With Activision now among them, Xbox had an opportunity. And they took it. Call of Duty opened the show, ready for its focused showing after the main event. And after an introduction from Phil Spencer to the show, the trailers never stopped being great. Over the course of the hour and a half, I had seen quite a few games that I’d be adding to my waiting for list.
To start with, Fable has appeared again. Now with a 2025 window of release. It was an enjoyable trailer taking a documentary-style approach, with a former hero giving an account of the world and his taking in of a hero who went into the world and became bad. I’m liking the look of it, with the trailer emphasising the choices-based progression the Fable series is known for. I’m very much waiting to get exploring this new world of Albion next year.
One title that caught my eye was Winter Burrow, a survival game where you play as a mouse returning to their decrepit childhood home and working to rebuild it. There’s a very cosy feel to the 2D visuals, with the winter setting being calming yet also suspenseful. What is waiting out in the world? The browns of the tree stump that is home offer a welcome respite from that. I’m interested in seeing more, and with an early 2025 release date, it’s likely we’ll see more soon.
I’m curious about Mixtape. It speaks to me. Reliving memories through music, but here it is literal. A group of friends drawn into dreamlike reenactments of pivotal moments of their lives through the power of music. Music from real artists such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Joy Division. Such artists I’m not familiar with, but still the feelings of nostalgia are strong. As that is the theme Mixtape is pushing. With a 2025 release, it will be great to see just how this one forms.
South of Midnight immediately caught my attention for just its setting. A giant sea monster and a human working together, travelling through a swamp. When danger calls, the human utilises her combat and magic away from the sea monster to protect them both. It’s looking to be a fun action-adventure game, and one I certainly want to get to. This is also another game coming in 2025, but with some gameplay having been shown in the trailer, I’m hopeful that it won’t be too far into next year.
Quite a few other games I’m also curious about, but as of yet need more convincing. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is looking great, for instance, with a tone in its cutscenes mirroring that of the films. Or at least what I’ve seen of them. The first person gameplay is interesting, but as yet I’m not sure of it. Once there’s some raw gameplay showing what it can do, then maybe I’ll be convinced.
Atomfall is set in Britain. Specifically the countryside. That setting is looking great. Couldn’t ask for a better representation of it. There’s mystery, sci-fi influences, and a rough crowd of people. And it is that crowd, and the combat, I’m waiting to see more of before committing to this one. The more I see of the setting, the more I’m likely to be drawn into buying it, however. There’s an entire year before that happens, as this is a 2025 game.
And that is a whole lot of 2025. But there’s one game set for this year that I’m absolutely waiting at the departure lounge for. Yes, the next generation of Flight Simulator, with 2024 providing greater accuracy in recreating the world through the latest technology developments. From the trailer, I’m already seeing an improvement compared to 2020. I’m curious to see the differences between games with the places I’m familiar with.
More than that, there’s a greater range of things to do beyond free flight. A whole host of aviation jobs will be in the game, with this trailer showing off some more of them. Commercial flights, VIP charter services, banner advertising, and plenty of others. Including… on-foot… photography? Oh, I hope that’s just a feature in general. Getting up close and personal with this simulation will be the closest thing to real life exploration, and I’m for it.
Of course, there’s likely going to be limitations on that, so no exploring a city entirely on foot. Planes, helicopters, even hot air balloons are what this game is about, after all. And while there likely will be some aircraft that can land on water, I doubt it’d be possible to have a fully water-based adventure. There’s likely to be a lot more information coming for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 in the run up to that 19/November release date. Information I will be greatly interested in.
The Xbox Games Showcase has provided a lot to keep an eye on. Next year is seeming to be an excellent year for games from what was announced here. It’s a year I’m sure will be one of the greats. And with another tease of something that will be appearing at Ubisoft Forward with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I’m sure that event will be an enjoyable one, too.
Images Taken From:
Mixtape – Reveal Trailer… | Xbox
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024… | Xbox
