Microsoft’s XBONE has been playing second fiddle to the PS4 for a few years, can 2017 be any different?
Xbox One X
Release: Nov 7
As if Xbox couldn’t get any more ridiculous with it’s naming conventions, here is the Xbox One X, or more appropriately, the xXx_BOXONE_xXx! Joking aside, the XBONEX has a pretty nice set of specs and even a 4K Bluray drive. The 500USD price-tag may be a drop in the bucket compared to what most 4K TV’s cost but even die-hard Xbox fans might find themselves asking “What will I even need that for?”.
Forza Motorsport 7
Release: October 3
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Cars! Cars in 4K, cars in the desert, cars in the rain, cars at dusk. You get it, it’s got cars!
Metro Exodus
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Heavily scripted trailers with excessive screen shake are a pet peeve of mine and this trailer has it in spades. Despite all that it sure does look pretty!
Assassin’s Creed
Release: October 27
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
The desiccated franchise rises from its tomb in the most interesting setting since Black Flag.
PLAYERUNKNOWN’S Battlegrounds
Release: 2017
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
If you haven’t heard of PUBG you’re internettin’ wrong. The latest and arguably best take on the battle royale genre pits 100 players against each other in a bloodbath designed to crown a single victor. Nothing gets your blood pumping like seeing “2 ALIVE” and immediately getting 1 shot.
Deep Rock Galactic
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
You and 3 dwarf bros probing the deepest darkest regions of far flung planetoids. Surprisingly not a euphemism.
State of Decay 2
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Another zombie game for whoever still enjoys zombie games.
The Darwin Project
Release: TBA
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Battle royale, so hot right now.
Minecraft
Release: 2017
Platform: Windows, Xbone One
Because you’re definitely buying a $500 console to see really high definition cubes.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
A 3v3 fighter strong enough to topple the Marvel vs Capcom juggernaut? Maybe…
Black Desert
Release: TBA
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
MMO’s have been trickling onto consoles for a while now and Black Desert is probably the most gorgeous one so far.
The Last Night
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Sorta 2D, sorta 3D, totally stunning to look at.
The Artful Escape
Release: TBA
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
A hipster goes on a rock odyssey? They say there’s a lid for every pot…
Code Vein
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The team behind God Eater developing a game about a dystopian future where teenagers kill monsters with supernatural abilities. Business as usual I suppose.
Sea of Thieves
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
A really neat idea with a lot of promise. If there’s not a “Hoard Mode” where I can Scrooge McDuck dive into my piles of plunder then this one is sunk before it even sets sail.
Tacoma
Release: August 2
Platform: Windows, Xbox One, macOS, Linux
The next game from Gone Home developer Fullbright. That alone will probably decide if this is a worthwhile pickup for you.
Super Lucky’s Tale
Release: TBA
Platform: Xbox One
A non-VR sequel to Lucky’s Tale, a cute platformer bundled with the Oculus Rift. An easy purchase for anyone with kids or a profound love for cute critters.
Cuphead
Release: September 29
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Cuphead draws inspiration from 1930’s animation which is almost as long ago as when they first announced this game! Actually does look like heaps of fun!
Crackdown 3
Release: November 7
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Take Terry Crews out and all you’ve got is Crackdown 1 and 2 but they added a jetpack.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Release: August 31
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The critically acclaimed episodic adventure gets a prequel.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Release: October 10
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Gather an army of Orcs with ridiculous accents to take over Mordor. Totes canon.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Release: TBA
Platform: Windows, Xbox One
Moon Studio’s amazing debut game Ori and the Blind Forest is getting a well deserved sequel.
Anthem
Release: 2018
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The only thing I have more trouble believing than the flight physics is how ridiculously large the map looks. Definitely worth waiting for a hands on before getting too excited.
Xbox Original Backwards Compatibility
Soon you’ll be able to play Xbox games on your XBOX, revolutionary!
Summary
Some great new tech, quality features and a few platform exclusives. Microsoft could have done a lot worse.
Though I can’t help but feel that the launch of the XBONEX should have been accompanied by an amazing new IP to help sell the benefits of said hardware. Touting a bunch of big stats and then showcasing nothing but indies and cross platform titles seems like another example of Xbox trying to be everything to everybody and never actually getting there.
