The Xbox Series X and Series S have been dominating the gaming scene for almost three years now, and Microsoft’s gaming strategy has evolved beyond just consoles. With a focus on services like Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft is offering gamers a diverse and expansive gaming experience. Whether you’re a Series X powerhouse enthusiast or a Series S fan enjoying the upscaled 4K visuals, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into some of the best Xbox Series X Games that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Alan Wake Remastered: A Thrilling Return
Remedy’s cult classic survival horror game, Alan Wake, returns in a remastered version that breathes new life into this gripping narrative. Follow the mysterious disappearance of the protagonist’s wife and navigate through a plot that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The remaster not only gives the game a fresh look but also introduces new secrets, making it a must-play for both old fans and newcomers.
Control Ultimate Edition: A Next-Gen Upgrade
Originally pushing the limits of console hardware, Control now shines in its Ultimate Edition on Xbox Series X. Enjoy 4K visuals at 60fps, or opt for a graphics mode with ray tracing for a cinematic experience. Immerse yourself in this narrative-focused action game that revolves around a government agency investigating supernatural activity. With a well-written story and engaging gameplay, Control stands out as one of the best action games in recent memory.
Dead Space: A Remake of Horror
The revered Dead Space franchise makes a comeback with a remake that modernizes its unique body horror action. Experience the gruesomeness of slicing limbs off necromorphs in a visually stunning and satisfying way. The remake introduces smart revisions, bringing the classic game to a new generation of gamers.
Death’s Door: Isometric Action at its Best
Embark on a journey as a small crow tasked with retrieving souls in Death’s Door. This isometric action game, released over the summer, offers simplistic yet incredible combat. Explore well-designed dungeons with a Zelda vibe and face challenging boss battles. With a pick-up-and-play mentality, Death’s Door stands out as one of the best indie games of the year.
Destiny 2: A Sci-Fi Epic Continues
Destiny 2, a live-service multiplayer game, continues to captivate players with its sci-fi epic world. Enjoy 4K resolution at 60fps on Xbox Series X, and experience drastically quicker load times. With a wealth of content added since launch, including expansions like Beyond Light and The Witch Queen, Destiny 2 offers engaging stories, optional missions, and raids for solo and cooperative play.
Elden Ring: From Software’s Masterpiece
Elden Ring, From Software’s open-world masterpiece, takes gaming to new heights. Explore a massive world filled with secrets, stunning vistas, and an overwhelming amount of activities. While maintaining the unforgiving combat of Dark Souls, Elden Ring offers a unique sense of player freedom and discovery, making it a standout in the open-world genre.
Forza Horizon 5: Driving in Style
Playground Games delivers its best with Forza Horizon 5, set in the gorgeous and diverse landscapes of Mexico. Offering freedom of choice, the game allows you to tailor your experience, from cross-country marathons to danger sign jumps. With hundreds of cars to earn and challenges to conquer, Forza Horizon 5 is a racing enthusiast’s dream.
Forza Motorsport: A Triumph in Racing
The return of Forza Motorsport in its traditional form showcases stunning graphics and approachable gameplay. As a graphical showpiece for Xbox, Motorsport caters to gear-heads and casual racing fans alike. Dive into the world of finely tuned cars and tracks, with the added advantage of being available on Game Pass.
Gears Tactics: Strategy Unleashed
Gears Tactics, a turn-based strategy spin-off, excels on the Xbox Series X hardware. Running in 4K at 60fps, the game features fast-paced tactical gameplay while retaining the design features of the mainline franchise. With a lengthy campaign, well-designed maps, and deep character customization, Gears Tactics is an exciting experience for tactical genre newcomers.
Grounded: Survival in a Backyard World
Obsidian’s Grounded takes players on a unique survival journey in a suburban backyard, shrunken to miniature proportions. Overcoming challenges like building a survival camp and facing massive spiders, Grounded offers a surprisingly rich narrative in an unconventional setting.
Hades: Roguelike Brilliance
Hades, a beloved roguelike, finally arrived on Xbox, and Game Pass subscribers can enjoy it for free. With a narrative advantage built into its structure, Hades introduces players to the god of rebirth, Zagreus, in a fast-paced isometric perspective. Combining brilliant combat with top-notch writing, Hades is a must-play even for those not typically drawn to roguelikes.
Halo Infinite: A Return to Form
Halo Infinite marks a return to the franchise’s roots, capturing the essence of what made the original games special. Set on one Halo ring, the game focuses on Master Chief, offering a sense of discovery in the campaign and a brilliant take on competitive multiplayer. With an open-world approach that doesn’t overwhelm, Halo Infinite stands as the best Halo game in over a decade.
Hi-Fi Rush: Rhythm-Action Delight
Tango Gameworks surprises players with Hi-Fi Rush, a bright and colorful rhythm-action game. Join Chai, a character with an MP3 player embedded in his chest, in a character action game reminiscent of Devil May Cry. The animated art style and catchy tunes make Hi-Fi Rush a standout experience.
Hitman 3: A Masterful Conclusion
IO Interactive delivers an exceptional conclusion to Agent 47’s World of Assassination trilogy with Hitman 3. Expanding on its predecessors, the game utilizes each map to its full potential, offering players more freedom in approaching objectives. With inventive spins on the loop and a focus on storytelling, Hitman 3 is a testament to the series’ excellence.
It Takes Two: Creative Platforming
It Takes Two, a cooperative play platformer, improves on Hazelight’s previous game, A Way Out. With whimsical gameplay and a surprisingly dark story about a couple divorcing, It Takes Two offers polished mechanics and a variety of gameplay mechanics. The inclusion of a buddy pass system makes it accessible for everyone.
MLB The Show 23: Celebrating America’s Pastime
MLB The Show continues to be a stellar representation of America’s pastime, and the 23rd edition brings the series to Xbox consoles, including Game Pass. With enhanced on-field action and a new Storylines: The Negro Leagues mode, MLB The Show 23 is a standout in sports gaming.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate: Gruesome Fighting at its Best
Mortal Kombat 11, already an outstanding fighting game, impresses further on Xbox Series X. With 4K resolution and new visual flourishes, the gruesome action is detailed and satisfying. The Ultimate edition adds more content, making it a rare fighting game that caters to both solo and multiplayer enthusiasts.
No Man’s Sky: A Vast Exploration
No Man’s Sky has evolved since launch, offering a space exploration experience closer to its ambitious vision. With base-building, racing, and improved visuals running at 4K and 60fps, No Man’s Sky provides a detailed and alive universe for players to explore.
Nobody Saves the World: Quirky Action-RPG
In Nobody Saves the World, embark on a humorous quest as Nobody, shapeshifting through over 15 different forms. This top-down action-RPG, filled with challenging combat and clever puzzles, offers a unique and entertaining experience.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Platforming Beauty
Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a gorgeous platformer from Moon Studios, benefits from the power of Xbox Series X. With 4K visuals at 120fps and HDR support, Ori’s fast-paced platforming sequences become even more stunning. The game’s expanded arsenal creates a dynamic and satisfying adventure.
Pentiment: Obsidian’s Adventure
Obsidian’s Pentiment takes players on a unique adventure as a 16th-century illuminator caught in a murder mystery at an Abbey. Unfold the layers of history over decades, building towards a stirring conclusion. Pentiment stands out as an unconventional adventure game.
Psychonauts 2: A Masterpiece Sequel
Psychonauts 2, a long-awaited sequel, surpasses its predecessor with critical acclaim. Retaining the humor and charm of the original, the game refines platforming gameplay and enhances psychedelic levels. With an impactful message revolving around empathy and growth, Psychonauts 2 is one of Double Fine’s best games.
Resident Evil 4: A Classic Refined
Resident Evil 4, already considered a classic, receives a refined remake that modernizes its visuals while maintaining its identity. The game’s enduring quality and new challenges make it a testament to Resident Evil’s legacy.
Sea of Thieves: A Swashbuckling Success
Sea of Thieves has transformed from a shallow pirate adventure to a swashbuckling success. With abundant content, including story missions and skeleton fleet hunts, Sea of Thieves now offers a more satisfying core experience. The next-gen update ensures smooth 60fps in 4K, making it a worthy dive for Xbox Series X enthusiasts.
The Talos Principle 2: Philosophical Puzzles
The Talos Principle 2 expands on the philosophical puzzles that made its predecessor memorable. This first-person puzzle game unravels mysteries while raising profound questions, offering a unique gaming experience.
Tetris Effect: Connected: Puzzle Magic
Tetris Effect: Connected, magical on Xbox Series X, presents the best puzzle game ever made with 4K resolution and up to 120fps. The game’s inventive take on Tetris combines stunning visuals and reactive tunes, creating a delightful and immersive experience.
Tunic: Zelda-Like Adventure
Tunic, with its colorful Zelda-like aesthetic, offers more than just homage to beloved adventure games. This bold new step forward encourages player curiosity, with no hand-holding throughout the adventure. Explore the beguiling world, solve puzzles, and engage in satisfying combat in one of the best indies of the year.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon: A Risky Departure
Yakuza: Like a Dragon takes a bold departure from the franchise’s beat-’em-up combat, embracing a turn-based RPG system. Set in a vibrant world with enhanced performance on Xbox Series X, the game’s quirky new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, adds infectious personality to the series.
In conclusion, the Xbox Series X|S lineup OR Xbox Series X Games for 2023 is a diverse array of gaming experiences catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a fan of horror, action, sports, or puzzles, there’s a game for you on the Xbox platform. Dive into these titles and explore the vast and immersive worlds they have to offer. Happy gaming!