INSIDE XBOX — ALL TRAILERS AND REVEALS
Microsoft just live-streamed their Inside Xbox event under the banner of Xbox 20/20. They promised to reveal a “first look at Xbox Series X gameplay” — that’s exactly what we got.
We’re going to breakdown the games and details shown in the presentation. You can also find the full event on Youtube here.
INSIDE XBOX GAME STUDIOS
Inside Xbox showed off a load of new and expected titles coming to the Series X, so let’s break down what we saw. We’ve also been introduced to Smart Delivery. A feature for certain games that means if you buy it on Xbox One, you’ll get it for free on Xbox Series X.
BRIGHT MEMORY INFINITE
Our first reveal was a new and unexpected title. Bright Memory Infinite is a FPS-shooter that blends sci-fi and fantasy aesthetics to bring a Titanfall-esque fluid shooter. The trailer below shows off fast and fluid gameplay in a rustic setting. Which begs the question… what exactly is this game? Only time will tell.
DIRT 5
CodeMasters are back with another racing title — Dirt 5. Yes you’re reading that right, Dirt 5 is finally coming, and to Xbox Series X. The game will have different biomes, so players will be drifting around New York, Norway, and China.
We also learn about some changes, apparently there will be more agency in career mode, in terms of weather, car hardware and more. Another massive detail is that Dirt 5 will have four player split screen.
Dirt 5 has pulled out a massive surprise though, in that the player character will be voiced by Nolan North, and their mentor is voiced by Troy Baker. Inside Xbox call them the dynamic duo, and they certainly aren’t wrong.
Dirt 5 will also have Smart Delivery available when it launches.
SCORN
We’re also getting a game that looks straight out of the Alien franchise, or something very close to it. A trailer that opens with a very Prometheus inspired setting shows off H.R. Giger looking landscapes and architecture . It’s all very ambient and monochrome. This game, Scorn, doesn’t give us much to go off — but it looks very promising.
Developed by Ebb Software Xbox are currently describing it as an “atmospheric first-person horror adventure currently in development”. So we’ll be seeing more of it in the coming months.
CHORUS
Space combat never looked so good.
Xbox have described this game as “a new space-flight combat shooter releasing in 2021. Become Nara and Forsaken, her sentient starfighter, on a compelling, personal journey of redemption. Unlock devastating weapons and mind-bending abilities in a true evolution of the space-combat shooter. Explore breath-taking interstellar vistas, ancient temples and venture beyond our waking reality. Outgun, outwit, and outmaneuver your enemies in an epic quest to free the galaxy from oppression.”
Keep it locked to find out more.
NFL 21
This one isn’t exactly all that surprising, Xbox Series X is going to be getting a new NFL 21. But the biggest news coming from this reveal is that if you buy Madden NFL 21 on Xbox One, you’ll get it for free on Xbox Series X as part of the Smart Delivery service.
It’s more Madden NFL, what else is there to say?
VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE — BLOODLINES 2
We got an absolutely bonkers trailer for Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2. A game all about Christmas, crime, and being crass. Although as the trailer goes on it looks more like Dishonoured. Except with vampires.
CALL OF THE SEA
Call of the Sea presents itself as a narrative FPS game like FireWatch, and it looks drop dead gorgeous. The below trailer showcases stunning jungle and underwater environments. It looks like it’ll be a bright and bombastic narrative opener for the Xbox Series X.
Xbox said:
“Call of the Sea is an otherworldly adventure game set in the 1930s South Pacific. Explore a lush island paradise and puzzle out the secrets of a lost civilization in the hunt for your husband’s missing expedition.”
THE ASCENT
An isometric shooter in a Cyberpunk style world. The Ascent will see players taking back a city on the brink, offering up solid isometric twin stick shooter action to boot.
THE MEDIUM
This next-gen phycological game, with Akira Yamaoka — the composer of the Silent Hill games attached, sees a world crumbling away. The developers behind Layers of Fear are being this one, and they’ve said The Medium the ‘spirit world’. You’ll control a ‘Medium’ — someone who can travel between the regular and spirit worlds. Think Psychonauts with more scares.
Akira Yamaoka was also talked about. And his music will aim to bring similar Silent Hill ‘heavy vibes’. Providing an immense sense of atmosphere, which makes The Medium very exciting.
It’ll also have no loading screens and a solid 60fps to boot, which is great.
SCARLET NEXUS
Scarlet Nexus is an anime psycho-kinesis action game, and looks like Mementos from Persona 5. The trailer description reads:
“In a far distant future, humanity’s last hope falls into the hands of an elite group of psionic soldiers, who battle an invincible threat known as, Others. Unravel the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technology and psychic abilities”
SECOND EXTINCTION
Second Extinction is a squad multiplayer game on post apocalyptic earth. It looks like realistic Borderlands, without the witty banter. The trailer below showcases what players can expect. Oh, and it has Dinosaurs, what’s not to love?
“Second Extinction is an intense 3 player co-op FPS, where you work as a team to take down large groups of savage mutated dinosaurs. Fight through a maelstrom of bullets, bombs, teeth, claws and gore, it’s up to you to reclaim Earth!”
YAKUZA: LIKE A DRAGON
The next entry in the Yakuza franchise got a trailer, that’s Yakuza: Like A Dragon, which confirms that it’ll be a Day 1 launch title on Xbox Series X.
“Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.”
ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA
Ubisofts viking simulator got some great gameplay. We got confirmation that ship exploration and combat will be coming back to the franchise after Assassins Creed Odyssey. It also looks like we’ll be getting large scale battles back too, maybe even with a sort of siege mechanic on top of that.
Watch the trailer below.
Sadly though, despite saying it was ‘gameplay directly from the game’ we didn’t get that vibe. It all looked like the trailer we got recently more than actual gameplay. The games Director, Ashraf Ismail, confirmed all the above though. He also said that the player will be going to England in the hopes of creating a new settlement. They’ll create raiding parties, and engage in local politics with kings. Apparently the combat in Assassins Creed Valhalla will also see a revamp — in its visceral nature, and duel wielding weapons.
Inside Xbox also confirmed that Assassins Creed Valhalla will have Smart Delivery, meaning if you buy it on Xbox One, you’ll get it on Xbox Series X.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR INSIDE XBOX?
Microsoft told us to keep it locked to their streaming platforms over the coming months, as we’ll be getting monthly updates as part of Xbox 20/20 on all things Xbox Series X. Come back around to Culture of Gaming when that happens to be updated on everything next-gen.
Inside Xbox is shaping up to be an intense monthly event.
Want to know more about Xbox 20/20? Then click here. Don’t forget to let us know what you thought in the comments below or o Twitter @thecognetwork. As always, thanks for reading COG!