Xbox has had a tough few years, with several recent exclusives falling short of expectations. Microsoft's ongoing FTC trial revealed that, despite Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s comments about the console war being a “social construct,” Xbox has been on the losing side. The past year saw significant layoffs and studio closures within Xbox’s first-party teams. The Xbox Series S, in particular, has proven to be a major hurdle, as it’s made it difficult for Xbox to consistently match PlayStation in delivering games at the same time.
Moreover, Xbox has adopted a strategy of releasing its exclusives on PlayStation soon after their Xbox launches, or even as simultaneous releases. This reduces the need for players to get an Xbox console, especially if they’re patient enough to wait. When you combine this with the average quality of recent releases, it paints a bleak picture for Xbox.
However, there are signs that Xbox might be poised for a comeback. While it’s easy to feel discouraged after years of unmet hopes, 2025 could be the year Xbox finally turns the tide.
For instance, my Xbox year in review for 2024 was fairly uneventful – I barely used my Xbox at all. That was until Indiana Jones and the Great Circle came along, which has been widely considered Xbox’s best exclusive in years. In fact, if it hadn’t released in December, it might have even made it to my game of the year list. It’s also earned several nominations at the DICE awards, which is a good sign. Finally, I’ve found myself using my Xbox regularly again, and I’m genuinely enjoying it.
Additionally, Xbox has had some notable successes in the latter part of 2024. While Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 didn’t land well with critics, games like Stalker 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 found a fanbase, despite some issues at launch. Looking ahead to 2025, Avowed is due for release in February, and it looks promising. With Obsidian at the helm, it’s hard to imagine it being anything less than great. Other upcoming titles like Fable and South of Midnight are generating excitement as well. And while we saw exciting announcements at last year’s Xbox Games Showcase, such as Perfect Dark, the exclusivity of these titles remains unclear.
Xbox certainly needs a big win, and 2025 could be the year it finally delivers. The past few years have been marked by underwhelming releases that eroded consumer trust, leaving many to wonder if Xbox holds any value outside of Game Pass—especially since it’s accessible on PC. Like many, I’ve considered selling my Xbox, but I’m no longer thinking about that. The upcoming games and the promise of new, high-quality releases have rekindled my excitement for Xbox. For the first time in a while, I’m genuinely looking forward to playing Xbox’s first-party games, and I’m hopeful that this time, Xbox can avoid stumbling right out of the gate.
It’s entirely possible that I’ll look back on this and regret it, as I’ve made plenty of bold predictions before that turned out to be way off. Who knew Starfield would end up being as disappointing as it was? But for now, I’m feeling optimistic about Xbox’s future, and I’m finally looking forward to giving my console the attention it deserves again. I’m not thinking about selling it anytime soon.
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