Xbox and Bethesda 2021 Showcase Thoughts and Selections
This E3 2021 Xbox and Bethesda showcase is the first one since Microsoft bought Bethesda, so the scale was assumed to be much bigger than Microsoft’s typical length of a presentation. The big thing about this presentation was Xbox Game Pass, as most of the announcements except for a few are going to be day one launched on Game Pass. I found a lot of the trailers compelling for various reasons, so that’s why the list of my selections is so long. I am personally not a huge fan of the zombie horde games, especially when there is so little information about them and just cinematic trailers. Xbox Game Pass was solidified as the best value in gaming during this presentation. Not all of the trailers were particular great or filled with information, but Microsoft has certainly set themselves up very well for 2022 with Starfield currently scheduled for November 11, 2022.
As with all of my selections, these are based off of what I find interesting or deserving of recognition. I may still cover games not on the list as more information is released about them.
Starfield
Starfield was expected to be shown at this year’s E3, but I was kind of disappointed the trailer did not include gameplay footage. The only reason I am including this game on my list of selections is because my hype antenna’s are now open for this game because the release date is November 11, 2022. I expect we might get a trailer at the end of the year and more information at E3 2022.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is a sequel to Stalker, a game I never played. I can’t say I am much of a first-person shooter gamer, but I found this trailer to be very appealing with the lighting and storytelling. Will I play it? Probably not, but this being on Game Pass means I could potentially try it without a hit to my wallet when it releases April 28, 2022.
Battlefield 2042
I’ve never ever played a single Battlefield game, but I know they are known for large scale battles. The trailer for Battlefield 2042 may be the first trailer to ever get me seriously intrigued to play one of these games. The actual battlefield looks enormous and the realism of the vehicles looks stunning. The game also looks like it will produce many excellent action moments.
Twelve Minutes
Twelve Minutes has been on my radar ever since it was announced. This trailer wasn’t that much different than the ones we’ve seen before, but it reinforced my hype for this game. There is a certain element of the unknown about this game that makes this game so desirable to play. I can’t wait to play this in August.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts is another game that has been on my radar for a long time. I never went through the first game, but this game really gives a lot of unique storytelling vibes with its art direction and cinematography from the trailers that I just can’t wait to play to it. Another August release, another Game Pass game, so I am happy!
Party Animals
Party Animals is a wacky battle game that I think could be a fun casual experience. This is the kind of game Xbox Game Pass meant for. Funny concept.
Somerville
Somerville gives a lot of creepy story narrative vibes that I find to be very interesting with lots of uses of shadows and lighting to tell the story just in the the trailer we see. It’s unclear what the actual gameplay is, but the story features a family with a dog running around in a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
Halo: Infinite Multiplayer
Halo: Infinite multiplayer was announced as free-to-play, which is not totally surprising, but gives me a reason to at least try it out. I am still in the dark about the Halo stuff because I’ve never played one, but the gameplay seemed to be what I’ve always remembered whenever I saw people playing it.
Diablo II: Resurrected
Diablo II: Resurrected is my most anticipated game of 2021 right now. I was totally shocked to see this release date announcement for September 23, but the trailer also featured the redone cinematics that looked ok. It was surprising to see this in a Microsoft showcase as opposed to PC Gamer, but I guess Blizzard figured more people would be watching Microsoft.
A Plague Tale Requiem
A Plague Tale: Requiem is the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, a game I reviewed and liked that came out of nowhere. They didn’t show much here, but I am curious to see how the story continues.
Slime Rancher 2
Slime Rancher 2 is interesting because I really liked Slime Rancher, but I am sort of unsure how this game turns into something totally new as a new game. The graphics do look much better, but I look forward to seeing more gameplay and features announcements.
Shredders
Shredders is a snowboarding game that looks really relaxing to play and was totally unexpected. This definitely falls into the category of a game that I will definitely play on Game Pass that I would probably never buy otherwise.
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart is a game that I can’t quite figure out what it is, but it’s wacky enough with a lot of action set in an alternative reality in 1955 Soviet Union to make want me to know more. The trailer is very interesting, but I need to learn more about the gameplay mechanics to get me more interested.
Replaced
Replaced has some of the most beautiful pixel graphics I’ve ever seen with side-scrolling platforming action and storytelling that looks interested. This is another game that I need to learn more about, but I am initially impressed.
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes is a JRPG that is considered a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series. I’ve never played Suikoden, but the stuff shown here for Eiyuden Chronicles looks very appealing with visually and the battle system looks like something I would enjoy. This has its own unique style to it and I can’t wait to play it.
Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV is a game I’m looking to because I used to play Age of Empires II a lot many years ago. The series is very unique to the RTS genre because of its historical appeal and campaigns, but for me what stands out the most in the franchise is the base building with walls and castles that other RTS games out there don’t do quite as good. I can’t wait to start my Age of Empires campaign when it launched on October 28.
Outer Worlds 2
Outer Worlds 2 didn’t have anything to show, but the trailer was hilarious so I decided to put it on my list. I’ve never played Outer Worlds, but maybe I’ll get that itch sometime down the road.
Forza Horizon 5
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I can’t figure out the appeal of Forza Horizon. Driving around to view scenery is just not for me. The reason I have Forza Horizon 5 on my list is because of the new EventLab that allows creators to make their own events with a level editor. I can possibly see myself getting lost in that, but this wont be a big priority for me.
