The year 2024 is off to a great start when it comes to video game events, with Xbox Developer Direct initiating what will hopefully be a great year in gaming. We got a bunch of awesome new trailers for upcoming Xbox titles that have been much anticipated for so long.
For those unaware of how this event works, during Xbox Developer Direct, the developers of the upcoming first-party titles will present them in their full glory. After all, who better to show off video games than the masterminds behind them themselves?
Xbox Developer Direct 2024 – What Was Announced?
Xbox has been on a roll lately, especially with this month’s already-released Game Pass lineup. With this event, it’s clear that Xbox is off to a great start. With updates on the new Indiana Jones game, Avowed, and so much more, here’s everything major that you need to know that the event showcased.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Gets Its First Ever Trailer
Ever since it was announced, the Indiana Jones game has caused quite a stir in the gaming community. Many were wondering whether or not it could live up to the intense expectations that they rightfully had since the franchise is so legendary.
Nevertheless, developed by the masterminds behind the Wolfenstein series, the Indiana Jones game looks to be living up to the hype. Even Todd Howard makes an appearance to reveal that he chose the MachineGames Studio himself.
The trailer showed the game’s epic visuals, along with it’s awesome first-person gameplay and adventurous spirit. Fistfights, the iconic whip, a shovel, and a revolver seem to be your main means of combat.
Obviously, there’s also a huge emphasis placed on the puzzles. After all, it wouldn’t be Indiana Jones without discovery.
For cutscenes and environmental traversal, the game will go in third person to make the fans of the franchise feel more at home, especially seeing things like Indi’s iconic silhouette.
This game also happens to be set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade.
Coming later this year for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass.
Avowed Gets a Deep Dive into What Fans Can Expect from the RPG, Including Its Intricate Combat System
The geniuses behind the legendary Fallout: New Vegas revealed a ton about what the gameplay experience will be like in the upcoming Avowed during Xbox Developer Direct. The game not only looks gorgeous, but it also seems to have many varieties when it comes to combat.
You’ve got pistols, wands, swords and shields, bows, spells, and much more. A huge emphasis is being placed on playing how you want. Custom weapon loadouts are interchangeable on the fly, which will end up making combat all the more fun.
Just like in New Vegas, the choices you make during the game’s quests will have a big impact on how the story pans out. This is great to hear because it means that Obsidian is doing what they’re great at yet again.
Avowed releases in Fall 2024 for the Xbox Series X|S, PC, and is also coming to Game Pass.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is Taking What Made the First Exceptional and is Perfecting it
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is continuing the first game’s epic story, with Senua’s journey taking quite a drastic turn. As the devs put it, we’ll be seeing much more of her psychosis part of the story.
The gameplay seems to be even more brutal than the original, and that’s saying something. This time around, there’s an even bigger emphasis being placed on sound and using it for spatial awareness. The original was already quite unforgiving, but this game seems to be taking it to a whole different level.
Considering that the first game got nearly perfect scores, it’ll be interesting to see if the sequel can actually live up to it or even potentially be better. From what we’ve seen so far, this is very plausible, and Hellblade 2 may just be a title that should have a close eye kept upon.
Coming May 21 on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Square Enix Surprises Everyone with Visions of Mana
No one could have expected Square Enix to be making an appearance like this at an Xbox show, but during Xbox Developer Direct, the company showcased the next entry into the beloved Mana series, which was originally a spinoff Final Fantasy title.
Regardless, Visions of Mana looks phenomenal, and the monsters were all designed by the series creator. These monsters do have frightening abilities that you have to be careful about. Pikuls, who are your cute and cuddly companions throughout your journey, seem to be awesome mascots for the franchise going forward.
With a total of 100 tracks in its soundtrack, the way the background music is implemented changes depending on your current status in the game world. Square never disappoints with the soundtrack, so it’ll be cool to see what they do with Visions of Mana.
We also got to see quite a bit of combat gameplay from the upcoming title. As Square puts it, it is putting the action in ‘action-RPG.’ Aerial combat may be the way to go this time around, as the devs really seem to be favoring it. But this is huge news for Xbox fans.
Coming Summer 2024 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Oxide Shows off Ara: History Untold and It’s Awesome
This part of the event started off with a bang. As Oxide put it, 100 instruments were used to make the soundtrack. Strategy games have been on the decline for quite a while now, but Ara: History Untold wants to revive the genre. In Ara, you’re the leader of your own nation. The Living World is where you’ll be doing all the
History plays a huge role in the world of Ara. You can create awesome structures and build the nation you want to make in this epic title.
Ara, unlike other strategy games, requires you to make simultaneous decisions rather than making one, waiting for your opponent to make theirs, and so on and so forth. This makes the game fast and much more engaging.
Coming Fall 2024 for PC and PC Game Pass.
And that’s all from Xbox Developer Direct 2024. Let us know in the comments below if any of these games have piqued your interest.
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