The Xbox Developer Direct is becoming an event you can set your watch to. Getting a sneaky look behind the development curtain during these January Directs is something to look forward to, particularly when there’s a surprise in store. Announced a few weeks back, this Xbox Developer Direct will feature a look at South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, and a studio’s mysterious new game.
Here are all of the announcements made during the Xbox & Bethesda Developer Direct January 2025:
Ninja Gaiden 4
Bucking the trend of ending with the surprise, we got it right up front. Ninja Gaiden 4 will be the first mainline entry into the long-running high-octane action in close to 13 years. A development collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames is bringing Ryu Hayabusa back out of the shadows alongside a new playable protagonist in Yakumo. The two ninjas will have different playstyles and movesets that offer multiple ways to slice and dice. The gameplay we saw during the reveal shows lightning-fast combat and bombastic boss fights, so it appears that the series is indeed back in full swing. We weren’t given a date yet, but Ninja Gaiden 4 is slated for release in 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
The sneaky folks at Xbox played it a bit fast and loose by saying there was “one” surprise. Wrapping up the reveal for Ninja Gaiden 4, we rolled straight into the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. Said to be the definitive version of the popular entry, Black has seen a huge graphic overhaul thanks to a move into Unreal Engine 5. With all playable characters from the original making a return, fans will no doubt be happy to jump back in. And they won’t have to wait at all because Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stealth dropped with the Direct and is available right now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and it’s included with Game Pass.
South of Midnight
Announced the Xbox Games Showcase in 2023, Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight stood out with its southern setting and striking cell-shaded art style. We got a look at gameplay midway through last year, and the traversal and combat looked promising. Alongside another healthy look at the magic-infused gameplay, this look behind the curtain gave us context to the game’s story. Thanks to a destructive hurricane ripping through Prospero, protagonist Hazel is thrown into a gothic Southern world where folktales are real. Excitingly, we also learned that South of Midnight will be releasing on Xbox Series X|S and PC on April 8.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
As far as debut titles go, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks like it has the potential to be a banger. A turn-based RPG dripping with a huge amount of voice-acting talent and a narrative with some potential legs, Expedition 33 is one we’ve had our eyes on from our first look. This next glimpse at Clair Obscur has only heightened our excitement, with the fantasy world taking shape and the turn-based systems looking deep, the game’s release can’t come soon enough. Speaking of which, it was revealed that Expedition 33 will release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on April 24.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom has been a pillar of the first-person shooter genre since the early 90s, and its recent resurgence has proven its staying power. Doom (2016) opened a lot of eyes, and Doom Eternal was a hell of a follow-up that upped the action and intensity. Many were left wondering where the series would go next, and the answer ended up being into the dark ages. Doom Guy has a new arsenal of weapons, including a shield, but most importantly, he’s wearing fur. This new look at the prequel made a very interesting statement, with the devs likening Doom Guy in Eternal to a fighter jet, fast and lethal, while The Dark Ages will make you feel more like a tank, slower, more deliberate and more devastating. You’ll be able to get behind the shield of the Doom Slayer on May 15 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
You’ve just read about the entire Direct, but if you have a spare moment, 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.

Adam's undying love for all things PlayStation can only be rivalled by his obsession with vacuuming. Whether it's a Dyson or a DualShock in hand you can guarantee he has a passion for it. PSN: TheVacuumVandal XBL: VacuumVandal Steam: TheVacuumVandal
