Still Wakes The Deep (Xbox Series X|S)

What's that? You need me to navigate a collapsing oil rig to save my crew from an otherworldly horror on the edge of all logic and reality? In Scotland? In 1975? In this economy?

The Chinese Room has already proven itself time and time again, and Still Wakes The Deep's spooky and stylish disaster adventure looks set to continue set to continue (said that twice to wake you up a bit) that trend. Help your crew to escape an unimaginable terror! Featuring frequent violence and gore! We can't wait.

  • Release Date: 18th June, 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (Xbox Series X|S)

No, it's not exactly a brand-new game, but how can we not have Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree on this list?! It's a highly anticipated expansion for a game that was crowned the Pure Xbox Game of the Year in 2022, and its pre-order price tag of £34.99 / $39.99 suggests we're going to be getting a lot of content out of this new DLC.

In terms of what you can expect, there's an "all-new story" here complete with new enemies, weapons, equipment and more, set amidst the Land of Shadow that features uncharted territories and perilous dungeons. It might sound pretty expensive for an expansion, but we're confident this is going to be an amazing release this June.

  • Release Date: 20th June 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (Xbox Series X|S)

Another surprise announcement that we were treated to earlier in 2024 was in the form of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance coming to Xbox, with Atlus confirming it'll be getting Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S versions.

The "Vengeance" part refers to this being a definitive edition of the 2021 RPG, which is said to be "massively expanded" with a new storyline featuring new locations, demons, and choices. We'll be there day one for this!

  • Release Date: 21st June 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Black Myth: Wukong (Xbox Series X|S)

If you haven't seen the 13 minute gameplay video for Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong yet, you may be surprised to see it on this list, but just go ahead and take a look at that jaw-dropping footage and you'll likely find yourself as hyped as we are.

This incredible looking action-RPG has got a wonderfully Chinese look and feel to its world, which makes sense as it's based on the Journey to the West mythological stories - that's those 16th century novels full of lads kicking the dirt out of each other. Players assume the role of the Monkey King, Wukong, who can kick all manner of ass with up to 72 abilities and, judging from that action-packed trailer, we reckon we could be in for a real treat when this one drops at the tail end of summer.

  • Release Date: 20th August 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Dustborn (Xbox Series X|S)

Dustborn, the latest adventure from Norwegian dev studio Red Thread Dreams, was something of a nice surprise during Gamescom 2023. This ultra-stylish road trip movie sees you take off across a Neo-Western, alternate reality version of America as Pax, one member of a group of renegades charged with delivering a special package cross-country.

The twist? Pax can use words to destroy enemies in combat, with the current trailers showing off branching dialogue paths and conversational choices that can defeat foes and change the course of the story's events. We are 100% down for discovering the hidden power of words alongside a ragtag bunch of misfits when this cel-shaded adventure drops in the near future.

  • Release Date: 20th August 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Star Wars Outlaws (Xbox Series X|S)

Listen. We're all in real danger of turning into a blinking Star Wars with the amount of Star Wars stuff we've all been Star-Warsing lately. It's been non-stop.

Nevertheless, Massive Entertainment has thrown caution to wind and is set to drop Star Wars Outlaws, its sprawling open world epic in 2024. We're all going to play it. Let's face it. It's Star Wars. Let's just keep our lightsabers crossed it's more A New Hope and less The Rise of Skywalker when it comes to the quality department.

  • Release Date: 30th August 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2007's cult classic FPS horror. Boasting what appears to be a truly massive open-world, players will need to constantly be on their tippy toes as they prowl through the darkness of this all-new Exclusion Zone, the game's post-apocalyptic playground.

We've got absolutely no doubt that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is gonna be an intense, terrifying experience when it lands - the trailer looks immense - and we cannot wait to return to this franchise's unique world-building style. The game's development has, of course, been affected by the war in Ukraine but, after being pushed back from a 2022 release, and then again in 2023, we're looking forward to digging into this one very soon.

  • Release Date: 5th September 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

Focus Interactive is another publisher that's been knocking it out of the park the past few years, and this long-awaited return to the grim-dark universe of Warhammer looks set to continue that happy trend.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2 is looking like it means business, early previews are positive, it looks suitably meaty and badass, and we're itching to get step into the boots of Lieutenant Titus, the superhuman Space Marine who fights on behalf of the tyrannical Imperium of Man.

The trailer looks very Gears Of War we reckon, and if Gears of Wars spliced with Warhammer is what we end up getting here...well...we're in for quite the treat!

  • Release Date: 9th September 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Age of Mythology: Retold (Xbox Series X|S)

A definitive edition of the 2002 PC hit Age of Mythology was first announced all the way back in late 2022 for PC Game Pass, but this was followed up with very little fanfare in the months to come. Flash forward to early 2024, and Age of Mythology: Retold made its grand comeback as part of an Age of Empires event, with the big news being that it's also coming to Xbox!

Yes, Xbox fans will be getting their hands on Age of Mythology at some point later in 2024, with the game set to feature "modern real-time strategy design and visuals" alongside all the best bits from the original experience. We can't wait!

  • Release Date: TBC 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Ark 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

Studio Wildcard's survival sequel has been delayed a little from its original planned release date but, tbh, we can't be bothered focusing on anything negative like that because this game has got Vin Diesel attached to it, and that means it's going to be awesome, even if it's bad.

The studio's CEO, Doug Kennedy, has stated that "we are embarking on something which has NEVER been done in the 50 years of video games". So yeah, expect plenty of very convincing sex scenes alongside revamped survival antics and even bigger dinos! Ark 2 looks set to fix the issues we had with the OG experience and, not sure if we've mentioned this already, but it has Vin Diesel in it.

  • Release Date? TBC 2024
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes