
As 2025 becomes a landmark year for the gaming industry, Microsoft hosted its Xbox Developer Direct on Thursday, offering an exciting glimpse into its upcoming games lineup. The event provided detailed insights into highly anticipated titles like Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and a surprise game reveal. If you missed the showcase, here’s a complete rundown of the nearly hour-long Xbox Developer Direct from January 2025.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Announced
The showcase kicked off with this surprise announcement, Ninja Gaiden 4. This title is being co-developed by Team Ninja and Platinum Studios and it is the first mainline entry in the Ninja Gaiden series in over a decade. This new chapter stars Yakumo, a new ninja hero from the Raven Clan, who must confront the Dark Dragon and its corrupted Tokyo.
While Yakumo is the protagonist, the legendary Ryu Hayabusa will play a significant role. Yakumo will wield new abilities, including high-speed traversal and “Bloodraven Form,” which manipulates blood into powerful weapons. The game promises challenging action with a focus on stylish combat and iconic Ninja Gaiden difficulty.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to release in Fall 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and will be available on Game Pass.
Ninja Gaiden 2 is Now Available on Game Pass
While the wait for Ninja Gaiden 4 continues, fans of Ryu Hayabusa can dive into Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which made a surprise shadow drop during the Xbox Developer Direct. This graphically remastered version of the 2008 classic is now available on Xbox Game Pass.
South of Midnight Gets a Release Date
Initially announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2023, Compulsion Games has finally announced a release window for its upcoming action-adventure game, South of Midnight. In this game, players take on the role of a young black woman called Hazel who has extraordinary weaving powers. Her journey will unfold in a folklorish version of the Deep South, where she must battle monstrous creatures and heal corrupted regions. She also has to rescue her mother, who has been swept away by a hurricane.
The trailer showcased Hazel’s abilities in action, from weaving magic to combating spiritual corruption that transforms animals into terrifying monsters.
South of Midnight is shaping to be a standout release blending a compelling narrative, a Black protagonist, a unique setting and mesmerizing visuals. The game is set to launch for Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam) and Game Pass on April 8, 2025.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Sandfall Interactive’s debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a stylish turn-based RPG. The game is set in a fantastical version of late 19th-century Belle Époque France, where a mysterious entity known as the Paintress annually erases entire age groups from existence. Players lead Expedition 33 on a desperate mission to stop her, encountering a cast of unique characters and facing challenging battles with a reactive combat system.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features a captivating story, a stunning world, and a talented voice cast including Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis. The game launches on April 24, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Game Pass.
Doom: The Dark Ages Release Date Announced
Rounding up the showcase, Xbox has given a deeper look at the id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal. The game blends the series’ signature sci-fi hellscape with a medieval fantasy setting, delivering its “most ambitious instalment” yet.
Set in a cinematic, war-torn world, Doom: The Dark Ages reimagines the series’ core elements. Players will wield devastating new weapons, including the Shield Saw, capable of blocking and slicing foes, and a flail, electric gauntlet, and spiked mace. Beyond combat, the Slayer will pilot a colossal mech and ride a cybernetic dragon equipped with Gatling guns.
It will launch on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC (including Game Pass).
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