The Xbox One is the weapon Microsoft is bringing in its battle with Sony. But the ammunition is a bit weak: the first wave of titles hasn’t had anything to make you sit up and take notice.
Granted, Microsoft reckons the Xbox One is about more than just graphics, but come on, it’s a video game console first and everything else later. But there’s good news for gamers. While what’s come so far may not have been great, there are some pretty awesome offerings once you turn the calendar on December 31. Here’s what we are most looking forward to…
It’s a bit weird that the game I am most excited about on the Xbox One is originally a mobile game. We loved Plants vs. Zombies 2 and the next part is an online multiplayer game with a third-person perspective. This time, you can play as the plants (peashooter, chomper, sunflower, cactus) or as the zombies (foot soldier, scientist, all star, engineer), taking on enemies in matches of 24 players. It’s all about survival…
Respawn Entertainment debuts with one of the most promising games on the Xbox One. Titanfall is an online-only multiplayer action game, where players combat each other in mech suits called “Titans”. There are different types of Titans with unique abilities, so choose the one that best fits your style and get in it once it’s dropped into the arena. You can choose to side with the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) or the Militia, and when not in a suit, you’re a parkour-style player who can pull off some cool running moves.
I can’t believe this is coming back! Thief was the game in which many of us first saw stealth gaming back in the 90s, and it’s now being rebooted for the Xbox One. Set in a Victorian age, you play as a master thief who has returned to his city to take advantage of the new rich elite. Pick pockets, escape the guards, and if things turn ugly, whip out your club and bash some skulls. Thief promises to be a blast!
If you love your MMORPGs, it doesn’t get much better than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. And the MMO version promises more of the same awesomeness. It’s time to head back to the world of Tamriel and choose a faction vying for the rule of the Imperial City: elves, orcs or men. Hundreds of quests, plenty of weaponry and some cool character animations make this the kind of fantasy title that role-players look forward to.
The Kinect 2.0 is one of the best reasons to buy an Xbox One over a PS4 and its flagship game is finally coming out in 2014. Kinect Sports Rivals is all about getting off the couch and actively playing sports to compete with friends. The next generation motion sensor is better than ever before, and no game takes advantage of it better than this. You can go bowling, jetski racing, rock climbing, target shooting, and play soccer or tennis. Fun, fun, fun!
There are a bunch of other games to look forward to, including some of the cross-platform titles we have included in our round-up of PS4 titles to look forward to, like Watch Dogs, Metal Gear Solid V and Carmageddon: Reincarnation.
But there must be others which you are waiting for, and we want to know. Recommendations are the best way to find out what we should be playing, right?