These are the very best Xbox Series X|S games. The Xbox Series X|S is approaching six years old, and it’s built a huge library of great games. With so much to choose from, we’ve curated a selection of the very best Xbox Series X|S games to play right now. We regularly review these choices to ensure we stand by them as the best the Xbox Series X|S has to offer, so this still stands as our highest recommendation for the console. As 2026 continues, this should serve as a starting point for finding the absolute cream of the crop.
The future of Xbox is a more expansive brand than just a console, encompassing its suite of services like Xbox Game Pass. The subscription service has emerged as a major pillar for Microsoft, offering a vast rotating library of free games, including first-party releases. Whether you’re looking for something new to play via the Game Pass subscription service or need buying advice for your next full game purchase, this list of games will steer you in the right direction.
Most, but not all, of the games we’ve chosen are available on Xbox Game Pass. While the Series X boasts the best performance and visuals, the Series S also offers noticeable improvements and upscales to 4K. And lots can also be played on your Xbox One, either with Smart Delivery to optimize the experience or through Microsoft’s cloud-streaming tech for games that outpace the last generation.
If you’d rather catch up with some older, but still excellent games, be sure to read our picks for the best Xbox One games, or upgrade your gaming gear with our picks for the best Xbox controllers and best Xbox headsets. And while you’re at it, check out our best PS5 games, best PS4 games, and best Nintendo Switch games too.
007 First Light
IO Interactive being handed the keys to the James Bond franchise is what you’d call a match made in heaven. The studio has established itself as a powerhouse in open-world design and immersive gameplay, but with 007 First Light, IO proves that it knows how to tell a damn good story as well. Fusing its talent for creating intricate, elegantly designed levels with rock-solid fisticuffs and shooting gameplay, 007 First Light isn’t just a fantastic James Bond game; it’s the definitive origin story for the secret agent that we’ve been waiting decades for.
Read our 007 First Light Review.
Alan Wake 2
Remedy’s Alan Wake is a cult classic of the survival horror genre, and since then the studio has been building its own universe with story ties to other releases like Control. Alan Wake 2 is the sequel 13 years in the making, and it delivers. The story follows the author Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson through a mind-bending dual campaign. It leans more into horror than its predecessor and contains some truly unforgettable moments.
Read our Alan Wake 2 review.
Avowed
The studio behind The Outer Worlds has been busy. Not only is a sequel to its sci-fi RPG due later this year, but it delved back into a fantasy setting this year with Avowed as well. Obsidian’s latest doesn’t quite have as many deep and interlocking systems as similar-looking games like Fallout and Elder Scrolls, but it’s a refined take that lets you skip to the fun and customize your character’s combat to your liking. It’s some of the best first-person RPG combat around, and definitely worth a try on that basis alone. Plus it takes place in the Pillars of Eternity universe, helping flesh out that universe for fans.
Read our Avowed review.
Arc Raiders
One of the biggest hits of 2025, Arc Raiders isn’t just a well-designed extraction shooter. It’s also a game where the community has come together to craft stories and moments you won’t find anywhere else. The threat of being sniped by an opportunistic player is always present, but more often than not, you’ll find yourself engaged in missions and events that make for perfect chatter around the office cooler. It’s those constant surprises, unseen betrayals, and scrappy adventuring in a NASA-punk world that have helped propel Arc Raiders into the spotlight.
Read our Arc Raiders review.
Blue Prince
Blue Prince is an incredible puzzle adventure game that is bound to stay with you for a long time. As the inheritor of the stately Mount Holly manor, you are tasked with reaching the mysterious Room 46 in order to keep your new property. But this is no ordinary mansion, as the layout of rooms shifts every day. Each time you open a door you determine which room will be “drafted” on the other side, letting you create your own pathway. But as you learn more about the house, and how the rooms and their systems interact, you’ll learn there’s much more to Mount Holly than meets the eye.
Read our Blue Prince review.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Call of Duty series has been among the top sellers for years, but some CoD games are clearly better than others. This year’s iteration, Black Ops 6, is the best the series has been in some time. The campaign is a smart and varied action spectacle that keeps you on your toes as it explores paranoid thriller tropes set against global events in the 1990s. Meanwhile, the multiplayer’s new omni-movement makes matches feel fast and fluid, especially with the addition of inventive new maps that let you explore the space in a variety of ways. A revision to the perks system helps you specialize in interesting ways. Call of Duty has earned its reputation for a reason, and this latest release shows why. This is also the first year that the newest Call of Duty has been available on Game Pass at launch, so if you’re a subscriber to Xbox’s signature service you can hop right in.
Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign review and multiplayer review.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
There’s a lot to love about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, from its exquisite art direction through to its elegant marriage of turn-based RPG and souls-like influences, but one of the factors that makes it so mesmerizing is that it’s consistently satisfying to play. Whether you’re pumping your fist in delight after you execute a perfect series of parries or you’re reeling from the emotional rollercoaster of its story, Expedition 33 will keep your eyes glued to it whenever you boot it up to continue your journey across its beautiful world.
Read our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.
Denshattack
Few games are as capable of putting you in the zone–or making you scooch forward on your couch–like Denshattack is. It’s a high-energy rollercoaster that turns an on-rails experience into an extreme sports spectacle as you master its fluid gameplay, sweaty palms and all. More than that, it’s a throwback to classic Dreamcast and PS2-era titles like Jet Set Radio and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and each stage wastes no time in introducing new mechanics and hazards for you to brave along the way. Paired with a vibrant visual style and one of the best soundtracks of the year, it’s no wonder that Denshattack is an instant classic.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages is an intoxicating blast of unrelenting brutality. Once all the gears start meshing and you’ve built up an arsenal of weapons powerful enough to level the solar system, the game becomes an overpowerfantasy as you slam the metaphorical pedal to the death metal soundtrack and bulldoze your way through the worst that Hell can throw at you. The flow-state of combat keeps you perched forward on your couch–if you’ve fine-tuned the difficulty to nail the balance of power and challenge–and solid first-person action alongside mechanized warfare sweetens the over-the-top action you’ll gleefully throw the Doom Slayer into.
Read our Doom: The Dark Ages review.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
From Software’s Elden Ring is a masterpiece in open-world game design. With an absolutely massive world teeming with secrets, scenic vistas, and an almost overwhelming amount of activities to complete, Elden Ring was the defining game of 2022. Now the long-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been released, and it is once again an arresting and incredible action experience with seemingly boundless freedom to explore its massive landscape. Both the lore and the suite of gameplay opportunities have been greatly expanded, giving players new story details to explore and weapons to master. The combat is once again a challenge that will test even the most-experienced Tarnish to hone their skills and explore The Lands Between.
Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered is a prime example of how nostalgia remains one of the most powerful forces in existence. It’s also a new gold standard for what a remaster can be, as Bethesda Game Studios and Virtuos Studios have pulled out all the stops to improve on the original game and polish up some of its rougher spots, modernizing it for a new audience while making certain that enough of its signature jankiness has been kept intact. It’s a perfectly imperfect RPG adventure that looks better than ever.
Read our The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered review.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
It might have taken a while to finally land on Xbox, but the first chapter in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is still worth checking out. While it does suffer from unnecessary padding, this new spin on the beloved Final Fantasy 7 franchise is still a bold and exciting rewrite of what came before, and it also offers exciting gameplay alongside killer visuals.
Forza Horizon 6
UK-based developer Playground Games has been one of Microsoft’s best studios for over a decade now, and Forza Horizon 6 shows just how good the studio is at cracking out AAA system-sellers. Forza Horizon 6 doubles down on what makes the series stand out–hundreds of fast cars to collect, unique showdown races, and so much more–but this year’s entry in the franchise also feels like a love letter to the arcade racing genre. It’s a gorgeous tour across Japan and a celebration of car culture packed into an experience that constantly rewards you for putting the digital pedal to the metal.
Read our Forza Horizon 6 review.
Grounded
Obsidian has had a surprisingly quick output since being acquired by Microsoft, including dabbling in some unusual projects. Grounded isn’t the most off the beaten track that the studio has ventured–for that, see Pentiment below–but it’s also not exactly what we would have expected from the studio most famous for games like The Outer Worlds. This is a sandbox survival game that takes place entirely in a suburban backyard, a la Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. It spent some time in early access but has since launched as a full release, challenging players to build their miniature survival camp and take on massive spiders and other threats, all while unfurling a surprisingly rich narrative. While the studio has now released Grounded 2, sadly bugs and poor optimization prevent it from dethroning its predecessor.
Read our Grounded review.
Hades 2
The original Hades stood out from the pack with its polished gameplay and a narrative that organically tied into the overall experience of accumulating power across your underworld journey. Hades 2 does all that and more, polishing the unique gameplay systems of its predecessor to deliver an adventure full of breathtaking action and quirky Greek deities. At its core, Hades 2 still encapsulates everything that’s brilliant about roguelike games, as each run brings you one step closer to finally overcoming impossible odds. That gameplay loop feels better than ever in Hades 2, and its sharp writing, secrets, and opportunities to move the story forward will keep you coming back for more.
Read our Hades 2 review.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo: Campaign Evolved is proof that good design never goes out of style. Bungie’s first chapter in the storied Halo franchise was the stuff of legend, a game that served as the perfect excuse to grab an Xbox back in 2001. Fast-forward 25 years later, and the combo of heavily upgraded graphics, smart tweaks under the hood, and that classic run-and-gun gameplay makes for a nostalgic–but fresh–return to the Forerunner ring-world. It’s a time capsule of a game, but one that also feels surprisingly modern in all the right places.
Read our Halo: Campaign Evolved review.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been around since 2014, but Microsoft and 343 have slowly built it into a living monument to its most iconic franchise. Now not only does the MCC encompass the original three Halo games and a suite of multiplayer options that spans the entire series history, but also includes Halo 3 ODST, Halo 4, and the highly regarded Halo Reach. Altogether, it’s an incredible homage to one of gaming’s most storied franchises.
Hi-Fi Rush
After making its name on spooky games like Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within, Tango Gameworks surprised players with this bright and colorful rhythm-action game. Hi-Fi Rush stars Chai, a lovable loser who accidentally gets his MP3 player embedded in his chest during a cybernetic surgery, which also granted him a robotic limb. What follows is a character action game in the model of a Devil May Cry, but set to catchy tunes. The animated art style is particularly a standout, taking a cel-shaded look to a whole new level and blurring the line between cinematics and gameplay.
Read our Hi-Fi Rush review.
Hitman: World of Assassination
Given the prowess of IO Interactive’s first two entries in the World of Assassination trilogy, it’s not really a surprise that Hitman 3 was an exceedingly good conclusion to Agent 47’s latest arc. That said, Hitman 3 expanded on the foundation of its predecessors in some surprising ways. The game has since rebranded as “World of Assassination,” encompassing the full trilogy with added features.
New spins on the loop, including a delightful murder mystery level, make Hitman: World of Assassination feel fresh and inventive, too. In addition to tremendous level design and choice-driven gameplay, Hitman 3 does a better job of focusing on its story and the many lively NPCs that inhabit the sandbox-style levels. This is Hitman at its finest, though you should definitely play the entirety of the World of Assassination trilogy. You can also import the levels from Hitman and Hitman 2 and play them in one place with enhancements. The latest addition, the roguelike mode Freelancer, makes an already excellent game even better.
Read our Hitman 3 review.
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Hollow Knight: Silksong
It feels weird to live in a world where Hollow Knight: Silksong is a tangible reality, but there it is. Team Cherry’s sequel to the infamous Hollow Knight, Silksong dials up the action, the visuals, and the brutality. Whether you enjoy that likely depends on whether you enjoyed the first entry, but there’s no denying this is platforming perfection. With a gorgeous 2D art style and deep colours that sink into the screen with a decent OLED, Silksong looks beautiful in every frame. Similarly, it runs buttery smooth on the Series X, placing you so close to the action you nearly feel every hit.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones has had video game adaptations before, but MachineGames’ new game is the definitive take on the famous relic hunter. The story is rich and engaging and fits right in with some of Indy’s other great adventures. The character and worldbuilding help create a new original story set against the backdrop of Dr. Jones’ other classic adventures. And in fitting with the character’s improvisational style, the gameplay is a tightly designed clockwork of action, stealth, and immersive-sim elements. It’s also available on Game Pass, so subscribers can don their stylish fedoras for free.
Read our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review.
Kiln
If any studio could successfully pull off the idea of a pottery power fantasy, it would be Double Fine. The developer has been on a tear lately with recent releases like Psychonauts 2 and Keeper, and Kiln continues that trend with an imaginative brawler where you craft your very own ceramic warrior. Absurdly fun–and devastating when your newly glazed urn gets smashed–it’s a multiplayer game that revels in being silly. To paraphrase Australian comedy group Aunty Donna, it’s time to get in the Kiln, boys.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The sequel to the surprise hit 2018 Kingdom Come: Deliverance expands upon the original in just about every way. Sporting an emphasis on actually playing a role, combat and dialogue systems are layered to allow you loads of flexibility. The combat has been made more fluid with some smart streamlining, but not at the expense of the original KCD’s depth. And the quests are surprising stories in their own right, broadening the scope historical epic.
Read our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 review.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
One of Capcom’s newest games is also its newest franchise, a demon-slaying action game that blends tower-defense elements. You’ll purge demons, rescue villagers, and build traps in a setting and story inspired by Japanese folklore. It’s a combination of elements that can feel almost overwhelming, but learning how to manage the various demands at once, and how the systems feed into and enhance each other, makes a package that feels special.
See our Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess review.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
TT Games has built the best game since Rocksteady ended the Arkham saga in 2015, as Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight fully embraces the weird and wild world of the Caped Crusader. Sure, it’s a goofy spin on the Dark Knight’s greatest adventures, but it’s done in a manner that feels reverential to the source material, resulting in an adventure that’s easy to pick up and effortlessly charming. A victory lap for the world-famous vigilante, it’s full of style, substance, and plenty of good-natured laughs.
Read our Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight review.
Marathon
In 2026, launching a live-service extraction shooter feels like a heck of a gamble, considering just how big the graveyard has gotten for ambitious forever games. So far, it looks like Bungie’s return to its classic franchise has a strong future, as Marathon nails a risk-and-reward gameplay loop that feels consistently exciting. Since launch, the game has grown through new content and fine-tuning, with its high-level events being some of the best edge-of-your-seat content that Bungie has ever produced. It’s an intense game with breathtaking visuals, and we can’t wait to return to Tau Ceti IV for another run at fame and glory.
Read our Marathon review.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Persona series director Katsura Hashino has returned with his first new game since 2016, and it’s a fantastic one. Metaphor: ReFantazio is similar structurally to the Persona series, but it features a new original storyline set in a fantasy world, and a wide array of characters to find and classes to unlock. The turn-based RPG combat unfolds beautifully into deep layers of strategy, and the story is an affecting meditation on the power of storytelling. Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the few games in our history to earn a 10/10 review.
Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio review.
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Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator might just be your next big obsession. A graphical powerhouse with an astonishing attention to detail, you can set off on flights anywhere in the world, and customize your journey exactly as you like. Whether you want to sit back in auto and watch the world go by or press every single button over an (actual) eight-hour flight, Microsoft Flight Sim has a wealth of options, aircraft, and every location you can imagine. Plus, it has some amazing Halo content if you fancy getting a bit silly with it.
MLB The Show 25
MLB The Show 25 is the latest installment in the long-running baseball franchise, and once again it’s the next-best thing to hearing the crack of the bat in-person. Road to the Show has gotten significantly improved through a revised progression system. Small but noticeable adjustments to the free agent and defensive systems help further refine what was already a solid experience. And the latest season of the Negro Leagues Storyline mode helps delve into the history of America’s pasttime.
Read our MLB The Show 25 review.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
The main Monster Hunter series has experienced some incredible highs over the last couple of years, but the spin-off Monster Hunter Stories is pretty great too! Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection elevates the formula of the previous games, polishing its turn-based combat and monster-taming to a mirror sheen while also introducing some new gameplay ideas to the mix. Flashy visuals, high-energy combat, and a compelling story make for one of the best Monster Hunter games yet.
Read our Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection review.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
$70 | Releases March 13, 2026
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds is the next evolution of the classic action-RPG series. It streamlines numerous aspects of the game to remove or mitigate some areas of friction: Things like tracking monsters, eating meals, and traversal have been streamlined to varying degrees. Some of that may not sit well with Monster Hunter veterans, but the core gameplay loop of hunting monsters, crafting better gear, and then using that gear to hunt even more dangerous monsters remains as deeply satisfying as ever. A new approach to having a somewhat seamless open world removes some of the rigidity of the best for the better. It still may not be the friendliest game to newcomers, but what awaits those willing to invest the time is an experience that remains unrivaled.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
Already one of the best fighting games in recent memory, Mortal Kombat 11 is even more impressive on the powerful Xbox Series X hardware. Featuring 4K resolution and new visual flourishes, the gruesome action on screen is rendered in a ridiculous amount of detail. The base game already had an ample amount of content, including multiple single-player modes and competitive multiplayer. The Ultimate edition tosses in the Aftermath story expansion and Kombat packs including 12 additional fighters. Mortal Kombat 11 is one of those rare fighting games that balances solo and multiplayer content well, and it’s also the type of fighter that’s appealing to both casual players and die-hard fans alike.
Read our Mortal Kombat 11 review.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky, much like Sea of Thieves, has improved mightily since launch. Over the years, developer Hello Games has released steady and substantial updates that have brought the space exploration game closer to its original, ambitious vision. No Man’s Sky now features far more tangible activities, including base-building and even racing vehicles across tracks in multiplayer. No Man’s Sky’s next-gen update allows the game to run in 4K at 60fps. The performance enhancements also extend to lighting and shadows, which makes each of the randomly generated planets look even more detailed and alive. No Man’s Sky is on Xbox Game Pass, so subscribers should absolutely check it out to see if they enjoy its loop.
Read our No Man’s Sky Next review.
Octopath Traveler 0
In a year where the majority of high-profile RPGs were either remakes or remasters, Octopath Traveler 0 was a breath of fresh air. Granted, it is a console adaptation of the mobile game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, but there’s more than enough new content and upgrades to make it stand apart from the free-to-play game. The excellent combat system, combined with the charming HD-2D visuals, episodic storytelling, and relaxing townbuilding, makes for a deep game that can keep you entertained for an absurd number of hours.
Read our Octopath Traveler 0 review.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a gorgeous platformer from Moon Studios that truly benefits from the power of the Xbox Series X. The stirring sequel runs in 4K at 120fps and supports HDR. Since Ori and the Will of the Wisps is filled with evocative, colorful settings and fast-paced platforming sequences, the boost in performance makes the already stellar experience even better. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is more of an action-platformer than its predecessor and introduces a number of new moves to employ in combat against enemies both big and small. The sprawling map is deftly designed to force you to make full use of Ori’s expanded arsenal, which creates a more dynamic and satisfying adventure. If you haven’t played Ori and the Blind Forest, you should play that first to get the full emotional weight of the understated but profound tale. Both games are available in the Xbox Game Pass library.
Read our Ori and the Will of the Wisps review.
Pentiment
Like Grounded, Pentiment is another example of Obsidian exploring new ground, and this adventure game certainly isn’t your typical big-budget blockbuster. You play as Andreas Maler, a 16th century illuminator who becomes caught up in the mystery of a murder at an Abby. The game unfolds over the course of decades as you see how layers of history are built on top of each other, building toward a stirring conclusion. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever played before.
Read our Pentiment review.
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A Plague Tale: Requiem
Escaping the Black Death doesn’t sound like a huge pile of fun, but A Plague Tale: Requiem manages to deliver a gripping narrative with dark themes and some truly grotesque mechanics. Expect rats. Lots of rats. However, whether it’s the engagingly tense stealth gameplay or the macabre world itself, there is something so riveting about this sequel. If you own an Xbox Series X, you can expect great performance, even with hordes of rodents doing your bidding.
Pragmata
Pragmata is one of this year’s best surprises, a completely original IP that mixes rock-solid gameplay with earnest storytelling and gorgeous graphics. Not just a one-trick pony with its engaging hack-and-shoot gameplay, Capcom’s new release is a heartfelt story that’s short and sweet. The gameplay-first design and subtle metroidvania influences make for a special experience, with Hugh and Diana’s relationship being the glue that holds it all together.
Read our Pragmata review.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia is known for being a precise and influential platformer series, but this latest entry makes it feel right at home in the metroidvania genre. The new direction fits the series like a glove, allowing Ubisoft to combine exploring a wide and varied map with series-favorite elements like precise platforming and tough combat challenges.
Breaking with tradition, you don’t play as the prince himself, but rather a member of his royal guard dispatched to save him from a betrayal within your ranks. The story that follows takes a few narrative shortcuts and can feel muddy, but it hints at a well-realized world full of mystery and magic. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of the best new metroidvania games in years, and will likely serve as a template for others to follow.
Read our Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review.
Psychonauts 2
Remarkably, Psychonauts 2 is even better than its predecessor. After suffering multiple delays, Psychonauts 2 released over the summer to critical acclaim. The return to the psychic camp for kids was long overdue, and Double Fine made the most of this sequel. It retains the humor and charming storytelling of the original while refining the platforming gameplay and upping the psychedelic nature of the levels. From a gameplay perspective, Psychonauts 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, both when traversing the levels and fighting baddies in combat. Where Psychonauts 2 really shines, however, is in its portrayal of its characters. Revolving around empathy and growth, Psychonauts 2 has an impactful message. It’s easily one of Double Fine’s best games, and you can play it on Xbox Game Pass.
Read our Psychonauts 2 review.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 was already considered one of the greatest action horror games of all time, and as a result it had been ported to other platforms countless times since release. After successful remakes of the previous games, expectations were set high for an RE4 remake, and Capcom delivered. This isn’t just the best Resident Evil 4 has ever looked, it’s also a beautifully refined take on the modern classic. It revises just enough to modernize and smooth out any rough edges while remaining utterly recognizable, and then builds new challenges on top of that to test even the most experienced players. It’s a true testament to the enduring quality of Resident Evil 4.
Read our Resident Evil 4 review.
Resident Evil Requiem
A love letter to its survival-horror and survival-action eras, Resident Evil Requiem is the best of both worlds. One half of the game is pure fight-or-flight fun as you encounter a new breed of bioterrorism, the second is a beautifully balanced surge of adrenaline as you shoot, hack, and roundhouse kick your way to victory. With 2026 marking the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil, Requiem shines as a perfect tribute to Capcom’s long-running franchise.
Read our Resident Evil Requiem review.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves has come a long way since launching in 2018. Rare has turned Sea of Thieves from a somewhat shallow pirate adventure into a swashbuckling success thanks to steady updates that have drastically overhauled the experience. Most importantly, Sea of Thieves now has an abundance of content, ranging from story missions to skeleton fleet hunts and much more. With better systems and more tangible rewards at stake, the core Sea of Thieves experience is more satisfying. On the next-gen consoles, Sea of Thieves runs at a smooth 60fps in 4K on Series X and in 1080p on Series S. The reduced load times on both consoles really help limit interruptions during your voyage, too. Sea of Thieves is well-worth diving into on Xbox Series X, and it’s available on Game Pass.
Read our Sea of Thieves review.
South of Midnight
The weakest part of South of Midnight is undoubtedly its passable gameplay, but fortunately, everything else about this Southern Gothic adventure helps to elevate the experience. With an emotional story at its core, fascinating folklore to explore, a strong art direction, and one of the best soundtracks of the year, it’s a charming and atmospheric game to check out.
Read our South of Midnight review.
Split Fiction
Split Fiction is Hazelight’s first game since It Takes Two, and it carries itself with the same spirit of constant reinvention. As dual authors whose worlds get a high-tech merging, you have to navigate through smashed-up fantasy and sci-fi environments while constantly dealing with new challenges that will have you laughing alongside your co-op partner. Hazelight already gained its reputation as a premiere co-op studio and this just further cements it.
Read our Split Fiction review.
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Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
If you have already played Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, just know that Jedi: Survivor is a fantastic sequel that builds on every strength. Cal Kestis’ fight against the Empire is a blast, and lightsaber-swinging gameplay feels phenomenal. Here, the Star Wars universe also feels lived in and palpable. On Xbox Series X, an already gorgeous game looks and runs like a dream. A white knuckle ride steeped in Star Wars lore, the Force is definitely with Jedi: Survivor.
The Talos Principle 2
The Talos Principle 2 expands and builds upon everything that made the cult debut memorable. The first-person puzzle game has you slowly peel back the layers of the world as you learn more about the web of mysteries at its heart, while also raising fascinating philosophical questions. This is a game that uses the medium to explore heady topics, and it’s unlike anything else.
Read our Talos Principle 2 review.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris Effect: Connected is magical on Xbox Series X. With 4K resolution and up to 120 fps, the particle effects that are so integral to Tetris Effect’s presentation are even more detailed and stunning. Beyond the enhancements, Tetris Effect: Connected is just a delightfully inventive take on the best puzzle game ever made. It turns Tetris into an all-encompassing visual and audio experience thanks to an explosion of colors seen both in and outside the grid and the reactive tunes that will have you nodding along to the beat. In addition to an already great stable of modes, the Connected edition comes with great cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes to play locally or online. It’s a relaxing experience, and one that’s perfect to play for short spurts over the course of months (or even years).
Read our Tetris Effect Connected review.
Vampire Crawlers
“Just one more turn, one more run,” you’ll tell yourself as Vampire Crawlers puts your attention span in an iron grip. Just like Vampire Survivors, Vampire Crawlers is a masterclass in offering approachable gameplay–this time in the form of a roguelike deckbuilder–and then subtly adding new layers of complexity as you become more invested in it. But what really makes Vampire Crawlers the best excuse to stay up until 3 AM awash in the glow of your TV is how it makes every action feel satisfying. Once you master the art of combos and deckbuilding, you won’t want to put this pixel-perfect dungeon-crawler down.
Read our Vampire Crawlers review.
Wax Heads
We mustn’t dwell. No, not today…not on Wax Heads day! Papers, Please meets Empire Records, Wax Heads is a treat for any fan of music crafted by real human beings. Not just a cozy puzzle game that asks you to learn more about your customers, Wax Heads is also a statement against an entertainment industry that will cut any corner possible to make an extra buck, especially when it involves using AI to replace people with bland and soulless music.
