Last year, Xbox delivered the first Developer_Direct – which took fans around the globe to see what different first-party studios were up to. There, we got glimpses at games like Forza: Motorsport, Minecraft Legends, Redfall, and Elder Scroll Online expansions. Tango Gameworks even surprised fans with the shadow drop release of Hi-Fi Rush – which earned multiple awards and high acclaim.

Now, they’ve returned with another Developer_Direct that provided new information on some of the publisher’s biggest upcoming projects. Not only did the event showcase exciting new looks at games like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Ara: History Untold, and Avowed, but they also treated fans with the first glimpse at MachineGames’ upcoming Indiana Jones game. Not to mention, there was a surprise appearance from Square Enix. With this Developer_Direct, Xbox set the stage for 2024 and highlighted some of the strong moves they’ve made to become a stronger brand. For now though, let’s dive deeper into the biggest takeaways from Xbox’s 2024 Developer_Direct.

Hellblade II is Xbox’s first big game of 2024

The hype around Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II has grown immensely. With each look, the game’s incredible atmosphere and the potential power of its story have continued to impress. Yet, many were left wondering when Hellblade II would finally be released. Well, Xbox not only gave fans a release date, but also a larger glimpse into the game’s technical elements that easily establish it as Xbox’s first big game of 2024.

In the presentation, Ninja Theory took fans on a tour through the sequel’s stunning visuals, immersive audio, and fierce combat that excellently flexes the high-budget feel of the game. Seriously, the scale of this production on a technical level is awe-striking and Ninja Theory is going all out to place players in Senua’s world. The idea of Senua’s psychosis being a palpable experience could help elevate the storytelling to new heights alongside the detailed performances and music. Hellblade II possesses all the great elements of a triple-A experience that Xbox has desperately needed in its first party.

The amazing work that Ninja Theory has clearly put into Hellblade is magnificent and it could be that next great exclusive Xbox wants after something as monumental as Starfield. More importantly, that May 21^st release date positions it to be one of the biggest games of the year heading into the summer.

Avowed is struggling to set itself apart

Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed feels like the right kind of project for them to tackle in between The Outer Worlds and its upcoming sequel. Yet, its showcase at this Developer_Direct didn’t land all that well. If there’s any good takeaways from Avowed, it’s that Obsidian has gone above and beyond in crafting an experience that’s player focused. The variety and versatility for combat, emphasis on choice impacting the wider world, and eye-catching environments are all a part of Obsidian’s DNA. While Avowed has all of this and hopefully more, its showing felt very awkward and struggled to give the game a distinct identity.

When it came to showing a side mission that players can stumble on, the presentation was a little messy. The dialogue with characters was not smooth and abruptly shifted in tones. There wasn’t enough combat shown to really emphasize the full effects of using different options against various enemies. Frankly, the showing was also gravely missing a big set piece or battle to really hook viewers into what’s happening in this world. At this point, Avowed just looks like another Skyrim wannabe and could draw negative comparisons to more prominent RPG’s like Baldur’s Gate 3. Given that it’s release is currently scheduled for this Fall, there’s still time for Avowed to leave a larger and better impression and maybe show the personality and prowess that Obsidian has as a studio in a more meaningful fashion. As of right now though, it’s coming off incredibly weak.

Xbox’s Japan partnerships are excelling

One of the best surprises of this Developer_Direct was Square Enix unexpectedly stopping by to share some news on the upcoming Visions of Mana. It was a strong showing that highlighted the fresh turn the franchise is taking in its combat and experience as well as a beautiful visual showcase. Plus, who didn’t love the adorable animal companion players will have called Pikul, right? Now, the game’s appearance is more noteworthy than just a simple surprise as it defines Xbox continued interest in Japanese partners.

Xbox has been making moves to get more Japanese developers and publishers to put games under its banner. Square Enix talking about Visions of Mana – arguably one of their biggest games releasing in 2024 – at an Xbox event is definitely a big deal and shows that Xbox’s presence in Japan is growing.

MachineGames understands Indiana Jones

The event concluded with the highly anticipated first look at MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game and it did not disappoint. The game – titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – will take viewers on an original adventure with Indy that’s set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade.

Based on what we saw, it looks like MachineGames is really putting everything learned from their recent Wolfenstein games into The Great Circle. The character models and cutscenes are excellently detailed with Indy looking especially great. The combat looks like a lot of fun and the versality of the whip will certainly create a lot of memorable gameplay moments. There’s also some great set-pieces and puzzle-solving that feel right at home with what Indiana Jones is all about. As the game was shown and described, the passion MachineGames has for Indy and his adventures was easily felt and it made for a genuinely touching deep dive.

With this reveal, MachineGames really solidified the care and ambition they took in making an Indiana Jones experience that fans can be excited for. The Indiana Jones franchise has been wallowing in muck because of how bad the last couple films have been. But The Great Circle could turn things around and if it comes later this year as currently predicted, then it could be Xbox’s biggest game of the year.