The Xbox Games Showcase is one that always has my interest, with many great reveals seen at previous ones. And this was no different. If a leak hadn’t completely spoilt one surprise, I’m sure I’d have been even more happy than I was on seeing it. And though the other surprise was known, seeing it here was certainly worthy of excitement. Before those two, let’s get to the rest of my highlights.

Fable had a trailer here showing off some more of the game, along with revealing its new date. What I like about these trailers is that they’ve been from the point of view of a self-proclaimed hero, and this one was no different. Some story elements seemed to be within, especially with that tease at the end of the robed and hooded figure. Some more of that British humour could also be found here. I’m sure Playground Games will deliver with this one when it releases 23/February-2027.

Bad Magpie looks to be a crazy one. Developed by new UK studio Milktooth, a magpie who cannot fly explores a world to find trinkets that it brings back to a fallen star. Hoping to gain its affection now it can no longer be with its flock. From the trailer, there’s a whole host of things to doing. Exploring buildings, destroying things to open new paths, getting chased by other birds… Seems there’ll be a lot to be doing when Bad Magpie arrives next year.

More one I’m curious about, Magicians: The Devil’s Deal, developed by Uppercut, presented its premise with a nice shadow play, where five magical beings known as the Masters craved power, and made a deal with the devil to get it. But they chose their creator, Jacob, to be trapped in eternal torment as a sacrifice to gain those powers. The devil decided to make a deal with Jacob, so set him free to defeat the masters and claim their powers for his own.

The gameplay begins as Jacob breaks through the screen, with the narrator of the shadow play revealed to be the devil. Telling Jacob to run. Combat comes into the form of stage magician tricks, utilising a magic wand, a deck of cards, and other such magical acts to defeat the monsters that lie in wait. There also seems to be some puzzles to navigate across Theatreland. So, I’ve definitely got my eye on this one, seeing what more it holds when it releases sometime next year.

Studio Meadowflower brings a life sim adventure with Vivarium. This spoke to me instantly from its hand-drawn anime visuals, with player character Jenny first being seen at a sprout within the hollowed trunk of a tree. Wondering what it will grow into. Throughout the rest of the trailer, there’s many interactions seen with the residents, along with showing some of the things she will do across the days.

But life isn’t all perfect, as it seems there are mysterious events occurring. Life within the terrarium changes as the narrative plays out, with the choices of the player dictating the direction of those changes. Vivarium seems like it will be a great chill game to be experiencing, and is another one set for release sometime next year. I’m sure I’ll be in love with the game, and the interactions that await.

So now it’s time to talk about those I teased at the start. For one, Crazy Taxi is back! World Tour’s trailer certainly kept things crazy, with high-octane action as Axel drifts his taxi through traffic, takes massive leaps through the air, and narrowly missing many pedestrians on his way to destinations. All this takes place on the streets of San Francisco, giving that nostalgic vibe of the original.

At the end of the trailer, a new face pulls up next to Axel, getting her phone out to text him something. It’s time to check in for a flight, as World Tour really does mean World Tour. Though it’s not known how many locations will be in the game, there should be enough to make the campaign a true world tour. Of course, the arcade mode is still here too. It’s going to be a blast getting to Craxy Taxi: World Tour next year.

And lastly, Spyro is back! This cinematic trailer had me curious at first, That purple text and dragon-like small creatures the camera pans down to had me anticipating it. But I was holding back, even when seeing that dragon-like staff the new villain holds. Then the music gets cheery, those purple feet come running into frame as the camera pulls back, and there he is.

Spyro: A Realm Beyond is looking very good. Spyro has a nice redesign, looking a lot less rigid than in Reignited Trilogy. Which is just as well, since he needs a great flowing design to go with his graceful flight. Yes, for the first time, Spyro has full flight capability in all levels, with the small bit of gameplay at the end showing how that works. Toys For Bob have really gone all out with this one, it seems. Waiting for Spring 2027 to get soaring the skies myself is going to be a long wait.

Images Taken From:
Magicians: The Devil’s Deal – Reveal Trailer | XBOX
Crazy Taxi: World Tour | Announcement Trailer | XBOX