Last month, Microsoft released their 2024 Xbox Partner Preview video presentation, showcasing some of the upcoming titles that gamers can look forward to playing on Xbox (and in some cases, elsewhere as well) in the coming months. Since Sony and Nintendo had both released similar presentationss in the two months prior, it seems only fitting to cover all three. So without further ado, here is a brief synopsis of some of the upcoming standouts that were shown off in those presentations.
- Sonic X Shadow: Generations - Sony aired their 2024 State of Play presentation first, on January 31st. Aside from a few heavy hitters that have already been released in the interim (Dragon's Dogma II, Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade, and Final Fantasy VII - Rebirth), one of the higher profile announcements, was the reveal of a remaster of Sega's hit 2011 game, Sonic Generations. Dubbed Sonic X Shadow: Generations, this update will feature upgraded visuals and as implied by the title, a brand new campaign featuring noted Sonic rival, Shadow the Hedgehog. No specific release date has yet to be offered, however, the slightly more general release range of Autumn 2024 will no doubt be here before we know it; and even though the game wasn't shown in either of the other two console maker's presentations, it's probably a pretty safe bet it will be coming to their platforms as well.
- V Rising - An upcoming open world survival action RPG from Stunlock Studios, V Rising puts you in the role of a recently-awakened vampire in a medieval setting. As such, game will task the player with avoiding the sun, gathering resources, battling enemies, and building a castle to live in. V Rising is currently in early access on Steam but according to the presentation, will be releasing on PlayStation 5 sometime this year (hopefully, before the end of October).
- Judas - The next project from acclaimed developer Ken Levine and his Ghost Story Games (formerly Irrational) studio, Judas appears to be a spiritual sequel to their unfathomably good BioShock series. So much so that we wouldn't be at all surprised if the team decides to throw an Easter egg or two into the game that ties the two universes together. Considering that the BioShock titles are some of the best games ever made, it wouldn't be a shock to learn that there are more than a few fans out there that are deeply longing to play this game. No official release date is yet on the horizon, but when the game does eventually surface, it will be on PlayStation 5 and Steam (if not other platforms as well).
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - One of the biggest features of the presentation was the nearly 10-minute segment devoted entirely to Death Stranding 2 (newly subtitled) On the Beach. This follow up to renowned developer Hideo Kojima's incredibly-bizarre yet well-received 2019 original will follow the Norman Reedus-portrayed main character, Sam as he continues his somewhat trippy action-adventures down in a post-apocalyptic Mexico. Fans can expect to jump back into Sam's likely well-worn shoes sometime next year.
- Silent Hill 2 - Despite the fact that Hideo Kojima was in attendance with his latest title, and is still no longer working with his longtime employer, Konami, don't think that they didn't have something to show off as well. Apparently taking a page from rival company Capcom's success with their somewhat recent series of Resident Evil remakes, Konami, has decided to get in on the action with a survival horror remake of their own, Silent Hill 2. Arguably the most acclaimed entry in the long-running franchise, Konami has tapped fellow accomplished horror developer, Bloober Team to head up the game's development. No specific date has yet been given beyond a general 2024 release, but you can bet fans are practically dying to get their bony hands on this title.
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble - Following a few weeks after Sony's PlayStation State of Play, Nintendo held a Direct Partner Showcase on February 21st. Though maybe not quite as exciting as Sony's presentation, Nintendo did have a few decent trailers to show off, including one for a brand new Super Monkey Ball title. While the series has never quite managed to attain the same lofty heights it enjoyed during it's primitive days on the GameCube, another entry in this franchise is always welcome. After all, the series is pretty well-known for bringing fun by the bunches. Fans should get ready to have a ball on the Nintendo Switch starting June 25th.
- Monster Hunter Stories - Another welcome announcement during Nintendo's Direct presentation was for a Switch remaster of Capcom's hit 2017 3DS spin-off, Monster Hunter Stories. In addition to various minor additions and improved visuals, this new version of the game will also now be fully voiced. Fans who somehow missed out on the original version (or who simply want to experience the definitive version) can look forward to playing Monster Hunter Stories this Summer on Steam and Nintendo Switch (and perhaps elsewhere as well).
- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - Elsewhere in Nintendo's presentation, another bit of 3DS-related news was revealed - - that respected Japanese developer Level-5 would be releasing a Switch-bound sequel to their 2014 game Fantasy Life. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time will allow you to switch between various characters, play with friends, and even time travel in order to restore a now-deserted island to its former glory. Any flux capacitor-upgraded DeLorean owners who are anxious to try this game out should set their time circuits for October 10, 2024, its scheduled release date.
- (Disney) Epic Mickey - Rebrushed - One of the arguably bigger announcements to be made during Nintendo's Direct, was that of a Switch remake to the Disney-themed 2010 Wii release, Epic Mickey. Amongst other various touch-ups, Epic Mickey - Rebrushed will feature new moves, improved controls, and enhanced visuals. Mickey fanatics should be able to brush up on his return to epic-ness on Switch and Steam (and presumably other platforms), sometime later this year.
- SteamWorld Heist II - Like Sony, Nintendo apparently wasn't content to leave fans with just the one presentation, opting to supplement their February Partner Direct with the release of an Indie World Showcase on April 17th. Although the second event was actually pretty disappointing compared to the first, there was one announcement that likely managed to steal a few hearts, SteamWorld Heist II. Follow-up to Image & Form(now Thunderful)'s absolutely stellar 2015 original, the sequel appears to be trading in the space ship for a regular sea-faring one. But as long as it brings along the same charming tactical excellence as the first game, it really wouldn't matter if they were to set it inside of a mineshaft. SteamWorld Heist II is scheduled to come in on August 08, 2024 on Switch and Steam (and perhaps a few other ports of call).
- The Alters - Although the Xbox Presentation was the most recent of the three to air, it was also arguably, the most disappointing. Aside from the since-released STALKER - Legends of the Zone Trilogy, there were only two trailers that really managed to stand out. The first of these, is an upcoming sci-fi survival adventure game from 11 bit studios. Bearing a not unnoticeable resemblance to the outstanding 2021 Housemarque title, Returnal, The Alters tasks you with attempting to escape a deadly planet before time runs out by way of assistance from multiple other versions of yourself. The Alters does appear to put a unique spin on the concept however by having the player build relationships with his other selves and examining how a person's choices in life might ultimately alter their outlook and personality. The title will apparently be releasing sometime this year, on Xbox Series X and Steam.
- Sleight of Hand - The other interesting trailer was for Sleight of Hand, an upcoming third-person tactical action stealth title from RiffRaff Games. In it, you will play as a witch in a fantastical noir urban setting, utilizing a cursed deck of magical cards in order to take down your old coven. If it plays even half as cool as the trailer looked, gamers will no doubt be in for a wicked good time. No release date has yet been provided, but it appears that whenever the game does release, it will also be doing so on Xbox Series X and Steam.
So that concludes our coverage of the opening salvo of preview presentations for 2024. Be sure to click the links throughout the article to watch the presentations yourself or to find out more information about these upcoming titles. Also, please feel free to let us know which games you're most looking forward to in the comments below.
[Images: Stunlock Studios, Konami, Thunderful, RiffRaff Games]
 | [AJ Amideo] |