Talking Point: Looking Back At A Turbulent But Productive Year For Xbox

As we come to the end of 2024, we have to look back on what's been a bizarre year to be an Xbox fan. Some of the team's recent acquisitions have really kicked into gear — namely Bethesda with Indiana Jones and Activision with Black Ops 6 — but it's hard to ignore the amount of mixed messaging and weird shenanigans we've all had to deal with. In the end, Microsoft has released some good stuff this year, but we hope 2025 proves a more stable time for the brand.

But, before we get ahead of ourselves and start thinking about next year, let's take a moment to appreciate Xbox's game lineup in 2024. At this point, it's weird to think that Microsoft kicked things off with Hellblade 2 all the way back in May, but it did - and Ninja Theory delivered a bold and technically impressive sequel that ticked a lot of the right boxes for what's been missing from Xbox exclusives in recent years.

Make no mistake, we didn't think Hellblade 2 was perfect in any sense, but Microsoft let the developer realise its vision to an incredibly high standard. Despite a relatively short length, Hellblade 2 oozes AAA goodness, especially in the visuals department. The team's audio and performance work wasn't half bad either; Hellblade 2 brought home two awards for Best Audio Design and Best Performance at The Game Awards earlier this month.

Moving onto the fall 2024 lineup, things have really gone up a notch in recent months for Xbox. Since late October, Microsoft has delivered the triple threat of Black Ops 6, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is one heck of a way to close out the year. The team is covering a lot of bases with these three titles, offering up varied experiences as these studios finally start to deliver big game releases.

Black Ops 6 is regarded as the best Call of Duty in years, Indiana Jones is sitting on many folks' GOTY lists, and while MSFS 2024 has had its issues, when the game is working it's still a bloody technical marvel. Throw in the likes of Stalker 2 on Xbox Game Pass, and you can't complain about the sheer variety Microsoft has brought to the table in the latter half of 2024.

Looking back at the year in general, then, it's been a very mixed bag for Microsoft and its Xbox teams. There's been uncertainty around the brand all year as it continues to juggle this new, multiplatform initiative that's been spun up, but the games are finally coming, and with all the studios Microsoft now owns, that won't be slowing down anytime soon. It's been a turbulent but productive year at Xbox HQ - we just hope some of that general controversy dies down in 2025.

With all that being said, we'd like to hear your thoughts on Xbox's 2024 in general. Do you merely care about the games? If so, are you happy with what Microsoft has delivered? Or, do questions still linger about the platform as we head into next year?

Sound off on all of this down in the comments section below. And, here's to 2025 being more relaxed!