This 2025 is a good year for Xbox Series players, as major titles will be arriving in the catalog, and many of them will be available on Game Pass from day one. With a variety of games for all tastes, this year promises to deliver exciting and memorable gaming experiences.
From new installments of well-known franchises to innovative proposals, promising players high-quality and exciting content. In this article, we present the most anticipated games of 2025 for Xbox X|S, one of them is sure catch your attention.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Rockstar Games promises that GTA VI will finally arrive in 2025, after more than ten years since the last installment, Grand Theft Auto V, and countless speculations. One of the lingering rumors is that still persists is that the developer might delay the game’s release.
Lucía and her partner.
The main story follows two characters, Lucia and her potential partner. Lucia is a former inmate out on parole. Both characters navigate Vice City, a place reminiscent of Miami, where they strive to make their way through its chaotic streets.
One of the stand out features seen in the trailer is the use of social media within the game. It closely resembles platforms such as Instagram and TikTok as well as the content that circulates on them. Even some real-life viral videos have been parodied on this in-game social network. Undoubtedly, this something new that players might not have anticipated, and some speculate that it could be possible to interact with this social media platforms within the game.
Some real-life cases are depicted on this in-game social network.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Another highly anticipated game for Xbox this 2025 is undoubtedly Doom the Dark Ages. This title is the eighth installment in the series and promises to be a prequel to previous titles such as Doom Eternal and Doom 2016. One of the most talked-about aspects of this new installment is its exploration of the origins of the Doom Slayer, the franchise’s protagonist.
And as expected from this saga, the game promises a lot of action, but now in a dark medieval world without neglecting the technological aspect. New weapons have also been included such as a shield equipped with a saw-like mechanism that offers various uses, including being thrown. Additionally, players will have access to a rideable dragon and other gameplay mechanics.
Rideable dragon
Perfect Dark
In 2020, the Perfect Dark official trailer was reveled at The Game Awards. After nearly twenty years, the the arrival of this title for the new generation of consoles was finally announced. An announcement that especially excited gamers who grew up in the ’90s. Since 2018, the developer Rare had been working on the game, however, there were several challenges throughout its development.
Last year, in 2024, a new trailer was revealed during the Xbox Showcase, showcasing more aspects of the game and its narrative, along with a release timeframe. The game has been developed by former developers of the original title, who stated that it would not be a sequel but rather a reboot.
Joanna Dark: In the First Game (2000), Perfect Dark Zero, the Xbox 360 Remake, and the 2025 Game
Perfect Dark is a futuristic first-person shooter with an espionage theme and science fiction elements. This game brings back protagonist Joanna Dark, now a relatively inexperienced agent on the hunt for a highly dangerous criminal.
This criminal is known as Daniel Carrington, who possesses a radioactive device and plans an attack that will threaten humanity. Joanna Dark must investigate Carrington’s whereabouts and stop him while a series of ecological disasters unfold, threatening the collapse of Earth.
Atomfall
Rebellion Developments offers us, for March 27, 2025, an action and survival first-person game set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by nuclear disasters. A premise that has been often compared to that of Fallout. The story is set in 1960s England, quarantined due to radiation. We must explore the quarantine zone in northern England and uncover what truly happened.
So far, it has been mentioned that the combat mechanics are very fluid.
Our protagonist must find a way to survive and fight against monsters and other rivals in the area while discovering the truth. He will have limited weapons, ammunition, and items to defend himself. Atomfall promises to be a great game with many mechanics such as decision-making, resource management, and weapon crafting in this dangerous semi-open world.
Fable
This RPG title is composed of a medieval-style aesthetic and features a third-person view.
It is set in the fictional world of Albion, where the protagonist must face various monsters and enemies using different weapons such as knives, swords, bows, and magical spells. The gameplay is one of the aspects that stands out most from the new Fable as it reminds of the mechanics of other games like The Witcher 3.
The protagonist of Fable has caused controversy for being an unattractive female character, although it is believed that there could be a possibility for customization.
This game is a reboot of the saga and promises improvements, with a particular focus on gameplay mechanics and visuals, intertwined with a strong narrative. At least, that is what Playground Games promises, and what they have been working on with a large team and renowned members of the video game development industry.
Monsters Hunter Wilds
Capcom plans to release Monster Hunter Wilds at the end of February 2025 for PS5, PC, and of course, Xbox X|S. Capcom also promises multiplayer and crossplay capabilities. According to players from the Beta, the gameplay mechanics and the AI of various characters and monsters have improved, particularly in how they interact within the environments and scenarios of this open world.
Another highlighted aspect is the improvement in the relationships and interactions between the villagers or tribes, as well as the randomness of the environment. Gameplay mechanics have also been added, such as the ability to attract distant objects, heal, sharpen weapons, and certain attack moves, along with how these deal damage. The developers aimed to create a more realistic and natural environment to provide a more immersive gaming experience.
In Monster Hunter Wilds, you will have access to character creation, allowing you to customize both your hunter and your companion.
In the Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase, we saw the arrival of the Hunter Guild in the Oil Basin, a place filled with oil deposits, leading to frequent fires. The monsters in this environment inhabit the most dangerous areas, perfectly adapted to the inhospitable habitats surrounding them. As a hunter, you must face these harsh and perilous lands and their inhabitants, both monsters and humans.
South of Midnight
This third-person action-adventure game developed by Compulsion Games is expected to release for PC and Xbox X|S in 2025. South of Midnight is set in the southern United States, in swampy areas surrounded by grasses, alligators, crocodiles, birds, and all kinds of local animals and plants.
Through Hazel, you will explore and solve mysteries of these lands and their myths, a place inhabited by various monsters from the U.S. folklore. With Hazel’s special abilities and the help of some local beings, you will uncover the mysterious locations and their inhabitants. You will also embark on the protagonist’s own personal and family rediscovery amid the devastation caused by the passing of a hurricane.
The monsters are species that inhabit the habitats of the southern United States, but on a much larger scale.
This RPG title features a medieval aesthetic with a third-person perspective. It is set in the fictional world of Albion, where the protagonist must face various monsters and enemies using different weapons such as knives, swords, bows, and magical spells. The gameplay is one of the standout aspects of the game, as it is reminiscent of mechanics from other games like The Witcher 3.
Little nightmares III
From the successful Little Nightmares saga, Supermassive Games presents the third installment of the title in 2025. Through Low and Alone, we are shown a disturbing story. Both characters are trapped in a nightmare where they must forge their way through and overcome the obstacles they encounter on their path.
Low y Alone, los dos personajes jugables que juntos deben a navegar por “El espiral”.
The game is based on puzzles, riddles, and battling some enemies in a nightmarish, dreamlike atmosphere. There is an option to play cooperatively, either with AI or with a real partner. Each character has their own unique traits for the gameplay mechanics. This is one of the new features that has been added to the game.
FragPunk
FragPunk will be released on March 6, 2025. Bad Guitar Studio brings us a free-to-play first-person shooter. The gameplay mechanics are based on the use of cards for a unique strategy in each game. Over 100 cards with different abilities will be available, allowing the player to create various combinations in each match.
FragPunk currently features around twelve heroes and a wide variety of customizable weapons.
It features various game modes such as the standard plant the bomb, team deathmatch, capture, and more. This shooter offers frantic gameplay, so the fluidity of movement stands out in this game. There is the possibility to move quickly or jump while shooting or using an ability.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This new turn-based JRPG promises energetic and immersive battles with unique gameplay. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set in the golden age of Paris, “La Belle Époque”, where Peintresse, the game’s antagonist, paints a number each year on a monolith. This number signifies that anyone of that age will die.
The objective is to guide Expedition 33 to prevent this from happening, after Mission 68 failed in its objective. Now, Expedition 33 has taken on this mission to stop these events and prevent the death of many people, as well as the potential future extinction of humanity. They must navigate a world of dark and dangerous dreams, inhabited by various beings. These beings will try to prevent the expedition from finding the deity responsible for these events.
The setting blends elements of dark fantasy and French art.
So far, the game’s narrative and premise have stood out, but also its aesthetic composition, which is based on French architecture. Additionally, it features “reactive turns,” meaning it includes real-time elements. This will also allow the possibility of performing cooperative combos. In this case, there are three options: jump, dodge, and parry. Although the game doesn’t have an exact release date, it is known to be coming out sometime in 2025. It will also be available on Game Pass.
Mecha Break
Mecha Break is a multiplayer third-person robot and shooting game with frantic action. It features three game modes: 3v3 Deathmatch, 6v6 Hero Shooter, and PvPvE Evacuation Shooter. There is also the option to join a squad for territory battles. The game includes several types of mechs that can be customized for fighting against other hostile mechs. Additionally, the pilot can also be customized.
The story centers around Earth facing catastrophic danger due to the extraction of an unknown mineral called Corite. The purpose of this mineral was to provide energy to the planet, but it came with terrible consequences. The pathogenic properties of this mineral and its extraction have spread across the Earth, causing habitable zones to shrink and leading to the potential extinction of humanity. Amid this chaos, there is a chance to save the planet, and you must fight with your mech as a hero.
MechaBreak features various customizable characters and mechs.
Although more than a story, the game offers a constant, frenetic action shooter experience. What stands out the most about the game are the mech weapons. The exact release date has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to be launched sometime in 2025.
Mixtape
Mixtape has generated high expectations for 2025, thanks to its theme, aesthetics, and the music it includes. The developer Beethoven and Dinosaur presents this new indie adventure game, inspired by the ’80s and ’90s, which will be available from day one on Game Pass.
It is a game that appeals to nostalgia by evoking memories of the most significant experiences and events of adolescence. This is achieved through a warm, fun, emotional atmosphere, with elements of action and fantasy. The developers describe it as “experiencing the freedom of the teenage environment. Escaping, kissing, avoiding the law, and maybe a little more…”
The developer also draws inspiration from movies with similar themes, such as The Wonder Years.
It features an alternative setlist from the ’80s and ’90s, with recognized artists who have become classics. Among these artists, we can find Siouxsie and the Banshees, Iggy Pop, Joy Division, DEVO, The Smashing Pumpkins, and more.
This part of the music is an important aspect considering the name of the video game and that it is a central theme of the story, as it is also part of the narrative sequence. Emphasis is placed on the idea that the best memories are stored in music. As for the aesthetic art, it features a stop-motion animation style with a very bright and warm color palette. It is undoubtedly a great combination of music and animation.
On the other hand, the narrative follows a group of three friends during their teenage years as they seek one last adventure before graduating high school. Everything takes place in an ’80s/’90s setting. The protagonists’ memories are marked by various cassette tapes.
These tapes serve as the starting point for the game’s narrative. The tapes they play before their last party together lead them into a world of recreations and dreamlike visions of the memories that have shaped them up to this point.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike action RPG set in the kingdom of Shu during the Ming Dynasty in ancient China. It features a dark and turbulent atmosphere, with the land ravaged by monsters and diseases.
It is speculated that the game will have multiple endings.
The game follows the story of the pirate Wuchang, who awakens amidst chaos, but with a major problem—she has amnesia. Wuchang seeks to rediscover her past. During this journey, she must fight against the various monsters that invade the land, as well as a curse or disease that is consuming her, but also granting her power.
One of these monsters and the main boss of the game is presented as the protector of the Ming dynasty. This protector has failed in his mission and now seeks to destroy anyone he considers a traitor, aiming to restore and elevate the empire.
Wuchang has magic and three weapons to fight with, which are interchangeable during combat: an axe, a sword, and a spear. Occasional decision-making is also present throughout the game, making it more interactive.
The artistic style incorporates many elements of dark ancient Chinese fantasy and mythology. The characters and environments are highly detailed, as are the combat animations. The battles look very promising, full of action and high difficulty, but they are balanced by the available combat skills and moves. Although there is no exact release date, it will be available from day one with Game Pass.
The Outer Worlds 2
This first-person action RPG is the sequel to the 2019 game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. This second installment shares similarities with its predecessor, such as the first-person perspective, the alternating combat system, and interactions with characters that move and branch the story based on these interactions. The developer highlights and promises a great game full of action, weapons, and good graphics.
It features the ability to create your character with the skills and traits that best suit you.
The Outer Worlds 2 is set in the colony of Arcadia, which faces an imminent danger, devastating cracks, and the division of three factions in conflict. Each faction seeks to benefit from this problem affecting Arcadia. The protagonist, an agent of the Earth Directorate, tries to find a solution amidst the conflicts.
The player has the option to choose their gameplay strategy. One of these strategies is to decide which faction to join or to build more ties or enmity with them, which could result in a benefit or a drawback. The player’s decisions are also important, as they will define the reputation with each faction and make each player’s game unique. It will also be available from day one with Game Pass.
