Xbox games showcase 2020

[FakeSympathy]

Here we are, what looks to be the final digital e3 showcase of the summer. At least it's the last one in the series that I've been following. Just like with EA play, I will make notes as the show goes on, and comment on games in a order of presentation

Halo Infinite
Finally some gameplay. Graphic wise... IDK. Maybe I am blind, maybe I am out of touch, but the graphics don't look all that impressive. Is this really the next-gen? At least the environment looks pretty. Gameplay-wise, they decided to make it into an open-world with locational objectives, and I suppose it adds exploration values. Guns and combat gameplay looks more or less the same, with the addition of being able to grapple hook. I see that they decided to keep the "rounded" looks for the covenant from the previous game. I miss the sharp armors from older games.

State of Decay 3
A teaser, and looks like it's set in winter. I am surprised they are making the third game, considering the 2nd one didn't do so well.

Forza Motorsport
Didn't care for any racing games, don't care now, and probably will never care. NEXT!

Everwild
Looks to be a fantasy adventure game. They said this comes from in-engine, and the game looks colorful. IDK, this seems to show the capability of next-gen better than Halo Infinite

Tell me why
Well, I am sure rule 34 and SFW artists totally aren't going to fond all over this game. Looks like a story-driven game set in our world. Hopefully, there will be enough gameplay, and not too much of interactive-cutscenes.

Ori and the will of the wisps on the next-gen
Well, I am ready to cry again in 4k, 120 fps. Still nothing new here

Outer Worlds DLC: Peril on Gorgon
While I love the base game, I do hope this dlc isn't Xbox exclusive

Grounded
Being shrunk and fighting the insects that live in our backyards. I feel like I am going to love this game.

Avowed
Supposed to be the next RPG that the Obsidian is working on. Although it's just teaser, I am excited to see what they have in store

As Dusk Falls
An interactive drama? So like the TTG games, accept even less gameplay? I'll pass

Psychonauts 2
I am not familiar with the first game at all. But I know it became a cult-classic. So I can see why some people would love this game. Even got Jack Black song! The game looks to be a 3d platformer, and I am glad that it is so. Because I haven't played any good 3d platformer since Super Mario Odyssey.

Destiny 2: Beyond Light
I played Destiny 2 on steam. It was fun for the first few days and then it got boring. So this will be another hard pass for me.

STALKER 2
Oh wow, a sequel. Definitely wasn't expecting that. It was a teaser, so I'd have to see more

Warhammer 40000: Darktide
I am not familiar with this franchise. Looks Okay, I suppose

Tetris Effect: Connected
I mean given how successful Tetris 99 was, this multiplayer game might be just as good. Still, it's the classic Tetris game, and nothing new.

The Gunk
IDK, looks boring. Pass

The medium
Looks like a horror game, and it focuses on atmospheric horror rather than jumpscares? Okay, you got my attention

New Genesis: Phantasy Star Online 2
It's as if Xenoblade and Monster Hunter had a baby, and that baby became a cyborg. Might be fun, but eh....

Crossfire X
I think it's trying to be COD killer, but ends up looking just as generic. Oh the irony

a new Fable game
Just as teaser. Don't know if it's a prequel, sequel, or a spin-off. I am just kinda glad it's getting revived.

Overall
They started strong with more well-known games, but kinda fell apart by the end. I feel like they were trying to throw as many teasers as possible, but it only ended up questioning whether I should get the Xbox series X. There were barely any actual gameplays, and Halo Infinite just looked alright. A lot of indie games, and while I'm glad that Microsoft is supporting so many devs, none of these games really managed to capture me.

7/10, still better than EA play

 

[CriticalGaming]

WEll you beat me to the post by like ten seconds. DAMNIT!!!

Here are my thoughts.

Yo guys welcome to Microsoft Xbox we heard you all loud and clear. You want shooter games. We've got you covered with Xbox Series X, check out all these shooter games!!!!

So seriously. Lets talk about what we saw at the Xbox Event.

We saw Halo Infinite, and it certainly looks like a Halo game. I was kind of hoping to see something new out of the Halo series for a change, but it doesn't really look any different from any other Halo game (besides the graphics). I guess there is a grappling hook now. I am not super interested in Halo to begin with, but did you Halo fans see anything of note that excites you?

We saw an expansion to The Outer Worlds which looks cool, but clearly the coolest thing of the show was Avowed right? Obsidian already made the better version of Fallout, now they're coming for Skyrim. Seems legit.

Psychonaughts 2 has Jack Black in it and that's pretty much a win i suppose.

Warhammer Left 4 Dead.

I mean it looks like Microsoft has games. But I think my problem with what I saw was I didn't see anything really stand out. I saw a lot of shooters that kind of blended together in my mind minutes after the show was over. Between Stalker 2, the warhammer thing, Crossfade, I think a few others probably, I just don't remember them.

I do like that we are getting a new Fable.....or maybe a remake of the original Fable....it wasn't clear.

One thing to note that yet again there wasn't a lot of gameplay. Senua 2 showed nothing. The new Rare game Everwild showed nothing. Fable Nothing. Warhammer Nothing. Avowed nothing.

I dunno, I didn't see anything to make me care. Though I will admit I'd play Avowed and Fable.

 

[CriticalGaming]

@FakeSympathy I'm betting that Grounded is a battle royal fortnite clone.

 

[SilentPony]

Warhammer Darktide. Sub Level 6. Faulty flashlight. Swarms of Chaos mutants.
Looks, smells and quacks like Left 4 Dead 2, which is great since I kept using mods to make my L4D2 experience 40k themed. Not sure its worth spending $80000+ on the new console and controllers and power chords and probably $700+ for the game on launch.

 

[CriticalGaming]

Warhammer Darktide. Sub Level 6. Faulty flashlight. Swarms of Chaos mutants.
Looks, smells and quacks like Left 4 Dead 2, which is great since I kept using mods to make my L4D2 experience 40k themed. Not sure its worth spending $80000+ on the new console and controllers and power chords and probably $700+ for the game on launch.

My first thought was a Left 4 Dead style game, but then it seemed weird that they would also promote a State of Decay 3 in the same show. But I can't think of anything else that Warhammber game would be other than a Left 4 Dead horde shooter.

 

[Aegix Drakan]

New Genesis: Phantasy Star Online 2
It's as if Xenoblade and Monster Hunter had a baby, and that baby became a cyborg. Might be fun, but eh....

As someone already playing PSO2 (even WITH the irritating issues on PC, and having to use a fanmade launcher to play)...I'm quite excited. It looks like the already fun game I enjoy, but prettier, with larger environments, and more big bosses.

As long as they don't fuck up the PC launch again, this is gonna be awesome.

 

[meiam]

Glad they're doing state of decay 3, I think 2 suffered from the studio tryign to make an mmo after the success of the first one whihc just wasted a ton of time and capital for nothing.

Still haven't played outer wilds since it's still in epic jail, hopefully when it come to steam the DLC will be included in it.

Stalker 2, cool stuff, I tried to get into the first one a long time after it was release and its was just a bit too janky for my taste but I'm interested.

Oh not directly related, but they're having a sale on steam for microsoft game, got gears tactics for half price, not even 3 month after release, release date price are a joke nowaday, if you needed one more reason not to buy day one.

 

[Worgen]

My main thought is "neat, halo infinite is coming to pc, hope its good."

Also Warhammer Dark Tide sounds neat, but I want more info.

Actually watched the Halo trailer, wait, is it open world? Also why the hell are you fighting elites? (never mind, no spoilers, haven't played halo 4 or 5. Even though I'm sure the answer will be stupid and will annoy me.)

 

[CriticalGaming]

I like how the official Playstation twitter account is showing off the games that Xbox showed that will also be on Playstation. Like Obsidian's games, and a few others. Like saying, "Yeah we'll have that shit too Microsoft, you got nothing."

 

[SilentPony]

My first thought was a Left 4 Dead style game, but then it seemed weird that they would also promote a State of Decay 3 in the same show. But I can't think of anything else that Warhammber game would be other than a Left 4 Dead horde shooter.

Its weird its Guardsman as they're well...men. Dudes and dudettes. If anyone was meant to be the unstoppable horde killing machines of the 40k world it'd be Space Marines. I just hope it doesn't have the goofy, camp, "its all fake" theme of Left 4 Dead where its implied its a movie set and/or an Aperture science test.

 

[XsjadoBlayde]

Somewhat interesting. Now all Microsoft has to do is not cancel them all!

 

[BrawlMan]

Somewhat interesting. Now all Microsoft has to do is not cancel them all!

For their sake, I hope they don't make the mistake again.

I saw the showcase, and it's a C. My main problem is that they have way too many CG trailer. I will give Halo Infinite credit for going the open-level/multiple pathways linear design. I also noticed a bit of Bulletstorm with the electric leash and some Doom (2016) influence too. Still not a Halo fan, but I am sure the audience for that game will be happy. Looking miles better the shit that was 5. Psychonauts 2 & The Gunk were my main highlights for the showcase.

 

[Hawki]

did you Halo fans see anything of note that excites you?

No.

Also why the hell are you fighting elites? (never mind, no spoilers, haven't played halo 4 or 5. Even though I'm sure the answer will be stupid and will annoy me.)

The answer's from Halo Wars 2, namely that in Infinte, you're

Spoiler

Fighting the Banished, and sangheili are part of the Banished.[/quote]

I'd hardly call that a spoiler, but just in case.

 

[CriticalGaming]

No.

Social media in general is a bunch of people upset by this showcase. I see a lot of people going, "Welp I guess I'm getting a PS5" or things of that nature.

I think they fucked up by having too much trailer and not enough gameplay. Like cinematics always look good, but outside of Halo, Medium, and Crossfade, did we see any actual gameplay from anything else? I might have missed it but I don't think we really saw much.

Sure PS5's show had a lot of trailer, but I feel like there was more gameplay in there. Or maybe I was just more interested. I don't really know, but I felt really fucking underwhelmed by Microsoft's show overall.

 

[Hawki]

Social media in general is a bunch of people upset by this showcase. I see a lot of people going, "Welp I guess I'm getting a PS5" or things of that nature.

I think they fucked up by having too much trailer and not enough gameplay. Like cinematics always look good, but outside of Halo, Medium, and Crossfade, did we see any actual gameplay from anything else? I might have missed it but I don't think we really saw much.

For Halo specifically, I'm not miffed at the lack of gameplay, I'm miffed that the gameplay looks so basic.

Also, the story, of what little we know, still looks off. Like, Halo 5 ends with the threat of the Created, and now we're fighting the Banished. Like, is this meant to be a case of humanity being scattered and coming into contact with the Banished as they both struggle to survive, or did 343 just ditch the whole thing? Dunno. But I've said it before and I'll say it again, if 343 wanted to do a "spiritual reboot," it shouldn't have come in the middle of a trilogy.

 

[Worgen]

No.



The answer's from Halo Wars 2, namely that in Infinte, you're

Spoiler

Fighting the Banished, and sangheili are part of the Banished.

Spoiler

I'd hardly call that a spoiler, but just in case.

[/QUOTE]

That just brings up more questions since at the end of Halo 3, it seemed like the UNSC and the Sangheili were kinda tight.

 

[Hawki]

That just brings up more questions since at the end of Halo 3, it seemed like the UNSC and the Sangheili were kinda tight.

The sangheili aren't monolithic (the amount of factions they splintered into post-war is testament to that). But the Banished formed during the war, and had sangheili (and other species) in their ranks.

 

[BrawlMan]

The sangheili aren't monolithic (the amount of factions they splintered into post-war is testament to that). But the Banished formed during the war, and had sangheili (and other species) in their ranks.

Why do I get the feeling what you just described amounts to all there in the manual/lore or read the EU novels or tie-in novels.

 

[Hawki]

Why do I get the feeling what you just described amounts to all there in the manual/lore or read the EU novels or tie-in novels.

It's there, but not "all there." The Banished at least are fully fleshed out in Halo Wars 2, there's no ambiguity, whereas Halo 4 does a terrible job at explaining things.

 

[SilentPony]

SNIP

My read was the Spaghetti and humans were like the humans and Klingons. Totally bros, but yeah they'll fight every now and then