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Principal Publishing Producer | Amazon Games Praising Xbox
Friends, I have to take a moment to praise Microsoft and its talent at game development and publishing. They don't get the due they deserve. Take stock with me the 8 marquee titles that Microsoft developed or published in just the past 18 months
6 of the 8, the exceptions being Microsoft Flight Simulator (by Asobo Studio) and As Dusk Falls (by INTERIOR/NIGHT in their debut) were also developed by a Microsoft subsidiary
On quality: I believe Age of Empires IV and As Dusk Falls are underscored. Even so, average Metacritic over 8 games is 86; median 88. Also, the levels of variety and innovation are impressive
Microsoft Flight Simulator (91)
The best in flight ever. Innovations in AI that allowed map and airport population are mesmerizing. It brought tears to my eyes to fly over my house and have it look real
Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine Productions) (89)
One of the 3 best platformers of the last 5 years and a remarkable display of consistency for a sequel, hard to do in a series that is so madcap
Age of Empires IV (World's Edge) (81)
The amazing blending of cinematics with gameplay. The quality of writing that brings history to life. The sensitivity and care given to campaign design. How satisfying core RTS gameplay feels
Forza Horizon 5 + Hot Wheels DLC (Playground Games) (92)
My best game of 2021. Forza Horizon has entered a rare class of series where somehow each installment finds a way to delight and surprise, with high quality, despite known base components
The best sports or racing game ever
Halo Infinite (343 Industries) (87)
I am not the biggest "shooter" gamer, but I play a lot anyway. This I loved. It is one of the top 5 Halo games ever and the best in at least a decade
As Dusk Falls (77)
With one thunderclap, INTERIOR/NIGHT takes the industry's "choose your own adventure" format, that Telltale made famous, into the next generation. The depth of story. The elegant and powerful use of minimal animation and sound. The memorable characters.
Grounded (Obsidian Entertainment) (83)
A wonderful take on survival that refreshed my appetite for a genre. A great, simple game concept for all ages. Fun co-op
Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment) (88)
This is masterpiece tier and in a category with titles like Cuphead for the most unique approaches to art I have seen in the past decade. I have to do a separate post just on this, and I will
To Microsoft and all your studios and partners, I am so moved and impressed. It was enough with any one title here, but you are just relentless
I should emphasize again that the last few titles were truly a gift and surprise. As Dusk Falls was a special game and countless moments from it still stick with me
And then the Thor hammer that missed some radars because it was end of year: Pentiment
Pentiment is going to make my top 50 games of all-time in my next iteration in six months - that's how good it is, having finally played it enough. Again, more on that soon!
Amazing Microsoft team and partners
