The past week has been a busy one for the Xbox platform, with some of today's biggest annualized franchises receiving new entries. The Xbox One was also treated to a small selection of enticing indies that debuted later in the week.
Starting off this week, Microsoft launched the latest addition to this year's Xbox lineup, Forza Horizon 3. As one of the console's first exclusives of this fall, the game is also one of the first to take advantage of the new Play Anywhere initiative for cross-compatibility with Windows 10. Electronic Arts' flagship soccer series will also see a new entry in the form of EA SPORTS FIFA 17. Other highlights include Axiom Verge and XCOM 2, which finally made their way to the console after timed exclusivity on other platforms.
Here's a full recap of all the Xbox One releases this week:
Tuesday, September 27
Forza Horizon 3
Price: $59.99 // Publisher: Microsoft Studios
You're in charge of the Horizon Festival. Customize everything, hire and fire your friends, and explore Australia in over 350 of the world's greatest cars. Make your Horizon the ultimate celebration of cars, music, and freedom of the open road. How you get there is up to you.
EA SPORTS FIFA 17
Price: $59.99 // Publisher: Electronic Arts
FIFA 17 immerses you in authentic football experiences by leveraging the sophistication of a new game engine, while introducing you to football players full of depth and emotion, and taking you to brand new worlds accessible only in the game. Complete innovation in the way players think and move, physically interact with opponents, and execute in attack lets you own every moment on the pitch.
XCOM 2
Price: $59.99 // Publisher: 2K
XCOM 2 is the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the 2012 award-winning strategy game of the year. Earth has changed and is now under alien rule. Facing impossible odds you must rebuild XCOM, and ignite a global resistance to reclaim our world and save humanity.
Friday, September 30
Axiom Verge
Price: $19.99 $17.99 // Publisher: Thomas Happ Games LLC
This is the action-adventure you've been waiting decades for. After a lab accident, a scientist awakens in a mysterious, alien world. Is this a distant planet? The far future? Or a complex virtual-reality computer simulation? Plumb the recesses of a large, labyrinthine world in order to learn its secrets and uncover your role within it. Discover tons of weapons, items, and abilities, each with their own unique behaviors and usage. You'll need your wits to find them all.
Zenith
Price: $19.99 // Publisher: Badland Indie
Zenith is an action RPG that combines that feel of the golden era RPG games with a generous dose of humor and parody. The game counts with a solid story which unfolds in a fantasy world populated by dozens of unorthodox characters. Adventuring, exploring ruins, accidentally unleashing the apocalypse, saving the world… you've done it all, and so has Argus. And, frankly, he's a bit fed up with the whole thing.
Looking forward
Towards the start of next week, the Xbox One will see no major releases from triple-A publishers. Rocksmith 2014 will be treated to a remaster for current generations on Tuesday, with the release of the highly anticpated Mafia 3 following on the Friday. Gears of War 4 Ulimate Edition owners will also gain early access this Friday, ahead of the game's official launch four days later.
What are you playing this week? Make sure to let us know in the comments section!
This list has been compiled from Xbox Store listings at the end of the week, alongside any other notable releases.
