a jar.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light on Xbox Series X
As a new threat emerges, so too does a mysterious new power — Stasis. Prepare to wield the Darkness in Destiny 2: Beyond Light, coming November 10, 2020. With an active Xbox Game Pass subscription, players will have access to the standard edition (seasonal content sold separately) of each expansion, beginning with Forsaken and Shadowkeep (available September 2020) and Beyond Light (available beginning on November 10, 2020).
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. : Console Launch Exclusive
The award-winning PC franchise loved by millions of players is making a true next-gen console debut with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
WARHAMMER 40,000 Dartide: Console Launch Exclusive
From the developers of the best-selling and award-winning franchise Vermintide, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a visceral 4-player co-op action game set in the hive city of Tertium. Fight together with your friends against hordes of enemies in this new Warhammer: 40,000 experience.
Tetris Effect: Connected – Announce Trailer
Tetris Effect: Connected will be available on the Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows 10 (PC, Windows Store), as well as the Xbox Game Pass and Smart Delivery programs, when it launches alongside Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020.
The Gunk: Reveal Trailer
From the creators of SteamWorld, embark on an all-new adventure in a vast and alien world where you’ll encounter terrifying enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel the mystery of a forgotten planet, while saving it in the process.
The Medium: Dual Reality Trailer
The Medium is a next-gen psychological horror game, featuring never-seen-before and officially patented Dual-Reality Gameplay that plays out across two worlds displayed at the same time. Discover a dark mystery only a medium can solve. Explore the real world and the spirit world at the same time. Use your psychic abilities to solve puzzles spanning both worlds, uncover deeply disturbing secrets, and survive encounters with The Maw – a monster born from an unspeakable tragedy. Coming Holiday 2020 to PC & Xbox Series X
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Reveal Trailer (US Only)
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will be coming in 2021! PSO2: NGS will surpass Phantasy Star Online 2 in every way, offering players limitless adventure and unparalleled character customization. The game has been redesigned as a best-in-class online action RPG experience!
Crossfire X: Campaign Trailer
A sprawling global conflict rages between the Global Risk and Black List mercenary factions in an immersive and cinematic single player experience from Smilegate Entertainment and Remedy. Where will the fight take you?
Smart Delivery Plug and promise of more MS Studio reveals later this year which is a bit of a kicker when so much hype was put on this event as a big “see it all” event and it ended up being anything but.
FABLE: Reveal Trailer
Fable returns with a new beginning for the legendary franchise. Explore a land of fantastical creatures and wondrous places. Developed by Playground Games for Xbox Series X and Windows 10.
My Final Thoughts….
I have to be honest and say that this showcase was rather underwhelming after so much hype was put into this event being the grand big reveal of what all 16 Microsoft Studios have been working on for the launch of the Series X and instead….it was a Part 1, and not a hugely impactful one.
The big message from this event was a simple one, if you own “Xbox Game Pass Ultimate” then you get to play all the Xbox games as everything shown tonight is coming to Xbox Game pass, most on day one with the big surprise being that Destiny 2 and all it’s Expansion content including the new Beyond Light DLC will be available on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC as well as enhanced for Series X.
The Fable reveal was an obvious one, done in a very cute way but it really was nothing more than a confirmation then anything to get excited for in terms of what the game will be like. HALO Infinite does look amazing with a far bigger playing area than I expected, loved the trailer showing the building of the Master Chief’s new armour and the grapple hook, now that is interesting. But I knew HALO Infinite would not disappoint me and what Iv seen I like. The titles shown are fine, some we already knew and some were just “this is really going to look good with the update for Xbox Series X’. I am intrigued by the other titles but then with Xbox Game Pass I have access to them, even if I remain on my Xbox One X and not move to a Series X.
Overall it was just….not what I was expecting, after the PS5 State of Play it had games I want a PS5 to play but this showcase, especially as it was revealed to be Part 1 of showcasing MS Studio games to come means it is more waiting, instead of just revealing it now and having fans know what to expect and I am left just happy having an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription well into 2022. I feel someone really needs to understand that building up the hype for an Xbox Series X event but only delivering a “to be continued” tease is just frustrating which is such a shame as they had lead the way into this new generation of console gaming so well and it just seems to have stumbled right now letting PS5 amaze and impress whilst Xbox Series X is just….make sure you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Microsoft need to go big on their next event and I mean no holding back, no to be continued, just….show us everything and please let it be more impressive than today.
