Xbox Games Showcase 2026 plus Gears of War Direct review: Exclusive fun, inclusive showcase.

Review:

The third major stop in the Summer Game Fest showcase is the Xbox showcase, now celebrating 25 years of games. Over this time, Xbox has done both good and bad, but they sure know how to create memories that would last for a long time, such as the Xbox 360 Halo 3 days online with your friends. And here, we see what's coming up for the future of Xbox through all their new reveals. 

Starting off this showcase is a lengthy look at Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the legendary franchise spawned by Xbox themselves, and what better way to do so than by showcasing nearly 10 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay of the game. This showcase reveals the game’s core gameplay as Marcus Fenix and his crew try to stop demons from harming the villains. I may not have played through a Gears of War game, but I think that this game would be a great fit for long-time players of this franchise. Gears of War: E-Day is coming exclusively to Xbox Series X and PC on October 6th, 2026. 

Next, we have another look at the Fable remake from Playground Games, which has been a hot item for Xbox gamers for quite some time. Showcasing a blend of classic gameplay mixed with modern gimmicks that's sure to please fans of the franchise, through heroic acts, a fine combat system, and an ever-changing world that is made entirely upon your actions. Fable has also been delayed from November 2026 to February 23rd, 2027, avoiding the launch window of GTA VI. While this wait may seem long, the devs at Playground Games do not want to risk underselling thanks to the other game. 

After that, we have a brand new look at Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the legendary Halo 1’s story mode. While it is cool for new fans to experience what makes Master Chief a legend, it also only has the story mode for this game, cutting the timeless multiplayer mode that helped Halo make its mark in the industry. Sure, the new prequel levels that were added do look cool, but Halo without the multiplayer does seem a bit bleak. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PlayStation 5 on July 28th, 2026.

Next up, we have a new announcement in the form of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. Taking place 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem, we see a lone smuggler fight through a new land to try to uncover hidden secrets. While I may not have played the other game, I can see that this game has some good combat mechanics that are fun to use. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy launches on Xbox, Steam, Epic, and PS5 on August 27th, 2026. 

Afterwards, we have a brand new look at Persona 4 Revival, a remake of the original Persona 4, similar to how ATLUS did Persona 3 a few years back. In this game, you play as a transfer student who gets caught up with strange murders inside a quiet town, but you and your friends dont back down from the mystery. Using powerful personas, problem-solving skills, and the bonds between friends and neighbors, it's only a matter of time till the killer gets caught. Persona 4 Revival launches on Xbox Series X, PS5, and Steam on February 18th, 2027. 

Next up, we have State of Decay 3, now with gameplay going with the game. Explore this zombie wasteland as you try to rebuild what’s left of civilization, grow crops, and help out survivors through these trying times, but you also get to do this with friends as you shoot up some zombies trying to undo your work. State of Decay 3 launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PS5 in 2027. 

Next, we have our yearly look at Sea of Thieves content from Rare, and this year looks to be their biggest update yet. This year, you get to create your own adventures with different rule sets, spawn as many creatures and items as you want, and even create your own cinematic cutscenes. This update is out now on all systems, so get cracking on your own custom events, or walk the plank. 

Next, made in Ukraine, is the next game in the Metro series: Metro 2039. Expanding upon the lore of the games, you play as a mysterious stranger who tries to figure out what's going on in the Metro, whether he was a good person or not. There’s still much to explore, but we should get more news soon. Metro 2039 launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PS5 in February 2027.

Following that, we have a cozier game filled with bright lights, cheerful colors, and one bad bird: Bad Magpie. In this game, you’re welcome to cause as much chaos as you want. From ransacking abandoned stores to causing forest fires, and even bullying your fellow animals. Under the chaos, it showcases a story of a magpie who can’t fly and longs for companionship that has piqued my interest. Bad Magpie launches on Xbox Series X and Steam in 2027. 

Following up, we have the world premiere of the brand new game Wolong 2: Wings of Ember, developed by Koei Tecmo. A brand new action RPG where you fight through ancient China in search of the elixir of life, dealing deadly combos while staying true to your mission. I have not played the first one, but I do think it looks and plays very well. Wolong 2: Wings of Ember launches in early 2027 on Xbox Series X, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Switch 2. 

Next, we have a goofy cult simulator called Join Us, where players create, raise, and maximize their offerings as a brand new cult. Find desperate souls while teaching them the ways of your beliefs, teach them to fight the non-believers, and raise your land so you may survive what's coming. Join Us launches in March of 2027, on Xbox Series X, Steam, Epic, and PS5. 

Next up, we have the world premiere of a brand new Senua game. Following the lines between life and death, this gritty stealth game follows you as you fight to uncover the answers to the questions you have. I heard this was gonna be standalone, so you dont need to play the other games to understand this. Senua launches in 2027 on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PlayStation 5. 

Like Sea of Thieves, we are getting the yearly update for Fallout 76. This year’s update is kind of scarce, but it looks to be a doozy with what we got. New lands, new enemies, new allies, and new ways to play with friends. The update is live for all systems, so get to exploring.

Afterwards, we are then treated to a new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages, titled Revelations. Finally connecting this game to Doom 2016’s story. Featuring new weapons to wield, new demons to slay, and a brand new story that hardcore Doom fans are sure to enjoy. Doom: The Dark Ages: Revelations is out now for all systems. 

In a lighter tone, we have a new look at the new Crazy Taxi game, titled World Tour. It’s been far too long since we had a new Crazy Taxi game, and SEGA’s looking to pull out all its stops for this game. It revives iconic gameplay for a new generation of players as you try to deliver food and escort people to their proper destinations. This time, you get to explore more than San Francisco, hence the title of the game. Crazy Taxi: World Tour launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, PS5, and Switch 2 in 2027. 

For Xbox’s 25th anniversary, Microsoft is showcasing a limited edition Xbox Series X system that features its clear green design with the logo on the system. This is called the Xbox Series X25, which is a cool name in its own right. The system launches in November, and like all limited edition systems, once they're gone, they're gone. 

Up next, we have the announcement of the next DLC for Age of Empires IV, titled Raiders of the North. This DLC adds Vikings to the game, adding more enemies to kill and new paths to take to expand your gameplay. Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North launches this Fall for the base game.

Next up, we have a brand new game from Mojang Studios, the developer behind the world-acclaimed Minecraft, with their next spinoff game: Minecraft Dungeons 2. Expanding on the first game’s dungeon crawler gameplay, you and up to 4 players can explore the depths of the overworld and face the dungeons underneath while leveling up your skills and weapons to fend off famous Minecraft mobs. Minecraft Dungeons 2 launches on all systems on September 29th, 2026. 

Then, we see the reveal of a brand new game titled Magicians: The Devil’s Deal. This game stars a poor magician who got sacrificed as part of a devilish deal and has to fight his way back home with enhanced magic while dealing with who sent him there in the first place. Magicians: The Devil’s Deal launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PS5 in 2027. 

We then have a new look at Valor Mortis, a supernatural souls-like thriller coming soon to systems. This follows a resurrected soldier by Napoleon himself as he fights not only to save the people he cares about, but also to figure out why he has been brought back from beyond the grave. This game has an interesting setting, an interesting story, and the gameplay looks pretty enticing. Valor Mortis launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PS5 on October 13th, 2026. 

Like Fallout 76 and Sea of Thieves, Xbox has showcased its yearly update for The Elder Scrolls Online, and this year, it's focusing on the Thieves Guild. Team up with friends as you and your team plan insane heists to retrieve treasures hoarded by the wealthy, either on land or on the seas. Learn new skills, explore new options, and grab some loot. Play the new update now on all systems. 

Microsoft Flight Simulator was also shown, helping to celebrate 250 years of the United States of America by highlighting the fact that you can fly through amazing landmarks and national parks. You can fly through all of them right now in the 2024 version of the game, and later in the fall, you can even race against other players through the air races update.  

After that, we have a new expansion for Where Winds Meet, titled Hidden Mountain. In this new expansion, players can explore the vast mountains in the area while battling enemies. I’m not a player of this game, but even someone like me can appreciate its beauty. The update is out now on Xbox Series X, PS5, Steam, and Epic.

Next up, we have another look at Konami’s Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. Taking place decades after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor and Sypha, now must face a new demonic threat that threatens to consume all of Paris. Packed with action, exploration, and upgradable attacks and skills, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is sure to be the game that brings back the franchise after its long dormant period. Coming October 15th to Xbox Series X, PS5, Steam, and Switch.

We are then given the reveal of Vivarium, a seemingly cozy life simulator inspired by Animal Crossing and 80s and 90s anime. Spend your days exploring this wilderness, talking to your neighbors, and making sure everything is nice and cozy. But there may be a hidden darkness in the works, so tread carefully now. Vivarium launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, and Epic in 2027. 

To everyone's surprise, Atlus has revealed the long-awaited, long-leaked, and long-awaited game Persona 6. Not much is known about this game, except that the main color is Green. Persona 6 is coming soon with no release window of any kind on Xbox Series X, Steam, and PS5. 

We are then treated to the surprise reveal of Spyro: A Realm Beyond. A series, long said to be dormant, is coming back in a brand new adventure. With his flame breath, wings that soar, and your trusted partner Sparx, this is a game fans have been waiting for since Spyro: Reignited Trilogy. Spyro: A Realm Beyond launches on Xbox Series X, Steam, PS5, and Switch 2 in 2027.

Clockwork Revolution, the time-traveling steampunk shooter where you try to find a way to survive in a time of unruly rulers, second chances, and hope within the darkness. There are also fun characters to interact with, time paradoxes to overcome, and a future to uncover where everything goes right for the common folk. I've been keeping my eye on this game for quite some time, and I love everything that they’re doing for this game. Clockwork Revolution comes out in 2027 exclusively on Xbox Series X. 

The last new game announcement in the showcase is, unsurprisingly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, the new COD for 2027. This showcase takes a look at what the new DMZ mode for the new game is, taking place in the new Hajin map, which is based on North Korea. Traverse this new map as you explore the landscape, battle countless players doing their own missions, and secure the objectives in order to survive the new DMZ map. Play through the DMZ, alongside a brand new single-player mode and another year of multiplayer when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23rd on Xbox Series X, PS5, Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.

After the main showcase is done, we are then treated to another extended look at Gears of War: E-Day, which is Xbox’s next biggest game on the horizon. Experience the rise of the threats to humanity when the Gears, aka trained soldiers, take up arms to fend off these demonic threats to humanity in this action-packed, blood-soaked prequel to a legendary Xbox franchise. Using the power of UE5, there has never been a chance to show what truly happened on Emergence Day, the day everything changed. Through impressive graphics mixed with realistic physics of the world around you, from its rich history to a brand-new story to tell, it truly feels like you’re in the game itself, fighting alongside legendary soldiers like Marcus Fennix. 

In conclusion, Xbox is showing off all its cards in an era of uncertainty in the gaming industry. From bold decisions like making two highly anticipated games Xbox console exclusives, to surprising the fans with new sequels of highly respected franchises, and even updates with what we have now, Microsoft is doing whatever they can to stay in the industry, and only time will tell if those decisions will pay off in spades. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what's next.

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8/10