This was a focused livestream, with new game reveals, release date announcements, and fresh gameplay for upcoming titles headed to Xbox consoles and PC.
Gaming livestreams like this have been surprisingly plentiful in 2024, as Nintendo recently hosted a new Direct episode focused on third-party games and a Pokemon Presents event, while Sony's January State of Play was headlined by Stellar Blade, Rise of the Ronin, and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
An Xbox Developer Direct was also held at the start of the year and provided new looks at upcoming games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Visions of Mana, and Ara: History Untold. Not too long ago, a dedicated Xbox podcast also confirmed the company's plan to bring four of its first-party games to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.
Unknown 9: Awakening
Developed by Reflector and published by Bandai Namco, Unknown 9: Awakening made its first appearance in almost four years in this new trailer. As the protagonist Haroona, this third-person action-adventure will see you explore a shadowy dimension known as the Fold and channel its energy to fight back against the Ascendants. Unknown 9: Awakening is targeting a Summer 2024 release on console and PC.
The Alters
11 Bit Studios had a new trailer for The Alters, its sci-fi survival game focused on the concept of alternate selves and how our choices shape us. As Jan Dolski, players will find themselves stranded on a hostile planet, but fortunately, Dolski discovers a rare substance called Rapidium that allows him to create new and distinct versions of himself and man an abandoned space station. The Alters will be out later this year for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Creatures of Ava
Spanish game studios Inverge and Chibig revealed Creatures Of Ava, a new action-adventure game where you'll maintain the delicate balance of a magical ecosystem with the power of music. The world of Ava is home to unique wildlife and players will be able to use their flute to soothe, heal, and calm these creatures as they discover them. Creatures of Ava will arrive later in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Sleight of Hand
A new hardboiled adventure from RiffRaff Games, Sleight of Hand is billed as a third-person mix of stealth, action, and deck-building. Set in a rain-slicked city and centered around the protagonist Lady Luck, you'll use her smoke-based spells and a cursed deck of cards to take on a sinister coven.
The Sinking City 2
Developer Frogwares is returning to Lovecraftian horror in The Sinking City 2, and this time, the studio is planning to go all out with cosmic horror. Taking a darker and more aggressive approach, Frogwares says the game will place more emphasis on combat while retaining a dark Lovecraftian atmosphere.
STALKER: Original Trilogy
If you've been yearning to return to the original stomping grounds of STALKER, then here's some good news for you, as all three iconic games that make up the original series are available right now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat have all been bundled into one convenient collection ahead of the release of STALKER 2: Shadow of Chornobyl in September.
Frostpunk 2
Winter is coming earlier than expected, as Frostpunk 2 developer 11 Bit Studios confirmed the game's release date of July 25. The new trailer showed off more of the game's frigid world, as well as some of the sprawling cities you'll be able to create if you can balance resource management and diplomacy while factions battle for influence in the last bastion of humanity.
Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass
Atlus lifted the lid on its plans to release more content for Persona 3 Reload in the form of new costumes, background music tracks, and an extended story content scenario called Episode Aigis - The Answer. The expansion pass will be available on March 12 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will receive it for free. Episode Aigis -The Answer is the final chapter to Persona 3, and like this year's remake, this missing chapter has received a sharp visual makeover alongside modernized quality-of-life features.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Ahead of its release later this year, Capcom showed off more story details and gameplay for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Described as a blend of multiple genres set in a highly unique and Japanese-inspired world, the single-player game begins when the legendary Mt. Kafuku is covered by an evil defilement and the holy location is robbed of 12 powerful masks. As the protagonist, Soh, players will work with the maiden Yoshiro to purge the land of the creeping darkness and recover the masks so that Mt. Kafuku can be restored to its original state.
Khazan: The First Berserker
Nexon's upcoming action-RPG The First Berserker: Khazan was in the spotlight at the Xbox Partner Preview, and this new trailer revealed more of the game's savage and brutal combat. Based on the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, you'll be able to wield the hardcore and stylish abilities of the death-defying Khazan as he seeks vengeance on the people responsible for his downfall.
Final Fantasy 14
Xbox users have been patiently waiting for Final Fantasy 14: Online ever since it was first announced that the longrunning MMORPG would be coming to Xbox Series X|S, and ahead of its release on March 21, an open beta is now available. Anyone interested in the game can also claim Starter Edition through Game Pass Ultimate, alongside several perks. This edition will only be available from March 21 to April 19.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
The EA-published Tales of Kenzera: Zau looks like a colorful metroidvania, and in this new trailer narrated by Abubakar Salim, more footage for the game was shown off. As Zau, a shaman looking to reclaim your father's spirit, you'll explore the beautiful and treacherous land of Kenzera with the god of death by your side. Zau will eventually collide with a trio of mighty--and familiar--beings who stand in the way of his quest to allow restless ancestral spirits to move on, and he'll need to put his skills to the test if he hopes to succeed.
Monster Jam Showdown
Get ready for some big rig fun, as the debut trailer for Monster Jam Showdown revved up a storm. Featuring fan-favorite monster trucks like Megaladon, El Toro Loco, and Grave Digger, this arcade racing experience from Milestone SRL will hit Xbox Series X|S later this year.
