Doom: The Dark Ages, Gears of War E-Day Should Kickstart a New Era For Xbox

Key Takeaways

Xbox lacks exclusives in 2024, but upcoming games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day are promising.
Both games are prequels set in new eras with unique gameplay and narratives, potentially starting a trend for Xbox franchises.
Other Xbox series like Halo and Elder Scrolls could benefit from prequels if Doom and Gears of War are successful.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the gaming landscape is constantly evolving and the anticipation for new releases is always palpable. Xbox, despite its recent acquisitions, seems to be struggling to maintain a strong lineup of exclusives this year. However, the upcoming prequels, Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day, are shining rays of hope on an otherwise cloudy horizon.

Microsoft’s first-party game studios, including Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard, have joined Xbox, positioning it as a potential leader in the gaming industry. However, despite this advantage, Xbox finds itself in an unusual predicament with a limited number of exclusive games scheduled for release in 2024. The game that was expected to keep Xbox competitive this year – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – has been announced for PlayStation release in Spring 2025, shortly after its launch on Xbox and PC. Nevertheless, there are several significant Xbox games planned for the future, such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m beyond excited about the upcoming titles announced at this year’s Xbox Showcase – “Doom: The Dark Ages” and “Gears of War: E-Day”. These games promise to take us on an unprecedented journey deeper into their respective universes than we’ve ever ventured before, serving as prequels that unfold long before the main series events. Although only time will tell, the innovative approaches these games are taking could mark a new era for Xbox’s first-party intellectual properties.

Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day Could Start a Chain Reaction for Xbox

Doom: The Dark Ages and Gears of War: E-Day Are Prequels That Shake Things Up

Although prequels might not initially seem thrilling, “Doom: The Dark Ages” and “Gears of War: E-Day” are taking advantage of their periods in creative ways that promise unique gaming experiences unlike those fans have encountered in the series’ history. “Doom: The Dark Ages,” set far before the 2016 “Doom” reboot, chronicles the Doomslayer’s journey to legendary status as he confronts the unending horde of Hell for the first time.

In the game titled “Doom: The Dark Ages“, they’ve taken a different approach from the traditional Sci-Fi setting, opting for a fantasy-inspired visual style instead. Instead of blasting through Mars colonies and advanced science labs as usual, players will now be battling demons in old stone fortresses and ancient ruins. This new environment introduces an array of fresh weapons and adversaries, including a bone-spewing machine gun and mechanical dragons, some of which were teased in the game’s unveiling trailer.

As a die-hard Gears of War fan, I’m thrilled about the upcoming release of Gears of War: E-Day. Though we haven’t had much glimpse yet, its prequel setting promises some major changes in both storyline and gameplay. This game is set on Emergence Day, the day when the Locust first invaded humanity, a full 14 years before the original series. That means the weapons we’ll wield might differ significantly, and it’s possible that some of our long-lost comrades will make a brief reappearance.

Other Xbox Franchises That Could Use a Prequel

If games like “Doom: The Dark Ages” and “Gears of War: E-Day” live up to their promise by achieving both critical and commercial success, it’s reasonable to assume that Microsoft (Xbox) may wish to replicate this formula for some of its other in-house franchises. There are certainly many Xbox first-party series that could benefit from a prequel.

Halo

As a devoted Halo fan, I can’t help but yearn for more adventures set within the expansive universe of this iconic franchise. While Halo Reach undoubtedly holds a special place as one of the most cherished prequels in gaming history, there’s always an appetite for more stories to unravel within the depths of this galaxy.

The Elder Scrolls

The Elder Scrolls series boasts an extensive timeline that extends over thousands of years. Most games from this franchise are situated between the Second and Fourth Eras, with each era encompassing several centuries. It could be exciting to develop a full-fledged prequel game for Elder Scrolls, set during the Merethic Era, perhaps amidst the Dragon War.

2024-08-25 14:34