I think I’ve made it very clear to everyone and their dog that I loved the Microsoft/Xbox E3 showcase last year. It was filled with a constant flow of games, had something for everyone including me despite not owning an Xbox at the time; and was nothing more than a celebration of games. So this year Microsoft had to do something big, and they did.

The show opened with The Outer Worlds. It was a surprising choice to not use a Microsoft exclusive to open the show this year, but Obsidian Entertainment’s (now owned by Xbox Game Studios) new RPG, The Outer Worlds was the opener. Feeling very much like a colorful, space Fallout game, I’m sure fans of the “typical obsidian game” will be more than happy to know that The Outer Worlds will release this October 25th on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

Next up was Ninja Theory’s first release since being bought by Microsoft. Ninja Theory’s Dom Matthews and Rahni Tucker came out to talk about their future as well as their next release, Bleeding Edge. They mentioned first that they had been working on Bleeding Edge before and soon after being bought out, with many more announcements to come from the studio itself in the coming months.

Bleeding Edge is a third-person multiplayer shooter. Visually stunning, fun-looking, and (personally) easier to follow than Overwatch. I know I’d never play it, however, there is a technical alpha test on June the 27th. One would assume by “technical alpha,” this means they want to gauge server numbers.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps got a gameplay trailer, a release date, and a huge horrific spider of nightmares. I’ve previously said I don’t have much interest in the Ori series as I’ve not played it, and admittedly I’m still not too interested. Fans of the series will be excited to know the release date is set for February 11th, 2020. Which you’ll notice is a bit of a theme later on.

Minecraft recently had its 10th anniversary, and there was an assumption that something would be soon to release. In comes, Minecraft Dungeons, a PC and console dungeon crawler (“Diablo-like“) in the Minecraft universe, as announced back at Minecon 2018. This was very interesting, though surprisingly this was the only Minecraft content at all this year. One would have assumed Minecraft Earth, an augmented reality game, would have been pushed as it was announced just last month by Microsoft. Minecraft Dungeons will release on PC, consoles, and Xbox Game Pass in “Spring 2020.”

Next was Phil Spencer’s moment in the sun, not only telling us “gamers are everywhere,” “There are 2 billion of us,” and several other PR lines to draw the crowd into wooing. However, much like last year, he did come out with a screen to say there would be sixty games shown, fourteen games from Xbox Game Studios, thirty-four games to premiere on Game Pass, and who is next to be added into the Xbox Games Studios. Generally thanking the audience both in the theater and at home. The last little detail left was to speak more about Project X-cloud and Project Scarlet – the next generation of console gaming.

This was promptly followed by a trailer for EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. As I didn’t watch the EA day-long live stream, I couldn’t say if this was the trailer that was shown previously or not. Personally, I can’t say if I’m excited for it, but I am just happy fans have something to look forward to. There was nothing in the trailer to make me stand up and yell, “I need that now!” which is sort of the point of a Star Wars game.

This was followed by a Blair Witch game of all things. Not too exciting of a horror trailer, very much the “look at this very obvious flickering thing… Boo!” kind of horror. Seemingly the horror isn’t built on the suspense or when will it happen, more so on the idea YouTubers can scream at the loud noises and flashes of light. I can’t say I’m excited about it, though I’m sure someone will be.

Next was the magnum opus of the show, Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red’s next game after The Witcher 3, a futuristic dystopian nightmare filled with black markets selling military weapons. The trailer we saw, however, was a cinematic and featured none of the first-person gameplay we know is to be featured. The only section I would say is even slightly first-person would be the end reveal of Keanu Reeves.

Once his reveal was capped with a logo the video came back to the stage (As seen in the video below). Keanu Reeves himself came out to tell us about the game. He notes why he joined the project, had a back-and-forth with some fans shouting out “You’re breathtaking,” and finally revealed the release date. Cyberpunk 2077 will release on April 16th, 2020 on Xbox One, PC, and PS4.

To come down from a dark and depressing world that was Cyberpunk 2077 came Spiritfarer. A beautiful happy 2D adventure game about a child, their animal friends, and building your town boat. Unlike most houseboats in the Nordic countries, this one is the size of a cruise liner. A fun and joyous game after the aforementioned depression that came before. Spiritfarer will release in 2020 on Xbox One, PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

Next was Battletoads. I have said before, I don’t know much about the original game because I was born in the latter half of the 1990s. With very little in the trailer to say whether it was a remake or an original, I can’t say with certainty which it is. I also can’t say if there is a release date as it wasn’t featured in the trailer or mentioned either. We do, however, know that Battletoads will be coming to the Xbox One via Game Pass.

Following Battletoads was RPG Time: The Legend of Wright. A papercraft-style game – think Tearaway or Little Big Planet in their creation of world design with everyday objects. A beautiful game that looks to be based on a child’s mind of creativity/arts and crafts. The Legend of Wright will be coming to the Xbox One, PC, iOS, and Android in 2020.

Next was the ID@Xbox section. With that, the list of games shown was: Dead Static Drive, Pathologic 2, Star Renegades, Afterparty, TABS: Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, The Good Life, Cross Code, Creature in the Well, Killer Queen Black, Riverbond, Unto The End, Blazing Chrome, Fex The Reaper – A Romantic comedy game about the life of Death, Undermine, Supermarket Shriek, Secret Neighbor, Ikenfell, The Lord of The Rings Living Card Game, Nightcall, and Totem Teller. A lot of games, indeed. All of these are coming to Game Pass upon release.

Which leads nicely into the Game Pass section of the showcase. Yesterday Xbox added: Batman Arkham Knight, Metro Exodus, Hollow Knight, and Borderlands the Handsome Collection all of which are being added to the Game Pass service. Followed promptly with Xbox Game Pass PC exclusives Imperator Rome, Football Manager 2019, and “for the first time ever,” Halo: The Masterchief collection.

However, the Game Pass conversation doesn’t stop here. The Xbox Game Pass for PC went into open beta yesterday as well, coming for $9.99 a month. However, if you play games on an Xbox One and PC you may want the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, featuring Game Pass for both console and PC, as well as Xbox Games with Gold. Game Pass Ultimate is available for $14.99. However, for now (an undisclosed time) you can start your subscription for $1 (going to $14.99 the following month).

Microsoft Flight Simulator, a game for your boring old dad (or me), was the next game to see a trailer. Oddly enough being an entire reboot of the series dropping the numbers or Roman numeral for 10 in the last game. Microsoft Flight Simulator is set to come in 2020.

Speaking of games old enough to baffle the children, Age of Empires II Definitive Edition. One would assume that it is a complete remaster of the game from the year 2000; upping the resolution to 4K, with fully remastered audio, and a new campaign. Fans of the classic will be able to play in 4K this Fall, and Xbox One players will be able to play for the time ever alongside PC users on Xbox Game Pass.

Next was a very up to date version of an Apple II and PC classic. Wasteland 3 was announced as a sequel to the previous inXile Entertainment game, Wasteland 2. Keeping a late 1990’s isometric view; though it looks like there was money to spend on graphic design this time around. Wasteland 3 is set to release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One later this year.

The reason this time they have money is because Microsoft bought inXile last year. This leads me nicely onto Double Fine also having a larger budget now; as Microsoft bought the studio to be part of their ID@Xbox collection. Tim Schafer then came out to say he’ll get Double Fine to work on “Halo stuff, Forza stuff, and Excel stuff. Whatever you want we are there.” He lied.

This was followed by a trailer for Psychonauts 2. This time Razputin “Raz” Aquato is now a fully-fledged psychonaut. Seemingly once again, from Psychonauts: In the Rhombus of Ruin, you’ll be chasing down the evil Dr. Caligosto Loboto in some dental nightmares. Psychonauts 2 will release on PS4, PC, and Xbox One later this year; Game Pass subscribers will get Psychonauts 2 upon release.

Next up was Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. I would assume this will be a complete remaster of the original PS2-era games, the new ones, and this final one. However, for those that are worried the release would clash with the upcoming movie, The Skywalker Saga is set to release on PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox One in 2020.

Following America’s attempt at gods with superpowers, came Japan’s gods with superpowers. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, an open-world action RPG in the Dragon Ball universe. According to Bandai Namco Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is, “the most accurate, dramatic, and epic telling of the Dragon Ball Z canon storyline—the story of Kakarot—the Saiyan better known as Goku.” As of January Kakarot was scheduled to launch this year, however, Kakarot will release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC “Early 2020.”

Next was the beautiful trailer of Twelve Minutes. “An interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop,”. We don’t know enough about it other than the intrigue set up, and how it was the trailer with the best cinematography. We do not know anything of a release date or if this will be a Microsoft exclusive; “Coming Soon” is the only detail we were given.

After this was Way to the Woods, another beautiful story about some deer. Looking like a puzzle game about teaching your kid (or calf) to solve issues. This feels much like an animal God of War (2018) with less ripping of gods. A fun, beautiful, and happy game to balance out the depressing with the light. It was first announced back in 2016 by then-16-year-old Anthony Tan and Team 17, and Way to the Woods is “coming 2020 …for real this time,” as the trailer says.

Nevertheless, because I know nothing of the series and more or less care for it. Gears 5 got a release date and several game modes announced. Firstly, Gears 5 will release on September 10th, while also coming to Game Pass; Gears 5 Escape will be a multiplayer-focused mode, and the Terminator Dark Fate character pack pre-order bonus was also revealed. However, on July 17th you’ll be able to see Gears 5 versus multiplayer tech test and get a hands-on demo at Gamescom this August 19th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErqsgG0HRR8

However, you can pre-order Gears Pop! which takes the total number to three things I don’t understand: Pop Vinyl, Gear of War, and pre-ordering mobile games. There is no word on when Gears Pop! will launch, though one would assume it would be before Gears 5 releases this September.

This was followed by possibly one of the favorite announcements of the showcase. The Xbox (One) Elite Wireless Controller is getting a series 2 iteration improving and tweaking the previous design. I would argue that this is the best controller in the world barring one flaw, the temperamental audio jack. I have high hopes this next one will improve on this fault of its predecessor.

Swiftly followed by a Dying Light 2 trailer, depicting more details of the day-to-day life of the protagonist, Aiden. Personally, it feels a little generic to be taken seriously, though overall more enjoyable and vertical than the previous game. Dying Light 2 will be coming to PS4, PC, and Xbox One in spring 2020.

There was no new Forza Motorsport 8, breaking a pattern set out by previous years. However, Forza Horizon 4 did get an expansion. A Lego expansion, with an on-stage car gimmick of the Mclaren Senna made of Lego. No, you didn’t take drugs or read that wrong. Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions is available on Xbox One and PC this Thursday. I recommend playing Forza Horizon 4, I love Lego, and combining the two creates nothing but joy.

Another expansion was revealed, this time for State of Decay 2. State of Decay 2: Heartland seems to be a more story-focused expansion to the, in my opinion, flat State of Decay 2. However, State of Decay 2: Heartland is available now on Xbox One and PC, and available on Game Pass.

Next came the announcement of a western release of Phantasy Star Online 2. I’ll admit, this one is not for me. However, with a Western release, thanks to a partnership between Sega and Microsoft, I know many people will be happy; I can’t begrudge them that. Phantasy Star Online 2 is releasing in the West in the spring of 2020 on PC and Xbox One.

If you don’t know, Phantasy Star Online 2, is a free-to-play game where you become a member of a research expedition called “Arks.” You and up to 12 players can visit places for quests of fresh and surprising adventure, including autogenerated maps and random events. You can play for free with no level caps or direct purchases of high-tier weapons. However, microtransactions may aid you in some quests.

Phantasy Star Online 2 was Immediately followed by Crossfire X from Smilegate, an online tactical first-person shooter. Another game that may have passed us by in the West, however, is hugely popular in Asia. Crossfire X will release on the Xbox One in 2020.

Tales of Arise was the next to be revealed. The latest chapter in the Tales Of series, Tales of Arise is being directed by Yusuke Tomizawa (director of the God Eater series). Tales of Arise is set to release in America (and possibly Europe) in 2020 on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Next was the hugely popular Borderlands 3. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said that this will be, “…the biggest, baddest, and most ambitious Borderlands adventure we’ve ever made.” I’m sure many fans will be excited to know that the “Mayhem is coming,” on September 13th, 2019 to Xbox One, PS4, and PC via the Epic Games Store.

Which was followed by the FromSoftware’s, Elden Ring. The collaboration between Fromsoft’s Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. The trailer itself isn’t much, doing little more than stating the fact it is alive. However, I know many are excited to see what comes next from Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin.

Then to close the show we finally saw what many had been on the edge of their seats about. Halo Infinite and Project Scarlett both getting release windows. Project Scarlett is the next generation console from Xbox, and according to the short video package it will be “40 times more powerful than current generation consoles.” Project Scarlett will release Holiday next year; assuredly it will have its proper name revealed at next year’s E3.

However, that’s not all. Halo Infinite saw a lengthy cinematic of what it has to offer. Halo Infinite will be a launch title for Project Scarlett.

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