Xbox Developer Direct is an event where developers showcase their games for the players to have a sneak peek at. This year, the games in focus are Avowed, Visions of Mana, Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2, Ara: History Untold and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Here is a complete look at the Xbox Developer Direct 2024.
Obsidian Entertainment shows Avowed, releasing in Fall 2024
Avowed is a first-person, RPG game that is set in a fantastical world. Obsidian also showed off the combat in the game. The game allows you to change the loadouts on the go in the middle of the battle. You can wield various weapons like sword and shield, guns for mid-range and wands. You can double-wield weapons too.
The combat looks interesting with various combinations and load-outs to try out. Not much was shown in terms of enemy variety but we will get more details in the coming months.
The choices you make in the game will have a significant impact on the game in terms of how other NPCs react to you and how story events turn out.
Avowed is set to release in the Fall of 2024. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC and will be released on Game Pass as a Day 1 release.
Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 will be released on May 21
While there was no new trailer or gameplay showcase, developers gave insight into what the second instalment would entail. The sequel continues the story of Senua, a Celtic warrior with psychosis, set on stopping Vikings in Iceland.
Developers revealed that they have collaborated with experts and individuals with lived experience for an authentic portrayal of psychosis. The game focuses on Senua’s struggle for survival, to make players feel the intensity of her journey.
The game also extensively makes use of spatial audio technology to enhance the immersive experience, creating a 3D soundscape. If you have played the first part, you would know how sound can impact the gaming experience and it is good to see that they are putting a lot more effort into creating an even better audio experience.
Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 is set to release on May 21, 2024. Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass.
The first Mana series game to be released on Xbox – Visions of Mana
The Visions of Mana is a part of the long-running Mana series games. In this instalment, the developers at Mana incorporate their extensive experience to create a game that encompasses everything that makes the series distinctive.
Venturing into a vibrant world where nature and the Elementals coexist harmoniously, Visions of Mana introduces fan-favorite monsters alongside a new companion known as the pikuls. The inclusion of these companions serves to aid players in swiftly traversing the expansive ground map.
Notably, Visions of Mana elevates the action RPG experience with its aerial combat dynamics. Players can engage in battles that take place in mid-air, allowing for both physical and magical attacks to unfold in a three-dimensional space.
Elementals, a staple of the Mana series, now play a vital role by assisting players in battle through specialized items, each weapon possessing unique effects depending on its elemental alignment.
Visions of Mana is set to release in Summer 2024. Available on Xbox Series S|S and PC.
Also Read: Best Games Releasing in January 2024
Ara: History Untold releases on
Developed by Oxide Games, Ara is a strategy game where you build your nation as you expand your lands, develop culture, military might and fight your rivals.
Distinctive in its design philosophy, Ara introduces a concept known as the Living World. This procedurally-generated alternate Earth serves as an immersive and authentic space, allowing players to shape their societies in a dynamic and evolving environment.
Unlike traditional strategy games, Ara rejects the imposition of set victory conditions. Instead, players are granted the freedom to decide what is of utmost importance to them, with the flexibility to prioritize goals that resonate with their strategic vision.
At the heart of Ara’s innovation lies the simultaneous turn system, a departure from the typical turn-based mechanics seen in many strategy games. In Ara, all players’ actions are resolved simultaneously, providing a more realistic and dynamic experience.
This system challenges players to face uncertainty, predict outcomes, and strategically plan for a variety of scenarios, contributing to the game’s sense of realism.
Notably, Ara places a strong emphasis on the impact of player decisions on the game world. The Living World reacts dynamically to the choices made by players, ensuring that the consequences of their actions are reflected in the evolving narrative.
This unique feature, coupled with the absence of set victory conditions, adds depth and complexity to Ara’s gameplay, making it an interesting sandbox where you can fulfil your “ruler” fantasy!
Ara: History Untold is set to release in Fall 2024. Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass.
Also Read: The Best Games of 2023 That You Need to Play
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to PC and Xbox in Fall 2024
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a first-person action-adventure game that will take all around the world. Being developed by Machine Games, the game looks great and really captures the essence of what makes the movie so beloved and unique.
Just watch this trailer…
The game emphasises using wits to overcome obstacles, capturing the cleverness of Indiana Jones. The game balances melee combat, stealth, and gunplay, allowing players to choose their approach.
Cinematics follow a movie-like approach, incorporating stunt actors to bridge the gap between game and film. It feels like a true adventure game like Uncharted or Tomb Raider yet has a very distinct character to it. It also focuses on mystery, encouraging players to explore and discover secrets in a world filled with possibilities.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release in 2024. Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass.
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