Although it may be difficult to believe, it’s been over 20 years since the first Xbox console premiered.
It must be acknowledged that the decision to release a new console was quite bold and risky for the software giant, Microsoft, considering that PlayStation and Nintendo had been reigning for several years with great success. To stand out, Microsoft needed something extra.
Fortunately, the company and its specialists knew exactly what gamers desired — high-quality hardware, specific components, and the Xbox Live service turned out to be the first step towards success.
In the following years, it only got better, and the Xbox console and its subsequent generations, including the Xbox Series X, gained a multitude of fans, providing Sony with a worthy competitor in the console market.
Of course, to attract gamers and keep them loyal to the brand, Microsoft also required games, and not just any games, but ones that would be exclusive to their platform.
Many titles emerged, but among the flagship products are undoubtedly the Halo, Forza Horizon, and Fable series.
Today, there are far more games that can provide us with excellent entertainment, even better than in the early years of the Xbox’s debut.
Unfortunately, due to the abundance, there is also an increasing problem of what to play. And that’s precisely why we created a ranking featuring the best Xbox Series X games! Various genres of games were considered, both new ones from 2024 and those from 2023.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into our top games on Xbox Series X!
Game list
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 2018-10-26 | Action | Rockstar Games |
 | Sekiro Shadows Die Twice Goty Edition | 2019-03-22 | Adventure | FromSoftware |
 | Monster Hunter World Iceborne Master Edition | 2019-12 | Action | CAPCOM |
 | Resident Evil 2 Biohazard Re2 | 2019-01-25 | Action | CAPCOM |
 | Doom Eternal | 2020-03-20 | Action | id Software |
 | Yakuza Like A Dragon Hero Edition | 2020-11-10 | Action | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
 | Red Dead Redemption | 2010-05-18 | Adventure | Rockstar Games |
 | Grand Theft Auto IV | 2008-12-02 | Adventure | Rockstar North |
 | Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain | 2015-09-01 | Adventure | Kojima Productions |
 | Forza Horizon 4 Standard Edition | 2018-10-02 | Racing | Playground Games |
 | Grand Theft Auto V Premium Edition | 2015-04-14 | Adventure | Rockstar North |
 | Forza Horizon 5 | 2021-11-09 | Racing | Playground Games |
 | Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition | 2017-09-14 | Adventure | Larian Studios |
 | The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt | 2015-05-18 | RPG | CD PROJEKT RED |
 | Monster Hunter World | 2018-01-26 | RPG | CAPCOM |
Forza Horizon 5
| Release date: | 2021-11-09 |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Developer: | Playground Games |
Forza Horizon 5 is another instalment in the popular series of sensational racing games that debuted on the market in 2012.
Set in an open world, FH 5 takes us to Mexico, where we’ll race through the streets of Guanajuato, as well as through deserts, canyons, and many other beautiful locations.
Forza Horizon 5 tops our ranking not only because it’s a flagship product of Microsoft, but also because it’s the best instalment in the series so far. With its fantastic, almost photorealistic graphics, open world (the largest one yet), extensive exploration, and campaign mode, boredom is not an option here!
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Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
| Release date: | 2024-01-15 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Ubisoft Montpellier |
The game’s action takes us to ancient Persia. This time, we embody an elite warrior of the royal guard — Sargon.
The Prince of Persia, guarded by our hero, is kidnapped. Our task is to rescue him. Unfortunately, the trail leads to the infamous Qaf Mountain.
As usual, the latest instalment of Prince of Persia, like all its predecessors, is full of puzzles, and gameplay involves jumping, wall-running, and various acrobatics, which is what the series has been loved for since its beginnings. The whole game is accompanied by wonderful 2.5D graphics. The locations take one’s breath away, and puzzles are real head-scratchers!
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Elden Ring
| Release date: | 2022-02-25 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | FromSoftware |
After the destruction of the eponymous Elden Ring, the Lands Between plunged into civil war.
The mighty ring, shattered into six pieces, fell into the possession of six demigods, offspring of the powerful Marika the Eternal. Only our hero — one of the Tarnished — can reassemble all parts of the Ring to become the new Elden Lord.
Elden Ring delights with its open, vast world, where exploration is pure adventure, fun and… challenge! The captivating story was created with the help of the renowned writer George R. R. Martin (known for A Song of Ice and Fire, which inspired the iconic Game of Thrones series). And the complex combat system prevents players from falling into routine.
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Dragons Dogma 2
| Release date: | 2024-03-22 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | CAPCOM |
The Arisen, the main character of Dragon’s Dogma 2, is deprived of his heart by a dragon.
Since then, one goal has driven his life… defeating the beast. But before he accomplishes that, he must face the dangers lurking on his path to the goal.
After the success of the previous installment, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, Capcom ventured into another part. Interestingly, it’s not a continuation of the first part, but its story takes place in a parallel world to the first installment. This unconventional approach appealed to many players. Will you join their ranks?
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It Takes Two
| Release date: | 2021-03-26 |
| Genre: | Coop |
| Developer: | Hazelight Studios |
The souls of the married couple Cody and May are magically trapped in the bodies of two dolls made by their daughter. They are aided by… the eccentric Dr. Hakim – a book written to help fix relationships.
To return to their bodies, the pair must join forces. However, this is not an easy task, considering they’re on the verge of divorce.
It must be admitted that It Takes Two is a cooperative game with a capital “C”. To overcome numerous obstacles during their journey, players must utilize the unique abilities of their characters, combining them skillfully and cooperating closely. This gameplay is not only excellent fun but also a significant challenge.
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Resident Evil 4
| Release date: | 2023-03-24 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Capcom Development Division 1 |
Resident Evil 4 is a remake of the cult horror game from 2005 of the same title. This time, the main protagonist is Leon S. Kennedy — a former policeman currently serving as a US government agent.
His task is to find the daughter of the President of the United States, held captive by a mysterious sect in a small village in Spain. The problem is that the inhabitants of this village have been infected with the Las Plagas and turned into bloodthirsty monsters.
Fans of the Resident Evil series surely need no introduction to this game. The latest remake has been designed for happy owners of the latest generation consoles. With improved controls, greater scene dynamics, and enhanced graphics, this game is a must-have for every survival horror fan.
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Yakuza: Like a Dragon
| Release date: | 2020-11-10 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Ryu ga Gotoku Studios |
After an eighteen-year wrongful imprisonment, Ichiban Kasuga leaves prison. Unfortunately, upon release, he finds that no one is waiting for him, and everything he loved and valued has been destroyed. Wanting to uncover the truth and clear his name, Ichiban embarks on a journey.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a departure from the RPG standards, filled to the brim with entertainment, great fun, and a touch of madness.
Among critics and players, it has received high ratings for its story, gameplay, unique approach to the jRPG subgenre, as well as overall presentation.
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Alan Wake 2
| Release date: | 2023-10-27 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Remedy Entertainment |
Alan Wake 2 is a direct sequel to the 2010 game. In the town of Bright Falls, a series of ritualistic murders spreads fear among the local residents.
FBI agent Saga Anderson arrives on the scene — unaware that the investigation will immerse her in a real nightmare, born from someone’s imagination. Meanwhile, Alan Wake is still desperately trying to escape from a nightmarish prison. Their fates will soon intertwine in a horror where the lines between reality and fiction blur.
Alan Wake 2 offers spine-chilling storytelling full of darkness and mysteries that effectively blur the boundaries of reality. Among players and critics, the game has gained universal acclaim, mainly due to its incredibly dark story.
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Hi-Fi Rush
| Release date: | 2023-01-25 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Tango Gameworks |
Chai is a would-be rock star whose heart has been connected to a music player due to a corporate experiment gone wrong. Considered defective, Chai must now fight for freedom, all to the rhythm of music.
The game has delighted players and critics alike and has received a very high average score (89/100) on the Metacritic website.
Smooth gameplay, a captivating story, and an innovative approach redefine the action game genre. If you’re looking for a game that will be a perfect escape from reality, Hi-Fi Rush is made just for you!
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Dead Space
| Release date: | 2023-01-27 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Motive Studios |
Dead Space is a next-generation remake of the sensational 2008 game. In this title, we play as engineer Isaac Clarke, who arrives to repair the USG Ishimura spacecraft in response to a distress signal.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, he discovers that the crew is dead, and the ship has been overrun by the cruel, nearly immortal Necromorphs. Isaac will do everything in his power to uncover what happened on the space freighter.
Brutal and bloody combat combined with remastered graphics and atmospheric sound effectively gives players goosebumps. Intense sensations during the game keep players tense throughout. Additionally, the game raises the bar with occasionally very difficult puzzles and the fact that Isaac isn’t a heavily armed, super-strong soldier — he often has to rely on his wits to survive.
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Destiny 2
| Release date: | 2023-02-28 |
| Genre: | MMO |
| Developer: | Bungie |
The action in Destiny 2 continues the events of the first installment of the game.
The sinister Red Legion has destroyed the Last City, and those who survived have hidden in distant galaxies. To destroy the destructive army, all Guardians must unite, and this task falls to us.
Destiny 2 is an incredibly dynamic first-person shooter that entertains in many ways. You can complete missions solo or cooperatively, as well as compete in PvP mode. The choice is yours!
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Fable (Fable 4)
| Release date: | TBD |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Playground Games |
Fable is a reboot of the cult RPG series, which premiered on Xbox in 2004.
The game’s action, as usual, takes place in the fairy-tale land of Albion. The task of the hero, whose fate we’ll control, is to face a dark threat.
The first leaks about the latest installment of Fable reached the public in 2018, but we had to wait until 2020 for the official presentation. Since then, the Playground Games team has been working tirelessly, promising high quality and attention to detail. Will it be true? Well… we’ll find out for ourselves — hopefully soon.
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Summary
We have presented what we believe to be the most noteworthy and best Xbox Series X games.
Our list includes platformers, horrors, and shooters alike. During the selection process, we took into account their playability, feedback from players and critics, as well as innovative solutions.