Yesterday Microsoft revealed the first dozen games coming to the Xbox Series X soon. During the Inside Xbox livesteam the company dropped trailers for some very interesting new games. In this article you’ll find the title, of all the announced games, along with a short description and the accompanying trailer. Lastly, if a game is coming to Xbox One with a free upgrade to the Series X version of the game, the title is marked with an asterisk (*). This feature was previously announced for Cyberpunk 2077, Halo Infinite, and other Xbox exclusives.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla*
While we already know a lot about the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, yesterday marked the day we first saw some actual gameplay. Well, we would have if Ubisoft actually used the term ‘gameplay’ correctly. For now, the first ‘gameplay trailer’ doesn’t actually feature even a second of gameplay. Still, it’s Valhalla, so just keep it coming Ubisoft!
Bright Memory Infinite
Bright Memory Infinite initially came out for PC, but gets a Xbox Series X release too. The upgraded version of the game looks absolutely stunning, with gorgeous animations, spectacular lighting, and some very interesting gameplay. The game combines quick paced shooting with wall running and even some Devil May Cry-style melee combat.
Dirt 5
Dirt 5 by racing game company CodeMasters traditionally features off-road racing as it’s focal point. This one is no different, with all sorts of off-road vehicles to play with. Of course, Dirt 5 isn’t just another racing game. The trailer reveals some amazing physics work done by CodeMaster, in addition to a beautiful dynamic weather and time of day system.
Scorn
Besides racing, games also have to ability to tell an emotional story. Which emotions Scorn are trying to evoke, isn’t exactly clear, but the game looks like a combination of a particularly messed up Tool video and a Giger painting. In other words, freaky AF, incredibly creepy and just slightly sexual. If you love to be creeped out by a horror game, you’re in for a treat!
Chorus*
Chorus is a space combat game at it’s core, although the trailer also hints at a compelling narrative. The game features two protagonists. Nara, the ace pilot with a troubled past and Forsaken, a sentient AI starfighter. This sets up an interesting sci-fi story as well as awesome fighter pilot gameplay.
Madden NFL 21*
As with many annual sports games, Madden NFL 21 will continue it’s focus on accurately translating American Football to a game. In the trailer, we see NFL star Patrick Mahomes introducing NFL 21. The trailer then proceeds to chronicle it’s long history, from pixelated isometric gameplay, to state of the art graphics.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2*
Cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is finally getting a sequel and it looks gorgeous. The game centers around a by vampires infested underworld of Seattle. As one of them, you fight and talk your way through a compelling story full of intrigue and (of course) sucking blood out of people’s necks.
Call of the Sea*
From the outset, Call of the Sea looks like a beautiful and unique puzzle game. As the main character your task is to find your husband on a strange yet beautiful island. Puzzling, mysterious, and (I know, we’ve already said it) beautiful!
The Ascent*
The Ascent seems to have been inspired by the long awaited and delayed Cyberpunk 2077. It features an equally neon-filled world with strange humanoids and a sci-fi story. When the central corporation that controls everyone in The Ascent implodes, everything goes to hell. This isometric RPG/shooter looks over the top, colorful and delightfully violent.
The Medium
This game is made by the same people that brought you Layers of Fear. It’s safe to say that the studio prefers psychological horror over Scorn’s gory brand of scariness. In The Medium, you play as a medium (duh) that travels between the realms of the living and the dead. That setup is a great excuse for some gorgeous and haunting visuals, not to mention the compelling and seemingly emotional story that will be told through the perspective of a paranormal.
SCARLET NEXUS*
Speaking of gorgeous visuals, SCARLET NEXUS clearly takes inspiration out of anime with it’s extremely creative character design, combined it with hectic hack and slash fighting. Expect button mashing, crazy over the top story telling, and drawn out, not to mention epic boss battles.
Second Extinction*
Speaking of over the top, in Second Extinction, the world is being dominated by mutated dinosaurs. Yup, they went there. In this coop shooter your mission is to exterminate the oversized reptiles. The game features a couple of distinct characters with their own strengths and weaknesses. The end goal: reclaim earth. By slaughtering every last dinosaur, that is.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon*
Lastly today, a new Yakuza was announced during the presentation. Or rather, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is already out in Japan, but is announced for the rest of the world. The iconic fighting game series has never looked this pretty.
Games marked with an asterisk (*) will include a free upgrade from Xbox One to Xbox Series X.