E3 2022: Slime Rancher 2, Somerville, Atomic Heart, Among Us And Everything Else From the Xbox + Bethesda Presentation

The Microsoft + Bethesda presentation on Sunday was one of the most packed streams I’ve watched in a long time, so much so that there was almost too much to get to. We’ve written about Starfield, Redfall, Forza Horizon 5 and even Flight Simulator but, to make sure we have got everything covered, here's a brief run-down of ‘Everything Else’ at the Microsoft + Bethesda E3 2021 presentation:

Atomic Heart:

Atomic Heart re-emerged three years after it was first announced. Taking place in the Soviet Union in an alternate history version of 1955, the game combines the future with the past. 

A first-person shooter with a heavy focus on technology, players take control of an agent named P-3 who is sent by the government to investigate a manufacturing facility that appears to be abandoned. 

The trailer shows off plenty of combat with robots, humanoid and otherwise, as well as a woman with a large ladle. Honestly, it’s a super weird trailer for the kind of game this is.

Atomic Heart will launch on Game Pass for Xbox Series, Xbox One and PC. It will also be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Somerville Officially Revealed:

If Somerville looks familiar, it might be because it’s developed by Jumpship Games — a new studio founded by former PlayDead (Limbo, Inside) founder Dino Patti. 

A sci-fi side-scroller about family which takes place in the wake of a large-scale catastrophe, Somerville was revealed for the first time during the show and is giving off a distinct ‘War of the Worlds’ vibe.

This is an Xbox console exclusive and will launch on Game Pass.

Slime Rancher 2 Announced:

A sequel to the cutesy first-person farming sim from developer Monomi Park, the game stars Beatrix LeBeau as she sets off on an adventure across the Slime Sea. Whilst showing off some of the game’s super colourful environments and some familiar-looking slimes, the trailer doesn’t offer up much more information. 

Whatever Beatrix’s goal, you can definitely expect to be collecting and breeding slimes. The original game has a cult following so this is bound to get people excited. It’s out in 2022 and it’s Xbox & PC exclusive.

DOOM Eternal & Elder Scrolls Online Get ‘Next-Gen’ Updates:

Bethesda announced that both DOOM Eternal and The Elder Scrolls Online would receive free updates to give them a boost on current gen hardware, and whilst it wasn’t specified, these updates will be coming to both Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.

The Elder Scrolls Online ‘Console Enhanced’ update arrives on June 15th and will “take advantage of the native power of the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5,” per the ESO website. The new version will allow players to play the game at either 4k or at 60fps and will include updates to textures, draw distance, reflections, shadows, load times and more.

ESO: Deadlands — a new expansion — was also announced to arrive in “fall”. This update will conclude a year-long Gates of Oblivion event and will be similar in scope to content releases like Dragonhold and Markarth. 

DOOM Eternal’s update will be released on June 29th for both consoles and PC adding three different ways to play the game with a boost to resolution, the addition of raytracing, or the ability to play the game at 120fps depending on your hardware.

Among Us Launches June 15th with 15-player Lobbies:

Among Us is everywhere. Well, almost. The game is still “coming soon” to Xbox (and PlayStation) and, as of June 15th, the game will introduce massive 15-player lobbies for even more chaotic fun with a lot of friends.

Oh, and the Xbox version will launch on Game Pass.

‍

Yakuza Like A Dragon — Now On Game Pass:

Yakuza Like A Dragon and the entire Yakuza saga is now available via Xbox Game Pass. Adventure through a fictional Japan as Kazuya Kiryu and eventually, new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga.

Yakuza Like A Dragon changes up the Yakuza formula, turning it into a turn-based RPG. The game became almost a flagship title for the new Xbox consoles when it released last November.

Fallout 76 Getting More Content:

As this was an Xbox and Bethesda showcase, there was some more Fallout 76 content to debut. 

First up was Steel Rain, which will see players facing a choice of how they will guide the Brotherhood of Steel and will conclude the game’s Brotherhood of Steel storyline. The update will include a new questline, new locations, new gear, and more when it launches on July 7th.

The Pitt is the second new addition to Fallout 76 announced during the show. A call back to Fallout 3, this is a new replayable Expedition mission that will arrive sometime in 2022:

Party Animals:

A furry, family friendly, fighting game, Party Animals is set to launch in 2022.

Playing a variety of animals, players can team up or fight their friends in a series of minigames and challenges to be the last one standing. It looks like totally silly fun.

Party Animals is an Xbox console launch exclusive and will be available on Game Pass on day one.

10 More Bethesda Games on Game Pass:

Ten more games from Bethesda’s huge back catalogue have now been added to Game Pass and are available to play immediately. 

Those games are:

• DOOM (2016)
• Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
• Fallout 3
• Rage
• The Evil Within 2
• Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
• Fallout (PC only)
• Fallout 2 (PC only)
• Fallout Tactics (PC only)
• Arx Fatalis (PC only)

The Ascent:

The new trailer for The Ascent showcases the neon and chrome world of the game alongside a little of the game’s combat. 

Developed by Curve Digital, this is a cyberpunk CRPG that can be played solo or with friends. The Ascent will launch on Game Pass for Xbox and PC on July 29th 2021.

Xbox Fridge:

It’s a fridge. Shaped like an Xbox Series X.