Gears of War Hellblade 2 and More Xbox Games to Launch on PS5 in 2025

Microsoft is reportedly preparing to bring more of its exclusive games to rival platforms from Sony and Nintendo in 2025. After launching some Xbox games on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch last year, the company is likely preparing for its biggest franchises, including Gears of War, for PS5 and potentially the successor console to Nintendo Switch also this year. Last week, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection were also expected to launch on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

More Xbox games will launch on PS5 in 2025

A report from Windows Central last week claimed that Microsoft intends to double down on its cross-platform strategy in 2025, bringing more Xbox games to PS5 and potentially the as-yet-unannounced successor to the Nintendo Switch. Citing sources, the report predicted that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Age of Mythology: Retold and potentially Gears of War: Ultimate Edition would come to PS5 and likely Nintendo Switch 2 this year.

Hellblade 2 was released in May last year for Xbox Series S/X and, while Age of Mythology: Retold, a remaster of the 2002 real-time strategy title Age of Mythology, launched on Xbox consoles and current generation PCs in September. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, a remaster of the first game in the Gears of War series, released in 2015 on Xbox One and a year later on PC.

The report also corroborated a claim last week that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection would launch for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. The information originally came from Microsoft Insider gaming industry NateTheHate, who had previously made accurate predictions about game releases.

The tipster also claimed that Final Fantasy VII Remake would come to Xbox this year, and that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth would launch on the platform in 2026.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection could launch on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025
Photo credit: Microsoft/343 Industries

Microsoft cross-platform strategy

Xbox games set to arrive on rival platforms in 2025 represent a continued push by Microsoft to launch more of its games on PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Parent company Xbox has begun a transition to a cross-platform launch strategy for its exclusive titles in 2024, starting with games like Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of ​​Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded.

Over the past year, the company has been looking to bring major new and upcoming features to PS5. Bethesda’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which launched on Xbox Series S/X and PC in December, is expected to arrive on PS5 in the first half of this year, while Doom: The Dark Ages will release on Xbox, PC and PS5 in 2025.

In November, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer told Bloomberg that he wouldn’t rule out any games from Microsoft’s stable from moving to the PS5 or Switch. “I don’t see any red lines in our portfolio that say ‘you must not,'” he said at the time, but added that it was too early to make a decision on the next version of Halo.