The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 just concluded, and what a ride it was. While it might not have had one single, earth-shattering megaton announcement like in some previous years, Microsoft delivered a show packed with texture, incredible third-party surprises, a bold new hardware reveal, and a clear, aggressive strategy for the future of the Xbox ecosystem. From a deeper look at anticipated titles to a few “available right now” bombshells, there’s a ton to break down.
The show kicked off with a bang, revealing gameplay for The Outer Worlds 2, and it barely slowed down from there. Let’s dive into every major announcement from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025.
Microsoft’s Studios Bring the Heat with Clockwork Revolution & More
While third-party support was a major theme, Microsoft’s own studios came out swinging. Obsidian Entertainment got the party started by opening the show with The Outer Worlds 2. The trailer showed off a civil war-torn setting and some seriously fun-looking gunplay, including a shrink ray and mallet combo. The sci-fi wackiness is definitely turned up to eleven.
But the real showstopper? That had to be InXile’s Clockwork Revolution. We got a brand new gameplay trailer that looked absolutely mind-blowing. The visuals in the techno-Victorian city of Avalon have been massively upgraded, showcasing steampunk cybernetics, customizable characters, and branching narratives. Our jaws are still on the floor from that one.
Other big first-party reveals included:
- Grounded 2: Coming to Game Preview on July 29th! It looks like a huge graphical and systemic leap, and yes, you can now ride ants into battle.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: The final “one more thing” reveal of the show. A trippy, Nine Inch Nails-backed trailer confirmed the franchise is heading back to a near-future setting with robots and invisibility cloaks.
- Keeper: Double Fine’s latest is as wonderfully weird as you’d expect. You play as a walking lighthouse… thing. It’s coming October 17, 2025, exclusively to Xbox and Steam.
- An Xbox Classic Returns: CEO Phil Spencer closed the show by teasing that for Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026, a “classic” that has been with Xbox “since the beginning” will return. Could this finally be the Halo: Combat Evolved remake? The speculation begins now!
Say Hello to the Xbox Ally and a “Play Anywhere” Future
Easily one of the biggest surprises of the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 was the reveal of new hardware. Microsoft is partnering with ASUS to release the Xbox Ally, a new gaming handheld. The device will feature major enhancements to Windows 11 to create a more seamless, console-like experience on the go and is launching this holiday season.
Backing up the hardware push, Xbox VPs Sarah Bond and Matt Booty took the stage to double down on a massive platform promise: every single game shown today will support Xbox Play Anywhere. This commitment, alongside the news that every new Xbox game will be multiplatform, signals a huge strategic shift to win over developers and players on both console and PC.
Third-Party Shocks and Game Pass Shadow Drops
If you thought the show was just about first-party titles, you were in for a treat. Microsoft and its partners delivered a dizzying number of announcements and, most excitingly, a few “available right now” drops.
You heard that right. Square Enix took the stage and announced that Final Fantasy 16 is available RIGHT NOW on Xbox, PC, and Cloud Gaming. Not only that, but the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is finally coming to Xbox this winter. The wait is over.
The other major third-party wins from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 included:
- High on Life 2: The hilarious FPS from the Rick and Morty co-writers is back this winter, day one on Game Pass.
- Ninja Gaiden 4: A blistering new trailer confirmed an October 21, 2025, release date, and it’s coming to Game Pass.
- Beast of Reincarnation: In a move nobody saw coming, Pokémon creators Game Freak are making a hyper-realistic ninja game for all platforms in 2026.
- Persona 4: Revival: The industry’s worst-kept secret is official! The beloved RPG is getting a full remake.
- Invincible: Microsoft has landed its own superhero exclusive—a 3v3 tag-team fighter based on the ultra-violent comic series.
- Gears of War: Reloaded: A free upgrade for Ultimate Edition owners, this remaster drops on August 26, 2025, with full cross-play and cross-progression between Xbox, PC, and PS5.
The showcase was an absolute marathon of reveals that paint an exciting and busy future for Xbox players. With a steady stream of content, a new handheld on the horizon, and a clear commitment to making its games accessible everywhere, Microsoft is firing on all cylinders. The backlog for Game Pass users just got a whole lot bigger.
