Bonnie Ross, head of 343 Industries, took the stage first at Xbox E3’s 2015 Briefing. Promising the most entertaining system andly the best exclusive games, Halo was the first game shown. 

Halo 5: Guardians

It’s here were finally got a new trailer, with Spartan Locke tracking John-117 with the help of the Chief’s friend The Arbiter. Apparently Master Chief is looking for a Guardian, then the gameplay started. The first we’ve seen.

Accompanied with 3 other Spartan IV’s Locke uses his locating technology to fine John’s location using a new version of Promethean Vision. The team analyzed the Master Chief’s old assault rifle and tracks the Spartan II but before being attacked. Next came a crashing Covenant Ship leading to a run sequence. Next cam active combat.

With the help of team Locke takes down the Covenant ship, commanding former ODST trooper and Spartan IV Buck in taking down the ship. After separating Locke takes hold of a new weapon while fighting a new breed of Forerunner soldier. Armed with blades these quick moving enemies are hard to take down. The demo ends with a new enemy explaining that the Master Chief has been granted access to a transporter but Locke and his team has been denied. 

Built for drop-in drop-out cooperative play, players can enter either Locke or Chief’s campaign at anytime. However this is Halo and everyone wants multiplayer, and we got it. The world premiere of classic modes such as team deathmatch and Firefight were shown, called Warzone,, along with intense gameplay footage.

Recore

Next came the world premiere of a new exclusive, developed in conjunction with Keiji Inafune and the Metroid Prime creators a new game called Recore was revealed. What appears to be a nomadic woman is attacked by several spider-like robots while journeying with her mechanical dog. It’s here that she obtains a special orb that she uses to revive a down robot and face another behind a now unlocked door.

Backwards Capability

Phil Spencer came on stage to reveal a monumental announcement, Xbox One backwards capability. Yes you can now play your Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One. Mike Ybarra, Head of Engineering, explained how these demanded feature worked by demoing the first Mass Effect.

Xbox One features such as Game DDR, screenshot and streaming are available on Xbox 360 games. Only a center selection of games are capable but this feature will become fully fleshed out by holiday 2015.

However want about the Xbox One getting a upgrade, Phil Spencer came out to introduce the new Xbox One elite controller. Hair triggers, precise console, swappable components, paddles on the back, and deigned for Windows 10 this elite controller is made for those looking for the best of the best.

Fallout 4 Exclusive Content

If Bethesda didn’t blow us away yesterday, Todd Howard returned to the spotlight to talk Fallout 4. After a brief summary we were reintroduced to the same demo from yesterday, with your character exploring his former home after emerging for Vault 111. However this time we saw active combat in full motion, and it’s everything we’ve been hoping for. After showcasing combat we finally see how our character will change when wearing his power-suit.

Armed with a mini-gun this former Vault dweller goes against a band of bandits attempting to kill a settlement of people. After dealing with the threat a Deathclaw jumps out from the sewers and attacks, but proves no match for the player’s armor and weaponry.

So why did Todd Howard come to the Xbox One conference. Mod support, mods created on the PC will be available on the Xbox One for free. Get ready for some insane content, and a new hard drive.

EA Access

Next up, Peter Moore, the Chief Operating Officer of EA. With EA Access Moore explained that Madden will release to Access members on August 20 instead of August 25, as well as Need for Speed and other titles. Titanfall and Dragon Age: Inquistion is joining the vault by this summer, and for the entire week, starting now, Xbox Live Gold Members can gain access to EA’s vault for free. 

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2

Next cam actual games, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2. Arriving next spring in 2016 we’re exposed to a world premiere trailer. The world has changed, with zombies now in control of a small settlement.

The plants, now sporting a new look have evolved to fight the zombie hordes and their laser weaponry. A new mechanic suit, summoned the same way you call a Titan in Titanfall, was shown being used by a zombie. Perhaps kill streaks are coming to Plants vs. Zombies.

Forza Motorsport 6

The Ford GT was slowly lowered to the stage, introducing Forza Motorsport 6. Henry Ford III and Dan Greenawalt following, introducing the new trailer for the notorious racing title. Running at 1080p and 60  fps you’ll racing over 450 cars in races supporting 24 players on September 15, next came a rumored title.

Dark Souls III

Yes Dark Souls III is real and we got to see a glimpse of the intense RPG game, in full CGI. Coming early 2016 and no gameplay was shown. Just pretty visuals showing a colossus wielding a massive clever. 

Tom Clancy’s The Division

Despite delayed until next year Tom Clancy’s The Division still made an appearance. Highlighting the story a virus has wiped out most of humanity and as The Division, a select group of people now waking up, facing against anarchist and bandits.

Rainbow Six Siege

Laurent Detoc, President of Ubisoft, took the stage to explain the game’s development. Xbox One players will gain access to an exclusive beta this December. Next came Rainbow Six Siege which will be packaged with Vegas and Vegas 2 for free. Gameplay was next.

Highlighted was the tactical gameplay that the franchise is known. Weaponry that pierces hollow surfaces, dangerous enemies and the precision required to complete challenges were all highlighted during the trailer.  With five vs. five competitive multiplayer expect exciting matches. Rainbow Six Siege is set to release on October 13, 2015.

Gigantic

More exclusive announcements came, with an Xbox One and Windows 10 title Gigantic. Choosing from Imani, The Margrave, Voden, Charnok, Tyto the Swift you face against powerful creatures. A beta is set to release in August.

Indie Games and Xbox Game Preview

Indie Games weren’t left in the cold with a new collection of games coming to Microsoft’s systems. Cuphead, Rise and Shine, The Mean Greens, The Flame in the Flood, Phantasmal, The Solus, Westerado: Double Barreled, Sword Coast Legends, Goat: Mmore Goatz Edition Simulator, Game 4, Below, Ark: Survival Evolved, Recruits, and Superheat to name a few.

Xbox Game Preview allows players to purchase and play games before the game is released. Basically purchasing unfinished games, however a free trial is available for those wanting to play before you purchase. The Long Dark, Sheltered, Elite Dangerous, and Day Z will launch in the next year through the Xbox Game Preview. Today The Long Dark and Elite Dangerous are currently available for download.

Ion

Exclusive to PC and Xbox One, Day Z will release soon but another game is in line of the Xbox Game Preview. Dean Hall, creator of Day Z, took the stage to talk about his latest game called Ion. Taking place in space little was revealed about the day, except space.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

At last came the Xbox One exclusive that bewildered fans when it was announced, Rise of the Tomb Raider. Gameplay footage was finally shown, revealing Lara on top of a mountain, peppered with snow and wind. Attempting to reach the top Lara removes her mask, instantly you notice how anguished she is from the journey.

Did this didn’t stop the young adventurer, climbing the dangerous mountain and leaping mid-climb to reach a new ledge. Her partner, not so lucky, remains stuck as Lara returns to climbing and locates the ruins she has been searching for. While flashy and graphically impressive most of the gameplay shown was scripted events, running through tercherous terrain and avoiding falling debris. 

Next came the newest trailer with trailer traveling through snowy landscapes, mines and temples while facing native animals and raiders. Rise of the Tomb Raider is set to release holiday 2015 exclusive to Xbox One.

Rare Replay

Rare wasn’t left in the dark, but this wasn’t a new game. No this was a re-release of Rare’s past titles, a collection of gems that made Rare a memorable company. Rare Replay, priced at $30, will include classics such as Battletoads, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Banjo Kazooie and many more. With over 10,000 Gamerscore expect hearing beep-bloop a lot.

Son of Thieves

Then we were introduced to Rare’s new IP by Craig Duncan, called Son of Thieves . Set in a pirate universe players will travel to lost lands in search of treasure and faced against supernatural beasts and other pirates. Looks like other players will join your journey, so expect cooperative play.

Fable Legends

It wouldn’t be an Xbox One conference without a look at Fable Legends. A new trailer showcasing a Fable Legends was proceeded with a batter announcement. Kudos Tsunoda, Cooperate Vice President, revealed that the free-to-play game will support cross-purchase. However this was overshadowed when Kudo announced a partnership with Valve. 

Oculus Rift, Valve Deal and Elite Xbox One Controller

Gamers will obtain an Xbox One controller with each Oculus, with Xbox game support. Microsoft HoloLens wasn’t absent with new promises of delivering virtual reality gaming. Minecraft was next up to take up the mantle with Minecon will coming to London on July 4 and 5^th.

Supported by Microsoft HoloLens players can experience the world of Minecraft. Shocking a fully 3D world was shown using the HoloLens, displayed all on a surface. How much all of this will cost was running through the minds of many people.

Gears of War Ultimate Edition and Gears 4

Gears of War returned with the Gears of War Ultimate Edition, launching August 25. Those hoping to experience Gears of War Ultimate Edition multiplayer can play the remastered 1080p 60 fps combat now in the open beta.

It wasn’t over with a new world perimeter of the next Gears of War title in development, Gears 4 coming this holiday. A new protagonist was revealed, a white male with a traditional military cut, hunting a strange creature with his partner. Following her footsteps, wearing tattering clothing as oppose to the player’s military garments. Now faced with an electrical storm they flee into a tunnel and a library, finding organic sacks filled of a weird ooze. 

Now outside and attempting to relocate their target, the player finding finds what they’ve been looking for. A strange lizard creature with multiple rouges and the ability to shoot talons from its tail. After the creature pounces on our hero the video fades into black, teasing a holiday 2016 release. Phil Spencer returned next, explaining Windows 10 launching July 29 and that more is coming to this GamesCom.

Opinion:

It’s clear that Microsoft was focused on Xbox One exclusives. Rise of the Tomb Raider, Halo 5: Guardians, Gears 4 and Forza Motorsport 6 gives consumers many reasons to upgrade, with backwards capability just to add icing to the cake.

It’s hard to deny that Microsoft has learned from the past, promising new titles to Xbox One only and adding exclusive third-party content. With Bethesda having such a successful press event yesterday and piggybacking on that notoriety with mod support Microsoft is attempting to connect Windows 10 with Xbox One successfully by offering services that players from both platforms want. Cross-purchase support and other additions are giving people a lot of reasons to not only get an Xbox One but Windows 10.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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