IGN : From Avowed to Doom: The Dark Ages to the long-awaited arrival of Fable (we hope!) and more, here's a look at what we expect from Xbox in 2025.
VGChartz's Lee Mehr: "Before getting into the nominees, there’s one interesting omission worth noting: Black Ops 7. This marks the first time in this decade when Call of Duty has consecutively failed to reach our shortlist. Regardless of its popularity, that sends a clear signal as to what these nominees – ranging from AAA to indie – bring to the table. And given the impressive vote share between them (none eclipsing 35%), it's safe to say shooter fans got their fill last year. Without further ado, here are the nominees…"
Xbox Wire: "2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year."
I'm looking forwatd to Forza horizon 6, preordering it for PS5 as soon as it'l be available. Curios about Fable i must admit but only if it'll have a PS5 version because i already sold XSX.
Avowed is headed to PS5 this February 17, 2026, as an Anniversary Update that houses new content for free has been announced too.
No physical = no buy... and none of that empty launcher disc nonsense (Doom The Dark Ages)
You can expect it to be EXACTLY like Doom the Dark Ages and Indiana Jones IF it has a physical copy.
PlayStation might have got the Mickey Mouse RPG, Avowed, but it will NEVER get Starfield - and you can quote me on that!
Listen man, Xbox already lost its three biggest pillars to PS5. Halo, Foza, and Gears. It's just a matter of time for Starfield.
"Just four games" said some guy.
Avowed >>> Starfield. I've put over 100 hours in Starfield. I gave it its due. Avowed is just better gameplay, story, voice acting. Hands down. The problem is it's just not everyone cup of tea for an RPG setting/concept. It's more like Fable. But it's good.
So bragging about Starfield not going to PS5 is a very weird flex, IMHO. It got carried by the Bethesda name. If someone else had put it out, it would underperformed.
Now, on the topic of 'losing another one'. I'd be fine if all exclusives were timed. Give it 2 to 4 years exclusivity on a platform and then just splurge it everywhere. I don't see this as Microsoft losing anything. They had their biggest sales potential on their platform, now get more elsewhere.
Has to be s joke because SF is rumored to be slated for PS5. Listen everything is going over. Thought we were past this a long Time ago.
@Christopher et al. Regarding PlayStation 'NEVER' getting Starfield, I was merely meme-ing the many who vehemently said and believed the same the same thing! Now the holy trinity has been confirmed I thought it obvious to everyone that means the whole slate is going to PlayStation.
Also, 'tis true I have not played Avowed for myself, but the reviews I read and watched when it launched were mostly critical, hopefully the big update fixes all that. As will the big Starfield update should so that PS5 players get to experience the game it was always meant to be.
You do know that Starfield for PS5 is heavily rumored right..
And also Starfield was a really Bad game.
Like the words of Connie Marble..."We'll just see!!" XB is now a third party developer, it's just that some & I mean some of their newly released games may be timed exclusive on the XB gaming console then it'll eventually release on the PS5 gaming console.
So is Avowed as big as Halo and Forza? (Agree for this) Or more of the same level as Sea of Thieves? (Disagree for this)
why would you ever think a one-off RPG like Avowed would compare to storied franchises like Halo and Forza?
I think you already know the answer to your question without even needing responses.
Honestly I never heard of Avowed. I just wanted to know how big Avowed was when it was on xbox
@maximusprime - totally different game from the ones you mentioned. I don't think it moved any needles, although it getting a second chance on the PS5 isn't a bad thing for the game.
Avowed isn't one-off. It's in the Pillars of Eternity slew of games and continues the story after Deadfire.
@Christopher - fair enough, I don't know enough about the entire story. I just don't feel it compares to more established franchises like Halo and and Forza.
Slightly above Sea of Thieves I'd say. But Sea of Thieves sold well on PS5 at release. Avowed is a niche RPG due to its setting and lack of nostalgia behind it. But it is a traditional Western RPG that mostly indies are providing nowadays. It's nice to see bigger studios continuing to support them. Especially since BioWare seems to be dealing with internal issues on their end.
2025 is packed with State of decay 3, perfect dark, everwild, fable, south of midnight, towerborne, Avowed, The Outer worlds 2, doom, Gears of War: Eday. Plus theres rumors of an Oblivion remaster and Forza Horizon 6 at the end of the year. Surely some of these will need to push to 2026, but even if half of them make 2025, that's a solid line up for xbox next year.
To go third party mutiplatform whilst announcing additional games for PS5 at their showcase. As per Satya and Phil. There is no red line...
Avowed is already DOA.
Whatever comes to PS5, I'll be sure to snag a physical copy for (Doom for example) Perfect Dark has my attention, as does Avowed and Fable for my Series S