Xbox Bethesda Showcase 2022 Announcement Roundup
Are you ready Xbox fans? I've gathered every announcement and trailer that appeared during the 90-minute showcase, let's jump in!
The hotly anticipated Xbox Bethesda Showcase has come and gone, dropping some major announcements and gameplay trailers for games coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC and beyond. One interesting note before diving in to all the announcements: Microsoft has stated that everything below will be released in the next 12 months. Seems like a tall order for some of these titles, but it's exciting because a ton of diverse games are coming our way.
Here's everything announced at this year's Xbox Bethesda showcase:
Redfall
The first trailer shown during the presentation was for Redfall, a new IP from Bethesda. The trailer sets up more of the game's story, which appears to center around a group of survivors who must band together to survive against a vampire threat:
Hollow Knight: Silksong
The 2D action-adventure game takes place in the vast, ruined kingdom of Hallownest. In the sequel to critically acclaimed Metroidvania, "Hollow Knight" you will hunt, survive, and vanquish.
High on Life
From the wild imagination of Justin Roiland (creator of Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites) comes a new game High On Life. Roiland's Sqaunch Games will be handling the development of the zany looking first person shooter. As you might expect the storyline is out there: An alien cartel is attempting to use humans as drugs, and it's up to you to befriend brave, talking weapons, defeat Garmantulous and his gang, and save the world!
Riot Games comes to PC Game Pass
Riot Games announced that a massive catalog of its games are coming to Xbox Game Pass on PC. This includes League of Legends with All Champions Unlocked, League of Legends: Wild Rift with all Champions Unlocked, Legends of Runeterra is hitting PC with the Foundations Set Unlocked, Teamfight Tactics with Select Little Legends Unlocked, and Valorant with All Agents Unlocked.
A Plague’s Tale Requiem Extended Gameplay Trailer
In A Plague Tale: Requiem, continue the story of Amicia and Hugo as they fight to survive in medieval France. The latest trailer gives us a look at some of the new gameplay mechanics that will be available in Requiem, as well as a glimpse at the game's stunning visuals.
Forza Motorsport will hit the track in 2023
Hardcore racing fans rejoice, Forza Motorsport has pulled out of the paddock and we got a first look at gameplay. The trailer for Forza Motorsport looks like a visual feast for motor heads and the title looks to be a return to form for the franchise. The trailer shows off some of the beautiful cars that will be available to race in the game, as well as a few of the exotic locations that will serve as tracks. Forza Motorsport is set to release in "early 2023."
The UNSC Pelican Joins Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft's long-standing aviation franchise will celebrate its 40th birthday with an extended edition launching in November 2022. As part of the showcase an exclusive Halo Infinite Pelican is now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator in collaboration with Halo and 343 Industries. As for the 40th Anniversary Edition releasing this fall, the MS Flight Sim team is partnering with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in a one-of-a-kind collaboration.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is the sequel to Blizzard's popular team-based shooter, and it looks like the game is going to be bigger and better than ever. The latest trailer gave us a look at some of the new and reworked characters that will be joining the game, as well as a few of the new locations that will be available to battle in.
ARA: History Untold
History Untold is a new take on turn-based historical grand strategy from developer Oxide Games. Your actions will determine the world you create, your experience, and your legacy in this innovative twist on the genre.
Fallout 76 - Expeditions: The Pitt
The trailer gives us a look at the next major content update for Fallout 76. We got a look at new enemies that the player will be up against, as well as different locations that will be available to explore. This fall, Expeditions: The Pitt will bring new challenges for fans across an ever-expanding dystopian world when it releases. Explore uncharted territory and forge partnerships, take on new dangers, and claim all-new goodies when the update goes live this September:
Forza Horizon 5 - Hot Wheels Expansion
The Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels expansion was announced and it will take drivers into the clouds above New Mexico. The trailer gives us a look at some of the new cars that will be available to race in the game, as well as a few of the new tracks that will be available to race on. With 80 distinct, snappable track pieces, create your own Hot Wheels journey with this larger-than-life take on the toy car set. In this DLC, you'll be able to race 10 incredible new vehicles, including the lightning-fast 2021 Hennessey Venom F5 and the iconic 2000 Hot Wheels Deora II.
The paid expansion will be available July 19th, 2022 and require the orginal Forza Horizon 5 base game to play.
Ark 2
The trailer for the long-awaited sequel to Ark: Survival Evolved was shown by developer Studio Wildcard. The trailer gives us a look at some of the new features that will be available in the game, as well as a few of the new locations that will be available to explore.
Scorn
Discover a frightening and very unsettling labyrinth in Scorn. Explore a once industrial civilization that now lay in ruins as a desolate hellscape. You'll explore a bleak, post-apocalyptic world filled with nightmarish bio-mechanical devices in search of unsettling answers to find a way forward. Scorn arrives just in time for Spooky Season this fall on October 21st, 2022.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
In this gameplay reveal, we saw Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn's gunpowder and magic combat for the first time. Take to Flintlock's huge battlefields, and learn how to use and master an arsenal of weapons and mystical powers. Flintlock is currently slated for a early 2023 launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X and day one on Game Pass.
Minecraft Legends
I'm personally excited for this one after adventuring through the stellar Minecraft Dungeons with my 8-year-son. In Minecraft Legends, you'll explore familiar yet mysterious land, full of diverse life, lush biomes, and rich resources. The Piglins have arrived, and they're wreaking havoc in the Overworld. In the game, you must defend your home against invaders and join forces with allies. Minecraft Legends is coming in 2023 on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.
Lightyear Frontier
Start your own interplanetary farm in this tranquil open-world farming game! Build your own sustainable exofarm, cultivate alien plants, and explore a new world full of intrigue with up to three friends. Lightyear Frontier comes to Xbox Series S|X, PC, and Game Pass, Spring 2023.
Gunfire Reborn
Firearm enthusiasts will find a lot to like about Firearms Reborn, which is both a skill-based hero shooter and a roguelite. It's all rendered in an eye-catching cel-shaded style. Play solo or cooperate with others for an exciting journey through picturesque locales. Mix and match 40+ weapons, 100+ scrolls, strong inscriptions, and Ascensions to create build from deadly Sharpshooters to magical Alchemists.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox
Benedict Fox, a self-proclaimed detective bound to his demon companion, descends into a netherworld of forgotten memories to solve crimes. Players will use this bond to delve into the minds of recently deceased victims in search for clues. Coming Spring 2023.
As Dusk Falls
As Dusk Falls is an original interactive drama that will premiere on July 19, 2022. In this unyielding tale of betrayal, sacrifice, and resilience, you must help or hinder characters' lives by making decisions that influence their fates:
Naraka Bladepoint
Naraka Bladepoint is coming to Xbox and Game Pass, with new weapon Dual Blades June 23rd and an all new PVE experience coming this summer.
Pentiment
Pentiment is set in 16th century Bavaria and follows the journey of artist Andreas Maler as he experiences great social upheaval. Josh Sawyer, the game's creative director, leads a group of designers inspired by illuminated manuscripts, woodcut prints, and history itself.
Grounded
Grounded is leaving Game Preview and will launch as full release this September. Learn how the teens got into the yard and what demented scientist is behind it in the fully playable campaign, which can be played alone or with friends. In this next update, new armour + weapon recipes, and the colossal Mantis await.
Ereban Shadow Legacy
Indie developer Baby Robot Games, and publisher Raw Fury, debut Ereban: Shadow Legacy. Ayana, the last descendant of a vanished tribe, is the protagonist of this action-adventure game. You take on the role of Ayana in a fast-paced stealth platformer where you must traverse through dangerous ruins to recover your lost memories and find out about your past. Discover the truth about your past and the key to saving a dying, as you use supernatural abilities, high-tech equipment, and avoid or kill in this turn-based strategy RPG.
Diablo IV
Blizzard announced Diablo 4 is coming to the Xbox Series X, and it's looking impressive on next-gen hardware. During the showcase, the new Necromancer class was introduced as "the final playable class in Diablo IV." With an arsenal of bone-chilling abilities, like Army of the Dead and Bone Storm, you’ll be able to raise minions and wreak havoc, check out the full cinematic trailer:
Along with the introduction of a new class, Blizzard offered up a more in-depth look at the gameplay. So far it's looking macabre, but beautiful in its own "ninth layer of hell" way:
Sea of Thieves - Season Seven Sails Into Port
Rare composed a musical walkthrough of what Sea of Thieves Season Seven will have to offer as Captaincy arrives on July 21, 2022. It's time to become a Captain of Adventure! From purchasing, naming, and customizing ships to saving your loadouts and gaining quick cash-in points, it's time to take the helm.
Ravenlok
Ravenlok is a "fairytale reimagining of a troubled kingdom and a young girl’s destiny to fulfill a dangerous prophecy." The game is coming in 2023 to Xbox consoles, Xbox and PC Game Pass and the Epic Game Store.
COCOON
Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE has new experience for gamers in COCOON. The game looks to take players on "a journey across dimensions within dimensions." Master world-leaping mechanics to unravel a cosmic mystery, check out the game in motion, it needs to be seen to be believed:
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
The game follows the dramatic, action-packed story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty where demons plague the Three Kingdoms. Players fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on the Chinese martial arts, attempting to overcome the odds by awakening the true power from within:
Persona Coming to Xbox Game Pass
Rejoice Xbox fans, Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are coming to Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows! Persona 5 Royal releases this fall on October 21, 2022.
Hideo Kojima Confirms Xbox Game is in Production
In one of the biggest announcements of the showcase Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding) made a surprise appearance. Kojima-san had this to say, “Yes, there is a game I have always wanted to make. It’s a completely new game, one that no one has ever experienced or seen before. I’ve waited very long for the day when I could finally start to create it. With Microsoft’s cutting-edge cloud technology and the change in the industry’s trends, it has now become possible to challenge me to make this never-before-seen concept. It may take some time, but I’m looking forward to teaming up with Xbox Game Studios and hope to bring you some exciting news in the future! Thank you!”
Todd Howard Delivers a Moonshot with 15 Minutes of Starfield Gameplay
The long-awaited sci-fi RPG from Bethesda Game Studios finally received the big gameplay debut fans have been waiting for. The game was first announced back in 2018 and not much has been seen of it since other than concept art and teaser trailers. That changed today with a brand new trailer that gives us our first look at actual gameplay. The trailer shows off the game's massive scale and scope, combat, character and ship building and more. Starfield is currently in development for Xbox Series X|S and PC, but no release date has been announced just yet.
The Full, Uncut Xbox Bethesda Showcase
If you want to experience the 90-minute showcase in its entirety, all the games and big announcements are here in the original cut. From Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and other creators its all here, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show:
That's a wrap on all the main stage announcements from Xbox Bethesda, what was your favourite announcement? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!