Top 5 Most Anticipated XBox Games from E3 2017

E3 2017’s press conferences showcased a multitude of games ranging from AAA juggernauts to indie darlings.  No conference demonstrated this better than Microsoft’s event, with over forty games being shown.  While the breath of games presented is massive, we’ve managed to narrow down our top five picks for the most anticipated games coming to Xbox consoles in the near or far-flung, future.  

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5. Crackdown 3

After it was believed to be trapped in development hell for the past year, Microsoft’s open world, stylish 3rd-person shooter franchise Crackdown got some screen time during their press conference.  What’s more, fans were treated to new gameplay footage, and the long awaited release date, which is set for November 7th.  The game, which promises a highly destructible environment and seamless co-op play, is awaited with resolute anticipation, as Crackdown is one of Microsoft’s most popular first party titles.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_9fG8hPCi0

4. The Last Night

As stylish as it is mysterious, The Last Night was revealed along with a slew of other indie titles as part of Microsoft’s push to get smaller titles on their system.  While little was shown in regards to gameplay, The Last Night does seem to take inspiration from titles such as Blade Runner and Shadowrun, and combines 2D platforming and pixel art with a 3D environment.  Unfortunately, no release date has been announced as of yet.  

3. Anthem

Originally teased at EA’s event the day previous, Bioware’s new IP looks to follow the same evolutionary path of Ubisoft’s The Division.  With a focus on group play, Anthem has players gear up in large exo-suits, called Javelins, and take out monstrous threats that endanger those hiding behind the walls of their home settlement.  Gameplay is extremely combat focused, but also looks to reward exploration and discovering lost items across the map.  The game is set to release sometime in 2018, but no specific date was given.  

2. Metro: Exodus

By far one of the biggest surprises of the Microsoft show, Metro: Exodus showcased a rather stunning cinematic trailer.  Acting as a true sequel, the game will pick up where the previous game, Metro: Last Light, left off, as protagonist Artyom is forced to flee Moscow’s underground subway system with a band of survivors.  The developers described the game as a “sandbox survival experience” with non-linear levels.  A with many of the other titles showcased at Microsoft’s press conference, Exodus is set to release in 2018, but with n0 specific date given.  

1. Cuphead

Few games have been teased so adamantly over the past three years as has Cuphead, a side-scrolling action platformer with a strong early Disney aesthetic.  The game was originally set to release back in 2014 as a liner bullet-hell shmup, but multiple delays and a change of pace pushed it back quite a while.  Finally, at this year’s conference, the Xbox and PC exclusive got a definitive September 29th release date. While this game isn’t as grand as Metro or Assassin’s Creed or doesn’t have a fanbase like Bioware has, it takes the #1 spot because of just how damn long it took the game to finally get to this point.  It’s one of the few games that managed to escape from development hell, especially after following several showings at previous E3 events.  I’ve been eager to play Cuphead since it was first announced, and now that I know when it will be released, I’m in a state of near euphoria.        

E3 2017 has graced audiences with a plethora of memorable announcements and gameplay reveals.  If a game you wanted to see included on this list didn’t make the cut, be sure to check out our other articles on the most anticipated Sony, Nintendo and Indie games as well.  Check back here at Goomba Stomp for more E3 coverage throughout the week.