Summary

Xbox's Developer Direct next week will showcase four games, with the identity of the fourth remaining a mystery. Hints suggest this mystery game is a new entry in a legendary Japanese franchise. Speculation includes possibilities like Resident Evil, Persona, or a new Ninja Gaiden, but the actual reveal could surprise us all.

Xbox's third annual Developer Direct, airing next week, promises exciting reveals. Building on the success of previous Directs, which included the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush, this year's event features confirmed titles: Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive. The fourth, unannounced game, however, is generating considerable buzz. Initial fan speculation ranged from Fable and The Outer Worlds 2 to Gears of War: E-Day.

Jez Corden of Windows Central offered a significant clue, describing the mystery game as a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history." This suggests the game might not originate from Xbox's first-party studios.

While a return appearance by Square Enix, perhaps with a new Final Fantasy title, seems plausible given their presence at last year's Direct, the ongoing PlayStation partnership for Final Fantasy and the recent releases of major titles make this less likely.

Other strong contenders include Capcom's Resident Evil (though typically revealed at PlayStation events, Resident Evil 9 is rumored to be nearing completion), Sega's Persona (especially considering Xbox's marketing partnership with Sega for Metaphor: ReFantazio and rumors of a 2025 Persona 6 release), and a potential Ninja Gaiden revival from Team Ninja, given the franchise's strong association with Xbox during the original Xbox era.

Despite the exciting possibilities, all remain speculation. Tune in to Xbox's Developer Direct on Thursday, January 23rd, to learn more about South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and finally unveil the mystery fourth game.