Xbox Shows Up Big with Exclusives at Xbox + Betheda E3 2021 Event
Xbox and Bethesda teamed up for the Xbox + Bethesda show at E3 and it’s pretty big. The joint venture initially caught many by surprise, but it does make some sense now that Xbox owns Bethesda. I’ve got the highlights from the show down below, so be sure to let us know what you’re most excited about. I’ve included the entire show at the bottom.
Bethesda first showed off Starfield, a brand new IP! This is a sci-fi title that looks pretty good based on the pre-alpha trailer and will launch as an Xbox exclusive on November 11, 2022. Hopefully, it’s just not the same gameplay as Skyrim and Fallout.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl was shown off touting 4K and ray-tracing. The game certainly looks pretty, and the premise is intriguing. This FPS title will launch next year and has some potential. The hair looks absolutely incredible! The game will be available to play on April 28, 2022.
Next we got Back 4 Blood from Warner Bros. And Turtle Rock Games. The game features 4-player co-op, a swarm mode, PvP, and more. You can play on October 12.
The next exclusive title we’re getting is from Avalanche Studios and Xbox Game Studios. It’s a co-op open world game called Contraband. Sadly, not much was shown.
Xbox Game Studios also showed off new content for Sea of Thieves called A Pirate’s Life. Jack Sparrow from the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is coming. This is sure to get many swashbucklers excited. With him comes Davy Jones as a formidable foe. The new content will be available on June 22.
Yakuza Like a Dragon got some love as well. A ridiculous trailer was shown off for the game that fans love.
A pre-alpha look at Battlefield 2042 came next. The game is looking great and huge and chaotic. I think fans are going to really enjoy this one. You can play this game on October 22.
As a console launch exclusive, Xbox is getting Twelve Minutes which stars Daisey Ridley, William Defoe, James McAvoy. Fans can play this interactive thriller on August 19.
Psychonauts 2 was the next entry and it’s exciting. The first game is a fan-favorite and this one is sure to be even more amazing. The trailer looks incredible and I cannot wait to play Psychonauts 2 on August 25.
Bethesda then announced 10 more games coming to Xbox Game Pass including DOOM Eternal and they showed off 60FPS and ray-tracing in the game that all owners of the game will enjoy. Then, we got a peek at new Fallout 76 content: Steel Reign will launch on July 7 and Expeditions: The Pitt will launch in 2022. The Elder Scrolls Online then teased the new console-enhanced version of the game for Series X|S players which launches tomorrow.
The next game is the adorable and chaotic Party Animal. I’m not a fan of the ragdoll physics, but it still looks like some fun for 2022.
Hades from Supergiant Games is finally coming to Xbox (and PlayStation)! The game is incredible and it was revealed that Xbox players will be able to enjoy it on August 13 on Xbox Game Pass and with a physical launch.
The next launch console exclusive was Somerville. The dramatic trailer showed a family going on a crazy adventure as well as being asleep on the couch. Somerville will launch in 2022.
343 Industries then announced that the multiplayer part of Halo Infinite would be free-to-play. No need to buy the game if you just want to play online and climb the ranks. We got a new look at Halo Infinite and it’s gorgeous. I loved the trailers they showed off. Both the multiplayer and the campaign will launch this Holiday season.
On September 23, fans will be able to play Diablo II: Resurrected. The game will feature 60 fps on the Xbox Series X|S consoles and cross-progression. You can have up to 8 players team up for massive co-op as well.
We then got a dramatic trailer for A Plague Tale: Requiem featuring rats literally flooding the streets of a medieval city. The game will be available in 2022.
Announced at the Ubisoft Forward, we got another look at Far Cry 6. We met Anton Castillo during Ubisoft’s event and now we’re learning what you’ll be able to do as Dani. You can play the game on October 7.
Another console launch exclusive was revealed. This one is Slime Rancher 2 and looks pretty. The creatures are absolutely adorable. You can play in 2022.
The snowboarding game Shredders was then shown to us. Personally, the music choice felt underwhelming to me and didn’t help build the hype, but the game is releasing December 2021 for those that did get excited.
Atomic Heart looks like a crazy sci-fi game. I think it could be a ton of fun. We didn’t get a release date, but I’m definitely interested to learn more.
Xbox is getting a lot of console launch exclusives! The next one has a retro yet modern feel to its graphics which is enticing on its own but then the trailer really sells it. Replaced will be available in 2022.
We then got a look at Obsidian Entertainment’s Shroom & Doom Update for Grounded. The update will launch on June 30 and adds a new giant spider boss, mushrooms, pets, the ability to sit, and achievements.
Among Us is also getting an update on all platforms on June 15. You can now have 15-player lobbies with 3 imposters.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is next in the presentation. The artwork for this game looks incredible. It’s a new HD 2D RPG like Octopath Traveler and it is stunning! I love the aesthetic for these games. The game is set to release in 2023. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising was also teased for 2022.
Yet another console launch exclusive was shown to be The Ascent launching on July 29.
We got a very exciting trailer for Age of Empires IV. The game is launching on October 28 for PC. I was worried they were also launching it on console. I question how well RTS games work with a controller, so phew.
A full-on Xbox exclusive comes next. This is a very fun trailer with a funny narrator. It’s revealed that The Outer Worlds 2 is exclusive to Xbox (and PC)! Like most (if not all) of the other games it will be exclusive via Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Another console exclusive was shown off! Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to Xbox consoles and it is absolutely stunning based on the trailer which was captured on a Series X. July 27 is when fans can take off. We also got a look at the new Top Gun Maverick free expansion launching this fall.
A third console exclusive? This trailer is gorgeous and then we see it’s a racing game. There’s a lot of off-road racing happening, so I think we all know what it is, Forza Horizon 5 launching on November 9. The game will take place in Mexico and will be the biggest game yet. We learn here’s a new campaign mode where you explore locations looking for more places for the Horizon event to take place. We then get a look at the multiplayer on a Series X and as you’d expect, it’s beautiful! The detail of this world is incredible. We also got a look at some of the new mini-games for Forza Arcade and the ability to create custom game modes.
To close out the event, we got a look at a brand new “open world immersive shooter” from Arkane and Bethesda. The game is Redfall will be an Xbox exclusive and looks pretty awesome. There are superpowers (or maybe it’s magic) and vampires and robots. I’m pretty much sold on this one. It looks like a lot of fun. You can play Summer 2022.