E3 2020 might be canceled, but the spirit of E3 lives on. The Summer Game Fest began on May 7th, and Microsoft was the first up to bat with Inside Xbox, a series of announcements, trailers, and our first look at Xbox Series X gameplay.

All the showcased games have been optimized for the Xbox Series X, which is set for release this holiday season. However, not every game in the showcase is a Series X exclusive. In fact, several of these titles will benefit from Xbox Smart Delivery, which allows customers to buy the game once and play the best available version on either Xbox console.

“Bright Memory”

First up in the showcase was “Bright Memory: Infinite” from Chinese indie developer FYQD-Studio.

When the trailer started, my first thought was that it looked like a decent sci-fi first-person shooter. The weather effects were outstanding, and I could tell we were in for a fast paced-highly mobile experience, but nothing we hadn’t seen before. Then some guys showed up on loan from “Darks Souls,” and I started to pay attention.

Combat in “Bright Memory” is one-part FPS and on part hack and slash. This is mirrored in the plot, which combines a futuristic setting with ancient magical artifacts. Players take the role of Shelia, an agent for the Supernatural Science Research Organization. She soon finds herself wrapped up in an adventure involving magic swords, international terrorists, floating islands, and an army of the undead.

“Bright Memory” came off Steam Early Access back in March, but mostly flew under the radar. “Infinite” will add next-gen graphics, an improved combat system, and additional cinematics to flesh out the existing world and story. The game is also free to anyone who purchased the original “Bright Memory,” and the console release will support Xbox Smart Delivery.

“Dirt 5”

Number two in the showcase is “Dirt 5,” from developer Codemasters. The latest installment of the long-running off-road racing franchise, “Dirt 5” promises action-packed races in a wide range of locations and weather conditions. The game will feature over 70 different routes ranging from frozen rivers to rocky New England towns, muddy rainforests, and much more. Codemasters promises that the sheer variety of locations, conditions, and modes guarantee that no two races will ever be the same. “Dirt 5” is sure to be a must-have for racing game fans and will support Xbox Smart Delivery at launch.

“Scorn”

If you are looking for something a little more horrific, entry number three has you covered. Ebb Software’s first-person horror game “Scorn” tosses players into a biomechanical nightmare heavily inspired by the work of H. R. Giger. It falls to you to unravel the mysteries of this horrific yet strangely beautiful world. The trailer didn’t feature anything in the way of gameplay, but developers promise vast and interconnected environments that respond to the player’s actions. This includes what Ebb Software calls “full body awareness” with realistic movement and physical interactions between the character and the world around them.

Unfortunately for Xbox One and PlayStation owners, “Scorn” will be exclusive to Xbox Series X consoles and Windows PC.

“Chorus”

Our first look at “Scorn” was followed by the premier of the trailer for “Chorus,” an immersive first-person space combat sim from Deep Silver and Fishlabs. The single-player story follows Nara, a fugitive pilot with a dark past, and her sentient ship Forsaken as they embark on a journey of redemption across a galaxy teeming with mystery and conflict.

The trailer only gave us a few glimpses of gameplay, and what we saw will look familiar to anyone who’s played games like “Elite Dangerous.” There appears to be more of a focus on combat this time around, but it’s hard to say based on what little we saw. Now, as someone who loved the gameplay of “Elite Dangerous,” but thought the single-player experience was lacking, “Chorus” has definitely piqued my interest. The game is set for release on current and next-gen consoles in 2021, and I’m excited to learn more about it over the next year.

“Madden 21”

Honestly, I wish I had more to say about this one. The “Madden 21” trailer was more interested in the franchise’s legacy than the game itself. We can expect improved graphs and an updated roster of players, but you didn’t need me to tell you that. “Madden 21” will support Xbox Smart Delivery, but beyond that, the showcase didn’t give us much to go on.

“Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2”

I want to take this moment to thank Paradox Interactive and Hardsuit Labs for making me Google how many colons to put in that title. And for the nightmares, because there’s no way the Christmas corpse family isn’t going to be dancing through my dreams tonight.

The long-awaited sequel to cult classic “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines” is set for release later this year. Players take the role of a recently turned “thin blood” vampire, one of several resulting from a “mass embrace,” where a large number of humans were attacked at once. Given how maintaining The Masquerade is such a crucial part of the world’s lore, it’s safe to say the plot will focus on the repercussions of this event.

If “Bloodlines 2” holds up to the legacy of its predecessor, were looking forward to a deep and memorable RPG experience with a range of branching narrative paths. Let’s just hope the gameplay is better than last time.

That will do it for part one of this roundup. See you for Part 2 very soon.