XBOX 3P EVENT – RECAP & ANALYSIS
XBOX 3P EVENT - RECAP & ANALYSIS
The May 7th Third Party (3P) Event Xbox held, offered a fascinating look at some upcoming games in development, with most, if not all, allowing for Smart Delivery (meaning if you buy it for Xbox One, you will get a free upgrade to Series X version when available). A total of thirteen games utilizing next gen tech were showcased, including some world premieres and exclusives. These titles ranged in theme and scale, with some smaller and more artistic, and others being humongous and photo-realistic. Games among the Horror, Shooter, RPG, Action, Racing, Sci-Fi, Adventure, and Sport genres were all displayed, utilizing the power of Xbox Series X. Clocking in at around twenty-eight minutes, the show managed to give each game its due, while also keeping it relatively brief. As a fan of the Nintendo Direct and PlayStation State of Play formats, this Inside Xbox episode mirrored their template. Below, I’ll give a brief rundown on the thirteen games showcased on the episode.
- Bright Memory Infinite (Playism & FYQD) – This game is an intense shooter and action title, featuring up close and personal combat and parkour traversal. Made by just a single dev, the amount of work, polish, and creativity this individual has displayed is mindboggling.
- DIRT 5 (Codemasters) – The latest entry in the popular off-road racing series was showcased at the event. Demonstrating the features and styles that fans know and love, fans of the series should be in for a treat.
- Scorn (ebb software) – A disturbingly grotesque and haunting horror game from ebb software, Scorn resembles a cross of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and From Software’s Bloodborne. This fascinating Sci-Fi horror title is an Xbox console exclusive.
- CHORUS (Deep Silver & Fishlabs) – This sci-fi title features stunning starfighter segments and intriguing environments. It comes to Xbox Series X in 2021.
- Madden 21 (EA) – The latest entry of the immensely popular Madden football series, was displayed at the event. Pat Mahomes of the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs dropped by the show and highlighted some key features, including that Madden 2021 will enable Smart Delivery.
- Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 (Paradox Interactive & Hardsuit Labs) – The sequel to the cult-classic, Bloodlines, looks to take players into the dark underworld of vampires in Seattle. Featuring unnatural abilities, brutal combat, and player choice (decision making), this title shows that the night is dark and full of terrors.
- Call of the Sea (Out of the Blue & Raw Fury) – An artistic and beautiful adventure game, Call of the Sea focuses on a traveler trapped on a mysterious island, as she searches for her missing love. Full of fanciful imagery and mystery, this story aims to be very deep and full of discovery.
- The Ascent (Neon Giant & Curve Digital) – A sci-fi action RPG, this game features a rough and gritty dystopian society, bringing to mind visions of Bladerunner. This eye-catching title will also be an Xbox console exclusive.
- The Medium (Bloober Team) – A supernatural, psychological horror title, The Medium is the latest title from Bloober Team, and features music by the legendary composer of the Silent Hill series. Showcasing a dark and supernatural story and setting, this haunting title was revealed to be an Xbox console exclusive.
- Scarlet Nexus (Bandai Namco) – A new action title from Bandai Namco, Scarlet Nexus, made its debut at the event. Centered around a squad of psionic operatives, players will hunt down and exterminate an invasive threat.
- Second Extinction (Systemic Reaction & Avalanche Studios Group) – This game, which resembles a cross of Left 4 Dead and Turok, with just a dash of DOOM carnage, brings Dino Combat to next gen. Teaming up with a max of three other players, players will squad up and fight off a Dino invasion.
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon (SEGA) – The latest entry in the popular Yakuza series, Like a Dragon is coming to Xbox Series X, and will be a launch title. This is very significant, as it had taken years for other Yakuza titles to make their way to Xbox.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft) – To close the show, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla debuted a new trailer with a snippet of gameplay. Taking the immensely popular series to the age of Vikings, Valhalla looks to continue the modern evolution of the iconic franchise.