Yesterday, or rather just a few hours ago, Microsoft held the highly anticipated Xbox Developer_Direct 25, this annual event focused on internal projects that always takes place early in the year. And, as usual, they left us with a ton of announcements and updates, including the confirmation of several release dates, among other super interesting things. So, here and now, we’ll go over the most notable reveals or announcements from this popular annual event.
As you surely already know, Xbox Developer_Direct is heavily oriented towards the people who develop those titles we enjoy so much, and those incredible and unknown processes behind their creation. Even so, they don’t miss the opportunity to reveal new details of already anticipated titles, such as release dates, changes, and much more. We’ve had updates on titles we’ve already covered here at MLG, so obviously, we received these updates provided at this event with open arms.
Ninja Gaiden 4 In Development
Team Ninja is doing it again, and this time they return to the scene alongside Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames with a double surprise presented at the Xbox event. PlatinumGames announced that a new installment of Ninja Gaiden is currently in development. Indeed, it’s Ninja Gaiden 4, a new main installment of this beloved hack-and-slash action saga, which, according to the announcement, will launch next fall on PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox Game Pass, and PC. Obviously, an almost unavoidable title for everyone, and especially for hack-and-slash lovers.
This new installment, which will result from the collaboration between major players in various action genres, including Team Ninja, who were responsible for the previous installments of the saga, will mark the return of this iconic franchise after 13 years of inactivity. In it, we’ll follow the story of a new protagonist, Yakumo, in a dark version of Tokyo transformed by the return of the Dark Dragon. Nevertheless, even though the main character is Yakumo, the iconic Ryu Hayabusa will also play an important role, both narratively and as a playable character.
One of the novelties will be the Bloodraven Form ability, unique to Yakumo, which will allow him to manipulate blood to create massive weapons and carry out devastating attacks, such as the Bloodbath Kill. And regarding the environment, Tokyo will have a new cyberpunk aesthetic with detailed weather effects, which, combined with the new mobility mechanics in a franchise already characterized by the frenzy of its movements and attacks, will provide the player with a highly immersive experience.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, A Remake We Didn’t Expect
As if the previous news wasn’t impactful enough, they also revealed the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a “remaster” of Ninja Gaiden 2, from 2008, which we can undoubtedly call a “remake” given the visual display of this installment. This completely revamped version relies on Unreal Engine 5 to deliver the best combination of graphics and gameplay we’ve seen in many years.
In Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the levels, characters, effects, and lighting have been “redesigned and remastered,” as well as gore elements such as dismemberments and blood, to make the experience literally stunning in every sense and amplify the action. Notably, elements from spin-offs that followed the original game have been incorporated, as well as three additional playable characters: Momiji, Ayane, and Rachel. Moreover, the “Path of the Hero” mode provides automatic support in difficult situations for those who want to enjoy this installment even without fully trusting their skills with the controls.
This version is now available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. You didn’t see that coming, did you?
South of Midnight Arrives on April 8
Compulsion Games, creators of the famous We Happy Few from 2018, have presented their new gameplay trailer for their upcoming game South of Midnight, which will go on sale on April 8 this year and will be available from its launch through Xbox Game Pass, and from April 3 in early access for those who purchase the Premium Edition.
South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure set in a fantastic version of the Deep South of the United States, and it will put us in the shoes of Hazel, a young woman who, after a hurricane devastates her hometown, Prospero, discovers a world where reality and fantasy intertwine, with mythical creatures from Southern folklore emerging. Thus, armed with new magical powers, Hazel must face dangerous enemies while trying to repair the traumas that have turned them into monsters, and slowly unravel her complex family past.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Also in April
The French studio Sandfall Interactive announced during the Xbox Developer_Direct event that their highly anticipated title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will finally arrive on April 24 this year, and it will debut simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, being available from day one on Xbox Game Pass. If you’re interested in finding out more about what the game is about, we invite you to check the link we’ve left below:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Coming in 2025 Max Level Gamer Post
In addition to the release date, which is undoubtedly the highlight of their announcement, an extensive presentation on its development showcased aspects such as narrative, character design, combat, music, and exploration. It undoubtedly looks phenomenal, but we already thought that here at MLG. Draw your own conclusions 😉
DOOM: The Dark Ages Confirmed for May 15
Perhaps the bombshell, or the most impactful of the Direct, came right at the end, when an extended trailer for DOOM: The Dark Ages was shown, showcasing not only its frenetic gameplay but also part of its development process. And just a few minutes later, its official release date was finally announced, arriving on May 15 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and being available from day one on Xbox Game Pass. If you haven’t been living under a rock these past months, you surely know what we’re talking about, but if by chance you don’t, we invite you to check the link we’ve left below:
DOOM: The Dark Ages – All You Need to Know Max Level Gamer Post
As we’ve seen in the video led by its developers, DOOM: The Dark Ages will remain a “linear” game but will offer a more “sandbox” experience where exploration will play a very important role, since the maps, for instance, will be much larger, although the studio has avoided mentioning the term “open world.” In this installment, we will star in a prequel to everything we knew about DOOM and the Slayer, in which the studio aims to return somewhat to some of the game’s original foundations that may have been relegated over the years. In The Dark Ages, for example, we’ll fight on the ground, tank-style, with our heavy weapons and our powerful shield, like true alpha male silverbacks, leaving behind the jump-and-shoot style of Eternal. Not that it was bad, but… This is DOOM! 😉
We hope you’ve had enough with these updates. As for us, there are some things we didn’t see coming, and yet, we’re happy 😀 And now is the time to call on you, to jump into the comments and tell us what you thought of these updates, or which of these titles you’re most looking forward to! You know, gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Source: Xbox Official YouTube Channel, IGN Official YouTube Channel, VANDAL
By the way, would you like to watch the full stream? Of course, my friend, we’ve got it for you right below these lines!
