Just like with any other console, if you’re looking for the best Xbox Series X games, you start with the exclusives. While Microsoft’s consoles have typically been associated with FPS games, you can find games of all types and genres on the Series X. Even when you limit yourself to just the exclusives, there are plenty of multiplayer, co-op, and indie games to satisfy your tastes. And if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, they’re all available at the touch of a button. At this point in the generation, the issue isn’t a lack of games to play but choosing which one to play first. We’ll help you narrow down your list.
Halo Infinite
85%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter
Developer
343 Industries
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 15, 2021
Of all the franchises out there, Microsoft is most closely tied with the Halo series. It essentially was the reason to buy the original Xbox when it first launched and pioneered not only the first-person genre on consoles, but revolutionized online multiplayer too. Xbox owes a lot to this franchise, so it makes sense that they would want to keep it alive. Despite being delayed for two years after the Series X and S launched, we finally got our first taste of a brand new Halo game on these upgraded machines in the form of Halo: Infinite. Split between the free-to-play multiplayer and campaign, this Halo is a little light on content but promises to continue to grow over time. At the core, though, the gameplay is more than enough reason to jump in. This throwback to the classic arena-style shooter is a breath of fresh air in a genre filled with specialists, loadouts, complex abilities, and overpowered builds.
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Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
77%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Ninja Theory
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
May 21, 2024
You need to be in the right mood and headspace to properly enjoy Hellblade 2. This isn’t a game where you will be sprinting around arenas and unleashing flashy combos on enemies, but a slower, more methodical game. You will continue your journey with Senua in a new land where she meets and befriends a new group of unlikely allies who are dealing with a major mythical danger. This game is exceptional at putting you inside the mind of Senua to feel what it is like to live with a mental illness without allowing it to cripple or define her. If nothing else, check this game out for the unbelievable graphics.
Gears Tactics
74%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Developer
Splash Damage
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
April 28, 2020
The Gears universe turns out to be a perfect fit for a tactics game, believe it or not. This prequel divorces itself from the main plot of Marcus and his crew to tell a unique story that hits all the major themes from the early games. The big difference, of course, is that you will be controlling a new squad in turn-based combat. The translation of things like finishing moves and Lancer kills feels natural and satisfying to pull off in this new format without losing that gritty feel. All Gears fans should check this one out.
Age of Mythology: Retold
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Developer
World's Edge
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
September 04, 2024
Those who want a more pure RTS game should look no further than Age of Mythology: Retold. This is technically a remake of a 2002 game, but enjoys far more than just a graphical upgrade. All the assets and animations have been redone, but the core systems have been brought up to modern standards so anyone who isn’t deeply familiar with the genre can use it as a great starting point. You pick your god from various pantheons, such as Greek, Norse, and Atlantean, build your civilization, explore, manage resources, and engage in wars. Make sure you don’t have any plans if you start up a game because you might just lose a few hours without realizing it.
Immortality
85%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Point-and-click, Simulator, Indie
Developer
Half Mermaid, Sam Barlow
Publisher
Half Mermaid
Release
August 30, 2022
A game like Immortality could only come from the mindthat created a game like Her Story. This is another full-motion video-style game, but it represents the peak of pushing that genre to the limits. You’re once again scrubbing through real video footage trying to unravel a mystery, but instead of seeing clips and searching keywords like Her Story, this time you swap between scenes by selecting people or objects to find other scenes they appeared in. It doesn’t sound like it should work, but trust us, it does. This is one of the most satisfying stories to unravel, made all the more interesting in how each player will uncover clues at different times, in different orders, and through different paths.
Psychonauts 2
90%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Double Fine Productions
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
August 25, 2021
If you’re an old school fan of DoubleFine games, then you’ve probably been eagerly awaiting the sequel to the cult hit Psychonauts for a decade or more now. Thanks to some help from Microsoft after purchasing the studio, the team was able to expand their original vision for Psychonauts 2 and include more content and polish to this creative and daring game that likely never would have happened otherwise. Playing as Raz once again, you traverse through some of the most creative, subtle, and thought-provoking levels of any 3D platformer ever developed. The story is as bizarre as you would expect, but also full of heart and strong messages about mental health. This is a modern take on the genre that we unfortunately don’t see enough of.
Starfield
63%
3.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
September 06, 2023
It might not be for everyone, but those who get into Starfield will really get into it. The latest Bethesda RPG, this time your adventure goes to the stars and beyond. The basics are classic Bethesda, including leveling up various stats, interacting with hundreds of characters, thousands of quests, and picking up everything that isn’t nailed down. This time, ship combat, base building, and other sci-fi spices are sprinkled over to give the game a unique taste from its other works. So long as you don’t mind the more truncated exploration, you can dump hundreds or more hours into this universe, with or without mods.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
91%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Asobo Studio
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
August 17, 2020
Even if you’re not a hardcore simulation fan, Microsoft Flight Simulator is worth a look just to, well, look at it. The game is one of the most technically impressive achievements ever packed onto a console. You have the entire world to fly around, and somehow it all looks stunningly lifelike. For those who do like to get into the weeds of simulators, the range of planes and attention to detail on them will make it a dream come true. This is a perfect game to throw on for a casual day in, letting you unwind and just relax to the calm hum of your plane engine and vast open skies ahead of you.
Forza Horizon 5
86%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport
Developer
Playground Games
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 09, 2021
Without question, Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best racing games there is, not just on Xbox. The Series X enhanced version runs excellently, too. You’re getting a locked 60 fps during events and when driving around the open world, as well as vastly improved load times compared to the Xbox One version. Racing games always strive for high-quality graphics, and Forza Horizon 5 is the best-looking (and best-sounding) racer yet. Even in performance mode, you might have to do a double-take to realize you’re not looking at actual racing footage. The new locals are all breathtaking, and there’s never a shortage of things to do. Forza Horizon 5 is friendly to both racing enthusiasts and those who prefer a less simulation-style experience.
Forza Motorsport
79%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Simulator, Sport
Developer
Turn 10 Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
October 10, 2023
If you prefer your racers more sim than arcadey, Forza Motorsport is the entry for you. This game lets you really get under the hood of your car, finely tuning each and every aspect to your heart’s content. Or, if you’re not comfortable getting your hands greasy, you can use a handy toggle to auto-tune your car. It won’t be optimal, but lets you compete without feeling overwhelmed. The singleplayer offering is strangely addicting, while being more race-based than Horizon’s open world, and lets you build a relationship with your car as you level it up across multiple events.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
88%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Moon Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios, iam8bit
Release
March 10, 2020
Even among Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps may be the best showcase of the Xbox Series X’s power. On Xbox One X, Ori and the Will of the Wisps ran at 4K60, though not without problems. The experienced frequent frame drops below its target on Microsoft’s last-gen hardware, though stayed impressive in the resolution department. The Xbox Series X solves all of those issues. 4K is still the target resolution, though now with a locked 120 fps. The game even includes supersampling to run at 6K at 60 FPS. Simply put, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a visual treat, especially with HDR enabled. It’s a great game on its own, too. Moon Studios matches the somber, dream-like atmosphere of the original game while adding plenty of new content (including boss battles). Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best Metroidvania games around, and although it’s technically available on Nintendo Switch, the game feels most at home on Series X.
