The return of Xbox exclusives starts with Gears of War and Clockwork Revolution
Xbox fans finally got the sentence many of them have been waiting to hear for a while now. Xbox console exclusives are back!
During its Xbox Games Showcase 2026 recap, Microsoft confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives. These aren’t timed exclusives either, which means players should not expect it to drop on PlayStation some time later. Expect it to drop on PlayStation some time later. The company also clarified that previously announced multi-platform releases will still follow their original plans.
The three-minute in-engine visuals confirm the series’ return to claustrophobic, stealth-action gameplay, as in contrast to the vast, open areas of Metro Exodus, Metro 2039 brings back the compressed tension of dark tunnels. Resource management remains critical to survival, while players will have to monitor the radiation meter, clean their mask of blood and mud, and craft ammunition under pressure.
A notable addition to the arsenal is The Shatun. The trailer suggests that this is a weapon designed specifically for silent executions, offering new strategies. Additionally, the inclusion of explosives suggests increased interaction with the environment, allowing players to create new passages or surprise the enemy by destroying fortifications.
Metro 2039 is scheduled to release in February 2027 exclusively for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Just a while back Sony announced that first-party titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation. So Xbox’s latest announcement brings the same energy. The biggest name here is obviously Gears of War: E-Day. Microsoft has confirmed that the prequel launches on October 6, 2026, and will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, cloud, Game Pass, and Xbox Play Anywhere. The official Xbox page also lists Steam among its ways to play.
Console exclusivity is key here because Gears of War: Reloaded previously brought the franchise to PlayStation, making many players wonder if E-Day would follow. Microsoft has now made it clear that the new Gears game is skipping PlayStation at launch and beyond, at least based on the current messaging.
E-Day is set 14 years before the original Gears of War and follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as the Locust Horde first erupts from below. Microsoft says preorders also include early access to the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta starting August 6, 2026
Clockwork Revolution is another part of the new strategy.
The other major confirmation is Clockwork Revolution, inXile Entertainment’s steampunk, time-bending first-person RPG. It is launching in 2027 on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, cloud, Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Steam.
The game puts players in the role of Morgan Vanette and revolves around changing the past to reshape the future of Avalon, a heavily industrialized city ruled by the ruthless Lady Ironwood. Gamers were quick to point out the Bioshock Infinite similarities, but Clockwork wants to distinguish itself by being a deep RPG.
Microsoft is still keeping one foot in the multiplatform world. Halo: Campaign Evolved, for example, is coming to PlayStation as well as Xbox and PC.
