In the last few years, it seems like Microsoft has been going on a buying spree and snatching up as many studios as possible. Other gaming companies, such as Sony, have also acquired new studios, but they have not come near the colossal purchases Microsoft has made. In a matter of a few years, Bethesda Softworks, Arkane Studios, Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and many more studios have joined Microsoft’s stable, with some acquisitions costing billions of dollars. It appears that this money wasn’t spent in vain, as Xbox’s 2023 line-up of exclusive games is very attractive.
For a long time, Sony has relied on unmissable exclusives to draw gamers to PlayStation. In comparison, Xbox has not had too many exclusive franchises to convince gamers that its consoles are must-buy pieces of hardware. However, with exciting games like Hi-Fi Rush, Starfield, and Redfall peppering this year’s calendar, it is hard to ignore what Microsoft is offering over at its corner of the gaming market.
Hi-Fi Rush
During the Bethesda Developer_Direct on January 25, Hi-Fi Rush made a surprise appearance, and it was also released on the same day. It immediately caught the attention of many thanks to its bright colors and unique art style. Developed by Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-based action game that follows a character named Chai as he attempts to put a stop to an evil corporation. The gameplay revolves around music and rhythm, and if players time their attacks, they can strike with greater power.
Since its release, Hi-Fi Rush has been well-received by critics, and it sits with a score of 88 on Metacritic. The game proves that studios under Microsoft’s umbrella aren’t creatively stifled and that gamers can expect plenty of innovation and risky maneuvers. Sometimes, these experiments will fail, but it is worth the risk because straying from the norm also produces unique gems like Hi-Fi Rush.
Starfield
Gamers have been waiting for Starfield for a very long time. The game was first revealed in 2018, and delays have pushed it into 2023. Despite the long wait, Bethesda has done a good job of making the game seem like it will be a stunning take on the space exploration subgenre. The studio has taken inspiration from many sources including real-world NASA missions. Starfield takes place during a time when humans have gone on to colonize other planets.
Exploring outside of the solar system isn’t enough to escape warfare, and humans continue sparring in their new home called The Settled Systems. The game begins in 2310 when there is relative peace between the Freestar Collective and the United Colonies. Players are given unbridled freedom to explore outer space, pick which faction to side with, and carve out their own story. The game is currently slated to release in the first half of 2023.
Redfall
Arkane Studios is preparing to release Redfall on May 2. The game is an open-world first-person shooter that has players going up against vampires and humans. As Arkane Studios has explained, the vampires of Redfall are predatory monsters created by scientific experiments that have gone horribly wrong. The title will feature a story-based narrative, and players will have a wide array of weapons at their disposal. Although the game is a co-op, players can play it solo, though this requires them to approach the open world with different strategies in mind.
All these quality exclusives have set Xbox up for a very exciting 2023. There is more reason than ever to embrace Xbox, especially because Game Pass offers such great value for money. Gamers can also look forward to exclusives such as Forza Motorsport and STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl.