Today's Xbox Games Showcase offered few surprises. Some Xbox fans had hoped for bombshell announcements that would help Microsoft's console to better compete with PlayStation, but no such announcements occured. That's not to say that Microsoft didn't show any cool games! They just showed games of about the same hype level as were shown at last year's event. Additionally and despite reports to the contrary, several games were shown only as cinematic footage rather than in-game footage. Still, we learned about some cool upcoming co-op games, and that's always reason to celebrate.
Upcoming Co-op Games from the Showcase
33 Immortals
One of the first games revealed at the event, 33 Immortals comes from Thunder Lotus, the developer of Spiritfarer.
Official description:
33 Immortals is a co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play a damned soul, and rebel against God’s final judgment. Pick-up and raid, cooperate to survive hordes of monsters, defeat massive bosses, and face the wrath of God in a fight for your eternal life.
While the art style is a little simplistic, 33 Immortals' large scale online co-op looks downright thrilling. It will be released on Xbox and Epic (PC) in 2024, and the Xbox and PC versions will also launch on Xbox Game Pass.
Payday 3
The latest game in Starbreeze and Deep Silver's consistently enjoyable cooperative first-person shooter/heist series is coming soon!
Official description highlights:
PAYDAY 3 is the much anticipated sequel to one of the most popular co-op shooters ever. Since its release, PAYDAY-players have been reveling in the thrill of a perfectly planned and executed heist. That’s what makes PAYDAY a high-octane, co-op FPS experience without equal.
Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law-enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement.
Thrive in Co-op: Not just anyone is worthy of standing at your side for something as important as a heist. Likewise, PAYDAY 3 is best enjoyed with close friends in mind, whether you bring them from your childhood or make them along the road.
Payday 3 will support 4-player online co-op when it arrives on Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, and Steam on September 21. It will sell for $39.99, and it will also launch on Xbox Game Pass.
Towerborne
Towerborne is a beat 'em up/action game from Stoic Studio (creators of The Banner Saga) and Microsoft Studios.
Official description:
Can you become the Ace humanity needs to survive? Find out in Towerborne, the newest action-adventure game created by Stoic, the studio that brought you the award-winning Banner Saga trilogy.
Adventure Together – Venture out of The Belfry solo or with up to three other Aces* to vanquish the looming terror that surrounds the tower. Either way, you won’t be alone. Aces can recruit Umbra companions to join them in battle, gaining access to enhanced skills and unique abilities tied to each spirit. After fighting your way through enemies, return to The Belfry to turn in quests, reforge gear, and more.
Brave the Wilds – Towerborne is designed with player choice in mind. Create your Ace with options to customize your looks, gear and weapons. Switch up your overall gameplay experience at any time by changing your danger level as you venture into the wilds. Find and wield powerful weapons with unique special moves from one of four styles: War Clubs, Gauntlets, Dual Daggers, and Swords & Shields. Mix and match to make your Ace your own!
Continue the Fight – With an evolving world map and seasonal content, your Ace will never run out of areas to explore and enemies to defeat. Seasons of Towerborne continue the story of The Belfry by introducing new enemies to battle, regions to discover, abilities to master, and lore to uncover (available as released).
Towerborne is coming (exclusively?) to Xbox, Windows, and Steam in 2024. It will also launch on Xbox Game Pass.
Expansions for Existing Games from the Showcase
The Elder Scrolls Online Necrom
The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is part of the "Shadow Over Morrowind" adventure and arrives June 20 on Xbox. Pre-purchase Necrom now to receive unique bonus rewards at launch and immediate access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed mount.
The "Necrom" Expansion is out now on Steam and sells for $39.99.
Fallout 76 Atlantic City Expansion
The "Atlantic City" Expansion is coming soon to Fallout 76 on Xbox and Steam.
Sea of Thieves
Split across three hilarious Tall Tales packed with secrets and side-quests, Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island invites pirates to meet classic characters, in a new narrative that brings the iconic locations of Monkey Island to the Sea of Thieves. The adventure begins on Mêlée Island, where pirates can take in the sights, smells and roguish splendor of the island as they seek to uncover why everyone suddenly seems to think quite highly of self-proclaimed mighty pirate, and known poodle pacifier, Guybrush Threepwood. Something's quite clearly wrong...
This love-letter to the classic adventure game series will be available to play alone or with a crew, with three Tall Tales being added over three months as free* updates for all players, starting July 20.
*Delivered for free to owners of any Sea of Thieves edition and all Xbox Game Pass members. Game on console requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold, sold separately.
Which of these co-op games are you looking forward to, dear readers?