Xbox’s Showcase was one for the history books, as it delivered on a number of AAA releases, as well as a couple of surprises that caught us out of left field. But there was just so much. Is it possible to even pick five favorite moments from the whole thing?
After much debating (and a whole lot of “but what if” moments), I have indeed come up with five definitive moments from the Xbox Showcase that you’re likely to agree were big ones for the fans. If you disagree, that’s totally fine, and you can sound off to us on our Twitter feed about it. We’re happy to hear your thoughts.
But, for me personally, here are the five moments that really stood out. Hold on tight!
Gears of War E-Day Proves It’s Still a Mad World
We find it kinda funny, we find it kinda sad. No, who are we kidding, we find it kinda awesome. The Coalition is hard at work on what appears to be a prequel to the Gears of War saga, introducing us to a young Marcus and Dom as they take on the Locust Horde for what appears to be the beginning of their invasion. Though the trailer doesn’t feature any sort of gameplay, it is all done in-engine, which is pretty incredible to say the least. There’s no release date just yet, but 2025 or even early 2026 seem likely. Whatever the case, we can’t wait.
Perfect Dark Exists!
Say what you want about the redesigned Joanna Dark or the lack of any sort of briefcase gun (well, yet), but it appears that The Collective and Crystal Dynamics are moving right along with their mega-reboot of the classic Rare property. A dangerous terrorist must be stopped at all cost, and it’s up to Jo (that’s what they call her) to save the day. This one looks like it’s coming together nicely with its dialed-in combat, and the visuals appear to be on par with what the series has to offer. Definitely looks like a step up from Zero, tell you what.
MixTape Looks Like a Rad Time
Indie games usually thrive on their own special beat, something that resonates nicely with the audience. With Beethoven & Dinosaur (that’s the best developer name ever, by the way), it’s all about three kids discovering a wonderful, imaginative road trip to the tune of 80’s classics like “More Than This.” The end result definitely looks like it’ll be a great deal of fun, even for those that don’t usually dive into story-based games. We’re definitely interested in diving into this mix – provided the cassette tape doesn’t accidentally unspool on us. We hate that.
Doom Gets Medieval
We knew id Software was cooking up something special, but a gun that grinds down skulls to create deadly bullets? A shield that doubles as a razor-tipped throwing blade that would make Kung Lao blush? A medieval setting that truly serves for some mighty battles? Doom: The Dark Ages has all this, and even though it’s a ways off from its 2025 release, it definitely holds a great deal of promise. Plus you get to bloody the hell out of demons, and that’s never a bad thing.
Do a Happy Dance For Indiana Jones
Though there wasn’t too much actual gameplay featured, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle seems to be going the right way when it comes to development. The latest trailer shows him and his colleague facing off against a bunch of Nazi thugs aboard a frozen ship, one that appears to be on the verge of collapse. What follows is a cinematic moment that definitely feels like it belongs with the adventurer. We can’t wait to get our hands on this one and, more importantly, get a chance to outrun a giant boulder.
BONUS: Relax, Fable Looks Good
We remember all the hubbub a few months ago when people were freaking out about how ugly the main girl looked in Fable. (“Did you guys even learn from beauty school?”) But, surprise, the new trailer of Playground Games’ forthcoming reboot arrived, and it doesn’t look bad at all. It continues to carry the good vibes of previous games, while preparing for an epic new adventure. What’s more, Eidos Montreal is on board for development, and they certainly know their stuff as Deus Ex has shown. We’ll have to wait a bit, but this adventure looks to be a worthwhile one. Plus, hey, Matt King!
What are your favorite moments? Sound off! Watch the full Xbox Showcase here
