Key Takeaways
- Xbox Series X|S boasts a growing library of games, including indies and triple-A titles available on Xbox Game Pass.
- Gears 5, Tales of Arise, and Resident Evil Village are some of the exceptional games available on the console.
- The Xbox Series X|S offers a diverse range of gaming experiences from action-RPGs to survival horror titles.
The Xbox Series X|S launched in November of 2020, and since then has seen a growing library of games available on the console – both from indies and triple-A studios, many of which are available on Xbox Game Pass.
If you’re looking for the next great game to delve into, or if you’ve just grabbed an Xbox Series console and want some good picks to get started with, these are the best games you can play on the Xbox Series X|S.
Updated September 24, 2024, by Ben Jessey: When we originally wrote this list, we intended to include the best games on the Xbox Series X|S. However, titles keep releasing for the system, so we’ve had to update it to include some great games that have come out since our last update.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Seeing the blue-pants-wearing Bandicoot on Xbox consoles is still unusual, as he was once one of the biggest PlayStation mascots. However, it’s a great thing for Xbox Series X|S players, as it means they get to experience the fantastic Crash Bandicoot 4 title.
Like the other games in the series, it’s a platformer where the camera is sometimes behind you, other times to the side of you, and, on rare occasions, it’s in front of you. Add to this the addition of rails to grind on, walls to run on, ropes to swing on, masks that give you special abilities, and the different playable characters means there is a lot of variety to the title.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
There are a few great games in the Dead Rising series, but for many years, most fans still considered the original the best. And thankfully, the quality of that original has mostly been maintained in the Deluxe Remaster, which is really a remake.
It contains all of the chaotic fun of the original, such as the strange, over-the-top weapons and some equally over-the-top characters. It also boasts a story that is more compelling than it’s often given credit for. Naturally, the visuals are a lot more impressive than in the original, and there have been some quality-of-life improvements, too. As such, reviewer George Foster says it’s “unarguably the best way to experience Dead Rising.”
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 is one of the greatest remakes of all time. Capcom completely rebuilt the 1998 Resident Evil game from the ground up in an attempt to bring it up to modern standards. The company certainly succeeded, as it’s an excellent survival horror game. The movement and combat feel very slick, and the visuals are incredible.
Even the story has been altered a bit. It still has the same general premise, but things play out a bit differently, plus the writing is better. Altogether, it’s the best version of Resident Evil 2, which is saying something because the original is iconic.
Saints Row: The Third Remastered
The original version of Saints Row: The Third was released nine years before the Xbox Series X|S. Yet, the remastered version is playable on newer systems. It doesn’t present a significant change from the original title, but that isn’t a problem, as the original is exceptional.
It’s an over-the-top and entertaining open-world shooter. You play as a member of the 3rd Street Saints gang, which has evolved from a street gang into a famous media empire. This doesn’t mean life is much easier, as, throughout the game, you have to deal with a crime syndicate as well as a paramilitary group that has put together to wipe out gangs. Along the way, you complete all sorts of wacky missions using several silly weapons and vehicles.
The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection doesn’t exactly test the power of the most recent Xbox consoles, as it’s a collection of games that even pre-date the Xbox 360. However, the three Metal Gear Solid titles hold up surprisingly well.
Yes, there are a few issues with controls and movement, but it’s fairly easy to get the hang of the stealth gameplay. Plus, there are mechanics that are still impressive to this day. Also, the stories are still very compelling, and the voice acting remains excellent.
As Dusk Falls
As Dusk Falls is a unique game all about story and choices. In fact, you don’t even move your character around, like in the TellTale games. All you have to do is make decisions and hit button prompts.
This is a gameplay style that works because the choices you make significantly impact the narrative as a whole. On top of that, the story itself is very compelling. It revolves around two different families that meet on one fateful day that changes their lives forever.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Overcooked! All You Can Eat is technically two games, as it’s a package containing both the Overcooked games alongside all of their DLC. The two games are very similar. They’re both party games where you play as chefs.
Orders come in, and you have to prepare, cook, and serve the meal. This sounds pretty cozy. However, the rating you get for each level mainly depends on your speed. So, the games are actually fast-paced and very chaotic. Yet, in the process, you’re sure to be entertained.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds is an action RPG set in the future. In this future, humanity is attempting to colonize a new star system. Or at least other people are doing that. You, on the other hand, spent much of your time frozen on a colony ship that didn’t reach its destination. Don’t worry, though, as you’re woken up at the start of the game and instructed to gather the materials required to wake up the rest of the ship.
Therefore, you go and explore the newly colonized world. While there, you embark on plenty of interesting quests, both the main and side ones. Along the way, you can typically either shoot everyone in sight or take a more stealthy approach. Sometimes, you can even talk your way out of situations. So, there is plenty of variety in the game.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
There has been a litany of Dragon Ball video games. Not many of them have been RPGs like Kakarot, though. The title offers a brilliant retelling of the Dragon Ball Z anime, featuring all of the biggest moments shown through beautiful cutscenes.
The actual in-game combat is a lot of fun, too. Fights are fast-paced and feel smooth, just like battles from the anime. The open world is also pretty interesting, as it features plenty of different locations and contain some excellent side stories.
Control
It’s hard to fully explain what sort of game Control is. After all, there is nothing else out there quite like it. It falls under the action-adventure category, but you wouldn’t exactly compare it to Tomb Raider or Assassin’s Creed. The game takes place entirely within a strange place called the Old House, which serves as the headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Control, a government agency investigating paranormal activity.
You play as one of their members, Jesse, and throughout the game, you must attempt to put a halt to the invasion of a species known as the Hiss. You do so with a very fancy gun and a slew of special abilities that you acquire during the game. These powers are so impressive that you feel like a superhero or Jedi Knight while playing.
Sea Of Stars
Sea of Stars is very different from a modern RPG. It doesn’t look like the Final Fantasy 7 Remake or Mass Effect. This is a game clearly inspired by role-playing games from the ’90s, particularly Chrono Trigger. As such, it has a retro art style and presentation. Plus, the turn-based combat feels old school, too.
Sea of Stars proves that all these elements can still work today, as this is a really fun RPG. In fact, reviewer Andrew King says it’s “one of the best turn-based RPGs I’ve played in some time.” Andrew particularly liked the combat. Yet, the story and characters aren’t bad, either. The basic premise revolves around two heroes who intend to save the world. However, things get more complex as their adventure gets rolling.
Hades
Being trapped anywhere is pretty bad, but hell might be the absolute worst place to be stuck. That is the situation facing the son of Hades, Zagreus, in the game named after his father. As Zagreus, you have to get out of the underworld. You try to do so by making your way through a bunch of randomly generated rooms filled with colorful enemies.
You aren’t expected to reach your destination on the first attempt. With each run, you get a little stronger and better. Throughout it all, the combat remains fast-paced and fun. Also, you get to meet a lot of interesting characters along the way.
WWE 2K24
Yearly sports titles are often criticized for being the same every year, but the WWE 2K series has dramatic shifts in quality. Some instalments are good, while others are horrible. 2K24 is among the best, though. It boasts smooth wrestling and beautiful visuals.
On top of that, there are plenty of exciting modes. One of the best is the MyRise career mode, which contains two fascinating storylines. In her review, Jade King says the game “builds on the foundations of its predecessors and continues to add compelling features and ideas.”
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is a first-person shooter that doesn’t let itself get bogged down too much in storytelling or cutscenes. This game is all about the action. You play as a person many call Doomguy, and you need to destroy countless demons to save the world. So, the premise is straightforward.
The combat is very fast-paced, as you’re encouraged to be in perpetual motion while you deal with the large groups of varied creatures that you’re meant to kill. Therefore, there is a significant focus on running around and shooting in this game. It’s smooth and satisfying fun.
Stray
In Stray, you play as an adorable cat. This isn’t some sort of special feline with outstanding powers. They’re a regular cat like the ones you can have as pets, except they’re controlled by you. Unfortunately for the cat, they don’t have a warm home. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a cyberpunk city filled with robotic creatures. The goal is to get out of there.
This makes for a unique adventure game as you wander the city using your natural athleticism to climb and jump around. On top of that, you interact with things and solve puzzles to progress the narrative forward. It’s also possible to just mess around by doing classic cat things, such as scratching the carpet and knocking stuff onto the floor for no reason.
Judgment
Set in the Like A Dragon universe, Judgment revolves around a struggling private detective, Takayuki Yagami. He solves all sorts of cases, but in Judgment, he gets wrapped up in his most intriguing one. It revolves around a string of violent murders.
This is a very serious narrative, but as this is a Yakuza title, plenty of wackiness is involved in the game, too, particularly in the side cases and activities. What isn’t a laughing matter, though – at least, in your enemies’ minds – is the excellent third-person combat, where you put a beating on your adversaries.
Botany Manor
In Botany Manor, you play as a retired botanist, and your goal is to plant and nurture some special flora. Don’t worry, it’s more exciting than it sounds. After all, you can’t use regular botanist methods. Instead, you have to be creative in your attempts to grow these plants.
This results in you having to solve a bunch of innovative and well-designed puzzles. You do so while walking around a beautiful manor. Its beauty is down to both the lovely architecture and the game’s excellent art style.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 pre-dates the Xbox One, never mind the Xbox Series X|S. However, it has been re-released on the latest Microsoft system and remains an exceptional open-world action-adventure title. The interesting main story revolves around three criminals whose lives intertwine as they pull jobs together and try to get the Government off their backs.
Whether you’re on a mission or in the open world, you can freely switch between the three characters that make up one of gaming’s best trios. Whoever you’re controlling, you’ll shoot, drive, and generally cause havoc in the parody of Los Angeles called Los Santos.
The Quarry
Supermassive Games’ Until Dawn never made it onto Xbox consoles, but its spiritual successor, The Quarry, has. In her review of the game, Jade King calls it “an excellent survival horror experience with a strong cast of characters and a startling horror narrative.” It revolves around a group of camp counselors whose departure from said camp is put on hold for an extra day due to car issues. So, they stay for one last night, but while doing so, they realize there is something horrific happening at the camp.
Like Until Dawn, it’s a narrative adventure-style title where gameplay involves interacting with things, passing quick-time events, and making decisions. Those decisions impact who lives and dies, so make your choices carefully.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition
The Witcher 3 was initially released long before the Xbox Series X|S was revealed to the world. Yet, CD Projekt RED was nice enough to release a complete edition for the new generation of consoles. This version comes with updated visuals and two amazing expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
They’re great, but the main selling point is the outstanding base game adventure that sees the famous Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, go on a mission to find his adoptive daughter, Ciri. It’s an epic tale that’s complemented well by a bunch of excellent side quests featuring their own exciting stories. Throughout it all, you use a mix of Witcher spells and sword-fighting techniques to battle the many guards and monsters you encounter in this fantasy RPG world.