Everything Announced During The Xbox Developer Direct January 2024

The last time we got a Developer Direct, we got a healthy look at games like Minecraft Legends and Forza Motorsport, but everyone left talking about the shadow drop of Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush. It was announced last week that a fresh Xbox Developer Direct, with MachineGames’ Indiana Jones, Avowed, Ara: History Untold and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will be discussed ahead of time. We’re all keen to see what these teams have been cooking, and, selfishly, we’re hoping that there might be a cheeky surprise hidden in there as well.

Here are all of the announcements made during the Xbox & Bethesda Developer Direct January 2024:

Avowed

It’s been a hot minute since we last heard from Obsidian Entertainment, but this morning was a break in the drought. We didn’t get a release date, but we did get confirmation that the game is launching on Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC. As for the meat and potatoes of the showing, we saw a slice of gameplay that focused on the game’s combination of spellcasting and sword-wielding combat. Outside of hacking and slashing, we were given an example of Avowed’s dialogue options, and how your choices can change the course of the game’s narrative. It all looked very much like an action RPG, so we’ll let them cook and check back in.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

We’ve seemingly been waiting forever for this, but it’s finally time. As the behind-the-scenes look wrapped up, it was revealed that Hellblade II will release on Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 21. It’s not all about when to expect the game, though. This peek behind the curtain showed off the overhauled combat systems, improved motion capture, thanks to a new set that Ninja Theory has employed, and the exceptional soundscape that the team are creating to live up to and surpass, the high bar that the original game set.

Visions of Mana

And look at that, we did get a little surprise. This time around, it came in the form of Visions of Mana, the first Mana game to come about in 15 years. While we didn’t get back-to-back release dates, we did get an extensive gameplay reveal that’s sure to get fan’s heart’s aflutter. Koichi Ishhi, the creator of the Mana series, is back in the saddle for Visions, designing the game’s adorable monsters. We got a chunky look at the game’s real-time combat as well, which looked flashy and fun if you get around JRPGs.

Ara: History Untold

Oxide Games was up next to chat about the upcoming historical strategy title, Ara: History Untold. A grand strategy game that spans decades, Ara looks to be more inviting for players who are new to the genre, or, at least, be less punishing than others in the same space.

Indian Jones and the Great Circle

The biggest ticket item from this morning’s Direct was the reveal of MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game, which we now know is titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, the game takes Indy on an adventure that spans from the Vatican and Egypt to the snowy sights of the Himalayas. The gameplay reveal showed off the first-person combat and exploration, complete with enough whip-cracking to impress a cowboy. We’re introduced to some of the game’s supporting cast, including the threatening Nazi villain, Emmerich Voss. I’d personally like to see Indy in third-person, but MachineGames know what they’re doing, so it could very well be a banger.

You’ve just read about the entire Direct, but if you have a spare 45 minutes you can watch the full show here:

What did you think of the Developer Direct? What was your favourite announcement? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.