Last year we saw some amazing Xbox One titles. Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Forza Motorsport 6 set the bar high, as far as exclusives go. We also saw some great games from 3rd party developers, growing backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games and this year promises to be even better!
The Xbox One was released on November 22nd, 2013 and upon its launch received positive reviews across the board. Over the following years the Xbox One would grow in popularity and Microsoft worked hard on putting out software updates that would continue to improve the user experience to this day. Games with Gold continues to give Xbox Live Gold members great games month after month and numerous exclusive titles continue to make this console a must have in my books. Below is my list of games that you should take note of coming up for 2016, not all of them are exclusives but many of them offer good reasons to play them on Xbox One.
Xbox One Exclusives to get excited about!
Quantum Break
Remedy Entertainment plans to follow up their critically acclaimed Alan Wake with this Xbox One exclusive, Quantum Break. A third person action adventure game with lots of mystery and a story that will unfold not only in game but with a companion live-action TV series, Quantum Break is certainly looking to be another great game in Remedy’s history of great games. The game will feature three main protagonists who have the ability to manipulate time in a way that they can freeze everything around them while they continue to move unhindered. Quantum Break is set to release on April 16th only on Xbox One!
Gears of War 4
Now most of the details around this game are still being kept secret but from what we have seen at last years E3, Gears of War 4 looks to be an awesome instalment in the series. Microsoft purchased the right to the Gears of War franchise in 2014 and along with The Coalition beganing development on Gear of War Ultimate Edition (check out Paul’s review here), which released last fall and was a great update to the original game. Another huge factor which will help ensure the success of Gears of War 4, is the return of the former director of productions of Epic Games and the Gears of War Franchise Rod Ferguson, to the series ( I have met him and he is awesome and will make sure Gears of War 4 is awesome!). Slated to release in the holiday season for both Xbox One and Xbox 360, Gears of War 4 will be a true return to form for the series.
Halo Wars 2
The first Halo Wars game, developed by Ensemble Studios showed us all that when done right, real time strategy could be played on a console. The sequel, Halo Wars 2 promises to up the anti and improve upon its predecessor, with an all new story set in the Halo universe. Halo Wars 2 is set to release in the fall/winter of this year for Xbox One and Windows 10. Unfortunately that’s all we really know at this point, so check out the teaser trailer and see for yourself.
Inside
Having been delayed from its initial release date of last year, Inside is the first game from Danish studio Playdead since the huge 2010 hit, Limbo. With similar puzzle platforming gameplay and art style to Limbo, Inside will have you take control of a young boy in a totalitarian future where almost all the citizens have been turned into automatons. Currently Inside is set to release only on Xbox One later this year.
More great games coming to Xbox One this year!
Tom clancy’s:The Division
Another entry in the Tom Clancy universe by Ubisoft, The Division had been pushed back to a release in early March. It takes place in a post outbreak New York City where you play as a covert agent of The Division, a special covert goverment fail safe. Division agents are trained independently of each other and are only activated in the most dire of circumstances. This game will feature some amazing 3rd person shooter action role playing game play, similar to Bungie’s Destiny but with a completely new take on PVP in the Dark Zone. Also the main reason to play on Xbox One is, if you have already preordered the game you will get early access to the upcoming beta. For more information on pre ordering Tom Clancy’s: The Division check out my article.
DOOM
The upcoming reboot to the ground breaking Doom series launches this spring and promises to be the goriest, fastest and best looking Doom game to date. Developed by legendary ID software, this reboot wowed fans at E3 and already saw an exclusive Xbox One Doom Multiplayer Closed Alpha in December, which I was lucky enough to be a part of and all I can say is “OMG” we are in for an amazing game! With a focus on constant movement and fast paced over the top action this game take a step away from Doom 3’s horror based action and cranks all the dials up to 11. Be sure to pre-order your copy of DOOM now!
Plants VS Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
EA’s Plants VS Zombies series has captured the hearts of gamers young and old, casual and hardcore alike. Be it one of the mobile tower defence games or the 3rd person shooter Plants VS Zombies: Garden Warfare, Plants VS Zombies is a franchise we will be seeing for a long time to come. The latest installment of the series Plants VS Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 will have you once again fighting in the garden to fend off wave after wave of enemies. With is amazing action, goofy humour, great character design and for the first time the game will feature all game modes playable solo, this promises to be another hit. The open beta finished earlier this week and from what I played was tons of fun, so be sure to pre-order your copy, as Plants VS Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, launches on February 23rd.
Cuphead
Simply describing what Cuphead is really does it no justice. The game is developed by two Canadian brothers, Chad and Jared Moldenhauer who go by the name Studio MDHR. With graphics done in the style of 1930s cartoons this run and gun action platformer, looks absolutely amazing. With super fast paced action, huge bosses and two player co-op, this is one title you won’t want to miss. Coming later this year to Xbox One and Windows PC, Cuphead is one game I’m sure to be picking up. Check out the video to see it in all its 1930s animated glory!
But that’s not all!
Here are some other notable games to keep an eye on. Fable Legends, from Lionhead Studios, an online multiplayer co-op take on the long running Fable series. Killer Instinct Season 3, a fast paced 2D combo based fighting game, which will see more characters, more combos and more c-c-c-c-combo breakers! Tacoma: Space Exploration, a first person exploration game set to release later this year, will have you exploring a vacant space station with only you and the mysterious AI Odin to keep you company.
Regardless of your gaming preferences the Xbox One has some great games coming out this year. Tons of exclusives and even more games being announced for the Xbox 360 backwards compatibility, will keep you with an Xbox One controller in hand all year long!
