All the Exciting Announcements from Xbox’s X019 Event
New franchises, Project xCloud and plenty of games coming to Game Pass
Nov 15, 2019One of Xbox’s biggest events of the year was streamed yesterday, and it seemed like there was something for everyone. While a big focus of the event was hammering home the fact that you can play a ton of great games now and in the future on Game Pass, there were a few announcements that made that promise more valuable.
Grounded by Obsidian
Obsidian, the famous RPG developer came up with their first game as a Microsoft studio. This game isn’t an RPG like they are known for, Grounded is a first-person survival game where you and your friends explore and craft. This doesn’t sound too unique right? Where Grounded makes a name for itself is the fact that players in the game are smaller than insects. It is a different approach for the studio, having recently released The Outer Worlds they promise that games like that aren’t going anywhere. They just want a chance to get creative and try new things, and this certainly looks to put a tiny twist on the crowded survival genre.
Grounded - Official Announcement Trailer | X019
New Project xCloud Details
Project xCloud looks to take on Google Stadia with its own take on game streaming. There wasn’t too much new news here, other than the ability to play with your PlayStation’s DualShock 4 controller if that is what you prefer and also being able to stream Game Pass games as well.
The ability to play games away from your console on the device of your choice is going to become more common as we move into the next generation of gaming.
Everwild by Rare
Rare, the famous name behind classics like Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark, GoldenEye 007 and the recent Sea of Thieves announced Everwild. There are no concrete details about the game currently other than the appearance of its artistic and colorful art style and world. Sea of Thieves is also getting a new update for those still craving pirate hijinks with their friends.
Everwild - Official Announcement Trailer | X019
Bleeding Edge by Ninja Theory
The 4v4 brawler Bleeding Edge was once again shown off in a new cinematic trailer showcasing some of the game’s characters with a bit of gameplay at the end. It promises fast-paced brawling action, teamwork and customization with skins and presumably new fighters being added all the time.
Bleeding Edge has a lot of competition with other games starring a cast of diverse characters to master, but the brawling gameplay may just be enough to set it apart.
Tell Me Why, the Follow-Up to Life is Strange by DONTNOD Entertainment
DONTNOD Entertainment are no strangers to delivering gripping and emotional stories in their games and their newest Adventure game is no different. You play through the story of two twins Tyler and Alyson. Throughout the story, DONTNOD’s signature use of magical realism keeps the tale feeling real and emotionally strong.
“Over the course of the story, players will explore the identical twins’ different memories of key events and choose which memory to believe. Ultimately, the choices players make determine the strength of the twins’ bond—and the future course of their lives.”
The choices you make in the game determine the twins' fate.
Halo: Reach is Finally Hitting PC with The Master Chief Collection on December 3rd
Fans of the Halo saga will no doubt be happy to hear that the prequel chapter to the Halo trilogy is finally making it to PC in December. The Master Chief Collection in its entirety will eventually make it to PC, but not all at once. Reach will be the first to arrive, followed up by Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo 4 later on. Reach will have its full armor customization system and benefit from the added features of PC gaming like high FPS and settings. It has been nearly 10 years since the game originally hit the Xbox 360, and I think it is absolutely still worth playing to this day especially in this enhanced version.
Reach tells the story of Noble Team, a group of Spartans tasked with defending their home to the bitter end.
Incredibly Lifelike Visuals in Microsoft Flight Simulator
If you ever wondered what it is like to pilot an aircraft, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the closest thing to stepping into the cockpit of a real plane. The visuals in this are mindblowing, and the control is supposed to mimic that of a real plane as much as possible. It has a dynamic weather system to shake things up, and the authenticity is second to none. Even as someone who isn’t typically interested in Simulation games like this, it is hard to deny that this one is most impressive.
Show someone you know this screenshot, and try to convince them it isn't a photograph.
Age of Empires IV and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires is a classic PC strategy game series that for many, holds the title of greatest RTS game series ever made. The upcoming Age of Empires IV is the first game in nearly 15 years and is also coming to Xbox as well as PC. If you want a taste of the classic feel today, Age of Empires II received a graphically improved “Definitive Edition” that makes it even easier to take part in huge historical battles.
Age of Empires IV is the first true sequel to release since 2005.
Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Earth
The dungeon-crawling RPG Minecraft Dungeons got another gameplay demo showing off co-op in action. Minecraft Earth is a mobile, Augmented Reality experience that tries to see what it would be like if Minecraft invaded our everyday lives. You can fight mobs and build huge structures on the fly with your friends, but it is too early to tell if this game will reach the huge heights of Pokemon Go.
Minecraft Dungeons continues to look like an interesting twist on Action-RPGs and Dungeon Crawlers.
Wasteland 3 and CrossfireX
Wasteland, the RPG series that went on to inspire the original Fallout, is getting its third game in the snowy Wasteland 3 and is coming out on May 19th, 2020. CrossfireX is a huge FPS phenomenon in Asia and will be heading overseas to Xbox next year with tactical gameplay in tow if the short gameplay trailer told us anything.
Wasteland 2 came around after the series had been missing for decades, but Wasteland 3 hopes to make the franchise one of the best RPGs out there.
Final Fantasy on Game Pass and Kingdom Hearts Making it to Xbox
A whole bunch of Final Fantasy games are on their way to Game Pass.
“Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy XV will be coming to Xbox Game Pass on Console and PC starting in 2020.”
And, for fans of the Disney variety, The full Kingdom Hearts saga will be available for the first time on Xbox next year.
The latest Final Fantasy, 15 will be available to download with Game Pass.
Yakuza and Planet Coaster Coming to Xbox
The popular Japanese action-adventure series is heading over to Xbox for the first time, as well as the construction and management simulator Planet Coaster as that game makes it over to consoles for the first time.
Planet Coaster is one of the few major construction simulators that has come out in the last few years.
A Bit of Ghost Rider in West of Dead
West of Dead is a procedurally generated twin-stick shooter where you play as William Mason, a gunslinger trapped as an undead spirit tasked with taking down enemies in a dark, Wild West-inspired world.
Cmon, he looks like Ghost Rider...
Build as your Xbox Avatars in Drake Hollow
Drake Hollow lets you and your friends befriend vegetable creatures, build a village, and ward off cunning beasts from your creations. Resource management, island exploration and more are promised in this single or multiplayer experience.
Drake Hollow tasks you and your friends with building and defending a village with the help of vegetable creatures.
The Last Stop and The Artful Escape
Two artistic games from Annapurna Interactive, but two very different styles. The Last Stop is the three-part story of a few friends that get tangled up in a supernatural mystery, and The Artful Escape is a rock and roll inspired side-scroller that takes the colorful visuals up to 11.
The visuals in The Artful Escape are a standout.
Share Your Thoughts
What do you think? Is there anything from this showcase that interests you? Let us know below!
By: Noah Friscopp
