It's only been a month since Microsoft delivered one of its best Xbox press conferences in history, rich with game footage and exciting announcements. Even then, it's been busy preparing for something equally as substantial: Gamescom 2015.
Unlike Sony, Microsoft has a huge presentation prepared for Gamescom 2015. On the European stage the company will show off games that are arriving later this year in addition to titles still in-development that were announced more than two years ago. A few of these titles are especially exciting, coming from established franchises and noteworthy third-party studios.
Below we will go over eight games whose presence will be known when Microsoft brings them to Gamescom 2015.
8 Big Games Microsoft is Bringing to Gamescom 2015
Crackdown
Genre: Open-World Action Adventure rnRelease Date: TBA 2016 rnDeveloper: Microsoft Game Studios rnRead More: Crackdown Debut Trailer rn rnAnnounced more than a year ago at E3 2014, Crackdown is a successor to the Xbox 360's most prolific open-world exclusive franchise. It was debuted with a cinematic trailer, and to this point no in-game footage has been released. While usually that doesn't motion hype, the Crackdown games on Xbox 360 earned a wealth of fans for their fun and exciting gameplay. This new installment is going bigger than ever before, with more options for how you tackle opposition and a massive cell-shaded world. It will be unveiled for its first time during Microsoft's Gamescom Press Conference, and hopefully its tremendous potential will be realized.
Cuphead
Genre: Classic Run and Gun rnRelease Date: TBA 2016 rnDeveloper: Studio MDHR rnRead more: Cuphead Hands-On Preview rn rnYou may have overlooked this indie game at E3 2015, but only because you made a mistake. Cuphead is one of the most unique and beautiful experiences to come in 2016 with 100% hand-drawn visuals and an emphasis on classically difficult boss encounters. It won a wealth of E3 2015 awards, and for good reason. Seldom do you encounter compelling games in this industry that are unlike anything else, and this is a fine example of such a title. We'll get to see more of it at Gamescom 2015 thanks to Microsoft.
Forza Motorsport 6
Genre: Racing rnRelease Date: September 15, 2015 rnDeveloper: Turn 10 Studios rnRead More: Forza Motorsport 6 Hands-On Preview rn rnIf you're a fan of racing games, listen up. Forza Motorsport 6 is the real deal. With 26 tracks, over 500 vehicles, all the tuning and customization you look for, as well as Forza -first weather implementation, this is a game built for car enthusiasts. I had a chance to see it behind closed doors at E3 2015 and it quickly became one of my most anticipated releases. With a debut date less than two months away and shortly after Gamescom 2015, Microsoft is certain to share new details regarding this racing giant, and that's reason enough for car enthusiasts like me to tune in to the show.
Halo 5: Guardians
Genre: First-Person Shooter rnRelease Date: October 27th, 2015 rnDeveloper: 343 Industries rnRead More: Halo 5: Guardians Hands-On Preview rn rnLet's address the elephant in the room. 343 Industries misstepped in numerous ways with Halo 4 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection . At this point it's a studio that summons doubt. That said, based on its multiplayer beta and what was playable at E3 2015, Halo 5: Guardians is a proper Halo game with solid gameplay and rich atmosphere. Frankly, it's the most exciting FPS coming this holiday season, backed by a franchise first Warzone game mode and an epic campaign that pits Spartan Locke against Master Chief. The game will be a keystone in Microsoft's showing at Gamescom next month.
Quantum Break
Genre: Third-Person Action rnRelease Date: TBA 2016 rnDeveloper: Remedy Entertainment rnRead More: Quantum Break Gameplay Footage rn rnYou might remember Alan Wake for being one of the most outstanding Xbox 360 exclusives. Amazingly, it's been a full five years since that game released to commercial success, and a large portion of that time has been devoted to development of Remedy Entertainment's first Xbox One exclusive: Quantum Break . This is a game that's exciting for several reasons. For one, it's a technical showpiece with brilliant visuals and a powerful physics engine. Secondly, it's a game following the footsteps of Alan Wake and made by the same studio. It's been hotly anticipated for more than 27 months, and chances are Gamescom 2015 will be the place where it's given an in-depth look along with a release date.
ReCore
Genre: Action-Adventure
rnRelease Date: Q2 2016
rnDeveloper: Comcept, Armature Studio
rnRead More: ReCore Announcement Trailer
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rnTwo words: Keiji Inafune. This legendary man who earned his reputation by making Mega Man , Onimusha , and Dead Rising has an Xbox One exclusive in the pipeline. ReCore was debuted with a cinematic trailer at E3 2015, and the crowd was sold. Its sci-fi world that you explore with a trusty robotic dog is compelling. Many are itching to see more, and Gamescom 2015 will be the place to see it.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Genre: Action-Adventure
rnRelease Date: November 10th, 2015
rnDeveloper: Crystal Dynamics
rnRead More: Rise of the Tomb Raider Preview
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rn2013's Tomb Raider is one of the best action-adventure games of the past decade, rich with emotion and compelling gameplay scenarios. Its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider , is a mere four months away from launch. What has been shown so far illustrates a beautiful adventure that awaits the admirable Lara Croft. Gamescom 2015 will feature all-new gameplay to further detail why this is a game worth looking forward to.
Scalebound
Genre: Action rnRelease Date: TBA 2016 rnDeveloper: Platinum Games rnRead More: Scalebound Details rn rnSimilar to Crackdown , Scalebound is a game that was unveiled at E3 2014 with a cinematic trailer. It only detailed what the vision was for the game rather than what it'll actually be like to play. It's been a long time since then, and the well-regarded Platinum Games is ready to show off gameplay at Gamescom 2015. With Monster Hunter -esque qualities and a massive adventure rich with survival, it is sure to be an important element of the Xbox One's 2016 line-up.