Xbox Series X Event: Ranking my Excitement

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

Today, May 7, 2020, Microsoft held, okay they didn’t hold any conference obviously due to the world's circumstances. Instead, Microsoft put together a series of trailers for upcoming games for their hotly anticipated next generation hardware. This video promised gameplay as the title stated, but sadly, there wasn’t a whole lot of that. Instead, the games revealed or shown for Xbox Series X consisted largely of cinematics. Nevertheless, I am very excited for a great deal of these titles and more for the next generation of consoles, hoping I’ll be able to dish out the money to afford this presumably expensive beast of hardware.

I’ve decided to look at all of the games covered in this video and count them down in a ranking from the one I am least interested in to the game I am genuinely hyped to dive into ASAP. So here it is. And be sure to comment below which of the Series X reveals had you the most excited for next gen.

13. Madden NFL 21

So, this is nothing against EA’s “Madden” series. I respect it for the realistic simulation of American football. And I’m glad people enjoy it. I however don't even care for sports in real life. With that, it’s no surprise that I rarely if ever play sports games, so unfortunately, this one means nothing to me personally.

12. Dirt 5

The “Dirt” franchise is of course nothing new to racing fans. And this new entry in the series had a solid reveal cinematic trailer. It does look pretty and driving games aren’t necessarily an instant no for me. I have enjoyed the likes of “Need for Speed” and “Forza;” however, I don’t care that much for them overall. I think everything else in this presentation was more fresh and interesting and the odds of me playing “Dirt 5” just aren’t there.

11. Call of the Sea

“Call of the Sea” sounds promising, sure. This is an adventure game with a mystery, puzzles and island exploration. And I do have to say the visuals look creative and nice in “Call of the Sea.” I can’t say I’m sold on it yet though as it sounds like a type of game that may not be for my taste. Obviously it is early but I’m more compelled by others.


10. The Medium
“The Medium” seems very intriguing. This is an upcoming horror game about a medium, naturally. “Silent Hill’s” composers at the forefront will surely bring some atmosphere to this one. And I thought the trailer looked good. As someone who tends not to play horror games, I likely won’t be going crazy over the release of “The Medium'' but I am, at the very least, curious about this interesting world and story.

9. Scorn

The horror title, “Scorn” was revealed a couple years ago, something I never knew about until today. And the cinematic trailer during the Series X presentation definitely caught many an eye. I thought it was creepy, strange and certainly caught my interest. I don’t usually like horror games much so I’m not overly excited for it but “Scorn” seems to have potential to be for me. I am curious to say the least.

8. Chorus

When I got Star Wars vibes, watching a star-fighter in action, I knew “Chorus” was a game to keep my eyes on. I thought this trailer looked pretty awesome. Like I said, there’s a certain vibe to it that makes it very exciting for fans of such science fiction. The dog-fighting and space action certain to be had in “Chorus” will probably be cool. I don’t typically play games of that style though, so forgive me for some personal skepticism.

7. The Ascent

“The Ascent” is yet another cyberpunk game coming soon. This title’s trailer looked to actually show raw gameplay and it is something that I think will be fun. “The Ascent” is an action RPG, one that I would refer to as a shoot-em-up of sorts. I think the gameplay is something we don’t get as often as the typical third or first person action titles so it should be unique enough. And I think the world and aesthetics are pleasing.

6. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

As someone who has yet to dive into the “Yakuza” series, this entry shouldn’t be so high. I whoever thought that “Yakuza: Like a Dragon's” trailer looked very exciting and interesting. The story seems compelling and the glimpses of action looked like a thrill. I have always wanted to play Sega’s beat-em-up crime series and I plan to very soon in preparation for this sequel.

5. Scarlet Nexus
When I saw “Scarlet Nexus,” I forgot I was watching an Xbox event as it was far more akin to the likes of a PS4 or Switch game. And it is really nice to see Microsoft have such titles in front of their audiences. “Scarlet Nexus” looks stylish and colorful, as well a just very fun. I think the combat looks enjoyable and the fights with these creatures are sure to get bombastic and exciting. “Scarlet Nexus” looks like it has the potential to be a very cool action game for sure.


4. Second Extinction

I have friends always interested in co-op games. They also like first person shooters and “Ark: Survival Evolved.” Seeing as I can’t get into the latter but love an action-packed FPS, I have a feeling “Second Extinction” is going to be the wave for me. I am actually very excited to play this title. From the moment, the trailer depicted friends teaming up to mow down dinosaurs, I knew I was in. I’m hoping the gunplay and action feel good and are intense and that the dinosaurs make for some formidable foes.

3. Bright Memory

The first gameplay trailer, one of the few that really emphasized gameplay too, was “Bright Memory: Infinite.” This action game depicted some of my favorite kinds of gameplay. I was instantly sold. The gameplay included fast-paced action, violent melee combat and first person shooting. It shows us a very cool science fiction, presumably futuristic, setting. I thought it looked like a ton of fun right away and I am super interested in everything I saw. Knowing this is from one person too makes it all the more admirable. Consider me sold on “Bright Memory: Infinite.”


2. Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2

“Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2” is one of those games that I feel like has been in the conversation for some time now but quietly. I went into 2020 excited for this title after seeing the other trailers. And now I am even more interested in it. “Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2” had an awesome trailer during the Series X event. It combined a comical, almost “Dead Rising” approach with some very cool; looking gameplay. The cinematics show a compelling vampire-filled world and I couldn’t be more excited for it.


1. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

What more do I have to say? It’s more “Assassin’s Creed.” But for real, I am a huge fan of Ubisoft’s franchises in general, with “Assassin’s Creed” at the top. After the last two installments turned the series into vast RPG’s, I have tons of faith personally in this next game. This week, we’ve been blessed with a few doses of the upcoming “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla” and it is easily up there with my most anticipated titles to come. Sadly, they promised us gameplay and that was false advertising if I have ever seen it since there wasn’t any but the cinematics look awesome. I am already sold on this game so I don’t need to say more.

What do you think? Which games shown off for the Xbox Series X has you the most excited for this holiday season and beyond? How disappointed were you in the lack of actual gameplay? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below.