It's been an interesting last five years for Microsoft and the Xbox One console; after reigning as champion the last generation with their Xbox 360, the company utterly tossed away most of its audience's goodwill with the announcement of the Xbox One. The always online option felt for many to be anti-consumer and pro-MS' wallets. It didn't help that most of these announcements were made by an ultra smug Don Mattrick (yeah, he got the boot soon after).
After plenty of backtracking on their radically always-online console, it sold solidly but over the years just hasn't had the exclusive games to really stand at the top of the heap. Still, now with gamer-friendly Phil Spencer calling the shots for the game division, they're gaining an interesting second wind; with pro-consumer choices like backward compatibility, cross-play, and an incredibly rewarding Game Pass subscription service - they are slowly winning back points.
They are addressing the biggest complaint as well; where the heck are the games? Announcing a slew of enticing exclusives at E3 2018, plus having bolstered up their mass of first-party studios with some incredible new additions - it feels like their painfully empty exclusive slate will be turning around in the next couple of years.
So, let's have a look at all the exclusive titles that are still to come for the Xbox One and a couple that are rumored. There's some big name brands returning, as well as some gripping indie titles that will only appear on the Xbox One, and nowhere else...
30 In Development: Crackdown 3
The first Crackdown was awesome, the second one not so much.
Microsoft thought to bring this undernourished I.P. back for a return hurrah on the Xbox One. An E3 preview in 2014 showed off plenty of saucy footage and an ambitious online cloud method of rendering destruction.
Then it was hit with delay, upon delay, upon delay.
Most assumed it was finished until Microsoft showed it off recently and gave it a February 2019 release. The hype has decidedly fizzled for this one, although hopefully, it can be a solid and fun open-world time-waster in the end.
29 In Development: The Artful Escape
Coming exclusively to the Xbox Store, The Artful Escape telegraphs the kind of interesting indie project that seeps with color and personality and makes a strong impression on gamers.
Co-developed by the lead guitarist of The Galvatrons, it centers on a musician who endeavors on a psychedelic-infused platform adventure with the inspiration being ‘David Bowie traveling off from London on an interstellar trip to create Ziggy Stardust.’
Sounds intriguing, for sure with an inventive art style and sharp platforming mechanics, this is one to watch out for...
28 Possibility: Cuphead 2
Even the most loyal Xbox One supporter has to admit the year 2017 was completely dire when it came to exclusives for the console; the one and only worthy release was the hard-as-nails platformer/shooter Cuphead.
Displaying an incredible art style inspired by 1930s Disney cartoons, it looked utterly charming yet played like the hardest game you ever touched.
It was an instant hit and a needed victory for Microsoft that year.
With that said, a sequel is basically a complete given, in fact, asides from an official announcement it’s all but confirmed in development.
27 In Development: The Darwin Project
It’s all about the Battle Royale nowadays, huh? The online sensation even has Call Of Duty and Battlefield implementing the mode for their next installments. Also, when it comes to playing it on the console market, Xbox One is king with having held exclusivity onto PUBG.
But with the high amount of followers, how do you stand out from the crowd? This upcoming Xbox exclusive attempts to up the ante by setting the arena in the extreme environmental conditions of the Canadian Rockies - where players must survive the harsh elements as well as other players.
26 In Development: Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Hands down, Ori and The Blind Forest is likely the best Xbox One exclusive out on the console. Gorgeous art design, a moving story, and deep, challenging gameplay.
It took many by surprise by just how good the digital game was with it becoming a quickly championed title.
So, a sequel is gearing up and looks like delivering much more of the same; which is not a bad thing whatsoever. Hopefully, this one features less cute characters meeting tragic demises - thanks for that opening Moon Studios.
25 Possibility: Next Game From Compulsion Games
Along with the announcement that Ninja Theory is now a Microsoft First-Party studio, so was up-and-comer Compulsion Games. If you're scratching your head as to who that is, they just dropped We Happy Few.
Now in all fairness, after a lengthy development cycle and long-term buzz, that game released and disappeared pretty much overnight. That’s not a slight on the studio though, the world from the game and plot were one-of-a-kind, showcasing they are a very special studio.
With the proper budget and right marketing, their next project could indeed find the right audience on the Xbox.
24 In Development: Black Desert Online
Released on PC back in 2016 this lush looking MMORPG is making it’s way to Xbox One before year end. Developed in Korea, it looks to be a fun console answer to World Of Warcraft except done in a flashy anime-inspired design.
With the endless exploration and a fluent combat system, it seems to be a good fit for console gaming.
The PC reviews were solid (if not exceptional) across the board and feel like a much-needed substitute for Xbox gamers to get a rich online role-playing experience from their couch.
23 In Development: Below
Capybara Games is one of the most distinct indie game developers out there, with each project getting progressively more ambitious moving forward.
At E3 2013 they showed off a tasty glimpse of an Xbox console exclusive that blended Zelda and Diablo with their trademark art style. It was truly one of the most exciting exclusives for the system - yet, it still has not come out.
This is most likely due to the scale and high-bar the game needs compared to the company's lower-key former efforts. One thing is for sure, it is definitely coming - let’ just hope the wait was worth it.
22 Possibility: Fable 4
Fable has had a rough couple of years; the last proper entry was eight years ago with Microsoft hooking the title to everything from Kinect to collectible card games in the meanwhile.
On top of that Lionhead Studios closed it’s doors and took down the cool looking Fable Legends with it.
Sure, the franchise was never Halo to the Xbox but that didn’t mean it wasn't a tentpole for the console. It's heavily rumored that Playground Games has been busy secretly working on a fourth entry of the franchise.
21 In Development: The Last Night
Since the first footage released for this interactive adventure game, anticipation has been high; with a jaw-dropping design aesthetic that recalls Blade Runner, mixed with a retro gameplay in the style of Another World or Flashback - the teases have been stunning.
Strangely though, not all the talk surrounding the game has been due to positive buzz; main developer Tim Soret said some unpopular sentiments on social media back in 2014 and it has followed him like a bad smell.
Who knows if the game will be able to shed the behind-the-scenes static and move forward to success?
20 In Development: Apocalypse Cow
That's got to be one of the greatest game titles of all time - but can this indie back it up? A 2D cartoony art style carves a distinct look for this incredibly wacky storyline.
The plot features a bunch of nerdy gamers becoming the only hope for saving the world in an apocalyptic future (featuring evil cyborg cows of course).
The gameplay is a mix of platforming and shooter and looks frenetic and relentless in terms of challenge and exhilaration. This one can also be picked up on PC but will only be available on consoles via Xbox One.
19 Possibility: Age Of Empires IV - Xbox One Version
In 2017, Microsoft announced they were publishing a new entry in the highly-respected Age Of Empire franchise, coming exclusively to Windows 10.
Fans have been waiting for thirteen years for the title to return, so most will anxious to jump on their PC’s and play. What about console gamers though?
None of the former titles came to the Xbox but with the company having made RTS gameplay on the console actually work with the Halo Wars series - it wouldn’t be a surprising move.
It’s one of the companies biggest releases in the last three years - something the Xbox One is aching for currently.
18 In Development: Battletoads
A colorful and memorable NES beat-em-up that was graced with one of the most infuriating racing levels of all time (be honest, you haven’t beaten it either?). An arcade game and a so-so spin-off with Double Dragon followed.
Even so, Rare’s TMNT spoof never caught on like maybe it should have.
Thankfully a rejuvenated Rare is taking advantage of one of those long-dormant franchises they’ve been sitting on. We don’t know much asides that it will be co-op side-scrolling beat-em-up - and there’s not enough of those, so please bring it on!
17 In Development: Gears 5
It’s been radio silent on the Gears franchise for the last couple of years; the fourth installment was a solid entry with a surprisingly likable new cast, yet it also wasn’t the behemoth return for the title either (with much of the action feeling samey).
In many ways, it signified a warm-up for developers The Coalition and the epic new direction their story-line was heading for.
The E3 2018 trailer for the fifth entry signifies this blatantly with a grilling and emotional looking campaign at its center. Oh yeah, and I’m sure there’s plenty good multiplayer too.
16 Possibility: Forza Motorsport 8
Forza quite easily became that must-play racing game exclusive for the Xbox brand since 2005. It helped fill in a Grand Turismo-sized gap in the Microsoft back catalog and has been going strong ever since.
Since 2011 the series has been in a natural annual release groove that saw a Forza Motorsport entry followed by a Forza Horizon entry.
So what released this year? Forza Horizon 4, so you can bet your bottom dollar next year we’re getting Forza Motorsport 8 - plus in 4K.
15 In Development: Tunic
Did you want to play Zelda on your Xbox? But the isometric old-school type? Well, replace Link with a cute little fox and your not far off from Tunic; the new downloadable exclusive upcoming Xbox title.
With an adorable art style yet challenging gameplay with deep exploration elements, this title looks to be heading forward to sleeper success for gamers in need for the type of adventure title you could only find back in the 90s.
14 In Development: Session
Man, for a while there, it seemed like the Tony Hawk series was just going to become an industry mainstay like FIFA or Grand Turismo - something that inevitably got an annual release with a minor update (yet still sold like gangbusters).
Yet, due to Activision progressively messing with the winning formula with weak gimmicks and rushed production, people eventually stopped buying it.
Don’t fix, what’s not broke!
Microsoft is looking to take advantage of that gap in the market by releasing this console exclusive that represents a grassroots return to that gameplay; simple and smooth street-style grinding and tricking.
13 Possibility: Next Game From Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory is one of the most interesting action game developers out there. With an emphasis on creating rich worlds, characters and involving stories coupled with satisfying action.
Two of their five titles were (initially) Sony exclusives, which made it surprising when Microsoft announced that they bought the company.
Their latest game, Hellblade, was the first created with full creative freedom and was by far their most distinct and interesting. They are obviously gearing up for the next thing currently, and if Microsoft is being hands-off yet floating the bill - the results could be their best game yet.
12 In Development: Ashen
This unique looking action RPG has been developed for a while. It also has had very little buzz and hype. Yet, keep your eyes peeled, it could be something very special when it eventually drops - and a stand-out exclusive for the console.
Taking the dark and murky fantasy aesthetic from Dark Souls (yet style wise it leans closer to something like Journey). This game is clearly enamored with the strategic combat and obtuse world from that game. Yet, word is, it has etched out its own identity with a more fluid combat system and much more satisfying co-op elements.
11 In Development: oOo: Ascension
This Microsoft exclusive has a stylish Tron-like Sci-Fi aesthetic and takes the insane and riveting gameplay of Geometry Wars but replaces the manic shooting with break-neck puzzling instead.
Your spaceship will have everything thrown against it as you attempt to finish the level in the shortest time possible (competitive co-op also available).
Certainly, it’s not the tastiest exclusive coming out for the console, yet (just like Geometry Wars) it has the opportunity to hit a niche in the gaming market for people looking for a tense yet rewarding challenge during their gaming sessions.