This week’s latest gaming news was in anticipation of Xbox’s upcoming console, the Xbox Series X. In this list, we talk about the first games coming out of their most powerful console yet.
1. Bright Memory Infinite
No, it’s not futuristic Call of Duty. Created from the ground up by one man, this fast-paced shooter builds its own identity by mixing a sprawling metropolis with an oriental motif. Not only does it wow you with its impressive shooting action, but it also takes you to the far future where a mysterious supernatural event causes a rift between two worlds.
As for its performance in the Xbox’s upcoming console, expect stunning visual effects in its high-speed 3D combat. No release date yet.
2. Dirt 5
As if there isn’t any surprise. There’s always a Triple-A racing game coming out in every major console release. It's certainly different from its spin-off, Dirt Rally, and this time it promises even more variety than ever before.
According to Codemasters themselves, the game’s newest feature can let players customize their car’s paint schemes to an extent. In addition to that, this next-generation racing title adds more detailed environments that feature snow, mud, and ice. This off-road racer is slated for an October release date on modern consoles, but its Series X version comes out sometime next year.
3. Scorn
This first-person shooter feels like it came from H.R. Giger’s handiwork. In this dreamlike hellhole, explore a vast and labyrinthian world completely uninterrupted in its atmospheric storytelling.
Make your way through this perplexing science fiction maze and remain vigilant to your surroundings. Its interesting ‘full body awareness’ feature adds a whole new level of immersion to your journey. Although it’s not a pure survival-horror experience, resource management is a must. The world of Scorn is boundless in terror, but ammo and inventory are barely enough for this quest.
No release date yet.
4. Chorus
Stylized as Chorus with a V, this new space combat shooter from developer Deep Silver Fishlabs sends you to the infinite void of the universe as a one-man army with a powerful space ship. Play two protagonists, an ex-pilot with a dark past, and the sentient AI that powers your spaceship. Together, these two go on a quest of redemption and uncover the deeper mysteries of space through epic zero-gravity dogfights.
Chorus supports Xbox’s ‘Smart Delivery’ feature as well. This means purchasing the game once can let you play on both Xbox One and Series X consoles. No definite release date yet, but it’s slated to come out this 2021.
5. Madden NFL ‘21
The annual celebration of America’s greatest pastime continues with this next chapter of the Madden NFL series from EA. This is the first Madden game to come out on next-generation consoles and as usual, they promise even bigger features that put Football fans at the edge of their seats. However, they didn’t specify enough details yet.
Like the rest of the games in this list, this is also Optimized for the Series X with Xbox’s ‘Smart Delivery’ feature. Unfortunately, knowing EA, it has a deadline. You have to purchase Madden NFL 21 on Xbox One by December 31st and upgrade to the next-gen console by March 31st, 2021 so you can play the game on both consoles.
No release date yet.
6. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
We’ve been talking about this game since last year and looks like Hardsuit Labs' Bloodlines 2 is finally nearing its release soon. Continue your vampiric adventures in the 21st century and settle into the underworld gloom of nighttime Seattle. This is a follow up to the 2004 cult classic which dates back from the tabletop games of White Wolf publishing,
The latest trailer dazzles you with its groovy presentation of vampiric horror, as well as a few gameplay snippets that make you feel like you’re a superhuman with morals. As an RPG, whatever path you choose remains a massive part of Vampire's gameplay and story.
No release date yet.
7. Call Of The Sea
It’s huge when an indie game gets a promotion from Microsoft itself. Set in the great South Pacific in the 1930s, this otherworldly adventure by developer Out of the Blue takes you to a lost civilization in search of your missing husband.
Gameplay-wise, it’s simple. The player explores a lush paradise teeming with the occult. Solve puzzles and find out the secrets of this island. Piece together what happened in its casual first-person adventure. No release date yet.
8. The Ascent
Looks like there’s another Cyberpunk game coming out very soon. Neon Giant’s very-own take on the genre lets you go on a solo or co-op mission with a buddy. It’s no easy feat since The Ascent takes place in a massive structure and your mission is to escape this mega-corporation owned tower from hostile thugs and police.
Played from an isometric perspective, you shoot and loot your way to freedom. You could customize your character with enhanced cyber gear and more to improve your chances of survival. It comes out sometime this 2020.
9. The Medium
The Bloober Team is on a roll with their creative first-person horror titles. After their success with Layers of Fear, Observer, and the latest Blair Witch game, they move even further to their horror path to create The Medium.
It feels like a spiritual successor to KONAMI’s beloved Silent Hill series and it takes place in an alternate version of Poland. Like many of Bloober Team’s themes, the horror element here is how our perspective changes our perception. It’s built on iconic psychological horror tropes and not to mention the original Silent Hill composer, Akira Yamaoka, is handling the score. It's their most ambitious project to date and it’s slated for a Holiday 2020 release.
10. SCARLET NEXUS
Bandai Namco also joins in the Series X hype with their latest IP. This psionic-powered title contains all the things Bandai Namco’s games were known for: fast-paced hack and slash action and cel-shaded animations.
Taking place in a futuristic city, you assume the role of a young boy in training to become an Elite Psionic. When an otherworldly threat has invaded this precious city, it’s your job to take them down with style. Manipulating the environment to take down these hostile creatures is the best thing about this new title. No release date yet.
11. Second Extinction - Reclaim Earth
This was a pleasant surprise during the #InsideXbox presentation. This new IP from Systemic Reaction is a three-player co-op adventure that lets you face against a horde of mutated dinosaurs that roam the planet.
Teamwork is a vital part of this shooter. A combination of weapons, items, and abilities are required to survive its relentless waves of bloodthirsty creatures. All in the effort to reclaim Earth. The game will have a closed beta test on Steam this summer.
No release date yet, unfortunately.
12. Yakuza: Like A Dragon
A whole new Yakuza story is forged in this eighth mainline entry. For the first time in the series, the game no longer centers around Kazuma Kiryu as the main character and it’s now taking place in a fictional recreation of Kabukicho instead of Tokyo.
Also the biggest change in Like A Dragon is the shift from beat ‘em up combat to turn-based style gameplay. It’s still the JRPG everyone knows and loves, especially its wide selection of ridiculous side quests. It’s coming out sometime this Holiday 2020.
13. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Valhalla, at last. The most anticipated Ubisoft game finally has a name. Moving away from Ancient Greek and Egyptian Civilizations, the Assassin’s enter the Viking Age.
The third of their Mythology series, players take control of a legendary Viking warrior named Eivor as they raid and pillage Europe in order to survive. The #InsideXbox event showcased Valhalla’s scale. They released a ‘’gameplay’’ trailer that highlights the best things to come in this entry.
Game Director Ashraf Ishmail discussed the new features of the game including the return of the hidden blade, dual-wielding weapons, and intense siege battles. This Scandinavian trip looks even better with the Xbox Series X’s technical capabilities.
It’s coming out this Holiday 2020 for modern consoles.