The 17 Greatest Things About to Happen to Your Xbox One
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Upgraded Xbox Console: Project Scorpio
First, the biggest news: An upgraded version of the Xbox console is on the way. Dubbed Project Scorpio, the octa-core system supports 4K video at 60fps (no, really), 320GB of memory bandwidth and six teraflops of computing speed. It will also support VR -- rumors of Fallout 4 in virtual reality already have us drooling.
The system will be backwards compatible with the Xbox One and Xbox One S. It is expected to arrive Holiday 2017 at a yet-to-be-determined price.
Image credit: Microsoft
Titanfall 2
Fans of first-person mech battles rejoice: The sequel to the 2014 hit Titanfall looks absolutely gorgeous. We're excited to learn more about new Titan model BT-7274 (shown); the new sword-wielding Ronan Titan; and the grappling-hook mechanic that leads to some pretty sweet mid-air takedowns.
Image credit: Electronic Arts
It's more than just COD with robots.
Don't expect a Call of Duty-like experience from the game, however.
"It really isn't your average linear, for lack of a better word, corridor FPS," explains Respawn Entertainment. "It's not like you're getting pulled through this series of explosions or people yelling at you. There are going to be very quiet moments where you're taking in a broad environment and you have to figure out how you're going to traverse it."
Image credit: Electronic Arts
Gears of War 4
Microsoft showed off several minutes of gameplay from Gears of War 4 during its E3 2016 keynote. And the third-person sci-fi shooter looks as savage as ever, right down to the bloody executions and dismemberments.
Gears of War 4 is slated for worldwide release on October 11, 2016.
Image credit: Microsoft
Buy it on Xbox One, play it free on Win 10.
The game's most exciting feature, however, may be its "cross-buy" status: Purchase the Xbox One version, and you can cross-play on your Windows 10 PC at no added cost (and vice versa).
Image credit: Microsoft
Halo Wars 2
Set 28 years after the original Halo Wars, Microsoft's new real-time strategy game pits the United Nations Space Command against the Banished -- a foe that has, until now, only been referenced in the past.
Look forward to rad new units along with the return of some of your favorite vehicles (with new abilities).
Halo Wars 2: Another Play Anywhere title
Halo Wars 2 is a confirmed Xbox Play Anywhere game, too.
It launches in February 21, 2017 for the Xbox One and PC; you can watch the game's trailer here on GameSpot.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
The thirteenth installment in the popular Activision franchise is a sharp change from the usual Call of Duty game. The gameplay footage showcased during E3 shows gun battles in zero-gravity environments and spacecraft dogfights.
The game, due for release on November 4, 2016, will be available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Forza Horizon 3
The third edition of Microsoft's realistic racer brings new four-player, cross-platform co-op, along with a wealth of gorgeous areas to tear through at 200+ MPH speeds.
Expect to spend more than 100 hours completing the jungles, beaches, cities and outback that make up the game's diverse world map.
Image credit: Microsoft
...just watch out for kangaroos.
Forza Horizon 3 lets you drive 350 different cars, too, including new types of vehicles such as off-road buggies.
The game is slated for release on Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on September 27, 2016. For more, you can check out the game's E3 trailer here on GameSpot.
Image credit: Microsoft
Dead Rising 4
Quirky survival horror series Dead Rising is back for a brand new, Christmas-themed installment this holiday season. Expect crazy new makeshift weapons, a new modifiable exo-suit mechanic and the return of original protagonist Frank West.
Image credit: Microsoft
Say cheese!
Frank's camera is back too. Which, of course, means plenty of undead selfies.
Dead Rising 4 is a timed exclusive for the Xbox One and Windows 10 this December. In the meantime, you can check out the game's E3 trailer.
Image credit: Microsoft
Final Fantasy XV
Unlike most games in the Final Fantasy series, XV has a modern, Earth-like setting -- much in-game travel is done by car. The new button-mapped Active Cross Battle system pulls more from Kingdom Hearts than it does classic, menu-based Final Fantasy titles, with each battle seamlessly integrated into the world around you.
Final Fantasy XV is slated for release on September 30, 2016.
Image credit: Square Enix
ReCore
Armature Studio and Comcept Inc.'s action-adventure game is set in a post-Earth world. Human heroine Joule works with robotic companion Mack to terraform New Eden and figure out why she's alone in a world dominated by machines.
ReCore will be released on September 13, 2016 for XBox One and Microsoft Windows. You can check out some ReCore gameplay here on GameSpot.
Image credit: Microsoft
Scalebound
PlatinumGames' first action role-playing game puts a different spin on the typical video game dragon battle: Instead of fighting against dragons, you partner up and fight alongside one. As headphone-wearing protagonist Drew, you have some pretty cool moves of your own -- you can wield swords, fire guns, unleash pulse energy attacks and even transform into a human/dragon hybrid.
Image credit: PlatinumGames
Dragon-powered multiplayer
Scalebound gameplay at E3 shows high-stakes battles against massive bosses, where learning mechanics and targeting weaknesses is key. The footage showcases its four-player cooperative play -- you can not only take on the game's bosses with your friends, but also enjoy the entire campaign with them.
Scalebound is scheduled for 2017 release on Xbox One and Microsoft Windows.
Image credit: PlatinumGames
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a satire of the current state of the comics industry -- or, at least, that's what its E3 2016 trailer suggests. In it, the boys find themselves divided in a "Civil War" over Cartman's (aka The Coon's) plan to monetize their superhero alter egos. And your "new kid" character, again, is caught in the middle.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on December 6, 2016. You can check out its hilarious E3 trailer right here on GameSpot.
Image credit: Ubisoft
State of Decay 2
This post-apocalyptic survival horror sequel offers local multiplayer and four-person co-op play, along with an interconnected open world. We don't know much about the game beyond what was shown off at E3, but we'll definitely be following this one closely.
State of Decay 2 is slated for release sometime in 2017.
Image credit: Microsoft
Sea of Thieves
Rare's "shared world adventure game" promises plenty of pirate adventure, from exploration of new lands to hidden treasures. And, of course, there will be plenty of epic multiplayer sea battles to be had.
We were treated to several minutes of fan gameplay at E3, which will have to hold you over for a while -- no release date has been announced.
Image credit: Rare
Inside
Playdead's spiritual successor to Limbo is dark, dark, dark -- and that's just the way we like it. GameSpot's own Alex Newhouse notes the game "took every opportunity to deal violence to its main character," with "unidentified agents pursuing my character with determined antagonism."
"Eerie, unexplained machines snatched me away if I happen to be caught in a spotlight," he adds.
Minecraft goes cross-platform
Microsoft has two pieces of great news for fans of Minecraft (and for the parents of Minecraft's youngest fans). The 'Friendly Update,' announced at E3, brings Realms: protected servers, run by Mojang, for just you and your friends.
You can enjoy cross-platform play on these Realms, too, whether you want to hop into the virtual sandbox on Xbox Live, Windows 10, iOS, Android or a Samsung Gear VR.
Image credit: Microsoft
Xbox One Slim Console
Project Scorpio isn't the only new console coming from Microsoft. The Xbox One S is a streamlined version of the existing Xbox One console -- about 40 percent smaller -- but with 2TB of storage under the hood. The white console will also support 4K gaming when it launches later this year for $299.
Customizable Xbox Controllers
Want to spice up your bland Xbox One controller? The Xbox Design Lab will soon offer fully customizable, hand-made controllers, with 8 million different combinations in total.
These custom controllers will sell for $80 this fall.