Microsoft started the year with its 2024 Xbox Developer Direct, and the show featured a release date for Hellblade 2, the formal reveal of Machine Games’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and more.
Xbox’s first Developer Direct took place last January, and that presentation was highlighted by the surprise shadow drop of Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush. While there weren’t any shadow drops for today’s presentation, we got some solid details about Xbox’s upcoming 2024 slate. Read on to learn about everything announced during today’s Developer Direct.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Officially Revealed
We got our first look at Machine Games’ Indiana Jones game, which is officially titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. It takes place mostly from a first-person perspective, with an Indy that certainly looks and sounds like Harrison Ford’s original portrayal of the character. We got a look at puzzle-solving to open what looks like an ancient temple, combat with Indy’s iconic whip, and third-person rope swinging action. Machine Games revealed that the game will shift to a third person perspective for environmental traversal and cutscenes. The game is coming sometime this year.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Finally Gets a Release Date
Hellblade 2 was the first video game properly announced for the Xbox Series X. And now, over four years since its reveal, we finally have a release date: May 21, 2024. We also got a new trailer for the long-awaited sequel, showcasing even more of the gorgeous visuals Ninja Theory has created. The developers explained how they’ve leveled up since developing the original, with more complex motion capture, all-new brutal combat, audio design, and more.
Obsidian Gives a Deep Dive on Avowed, Release Window Revealed
Avowed is the upcoming RPG from Obsidian Entertainment that takes place in the same universe as the Pillars of Eternity franchise. At today’s Developer Direct, Obisidan shared more information about the combat, showing off battles with weapons like a one-handed wand, dual-wield pistols, swords, and the Tanglefoot ability that stops enemies in their tracks. As you’d expect in an RPG from the developers of Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, Avowed will include dialogue trees with difficult choices for players to make. Obsidian said Avowed is coming in Fall 2024.
Square Enix Shares Update on Visions of Mana, Coming Summer 2024
Surprise guest Square Enix appeared at the Developer Direct with an update on Visions of Mana. We got a look at the upcoming RPG’s real-time action combat, monster design, score, and rideable mounts in the overworld. This marks the Mana series’ first release on Xbox, and it’s also coming to PC and PlayStation when it launches this Summer.
Ara: History Untold Is Coming This Fall
Ara: History Untold is an upcoming strategy game from Oxide Games, a team made up of many ex-developers of Firaxis’ Civilization series. The studio gave us a ton of new information about the game, including the fact that you no longer have to wait for your opponents to take their turn to keep playing. Ara: History Untold is coming to PC and PC Game Pass this Fall.
Logan Plant is IGN’s Database Manager, Playlist Editor, occasional news writer, and frequent Super Ninfriendo on Nintendo Voice Chat. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.
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