Xbox Games Showcase, a highly anticipated event on this year’s gaming calendar, has just wrapped up. A multitude of trailers and insights were left behind from the event, as studios directly aligned with the Xbox brand unveiled their upcoming releases. The Bethesda-led Starfield Showcase, in particular, seemed to leave everyone extremely impressed.
Following the somewhat lackluster PlayStation Showcase that took place in the preceding weeks, all eyes were on Microsoft. They had promised a deluge of trailers and exciting new announcements a few days prior. After reviewing the list below, you can judge for yourself whether they delivered on their promise.
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Xbox Games Showcase 2023: Every Big Game That Announced
An array of new trailers debuted during the showcase, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours. Some of them were for games whose development was already known to the public, such as Fable and Starfield. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that it was a rather impressive display.
Here’s a rundown of the new trailers and details that were revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase:
- Fable reboot revealed its first trailer, spiced with a comedic touch.
- South of Midnight, a new game from the developers of We Happy Few, was announced.
- Star Wars: Outlaws takes the franchise open world — world premiere trailer is here.
- Persona 3 remake is a complete overhaul, with a modern look.
- Persona 5 Tactica has a confirmed release date of November 17, 2023 — announcement trailer.
- Obsidian’s Avowed received its first trailer — and they look incredible.
- A new trailer for Hellblade 2 disclosed that the game will launch in 2024.
- The latest Forza Motorsport announced its release date — October 10, 2023.
- Three new Starfield trailers were launched: Story, Gameplay, and Deep-dive.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the first significant story expansion, was announced.
- Xbox unveiled a first-party exclusive game: Clockwork Revolution.
- Last but certainly not least — a new black Xbox Series S model was revealed.
Xbox’s announcements are not limited to these. Projects like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Cities: Skylines II, Payday 3, and Fallout 76’s new DLC will also be released in the coming months.
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Starfield Direct
Following the Xbox Showcase, there was a dedicated show entirely focused on Starfield. In this segment, every aspect of the game was elaborated in detail. We’ll discuss the specifics shortly, but it’s worth stating up front: Starfield is set to be the largest game that Bethesda has ever developed.
From our observations during the Starfield Direct, several points stood out. Firstly, the character creation screen is incredibly detailed and comprehensive. You have the freedom to fine-tune your character down to the minutest detail. Moreover, the developers stressed that this screen won’t be solely cosmetic, with the assurance that “You will be whoever you want to be in Starfield.”
A second noteworthy aspect is the revamped dialogue system. In the majority of Bethesda RPGs, the dialogue typically doesn’t hold much significance. Moreover, it has been criticized for leading to nearly identical outcomes, regardless of the choices made. However, with Starfield, this is set to change entirely.
Our third point regarding gameplay is the way gravity influences the game. Unlike the slow and unpaced combat of Fallout 76, fights in Starfield will be quick and influenced by gravity. Specifically, the combat system will feel significantly different depending on how your character’s ability points are utilized.
In addition to these three key points, here are other points we noted from Starfield Direct:
- You can create, modify and upgrade your spaceships.
- Space exploration is a big deal in this game.
- There are bunch of different cities, towns and settlements.
- Starfield will be a mix of all previous Bethesda RPGs and Mass Effect, Prey and Stellaris.
Starfield will be released for PC and Xbox Series X|S on September 6, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Starfield Have a Collector’s Edition?
Yes, Starfield Constellation Edition is the Collector’s Edition. Those who opt for this edition will gain numerous advantages, spanning both digital and physical rewards. These include a five-day early access, entitlement to the first story DLC, unique in-game item skins, a Steelbook Display case, a Starfield Chronomark smartwatch, and a NASA-style watch case. The pricing for this edition remains undisclosed for the time being, however, leaks suggest it will exceed $320.
Is Black Xbox Series S Any Good?
Revealed at the end of the Xbox Games Showcase, the new black Xbox Series S is set to launch featuring a 1TB SSD. As such, it’s expected to deliver superior performance compared to the original version. That said, there are no enhancements with respect to graphics power or processing capabilities in the new version. While the Series X should always be your primary choice, the Series S remains an impressive gaming console.
Is Star Wars: Outlaws on PC?
Yes, Star Wars: Outlaws is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2024. Given that this will be the franchise’s debut open world game, excitement is certainly warranted. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the game will be an entirely single-player experience. So, following the Star Wars Jedi series, prepare yourself for an even more epic and unique narrative journey.
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