New Xbox Series X Releases With Some Heavy Hitting Games

With the Xbox Series X and Series S set to hit store shelves in just a few days, everyone’s excited about what’s gonna be released alongside it. If development deadlines are met and the hype isn’t all talk, we’ve got some serious titles with incredible stories ahead to keep all of us entertained as we fare through the holidays during these times.

Halo Infinite
343 Industries kicks it off with Halo Infinite, the latest installment in the Halo series. The release trailer shows a tense landing in the middle of a warzone, as a frustrated pilot curses the controls of the damaged pelican airship. Behind him, Master Chief stands sentinel. Sizing up the situation and opting to take out the cannons that shot them down, it’s here we first hear mention of, “The Banished,” Halo’s mysterious new enemy. 

Gameplay looks solid, boasting new and interesting mechanics and a detailed 3D vector map, allowing players to zoom into specific areas and set placeholders. The games’ engine ran smooth throughout the clip at a steady 60fps, but Halo’s Infinite’s graphics were chided by people as not being visually impressive following the trailer’s release. Still, it’s an early demo, which means 343 industries still has time to add any finishing touches before launch.

Assassins Creed Valhalla
Assassins Creed Valhalla looks straight out of a clip from Justin Kurzel’s Mc Beth, or the show Vikings, displaying a montage of in-game cut scenes with each one more breathtaking than the last. Gorgeous in both its rendering of shadow, light and particle effects, the world of Valhalla looks open and rich in mystery. 

Aside from showcasing the main character, scenes of battles and close quarters combat, not much else was shown in the world premier trailer. It has beensaid this installment in the series will bring back much of the stealth and rooftop-parkour dynamics in gameplay, taking on tones more akin to a historical drama, set in 11CE during the war between the Vikings and England, with dense and palpable action. 

Madden NFL 21
Madden NFL 21 also unveiled its latest title with a more holiday-friendly tone, guest-hosting Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. In the trailer, Mahomes welcomes fans of the series to its release with a brief message of season’s greetings and appreciation for being featured in the game, but no other details or even gameplay was divulged during the trailer – save for a few style and design choices on Madden NFL 21s overall aesthetic. The trailer acts as more of a homage to the long running history of Madden series, taking us through a well edited timeline of every entry from beginning to now. 

Microsoft is putting the pressure on Sony, counting down to the console’s release, dropping a roster of other interesting and fun titles, including the long awaited announcement of Fable 4. Staying home through the holidays while waiting out the current climate of events has never been easier.