As a researcher, I had the unique opportunity to personally encounter Phil Spencer and even share some casual beverages with him. However, I suspect that our interaction may not have gone as well as I hoped, leading me to believe that he harbors a certain animosity towards me on a personal level.
It’s quite evident that Xbox doesn’t seem to favor me, given that some highly anticipated games I eagerly waited for were absent from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025.
It’s clear that was a jab (since some online users might overreact), but there were Xbox and Windows PC projects missing from the presentation that I would have liked to see.
While we’re here, I may as well rant a little.
Honorable mention — Hollow Knight: Silksong
Let it be known, I’m about to state something that might not sit well with those who are overly enthusiastic about it – I couldn’t care less for Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Rather than asserting I’d challenge the sun over admitting my excitement for one of the most eagerly awaited games in recent memory, I must confess that I haven’t played the initial Hollow Knight release – making such a statement seems implausible at this point.
Without a doubt, it’s worth acknowledging the seemingly elusive masterpiece that many believe to be the top video game troll of the past decade – Hollow Knight: Silksong. This game skillfully dodges every spotlight that manages to catch the eye of Hollow Knight enthusiasts, turning this evasion into a recurring joke.
During Summer Game Fest, Silksong was subtly referenced to stir up anticipation and playfully tease viewers during the Xbox Games Showcase where it was featured in the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld announcement. However, there was no official trailer shown, leaving at least three people a little disheartened. Nevertheless, some news about the game did surface following these events.
5. Everwild
From my perspective as an observer, over extended stretches of time without updates and whispers of complex evolution, it’s hard for me to provide a clear and confident description of what Everwild actually is. It seems almost elusive, as our guide to Everwild has remained untouched for years now.
In simpler terms, Sea of Thieves hasn’t managed to captivate me, being a game with less focus on story and ongoing service. For years, I’ve hoped for something more from Rare, a studio known for its rich history. And it seems Everwild is intended to be that very thing.
2019 saw the announcement of Everwild, a game that was particularly intriguing because Xbox, with its smaller number of first-party studios at the time, tended to reveal games well in advance. I must admit that if Everwild had remained merely a rumor, my enthusiasm for it wouldn’t have been as intense. However, we do know that the game is being developed; we simply lack details about it.
Is it accurate that Everwild may still be some time before its release? I’m uncertain, but it would have been great to receive an update during the Xbox Games Showcase, even if just to adjust our expectations and offer a new glimpse into the kind of game Everwild aspires to become.
4. Fable
Generally, I dislike how diverse game categories like “Sports & Racing” are often grouped together, but in this instance, it fits my preferences perfectly: I usually don’t appreciate sports or racing video games.
play Forza Horizon stands out uniquely, and the exceptional caliber of this series has earned Playground Games a special place in my affections as one of my favorite and reliable studios. This only adds to the anticipation, since Xbox has selected Playground – a studio renowned for open-world racing games – to tackle a fresh endeavor: breathing new life into a venerable RPG series for contemporary platforms and player bases.
Indeed, Playground Games is spearheading the complete overhaul of Fable, and every tiny glimpse and short clip I’ve caught of their foray into a new genre only serves to heighten my anticipation.
As a fervent enthusiast of the Fable reboot, I wasn’t entirely taken aback by its absence from the Xbox Games Showcase given the recent delay. Yet, this doesn’t diminish my sense of letdown. Ever since its announcement, it has been on my most coveted list of upcoming games, and I eagerly await more updates about it.
Phil Spencer did, at least, tease that we should be playing Fable in 2026, mind.
3. REPLACED
It’s worth noting that among these games, REPLACED stands out as the one not developed by an Xbox Game Studio.
To clarify, while I am indeed a passionate Xbox enthusiast, it would be unreasonable to assume that all my eagerly awaited games are exclusively from the first-party publisher. Even in this curated lineup of games I was particularly excited to see during the Xbox Games Showcase, there’s a new addition: REPLACED made the cut.
Although REPLACED appears to be a “pixel art” game, it’s astonishingly one of the most visually stunning games I’ve ever experienced, having had the opportunity to play a small part of it.
As a tech enthusiast, there’s something about this game that has me salivating in excitement, and the fact that it’s a day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass (and its strategic partnership with Xbox) makes it an absolute must-play for me. I simply can’t wait to get my hands on this game!
2. Forza Horizon 6
Speaking about Forza Horizon 5, a game I had the opportunity to review on Windows Central,
Since Forza Horizon 5 has stopped providing regular updates following its grand release on PlayStation, it’s only natural for me to eagerly await the official announcement of Forza Horizon 6. Unfortunately, Playground Games has yet to confirm any details about a new game.
Although there have been whispers that Forza Horizon 6 might introduce an open-world racing environment in Japan, what truly piques my interest is observing the innovative creations Playground Games will craft using the advanced and impressive ForzaTech engine demonstrated by Turn 10 Studios with Forza Motorsport (2023)… A game I had a chance to review myself.
With its stunning visuals, Forza Horizon 6 is highly likely to rank among the most visually striking games of this decade. Beyond that, I’m thrilled to set off on yet another exhilarating journey exploring open roads, where I can choose to drive any car that catches my fancy at the moment.
As an ardent gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but express my excitement about the rumored official reveal of Forza Horizon 6 next year. However, I must admit, a tantalizing teaser unveiled during the recent Xbox Games Showcase would have sent my anticipation soaring!
1. State of Decay 3
At last, I’ve found a game that truly excites me to the core (no harm done, I assure you), and the upcoming release from Undead Labs. State of Decay 2 is undeniably one of my all-time favorite cooperative games, and I can hardly contain my excitement for any tidbit about its sequel.
It appears that we received some information about State of Decay 3 last year, but unfortunately, it looks like the game remains stuck in the far-off future as Undead Labs failed to show up at the most recent Xbox Games Showcase and there was no hint or teaser released either.
Since State of Decay 2 no longer receives further updates (and it continued to provide fresh content for a longer period than most anticipated), my craving for the next zombie-filled journey has intensified even more.
It appears that State of Decay 3 is poised to substantially build upon the foundation laid by Undead Labs, aiming for a far more expansive vision that could potentially rank among the finest Xbox games ever created.
I’m really hoping I can enjoy this game before I turn into a zombie myself. However, let’s give Undead Labs the space they need to create an exceptional game – one that truly lives up to its potential.
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2025-06-13 12:39