Xbox Developer Direct January 2025: All The Big Announcements

The first half of 2025 just became loaded with first-party Xbox titles, as the publisher revealed new looks at some of its most anticipated games, a few surprises, and a significant amount of release dates. Whether you are looking forward to slaying your way through Doom: The Dark Ages or diving deep into a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics, there was a little something for everyone as part of Xbox's first developer direct of 2025. It gave fans a great look at some of the most-anticipated Xbox games of 2025 and set a high bar for what to expect from Microsoft for the rest of year. Read on for all the big announcements.

Kicking off the show was the surprise announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 from Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja in conjunction with Platinum Games. Picking up after the story of Ninja Gaiden 3, the reveal trailer shows off a cyberpunk-esque Tokyo in chaos, as a new ninja protagonist named Yakumo takes center stage.

But longtime fans need not worry: Franchise star Ryu Hayabusa is also a playable character, and will serve as a major figure in the story and as an obstacle for Yakumo to overcome. The action title is said to be influenced by the difficulty found in Ninja Gaiden 2, and is set to release this fall on Xbox and Game Pass (but will also be available for PlayStation 5 and PC.)

Speaking of Ninja Gaiden 2, Koei Tecmo revealed Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the 2008 original, is available now on Xbox, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. The game has been remade using the Unreal Engine, and incorporates additions found in previous remakes like Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 while still staying true to the over-the-top violence and the steep difficulty found in the original Xbox 360 version.

The southern gothic action-adventure title South of Midnight, from Xbox's Compulsion Games, received a release date as part of the show alongside a new story trailer that shows hero Hazel searching for her mother in the wake of a powerful hurricane. As she searches for her mother and begins unraveling her family lineage, she learns she is a Weaver, one who can wield magic power and see the threads of fate that connect one another.

Players will get the chance to confront the folktales and of the Deep South on April 8, when South of Midnight will become available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass.

RPG fans were treated to a new look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive. The turn-based RPG is inspired by old-school JRPGs, but with some modern action-game mechanics like dodging and parrying. A new trailer showed off the game's combat and characters, while also emphasizing the game's unique, French Art Deco-inspired world and visuals.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and on Game Pass April 24.

Last but not least, Xbox's direct blew the doors off Doom: The Dark Ages, revealing tons of new details about id Software's upcoming prequel to Doom 2016, including a release date. From Pacific Rim-style mech battles against massive demons to a new emphasis on player freedom and exploration, melee weapons to dragon-riding, Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be a rip-roaring crowd pleaser. Story is also taking center stage, as id is looking to bring the game's lore out of the codex more front and center in cutscenes.

Doom: The Dark Ages will release on May 15 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and on Game Pass.