There are a lot of fantastic games set to release this year across multiple platforms and those of us who enjoy gaming on Xbox One have a lot to look forward to in 2018. Though Xbox has had trouble with first-party exclusive content, the future is bright for Microsoft’s gaming platform.
For Xbox One, the idea of exclusive games has transcended the confines of a single platform and instead encompasses Microsoft’s other major platform, Windows 10 PC. A game that releases on one, typically releases on the other, and thanks to the Play Anywhere program, regardless of your preferred platform (PC or Xbox), you can play together.
Let’s be honest, Microsoft needs more exclusive games, and that is something Phil Spencer is aware of and has commented on in his interview on Unlocked. If what Phil Spencer has hinted at comes to fruition, we could be in store for an exciting E3 2018, with Microsoft revealing a big line-up of exclusives. So there is hope, for now though, let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated Xbox One games of 2018.
Crackdown 3
The original Crackdown came out 11 years ago, and on that day, Xbox 360 players fell in-love with the superhuman take on Grand Theft Auto. Sure, there was a sequel in 2010, but it paled in comparison to the first title. It’s been 8 years and a handful of delays, but we’re finally set to get Crackdown 3, and boy does it look good.
Aside from the handful of videos from E3 and gameplay videos floating around, we know very little about Crackdown 3 other than it is being developed through a collaborative effort with Reagent Games, Sumo Digital, Fuffian Games, and Cloudgine. Though what we do know is that Crackdown 3 is sticking with tradition, offering 4-player co-op and for the first time, a multiplayer experience. Look, there have been a lot of delays, but that certainly hasn’t dampened the excitement!
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 has received an official release date and I couldn’t be more excited about experiencing this title on my Xbox One X. Though no word has surfaced about 4K functionality, Rockstar Games is undeniably one of the best developers out there and were I a betting man, I’d wager Red Dead Redemption 2 will be taking full advantage of the tech. It’s been 8 years since we first stepped into the boots of John Marston and fulfilled the dream of being a cowboy in the wild west, so we’re all long overdue.
As we’ve come to expect from Rockstar Games, they are extremely tight-lipped about their titles, divulging only the bare essentials to get us excited, and it works. Every time a Red Dead Redemption 2 teaser or trailer is released, we comb through every frame in an attempt to extrude every ounce of information we can. And yet, we still know very little.
State of Decay 2
After the success of the first game, it’s no surprise that Microsoft lined up a sequel in the form of State of Decay 2. Fans of the first will be pleased with how far along the series has come, with improvements to all facets of gameplay. Graphically, State of Decay 2 is looking incredible, with hundreds of zombies on-screen at any given moment. Then there is the in-depth base building, exploration and survival, and difficult choices, all of which make this a must-have for when it releases later this year.
Darksiders 3
It was a bit of a rocky path that led to Darksiders 3, we weren’t really too sure whether we would see another entry into this post-apocalyptic series after its creators, Vigil Games, closed down in 2013. Since that date, fans who wanted to know what happened to War, one of the Horseman of the Apocalypse, and now thanks to Gunfire Games, we’ll get another entry in this dungeon-crawling, hack-n-slash series. Taking on the role of Fury, players will get to experience another side of the story as she hunts down the Seven Deadly Sins, using a badass whip and magic.
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic has only just entered the Game Preview program on Xbox One which allows players to experience an early build of the game before its full release. Though it’s technically available to play now, I think it deserves a spot on this list of most anticipated Xbox One games of 2018.
If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of this game, don’t worry, these dwarves will dig to you, fight off hordes of aliens, and take the precious resources back to the ship for extraction. It’s the perfect blend of MineCraft and PayDay 2, allowing you to play co-op with up to 3 friends as you kick alien ass underground.
Sea of Thieves
Last, but certainly not least, is Sea of Thieves. Rare has somehow managed to create something truly exceptional with this title. They’ve managed to capture the sense of adventure that comes with being a pirate and fuse it together with what is arguably gaming’s greatest water effects and physics to date.
At its core, Sea of Thieves offers a gameplay loop of sailing, hunting treasure, and reaping the rewards, and while that might sound simple, ever single step along the way feels incredible. Struggling with the helm as you sail through a storm, scouring an island for where you think the “X” on the map is leading you, and even engaging in ship-to-ship combat creates an experience like no other. Even now, on the cusp of the next Sea of Thieves beta, we’re all chomping at the bit to get back in and set sail in the magic world Rare has created.
There are still tons of other games coming out this year, and we’ll continue to expand this collection as new titles are announced (looking at you E3 2018). But for now, these are just a few of our most anticipated Xbox One games of 2018.
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