Last week, Microsoft kicked off Summer Games Fest with a first look at in-engine captures from its upcoming next-generation console, theXbox Series X. Focusing solely on third-party games likeAssassin’s Creed Valhallathis time around, the latest Inside Xbox event was the first in a series of monthly events planned over the summer with first-party Xbox games and a look at the consoles launch lineup coming in July.
Unfortunately, Microsoft wasn’t able to meet the industries high-expectations, particularly when the Inside Xbox event marketing promised it would be afirst real look at next-generation gameplay, followed by hype inducing quotes such us, “Tomorrow changes the game.” Knowing that Xbox juggernauts likeHalo InfiniteandForza Motorsportwouldn’t be shown, Inside Xbox also left one staggering question on everyone’s mind: Are any of these third-party games going to be exclusive to Xbox One or Series X?
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Scorn (Console Exclusive)
Not only is the H. R. Giger inspired survival-horror,Scornan Xbox console exclusive, it’s also a next-generation exclusive game that’s coming to Xbox Series X. Originally announced at the end of 2014, and receiving its first official trailer in 2017,Scorn’s had its fair share of development woes over the years from a failed Kickstarter campaign to a scrapped plan to release episodically. In development at Ebb Software,Scornis a first-person shooter survival horror game that’s set in a “nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry.” If the image above isn’t already making you want to squirm, check out theInside Xbox Scorn reveal trailer.
Scornis in development for Xbox Series X and PC.
The Medium (Console Exclusive)
From horror game extraordinaire Bloober Team, developers of recent horror gamesLayers of Fear 2,Blair Witch, andObserver: System Redux,The Mediumis a next-gen exclusive horror game coming to Xbox Series X later this year. Players take on the role of a medium named Marianne that has the ability to interact with two different worlds: the real world and the spirit world. Bloober Team has teased anexciting new next-gen mechanicas the reason whyThe Mediumwon’t be available on Xbox One, likely something to do with the ability to move between two different worlds, similar to the time-travel mission inDishonored 2.
The Mediumwill release on Xbox Series X and PC in 2020.
Call of the Sea (Console Exclusive)
While a large portion of the Inside Xbox event seemed to be dedicated to horror games, or at least games with a dark atmosphere and aesthetic, upcomingCall of the Seabrought in some much needed color and a lighthearted tone. Set in the 1930s,Call of the Seais the debut title from developer Out of the Blue, a first-person puzzle adventure game about a woman, Norah, searching for her missing husband in the South Pacific.Available on Xbox Games Pass at launch,Call of the Seaalso stars Cissy Jones, best known for her work as Delilah inFirewatch, Sloane inDestiny 2, and Fury inDarksiders III.
Call of the Seawill release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
The Ascent (Console Exclusive)
The Ascentis what happens when mixingDiablo 3withCyberpunk 2077andAlienation. From Swedish developer Neon Giant, a team of just over 10 people,The Ascentis a solo and/or co-op action-RPG where players explore the cyberpunk world of Veles, hunt for rare loot, augment and customize their gear and characters, and stop hostile gangs and corporations from taking control of the world. While Inside Xbox only offered a brief look at what playings can expect, Neon Giant has since released a12-minute gameplay trailer forThe Ascent.
The Ascentwill release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
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Second Extinction (Console Exclusive)
The final Xbox exclusive shown during the Inside Xbox event wasSecond Extinction, a three-player co-op first-person shooter where players must wipeout mutated dinosaurs that have taken over Earth. Coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X, offering full optimization for the latter,Second Extinctionis in development at Systemic Reaction, a subsidiary of parent company Avalanche Studios Group which also ownsRage 2developer Avalanche Studios andtheHunter: Call of the Wilddeveloper Expansive Worlds.
Second Extinctionwill release on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2020.
Of the thirteen games that were on display during Microsoft’s Inside Xbox event last week, five of those games will be exclusive to Xbox consoles. However, all five of the mentioned games are console exclusives only, meaning they’re skipping the PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, but will be available on PC. Considering that Microsoft made no mention of showcasing any exclusive games in the lead up to the event, Xbow owners were shown a decent stack of new games they can expect in the next year across a variety of genres, as well as two games that are exclusive to the Xbox Series X. Here’s looking forward to the nextSummer Games Festreveal.
