The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 unfolded on Sunday, June 8, delivering a packed lineup of announcements, trailers, and deep dives into some of the most anticipated games slated for release this year and beyond. Kicking off at 10 am Pacific Time (1 pm Eastern), the event was streamed live across multiple platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and even TikTok, where hosts provided live commentary. The showcase was immediately followed by a dedicated presentation for Obsidian Entertainment’s much-anticipated sci-fi RPG sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, marking a significant highlight of the day.
With the Xbox ecosystem expanding its reach beyond just Microsoft consoles, the showcase also hinted at titles that could eventually appear on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, signaling a broader strategy for game availability. The event’s timing, just days after the Summer Game Fest 2025, added to the buzz and anticipation surrounding the latest Xbox developments.
Among the confirmed titles, The Outer Worlds 2 stood out as the biggest game Obsidian has ever made. The studio emphasized improvements across the board, particularly in gunplay, with enhanced weapon feel, recoil, and sound effects. Unique reload animations and a variety of new weapon types, including quirky options like the "rookie's reward" that shoots confetti and the "pop-up gun" that distracts enemies with jingles, were showcased. Throwables such as frag grenades, smoke grenades, distraction devices, and science grenades that levitate enemies add fresh tactical depth to combat.
The sequel is set on the new colony of Arcadia, ruled by The Protectorate, an authoritarian faction grappling with the question of how much freedom people are willing to sacrifice for security and luxury. Players take on the role of a Sky Marshall, navigating a world filled with multiple factions, each with their own flavor of absurdity and connected storylines. The game integrates six companions more deeply into the narrative, each with unique quests and ties to different factions, enriching the RPG experience.
Obsidian’s creative director Leonard Boyarsky spoke about the opportunity to expand on the original’s themes of corporate dystopia and power narratives, noting, “We’re able to go a lot deeper because we have more time and money. We’re able to make it a much more true, Obsidian reactive RPG than we were the first time around.” The game features a revamped perk system inspired by Fallout: New Vegas, boasting even more perks that influence gameplay and player interaction, from pickpocketing capabilities to melee knockdowns and health bonuses from defeated enemies.
In addition to The Outer Worlds 2, the showcase offered glimpses of several other eagerly awaited first-party titles. Fans got a look at Gears of War: E-Day, the reboot of Perfect Dark, and the delayed but still promising Fable 4. Rare’s long-anticipated Everwild, which Microsoft confirmed is still in development, was also speculated to make an appearance, alongside inXile’s steampunk RPG Clockwork Revolution, described as a love child of Arcanum and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. Rumors of a new Halo announcement from 343 Industries and a tease of The Elder Scrolls 6 added to the excitement, though Bethesda’s spotlight leaned more toward updates for Fallout 76.
The showcase also revealed a slew of third-party titles, many of which will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Notable among these was the long-rumored Persona 4 Remake, officially titled Persona 4: Revival, which had been leaked months prior and confirmed by former cast members. A new Plague Tale spinoff, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, set in what appeared to be ancient Rome with gladiatorial combat, was announced for 2026 and will also be on Game Pass.
Hardware enthusiasts were treated to the reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally, an Xbox-branded handheld device powered by AMD Ryzen, blending the power of Xbox with the freedom of Windows. Xbox president Sarah Bond highlighted that all games showcased would support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning they can be played seamlessly across Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and the new handheld. Hollow Knight: Silksong was confirmed to be available at launch on the Ally and on Game Pass.
The event’s variety was further underscored by announcements such as High on Life 2, arriving this winter; Super Meat Boy 3D, a 3D sequel coming early 2026; Ninja Gaiden 4, releasing October 21, 2025; and Double Fine’s Keeper, a whimsical platformer about a walking lighthouse, arriving October 17, 2025. The beloved Grounded sequel, Grounded 2, was detailed as taking place in a much larger setting—Brookhollow Community Park—which is about three times the size of the original backyard, with new class roles, strategic combat, mounts, and a launch planned for Xbox Game Preview on July 29, 2025.
Other intriguing titles included The Blood of Dawnwalker, a dark fantasy RPG from former CD Projekt Red developers; Beast of Reincarnation, a Japanese folklore-inspired game from Game Freak set in the year 4026; Aphelion by Dontnod, a sci-fi adventure set on a frozen planet; and There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, a quirky musical mystery game involving hotel renovation and supernatural elements.
Fans of multiplayer and co-op experiences were not left out, with the announcement of Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive, a four-player co-op action RPG, and Invincible Vs, a 3v3 tag-fighting game based on the popular superhero anime, set for release in 2026.
Classic franchises also made their presence felt. The remastered Gears of War: Reloaded arrives August 26, 2025, featuring 4K resolution, up to 120 FPS support, and crossplay. The Sea of Thieves update “Smugglers’ Tide” arrives in August, introducing new smuggling voyages and a Smugglers’ League role. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake launches July 11, 2025, complete with a demo release on the day of the showcase, featuring guest appearances like Doomguy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costumes.
Call of Duty fans were treated to a glimpse of Black Ops 7, a futuristic installment set in 2035, promising a co-op campaign and a new round-based Zombies mode. The trailer featured a mysterious butterfly and referenced familiar characters, stirring excitement for the franchise’s next chapter.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer closed the showcase by reflecting on the brand’s 25th anniversary coming in 2026, hinting at big games ahead, including a possible Perfect Dark remake. The event’s final world premiere teased a new sci-fi title with a mysterious narrative and surreal visuals, leaving fans eager for more details.
Overall, the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and the subsequent The Outer Worlds 2 Direct delivered a compelling mix of deep RPG experiences, innovative indie titles, hardware reveals, and beloved franchise updates. With a strong lineup set for release this year and beyond, Xbox continues to assert its presence across platforms and genres, promising an exciting future for gamers worldwide.
