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The Biggest Xbox Series X|S Console Exclusives In 2021 And Beyond

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In 2021 and beyond, Xbox Series X|S will get a few console exclusives, such as RPG Avowed and psychological horror game The Medium.

The Xbox Series X|S launched without any console exclusives, and it won't have any by the time 2020 ends. But all of that changes starting in 2021, as Xbox is scheduled to see a few console exclusives release on its next-gen hardware.

Below, we detail all of the console exclusives currently scheduled to release for Xbox Series X|S. That does mean that you'll find these games on PC as well, but you won't on other consoles (or at least, not at their launch). As such, we've left off certain high-tier names like Halo: Infinite, which is only launching on Xbox in terms of consoles, but it's releasing for both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. No cross-generation titles here folks, we're only looking at games that are exclusively releasing for the new console generation, and if you’re looking for the best Series X games to play right now, we’ve got you covered.

If you'd like to see what the biggest games of 2021 are on Xbox generally, or even other platforms, be sure to check out the features in the list below. Otherwise, read on to see the biggest Xbox Series X|S exclusives to play in 2021 and beyond.

Avowed

From developer Obsidian Entertainment, Avowed is a single-player RPG set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. Obsidian has described Avowed as an "epic, first-person" experience, but we don't know much beyond that. The game doesn't even have a release date yet.

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Bright Memory: Infinite

Bright Memory is a sci-fi shooter that mixes firearms, swords, and supernatural powers in an almost first-person take on the combo-heavy combat seen in games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. This new game, Bright Memory: Infinite is a soft remake that expands upon the campaign and implements additional mechanics. Bright Memory: Infinite is set to release sometime in 2021.

Everwild

From developer Rare, Everwild is "a magical and untamed natural world for you to explore and to just truly lose yourself in." Granted, that doesn't really explain what you do in the game or what the protagonist's goals are (we still don't know any of that yet) but Everwild at least looks visually impressive with a distinct graphical style. Technically, Everwild is still listed as a 2020 game, but given that, ya know, 2020 is almost over without one mention of an actual release date, we're fairly confident that it's been delayed to 2021.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

From developer Ninja Theory, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is a continuation of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, a third-person action game with superb sound design, which is used in the game's exploration of dissociative identity disorder. In Hellblade II, protagonist Senua's journey takes her to Iceland. Like a few of the other games on this list, we still don't yet have a release date for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II.

Fable

Developer Playground Games--the folks behind Forza Horizon--is working on a new Fable game currently only referred to as "Fable." A soft reboot for the Fable franchise, this new game doesn't have a release date yet, and we also know very little about it.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is set to take place in one of the biggest in-game worlds ever made, putting you into the role of a bounty hunter who hunts down targets and treasure in the radiated wasteland of Chernobyl. The game will have a non-linear story. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is set to release sometime in 2021.

Scorn

From developer Ebb Software, Scorn is a grotesque horror-adventure game, pushing you through nightmarish environments designed to invoke body horror and fearful discomfort. Scorn will launch sometime in 2021.

The Medium

Likely the first of the games on this list that will be released in 2021, The Medium is a psychological horror game where you play as Marianne, a medium. Because of her gift, Marianne can see the world both as it is as well as how it appears in the realm of spirits, giving her hidden insight into how to escape supernatural threats or solve puzzles. The Medium will launch on January 28.

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Jordan Ramée

Jordan Ramée has been covering video games since 2016 and tabletop games since 2020, using his unhealthy obsessions to write what he'd argue is compelling content (we won't tell him if you don't). Do not let him know that you're playing Hollow Knight--he will take that as a sign that you wish to talk about the lore for the next five hours.

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GamerBum

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Halo Infinite. How could you forget Halo Infinite? I’m calling it now Halo Infinite is going to be a masterpiece and go down as a GOAT type game.

Spewing it got delayed til holiday 2021 but I suppose it makes sense what with it being the 20th anniversary of Halo Combat Evolved.

I’m no game designer but a whole year to predominantly improve the graphics seems like overkill to me. Could it be they need that extra time not only for better visuals and bug fixes but in order to deliver a fantastic new battle royal experience? I’m calling it now.

Can’t frickin wait for this game. Damn. A year is quite a wait though.

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deactivated-64a860a062bda

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Blatant false advertising, the term 'console exclusive' means multiplatform and is NOT accepted by gamers. This is a term coined by the now 3rd party Xbox (whose last actual exclusive was in 2015, hard fact) who leads the way in fooling the naive. I don't count a game coming out on more than one platform as an exclusive, because that's a lie, and only a fool says otherwise. Breath of the Wild was a multiplatform game, a Nintendo exclusive IP, but the GAME ITSELF (which is what we're talking about when we say exclusives and incentives to hardware) was factually multiplatform. It was not an incentive to buy a Switch like Mario Odyssey was. Halo Infinite is NOT an incentive to buy a Series X when it will factually be playable on SEVERAL PLATFORMS. You cannot advertise a multiplatform game as exclusive regardless of who owns said platforms the game releases on, as each is a different platform. It literally cannot be any easier, and to argue otherwise with fabricated terms to move goalposts just shows a lack of intelligence and a willingness to actively LIE and mislead your community. Phil took Xbox 3rd party, this is a fact. The last Xbox exclusive was Halo 5 in 2015, another fact. The Series X has ZERO exclusives for its lifecycle, something Phil Spencer, Aaron Greenberg, and Matt Booty have all outright said.

If a journalist whose job it is to report the truth can't even differentiate between these facts, and blatant false advertising created by Microsoft in a time when they needed every advantage no matter how grounded in truth it might be, then why are they still writing for a publication dedicated to bringing the truth?

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play Ori Will of the Wisps, an Xbox console exclusive, on Switch. Cuphead, an Xbox console exclusive on my PS5, and Gears 5, an Xbox console exclusive on my brother's PC via Steam. Remember kiddos, exclusive means ONE, and every single Xbox game can be played on MULTIPLE PLATFORMS. It might be difficult to cut through the journalists bullshit and blatant false advertising and misinformation, but just remember the basic facts and you'll be fine. Also, immediately disregard anyone who argues this FACT with you, it can't be exclusive if it's on more than ONE platform.

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GamerBum

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@reznik00:

STFU. You know what the writer means. Stop being a prick.

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Seiki_sands

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Edited By Seiki_sands

@reznik00: Google exclusive definition, click translations and more definitions. What does the THIRD definition say?

For the lazy...

3.) Exclusive (adj.) - Catering or available to only a few, select people.

Words can mean more than one thing. So, are we going to apologize to the nice journalist?

And people in the industry have used these terms for DECADES, I got into a row on this very site maybe a decade ago with an agenda driven PC loving moderator who wanted to ban the term "console exclusive" from system wars. So no, Phil Spencer didn't "make it up" this generation.

Sony slapped the words "CONSOLE EXCLUSIVE" in big letters on multiple games during the PS5 game reveal during the summer, including on Godfall, Oddworld Soulstorm, Ghostwire, Deathloop, and Bugsnax (Then in most cases, in tiny little letters at the bottom, timed exclusive).

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jenovaschilld

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I hope everwild and fable actually make the 2021 window.

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dashaka

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Is Scorn about Michael Scorn?

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blueoasis

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Set to release "sometime in 2021". I'm sensing a theme here.

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dvdjedi

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@blueoasis: Yeah. Most of these will be pushed to 2022 eventually.

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deactivated-627847c518a1e

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All these games look nice to me! Especially Scorn. I look forward to these next year, and hope to get a Series X sometime, if I get lucky! Lol. Definately no interest in PS5, even if I could get one.

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deactivated-64a860a062bda

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@soulcrusher777: You'd rather have a 3rd party only box than a fantastic 1st and 3rd party box? Just wait for the free Xbox tv app, use a PC, Switch, or Playstation, or even use your Android or iOS device. There's no intelligent reason to buy an Xbox since Phil took the brand 3rd party.

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GamerBum

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@reznik00:

I don’t want one of those hideous ps5 monstrosities either. Maybe when they bring a slim/pro model out that has more/better games.

XseX stomps ps5. Once developers get to grips with the dev tools and architecture this will become even more obvious. I reckon in the next year to 18 months we’ll start to see the XseX shine.

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blindbsnake

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I`m a PS player... I will buy PS5 in the future for sure... And I dont give a damn to XBox exclusives, not because they are bad, but because they are not my type of games... But Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, just damn, that must be an awesome game... The first game is a 9 or 10 for me, I just hope it will come to PC... thats all I want...

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GamerBum

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@blindbsnake:

It is coming to pc.

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p0tent

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@blindbsnake: All Microsoft exclusives will be on PC.

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dvdjedi

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@blindbsnake: Ok. Thanks for sharing that this article means nothing to you. Cool.

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Edited By blindbsnake

@dvdjedi: Did you missed the point that I envy the Senua's Saga: Hellblade II exclusive? That I think is a fantastic game and that is probably one of the few games on XBox I would probably like?

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