Ubisoft Forward recap: Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed Shadows shine
Gameplay for anticipated titles, announcements of new games soon hitting the market, and much more were shared during the Ubisoft Forward 2024 showcase.
With headliners sure to grab gamers’ attention and other interesting details on what’s to come, there’s a lot to unpack from the annual showcase. Here’s a quick recap:
Star Wars Outlaws
In the showcase for this expansive world from the legendary franchise, protagonist Kay Vess visits the iconic planet of Tatooine to find an expert gunslinger in order to upgrade her skills with a blaster, which will be a critical weapon of choice for the game.
This is part of the journey for Kay, who will need to pick up new skills from elusive experts scattered across the galaxy to make her mark in the enticing underworld.
The gameplay also revealed a look at Mos Eisley, known as “the legendary hive of scum and villainy” that has been emphasizes for the immersive world of Star Wars Outlaws. Fans have been promised access to iconic parts of this environment which hasn’t been seen before.
Star Wars Outlaws launches on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC via Ubisoft Connect on August 30, and can be played up to three days early starting August 27 with a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription or by preordering the Gold Edition or Ultimate Edition.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Launching on November 15, this latest instalment of this iconic franchise highlighted both playable characters and how gamers will get to utilize their unique combat traits: Yasuke’ speed and power and Naoe’s stealth and tools from the shadows. The gameplay also showcased a beautiful Japan, including the shifting seasons and weather that will affect the player’s journey.
RELATED: New Assassin’s Creed game to embark on a journey through feudal Japan
Anno 117: Pax Romana
The Anno franchise continues with Anno 117: Pax Romana, which launches October 2025. “The newest city-building installment will challenge players to create their own empire in the time of Ancient Rome,” according to Ubisoft. Anno 117: Pax Romana is designed to be the most accurate Roman simulation to date, with players having the opportunity to build aqueducts, coliseums, and more for the sake of expansion.
Just Dance (VR): Welcome to Dancity
Just Dance VR: Welcome to Dancity launches on October 15 for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, and Meta Quest 3. Aficionados will get to dance to new tunes such as “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, “Bad Liar” by Selena Gomez, and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, plus others. The VR title will also have a utility called Dancity, a social hub where players from all over the globe can play minigames or highlight their personalized avatars.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (DLC)
The first story pack for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, The Sky Breaker, will launch on July 16.
When the Na’vi clans gather to celebrate their great festival of games, a mysterious shadow appears in the sky, threatening the safety of Pandora. Battling this new threat will allow the players to explore a new area with fresh and familiar biomes. There will also be timed challenges in line with the festival of games.
Monopoly
Ubisoft pegs this as, “A next-generation digital take on Monopoly” that is set to launch in September for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC through the Ubisoft Store, the Epic Games Store, and Steam.
The vintage game that has brought families and friends together over the years is brought to the console dynamic as players can look at and explore a dynamic neighborhood by moving around the board plus uncovering hidden tokens and Mr. Monopoly along the way. Players will also get to flip the digital board, in case frustration builds up.
This Monopoly game will also offer a customizable experience: choosing a favorite set of dice or token aesthetic, creating a homemade rule set, or enabling a Fast Mode that uses speed die and pushes for faster board progression and shorter matches.
Matches can be played with five other friends, either in couch co-op or in online matches.
Here’s the total list of titles showcased; all can be watched via Ubisoft’s livestream:
Anno (Title to come)
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
BattleCore Arena
BIOMORPH
For Honor
Just Dance VR
King of the Hat
MONOPOLY
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
Rainbow Six Siege
Rocksmith+
Skull & Bones
Star Wars Outlaws
The Crew Motorfest
The Rogue Prince of Persia
The Division Resurgence
This Bed We Made
XDefiant
Photos courtesy of: Ubisoft
