Xbox & Bethesda: The highlights of the big showcase

“Power Your Dreams” is the official slogan of the latest generation of Xbox. Microsoft has been growing strongly again in the gaming sector for a few years, but in recent years Xbox players have really had to imagine in their dreams what will be possible with the next-gen. Although there were big games like Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite, many things were only announced with an indefinite release. After the postponement of Starfield and Redfall, 2022 also looked pretty thin with exclusive titles from Xbox Game Studios.

Therefore, the Xbox & Bethesda showcase was fully geared towards the program for the next 12 months. Although this did not eliminate the triple-A shortage at Microsoft for 2022, it does deliver a solid program with a strong spring 2023 and also shows all kinds of gameplay. Most of the games are also coming to Xbox Game Pass Day One. But let’s start with the summary of all games that were shown at the showcase.

The first is Redfall, the new game by Arkane. The co-op shooter with a vampire scenario saw the first gameplay that introduces the different characters and their abilities. While Jacob Boyer is out sniping, Layla Ellison has telekinetic powers in store. You can probably also upgrade them with a skill system. In the game you play either solo or with up to three friends and experience the story. For this you shoot your way through the eponymous city in Massachusetts and discover its secrets.

Of course, the nasty vampires want to prevent that and they fight back with all their might. To do this, they also use various skills, which definitely have a touch of Left 4 Dead. Redfall is coming to PC, Xbox and Cloud in 2023 and is Day One in Game Pass.

We got a sign of life from Hollow Knight Silksong. The sequel to the acclaimed Metroidvania Hollow Knight once again showcases its fast-paced gameplay and also announces that it’s landing Day One in Xbox Game Pass. When exactly this “Day One” is, however, remains a secret.

For all Rick & Morty fans comes High on Life. The first-person shooter throws you into an alien world where your weapons talk to you and have a character. There you have to stop a whole extraterrestrial criminal gang who kidnapped people from earth and want to use them as drugs. Of course, it wouldn’t be a game by the creators of one of the craziest comic series in the world if it wasn’t a bit gaga itself.

The gun characters are seriously wacky and the colorful aliens also lose a fair amount of body parts when you put your mind to it. Due to the different weapon abilities, there is also a great variety of ways to finish off your opponents. High On Life is coming in October 2022 and will also be in Game Pass from day 1.

For PC gamers, the developers at Riot Games are dumping almost their entire portfolio into Xbox Game Pass. This gives subscribers access to league of Legends, Valorant, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics on PC. Since all of these titles are Free2Play anyway, Riot adds a few goodies to each game. For example, all agents or champions are unlocked. You will then get the full Riot package in winter 2022 for PC and mobile.

A Plague Tale: Requiem has also received a new gameplay trailer that lets the story of Amicia and Hugo live on. You can see the varied landscapes in which you are traveling this time. There are also a lot of sneak passages again, but you’re not completely defenseless, because this time you seem to be able to control the large swarms of rats yourself. A Plague Tale Requiem is coming in 2022 and will also be in Game Pass from release.

A presentation was suspected in advance and that’s how it happened. The new Forza Motorsport convinced with its very chic graphics with ray tracing calculated in real time and day/night change. The sound of the gameplay demo also boomed realistically through the speakers. In terms of gameplay, a lot has changed as well. There is now also fuel management and different rubber compounds for the tires. One of the most important innovations, however, is the detailed damage model that also shows your scratches where you kissed the crash barrier. Forza Motorsport is scheduled to arrive in Spring 2023 and will land in Game Pass from Day 1.