'Halo 5 Guardians,' 'State of Decay,' 'Ori And The Blind Forest' And More Playable At PAX

An Attendee Uses Her Smartphone In Front Of A Fiant Microsoft Xbox Sign At The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Known as E3, in Los Angeles — An attendee uses her smartphone in front of a giant Microsoft Xbox sign at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

As we draw ever closer the event's March 6 launch date, Microsoft's big plans for PAX East are starting to take shape. As it turns out, those plans happen to involve a healthy heaping of "Halo 5," along with a glut of other titles, large and small.

A new post on Xbox News Wire invites players to try out the first and third-party games the Redmond company will be bringing to the show next month. The headliner item is that attendees will get a chance to sample the fast-paced, four on four multiplayer action of "Halo 5: Guardians" arena. The PAX East build comes with all the maps, modes and weaponry that were part of the recently concluded "Halo 5: Guardians" multiplayer beta. Unless Microsoft offers a second beta later this year, or releases a pre-launch demo, this could be gamer's last chance to get their hands on "Halo 5" before launch.

Also on the PAX East show floor will be the multiplayer focused "Fable Legends," the latest entry in the "Fable" series of games, created by Peter Molyneux. "Fable Legends" is a departure from the series typical story-focused, single-player-centric gameplay. Gamers get to team up with each other and work together to take on an evil player-controlled villain. Alternatively, they can play as the villain and pull the strings behind a horde of evil minions bent on the heroes destruction.

Other big AAA games on Microsoft's PAX show floor include "Battlefield Hardline" and a build of the 1080p remaster of 2013's open world zombie game, "State of Decay." Created by ArenaNet founder Jeff Strain, "State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition" gives players the ability to formulate their own zombie survival plans and put them to the ultimate test in a story-driven, open-world environment. The remastered edition will include both pieces of post-release DLC from the original game; "Lifeline" and "Breakdown." "State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition will also come with new missions, weapons, characters, and achievements.

In addition to big hitters, Microsoft will also be showing off two new indie developed titles powered by its ID@Xbox initiative; "Pneuma: Breath of Life" and "Swordy." The latter is a frantic 8-player physics based brawler, launching exclusively on Xbox One later this year. Developer Moon Studios will be bringing gorgeous Xbox One exclusive, "Ori and the Blind Forest" to PAX East and Microsoft is promising a look at the latest build of construction simulator, "Screamride." The full list of titles on display by Microsoft at PAX includes:

"Halo 5 Guardians"
"Fable Legends"
"State of Decay: Year One Survival Guide"
"Evolve"
"Battlefield Hardline"
"Screamride"
"Ori and the Blind Forest"
"Pneuma: Breath of Life"
"Swordy"

Gamespot notes in its coverage that Microsoft will be host to three PAX panels; a Podcast Panel with Major Nelson as well as a "Killer Instinct" panel with new character reveals. The star of the show is a session called "What It Takes To Build A Next-Gen Open World Game," panelled by developers from CD Projekt Red and hosted by Major Nelson. CD Projekt Red is expected to bring a build of "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" to its panel, during which there will be a live, narrated gameplay demonstration. PAX East runs from March 6 to 8, and Microsoft's booth hours will be from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.