Ninja Gaiden 2: Black is a high-definition upgrade of the original Ninja Gaiden 2, released in 2008 for Xbox 360 as part of the Ninja Gaiden series’ 3D action reboot sequence. Known for its extreme violence, tough challenge, and intricate, swift combat system, this game is widely considered a standout title within the Ninja Gaiden franchise.
As an analyst, I find myself immersed in the captivating, yet perilous landscape of Expedition 33, a fantasy realm that draws heavily from the opulent Belle Époque era of French history. The narrative unfolds around a menacing figure known simply as the Paintress, who employs her enigmatic powers to paint numbers each year. Any individuals who share the same age as the number she paints vanish without a trace. In this tale, our protagonists are a band of intrepid adventurers, embarking on a mission to thwart the Paintress before she paints the fateful number 33 – hence the title of the game itself.
2025 promises an action-packed scene filled with numerous highly anticipated video game releases, and there are many I eagerly look forward to playing. Among them are Avowed, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, Atomfall, and the list goes on, leaving out quite a few more. However, one title in particular has sparked considerable excitement – South of Midnight, an enchanting third-person action-adventure game that draws heavily from Southern folklore and gothic mysticism. This is the first Xbox Game Studios release from Compulsion Games, and today’s in-depth preview has my anticipation reaching unprecedented heights.
Previously, Xbox hinted at the releases of Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for their presentation, but they also added some unexpected twists to keep things exciting. Today, Xbox officially announced that all titles displayed in the Developer Direct are compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, with support for Cloud Gaming. Here’s a roundup of everything shown during the January 2025 Xbox Developer_Direct event.
As a viewer, I’ve noticed that these shows usually delve deeply into established titles, yet they also surprise us with their own unique twists. This year, we can expect to journey back in time with DOOM: The Dark Ages, exploring the medieval past of the Doom Slayer; immerse ourselves in the Southern gothic action game South of Midnight; and lastly, experience an “AAA”-style retro turn-based RPG called Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Now, we’ve also learned about the fourth game!
As a researcher, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the team that unveiled the expansive 21,000 square foot Microsoft Store in London back in July 2019. This store was meticulously designed to serve as a central hub for cutting-edge technology, both from Microsoft and our valued partners. It offers an impressive display of top-tier hardware from third-party Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), along with the newest innovations from Surface and Xbox lines.