Doom mechs and flyable dragons!
Why not join us?
But what is going to happen?
We know a few things.
A release date more specific than 2025 would be welcome.
Those are the named games.
Could it be a game likeAvowedor Fable, or are we going to see something completely new?
Maybe it’s time to wheel outthe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remake that’s been speculated about.
That’s the general shape of things but there could be other surprises too.
Join us just before 6pm UK time as we prepare to find out.
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
FTJT is calling it!
Mark it down on your bingo cards.
What may be suddenly releaased tonight, I wonder?
You heard it here first!
And with that, we’re nearly there.
Two minutes to go and counting.
I hope we get a good show!
I loved Lost Odyssey!
The show begins
As Vordus says, “it is time for video games” - it is indeed.
10, 9, 8… All games are available day one with Game Pass, a message reminds us.
A montage to start, showing clips from inside the four studios we’re seeing games from.
Any clues about the mysterious fourth?
Nothing that I could pick up on.
We’re going into the mysterious game first!
A stormy sea and up into the clouds.
OK - it has to be Ninja Gaiden, right?
The mystery game is Ninja Gaiden 4
We’re straight into a trailer.
A sole ninja thwarted some Dark Dragon plot.
Ooh - Platinum Games is the developer?!
The studio’s name flashes up on the screen.
There’s a cyberpunk element to it.
The name Ryu Hyabusa is mentioned - that’s him!
It’s gory, it’s fast.
It looks fairly far in development to me too.
Ninja Gaiden 4 it’s called, simplyi.
It’s a new entry in the mainline series, we’re told - that’s somewhat obvious.
It’s a collaboration between Team Ninja and Platinum.
There’s a new protagonist called Yakumo.
But Ryu will also be in the game and play a pivotal role in it, apparently.
You’ve got to defeat the Dark Dragon.
The dark, hardcore tone of the series is important, they said.
There’s a lot of momentum in the game, in traversal as well as combat.
It does look more than a little reminiscent of Ghostrunner, I have to say.
You’ve got a grappling hook of some kind to swing around environments with.
It sounds like a lot of work and thinking has gone into bringing the series back.
New protagonist Yakumo has two fighting styles tailored for different situations.
It’s very fast looking, gameplay.
They’re talking about it being a fair and engaging experience - Gaiden games are known for being challenging.
But they’re also talking about welcoming newcomers, of course.
I really liked Ninja Gaiden 2 on Xbox 360.
Hang on - are we getting a remastered version?
The remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is out now
Shadow drop!
you’ve got the option to play the remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black right now!
A closer look at South of Midnight
Game hop!
There’s a fantastical twist to all of this - twisted monsters in the bayous.
A giant catfish is your companion through the game.
There’s a slower frame-per-second animation style to this, like the Spider-Verse films.
I’m not sure how I feel about it.
But it’s undeniably a stylish presentation.
And of course there’s combat too.
And there’s the release date we’ve been after: 8th April.
This game started as a solo passion project, apparently.
They were inspired by turn-based JRPGs and wanted to make a big budget one for today’s audience.
Given how impressive the game looks visually now, it’s amazing to think this began with one person.
Do they work in some kind of refitted manor house?
That’s a pretty swanky looking office.
Yeah - this is looking pretty good!
We’re hearing a bit about the story.
It’s not about good and evil.
They want a dark and mature story with characters that feel like real people with real experiences.
The story is about overcoming an existential threat while overcoming personal grief.
The voice cast include Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Ben Starr and Andy bloomin' Serkis.
That’s a strong line-up!
Someone really took a chance on this.
There are strong Persona vibes to the way the game plays out, and Final Fantasy 7 remake.
you’re able to dodge and parry in real-time, while selecting attacks in a turn-based order.
Apparently, you might take more risks in real-time if you like that kind of thing.
Wow that’s a lot of passive effects!
There are more than 20 unique skills for each character and hundreds of passives.
I like the sound of that.
I like that I haven’t played an RPG like this before, in terms of setting.
Does that mean there will be random battles, I wonder?
I really like the look of this: it’s got a lot of heart behind it.
Clair Obscur comes out 24th April.
They announce our closer look at the game.
So, it’s a medieval war against hell and we’re going to feel like the superweapon there.
It’s medieval but it’s sci-fi.
It’s also a prequel to Doom 2016.
Apparently that also means it’s a great place for newcomers to come in.
The acrobatics of previous Doom games have been changed for a feeling of power here.
The Shieldsaw is obviously at the center of this.
you’re free to block, throw, parry and reflect.
It’s all contextual apparently, which is intriguing.
Doom Dark Ages will have a tower-sized mech to pilot!
There’s a new glory kill system, there are new melee weapons.
And it’s all contextual it sounds like.
The Dark Ages has some of the most ridiculously powerful guns they’ve ever made.
There’s a metal stake launcher by the looks of things.
That shield really is at the heart of all your encounters.
You’re going to be able to pilot a tower-sized mech!
Doom Dark Ages will let you fly a dragon!
We’re going to be able to fly on a dragon!
There’s a flail melee weapon!
Dark Ages has the largest play space ever in a Doom game, apparently.
It’s a Doom sandbox full of war and riches, we’re told.
The soundtrack is being composed by Finishing Move.
I’m not sure who that is but it sounds very metal to me.
Did I tell you I went to see Slipknot recently?
That was an experience.
They just called it a summer blockbuster event.
Does that mean it’s coming out in the summer?
Doom: The Dark Ages releases in May!
Show closes
Oh, so that really was it.
But a pretty strong slate of games, I think?
That’s a convincing sell for a couple of months of GamePass.
I hope that the width of it all doesn’t sacrifice some of the shape and pace.
I assume because it’s out so soon there’s no point.
I’m looking forward to playing it!
I’m equal parts worried and excited, I should say.
Curious project, that.
I’d love to do a walking down the corridor shot!
They are inherently ridiculous but you’ve just got to embrace it.
And yes, me!
I have to call it a night there.
Thank you all for joining us.
Short and sweet, that.
Not bad, Microsoft, not bad.
Columbo: Just one more thing.
