Five Guesses For The 'Legendary' Surprise At Xbox Developer Direct This Week

Persona 6 or I won't be surprised

Microsoft’s been putting a lot of effort into Japan in recent years, especially with their investments in AI and cloud tech, which is great to see. But when it comes to gaming, their track record in the Japanese market has always been a bit hit-or-miss. That said, they’ve shown they can partner with Japanese developers in the past, and there’s definitely potential there.

With how Nier: Automata blew up and really put the Drakengard series on the map for Western audiences, this feels like the perfect time for Microsoft to step in. If they’re serious about winning over Japanese gamers and offering unique experiences, securing an exclusivity window for a Drakengard reboot could be a game-changer. It’d appeal to the growing fanbase in the West and show they’re committed to bringing something special to both markets.

I am low-key hoping for a Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions port. I'd also be perfectly happy with a Dragon Quest 12 release. I've had Phantasy Star and Breath of Fire on my mind too. I clearly expect it to be an RPG, lol.

@bazchillin I’ve been playing Nier Automata for the first time this month and just finished it last night. Nier 3 would be a dream come true as I found Automata to be absolutely fantastic.

Alas, I think it’s probably Final Fantasy, that’s my gut feeling. I suppose I can dream about Nier 3 being announced at SGF!

It's either Persona 6 or something from Square Enix.

Or, what the hell, Hi-Fi Rush 2 🤷

Mega Man, it's time we got a new entry.

I don't see it being either of the Final Fantasy releases. Something of a pie in the sky prediction would be Dragon Quest X Online or Offline getting announced for the West, with a timed exclusivity for XBOX.

I thought there had been some separate rumours in the last week or so about a new Ecco game - would think that fits the bill with the XBox rumours
To me the wording of the mystery game suggested it was an older game & had been quiet on the release front in recent years - some of the suggestion in the article are too recent & have had recent releases

New 3D Platformer Banjo Kazooie

Ninja Gaiden would be coolast bet acording to me

Firaxis shows up with civilization 7 and it's announced for GamePass.

Not sure that many know that Ninja Gaiden was a an Xbox title first but I remember the first announcement very clearly

So it would be cool to see the game make a comeback

Breath of Fire from Capcom.

I want it to be something else, but pessimism is kicking in and I think it’ll be ff16. Disappointing on a personal level because I played it a while ago on ps5

Just please Don't be another Souls type game.

Kingdom Hearts 4, come on, do Sony dirty

Dear friend @Rog-X
souls games are already on xbox. Therefore, it won't " a legendary surprise" if it turns out to be some new souls game.
There is nothing surprise about it...
(By the way, what is wrong with souls games, for you anyway?)

I think it may be a release date for new fable game, or even a shadow drop straight after direct.

I would love to see the new resident evil revealed but I think it's something else.

I'd love it if it were a new Dead or Alive game.

Dino crisis remasters please😎🤣 although I'm guessing could be something sega since they're meant to be bringing back some old ips

Always hoping for a Skylanders announcement but…….

Expecting Dragon Quest XII since it's logical game coming not released.

I hope it's Ninja Gaiden though as a another reboot in 3D makes the 'moat sense' for a Japanese Xbox game first announced for Xbox. It would be more exciting for more people overall.

I think Ninja Gaiden could happen, but Resident Evil would be the best outcome.

I’d really like for it to be an rpg, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

All these people talking about ports and remakes and remasters, like they didn’t specifically say it was a new game!

I don't know. But a new Ninja Gaiden game for XBox would be incredible.
And best as an exclusive XBox game with no Game Pass launch.

Haha, my friend mentioned Dead or Alive Xtreme. I think I would be more than annoyed if that was the game. lol.

@darylb24 omg I really hope that's it! After playing P3R thanks to gamepass I became a huge fun and played literally everything after 4 + metaphor!

@FraserG @HelloCraigo

I see Ninja Garden on Game Pass. Are they really as tough as they say? Compared to, say, Elden Ring (which I completed)? The setting I love, but much like Sekiro, if it's wayyyyy too hard, I'd rather avoid feeling inadequate 😭🤣

(Anyone else feeling free to chime in too).

Was this before I played Ninja Gaiden on NES in the 80s? 🤔

I feel like the reboot being an xbox exclusive is extremely common knowledge, it's almost universally on every top 10 OG Xbox exclusive lists.

Phantasy Star 5!!

Ok, its a pipedream, but I can dream, right?

@Kaloudz

You can actually change the difficulty. So you could probably play in Easy (I think it's called "Hero") mode if you want.
I played all three on normal. The first one is the one I enjoyed the least, 2 and 3 are amazing.
I don't play FromSoft games but I played some soulslikes and I'd say in Normal the difficulty is similar. Maybe Ninja Gaiden a little easier except from some specific bosses.
The first one is the hardest. If you try that one and manage you should have no problem with the other two.

My guess is Resident Evil 9.

There were plenty of rumors that game will come out this year. So it's a time announce it.

@Jenkinss

And it was actually an arcade beat'em up before the more known NES version.
But the NES version is the memorable one.

@Lup Here's me playing State of decay 2 for the billionth time because I've run out of things to play 🤣 downloading 2 and 3 now. I assume it's safe to skip 1 and not miss much? Had no idea these had difficulty modes. I've only ever heard that they're brutally difficult. Thanks so much dude!!!

@Kaloudz

Don't take my word for it, though! The first one is always the popular one when people talk about the trilogy. PERSONALLY I didn't enjoy that much, but maybe you would, haha.
There's a few characters that return I think, but nothing major.

@Lup Ah hell, I added it to the queue. Really hoping it's a manageable difficulty 🤣 seeing that purple haired lass from DoA in the screens. Is this a crossover game?

@Kaloudz

Yeah, Ninja Gaiden and DoA are connected, but honestly, I never played DoA and enjoyed the NG games anyways. They're just like cameos.

@Lup Jesus man. Playing on Hero Mode (NG1) and it's a hack and slash like DMC. Why the heck did I think it was a Souls-like? (Pretty challenging even on Hero Mode, mind 🤣)

@Kaloudz

Yeah, no. If you meant the gameplay, no. Maybe I should have mentioned that. I thought you meant the difficulty. 😂

Hope you enjoy it! The story of the first one it's a little basic but not too bad. 2 and 3 (for me) are 1 on steroids.

Not gonna lie, I wish it was a Dead or Alive game. One of the main series I played so much back on the original and 360 Xbox’s. Unfortunately that series has changed so much now.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow 3!!!

@Lup I'm quite liking it mate. Bit tough for me (my reflexes have dampened) but I'm enjoying it. Awkward camera angles don't help but then, I do have stick drift - I really need to get me a new pad lol.

@Kaloudz

Glad to hear (read) it! I remember there was a move where Ryu jumps and then moves kinda diagonally in the air with the sword and decapitates enemies that was easy to abuse with normal enemies, like the most basic ones. Made it a little easier. But don't ask me HOW it's done because I don't remember. (A+Y maybe?). I played it like 8 years ago, maybe more. 🤣

@Lup Mate, that is ALL I spam 🤣🤣 the decapitating head jump and you're spot on, it's Y or A and Y. Both work. I could do with that level of memory. What's the secret?

@Kaloudz

It's the only thing I remember! (Well, actually, a boss from later too).
And I remember it because the game was kicking my ass until I started spamming that. Normally my memory is sh#t. 🤣

@Lup Mate the first boss, never mind a later one, kicked me into next week. Only managed to get by because on Hero Mode the game makes you practically unstoppable when you're low health 😳

Teasing the 4th slot of these directs will probably backfire for xbox. It drives interest to the show but will almost certainly leave a large portion of the audience disappointed.

@FraserG Heyyyy it's cool. Playing it at the mo (or at night, at least, when I can find a peaceful hour). I had no idea this series was like DMC. I always saw it compared to souls.

And thanks brother!! Certainly hope you still have those thumbnail skills rocking.

The developer is almost certain Square Enix. What they will be announcing is unknown but my guess is that the few remaining games that are not currently on the Xbox will be getting a release at some point in the future.

Would absolutely lose my mind if it was Sega with a new Phantasy Star that was given the Final Fantasy big budget treatment

@Kaloudz

Did you manage to beat the boss after all? 🤣

@Lup I did actually. I'm on level 4 now. I find the hardest part at the moment just working out where to go. I forget this released back when gamers had to work out everything for themselves or buy a £15 guidebook 😅

@Kaloudz

Oh, I don't remember that, actually. It's been such a long time since I played it. I don't think I have the patience I had back then.

@Lup You know, it's funny you say that. I was looking at Starbound (Game Pass addition from yesterday) and although I love farming / settlement games, I just don't have the patience to commit to that. Ten years ago I'd have jumped on it with no second thought, but these days, I'm more content with smaller games.

Unless of course it's something I'm massively into - such as AC. Speaking of, and looking at your profile pic, Shadows looks epic!! If that gets delayed again I'll riot 😭

@Kaloudz

Same. I don't mind long games but I'm way more picky now.
About Shadows... The story trailer releases today and there's gonna be 2-3 hours streams showing the game!
Sadly, I think it's roughly at the same time that the Developer Direct.

@Lup Ohhhhh I'll look forward to that trailer. I'm currently reading Shogun and in the mood for something similar - which is why I was gutted of the delays 😭 I'm not sure why it's getting hate. I think it looks epic so far. I know the rubbish surrounding that one legged gate made a few waves but that didn't bother me 😅

@Kaloudz

It's just getting hate because it's Ubisoft and it has Yasuke.
But yeah, I'm super hyped for the game. I'll be playing it Day 1 for sure.
The delays were a bummer but hopefully that means it comes out more polished and manages to shut up the haters.
Just the setting alone of feudal Japan makes Shadows one my most anticipated games.

@Lup I've just read the previews and most folks are saying that it may well be peak AC (RPG). I don't care. I'm like you, I just can't wait to get hands on and I'll no doubt love it no matter what. Also 10000% agree on the setting too. By far the most interesting point in history.

@Kaloudz

I tried for myself the new Ninja Gaiden 2 (Black) and since I remember you were going to play it, I'll say something:

Back in the day I played Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma, but apparently Black is a remaster/remake more of the original (just Ninja Gaiden 2) than of Sigma.
I've played just the first stage and I can confirm that there was a boss battle in Sigma that isn't in the new version.
I've also read some people saying Black is harder, but I don't know about that.
Just wanted to let you know that. There's at least SOME content that Sigma has that the new one doesn't. But maybe it's the same the other way around too, I don't know.
Your choice, but at least you're more informed now. 🤣

And yeah, it's hard to grasp all the info with so many different versions.

@Lup Mate, I couldn't get pass the first level in Black 2 🤣 I literally spent a half hour here chatting to someone about how accessible and easy it is on the easiest mode, but I got my bottom smacked left, right, and center, over and over and over again.

I hastily uninstalled it and will move on to NG3 Sigma with the hopes that it's a bit easier than the second 😳 are you sticking with it?

@Kaloudz

Yeah, I didn't find it THAT hard to be honest. At least not crazy hard. Defeated the first boss on the first try (although I was probably at like 1 HP).
I would say check Sigma 2 just in case if you feel like it, maybe it was true that it was a little easier.
I'm gonna keep playing Black, yeah, but there's quite a few games I wanna play on Game Pass so I don't know how that'll go. 🤣

@Lup It doesn't help that I have that stick drift I mentioned in the other thread so the camera goes crazy. I need to get that sorted 😅

Yeah that's a good shout buddy. I might try Sigma 2 and see how I get on. I definitely enjoy the sort of DMC gameplay (was DMC the first of its kind? Or does it just take all the credit?) and want to try NG4 when it arrives.

@Kaloudz

Oh, yeah, 2 Black has a very sensitive camera, that sounds like hell. 🤣

Well, I'm not a DMC fan (don't judge me 🤣) but aside from a few obscure games I think the first Devil May Cry is the one that popularized the genre. Then again, I would say the first Devil May Cry is very different to the third (which I think it's the one that more or less defined it).

Soo... Maybe? 🤣

@Lup Not the biggest DMC fan either but bloody hell, DMC 5 was absolutely mesmerising. Did you play 5? When you say third, do you mean third DMC or third NG? Forgive me, it's 9pm and the old noodle is running at 20% 😅

@Kaloudz

Haha, I meant the third DMC game.
I only played DMC1 and 3, gave up on the series after that. 3 wasn't bad at all, but honestly I found Dante really annoying. But that's just me, I'm sure the games are fine.

@Lup Oh he's hella annoying in the OG trilogy. Self loving, brooding brat. If 5 ever goes super cheap, or hits GP (as a few Capcom games do) I'd certainly give it a hit. It's much more gothic and a lot more serious. Story is solid too.

@Kaloudz

No promises, but yeah, that sounds a lot better. 🤣

@Lup Hey for the foreseeable, all we have to do is count down the days to Shadows 😁 speaking of, you got a fave AC? Hit me with your top 3.

@Kaloudz

March can't come soon enough! Are you liking more Yasuke or Naoe?

As for my top three, that's a really difficult one and I think they're unpopular as choices, but here we go:

#3 It's really difficult. Probably Syndicate/Valhalla/Rogue
#2 Assassin's Creed 3
#1 Odyssey

@Lup Oh wow that is wayyyy different to mine. Mine goes;

#3 - Black Flag
#2 - Valhalla
#1 - Ezio Collection

Black Flag because I love pirates. Valhalla because I adored the old UK setting (and I had just watched The Last Kingdom) and Ezio, because that's when I came into the series many many years ago lol.

I assume you're a fan of the Spartacus show (given that Odyssey is your #1).

@Kaloudz

I knew you were an Ezio guy. 🤣
But choosing three games as one is cheating (says the guy who did kinda the same).

I played them all in order of release, but I can't say I love the first one. The Ezio ones were alright except for Revelations (imo).

Glad to see you liked Valhalla though! I went into that one not even caring about vikings and it still became one of my favorites.

And no, I must have watched like maybe a few minutes of one episode of that show, haha.
I just always liked Greek mythology, and I liked the game itself. Gameplay, characters, music, all that stuff.

Did you enjoy Mirage?

@Lup Haha yeah it's always been hard for me to choose any one of the Ezio games as a fave of the three.

AC2 I loved for the setting. ACB I loved for the mechanics. ACR I loved for the ending.

The best cinematic trailer, by far though, is AC Unity. Damn that was one fine display. I rate that 2 minute trailer higher than the movie they did.

Ah man if you liked Valhalla, you'd love (love) The Last Kingdom. It's basically Valhalla in series form.

As for Greek mythology, did you ever play Immortals? (Also Ubisoft?).

Mirage was okay. I'd quite comfortably place it among the lower end of AC games though. I'm not sure if it's the setting or the fact that the whole map was kinda samey samey, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I hear they're making a surprise DLC for it? Did you like it?

Edit: As for Shadows, I'm excited for both (almost equally) but leaning ever so slightly for Naoe. You?

@Kaloudz

Even as someone who didn't like Revelations very much, I 100% agree that the ending was amazing, the Altair scenes too, although maybe you didn't care as much if you didn't play the first one? (You said you started with Ezio but I don't know if you went back).

Brotherhood I felt it was too much like 2. At least the map. The story felt a little filler-y too. But that's just my opinion.
Loved those Romulus missions though.

I have a hard time nowadays sitting and watching something. Even short stuff like 20-30 minutes. I just get distracted, and end up booting up the Xbox, haha.

And yeah, Mirage was one of my least favorites. The story was almost non-existent and after Valhalla's amazing modern day ending they did nothing with it. I was so dissappointed. I think the DLC isn't confirmed yet but it's probably true.

In Shadows, I'm leaning more towards Yasuke myself. I just like big tank-y characters.
And yeah, tried Immortals, but didn't click with me. I hated how you go exploring and there's a lot of activities you can't do because you lack X skill.
I loved the visuals and the humor so I'll go back eventually, give it another chance.

@Lup I have to admit, as far as revelations goes, that wall climbing hook-blade thing was a bit cringy. It was like "here's this 60 year old assassin that needs this to climb lol". But yeah that Altair scenes with Ezio, and Ezio talking back to Desmond was amazing I thought. The setting not so much.

Yeah I have short attention spans these days too. Unless I'm watching The Traitors, I get fidgety and have to do something else when watching something prolonged. Glad it aint just me lol.

Yasuke looks amazing. I honestly don't get the hate. Nor do I get the outcry about that broken gate thing that sent everyone into a frenzy. It wasn't intentional, it was just clearly someone didn't do their due diligence. Bad taste? Yes. End of the world? No. lol.