E3 2021; Xbox x Bethesda Showcase Round-up
20 years of Xbox culminates in this
Xbox and Bethesda brought the noise during this year’s E3 event. This year, Xbox hosted a digital fanfest across multiple platforms (YouTube, Twitch, etc). The spectacle, this year, of course, was that this is the first E3 since Microsoft acquired Bethesda Softworks/ZeniMax. Going into the event, that was the title of the showcase. However, there is plenty more than Bethesda going on over at Xbox. So, here is the event in full;
“Welcome to a 90-minute show featuring an epic gaming lineup coming out of Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and many game creators from our partners around the world. Tune in for incredible games coming to Xbox this holiday, upcoming releases on Xbox Game Pass, and much, much more”.
Todd Howard opened the show, to kick everything off. This year also marks 20 years of Xbox, something Todd hammers home.
Starfield
Published by: Bethesda
Developed by: Bethesda
The first in-game teaser of the long-awaited sci-fi game, Starfield is a story “25 years in the making”. Beyond a beautifully rendered cinematic, we know little from the teaser aside from two key points; Starfield will be an Xbox exclusive. And, we have a release date: 11th November 2022. Mark your calendars
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Published by: GSC Game World
Developed by: GSC Game World
An Xbox and PC launch exclusive, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a stunning first-person RPG survival game set in the apocalyptic wasteland of Chernobyl. Expect plenty of radioactive anomalies, fierce gunfights, and intense set-pieces. Expect the game on Game Pass and PC on 28th April 2022.
Back 4 Blood
Publisher: WB Games
Developed by: Turtle Rock Studios
The developers of Left 4 Dead are back with more co-op zombie action. Expect more four-way slaughtering when Back 4 Blood launv. Plus, you can play as the zombies in horde modes. Back 4 Blood launches this October
Contraband
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Avalanche Studios
A co-op open-world action-game, we don’t have much news about this game yet. Certainly something to keep your eyes on.
Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Rare
More swashbuckling fun to be had from Rare’s multiplayer mayhem. This time, Sea of Thieves is bringing the Pirates of the Caribbean (including Captain Jack Sparrow) to the fray. It’s a crossover I didn’t expect, but naturally makes SO MUCH SENSE! And, it is fully licensed by Disney as well, so expect only the best. Best of all, it’s coming free to the base game.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Published by: SEGA
Developed by: Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) Studio
Like a Dragon makes its way to Game Pass as of time of press.
Battlefield 2042
Published by: EA
Developed by: DICE
Pre-alpha rendering and gameplay for DICE’s showcases a LOT of guns, war, tanks, and explosions. If you were wanting some militaristic action, Xbox is delivering. By the looks of things, you can customise your load-out on the fly as well. Coming 22nd October 2021
12 Minutes
Published by: Annapurna Interactive
Developed by: Luis Antonio
An Xbox console launch exclusive about a man trapped in a 12-minute time-loop. We previously knew about this game last year. It’s great to see more footage of it, plus a release date; 19th August 2021
Psychonauts 2
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Double Fine
A long-awaited sequel to everyone’s cranium-exploring masterpiece, Psychonauts 2 promises more psycho-action than ever thought possible. Plus, there’s plenty of Double Fine’s legendary comedy. Coming 25th August to Game Pass.
Pete Hynes takes the stage to talk more about Bethesda. As of the event, the following games are available on the Xbox Game Pass;
- Arx Fatalis
- Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
- DOOM
- The Evil Within 2
- RAGE
- Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
- the original Fallout
- Fallout 2
- Fallout: Tactics
- and Fallout 3
For anyone keeping track at home, this makes the current offering of Bethesda titles available on Game Pass to be 30!
DOOM Eternal will be optimised for Series X/S on 29th June.
Skyrim marks its 10th anniversary this November, and will be optimised later this year.
Fallout 76 will also receive Series X/S optimisation as well as some more content. The Marmite-team of the Brotherhood of Steel takes centre-stage. More supermutant-fighting, righteous crusades, to be met. Or, take the Brotherhood down once and for all in Steel Reign, available from 7th July.
Also, coming in 2022, Fallout 76 visits Pittsburgh for a new Expedition: The Pitt.
The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates the Blackwood addition to the Gates of Oblivion saga. As of Tuesday 15th, ESO will also receive a “console enhanced” edition. This will see the popular MMO get next-gen optimisation and much, much more.
Party Animals
Published by: Recreate Games
Developed by: Recreate Games
A fun-looking, co-op party fighting game, Party Animals looks like a cross between Smash Bros. and Human Fall Flat. Definitely going to be one that I will be playing at launch! Party Animals is coming to Xbox consoles in 2022.
Hades
Published by: Supergiant Games
Developed by: Supergiant Games
Hades is finally coming to Xbox on 13th August 2021!
Somerville
Developed by: Jumpship
An interesting looking title, Somerville seems to be a similar game to Limbo or Little Nightmares (Turns out, the developer, Jumpship’s co-founder worked at Playdead. And Playdead developed Limbo and Inside. Hence the similarities). By that, I mean, you move your character along an atmospheric landscape whilst feeling small as the action unfolds around you. Somerville seems to be using some sort of alien invasion/apocalypse event as the driving force behind the narrative.
Halo Infinite
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: 343 Industries
Halo marks its 20th anniversary alongside Xbox this holiday season. Halo Infinite multiplayer will be free-to-play across all platforms. A new teaser trailer was showcased, with series’ pioneer Joseph Staten remarking that Infinite will be; “…the largest and most wide-open environment” that 343 has ever built. The Master Chief is also coming back to take on his “toughest fight yet”. Cortana has been deleted. How will this affect the Master Chief going forward? Fight out when Halo Infinite launches.
The Halo Infinite multiplayer mode will also launch simulataneously with the base game.
Diablo II: Resurrected
Published by: Blizzard Entertainment
Developed by: Blizzard Entertainment
The classic game is back, remastered, and optimised for Series X/S. Boasting up-to eight-player co-op and stunning visuals, are you ready to re-enter Hell?
Coming 23rd September 2021.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Published by: Focus Home Interactive
Developed by: Asobo Studio
The sequel to the phenomenally underrated A Plague Tale looks to take us back to Black Death-era France. How will Hugo and Amicia be affected by the strange powers the plague has bestowed upon them? We’ll have to wait until next year to find out.
Far Cry 6
Published by: Ubisoft
Developed by: Ubisoft Toronto, Ubisoft Milan
A brand-new trailer from Ubisoft was promised last night. And Xbox delivered. It’s more glorious first-person action-adventuring that we’ve come to love and expect from Ubisoft. The level of customisation seen in Far Cry: New Dawn seems to remain intact. Plus, you can bring a fucking rooster to a fight! Oh, and the dog is back!
Slime Rancher 2
Published by: Monami Park
Developed by: Monami Park
Irrestably cute Slime Rancher is back for more slime farming fun. Plus, it’s coming to Xbox console first in 2022.
Shredders
Published by: FoamPunch Games
Developed by: FoamPunch Games
If you thought Ubisoft’s Riders Republic was the only slice of snowboarding action to be seen this weekend, you’d be mistaken. Shredders promises vibrant snowy apexes with mad stunts and plenty of over, cool stuff besides. Pun definitely intended.
Atomic Heart
Published by: Mundfish
Developed by: Mundfish
A first-person…psychic-shooter? It looks like what would happen if NieR was an FPS. And we are DOWN for that!
Replaced
Published by: Coatsink
Developed by: Sad Cat Studios
Dripping with raw appeal, Replaced looks to be the cyberpunk game we all desperately need in our lives.
Grounded
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Obsidian Entertainment
The “Shroom & Doom” update is coming. Promising such things as sitting (seriously, it’s been a requested thing. Don’t question it), and mushrooms, Grounded is bound for its biggest update yet. However, whilst there’s plenty of good stuff coming, something not at all great is also on its way; the Brood Mother. A massive, vicious, sinister-looking spider that even has a haunting arachnophobia-mode series of blobs. *Shudders*.
Oh, and the game is getting Achievements! So, yay! 30th June!
Among Us
Published by: InnerSloth
Developed by: InnerSloth
15 player lobbies will be a thing. New death animations. New tasks. All-new platform. Coming 15th June
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes & Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Published by: 505 Games
Developed by: Rabbit & Bear Studios
2D sprites fighting against vast, sprawling 3D landscapes, Eiyuden Chronicle promises classic JRPG gameplay with modern visuals and mechanics. Plus we got a sneak teaser of Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising – coming 2022. Hundred Heroes will be available in 2023.
The Ascent
Published by: Curve Digital
Developed by: Neon Giant
The impressive cyberpunk-shooter got a new trailer, showcasing the game’s multiplayer co-op modes.
Age of Empires IV
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Relic Entertainment
A sprawling RTS/city-builder complete with full-on battles that span the length of history. Coming 28th October
The Outer Worlds 2
Published by: Private Division
Developed by: Obsidian Entertainment
A comical teaser that showcased many things, all of which were promised to not be in the game. However, by the looks of these graphics, The Outer Worlds 2 will be stunning to behold!
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Asobo Studio
One of the most breath-taking games ever designed is coming to Series X/S. Expect the upmost beauty and gorgeous graphical fidelity on full display on 27th July 2021. Additionally, a free Top Gun: Maverick expansion is coming this Autumn, that looks to be bringing jets and other military aircraft to the fold.
Forza: Horizon 5
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Developed by: Playground Games
More stunning vistas and equally beautiful cars are coming to the Horizon festival. This year, the game spans what looks to be multiple areas in Mexico. If you like driving games, Horizon is, by far and wide, the absolute apex of the genre.
Horizon 5 will also boast live servers, meaning all driver avatars you see will be live players. Playground Games also boasts photogrammatry data – meaning real-life recreations of the real-world Mexico. Ever wanted to tour Mexico? Now is your chance. Even the skies are real-life captures recreated in-game. Coming 9th November
Phil Spencer takes the stage to announce that some of the games previously mentioned in this showcase, plus several more will be available on Game Pass from day one;
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – 13th June (available now)
- Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance – 22nd June
- The Ascent – 29th June
- Hades – 13th August
- Twelve Minutes – 19th August
- Aragami 2 – 17th September
- Sable – 23rd September
- The Anacrusis – “Fall 2021”
- Scorn – “Fall 2021”
- Shredders – December
- Among Us – 2021
- Hello Neighbor 2 – 2021
- The Gunk – 2021
- Microsoft Flight Simulator – 27th July
- Psychonauts 2 – 25th August
- Age of Empires IV – 28th October
- Forza Horizon 5 – 9th November
- Halo Infinite – “Holiday”
Redfall
Published by: Bethesda
Developed by: Arkane Austin
A co-op vampire-killing game with added special abilities. Looks like Arkane has seen the hype for Back 4 Blood. Coming Summer 2022.
And finally, we had the reveal of the best damn thing ever; the Xbox Series X Mini-fridge. Coming this holiday season.
And that wraps up this year’s Xbox E3 showcase. What did you think? Was it a great turn-out or were you left wanting more? Let us know in the comments down below.
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