Expectations have been high for Xbox this year. Under the new Xbox head Asha Sharma, things have looked relatively pro gamer; the price of Game Pass has been significantly lowered, discontinued the polarizing Gaming Copilot feature, and consolidated the Microsoft Gaming brand under simply "Xbox". But what about the games? Let's get into what was shown off this year. The show started off with a thank you to fans for 25 years of Xbox.
Gears of War E-Day
Surprising nobody, the show opened with a lengthy gameplay showcase of the newest Gears of War. Marcus Fenix was doing what he does best to fight the Locust Horde as they emerge from underground, but this time it's an origin story, so he's not a Gear yet. He and his squad fought their way through the city of Kalona (no doubt named after the city of Kelowna, not so far from Vancouver where the game is being made), making their way through department stores, apartment buildings, and city streets over run with Locust. A release date of October 6 was given, and you will be able to play it Day 1 on Game Pass, and Asha Sharma came out to say that it will also be an Xbox exclusive. A post-showcase Gears of War E-Day Direct was also shown, featuring developer interviews from NoGameOvers' hometown of Vancouver, and more gameplay.
Fable
Hayley Atwell was featured as an emotional Isabel of Wraithmarsh in a new trailer for the Fable Revival. More examples were demonstrated of how your choices will have consequences will affect you and the world around youThe game will release February 23, and is a Day One Game Pass release.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
They brought him back... with a bang! Everybody's favourite intergalactic curmudgeon, Sergeant Avery Johnson, is back to tell us the story behind the story of Halo with new story missions. I wasn't sold on the remake before, but these added missions might be just what I needed. Halo: Campaign Evolved restarts the fight on July 28.
Persona 4 Revival
I've been playing Persona 3 Reload, so this is timely. Upgraded to look stylistically in line with Persona 5, now we're just missing Persona 1 and 2, but I have to imagine those are gonna take a lot more retooling to make palatable for modern audiences. The game launches February 18, 2027, and is a Day One Game Pass release.
State of Decay 3
I've never played State of Decay 3, but its coop approach to a zombie survival game looks very appealing. Maybe I'll give it poke when it releases in 2027 as a Day One Game Pass release.
Metro 2039
Proudly made in Ukraine by 4A Studios, the next iteration of Metro showed off lots of moody environments, and brief snippets of gameplay. This is a direct followup to Metro Exodus, and is coming to Xbox platforms. Epic Games Store, and PS5 in February 2027.
Wo Long 2 - Wings of Ember
Yet another Day One Game Pass release slated for early 2027, Team Ninja is back to show off their followup to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The striking Three Kingdoms setting and Chinese martial arts-inspired combat will be back on all major platforms.
Senua
Now this gets my attention. Senua's back already! Her journey continues, and the scope looks larger than ever. They've dropped the Hellblade name to focus more singularly on Senua herself. This game releases in 2027 as (Say it with me!) a Day One Game Pass release.
Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations
An expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages, featuring the next evolution of Doom's trademark blink-and-you'll-miss-it gameplay. This time, it's a mission to save the Slayer from a frozen-over Hell. The expansion drops July 7.
Crazy Taxi World Tour
SEGA continues their streak of making games that exist purely to make me smile with Crazy Taxi. SEGA promises frantic arcade style gameplay and a banging soundtrack when Crazy Taxi launches in 2027.
Minecraft Dungeons 2
Minecraft just won't quit. A followup to Minecraft dungeons has been shown off (for the second time, I think?) with a release date of September 29 and Day One on Game Pass. I think these spinoffs sort of lose the heart of the original, but I'm happy it exists for those of you out there who are excited!
Magicians: The Devil's Deal
A stage magician gets betrayed by his competition, and he makes a deal with the devil to try to win his way back out of hell! A unique take on a first person shooter, use playing cards and your magic wand to battle your way through this dark fantasy, releasing in 2027, with a Day One Game Pass release.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
Rose, the newest Belmont, carries a revival of the series' much beloved and fondly missed metroidvania gameplay. A new more colourful anime style brings the series into the modern day, though I do mourn for the franchise's darker tone of days gone by. Belmont's Curse launches October 15.
Vivarium
It's a studio Ghibli game! Sort of. Studio Meadowflower has created an absolutely gorgeous 80's Ghibli anime style for their village simulator. I can't wait to get into this one alongside my partner when it drops in 2027, Day One on Game Pass.
Persona 6
It's happening! Everybody STAY CALM!
All we got was a cryptic pre-rendered cutscene in a graveyard, a big green stamp logo, and the promise of playing it Day One on Game Pass. That's gonna have to hold us until Atlus is ready to show more.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond
A properly open-world Spyro game! Not much was shown off except a quick snippet of gameplay featuring Spryo flying through a lush green world. This game launches in spring of 2027, and is yet another Day One Game Pass title.
Clockwork Revolution
I love a good heist, in games or in movies. This steampunk fantasy crime shooter also throws a time-travel wrench into the works. Change the past to save your future! Release scheduled as an Xbox Exclusive in 2027, playable Day One on Game Pass.
Other Notable Mentions
It's impossible for little old me to collect every single announcement and do a write up on all of them for every presentation all by myself. Here's a list of all the other announcements at the show!
Resonance - A Plague Tale Legacy
Sea of Thieves Free Update: Custom Seas - June 18
Bad Magpie - 2027, Day One Game Pass
Join Us - March 2027, Day One Game Pass
Fallout 76 - Infestations
Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition
Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North expansion - Fall 2026
Valor Mortis - Sept 24, Day One game Pass
Elder Scrolls Online: Return of the Thieves' Guild
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: World Update 22: US National Parks + National Championship Air Races
Where Winds Meet: July 2026 on Xbox platforms
Call of Duty DMZ
And that's it! Lots to look forward to here! What's your favorite? Join the conversation on the NoGameOvers Discord!