Xbox And Bethesda Showcase 2022: Every Game Announced (VIDEO)
After lots of teasing from the heads at Microsoft, The big Xbox and Bethesda Showcase premiered with considerable aplomb as the event showcased a wide range of developers, featuring development updates for awaited favorites and rolling out the welcome wagon to both AAA and indie releases alike. Dozens of announcements were shown off across the 90-minute showcase with over 30 games confirmed to be coming to Xbox Game Pass for console, cloud, and PC within the next 12 months alone.
Check out a recap of the reveals from the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase in the list below.
Redfall
Announced as among the final reveals of last year’s Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, Redfall featured as the first entry of 2022’s proceedings, showing off the bloody, vampire-populated Left for Dead-like underway by Arkane Austin. In over 5 minutes of “pre-beta” gameplay, details such as the game’s setting small town atop an island were confirmed, as were the varyingly skilled heroes facing off these legions of bloodsuckers. the purple-powered Layla, the stealthy sniper Jacob, monster expert Devinder, and engineer Remi (and her cute little robot pal).
Redfall releases for PC and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2023, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Hollow Knight Silksong
It’s become something of a meme in recent months regarding how long Hollow Knight Silksong goes between updates. Having first been announced in 2019, the awaited Hollow Kight successor hasn’t had much else divulged in over a year, leading fans’ hype to ascend to Elden Ring-levels of anticipation. With that in mind, Xbox finally delivered something with a fresh look at gameplay, and while the showing wasn’t met with any confirmed release date, fans were likely fine with bare-minimum acknowledgment at this point.
Hollow Knight Silksong will release for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
High On Life
Known for wonderfully bizarre VR creations, Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland and Squnch Games are now developing a wacky new first-person shooter called High On Life. Premising an outer space saga where aliens are harvesting humans as psychedelics (just go with it), players inhabit the role of a bounty hunter aiming to take down the interstellar drug cartel. Along the way, we meet colorful characters, explore fantastical landscapes, and get access to a range of talking alien firearms called Gatleans, because of course that’s what they’re called.
High on Life is set to release in October for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Riot Games
While not a new game announcement, the Xbox And Bethesda Showcase next announced five Riot Games titles – League of Legends, LoL: Wild Rift, Valorant, Legends of Runeterra, Teamfight Tactics – would finally make their way to Xbox Game Pass later this Winter. In addition, each game would come with special perks for members of the service, including full character unlocks for LoL, Wild Rift, and Valorant, as well as select DLC for Legends of Runeterra and Teamfight Tactics.
An announcement featuring Riot’s fictional pop supergroup K/DA can be viewed in the trailer above.
A Plague’s Tale Requiem
A showing for Focus Entertainment and Asobo Studio’s brutal A Plague’s Tale Requiem was up next, offering another solid peek at gameplay for the awaited sequel to the 2019-released original game. Taking place in several environments and depicting heroes Amicia and Hugo in a number of tense situations, the footage shows the pair lay waste to quite a few enemy soldiers, using stealth mechanics, brute force, as well as the series’ signature swarms of rats to sufficiently get the job done.
A Plague’s Tale Requiem is set to release in 2022 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Forza Motorsport
As one of Microsoft’s most ambitious projects yet, Turn 10 Studios’ upcoming Forza Motorsport appears to be shaping up as one of the most beautiful racing games ever conceived. The gameplay for the title boasts 4K visuals, real-time ray tracing, and high-resolution model builds, highlighted by a dynamic light-of-day system, which not only lights up the sky and surrounding structures in realistic ways but also varies the temperature of the track itself. In addition, car damage is detailed to appear “down to the individual scratches” in-game.
Forza Motorsport is set to release in Spring 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
The massively detailed Microsoft Flight Simulator is set to get its latest round of add-on content with the arrival of the series’ 40th anniversary. For the occasion, several new aircraft such as helicopters, gliders, and iconic vehicles like the Wright Brothers’ flyer and the Spirit of St. Louis are all being added as flyable craft sometime in November 2022. However, in the meantime, Halo fans have received a taste of this content already with the addition of the Pelican gunship from Halo Infinite, available in-game today.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available for PC and Xbox Series X/S, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Overwatch 2
As Activision Blizzard experiences its slow transition into the Microsoft fold, in the meantime, Blizzard is set to debut its next big title with the release of Overwatch 2 as the next iteration of the hero shooter genre. As shown in an accompanying trailer, the sequel is set to release in a free-to-play Early Access capacity on October 4th, highlighting new gameplay along with a new Mad Max-style protagonist simply referred to as the Junker Queen, who is teased to be fully revealed at a later date.
Overwatch 2 releases in Early Access on October 4th for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Ara: History Untold
Yet another world premiere debuted in the form of a new Civilization-like turned-based strategy experience dubbed Ara: History Untold. While no gameplay was shown, the Oxide Games-developed project was teased to enable players to visit past eras and “reshape the world” with “new stories,” as per the unmistakable narration from The Expanse and Arcane actress Shohreh Aghdashloo. No release date is set right now, but the game is already confirmed to hit PC Game Pass on day one.
Forza Horizon 5
Acting as a more casual iteration of the main Motorsport games, Forza Horizon 5 is among the best the series has ever seen from a critical and content standpoint. Microsoft has seen fit to bring even more to the game with the arrival of a new Hot Wheels DLC, which looks to add large winding red tracks to the racer, complete with scenic locations (volcanoes, deserts, skies) as well as more than a few loop-de-loops for good measure. The Hot Wheels DLC releases July 19th and is included for those who already own the Premium Add-Ons Bundle.
Forza Horizon 5 is now available for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Ark 2
We haven’t heard much from Ark 2 since its world premiere during TGA 2020, but the Studio Wildcard project definitely left an impression with its choice of lead in Fast and Furious star Vin Diesel. While we haven’t heard anything about the next-gen survival title since, it looks like we can expect to see Dom Toretto rev up a T-Rex sometime in 2023, as per the game’s latest trailer. In addition, Ark 2 is also confirmed for Xbox Game Pass on day one across PC, cloud, and console.
Ark 2 is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam Early Access, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Scorn
Ebb Software’s years-long effort to make the H.R. Giger-inspired Scorn a reality is nearing its payoff with the month of October, but even as the supremely disgusting adventure regularly shows off its wares, the title still has yet to land a solid release date. Well, that omission is past tense now as the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase has confirmed the game for a release on October 21st, establishing its disturbing brand of FPS, exploration, and puzzle-solving just in time for Halloween.
Scorn is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
The battle of gods isn’t just limited to Smite and God of War these days, as Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn spawns an open-world fantasy RPG brand of deicide in development by Kepler and Ashen studio A44. Though we’ve seen action-packed gameplay shown before, the new Xbox even showed off our best look yet at Flintlock, showing our hero gunning into battle against killer skeletons, giant spiders, and other formidable supernatural creatures.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is set to release in Early 2023 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Minecraft Legends
As Mojang builds on its record-breaking success of Minecraft with numerous spin-offs in the works, it appears the studio is now breaking into strategy territory with the announcement of Minecraft Legends. As the cantankerous Piglins invade the pixelated Overworld realm, players are tasked with accumulating resources, rallying a formidable army, and battling the piggy Nether-spawn before the realm is corrupted forever. Also, the spin-off is set to include a cinematic story narrative as well as options for multiplayer, including co-op and PvP.
Minecraft Legends is set to release in 2023 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Lightyear Frontier
Though this event wasn’t the first we’ve seen of Lightyear Frontier, new gameplay for the mech-based survival sim offers another good look a the Sping 2023 release. Crash-landing onto a mysterious planet, players operate their own mech suit to collect resources, create a settlement, and tend to crops all while the mysteries of the alien environment are open for exploration. Even more interesting, up to four players can join in all the survival and exploration fun together.
Lightyear Frontier is confirmed for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Gunfire Reborn
Exiting Early access last year on PC, the console versions of 505 Games and Duoyi Network’s Gunfire Reborn have been expected to drop sometime in 2022, complete with the four-player roguelike action fans have come to expect. However, it looks like Xbox is getting an early leg up as the popular critter-themed shooter is now expected to debut on Xbox consoles this October, launching as a day one addition to Xbox Game Pass across PC, console, and cloud.
Gunfire Reborn is available now on PC, with Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions confirmed for sometime in 2022.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox
If a gothic horror Metroidvania set in the jazzy 1920s was something you were manifesting, then congratulations, it worked! The Last Case of Benedict Fox looks to encapsulate this concept with style as players navigate a disturbingly haunted house wrought with hostile supernatural forces. While the titular Benedict Fox does battle against many of these spiritual beings, at least one looks to serve a helpful purpose, with a shadowy demon (suspiciously reminiscent of Tom Hardy’s Venom) allowing Fox to delve into the expansive minds of the deceased.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox is set to release in Spring 2023 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
As Dusk Falls
While many reveals of the event were projects new to the Xbox umbrella, As Dusk Falls represents the debut project from developer INTERIOR/NIGHT, a collective of former Sony and Quantic Dream devs. As for the game itself, As Dusk Falls is billed as an interactive and accessible character-centric adventure bearing an emotional branching narrative and told through a unique motion graphic novel style. Interestingly, the title is built for solo play as well as multiplayer, with up to 8 able to jump in and affect the story at a time.
As Dusk Falls releases July 19th for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Naraka: Bladepoint
As one of the more unique spins on the battle royale formula, NetEase and 24 Entertainment’s Naraka: Bladepoint offers a 60-player free-for-all predominantly centered around sword-based and melee combat, setting itself apart from the firearms of games like Fortnite or Apex Legends. In midst of its 4th season, Naraka: Bladepoint is now officially coming to Xbox Series X/S consoles on June 23rd, making its debut alongside, you guessed it, Xbox Game Pass.
Naraka: Bladepoint is available now for PC, with a PlayStation 5 version also in development.
Pentiment
Though Obsidian is most known for The Outer Worlds, the upcoming Skyrim-like Avowed these days, the prolific RPG developer is now set to release a decidedly smaller addition to the genre. Characterized by a 2D art style, Pentiment is a new narrative RPG adventure dripping with intrigue as players investigate a long series of murders in 16th century Germany. Taking place across 25 years, players’ sleuthing and decision-making are heavily taken into account and have the capacity to affect the community in varyingly sweeping ways.
Pentiment is set to release in November for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Grounded
Since debuting as a pre-release Game Preview title in 2020, Obsidian’s other smaller-scale offering Grounded has been adding considerable content to its ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ survival premise. However, it appears the game will soon reach its launch-intended state as Grounded is officially set to leave Game Preview sometime in September 2022. The occasion is poised to collect all updates and story content released thus far as it reaches its full 1.0 release for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Game Pass.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy
While games like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell involve sneakily hiding in the shadows, The latest from Baby Robot Games and Raw Fury will see players become the shadows themselves in a new game called Ereban: Shadow Legacy. Inhabiting the presumably noise-proof shoes of Ayana, the mysterious protagonist utilizes powers involving shadows, including the ability to dive into shadows on walls and floors, as they stalk the game’s army of robotic enemies.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy is set to release in 2023 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Diablo IV
Well, Blizzard certainly had me fooled. As the studio surprised viewers with a fearsome trailer announcing the fifth and final class of Diablo IV, the Necromancer, I was convinced the footage was actually showing off an all-new game that allows you to summon dark magic and control the forces of the afterlife. Well, it appears I was at least partly right, as I’ll be able to summon all the spirits I want in the next Diablo as part of one of the game’s five available classes.
In addition to the hype-summoning Necromancer reveal, Blizzard also highlighted a nice segment of Xbox Series X gameplay, showing off the dungeon crawler RPG, the game’s varied open-world content, and its Diablo II-inspired dark gothic setting. In the quest to defeat Lillith, the demonic Queen of the Succubi, players will be able to create their own character and unite via online multiplayer, couch co-op, or PvP, from the main campaign through to a substantial endgame teased to roll out for “years to come.”
Diablo IV is set to release in 2023 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Sea of Thieves
This year saw Rare’s pirate simulator enter a new story-focused phase as it rolls out regular narrative nuggets as well as its seventh season of planned content for 2022. As part of the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, the studio prepared a particularly cheerful trailer that boasts about the fun features and accomplishments the title has experienced since launching in 2018 – albeit in the form of a melodic sea shanty. Also teasing new content like deeper ship customization (you can finally rename ships!), Season 7 is set to arrive as a free update on July 21st.
Sea of Thieves is available now for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, as well as Xbox Game Pass.
Ravenlok
We’re certainly fans of twisted Alice in Wonderland adaptations here at DFTG, and Ravenlok looks to be a pretty unique one by the looks of its world premiere showcase. Underway by the devs behind Echo Generation, Cococucumber showed off its new fairytale action RPG, premising a young heroine as she explores a dangerous fantasy land filled to the brim with beastly enemies, including giant mutant mushrooms, ferocious metal birds, and likely the most terrifying Queen of Hearts ever put to voxel.
Ravenlok is set to release in 2023 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Cocoon
After iconic indie successes like Limbo and Inside, gameplay designer Jeppe Carlsen is back with a trippy and atmospheric new platformer in Cocoon. As seen above, the gameplay is beautiful as it is mind-bending, seeing a winged character utilizing abilities and leaping in and out of reality at a moment’s notice. Involving the concept of pocket universes, Cocoon sees players battle ferocious bosses and solve intracate alien puzzles by wielding a set of multi-colored orbs, with each containing a fully explorable world and power distinct to each color.
Cocoon is set to release in 2023 for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Wo Long Fallen Dynasty
Here was another point of the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase where I was thoroughly fooled by what was on display. Based on its Feudal Asia setting, wild demonic swordsmen, and the involvement of Team Ninja, one might be forgiven to believe this might be the reveal of the inevitable Nioh 3. However, this adventure was actually announced as a new IP from Koei Tecmo called Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, a Chinese martial arts swordfighter set within an alternate history Three Kingdoms that sees demonic forces overrun the third-century era.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is set to release in Early 2023 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Persona
After years of clamoring, the Atlus’ Persona series is officially confirmed for release on Xbox consoles, with the trio of Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal each coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, as well as (of course) Xbox Game Pass. While dates were scarce in the announcement, Persona 5 Royal was revealed to be coming first, with a release date planned for October 21st, coming to PC, cloud, and console iterations of Game Pass on the same day.
Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are also set to release for Steam and PlayStation 5 sometime in 2022, as per Eurogamer.
Hideo Kojima
As one of the bigger announcements of the night, Hideo Kojima announced a partnership with Xbox Game Studios on a “completely new game” involving “cutting edge cloud technology” and a “never before seen concept” that would be revealed in “some time.” This reveal occurred amid rumors of an unannounced Kojima game titled Overdose, with Death Stranding actress Margaret Qualley reportedly in a starring role. It’s not known if this rumor may have referred to Kojima’s Xbox project or one of his many others in development.
Starfield
Xbox and Bethesda definitely saved the biggest showcase for last, with Bethesda’s new space-faring IP Starfield taking up the remaining 15 minutes of the lengthy presentation. Debuting the first gameplay for the exploration-driven RPG, game director Todd Howard narrated various scenarios a player might encounter in-game, including resource gathering, encountering alien wildlife, shooter combat, dialogue with NPCs, and piloting a spacecraft.
In addition, quite a bit of time was dedicated to fleshing out the story of Starfield, which revolves around the discovery of a mysterious artifact and the mission to recover more from throughout the galaxy. Adding to the hunt, across 100 confirmed solar systems, all 1000+ planets in the game are said to be completely explorable. As typical with Bethesda games, players will be able to create their own character with distinct backstory and skills, but they’ll also be able to build their own planet settlements and even craft a custom spacecraft.
Starfield is set to release in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S and is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
What do you think? Were you hyped by the new Xbox And Bethesda Showcase, or do you feel there weren’t enough big surprises? Which reveal did you enjoy seeing the most? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!
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Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
