Microsoft revealed a slate of over 30 new games, expansions, and add-ons at this year's Xbox & Bethesda showcase. The event stepped in for the press conference the company would normally hold at the still-canceled E3 (Electronics Entertainment Expo). That event had served as the stage for major consoles and PC gaming debuts in so many past years, going all the way back to Master Chief's original debut at E3 2001. 

Also:How Microsoft and Samsung may finally take cloud gaming mainstream

Now, in its own event, Microsoft debuted several of the titles everyone expected to see at this show, including Bethesda's new "Skyrim in space" title Starfield, vampire-focused FPS Redfall, and more. But, some of the show's biggest announcements may have come from two very unlikely sources: Activision Blizzard, which remains in the process of being acquired by Microsoft, and Riot Games. 

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The Showcase included far too many titles to go in-depth with each and every one of them. So, let's take a look at some of the biggest reveals and most shocking surprises, followed by a round-up of the smaller titles and lesser-known games, all of which are coming over the next 12 months. 

The showstoppers

Redfall

Microsoft gave this title a place of pride as the one it opened the show with. The previously-revealed FPS got fleshed out considerably, with gameplay footage showing a squad-based (or solo) shooter that takes place in the titular town of Redfall, Massachusetts. Apparently, a group of vampires have taken up residence there, blocking out the sun and attracting an increased number of the town's residents to their cause via cults. 

You play as Layla Ellison, a young girl with a fairly nebulous set of mysterious powers. She's helped out by a predictable rag-tag group of friends, including some classic gaming archetypes like a sharpshooter, a "tech expert" with a robot dog, and more. The gameplay looks to be a mix of stealth-focused and traditional FPS portions, with a heavy focus on power-based combat, a la Overwatch or Valorant. It also includes an RPG-esque progression system to help you customize those powers and weapon combat. 

Release: Early 2023

Platforms: Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud

High on Life 

Another FPS from Squanch Games and the team behind Rick & Morty and Solar Opposites. With a pedigree like that, you're probably not surprised when I tell you most of the trailer was beyond bizarre, featuring several talking guns and one talking knife. Oh, and one of the guns sounds just like Morty. 

This one looks to take all of the odd humor, gross-out moments, and a strange-yet-endearing cast of characters (that also happen to be weapons) of the aforementioned animated series and turn it into an FPS. We'll find out if that strange mix of ambitions works later this year. 

Release: October 2022

Platforms: Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud

Riot Games Partnership 

Riot Games