Day 2 was a huge day for E3 2021. We've got everything you need to know from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, the Square Enix Presents, and the Future Games Show from Games Radar.
Starfield Full Reveal
The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase kicked off with Starfield. At long last, we got a glimpse of what this game is about and when we can expect to see it. As you might imagine, we're going to have to wait a while but there's a lot to learn from the brief appearance it made at E3 2021.
Firstly, Starfield is due to release on the 11th November 2022. That's a little ways away and not set in stone, but you'd like to hope it's far enough in the future that it should be kept too.
It's also the first Bethesda title to use the new Creation Engine 2, something we expect to see in Elder Scrolls 6 (eventually). It's going to be structured in a similar way to skyrim, but take place over 300 years in the future and feature a well lived-in world to explore. We expect to be making comparisons, but it sounds like Bethesda has really raised the bar with this game.
Halo Infinite Update
We haven't got a release date just yet, but 343 Industries has shared an updated look on Halo Infinite. We got to see a new Cinematic Trailer showcasing a new Suit AI and a better look at Master Chief.
However, the big reveal of the evening is that Halo Infinite's Multiplayer is going to be free-to-play and support 120 FPS for next-gen consoles. All we know is that it's launching "Holiday 2021". Expect to see more soon.
For now, though, check out the dramatic Multiplayer Reveal trailer. It looks like classic Halo in the best way.
Xbox Game Pass Updates
It wouldn't be an Xbox showcase without Game Pass updates, right? Xbox is making sure that their Game Pass subscription is the best deal in gaming and confirmed a number of titles are due to be launching on the service over the next two years.
Back 4 Blood will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one, October 12th 2021. In addition to this, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is also now available on Xbox Game Pass and Hades is going to be added on August 13th.
Furthermore, another slew of Bethesda titles is coming to Xbox Game Pass. From today, you can now play DOOM 2016, Wolfenstein 2, The Evil Within 2, all the old Fallout games, and RAGE on Xbox Game Pass. DOOM Eternal is also getting a next-gen upgrade on June 29th.
As expected, Among Us is also coming to Xbox's Game Pass in the future. There's no date on that yet, though. Phil Spencer shared a mind-blowing graphic highlighting all the new games coming to Xbox Game Pass over the remainder of 2021. There are at least 21 new games coming. Madness.
Battlefield 2042 Gameplay
We only saw the reveal a few days ago, but at long last, we've got a glimpse of Battlefield 2042 gameplay. To put it plainly, it looks insane. The maps look huge and the gunplay looks to be Battlefield at its' best.
Wingsuits add a unique dynamic to the gameplay, allowing for quick escapes, however, vehicles look to dominate combat as usual. You can check out the Battlefield 2042 Gameplay Trailer below:
Fallout 76 Steel Reign & The Pitt
Bethesda's Fallout Universe MMO, Fallout 76, is also getting a few more updates and Bethesda shared their plans for the game at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase yesterday.
Steel Reign is a free expansion for all Fallout 76 players due to release on July 7th. It marks the conclusion of the Brotherhood of Steel storyline established in Steel Dawn and introduces Legendary Power Armour to the game.
There's also going to be another expansion coming in 2022. We know a little less about this, but The Pitt looks to be introducing Fallout 3's Pittsburg to the game. Expect this expansion to be a big one. We only know that it's due in 2022, at the moment.
Age of Empires 4 Release Date
The next iteration of the Age of Empires series, Age of Empires 4, is due to release on October 28th. We've seen a lot of this title so far but at long last, we have a release date.
The level of detail in this game is insane and Xbox shared a new Gameplay Trailer to showcase this. It is expected to be released on Game Pass for PC on day one, too.
Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox
Another release date announcement followed Age of Empires 4. This time, it was referring to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The expansive title is coming to Xbox consoles on July 27th!
That isn't all though... A Top Gun: Maverick expansion has been announced for "the fall". It will be free for all players and we can only assume that this means there's going to be a few fighter jets included.
There's no word on whether Microsoft Flight Simulator will be coming to Xbox One consoles, but it doesn't look like it.
Forza Horizon 5 Revealed
The next Forza Horizon title is coming and it's ditching the rolling hills of England for the sprawling deserts of Mexico. Forza Horizon 5 is due to release in November this year and looks to be one of the best-looking Xbox Series X titles out there.
Forza Horizon might look like it's all about racing, but there's a lot more on offer. You can create your own game modes and dictate the rules of the races you're planning on undertaking. It's a technological powerhouse you won't want to miss.
The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase really is offering a lot of new information for Xbox players. The rest of 2021 is going to be jam-packed.
Redfall Announced
The studio behind Dishonored and Prey has just announced a new Xbox Exclusive title: Redfall. It's hard to explain exactly what's happening, but the game looks truly insane. Hunt Vampires with the latest technology and a few mystical tricks of your own in Redfall.
This open-world cooperative adventure is coming in Summer 2022. Expect to hear more about it from Arkane Studios later in the year. Only you can save Redfall from the darkness. It's time to bite back.
Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase - The Rest
Of course, there's more to talk about from this event. Firstly, STALKER 2 is coming to Xbox consoles and PC as a launch exclusive in April 2022. This title will be optimised for next-gen consoles and feature ray-tracing and 4K visuals.
In addition to this, Avalanche Studios announced a new open-world co-op title: Contraband. We don't know a whole lot about the game yet, but it's set in the 1970s and tasks you with smuggling, well... Contraband.
If this isn't your cup of tea (or barrel of rum) then perhaps the update on Sea of Thieves will tickle your fancy. A crossover with Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean is coming to Rare's Sea of Thieves on June 22. Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life throws you into an epic adventure on the High Seas featuring both Davy Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. It's adventurous, but a collaboration that looks to bring a lot to the game.
There's also a whole host of other titles to mention:
- 12 Minutes
- This Console Launch Exclusive is due to release on August 19th;
- Psychonauts 2
- This is coming out on August 25th;
- Party Animals
- This is another Console Launch Exclusive coming out in 2022;
- Diablo II: Resurrected
- This remaster is due to release on September 9th, 2021;
- A Plague Tale: Requiem
- The sequel to A Plague Tale is coming in 2022;
- Slime Rancher 2
- The sequel is coming to Xbox Game Pass when it launches in 2022;
- Shredders [Working Title]
- This new snowboarding game is on the way in December 2021;
- Atomic Heart
- This new IP is coming to Xbox Game Pass when it launches, despite not having a release date;
- Replaced
- This side-scroller action-adventure title is due to launch in 2022;
- Grounded DLC Update
- The Shroom & Doom update is coming out on June 30th, featuring new bosses, pets, mushrooms and sitting down.
Guardians of the Galaxy Game Announced
Well, we weren't expecting this. Eidos Montreal and Square Enix are teaming up with Marvel Games to tell an original Guardians of the Galaxy story in their new Guardians of the Galaxy game.
It's going to be a third-person single-player action-adventure that features gameplay somewhat similar to Marvel's Avengers. What's interesting is that it limits you to playing as Star-Lord. Could this title tie into Marvel's Avengers though? That's what we want to know.
Either way, it's due to release on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles on October 26th and you can check out a trailer below:
Marvel's Avengers - War for Wakanda
Square Enix also shared an extended look at Black Panther and Marvel's Avengers War for Wakanda expansion during their Square Enix Presents presentation. It's due to release in August, with the Cosmic Cube in-game event dropping in July ahead of this.
There's no specific release date, but we got a brand new look at Klaw, the Dora Milaje, Shuri, and T'Challa's base Black Panther appearance. You can check out the trailer below:
Square Enix Presents - The Rest
In addition to all this, Square Enix presents also showcased the following new titles...
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster;
- There's no release date for this yet, but the games look to be only coming to Steam and Mobile devices;
- Legend of Mana
- This celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Mana series is due to be available on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation consoles on June 24th;
- Babylon's Fall
- This live-service fantasy title has been confirmed and is coming to PS4, PS5, and Steam at launch;
- Life Is Strange Remastered Collection
- The remastered collection has been given a release date: September 30th;
- Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
- A new Final Fantasy title has been announced and is coming in 2022; A Trial of the game is currently available on PS5.
Future Games Show Announcements
That isn't even it! There's a whole host of other announcements from Games Radar's Future Games Show! Some of these are updates on previously announced titles and we have the latest on everything that was revealed.
- Instinction
- This Dino Crisis spiritual successor is coming out at some point in 2022;
- Jurassic World Evolution 2
- We got another preview of the game, and confirmation that it's coming in 2021;
- Hell Let Loose
- This large-scale WW2 shooter is coming to PC on July 27th with a console launch planned later this year;
- Red Solstice 2: Survivors
- This XCOM-like co-operative title is coming to PC on July 17th;
- Lake
- This narrative-based adventure game is coming to both Xbox and PC on September 1st;
- Eldest Souls
- This Souls-like boss-rushing 2D brawler is due to release on PC and Consoles on July 29th;
- Enlisted
- This is another large-scale WW2 shooter that's available on both next-gen consoles and PC; It now has cross-play features;
- Severed Steel
- This bullet-time FPS title is all about hitting high combos; It's just "coming soon";
- Sonic Colours Ultimate
- We saw this one a little while ago and it's due to release on September 7th;
- Project Ferocious
- This Turok-like dinosaur FPS game is coming in 2023;
- Warcry Challenges
- This DOOM-like shooter-platformer is coming out in Summer 2021.
You can check out more trailers and details on the full Future Games Show line-up here. There's a lot going on.