New Xbox Series X game releases for December 2020
Madden, FIFA and Cyberpunk 2077 highlight the list of new games coming to Xbox Series X in its second month of release.
The Xbox Series X had a rather lackluster launch lineup thanks, in large part, to the delay of Halo Infinite. Microsoft’s blockbuster exclusive won’t release until 2021 but the prospect of a new Halo was enough to help fuel sales. While specific numbers have not been released, the Xbox Series X has been selling out everywhere. Microsoft even called it the biggest launch in Xbox history.
So with all these Xbox Series X consoles out in the wild, what can gamers look forward to playing on their next-gen system in December? Turns out, not a whole lot. Similar to PlayStation 5, many of the games coming in December to Xbox Series X are simply next-gen versions of last-gen titles.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Madden NFL 21, FIFA 21 and Destiny 2 all released previously on Xbox One. They were playable on Xbox Series X via backward compatibility.
The difference in December is that these aren’t just re-releases. They are next-gen versions of the game build, or enhanced greatly, for the Xbox Series X. While the Series X hardware naturally improves game performances for Xbox One games, these truly harness the power of the next-gen tech.
Take a look at what’s coming to Xbox Series X in December:
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – December 1
- Haven – December 3
- FIFA 21 – December 4
- Madden NFL 21 – December 4
- Call of the Sea – December 8
- Destiny 2 – December 8
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 – December 8
- Override 2: Super Mech League – December 22
More from Microsoft
- Halo Infinite Season 5: A game-changer amidst challenges
- The Game Awards: What is the ‘Xbox Tax’
- Bethesda’s past space endeavor: Unveiling the untold story of the aborted project ’10th Planet’
- Xbox’s shift to mobile: Phil Spencer’s vision for industry dominance
- Microsoft completes landmark $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard
On the list, only Call of the Sea is a brand new game, releasing for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC on December 8. It’s a first-person action-adventure set in the 1930s. Players control Norah who sets off to explore the Southern Pacific in search of her missing husband. Unlike many other action-adventure games, Call of the Sea features no actual combat. You progress through the game by solving puzzles, which is a refreshing approach to the genre.
Also coming next month is Cyberpunk 2077. While this is the Xbox One version launching, it will be playable on Xbox Series X. The true next-gen version is coming in 2021 but I suspect many people will be picking up the Xbox One version to play on their Xbox Series X simply because of how highly anticipated the game is. Plus, you get a free next-gen upgrade when the time comes anyway.