The latest Xbox Developer Direct has come and gone with plenty of reveals and details from new video games Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and the surprise mystery game: Ninja Gaiden 4. And we've got everything you need to know right here.
We've previously seen the first three games over the past year to varying degrees, but Xbox promised and delivered something fresh. Microsoft broadly set expectations prior to the event by saying we'd get a deep dive from the developers themselves, and it largely followed that outline with some mixture of footage throughout. We need only wait and see what news might come of it.
We've recapped the biggest announcements from the Xbox Developer Direct 2025 below. You can keep reading beyond that, however, to follow the live blow-by-blow recap of everything that happened as it happened.
Everything Announced At The Xbox Developer Direct 2025
- Doom: The Dark Ages launches May 15 for all the usual Xbox spots and PS5
- South of Midnight launches April 8 for all the usual Xbox spots, but not PS5 apparently
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches April 24 for all the usual Xbox spots as well as PS5
- Ninja Gaiden 4 (surprise!) exists and is set to release Fall 2025 for all the usual Xbox spots as well as PS5
And we're live! We still have some time until the showcase kicks off, though there's plenty to get caught up on and there's little doubt some news may trickle in as we get closer to the Xbox Developer Direct.
First things first. If you're still looking for a stream for the big event, you'll find 'em at the usual places like YouTube and Twitch. The show isn't set to start until 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT, though you'll likely find the streams going live 10 minutes early to allow everyone to filter in.
One of the games we're excited most for is Doom: The Dark Ages. That's partly because the original runs on just about anything, but mainly as rippin' and tearin' is up there with some of gaming's biggest joys.
In fact, we got to speak to creative director Hugo Martin not after the new Doom was first revealed, who told us that id Software is making big changes to combat because the team came to the core realization that "every projectile mattered in the original Doom."
We also got into some of the secrets about how the team names the weapons. You see, the cool-looking Skull Crusher is called that because "it crushes skulls." Inspired.
Last Summer Game Fest, Doom: The Dark Ages was reportedly ranked second as the most-wishlisted game of the event. Gears of War: E-Day was third, though it doesn't look likely we'll see that today. How highly does the new Doom game sit among your most anticipated games?
Of course, it's not just more Doom we're looking forward to. I've had my eye on turn-based RPG Clair Obscur since it was announced, and that was before they announced that the actors behind Gollum, Daredevil, and Shadowheart are linking up.
Clair Obscur has all the turn-based combat you'll remember from the likes of older Final Fantasy games and Persona, though creative director Guillaume Broche is often keen to remind that studio Sandfall Interactive is going its own way with this 'un. Namely, on big, flashy visuals that don't look out of place alongside all the other stunners of our time.
What's perhaps got me most excited is that Clair Obscur is set to offer 30 hours of main game. In a time of 100-hour epics, that's music to the ol' ears.
Also, Clair Obscur's creative director put parrying in the turn-based RPG because he loved it so much in Sekiro. You absolutely get bonus points for that.
And then there's South of Midnight, the latest from We Happy Few studio Compulsion Games. We have yet to get a release date for this one, so we can only hope today is the day. As our Big in 2025 preview explained, South of Midnight's gothic folk tale could be Xbox's ace up the sleeve for the year. Are you looking forward to it?
One hour warning, gang!
So, what's the mystery game, then? We don't have long to wait, though one report doing the rounds says it's "a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history."
Xbox has been making some inroads with Square Enix lately, from Final Fantasy 14 and other, albeit non-FF7R and FF16-shaped, games. While we did see Visions of Mana at an Xbox show, it's far from guaranteed that ol' Square will turn up again. Not that it will stop me from dreaming about something Dragon Quest-shaped.
What say you? What's your best guess?
Just 15 minutes to go until the "Developer_Direct 2025," as Xbox has deemed it, kicks off in earnest! Still time to grab a drink and hit the bathroom.
In other important news, our intrepid deputy news editor Iain Harris has relinquished the reins to none other than myself, US managing editor Rollin Bishop. If you've caught live coverage from us previously, chances are you've seen my handiwork. Which is all to say: buckle up.
I'm not usually one to comment on waiting room music, but for the life of me Xbox has made me wonder here if I left the DVD menu for Interstellar running idle somewhere thanks to the deeply ominous soundtrack and ticking clock. Less than 10 to go!
The little concept art for various games popping up is a nice touch, certainly. The scribbling noise as the images appear and disappear is strongly reminding me of Comix Zone. (I recognize there is a good chance that game came out before you were born, Dear Reader, so if you're not familiar you're just going to have to trust me.)
If you've got any last-minute predictions on what Xbox is going to show beyond what's already been revealed, now's your chance. Call your shot! If you don't, you'll never ride eternal, shiny and chrome. Just a couple minutes left!
And here... we... go...
Quick reminder here at the front of show from Xbox that, essentially, everything is an Xbox. (Everything is not an Xbox, but, well. Marketing.)
Ah heck yeah, we're starting with people slowly walking around and looking at monitors. This is the good stuff. Also, juggling? Xbox using this moment to state we're going to hear directly from devs.
Seems like maybe we're starting with the unexpected, unrevealed entry? Xbox Games Publishing.
Team Ninja logo preceded by a bunch of water. Fumihiko Yasuda talking about the reveal for a popular franchise.
Dark rain in Tokyo, seems like PlatinumGames is involved. Looks like a new, modern 3D Ninja Gaiden?
Classic action brawling; strong PlatinumGames vibe. "Ryu Hayabusa" namedropped; definitely a Ninja Gaiden of some kind then.
And there it is: Ninja Gaiden 4. "After more than 10 years, the wait is finally over."
Lore drop from Yuji Nakao. Rain means the Dark Dragon is active (naturally) and Yakumo is a young ninja from the Raven clan, a rival of Hayabusa, looking to defeat the Dark Dragon.
Tokyo is flooded with fiends and adversaries. Some cool jumping and parkour elements of Yakumo zooming around with the help of ninja tools and *squints* grinding on rails.
The lad Ryu is looking pretty good!
Lots of talk about mechanics for taking on multiple enemies, instant kills "never before seen in a Ninja Gaiden," and quickly swapping around. But there's also going to be tight and fast 1v1 fights. Players will need to keep an eye on enemies to understand their behaviors to really make the most of opportunities.
Yakumo apparently has a slightly different fighting style, Raven and Nue, than Ryu. Various Obliteration and Ultimate Techniques return, but he'll feel different. Lots of variety, "limitless," for dealing with enemies. New movesets in Ninja Gaiden 4 as well as returning.
Goal seems to be combining speed and dynamism of PlatinumGames with the classic roots of the Ninja Gaiden series with dark hardcore action. Been in the works for "many years" with PlatinumGames. Coming Fall 2025! All the usual suspects plus on PS5.
One last thing...
Ryu standing on a roof, jumping, running, fighting.... a remaster of some kind? Sure looks it.
Maybe a remake of the initial Xbox Ninja Gaiden game? Definitely same sort of modern graphics as Ninja Gaiden 4.
Lots more fighting. And there's the logo: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is the definitive version with revamped graphics courtesy of Unreal Engine 5. Lots of characters to play – on console, PC, and Xbox Game Pass today! Surprise!
2025 will be "the Year of the Ninja," which, I mean, maybe! I hope so.
Immediately shifting to Compulsion Games and South of Midnight. No time to breathe.
South of Midnight explores Southern Gothic themes with a dark fantasy twist. Protagonist Hazel is front and center, but it's all the "macabre" creatures and characters she meets that will stand out.
Voice actress Adriyan Rae here to talk about Hazel. Typical 19-year-old, but disastrous events cause her to tap into Weaving and redefine herself. Apparently the land itself chooses here; Weavers "can see the fabric binding our worlds" to perceive "mystical strands and stigmas" to reweave them and help afflicted critters.
Lots of weaving-related weapons: spindle, hooks, and so on. Blends craft with mystical elements, but she still can parkour around because of course. As is right and good.
Manifestations of corruption are common enemies, called Haints. They have their own styles of fighting and weaknesses, so it's all about countering appropriately and combos. Combat looks fairly solid and dynamic with plenty of movement.
"Timing is everything." Spells interact with each enemy uniquely, opening up many different ways for dealing with opponents. With the right combos, cooldowns can be reduced and chains continued. Neat! Experience allows you to unlock upgrades to push things even further.
Each specific region has an associated creature that's doomed to wander if that Hazel must face and ultimately heal. These critters influence the music and more of their respective areas. And apparently a respective musical theme builds up over time during fights with them? Tell me more.
Swamps to farmlands with reclaimed buildings falling to surreal nature and the fantastical. Lots of Southern folklore infused at every turn; bottle trees used as an example. There are still locals that stayed behind "in the face of a hurricane."
Visually, there's a moody atmosphere with inspiration taken from stop-motion animation and more. Last tidbit here is about the unique personality of South of Midnight, which will launch April 8, 2025 on all the usual suspects. (No mention of PS5.)
And now: Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the turn-based RPG set in a fantasy version of 19th century France. Started as a solo passion project!
Clair Obscur never beating the "western Persona" allegations with the stylish UI and combat. Still looks great, though hard to say how that all works in reality.
Core tenets for Expedition 33: Story with great emotional depth, gameplay that innovates on classics, in a world with that beautiful, immersive, and interactive.
Four years developing the story. We've heard some of this before: a mysterious Paintress and monolith appears 67 years ago, counts down a number painted with everyone older is erased so people die younger and younger. Expeditions are sent each year to kill the Paintress, and thus when 33 is on the monolith this is Expedition 33.
Team didn't want to just go for good vs. evil, broader and deeper than that. An existential threat. How do you still be hopeful? What do we owe each other? Looks to be lots of big questions to wrestle with and different motivations for different characters.
Not just humans around; beings called Gestrals, for example, that find battle as a form of meditation exist. One even joins up with you and can transform into defeated enemies.
Realtime combat means dodging or firing at the right time has a big effect. Initial playtests saw players find it too hard, but with iteration and rebalancing the team is "proud of" it. Folks with the right skill can really take advantage of it while those that don't vibe with it as much can use gear and other mechanics.
Each playable character has their own unique mechanics. Add to that hundreds of potential passive effects to equip. Devs are excited for folks to craft builds they couldn't possibly imagine.
I looked away for a moment and now there are a bunch of Gestrals in a sanctuary? I like it. Feels vibrant.
There's a real fantastical element here with one taking inspiration from a balloon. But also: 3D and navigable world map that meets the visual design of the rest of the game with hidden paths and secrets. Nice.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24, 2025 on Xbox Series X, PC, PS5 and day one on Xbox Game Pass. And now: Doom!
Doom: The Dark Ages called id's most ambitious yet. We'll see!
Superweapon in the medieval war against Hell with weapons to unlock and enemies to conquer. Prequel to Doom 2016, which is a choice. Lots of talk about how the feel of Doom: The Dark Ages is "a return to form."
Described as feeling like an iron tank with a balance between projectile speed and movement in order to strafe and the like. Also: there's a shield saw that you can block, parry, deflect, throw. Run and gun, jump and shoot, and now: stand and fight.
Lots of combat being shown where shield saw opens up lots of opportunities for melee with upgrades and the like. New Glory Kill system at the player's control. Some of the most ridiculously powerful weapons the team has ever created, apparently.
"Only in Doom" is the mission statement behind new gear. Closer look at the combat loop between all of this now. I'm open to change, but the gameplay does look... slower than I would have imagined.
Just... gameplay running. Killing a bunch of critters. Looks like Doom, if not moving as fast as I'd like. but apparently there's a Game Speed slider where you can tune that to your own liking.
Wait, never mind, ignore all previous concerns: you can pilot a 30-foot-tall mech and flying dragon that each have their own abilities and minibosses. Sweet.
And now exploration. Lots of different locations and environments to explore, upgrades to grab. "There's always something new waiting to be discovered, or destroyed."
Closer look at a specific mission where you explore beyond the walls to take the battle to "the largest play space ever" with various things to discover. You control where you go, who you fight, and so on. Up to you on how to take it all on, but going back to the gates after all of that continues the battle with what looks like a gnarly boss fight.
Story of Doom: The Dark Ages is big. "Summer blockbuster with everything on the line." Slayer is imprisoned at the start of the story with power balance between good and evil shifting. Narrative out of codex and into cutscenes; described as good for new players. (Will have to just... trust them on that one for now.)
The goal is to give players an experience as fun it is to play as it was to make. Make the best Doom possible. Doom: The Dark Ages releases on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS5, and via Xbox Game Pass.
And we end(?) with outtakes followed by a roundup of the most important details revealed during the event. A recap, in case you missed it. Also, more juggling somehow.
...it's over! That's all, folks. Some release dates, some Ninja Gaiden. A whole lot of Doom destruction.
