Xbox & Bethesda Showcase 2022: 5 Games That Surprised Us

So what did we think of the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase? In terms of content, we'd have to say it was pretty good. The roughly two-hour-long event was stuffed with trailers, gameplay, announcements, and even some surprise reveals. Notably, all of which are said to release in the next 12 months – but when has that ever been the case? Let's hope Xbox and Bethesda can stay true to that timeline mentioned in the showcase because there were some games that surprised us, and we can't wait to get our hands on them.

Some games were completely unexpected, while others included game-changing content that came as a surprise. Either way, they were received in a positive manner, because they gave us something new to anticipate. The only downfall is that it will undoubtedly be difficult to contain all of the enthusiasm until each game's release. And quite frankly, we just can't. That's exactly why we want to take a look at five games from the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase that surprised us and have us bottling up excitement for their release.

5. Minecraft Legends

Initially, when the trailer was unveiled almost every chatbox on Twitch and Youtube couldn't help but blurt out Minecraft 2! Thankfully, Mojang is smarter than that and is instead working on Minecraft Legends, a new game set in the Minecraft universe. Regardless it came as a big surprise and we couldn't be more excited. Labeled as an action strategy game, Mojang brought in Blackbird Interactive to help with the conception. Evidently, the game dev studio has a solid track record with strategy games in the past, so this should pay off huge dividends.

In this other alternate universe, Piglin have begun an invasion to take over the world, and it's up to you and the army you summon to stop them. You take the role of the main hero and you must engage in battle while controlling the numerous followers you've recruited to resist the invasion. Some of them are even familiar mobs that have bound together to take on a threat greater than themselves. The battles look epic, and there was even a highlight to base-building. The game's reveal was a pleasant surprise to us, so hopefully, its release will be too.

4. Microsoft Flight Simulator – 40th Anniversary Edition

Believe it or not, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the longest-running game franchise at Microsoft. The game celebrated its 40th anniversary by unveiling some new content and features at the event, one of which came in epic fashion. The end of the trailer finds us soaring amidst sunset-filled clouds when a Halo Infinite Pelican fills the screen and cues the Halo theme song. It was an epic introduction that no doubt caught us by surprise.

What's more surprising is that the inaugural spacecraft can be accessed by Flight Sim owners and Xbox Game Pass members right now. This is the best part because our hype to fly a Pelican couldn't be higher after re-watching the trailer. In addition, Microsoft Flight Simulator is adding a host of gliders and helicopters as a new feature. For fans of the aviation sim, this was a big surprise that loaded the game with content.

3. High On Life

Fans of the shows Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites got a sweet surprise with the reveal for High on Life. Justin Roiland, the creative mind behind the show's unveiled the new game in development by Squanch Games; the game studio he helped found. The game looks to be keeping with everything fans love about the studio based on what we can see in the trailer. It was unusual, strange, and even featured talking guns and what looked like care bears fighting. But it's right in line with what fans love and hey, if it works, it works.

You play as a recent high school graduate and by fate become a ruthless bounty hunter. Which leads you on a quest to stop a horde of Aliens from selling humans as an intergalactic narcotic. But wait, it doe's get weirder. A long you're journey, you'll be accompanied by talking guns that have their own personalities and attributes. Not only doe's this work great for the comedic direction, but it also is working to narrate and develop the story as you gather more of them. High on Life is set to release sometime in 2022, for PC and Xbox consoles.

2. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

A new game called Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty from Team Ninja came as a surprise, but it has our vote. The trailer didn't get too far into the game's missions and was more of a cinematic experience, but it did provide a solid taste of the game's fighting. This is ultimately what has us so excited as Team Ninja typically exceeds expectations with its combat gameplay. Which you may of experience with the Ninja Gaiden and Nioh franchises.

There appears to be a strong focus on dark fantasy and mythological beasts in the game. You can mainly credit this to Masaaki Yamagiwa; the lead producer behind Bloodborne who's working alongside Team Ninja to develop the game. As a result, you'll be up against not just lordly swordsmen, but also goliath beasts as the trailer hinted at. Essentially, we have two excellent videogame creators combining their talents to create a game. Now that's a surprise that we can't bottle up our excitement for.

1. Starfield

It's not a surprise that Starfield got the longest feature at the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase. If it didn't we'd probably have a riot on our hands. But what came as a surprise was the sheer amount of content they unveiled about the game, which was a lot.

The 15-minute-long trailer showed off one of the main locations known as New Atlantis. It also showed of camps, outposts and general mysterious ruins that can be discovered across the interstellar map. Which Todd Howard commented contains 100 different star systems and over 1,000 fully realized and explorable planets.

To continue, the official gameplay reveal confirmed fully customizable characters, space ships, base building, and even confirmed intergalactic space ship combat. Because we knew so little about the game before the event, almost every feature felt came as an exciting surprise. Out of all the surprises that came at the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, Starfield has us the most excited about what's to come.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other games that surprised you at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!