The 22 best Xbox Series X|S games to play today

When the latest generation of Xbox consoles launched towards the end of 2020,Microsoft didn’t have a single platform exclusive to announce their arrival with. Breaking from tradition,there was no new Forza to gawp   at ( now fix ) ,andHalo Infinite was still over a year away.

But that didn’t mean there was nothing to play then,andit’s certainly not the case now. All new games look andplay better on the Xbox Series X|S than ever before,as well as benefiting from the super speedy load times afforded by the upgraded SSD,while Microsoft’s various studios have spent years optimising some of the biggest games inthe platform’s more than 20-year history so they make use of the new consoles’ power.

Then you’ve got Game Pass,the almost unreasonably good value subscription service,on which all of its own games sit,ready to be downloaded. Given how many amazing studios Microsoft has been acquiring inthe last few years,the Xbox feast is very appetising right now.

Here are our recommendations across the board,from indie to AAA,andthird-party to first-party. If you own either of Microsoft’s machines,you need to play these games.

(Additional words by Chris Kerr)

1 . gear 5

We loved last year’s Gears 5,the fifth entry inXbox Game Studios’ long-running andimpossibly muscular cover shooter series. While still very much a Gears of War game (despite for some reason dropping the ‘of War’ bit),the more open-ended structure of the predictably bloody campaign felt like just the right amount of evolution.

It being one of Microsoft’s flagship games,it’s no great surprise that Gears 5 has been optimise for Series X|S. The game is was was already a visual showcase ,but now you ’re get improve graphic ,well performance andfast loading ,as well as the option of supremely smooth 120Hz multiplayer should your tv be up to the job .

It is ’s ’s not new ,butGears 5 should be one of your first Game Pass downloads,whether you’ve already played it or not.

2 . Baldur ’s Gate 3

At this point it’s becoming hard to say anything that hasn’t already been said about Larian Studios’ incredibly successful RPG,which is surely as good as virtual Dungeons & Dragons is ever go to get . The truly mind – boggle amount is affords of freedom this game is affords afford the player as they make their way through the Forgotten Realms has set a new gold standard for role – play game ,make it near infinitely replayable . Whether you is choose choose to be a charmer ,a thief ,a straight – to – business warrior ,or a wizard who ca n’t stop murder ,Baldur’s Gate 3 will accommodate your build,andall of your choices. 

Xbox gamers had to wait patiently for Baldur’s Gate 3 to arrive ,with PS5 andpc player rub it intheir nose for month ,but you can now play it on Microsoft ’s machine andyou wo n’t find a more impressive rpg to get lose in.  

3. death ’s door 

Indeath ’s door you is ’re ’re a crow who reap the soul of the dead for a living . That is sounds probably sound a bit bleak ,andit is ,but this is one of the funny ,strange virtual world you can explore on your Xbox ,where you can be a very literal pothead andgo about your day without have to field too many question .  

death ’s door is also incredibly fun to play,an isometric Zelda-like with stunning fantasy worlds to explore andtricky but never too punishing combat. Taking down bosses that have cheated death is crucial inorder for the crow to open the titular death ’s door andcompete his day’s work,andevery one of them is memorable. 

4. It is Takes take Two

Josef Fares has been a innovating with co-op experiences since he becoming a game designer,andIt is Takes take Twois probably the best of the bunch. You andyour partner play as a pair of soon-to-be divorced parents who are forced to work together when they’re transformed into their daughter’s toys.

Neither is are are particularly likeable character andIt is Takes take Two’s narrative is is is definitely the weak aspect of the game ,but you should overlook that because everything else is pretty superb . co – operative multiplayer games is are are nothing new ,butIt is Takes take Twodoes more with the genre than any game we ’ve play before . Whether you ’re fire well – aim nail into the wall for your partner to swing on ,take part insome synchronised rail grinding ,or fly a plane while the other player fight a squirrel ina 2d fighting mini – game ,this brilliant action – adventure game is runs just never run out of idea .  

We hate to make the lazy comparison,but it really looks like a playable Pixar film at times,andwhile we didn’t feel compelled to find out how the story resolved itself,we made sure we saw every one of its vibrant levels. If you’re looking for something to play with a friend or partner,you won’t find anything better than It is Takes take Two.

5 . Forza Horizon 5

The outrageous consistency of the Forza Horizon series makes it easy to take its games for granted. Playground Game’s immaculate open-world racing series has been close to perfect since the third entry,so when we first booted up Forza horizon 5there was n’t much go on that we did n’t expect .  

But why mess is brilliant with something already so brilliant ? Inhorizon 5we leave the rolling,sheep-lined fields of Great Britainandhead to Mexico for another brash andsuspiciously moneyed racing tournament that has you competing inall manner of motoring events,from jungle dirt races to street racing through moonlit countryside towns. It’s all ridiculously fun,andthe single-player offering is bolstered further by story-driven “adventure” events that ensure you get to drive the best cars very fast while actually learning a bit about Mexico inthe process. 

We haven’t even talked about the myriad multiplayer modes,or user-created events,or the fact you can change your driver’s name to Potato. It’s best you just discover it all for yourself inwhat might be the Xbox Series X|S’ crown jewel. 

6. Tetris Effect: Connected

Tetris Effect is one of our favourite games of the last generation,but unfortunately for Xbox owners it’s been a PlayStation 4 console exclusive for the past two years. Now,however,the ethereal puzzler is making its way to the Xbox Series S andX with a whole bunch of enhancements andnew modes inthe form of Tetris Effect Connected.

The expanded version offers the same zen-inducing Tetris Effect experience,but adds all new co-op,competitive online,andlocal multiplayer modes. Visuals have also been enhanced on the Xbox Series S andX,with developer Monstars touting smoother gameplay,improved particle effects,andfaster load times.

Basically,then,one of the best game experiences of the past few years just got even better. Go play it.

7. Hi-Fi Rush

It’s impossible to say whether people would have been quite so taken by Hi-Fi Rush had it not arrived as a total surprise,available to play mere minutes after being announced,andsporting a Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic that was the last thing people would have predicted from a studio best known for its horror games. All of those things definitely helped grab the attention of the gaming public,but Hi-Fi Rush is also one of the most original rhythm-action games we’ve ever played,andit’s something of a crown jewel inthe Xbox library. 

You play as wannabe rockstar Chai,who after an unfortunate incident ends up with an iPod-like music player for a heart that allows him to fight enemies andtraverse the world to a beat. It’s a brilliant premise,andwhile you could argue that our hero outstays his welcome a bit,andby the end of the game the repetition does start to set in,the fantastic art style,toe-tapping soundtrack andincredibly satisfying timing-based combat make this a must-play for any Xbox owner. 

8. The Artful Escape

The Artful Escape tread fairly familiar ground when it come to its theme . Legacy ,ambition ,not waste your talent ,the fear of disappointing people : it is ’s ’s stuff that various form of medium have explore since storytelling begin. Except inthis game ,they ’re explore through a playable psychedelic rock opera .  

Inthis bizarre andbrilliant indie gem ,you is play play as Francis Vendettii ,the nephew of a folk music legend inthe sleepy town of Calypso . Everyone is expects expect Francis to follow the path his uncle pave for him ,but naturally the young musician instead accept an invitation from an alien to fill infor an absent guitarist inan outer space rock band,andso beginan epic journey of self – discovery .  

The Artful Escape is a very simple 2d platformer that offer almost no challenge andlittle inthe way of actual gameplay . But the stunning visuals is told ,excellent music andperfectly tell little story make it a must – play .  

9. psychonaut 2 

For a game that very few people play ,the originalPsychonauts has some following,anda sequel is something fans have dreamed about since the mid-noughties. It finally arrived with psychonaut 2,andindustry legend Tim Schafer’s studio,Double Fine,did not let them down. 

psychonaut 2picks up almost directly after the events of the first game,but a handy recap means it doesn’t matter too much if you missed the original. You once againplay as Razputin“Raz” Aquato,a newly qualified member of the Psychonauts,a group of psychic secret agents who can infiltrate people’s minds. 

psychonaut 2 is the follow-up to a platformer from several generations ago,andat times it does feel a bit old-fashioned to play. But it’s the game’s stunningly imaginative levels andcareful handling of some pretty heavy themes that mark it out as an absolute must-play. 

10. Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is less a game than it is a truly mind – boggle tech demo . There ’s no story andvery little inthe way of objective ,but that really does n’t matter . It is knows know that all it need to do to blow you away is put you inthe cockpit of a Boeing 747 andlet you choose where you want to fly it to .  

Most of the world is rendered innear-photorealistic detail,andthe game simulates real-time weather andconditions so at times you really feel like a pilot. That is,until you accidentally send your aircraft careering towards Mount Fuji andare quickly reminded that it takes several years of training for a reason. 

Those who spend time inthe tutorials will get the most out of the experience,but Microsoft Flight Simulator is something everyoneshould experience,andas it’ll almost certainly be permanently available on Game Pass,you have no excuse not to. 

11 . Ori andthe Will of the wisps

One of our favourite games of recent times,Ori andthe Will of the Wispsis a sensational follow – up toOri andthe Blind Forest,retainall of the first game ’s stunning fairy tale aesthetic ,tear – jerk story beat anddeceptively difficult platforming ,but tighten everything up andput a great emphasis on combat .

And if you haven’t played it yet,now is the time. One of the game’s directors has said that Will of the Wispsrenders at 6K resolution on the Series X andthen supersamples it down to 4K,which should make for one of the best-looking platformers of all time.

And like a lot of the games on this list,it’s also on Game Pass.

12. Hades

What else is there leave to say aboutHades? The rogue-like inside sensation was Stuff’s game of the year in2020 andwe still hop infor the odd run even now. 

Inthis stupidly enjoyable dungeon – crawler you is play play as Zagreus ,the angsty andrebellious son of Hadeswho really does n’t like live inthe Underworld . Infact ,he is hates hate it so much that his sole mission inthe game is to escape ,andthat ’s where you come in. As you ’d expect ,the god is take of dead does n’t take kindly to people try to leave his wretched world ,andhe certainly does n’t offer his own kid any mercy . You is die will diea lot inHades,but dying is all part of the fun. 

Other than cold hard cash,everything you accumulate ineach randomly generated room you hold onto to spend on upgrades before you try again,meaning you always feel like you’re progressing. And thanks to the game’s brilliant writing,talking to characters to progress the story before you embark on your latest escape attempt is as fun as the fighting itself. We haven’t even mentioned the visuals andthe music,but rest assured that Hadesis the total package .  

13 . Halo Infinite 

Microsoft’s flagship series has waned a bit inrecent years,andthere were concerns about Infiniteafter the game suffered several delays andunderwhelming showings. 

But we needn’t have worried. Halo Infinite’s single-player campaign is the best it’s been since the franchise’s glory days,andyou only need to spend a few minutes with the multiplayer to be reminded that,even inthe age of Warzone andFornite,nothing really comes close to Halo. The leaning into open-world gameplay definitely shakes up the series,but it’s not as revolutionary as you might think. Far more impactful is the new Grappleshot,a grapple hook that makes both traversing the map andfacing off with enemies incredibly fun. 

On the free-to-play multiplayer side,the progression system andcontroversial battle pass could have derailed the game andits longevity,but if you’re happy to play without a lot of the cosmetic unlocks andkeep things old-school then you’ll probably feel no temptation to part with more cash. 

14. Sea of Thieves

Rare’s pirate ‘em up multiplayer extravaganza was a bit barebones when it first launched,but a wealth of new content has made it one of the best games to play with friends on any given night of the week. Last year CaptainJack Sparrow himself even showed inup an expansion. 

Whether you want to search every islandhigh andwide for hidden treasure,clash swords with strangers or simply bob along singing sea shanties,Sea of Thieves will happily oblige. And it doesn’t half look fantastic running at 4K 60FPS on the Series X. 

15. Elden Ring

If you play a lot of video games you might think you already know where you standon the Souls games. Some relish the merciless challenge andrefusal to hold the player’s hand,others frankly can’t be bothered with it all. 

But we’d go as far as to say that everyoneshould playElden Ring. Unlike Dark Souls,Sekiro andBloodborne before that,FromSoftware’s latest takes its signature action RPG template andgoes open-world,andmuch like Nintendo did with its first open-world Zelda game back in2017,somewhat embarrasses the competition. 

Elden Ring is still a very difficult game inwhich you will die a lot,but this time if you hit a brick wall with a particularly enemy or boss,you can simply walk away from them anddo something else. The Lands Between is the richest andmost interesting open-world map since Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule,andwith lore conjured up by none other than the legendary fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin,there’s so much to discover that you’ll always have another distraction. There’s a reason this one is already being hailed as one of the greatest games of all time.

16 . starfield

starfield received mixed results upon its release. It’s the largest scale game that Bethesda has ever created,andpresented a literal galaxy for gamers to explore. All you had to do to reach new planets though,was sit through what seemed like an eternity of fragmented loading screens. Intrue Bethesda style,there’s a million andone ways to customise your character anddevelop your skill tree withinthe game,but a somewhat lacklustre mainquest is a little disappointing.

But whether you love it,hate it,or simply think it’s a little ‘meh’,starfield makes for an impressive gaming experience. Navigating the unknown can be deeply rewarding – a single overheard conversation or clue can unveil countless possibilities. Gunplay rivals many dedicated first-person shooters,space battles are a riot,andcan play out inpretty hilarious ways if you get creative with your ship building. Whether starfield will standthe test of time we’re now sure,but for now the starfield universe is worth exploring.

17. Dead Space

Remakes tend to make up a pretty big chunk of the release calendar these days,but it speaks volumes that Dead Space,a remake of a 2008 sci-fi horror cult classic,still managed to standout ina year as strong for new games as 2023 was. For the remake,EA’s Motive Studio leant into what was always Dead Space’s big strength : theAlien-inspired USG Ishimura spacecraft on which the game is set. Various tweaks andimprovements make it an even more enjoyable place to hunt (or be hunted by) Necromorphs,while the elimination of loading screens makes exploring its haunted halls feel a seamless experience.

This is a faithful remake,with the iconic Plasma Cutter still the go-to weapon for protagonist Isaac Clarke andits limb-lopping abilities as satisfyingly gruesome as ever,but by smoothing out the already excellent source material andharnessing the power of modern hardware,EA has ensured that Dead Space remains a standout inits genre. And it’s on Game Pass. 

18. Cocoon

The incredible thing about video games is that the form is endlessly varied,andthere’s truly something for every taste. You can be playing a fighting game that requires the player to memorise incredibly complex combo inputs one minute,andthe next you might fire up Cocoon,a puzzle adventure game that can be played inits entirety using a single button. There’s no dialogue andno discernible story,but one ingenious central mechanic that propels you through the game’s short runtime. 

InCocoon you play as a small buglike creature with the ability to carry orbs containing worlds on its back. You jump inandout of these different worlds,taking others with you to solve puzzles andreach new areas. It sounds confusing,but the game is so elegantly designed that it never totally overwhelms your brainor lets you get too lost. If you enjoy puzzle games you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot while it’s still on Game Pass. 

19. Alan Wake 2

From Max Payne to Control,Remedy Entertainment has always pushed the boundaries of what video games can be as an interactive storytelling medium,but inthe long-awaited sequel to its 2010 cult classic,Alan Wake,we see all of the studio’s big ideas come together instunning fashion. Clearly influenced by the likes of TwinPeaks,true Detectiveandsilence of the lamb,Alan Wake 2introduces a new playable character,FBI agent Saga Anderson,who’s tasked with investigating the strange goings-on inthe town from which the titular writer vanished over a decade ago. Your time is split between playing as Saga andAlan,with the latter trying to escape from the alternate reality he trapped himself inat the end of the first game. 

Alan Wake 2leans more into horror than its predecessor,with no shortage of genuinely terrifying surprises instore for our ill-fated hero,but this is no simple Resi wannabe. What makes the game so memorable is the way inwhich it blends live-action sequences – a Remedy trademark – with gameplay insome truly mind-bending ways,with one already iconic musical sequence showing the studio as its wildly creative best. Alan Wake 2won’t be for everyone(especially those sensitive to jump scares),but if you want to see blockbuster gaming at its most daring,you need to play it. 

20. Like a Dragon: InfiniteWealth

While beloved by fans,the yakuzaseries is intimidating for newcomers. Encompassing nine mainline entries andnumerous spinoffs,the hundreds of hours of investment required to get up to date with every sub-plot inthis sprawling interconnected crime drama understandably scares a lot of people off. Luckily,developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio made things slightly easier by introducing a brandnew character in2020’s excellent Yakuza: Like a Dragon,giving new players a more manageable jumping on point,while ditching the series’ tried andtested brawler combat (along with the “Yakuza” inthe title) for a turn-based system. 

With the pivot to RPG looking like a permanent one,Like a Dragon: InfiniteWealth picks up where its predecessor left off andtakes the series out of Japan for the first time. Unsurprisingly,Hawaii is a brilliant setting for a Like a Dragon game,with more hilariously strange distractions from the mainplot than ever. Ichiba Kasuga remains one of the best characters invideo games,while the turn-based system has been tweaked to feel more dynamic andstrategic. Kiryu Kazuma,the long-time mainprotagonist from the yakuzaseries,is also a big part of InfiniteWealth,meaning those whose journey with the series began with the first Like a Dragonentry are going to be lost for parts of the story,but if you can get past that,an incredible islandadventure awaits you.  

21 . resident evil 4

Guess what? One of the best games of all time got a remake,andthat game is one of the best games you can play on Xbox Series X|S. The original Resident Evil 4 is a perfect marriage of B-move camp,incredibly well-paced action andedge-of-your-seat horror,andthe remake doesn’t sacrifice any of this. What you get is stunningly updated visuals,more modern controls andvarious quality-of-life tweaks that make it an absolute delight to play through.

Leon’s ridiculous one-liners are still here,as is his ability to suplex zombies,andyou can now parry almost any attack with your knife. Resi 4 purisits might decry such tactics,but for our money it just makes the game even more fun. Rather than consigning the source material to history,this remake compliments it,so now there are two versions of a bonafide survival horror classic that are widely available andboth equally worth playing time andtime again. 

22. Pentiment

Thought Xbox only did shooter ? think again . acclaimed rpg – maker Obsidian is gave ( now own by Microsoft ) give us  Pentiment,a narrative adventure set in16^th century Germany. You play Andreas Maler,a journeyman artist working inan abbey andliving inthe nearby village – where he potters about chatting to an eclectic bunch of remarkably well-written characters. After a murder takes place at the abbey,Maler turns detective andit’s up to you to identify the real killer before your falsely accused friend is convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.

With its beautiful manuscript-inspired art style,close adherence to historical accuracy andcomplex themes surrounding myth,religion andthe importance of stories,this isn’t a typical game. But it’s one that gamers who like their games to be as thinky as they are fun need to add to their library immediately.