Microsoft Xbox Series X showcase trailers for Halo, State of Decay 3
Xbox has shown off some of the games it hopes can help it take the lead in the console wars as the launch date edges closer.
Microsoft has fired its shot as it tries to help the Xbox Series X defeat the PlayStation 5 in the next round of the console wars.
The company held its Xbox Games Showcase early on Friday morning.
Before the event Xbox marketing Aaron Greenberg already promised fans it would only be games shown at the event.
Several games were shown off in a pre-show compilation, mainly smaller indie and niche titles, although a new trailer for Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs: Legion was also shown.
When the proper showcase began, it kicked things off with the title most tuning in would have been coming to see.
Halo: Infinite is the next addition in the console’s most iconic franchise, and the Master Chief looks set to prepped for some new tools and abilities in the next game.
The much-loved warthog gets another spin. But it’s not just fan service and nostalgia – there are also new features coming like the ability to shoot through certain walls and a new grappling hook ability you can use to drag enemies towards you or launch yourself towards them, an addition that will surely delight fans with fond memories of grappling hook gameplay from the Just Cause franchise.
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A short interview with the developers followed, who said the game will be bigger and better than recent additions.
The next-gen consoles represent sizeable upgrades in computing power and can run bigger games, faster and smoother.
The Halo developers said the games will run at a silky smooth 60fps but didn’t specify a resolution, though 4K is the target on the new consoles.
The zombie survival genre ironically enough refuses to die and next cab off the rank was a short trailer for State Of Decay 3.
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Forza Motorsport is another addition to a loved Xbox franchise, though its trailer focused more on its announcement than any gameplay. (Not that there’s much to get excited about – it’s a game where cars go around on a track. Fun to play but boring to watch.)
Some of the new games feature less than traditional arts styles, as was also a trend at the earlier PlayStation event.
Everwild Eternals places a focus on the mystic in a gorgeously rendered natural environment, though it’s still not really clear what you’ll actually do in this game.
As Dusk Falls was another title teased at the show using a unique art style, similar to a graphic novel.
Fans of slow burning, episodic style games can get excited about Tell Me Why, a new title from the makers of Life Is Strange and Remember Me.
The first episode of Tell Me Why is actually due out next month on the current Xbox One console and on PC.
Another video revealed Ori And The Will Of The Wisps will be remastered and optimised for the more powerful new consoles.
Grounded, a new survival game from the makers of Fallout: New Vegas and Alpha Protocol, shrinks you down to the size of an ant as you try to survive in a suburban backyard.
The trailer also featured a nod to the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077, due out later this year.
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Another game called Avowed was demoed during the show.
It looks to involve magic in some way, shape or form but the trailer was incredibly skimpy on details.
As predicted Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II also rated a mention, with the developers revealing the game will be set in Iceland and use Unreal Engine 5.
Psychonauts 2 will take you on a journey through mind of a mysterious brain found in a jar.
Destiny 2 will be out before the next-gen consoles but an optimised version will be available on the more powerful consoles.
A cinematic reveal with no gameplay of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 game featured as well as Warhammer 40,000: Darktide and a new multiplayer version of Tetris Effect.
The Gunk focuses on exploring a mysterious alien world while also having one of the best names for a video game of all time.
Psychological horror game The Medium looks as terrifying as it does technical, boasting of “dual reality gameplay” that renders two worlds simultaneously.
Presumably you’ll get to switch back and forth between the two worlds as it suits your objective, a feature that was experimented with on a smaller scale in Dishonoured 2.
It’s not clear yet how this feature will work and what role it will play in the game, but the fact that developers are already experimenting with the increased capabilities of the new consoles bodes well.
New Genesis Phantasy Star Online 2 had a trailer and there was some more footage of CrossfireX, a military shooter that will have free multiplayer (a separate campaign will cost you extra).
While some predicted a Fable sequel, no gameplay or release date was shown for what looks to be a reboot of the franchise.
The Xbox Series X is expected to be on sale before the end of the year.
We still don’t know how much it will cost but, given the technical leaps and the economic impacts of the rest of the year, maybe set your savings goal at “expensive” and go up from there.
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