Everyone’s rambling on about how few titles are coming to the Xbox 360 this year and beyond, simply stating that Microsoft’s relying on nothing more than its third party partnerships to draw sales to Xbox Live. Yet, this isn’t the case. There’s several titles coming to Xbox 360 – which aren’t coming to PlayStation 3. There’s an array of titles including third-person shooters, role-playing games, adventure games, and motion-enabled titles that harness the power of Kinect. See the list below and take a look at what we currently know is coming to Xbox 360 in 2013.

1. Gears of War: Judgment

The next instalment into what’s undoubtedly one of Xbox’s crown jewels. Gears of War: Judgment sees Bulletstorm developer PeopleCanFly taking over the reins from Epic Games, of whom are currently working on Fortnite and Unreal Engine 4 for next-gen consoles. Perhaps there even churning away at Gears of War 4 for Microsoft’s next console. Who knows?

A prequel to the original Gears of War trilogy, Judgment focuses on the exploits of Kilo Squad, a troop of soldiers led by Damon Baird and Augustus “The Cole Train” Cole. Joined by newcomers to the Gears saga, Sofia Hendricks and Garron Paduk, they’ll attempt to save the besieged city of Halvo Bay from a horrifying new enemy.

Having sold more than 18 million copies since its inception back in 2006, the Gears of War franchise has become one of Microsoft’s crowning achievements. Recognized by many as having some of the best storytelling of this generation, Gears of War: Judgment for Xbox 360 will also include a copy of the original Gears of War.

2. State of Decay

Who says Xbox Live Arcade titles can’t be AAA quality? Last year’s Alan Wake’s American Nightmare undoubtedly proved otherwise, to say the least. Now, independent studio Undead Labs is bringing State of Decay, an open-world zombie-survival game to Xbox 360. The end is upon us, life as you knew it has gone to hell after the “mother of all zombie outbreaks”. In this third-person shooter, you and the remaining survivors must band together to rebuild and survive the end of days.

Have you ever sat around with friends discussing and debating the best ways to survive a zombie apocalypse? Well, according to Undead Labs the speculation is now over, with State of Decay letting you put your personal survival plan to the test. Choose where to make your stand, design and fortify your home base, risk daring raids for food and ammunition, and rescue other playable survivors with unique talents.

A key element of the game is that it’s set in a completely open, sandbox world and developers in real-time, shaped by the players very actions, dynamically generating content based on your choices and the ever-increasing zombie threat.

3. Dark

This next game comes from Kalypso Media, of whom describe it as an “exciting third-person stealth-action game”. Developed by RealmForge, Dark puts players into the role of a vampire out to uncover the secrets of the clandestine GeoForge Corporation. Combining the benefits of being a vampire with stealth and lethal combat abilities, players will engage and destroy their enemies, whilst moving silently through a stylized futuristic cityscape. It’s been said that the game will focus more-so on the supernatural aspect of the lead character; exploring the shadowy world of a vampire anti-hero.

Dark also features RPG elements that let you slip into the role of the ultimate killer; a vampire. Stalking your enemies from the shadows, using powerful abilities to attack and silently dispatching them, before slipping back into the darkness. The cel-shaded graphics of Dark will immerse players into a world full of blood and darkness, where the hunter can become the hunted at any time.

4. Ascend: New Gods

Another treat coming to Xbox Live Arcade in 2013 is Ascend: New Gods from SignalStudios (Toy Soldiers, Toy Soldiers: Cold War). Announced back at E3 2012, New Gods sees players pledge their loyalty to one of Three Gods – the chaotic goddess of darkness, the zealous god of light or the manipulative lord of the void – and pillage the land on their behalf.

The story revolves around an ancient prophecy that predicts when the age of the Titans comes to an end, one of the Three Gods will claim victory over their brethren and rise to a position of infinite power. Fuelled by their first for conquest, the gods have waged a heavenly war – each of them seeking to claim the mortal realm as their own. You, are there champion. You take on the role of a Caos – a gigantic race of mighty warriors created to serve the divine will of the gods. Declaring your allegiance to one of the gods, you’ll have the ability to personalize your character with a plethora of customization options including appearance, upgradable weapons and armor. As you progress throughout your journey, you’ll be rewarded with powerful equipment, new abilities and valuable information about the world. Discover the secret of defeating the Titans and secure your god’s dominion over the world to claim your place as a legend.

Ascend: New God also features a multiplayer component, which SignalStudios has dubbed “parallel online action”, whereby whilst playing through their own journey, you’ll also see other players adventuring in their own identical worlds. Similarly, whilst your experiences are separate, you can still impact one another. Will you choose to help a fellow Caos by sending them a blessing or will you make their lives a living hell by cursing them? In what is surely a first, Ascend: New Gods offers a “truly connected experience” between mobile and console platforms, allowing you to wage war against other players directly from your mobile phone, racking up power and prestige, which you can transfer to your Xbox 360 console – anywhere, anytime.

5. Lococycle

Presenting I.R.I.S. Two-time Valedictorian of the illustrious Big Arms Academy’s School of Assassination. Proficient in over 40 forms of unarmed combat, earning Sensei status in Jiu-jitsu, Aikido, Krav Maga, and Jeet Kune Do. Equally deadly with blades, handguns, and the latest in nuclear technology. Fluent in over 50 languages and virtually every local custom. Can blend in and disappear at a moment’s notice in any country around the world. The first female cadet to break the 4 minute mile… by 3 minutes and 40 seconds. All this, and it won’t even run down her batteries.

This one’s a wacky one. Though, coming from the minds of the talented folks over at Twisted Pixel, we’re not totally surprised. It’s so bizarre that its protagonist is an assassin bike that drags around a sidekick. Though, it certainly looks like it’d be fun to play. Lococycle is Tomorrow’s Hero for Today’s criminal.

6. Matter

There’s still a shockingly low amount of details on Matter. The game, announced at E3 2012, as part of a collaboration between Microsoft and award-winning director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango) focuses on utilizing Kinect. As of today, we still don’t know exactly how the player will control the game, or even what they’ll be controlling.

The trailer, though, showcases a Tron-like world, whereby the player will take control of a sphere, as they navigate a multitude of puzzles. Even with lacking details, this is surely one to keep an eye on. It’s out in 2013 exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360. And we’ll assume it’ll be Xbox Live Arcade based, rather than retail-based on Xbox 360.

7. Deadfall Adventures

Everyone’s been likening The Farm 51’s codename “Project Adventurer” to Sony’s Uncharted series. Perhaps rightly so, or perhaps wrongly so – time will tell. Yet, this should be one that any Xbox 360 owner is keeping a watchful eye on.

The forthcoming first-person shooter, set in the 1930’s, follows a private detective from San Francisco as he finds himself dragged into a Nazi plot to find an ancient artifact. It’s an adventure that will take our unlikely hero across the globe from tropical jungles to frozen wastelands. But, after crash landing in an undiscovered region of the Yucatan, players will soon found out they aren’t alone in the jungle. Also searching from the artifact, enemy soldiers have awakened an ancient evil long thought to have been dead.

Utilizing Epic’s Unreal Engine 3, Deadfall Adventures takes the “adventure genre and combines it with fast paced action”, to deliver a “breathtaking visuals and dynamic shooter gameplay.” If you aren’t already closely anticipating this one, you should be.

8. Ryse

Formerly known as “Codename Kingdom”, Ryse was officially announced at last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Under development by Crytek (Crysis franchise) the game draws players into the epic times of the Roman Empire in ways “only Kinect”, and the CryEngine can; according to its developer.

Though details are sparse on how the game will play, it’s presumed that the lead character will be a roman soldier, battling through a time of change in the Roman world. However, as of late, there’s been a bit of speculation as to how much of the game will be Kinect-based. Though, Kinect or not, a game set in this period from the makers of Crysis? Count us in! With the popularity of such television shows as Starz’s Spartacus growing – now in its third and final season – and numerous other gritty shows set in similar time periods, we’re sure this game could find its audience.

Conclusion

Those who’ve said the Xbox 360 doesn’t have any games in 2013 – as we’ve shown – are wrong. We’ve shown 8 upcoming titles that are exclusive – or only available on console through the Xbox 360 – and there’s likely more on the way, leading up to the launch of the next Xbox. What do you think? Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments below.