Xbox has come swinging out the gates this generation with not one but two separate console experiences designed for two different demographics. Microsoft has clearly put a lot of work into making Xbox Game Pass the quintessential part of owning an Xbox console, and Microsoft seems to have solid plans for the future of the platform, with plenty of seemingly great content in the works.
In addition to this, Xbox Game Pass has allowed Microsoft to sign a number of deals with publishers for launch day exclusivity on the platform, as well as third-party deals. The month of August saw two such releases that fall under both banners, which has set the ball rolling for the near future of Xbox.
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Two Of The Best Releases This Month Are On Xbox Game Pass
Xbox started the month right on the heels of Neon Giant’s The Ascent, an isometric ARPG with some great cyberpunk art direction. Beyond that, August doubled down on quality releases for the platform. Luis Antonio’s Twelve Minutes is another great point-and-click adventure that challenges the stereotypes of the genre in many ways, all the while boasting its star-studded cast. The game’s narrative choice remain contentious for now, but many fans — including game designer Hideo Kojima — have had a fun time with it nevertheless.
Lastly, Double Fine’s highly-anticipated Psychonauts 2 is right around the corner, and reviews have lauded it to be Game of the Year material. The road to the game’s development has been a rocky one, and it's certainly great to witness years of hard work finally paying off. While it's not exactly an Xbox exclusive, being developed by Xbox Game Studios makes it roughly fall under the same umbrella of first-party content.
Both of these releases paint a positive picture for the future of Xbox, which seems set to dominate the holiday season with two notable first-party exclusives: Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5. While the former’s release date is yet to be ascertained, Forza Horizon 5 will be releasing on November 9, 2021.
Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 Seem Are Xbox's Big Holiday Releases
Halo Infinite’s recent flight test garnered positive reactions from fans around the globe, while Forza Horizon 5 was collectively voted as the Most Anticipated Game at this year’s all-digital E3 event. Both games are easily two of the most-anticipated releases this year, and Microsoft’s E3 showings this year indicate the onslaught of releases have just begun. Furthermore, games like Bright Memory Infinite, Remedy’s CrossfireX, and The Gunk are other exclusives that are still shrouded in mystery when it comes to release dates — some of which could still release this year.
While Sony does have Deathloop and Kena: Bridge of Spirits releasing next month, the entirety of its first-party content has been moved to 2022. The fan-named God of War: Ragnarok sequel has been officially confirmed to be delayed, and Horizon Forbidden West seems to be on the verge for the same. There’s still no news regarding Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us 2’s multiplayer component’s release date as well.
Ultimately, it's best to delay games until they are ready to be released without resorting to prolonged periods of crunch, rather than rushing them out the door to meet release dates. Furthermore, Sony historically never banks on Holiday releases unless it’s a console release year — but the current scenario does give ample room for Microsoft to strike.
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