Xbox Games Showcase 2023: Top 10 Games We Would Love To See

The State of Xbox going into its 2023 showcase isn't pretty, to say the least. Between the UK CMA's unsavory decision on the ongoing Activision Blizzard deal and Redfall's god-awful reception, it's all a bit grim. The silver lining among all of this is the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase and the Starfield showcase after that. With everything going on, this showcase has a lot to live up to, and the pressure is on for Xbox to deliver. As someone who loves Xbox and wants it to deliver on all fronts, here's my carefully curated list of the top 10 games that I would love to see at Xbox Games Showcase 2023. 

Hellblade 2 Release Date Trailer 

Do you all remember the Xbox exclusive title that was announced at The Game Awards 2020 alongside Xbox Series X? If not, it was Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga. It's been nearly three years since its reveal, and I think it's time for Ninja Theory to release a substantial trailer of the game that's more believable and representative of the game's final build rather than something that looks more like a tech demo. And most importantly, I think it's time Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga gets a release date. If it ends up being this holiday season, I can't think of a better way to kick off this showcase.

State of Decay 3

The Undead Labs studio is a hidden gem among other Xbox first-party studios. The kind of games it makes is not just a perfect fit in the ecosystem Xbox has been harnessing, the games themselves, State of Decay 2, in particular, is, in fact, very good. 

It's one of those unique and immersive multiplayer experiences with some crazy ideas that could be fleshed out more in a sequel with a better budget and resources, which brings us to the State of Decay 3.

With continuous new updates to the State of Decay 2, Undead Labs has carved an exceptional community, but it's time for the State of Decay 3 to see the light of day. It's been three years since the sequel was announced, and while I'm aware of many rumors surrounding Undead Labs and this game, it's still about time we get an update. It's also another Xbox game that's being developed in Unreal Engine 5, and I'm confident many people are excited to see the graphical overhaul in the sequel.

Compulsion Games' next title

Compulsion Games is easily one of the most talented and underrated studios under Xbox's first-part banner. The studio has made some incredibly unique and quirky titles with interesting gameplay ideas that mesh effortlessly with its Bioshock and Dishonored-like art style. 

With Xbox on its side, I believe Compulsion Games could make more ambitious and wholesome titles, and the Xbox Games Showcase is a great platform to depict that. Revealing Complusion's next game at this showcase would also be a great reminder of how things are transitioning for better or worse for an indie studio after getting purchased by a huge company, and after Redfall, Xbox could definitely do with some positivity. 

IO Interactive's Project Dragon or James Bond game reveal trailer 

The talented studio behind the recent Hitman trilogy is simultaneously working on a new James Bond game and an online fantasy RPG reportedly known as Project Dragon. 

I loved the Hitman trilogy, especially Hitman 3, but why would I want to see IO reveal its next game at an Xbox event? Well, a report from Windows Central's Jez Corden suggests that Project Dragon is actually being published by Xbox. 

Interestingly, earlier this year IO Interactive confirmed that it's working on an online fantasy RPG but didn't spare any more details. I think a teaser at the Xbox Showcase would be great to set the expectations for the game and highlight what's in store for fans in the future. 

Something new from 343 Industries

Arkane Austin isn't the only Xbox first-party studio that's sitting on the wrong side of Xbox fans right now, the developers of Halo Infinite, 343 Industries, are in a similar spot. 

It's been a rough two years since Halo Infinite launch, and while the game is in a much better state, with Season 3 being the best yet, overall it feels like 343 and Halo have gone under the radar. 

 It shouldn't be the case because both 343 and Halo are integral parts of the Xbox brand. 343 desperately needs an overhaul right now, and I think the best way to do so is by giving them the stage at the Xbox showcase to reveal their next big project. I wouldn't mind even if it's like the Elder Scrolls 6 reveal, with the game being a decade or so away. I think 343 could really do with an image shakeup, and a new game reveal is the best way to do that. 

Avowed 

Obsidian Entertainment has been on a roll with unique and endearing game releases like Grounded and Pentiment. Their next big project Avowed often dubbed "Obsidian's Skyrim," has been a long time coming, and I think it's time for a re-reveal. 

Avowed's gameplay reveal and a possible release window at the Xbox Games Showcase would be a big win for the Xbox community, and Xbox could do with as many wins as it can right now. 

inXile Entertainment's Next Game

Between Starfield, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2, it's easy to forget there's another veteran RPG studio at Xbox that's presumably working on a deeply layered AAA RPG experience for the current-gen platforms. No, I'm not talking about Fable but the next game from the Father of Fallout, Brian Fargo. 

It's been almost three years since the excellent Wasteland 3 and fans have been wondering what's next from inXile Entertainment. There have been rumors that it's a steampunk RPG codenamed Project Cobalt. The premise seems fascinating, and an extensive reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase would be exciting. 

Wolfenstein 3/Indiana Jones

With so many great studios under the Xbox banner, it's easy for one to get overshadowed by the other. Machine Games has been under the radar for quite some time now, but it's no surprise that it's one of the best AAA studios of its kind. With the Wolfenstein series (excluding Young Blood), the developer has proved that it can make blockbuster action games with state-of-the-art visuals, jaw-dropping set pieces, and intense stories. 

The studio confirmed in early 2021 that it's developing Indiana Jones, and I would more than like to see it get a proper reveal at this year's Xbox Games Showcase. But you know what would be better? A Wolfenstein 3 trailer alongside its release window. Fans, including me, love BJ Blazkowicz's Nazi-killing stories, and everyone has been yearning for the third game for a long time. 

Kojima's cloud game

Over the past years, Xbox has been heavily investing in cloud technology, and one of the most tangible outcomes of it is the deal with Kojima Productions for a new cloud-based game that Mr. Kojima claims "no one has ever experienced or seen before."

Death Stranding got a ton of cryptic trailers before its eventual release, and I would love to see something similar with this game on the Xbox stage. With all the Xbox and Square Enix news circulating and the UK dishing out on the Xbox's Activision Blizzard deal, I would love to see Xbox Cloud take a win, and this, I believe, is the best way to do it. 

Fable gameplay showcase

Alright, we have reached the end of this list, and I could think of no other game than Playground Games' Fable to conclude this year's Xbox Games Showcase. 

Fable is the most exciting AAA Xbox first-party game in development. For one, it's one of Xbox's most beloved franchises making a return in 10+ years. Secondly, it's being developed at a studio that has a clean sheet and has released some of the highest-rated Xbox games in the past decade. 

With a gameplay showcase of Fable, Xbox has the chance to blow away people's minds with its next-gen graphics and stuff. Fans have been curious about the Fable reboot for a long time, and I think it's time for Xbox to showcase and possibly redeem itself by giving us a first-hand look at the next Fable and in the process, make everyone once again excited for the future of Xbox.