By Sagar V. Mankar Microsoft’s latest Xbox Partner Preview event on March 6th, 2024, was an absolute showstopper, packed with mind-blowing announcements, jaw-dropping gameplay trailers, and tantalizing release dates.
From long-awaited sequels to brand-new IPs, this 30-minute showcase left no stone unturned, delivering a comprehensive look at what’s in store for Xbox Series X, Windows PC, and Game Pass in the coming year and beyond. Let’s dive in.
Unknown 9: Awakening – Summer 2024 (Console, PC)
Developer: Bandai Namco, Reflector Entertainment
Game Category: Third-Person Action-Adventure
Unknown 9: Awakening is a third-person action-adventure game from Bandai Namco and Reflector Entertainment, where players control Haroona, a Quaestor with the ability to venture into the Fold, a mysterious dimension overlapping our own. Haroona’s powers draw the attention of a secret society, setting the stage for an epic adventure.
Sleight of Hand – 2025 (Windows PC, Xbox Series X)
Developer: Riffraff Games
Category: Third-Person Stealth-Action Deckbuilder
From Riffraff Games comes Sleight of Hand, a third-person, stealth-action deckbuilder where players will take down their former witch coven with a cursed set of cards. This unique blend of genres promises a fresh and engaging experience for gamers.
Final Fantasy XIV Online – March 21 (Xbox Series X)
Developer: Square Enix
Category: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG)
Final Fantasy XIV Online, the acclaimed MMORPG already available on PlayStation and PC platforms, is finally making its way to the Xbox Series X on March 21. Players can immerse themselves in the epic adventures of Eorzea, a vast and richly detailed world filled with quests, battles, and an engaging storyline that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – Late 2024 (Xbox Series X, Windows PC)
Developer: Capcom
Category: Action-Strategy
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is an upcoming action-strategy game from Capcom that draws inspiration from Japanese mythology. Set in a unique and highly stylized world, players will embark on a quest to purge the legendary Mt. Kafuku of evil defilement and recover powerful masks, blending multiple genres into a single-player experience.
Monster Jam Showdown – Later in 2024 (Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Milestone SRL
Category: Arcade Racing
Get ready for some big rig fun with Monster Jam Showdown, an arcade racing experience featuring fan-favorite monster trucks like Megalodon, El Toro Loco, and Grave Digger. Developed by Milestone SRL, this high-octane title promises to bring the thrill of monster truck racing to the Xbox Series X|S later this year.
The Sinking City 2 – 2025 (PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X)
Developer: Frogwares
Category: Survival Horror
Frogwares revealed the long-awaited sequel to The Sinking City, a full-on survival horror game set in the flooded city of Arkham. The Sinking City 2 promises to unravel the mystery of the city’s impending doom while featuring a stand-alone story, allowing players to experience a new chapter in the Lovecraftian universe.
Persona 3 Reload Expansion Pass – In March and September
Developer: Sega, Atlus
Category: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Sega and Atlus are expanding the Persona 3 Reload experience with an expansion pass that includes new costumes, music, and extended story content, such as the Episode Aigis: The Answer. Persona fans can look forward to enhancing their journey through this beloved RPG with fresh content.
STALKER Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Available Now (Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
Developer: GSC Game World
Category: First-Person Shooter (FPS), Survival Horror
In a surprise announcement, the classic STALKER trilogy – Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat – has been made available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X through backward compatibility. Fans can now experience these iconic first-person shooter and survival horror games on their Xbox consoles, leading up to the highly anticipated STALKER 2: Shadow of Chornobyl in September.
Creatures of Ava – 2024 (PC, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Inverge, Chibig
Category: Action-Adventure
Creatures Of Ava is an upcoming action-adventure game from Spanish studios Inverge and Chibig, where players will use the power of music to maintain the delicate balance of a magical ecosystem. With their flute, players will soothe, heal, and calm unique wildlife as they explore the enchanting world of Ava.
The Alters – 2024 (PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X)
Developer: 11-bit Studios
Category: Emotional Sci-Fi, Adventure, Survival, Base-Building
11-bit Studios’ “emotional sci-fi game” The Alters blends adventure, survival, and base-building elements. As Jan Dolski, players will create clones of themselves in an attempt to escape from a deadly planet, combining various gameplay mechanics into a unique experience.
Griefville: Survive the Nightmare – Available Now (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: RocketRide Games, Universal Products & Experiences
Category: Interactive Horror Experience
In a chilling collaboration, the possessed murderous doll Chucky from the Child’s Play series is coming to Roblox in a new game experience called Griefville: Survive the Nightmare! Developed by RocketRide Games and Universal Products & Experiences, this interactive horror experience is available now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau – April 23 (Windows PC, Xbox Series X)
Developer: Surgent Studios, EA Originals
Category: Metroidvania-Style Adventure
EA Originals and Surgent Studios presented the Metroidvania-style adventure game Tales of Kenzera: Zau. As Zau, a shaman seeking to reclaim his father’s spirit, players will explore the beautiful and treacherous land of Kenzera with the god of death by their side, navigating intricate levels and challenges.
The First Berserker: Khazan – 2024 (Xbox Series X)
Developer: Nexon
Category: Soulslike Action RPG
Nexon’s upcoming action RPG The First Berserker: Khazan, based on the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, promises a challenging and stylish experience. Players will wield the hardcore abilities of the death-defying Khazan as he seeks vengeance on those responsible for his downfall, in a Soulslike combat-focused adventure.
Frostpunk 2 – July 25 (PC, Game Pass)
Developer: 11 Bit Studios
Category: Survival City-Builder
The highly anticipated Frostpunk 2 from 11 Bit Studios will be released on July 25th and will be available on PC Game Pass upon launch. In this survival city-builder, players will balance resource management and diplomacy while factions battle for influence in the last bastion of humanity, creating sprawling cities in a frigid world.
Image and Souce Credit: YouTube Video