New Xbox Developer Direct, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and GTA 6 Rumors!
January 24th, 2025 Podcast Recap
Welcome back to the Good Playing With You blog! In this week’s episode the pod, we hashed it out over some exciting topics, including the highlights of Xbox’s Developer Direct, fresh Assassin’s Creed details, and a juicy new theory about the next GTA 6 trailer. Here’s the recap!
Xbox Developer Direct
The Xbox Developer Direct showcased four major titles, alongside a surprise shadow drop, and had the crew buzzing. Here’s what stood out:
Ninja Gaiden 4
Kicking things off, Team Ninja revealed Ninja Gaiden 4, featuring a cyberpunk Tokyo, a new protagonist named Yakumo, and the return of Ryu Hayabusa as both ally and foe. With a focus on high-speed combat and slick gameplay mechanics, this title brought us excitement and concern due to its seemingly demanding gameplay.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Remake Shadow Drop
A remake of the 2008 classic was announced and released immediately on Game Pass, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5. The graphical overhaul and nostalgic gameplay earned an instant download from me, and I look forward to checking it out and seeing what the boys think of it when they finally get their hands on it..
South of Midnight
This southern gothic adventure dazzled with its unique visuals and magical combat mechanics. Set in a richly atmospheric Louisiana-inspired world, the game’s stop-motion-like animation divided opinions, with some of us concerned about gameplay fluidity. However, its distinct setting and tone piqued our curiosity.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A French turn-based RPG inspired by classic JRPGs, featuring stunning art deco visuals and a high-concept story about a mysterious painter and the death of anyone unlucky enough to be targeted by her number. The blend of tactical combat and action mechanics left a strong impression, making it a standout for fans of turn-based RPGs.
Doom: The Dark Ages
A prequel to Doom 2016, this entry shifts focus to tank-like combat and exploration. While the addition of open areas and puzzles seems promising, the slower action and spongy enemies underwhelmed all three of us, leaving the team divided on its potential appeal.
The showcase received mixed reviews from the boys. Check out the podcast to hear the grades each of us gave the full presentation!
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Mixed Excitement
Next up, we explored new gameplay details about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This latest entry introduces dual protagonists—the stealth-focused Naoye and the combat-heavy Yasuke—and unique mechanics like animal sketching (instead of hunting) and a town-building feature.
The town-building aspect drew intrigue for its creative potential, specifically from me and Dan. We expressed some cautious optimism, noting that while the features seemed fresh, fatigue from previous entries in the series like Valhalla made all of us hesitant to commit.
Elon Musk’s Gaming Scandal
I then touched on a follow-up story about Elon Musk’s gaming habits, confirming that the billionaire admitted to using account-boosting services for Path of Exile 2 and Diablo IV. We all criticized the practice, noting that paying for progression undermines the experience and connection to the games.
GTA 6 Trailer Rumors Heat Up
Fans are buzzing about a new theory surrounding the second GTA 6 trailer. Eagle-eyed Redditors spotted numbers on a shipping container in a Rockstar Games tweet, adding them up to predict a trailer drop on January 30, 2025.
The possibility of a gameplay-focused second trailer sparked excitement, with hopes it will provide deeper insights into what players can expect from the highly anticipated title. However, I warned us to temper our expectations, noting that even with a new trailer, the game’s release could still be over a year away.
Switch 2 Hopes and Dreams
With a bit of time left, the boys discussed which games could make the rumored Switch 2 a day-one purchase for us:
Lord is holding on to hope that a mature new Nintendo IP tailored for long-time fans seeking a fresh, innovative experience. He’s thinking something along the lines of a Nintendo take on Uncharted, which would definitely be pretty cool.
Dan thinks a sequel to Eternal Darkness or a Castlevania revival to capitalize on nostalgic appeal would make the updated system a must buy.
I think that Revivals of classic franchises like Star Fox or Pilotwings, offering updated gameplay for modern audiences, might make me change my luke-warm reception of this “next gen” console.
Got thoughts on this week’s topics? Email us at goodplaywithyou@gmail.com or drop a comment below. And as always, good playing with you!
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