The Xbox Games Showcase, a part of the Summer Game Fest, aired earlier today and showcased games from the upcoming next-generation Xbox Series X console — among them, Halo Infinite, a brand-new Fable, a soft reboot of Forza Motosport, Destiny 2: Beyond Light and more.
Check out the full list of games revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase along with their official announcement trailers below:
Fable
Who else is ready to get married 169 times again?
This game is technically Fable 4 in the overall series, but looks to be a reboot. Fable 2 and Fable 3 went with a technological progression angle, although that doesn’t look like it will be continued in this game judging from the strong, medieval-era fantasy vibes and aesthetic going on in this video. A funny little CGI trailer which unfortunately doesn’t reveal any gameplay.
Still, seeing the Hero Guild symbol on the sword pommel was a nice touch.
Tetris Effect: Connected
It’s a well-polished, contemporary version of Tetris with a soundtrack that slaps. What more can really be said? 36 years later after the release of the first game and Tetris is still going strong. What a time to be alive.
Release Date: Xbox Series X launch, Holiday 2020
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition
An enhanced version of one of the most critically-acclaimed JRPGs from the past few years. Have this game on the Switch and was pleasantly surprised by how engaging the story and characters were. Grew to love the art style as well.
Release Date: December 4th, 2020
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
Phantasy Star Online was one of my favorite games for the Dreamcast and Gamecube, so I may be biased in saying this, but damn, this game looks crisp, smooth and fun as hell. Is RJ gonna have to dust off his ol’ Level 300 HuMar, Morpheuous?
Apparently this will be an upgraded version of Phantasy Star Online 2 similar to how Realm Reborn was an upgraded version of Final Fantasy XIV.
Release Date: Sometime in 2021.
Halo Infinite | Campaign Gameplay premiere
“We’re outgunned. We’re outnumbered…”
Uh, yeah. What’s your point, bearded guy? It’s like you don’t even know Master Chief, man. The gameplay, enemies and storyline all look like a lot of fun, although, and this may be an unpopular opinion but the graphics don’t unequivocally scream “next-generation console” to me. Still some time before the release though and it is Halo so I’m pretty hype regardless.
Release Date: Xbox Series X launch, Holiday 2020.
EXOMECHA
A brand-new, free-to-play online first person shooter which takes place on “a new and untouched planet with exotic environments” called OMECHA. The game promises “breathtaking gaming experience with its flexible playing style, mechs, unique gadgets and abilities.”
EXOMECHA looks fun and polished but it remains to be seen how this game can differentiate itself from the myriad sci-fi-tinged, futuristic shooters upon which it draws its inspiration, like Halo, Section 8 and Titanfall.
CrossfireX
Totally irrelevant but does anyone remember those old Crossfire board game ads from the 80s where the kids wore studded leather jackets, played Crossfire in a gladiatorial arena highly prone to lightning strikes and the loser of the game was sent spiraling into Hell? If not, now you have. “Crosssfiyahhhhh! You’ll get caught up in theeee!”
Anyways, CrossfireX is apparently a popular, online first-person shooter game in Japan already and this will be an updated version dealing with warring mercenary factions with help from Remedy, the studio behind the Max Payne games. And yes, that is a aberrant cover version of “X Gon’ Give it to Ya” being played in the trailer’s background.
The Gunk
A quirky, adventure game with puzzle elements and a vibrant, animated art style from Image & Form Games, the makers of SteamWorld. Name is a little off-putting but it’s befitting of The Gunk‘s playstyle, which looks like a mix of Super Mario Sunshine and ReCore.
Echo Generation
Getting definite Earthbound, Minecraft and Stranger Things vibes from this game, although we’ll have to see if the gameplay or storyline can hold a candle to any of the properties to which it pays homage. The art style is killer, I’ll give it that.
Watch Dogs: Legion: Resistance
London has been besieged by private security firm Albion, who is keeping the city under its control with its subterfugal tactics. Watch Dogs: Legion: Resistance puts you in the shoes of a character from the streets who wishes to put an end to crime lords, Albion and anyone else who gets in your way.
Hello Neighbor 2
Announcement trailer for a stealth horror game which sees you assuming the role of a local journalist investigating missing persons who must gather clues — clues which all seem to point to your creepy neighbor’s house.
Balan Wonderworld
A colorful, whimsical trailer for a 3D action game created by created by Sonic the Hedgehog creators Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima.
“Twelve different tales await players in the bizarre and imaginary land of Wonderworld. As the star of the show you can use powers from 80 different costumes while exploring labyrinth stages, filled with a myriad of tricks and traps to get to the heart of each story.
As you journey through this land between fantasy and reality, you must find a way to bring balance to others and yourself.”
Release Date: Spring 2021
State of Decay 3
Hopefully this survival horror game with a fun, “what evil lurks in the woods” premise can ameliorate the shortcomings of the first two games — like making the co-op mode more enjoyable and expanding upon single player features. Notwithstanding, pretty creepy trailer that’s worth a watch.
Forza Motorsport
This reboot is technically the 8th game in the series. Hopefully they put less emphasis on the homologation aspects of the previous game; I just wanna soup up any car I want and race it against the high end cars (and win) like some vehicular version of Rudy.
Everwild – Eternals
A new IP from Rare with a gorgeous, animated, painterly artstyle. Unfortunately, no gameplay revealed, but the game looks to revolve around players encountering majestic beasts in the wild and somehow interacting with them. A variation of a Monster Hunter game perhaps?
Tell Me Why
A narratively-driven game from Dontnod, the makers of the Life is Strange series, to which this game bears striking similarities. The main character also bears a striking similarity to Aaron-Taylor Johnson.
And yes, I too was disappointed “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys wasn’t in the trailer. “You are my fiiiire. The one, desiiiire.”
The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon
Well, it’s a year later, but we’re finally getting DLC for The Outer Wilds.
Release Date: September 9th, 2020
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
An Xbox Series X remaster of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a gorgeously, Rayman-style animated platformer, Metroidvania game from Moon Studios which puts players in the role of a guardian spirit.
Grounded
What is this, a game for ants? Or Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in video game form? Either way, the game has a cutesy charm to it — that Cyberpunk 2077 line in the trailer was pretty amusing as well.
Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment (Fallout: New Vegas, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic) making a game in the vein of Elder Scrolls? Color me intrigued.
As Dusk Falls
An interesting looking game with a unique, pulp-painted art style which “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.”
Psychonauts 2
A sequel to the quirky, weird, scary-funny Psychonauts released back in 2005? Surprising, but if it’s anywhere near as memorable as the first game, we’re in for a treat.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light
“A new power is born out of the ancient Pyramid Ship above Europa’s frozen frontier, and a dark empire has risen beneath. In Destiny 2: Beyond Light, join your fellow Guardians and bring down the empire at any cost – even if it means wielding the Darkness itself.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
From Fatshark, developers of the award-winning Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide, comes Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, a “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.”
Release Date: Sometime in 2021.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
A sequel to the atmospheric, first-person-shooter, survival horror game series developed by Ukranian developer GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers and Robbers). The game takes place alternate reality area surrounding the Chernobyl disaster site. The games are based loosely on the novel Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and the 1979 Soviet science fiction art film of the same name directed by Andrei Tarkovsky.
Which games from the Xbox Series X Games Showcase impressed you the most? Let us know in the comments.
Ninja Gaiden was my rite of passage at an early age. After finally beating that game (and narrowly dodging carpal tunnel) I decided to write about my gaming exploits. These days I enjoy roguelikes and anything Pokemon but I'll always dust off Super Mario RPG, Donkey Kong Country and StarFox 64 from time to time to bask in their glory.
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