It felt that E3 2021 got moving on day two with the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, and Square Enix Presents. Xbox and Bethesda blew the show out of the water with trailer after trailer, totaling 30 games, 27 of which will be available on Game Pass. There is so much to cover with E3 Xbox announcements, so let’s get right into it.
E3 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase
Starfield
Release Date: November 11, 2021
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Game Pass
Coming out of the gate hot, Todd Howard gave us our first glimpse into Starfield. Nearly 25 years in the making, Starfield is set hundreds of years in the future. The in-game teaser showcased an astronaut moving through a space ship, and then preparing for takeoff. Even though there wasn’t a lot of information given, we did get a release date. From the creators of Fallout 4, and Skyrim you know this will be epic on a massive scale. With Xbox’s partnership with Bethesda, we learned that this is going to be an Xbox exclusive and will be available on Xbox Game Pass.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 Heart of Chernobyl
Release Date: April 28, 2022
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Game Pass
We got our first look at S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 which is set in Russia, and what a gorgeous gameplay trailer it was! The level of detail, sound mechanics, and graphics jumped out of the screen. This first-person horror game will keep you on the edge of your seat. The trailer showcased new enemy types, environments, and gameplay mechanics. Next year can’t come soon enough.
Contraband
Release Date: No Release Window
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Game Pass
We got a first look at Contraband, a new I.P from Avalanche Studios Group (Just Cause). The teaser trailer showcases what seems to be a heist game. What we do know is that this will be a co-op open world game set in the 1970s.
Sea of Thieves: A Pirates Life DLC
Release date: June 22, 2021
Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean cross over is coming to Sea of Thieves—a free-to-play DLC as part of season three. Your favorite characters from Pirates of the Caribbean are back: Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones, and more. With new enemy types, characters, and locations, you can jump back into Sea of Thieves for some more pirate action.
More Bethesda Games Come to Xbox Game Pass
Ten more Bethesda titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass, totaling 30 Bethesda games. Big name titles are joining the library including Doom Eternal, Skyrim and Fallout 76.
Halo Infinite
Release Date: Holiday 2021
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Xbox Game Pass
Halo Infinite Multiplayer will be free to play and support crossplay over PC and Xbox. We saw a new story trailer breaking down Master Chiefs quest, as well as an extended look at Halo Infinite Multiplayer. The fast-paced multiplayer combat was a star in this first look, and felt like something all Halo fans will absolutely love! After being delayed, we have a new release date Holiday 2021, and I can’t wait.
Diablo 2 Resurrected
Release Date: September 23, 2021
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC
We got an extended look at Diablo 2 Resurrected and a release date. The remastered footage looks incredible. For those Diablo fans out there, you’re not going to want to miss this.
The Outer Worlds 2
Release Date: No Release Window
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Xbox Game Pass
I feel like it was just yesterday I was playing Outer Worlds and absolutely loving it. As the teaser indicates, the developers have only finished the title. They don’t have a storyline, art style, or additional news. What we do know is that it will be another Xbox Exclusive with Xbox’s and Bethesda’s partnership.
Forza Horizon 5
Release Date: November 9, 2021
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Xbox Game Pass
We also got an extended first gameplay look at the gorgeous Forza Horizon 5, set in Mexico. Ray Tracing, particle graphics, and sound design made the trailer feel incredibly immersive. If you are a racing fan, you know Forza always sets the bar high. The open world Mexico location is vibrant and beaming with life. They also paired up with real life artists to feature their artwork in game. A new toolset called “Events Lab” allows you to create your own races, game modes, and experiences. This seems to be the largest open world Forza has ever made, and we can’t wait to race in Mexico!
New to Xbox Game Pass 2021
The list gets longer and longer, and Xbox fans are loving it! More games are joining the library for Xbox Game Pass. These titles will be available in 2021. Some that caught my eye: Halo Infinite, Psychonauts 2, Yakuza Like a Dragon, and Forza Horizon 5.
Redfall
Release Date: Summer 2022
Platforms: Xbox Exclusive, PC, Xbox Game Pass
Just when you thought it was over, Phil Spencer came out and announced a brand new I.P from Arkane Austin (Prey and Dishonored). It’s a solo or co-op (up to four players) action adventure pitting you against vampires. The town of Redfall has been overtaken and it is up to you and your team to cleanse it. The trailer didn’t have any gameplay, but it did give us a glimpse of character powers. Each character has their specific skill have it be magic, weapons, robotic companions or inventor. This game is on the top of my list, and it looks like I’m getting Xbox Game Pass.
Square Enix Presents
Guardians of the Galaxy
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
We finally know what Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex) has been working on. In Guardians of the Galaxy you play as Peter Quill, aka Star Lord, alongside your companions. What stands out are the new character designs that make this game feel original and unique. As Star Lord, you can direct your team and have them use their unique abilities. They describe it as an action game with tactical elements. They showed two trailers, an announcement trailer and a gameplay trailer. Within the gameplay trailer, we got a feel for combat and how our choices can affect the story.
Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther War for Wakanda DLC
Release Date: August 2021
We got our first glimpse of the Black Panther War of Wakanda DLC in Marvel’s Avengers. Fans are incredibly eager to play as Black Panther. With a new location, new villain, and a new character joining the team, this is going to be exciting. The trailer showcased Klaw facing off against Black Panther in Wakanda, and we also got a first look at Shuri.
Babylon’s Fall
Release Date: No Release Window
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
A new trailer dropped for Babylon’s Fall, an action-RPG, dungeon crawler that can be played with up to four players. A high-octane hack and slash combat game where you are tasked with going through dungeons trying to scale a tower. The difficulty increases with each passing dungeon. The game will have a live service structure.
Final Thoughts
Xbox and Bethesda knocked it out of the park. This has been one of the strongest E3 Xbox showcases I can remember. The showcase was packed with new trailers, new games, and more reasons to get Xbox Game Pass. With the ever-growing library of Xbox Game Pass, how could you not subscribe?
Square Enix showcased its partnership with Marvel, and 2021 seems to be a Marvel-filled year. Day 2 absolutely crushed it for me, and we still have Nintendo on Tuesday. Let us know your favorite E3 Xbox reveals @Adorama!
Feature photo via E3
