Microsoft presents new games for Xbox consoles and PC in an "Xbox Partner Preview". These include some new announcements, surprises and shadow drops.
Last month, Microsoft had to reassure its fans that it would not be abandoning the Xbox platform. The reason for this was rumours that the Redmond software giant is turning completely into a third-party publisher and will withdraw from the console business in the long term. All rubbish, said the Xbox management. Microsoft still has big plans for the Xbox platform and Gamepass.
With the first games presentation after the wave of rumours, Microsoft shows that this is true. In the coming months, Xbox fans and Gamepass subscribers can look forward to some big hits. The games shown are exclusively games from third-party manufacturers - hence the name of the presentation: "Xbox Partner Preview".
You can watch the entire show in the video embedded below. I have summarised all the highlights below.
Capcom's mysterious Japanese game finally gets its first gameplay trailer. "Kunitsu-Gami" is part real-time strategy game and part action game in which you protect a Japanese village and a magical maiden from death. During the day, you recruit villagers and set traps. At night, you fend off attacks from monsters by strategically placing the recruited fighters and throwing yourself into the fray with your deadly swords. The monstrosities are inspired by Japanese mythology. Wonderfully colourful, wonderfully over-the-top, wonderfully Japanese.
Date: Summer 2024
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass), PS5, PC
The intergalactic survival game "The Alters" presents itself with a new gameplay trailer. You play a miner who has crashed onto an alien planet. There he has to collect resources, build things and fight for survival on a daily basis. So far, so survival. The special thing about the game is that the miner has to operate a mobile base that was actually built for a huge team. Because he cannot do this alone, he clones himself dozens of times. Each clone version represents a version of the protagonist who has made a different decision in their life to him. This leads to tensions within the base. A damn exciting concept - I'm in!
Date: 2024
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass), PS5, PC
The game comes from "Framed" developer Joshua Boggs. Not familiar with "Framed"? It's a smartphone puzzle game in a unique film-noir comic style. It was Hideo Kojima's favourite game of 2014. With "Sleight of Hand", the Kojima-Boggs circle is complete: the former solo developer cites Kojima's game catalogue as a major inspiration for his new stealth sim game. Fans of "Metal Gear Solid" and film noir content will probably be happy with this game. But the trailer doesn't reveal much yet.
Date: 2025
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass), PC
The game was presented four years ago with a short teaser trailer at Gamescom. In the new video, you can see gameplay for the first time. The Indian protagonist possesses supernatural abilities with which she can gain control over her opponents, among other things. The "Unknown 9" universe will also be used for other media formats in the future.
Date: Summer 2024
Released for Xbox Series X/S/One, PS5, PS4, PC
A Metroidvania inspired by Africa. Various masks and weapons give you elemental powers that you can use in both exploration and combat. Also looks beautifully colourful in this new trailer and is sure to delight Metroidvania fans.
Date: 23 April
Released for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC
The Xbox Partner Preview was pretty colourful. "Creatures of Ava" fits in seamlessly with the colourful games from the presentation. In this newly announced creature collector, you help cute monsters escape from a rapidly spreading infection on the planet Ava. In contrast to «Pokémon» "Palworld", you collect the cute creatures not to exploit them in the most brutal way, but to rescue them and make friends with them. They also help you solve puzzles on your rescue mission. Sweet.
Date: 2024
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass), PC
So, enough good humour and colourful game worlds. Now it's getting dark. With "The Sinking City 2", the sequel to the acclaimed Lovecraftian survival horror game. Alternative dimensions? Check. Strange tentacle monsters? Check. Lots of water? Check. Fans of the first part will be satisfied with the content of the trailer.
Date: 2025
Released for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
And another sequel. This time for the city builder "Frostpunk". In addition to new gameplay impressions, the trailer also shows a concrete release date for the first time. You can pre-order the game now and play the beta in April.
Date: 24 July
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass), PS5, PC
Surprise! Out of nowhere, developer studio GSC Game World announces the entire "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." trilogy for consoles. And the best thing about it: the collection and the individual games are now available for Xbox One. A native version for the new series consoles will follow soon. According to the studio, the entire control system and UI have been completely redeveloped and adapted for controllers.
Date: Available now
Released for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4
Already available for PC
While Playstation fans are currently enjoying "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth", Xbox players will soon have access to the MMORPG "Final Fantasy XIV Online". With over 30 million players, the game is one of the most popular online RPGs around.
Date: 21 March
Released for Xbox Series X/S (Gamepass with "Starter Edition")
Already available for PS5, PS4, Mac, PC
The action RPG is set in the "Dungeon & Fighter" universe. You play a powerful fighter who has returned from the dead and wants to find out who was responsible for his fate. Graphically, the game offers an interesting mix of realistic elements and a colourful anime aesthetic.
Date: Unclear
Released for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
A racer with monster trucks. Nothing more needs to be said, right?
Date: 2024
Released for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC
The new edition of the classic JRPG "Persona 3" will receive new content, which will be released in three separate waves. This is additional content that was released retrospectively for the original and was not previously available in the remake.
Date: 12 March (wave 1), May (wave 2), September (wave 3)
Released for Xbox Series X/S/One (Game Pass), PS5, PS4, Switch, PC
The killer doll Chucky haunts "Roblox". This is a gory game that is explicitly aimed at adults - despite "Roblox's" primarily young target group
Date: Available now
Released for Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac, iOS
Which game are you most looking forward to?
The competition has ended.
My love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.