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Optimised for Xbox Series X: The first batch of third-party games

Microsoft today detailed third-party games that are part of the Optimised for Xbox Series X program, and we’ve got the details for you below.

All of the third-party titles below — all showcased in today’s Inside Xbox event — will take advantage of the next-gen Xbox Series X, offering 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second, hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing, fast load times and more.

Most of the titles will feature Smart Delivery, meaning they’ll work (and download necessary assets only) for Xbox One and Xbox Series X, depending on the console you’re at, also providing cross-buy and cross-save functionality. For more on Smart Delivery, head here.

Some titles have already been confirmed for the Xbox Game Pass subscription program; we’ve marked that where known.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, Stadia
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

“In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, become Eivor, a legendary Viking raider on a quest for glory. Explore a dynamic and beautiful open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages. Raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power in the quest to earn a place among the gods in Valhalla,” a description of the game reads.

Valhalla was just revealed by Ubisoft, though today was our first look at proper gameplay. For all we knew about Valhalla (until an hour ago, we guess…), head right here.

Bright Memory Infinite

  • Publisher: Playism
  • Developer: FYQD-Studio
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: No

“Bright Memory: Infinite is an all-new lightning-fast fusion of the FPS and action genres, created by FYQD-Studio. Combine a wide variety of skills and abilities to unleash dazzling combo attacks. Bright Memory: Infinite is set in a sprawling, futuristic metropolis in the year 2036. A strange phenomenon for which scientists can find no explanation has occurred in the skies around the world,” reads a description of the game.

“The Supernatural Science Research Organization (SRO) has sent agents out to various regions to investigate this phenomenon. It is soon discovered that these strange occurrences are connected to an archaic mystery – an as-of-yet unknown history of two worlds, about to come to light…”

Call of the Sea

  • Publisher: Raw Fury
  • Developer: Out of the Blue
  • Known platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes
  • Available on Xbox Game Pass: Yes

“Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure puzzle game set in the 1930s that tells the story of Norah, a woman on the trail of her missing husband’s expedition,” a description of the game reads.

“The search takes place on a strange but beautiful island in the South Pacific, filled with secrets waiting to be unearthed. It is an otherworldly tale of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery.”

Chorus

  • Publisher: Deep Silver
  • Developer: Fishlabs
  • Known platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

“Discover Chorus, an immersive single-player experience that tells a mature and dark tale of redemption. Take control of Nara, an ace pilot with a haunted past and Forsaken, her sentient starfighter, as they embark on a personal, redemptive journey to challenge a relentless foe and take down the dark cult that made her,” a description of the game reads.

“This is a true evolution of the space combat shooter.”

DiRT 5

  • Publisher: Codemasters
  • Developer: Codemasters
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

“Ushering in the next generation of racing, DiRT 5 writes a new chapter in the legacy of DiRT – bolder and braver than ever before,” the game’s description reads.

“New features, new innovations and a fresh approach make DiRT 5 a hub of amplified off-road racing, style and culture, where no two races are ever the same.”

Madden NFL 21

  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Developer: EA Tiburon
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes (at least cross-buy)

“EA Sports’ Madden NFL is the defining experience for simulated NFL action, enabling fans to play out their NFL fantasy on the virtual gridiron. For more than three decades, since the original release of John Madden Football in 1988, Madden NFL has continued to evolve and innovate to deliver an even more authentic and fun experience for players,” a description of the game reads.

“The storied franchise continues with Madden NFL 21, which will make fans feel next level on Xbox Series X.”

EA also confirmed during the Inside Xbox presentation that Madden NFL 21 is one of the games to offer a free upgrade from Xbox One to Xbox Series X with purchase.

Scarlet Nexus

  • Publisher: Bandai Namco
  • Developer: Bandai Namco
  • Known platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

“Take on the role of Yuito Sumeragi, a new recruit to the OSF aiming to become an elite psionic like the one who saved him as a child,” a description of the game reads.

“Armed with a talent in psycho-kinesis, explore the futuristic city of New Himuka and uncover the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technology and psychic abilities in Scarlet Nexus.”

Scorn

  • Publisher: Ebb
  • Developer: Ebb
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: No
  • Available on Xbox Game Pass: Yes

“Scorn is an atmospheric first-person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry. It is designed around the idea of ‘being thrown into the world’,” a description of the game from 2017 reads. “Isolated and lost inside this dream-like world, you will explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion. The unsettling environment is a character itself.”

“Every location contains its own theme (story), puzzles and characters that are integral in creating a cohesive world. Throughout the game you will open up new areas, acquire different skill sets, weapons, various items and try to comprehend the sights presented to you.”

Second Extinction

  • Publisher: Avalanche Studios Group
  • Developer: Systemic Reaction
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

Second Extinction is the game that was recently teased by Avalanche Studios Group’s newest studio, Systemic Reaction. It is an intense 3-player cooperative shooter, where your goal is to wipe out the mutated dinosaurs that have taken over the planet.

“Teamwork is vital as you adopt the role of one of the survivors, using a unique combination of weapons, abilities and skills to take on the vast number of enemies. Fight through a maelstrom of bullets, bombs, teeth, claws and gore, it’s up to you to reclaim Earth,” a description of the game reads.

The Ascent

  • Publisher: Curve Digital
  • Developer: Neon Giant
  • Known platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

“The Ascent is a solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed,” a description of the game reads.

“Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened in this explosive sci-fi shooter.”

The Medium

  • Publisher: Bloober Team
  • Developer: Bloober Team
  • Known platforms: Xbox Series X
  • Supports Smart Delivery: No
  • Available on Xbox Game Pass: Yes

The Medium is a next-gen psychological horror game from Bloober Team, the makers of Blair Witch, Observer, and Layers of Fear.

“You play as Marianne, a medium living in two worlds: the real and the spirit one. Haunted by a vision of a child’s murder, you travel to an abandoned hotel resort, which many years ago became the stage of an unthinkable tragedy. There you begin your search for difficult answers,” a description of the game reads.

“The Medium’s soundtrack is a collaboration between two composers – Bloober Team’s Arkadiusz Reikowski and Akira Yamaoka of Silent Hill fame – reflecting the game’s most important theme: duality.”

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

  • Paradox Interactive
  • Developer: Hardsuit Labs
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

What Monster Will You Be? Enter the World of Darkness and rise through vampire society. Experience Seattle – a city full of alluring, dangerous characters and factions. In this sequel to the cult classic, your choices, plots and schemes will change the balance of power.

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 was originally due for Windows PC and current-gen devices in 2019, but was delayed into 2020 back in October of last year.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

  • Publisher: Sega
  • Developer: Sega
  • Known platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
  • Supports Smart Delivery: Yes

Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the newest in the Yakuza series, will be releasing as a launch title on Xbox Series X and will also support Xbox Series X Smart Delivery. Those who purchase the game on Xbox One will automatically get a free upgrade to the Xbox Series X version.

Microsoft and Sega have confirmed that cross-save functionality between Xbox One and Xbox Series X is also supported. The title is available now in Japan on PS4 and will head to the west later this year.

Which of the above games are you most excited for? The Xbox Series X heads to store shelves this holiday 2020 season.


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About the author

Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.