As 2021 nears its end, there are still many households without Xbox Series consoles. The tall, black, fridge-like Xbox Series X and the slim, white, DVD player-like Xbox Serie S have remained on store shelves, so many aren’t enjoying those Xbox Series games.
But for those who were lucky enough to own either console, they had great games to enjoy and it’s only the beginning. A new year is just around the corner and will already have a juggernaut line-up of Xbox Series games–some of which have made this list. Take a look:
‘Elden Ring’ (Nov 12, 2022)
FromSoftware has always stuck the landing with its ‘Souls’ games and similarly designed action RPG titles. And its latest project, called "Elden Ring," is expected to do the same. Like its predecessors, this one’s also set in a dark fantasy backdrop. But its lore feels almost like an homage to a certain book-to-film franchise this time around. It features the usual combat system but with the addition of mounted and stealth attacks.
‘S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl’ (Apr 2022)
The official ‘S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’ franchise has been on the hiatus since "Call of Pripyat" was still a thing. Now after nearly 13 years of waiting, the sequel and fourth installment known as "Heart of Chernobyl" will take players back to the anomalous plains of Ukraine where the infamous Chernobyl disaster started. The FPS is built on a new engine sporting the crispest details to ever contextualize the franchise.
‘Senua's Saga: Hellblade II’ (Holiday 2022)
Ninja Theory’s third-person action title "Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice" left many wanting more and its sequel was thankfully greenlit for 2022 as an Xbox exclusive. The first game won awards mainly for its approach to psychological trauma that can prove challenging to warriors during conflict. The sequel "Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II" will feature gameplay that’s divided into two distinct approaches: psychological interactions and sword combat.
'Starfield' (Nov 11, 2022)
What else can be said about the upcoming RPG "Starfield" besides the fact that it marks the beginning of a new age for Bethesda, a company synonymous with ‘"The Elder Scrolls" and "Fallout." Not much is known except it is set in a distant future where mankind is busy colonizing other solar systems. The game is also built on the same aging engine as those franchises. Because of this, many are skeptical of the new game given the engine’s issues. But Bethesda assures gamers it will work.
'Redfall' (Summer 2022)
Vampires aren’t going away anytime soon. Arkane Studios with the help of Bethesda hopes to make good use of the vampire theme in "Redfall." This latest take on vampire slaying is an open-world co-op FPS set in the titular town of Massachusetts overrun with bloodsuckers. Players will select characters from a diverse cast of vampire hunters, each with unique abilities to bring back the dawn. The actual gameplay remains in the dusk but the cinematic trailer has many interested.
