Skip to main content

Xbox Games Showcase: 6 highlights from Microsoft’s E3 follow-up

With E3 behind us, Microsoft decided to delve deeper into its recently announced updates and titles at a post-event Xbox Games Showcase.

Not only did we see more gameplay from upcoming Xbox games, but we also got more information on the decisions and work behind the scenes on certain titles, along with a few release date reminders and some surprises. Microsoft also went into more depth on games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Battlefield 2042, and more. Here are six highlights from the broadcast.

Forza Horizon 5 early access

Forza Horizon 5 - Game Overview | Xbox Games Showcase

Forza Horizon 5 is already a must-have for racing game fans and now they can get early access if they so choose. By purchasing the premium edition or the premium edition add-ons, players will be able to play the new Forza days before its November 9 holiday season release.

Relaunch of Xbox Design Lab

Xbox Design Lab | Xbox Games Showcase 2021

The Xbox Design Lab was a great asset to Xbox One owners who wanted to create their own customized controller. After the program went on a slight pause in 2020 to bring in a few updates, it returns today and gives fans the ability to customize the next-gen Xbox Series X|S controller. Players can also now add a custom engraving to their controller for an additional $10.

A closer look at Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts 2 Developer Showcase | Xbox Games Showcase 2021

Psychonauts 2‘s gameplay was explored even more, showcasing new abilities and environments that players will come across when the game finally releases. As fans of the original expected, they will be playing as protagonist Razputin Aquato, and will travel into the psyche of different characters to help them in various ways.

Old enemies like the Censors are returning, along with new ones such as Doubts, Bad Ideas, and Regrets. The showcase also went over Razputin’s abilities. including his psychic punch, blast, pyrokinesis, and levitation, along with plot details and tons of different environments.

New details on The Anacrusis

The Anacrusis Developer Showcase | Xbox Games Showcase 2021

The Anacrusis, a four-player co-op shooter, also made an appearance at the show, providing more details on the upcoming sci-fi title. The game is being called “infinitely replayable” and the systems that contribute to this were shared.

The “A.I. driver” is the main component that brings this roguelike system together. It is said to be what drives everything that happens in the game, including item placement, creatures, health kits, and perks. This allows the game to be a different experience from playthrough to playthrough.

It’s also an adaptive system, so it will analyze you and your group’s playstyles and abilities and changes the game accordingly.

New Plague Tale ports and free updates

A Plague Tale: Innocence - Xbox Series X 4K UHD Reveal Trailer

A Plague Tale fans and newcomers alike don’t only have the sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, to look forward to, but a free update as well. The original A Plague Tale: Innocence is not only making its way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but also the Nintendo Switch as well via a cloud version. A free next-gen update is available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners.

Age of Empires expansions and announcements

Age of Empires 4 - Game Overview | Xbox Games Showcase

While everyone is looking forward to the new Age of Empires 4, the team is still looking out for players of the older titles as well. Age of Empires 2 is receiving an update that adds two more civilizations, the Bohemians and the Pulse, and three new campaigns. This expansion can be paid for separately, but it also comes free to those who pre-order Age of Empires 4.

Age of Empires 3 will also receive an expansion of the future featuring new civilizations and campaigns, though they aren’t ready to be detailed just yet.

Age of Empires 4 also revealed its remaining launch civilizations, the Holy Roman Empire and the Rus, as well as its campaigns, “The Rise of Moscow” and “The Mongol Empire.” This gives the title a total of eight civilizations and four campaigns on launch.

Editors' Recommendations

DeAngelo Epps
De'Angelo Epps is a gaming writer passionate about the culture, communities, and industry surrounding gaming. His work ranges…
2022’s Xbox and Bethesda Showcase is vital for Microsoft
Senua stares ahead wearing war paint.

On June 12, Microsoft will hold its second annual Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Following a series of delays and reports about development issues at Xbox studios, it is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal shows for Xbox ever.
Xbox had a strong showing in 2021 with critically acclaimed games like Forza Horizon 5, Age of Empires IV, and Halo Infinite, but has lost that positive momentum in the first half of this year. As debates rage over just how compelling Xbox’s 2022 lineup is now that Bethesda’s heavy hitters Starfield and Redfall have been delayed until 2023, Microsoft needs to prove why gamers should care about its platforms and services this year, and the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the right place to do that.
First-party woes
The back half of 2022 is looking pretty dire for Microsoft in terms of first-party games it's directly developing or publishing. Originally, it seemed like Microsoft was relying on Bethesda to provide it with two blockbuster titles, but that strategy went out the window when those games were delayed. While Microsoft has announced plenty of games since the Xbox Series X's reveal in 2020, none of them are publicly dated to release this year. It's relying on third-party exclusives like Warhammer 40K: Darktide and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, the latter of which could have its release date impacted further by Russia's war on Ukraine.

This isn't a good situation for Xbox, so the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the best place for the companies to reassure fans that first-party games are actually coming. So, what could possibly be in store? We know for sure that Redfall, Starfield, and Contraband won't release this year. State of Decay 3 and Perfect Dark also seems unlikely due to the reported development trouble both titles are facing. That said, other Microsoft titles could sneak in a 2022 release. To start, Grounded will likely leave early access this year. 
When you consider that Forza Horizon 5 wasn’t revealed until E3 2021 and managed to be one of the best games of the year, it seems likely, if unconfirmed, that Microsoft will put out the next mainline Forza Motorsport this year. The next entry in the series has been in development at Turn 10 for some time and is rumored to be beta testing.
As for its other first-party studios, it's possible that Senua's Sacrifice: Hellblade 2 or Avowed will actually manage to come out this year and fill the void left by Redfall and Starfield. Age of Empires IV and Deathloop could also strengthen the lineup if ported to Xbox consoles this year.
It's also possible that there are announced first-party games slated for this year, like the rumored non-combat RPG from Obsidian's Josh Sawyer, the leaked remaster of Goldeneye 007, or one of the many Xbox Game Studios Projects that were exposed via the Nvidia GeForce Now Leak last year. Xbox Game Studios Publishing could also help bolster the 2022 lineup if As Dusk Falls launches this year and they release some other unannounced games from second-party partners. If any of those guesses are true, this Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the place to confirm it. Microsoft can't afford to wait any longer to show us what's in store from them this year if it has anything at all.
Forza Motorsport - Official Announce Trailer
Other parties
If Microsoft is truly unable to provide that many compelling first-party exclusives this year -- which is a very real possibility -- then it will need to add some extremely noteworthy heavy-hitters to Xbox Game Pass on day one in the back half of 2022. In the 2021 conference, all but two games featured were to be included in Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft needs to repeat that this year, and it would certainly help if many of those games are launching in 2022. Managing to net some of this fall’s big titles like Saints Row, Sonic Frontiers, Gotham Knights, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to be on the service day one would make the lack of exclusives and first-party games would sting less for Xbox fans.
The worst-case scenario for Microsoft here is having no compelling AAA games launch day one on Xbox Game Pass this fall, first-party or not. It might be able to fall back on Xbox Game Studios Publishing, which has partnered with developers outside of Xbox Game Studios to create Xbox-exclusive titles. If Microsoft is not able to provide anything compelling for this year across the board, 2022 could be one of the most disappointing first-party years for Microsoft since 2017.
Gotham Knights would be a very compelling Xbox Game Pass title in 2022.
Whether it’s with secret first- and second-party exclusives or some compelling Xbox Game Pass deals, this is a very important showcase for Xbox. It has spent years acquiring studios to bolster its exclusive lineup but still doesn’t have much in the way of palpable results to show for it. In a tweet after Redfall and Starfield's delay, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer tweeted "These decisions are hard on teams making the games & our fans. While I fully support giving teams time to release these great games when they are ready, we hear the feedback. Delivering quality & consistency is expected, we will continue to work to better meet those expectations." 
While Microsoft having that mindset in the future is appreciated, it could come at a real cost of there not being that many compelling games on the system this year. And if it’s bad, the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase will leave us questioning if we can ever expect consistent results from Xbox. As such, Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda both need to come out strong during this showcase with lots of games. Not just ones for years to come, but for 2022 as well. 

Read more
Forza Horizon 5, Zelda, and more earn wins at E3’s closing awards ceremony
Cars race in Forza Horizon 5.

E3 held a dedicated awards show for all the games that were shown during this year's convention. It closed out night four of the all-digital expo and handed out awards to a select few games from the show.

E3 gave out awards for the most anticipated games from Microsoft and Nintendo and handed out a trophy for the best overall presentation. Here are the winners from last night's ceremony.
Most Anticipated Game Overall: Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 Official Announce Trailer

Read more
The best games from E3 2021: Metroid Dread, Redfall, and more highlights
Redfall

Even when E3 is underwhelming, it still leaves players plenty to be excited about. This year’s all-digital expo was certainly quieter than previous years, but it did give us a much clearer picture of what we’ll be playing in 2021 and beyond.

A lot of that came from Microsoft, which dominated the four-day event with its 90-minute stream. The company made its strongest case yet for the Xbox Series X and Game Pass with games such as Starfield and Redfall. Not to be outdone, however, Nintendo came prepared with one of its strongest showings ever. Games including Metroid Dread and Wario Ware: Get It Together! were true surprises that captivated Switch owners. What were the overall best games of the show? Here were our favorites from the hit-and-miss four-day event.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 -- Game of the Show
Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - E3 2021 Teaser - Nintendo Direct

Read more