As promised, the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 went behind the scenes to reveal new details about some of the games currently in development in their partner studios. The first new detail we learned is that all the games will be available day one on Game Pass.
Also, the studios put out a disclaimer that all the games showcased at Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 are still under development and anything we saw doesn’t represent the final detail.
Team Ninja Presents Ninja Gaiden 4 (Fall 2025)
We got a gameplay look at the upcoming game from Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden, which is coming after over a decade since the last entry. The protagonist this time is Yakumo, a young Ninja from the Raven clan.
Ninja Gaiden 4 will preserve the dark hardcore action of the series with lots of blood and fast-paced action. The developers have added a new way of transversing the world, grinding on rails.
While the developers still had some details under wraps, they revealed that Gaiden 4 will feature new enemies. The game was given a fall 2025 release window.
Ninja Gaiden 2: Black
While waiting for Ninja Gaiden 4, Team Ninja is giving players something to gnaw on, a revamped Ninja Gaiden 2 game. It is available for download today on Xbox and Windows PC.
Compulsion Games deep dive into South of Midnight (April 8)
We have seen the South of Midnight showcase before, but this time Compulsion Games brings a different side of their title we have never seen, including how the protagonist Hazel lost her mother and found her power.
Push, pull, and weave are the three skills players must master and use in battle. The focus of the South of Midnight Developer_Direct 2025 was on combat, the different environments, enemies, and a peek at a few boss fights.
South of Midnight is a hero’s journey that follows Hazel’s story of finding her mom. The game will launch on April 8 and pre-orders are already available on Xbox.
Sandfall Interactive showed off Expedition 33 (April 24)
Expedition 33 was developed by a group of friends. The developers want the game to have a deep emotional connection with players. The heart of the story is overcoming existential threats. The game features turn-based mechanics and there are many ways players can customize their characters.
There are different characters and each of them has their own playstyle and mechanics. Each character has more than 20 skills on their skill tree and dozens of passive skills which can be mixed in unique ways.
Expedition 33 will launch on April 24 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. It took four years to make and the developers can’t wait to have players experience a game they have poured their hearts and souls into.
Id Software presents DOOM the Dark Ages (May 15)
Doom the Dark Ages is a prequel to 2016 Doom Eternal. The studio called it their most ambitious game yet. The developers said they want every Doom game to stand out. This time, they want players to stand and fight.
To achieve that goal, players are given a chainsaw shield that they can throw, use to block, and parry. We got new extended gameplay footage that showed off how the different weapons in the game can be used.
For the first time in the Doom franchise, the developer has added a menu for players to tweak the difficulty and speed of the game. Players are rewarded for exploration with items that can grant them godlike powers. There will be machines to pilot in the game. Doom the Dark Ages releases May 15. Pre-orders are open today.
You can see the full showcase here. Which of the announcements thrilled you the most and which of the four games will you be playing day one? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.
