Microsoft’s Gamescom 2017 press conference was a more casual affair than its usual industry events, which makes sense — Gamescom is Europe’s largest gaming convention for fans, after all. But the company still brought seven exclusive trailers to its 90-minute livestream, all of which you can watch below.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
First up was a CGI look at the next Assassin’s Creed game. Origins takes the franchise way back to Ancient Egypt, something which the copious amounts of computer-generated sand wouldn’t let us forget.
Beyond all that desert gold, we got to see some classic assassin combat … and a poor snake get snatched up by an eagle. Assassin’s Creed Origins takes no prisoners. The game’s out on Oct. 27, like practically every other big-deal fall release this year.
Jurassic World Evolution
Jurassic World was a big deal back in 2015 … but that was 2015, and it’s 2017 now. Still, better late than never to spin the game off for consoles. Jurassic World Evolution is a theme park-sim style game where players can create their own Jurassic World.
Developed by Frontier (Elite: Dangerous), Jurassic World Evolution’s heading to Xbox One — and PlayStation 4 and Windows PC — in summer 2018. That should be just in time for the sequel to Jurassic World. Fitting.
ReCore Definitive Edition
ReCore didn’t light the world on fire when it launched last summer, but Microsoft and developer Comcept are trying again. The Definitive Edition release brings the game back to Xbox One with some additional content.
Although it’s a separate retail release, owners of the standard version of ReCore can download all of the new goods at no extra cost. When Definitive Edition launches on Aug. 29, all ReCore owners can check out a new quest and robot companion frame, plus the remastered graphics.
World of Tanks
An enhanced version of this multiplayer tank warfare game is in the works for Xbox One X. If you’ve ever played a World of Tanks game — including this one, available on Windows PC and Xbox One right now — you know what to expect. But if you’re a huge fan of tank warfare and 4K graphics, this update’s for you.
ID @ Xbox showcase
Microsoft is going all-in on indie games, something that it spoke extensively about during its E3 2017 conference. Here’s yet another showcase reel of some of those games, ranging from the already available (Tacoma) to the upcoming (Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds).
Xbox One S Minecraft limited edition console
The Minecraft aesthetic isn’t for everyone. Count me as a fan, though — I’m really into this special Xbox One S 1 TB bundle, which includes a special green controller and even Minecraft system sounds, too. Pre-orders are up now, if you want the pixelated console color scheme for your collection. (It even has a translucent case.)
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
This game is all about the monsters of Mordor. There are a lot of them — two minutes’ worth of them. Feel free to watch this trailer through your fingers if all of those creatures are a little too scary for you. At least there’s a friendly dragon to ride in Middle-earth: Shadow of War among all the unfriendly monsters. The game is out on Oct. 10.
Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition
Microsoft wants you to know that “this thing is a beast.” But it also wants you to know that it liked the Xbox One X’s original Project Scorpio codename as much as you did. The company is bringing that name back with a special edition of the upcoming high-powered console, which includes special detailing and a vertical stand. The words “Project Scorpio” are inscribed in green on the console and controller, which is a nice throwback touch to the Xbox’s early days.
The console is available for pre-order now and goes on sale Nov. 7.