The Best Xbox Series X|S Games Of All Time

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.

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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 on November 21, by Ben Jessey: Every year, more and more games are released for the Xbox Series X|S. By this point, the platform has acquired an impressive catalog. We’ve made this list to highlight the ones most deserving of your attention. In this update, we’ve added a few more to the collection.

16 It Takes Two

The Xbox Series X|S is home to some fantastic co-op games. Few are as creative and clever as It Takes Two. It’s hard to pin down what genre it really fits into. This is because the game continually changes up mechanics for each level, which is why reviewer Kirk McKeand called it “the most varied game I have ever played.”

This sounds like it could be confusing, but the switch-up of mechanics is always done seamlessly and is well explained. Most of all, though, each new mechanic is fun, and the cooperative play is brilliant. That would be enough for any game to be great, but this title also offers a surprisingly deep story and beautiful visuals.

15 Hitman: World Of Assassination

The game formally known as Hitman 3 is now Hitman: World of Assassination, which not only includes the levels from the third reboot game but also the previous two. So, it’s jam-packed with content. This wouldn’t mean much if the core gameplay experience was weak. Thankfully, it’s one of the best stealth games on the console.

Part of the reason is the diverse and open levels that allow you to go about your business (aka killing people) how you see fit. The game also contains a high level of detail and an impressive amount of replayability. So, to put it simply, it’s classic Hitman, and Kirk McKeand says in their review it’s “an outstanding refinement of that unique 21-year-old recipe.”

14 Alan Wake 2

Reviewer Jade King says Alan Wake 2 “Easily stands alongside the giants of the [survival horror] genre, and often surpasses them.” This could be considered surprising as Remedy doesn’t typically go full-on survival horror for their titles. But Alan Wake 2 certainly fits into the genre as it has plenty of spooky and unnerving moments. Yet, the game also has humor, great storytelling, and plenty of wackiness.

The story follows two people. The titular character is naturally one of them, and he’s stuck in a creepy and surreal reality called The Dark Place. Also along for the ride is the detective, Saga Anderson, who is investigating a murder in the strange town of Bright Falls. Throughout the game, you battle Alan Wake’s own sanity as well as some dangerous shadow monsters.

13 Persona 5 Royal

The original Persona 5 wasn’t released on the Xbox Series X|S, but the not-quite-remake Persona 5 Royal was, and it was worth the wait. The title is one of the most creative and original you will ever play. The narrative revolves around a vigilante group of teens who intend to ‘change the hearts’ of evil adults by going into a special realm. It sounds complex, but the game explains the concept well.

Each evil adult you target has their own palace built from their subconscious. You explore them and take part in exciting turn-based battles in the process. When you’re not inside these strange places, the game turns into a life simulator. Both parts of the game are interesting and engaging. All of it makes reviewer Santi Leguiza say that Royal is “as immaculate as it was years ago—a masterful port of a masterpiece.”

12 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

As a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continued the simple yet gripping tale of Ori in this beautifully stunning Metroidvania. If you never played the original, then of course that is the go-to, but if you have, then the follow-up is perfect for fans who enjoyed the game.

A new adventure in a new land, and with a new friend, Ori and the Will of the Wisps will keep you enamored for the entire journey. Jamie Latour said it is “undeniably a captivating, marvelous game” in their review.

11 Hi-Fi Rush

One that many may not have heard of, or at least seen it pop up on Game Pass and then never tried it, Hi-Fi Rush is an incredibly stylish and action-packed rhythm game that is worth playing. If you want to jump into something simple that’ll keep you entertained for a while, you can’t go wrong here – and, as mentioned, it launched on Game Pass, too, so it’s completely accessible if you are on the fence.

It stands out well amongst the many games available, and easily takes its place as one of the best games to play on Xbox Series X|S. One of the most memorable? Perhaps not. One of the most fun? Absolutely.

10 Psychonauts 2

The follow-up to the classic platformer on the original Xbox, Psychonauts 2 continues the adventures of Raz as he works as a Psychonaut, delving into people’s minds and attempting to stop a conspiracy within the organization.

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As a platformer that harkens back to the days of early 3D video games, Psychonauts 2 blends nostalgia with modern capabilities to create a worthwhile experience. Reviewer George Foster says it “is leaps and bounds ahead of the original game in pretty much every way.” Even if you haven’t played the first game (which is playable on Series X with Backwards Compatibility), this game is absolutely worth the time.

9 Sea Of Thieves

If you’ve ever felt the urge to leave landlubbing life behind and take to the seas, but you don’t have the slightest bit of knowledge, funds, or realistic desire to actually do so… well, that’s where Sea of Thieves comes in. Or, you know, if you just want to be a pirate for a bit.

Play solo, or with a crew of friends or strangers, and head out on your ship as you seek treasure and riches. Beware of other players though, as they might try to take your treasure. Or they might just attack you for fun. Either way, with ongoing content, Sea of Thieves is one of the best games to play on Xbox Series X|S, and one of the best multiplayer games on the console.

8 Immortality

An interesting game that varies from most others, Immortality is an interactive movie video game. A movie star who was featured in three unreleased films goes missing, and you must investigate the case, with a unique take on found footage revealing the story as you piece it together.

Manipulate clips from the movies, TV shows, and interviews involving the star, and eventually, you’ll begin to understand what’s really going on. It’s an impressive and entertaining mystery game you can get completely enveloped in, and definitely worth playing on Xbox Series X|S.

7 Death’s Door

Taking the role of a grim reaper, Death’s Door takes the afterlife and makes it a whole lot cuter. As a collector of souls, you play as a little crow who must venture into a land untouched by death in order to get back the soul that was stolen from you.

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This is a cute little isometric game that takes after games such as The Legend of Zelda and Titan Souls, offering up some fun combat and intriguing puzzles. Earn new abilities and make your way through each region as you fight to achieve your goal – it’s a game that is worthy of most players’ time.

6 Microsoft Flight Simulator

This one can be fun for many reasons, but regardless, Microsoft Flight Simulator is a fantastic game. You might have a genuine interest in the piloting profession and wish to explore that; you might want to glide through the skies as you destress after a day at work; or, you may just want to find your own house before accidentally crashing into a bunch of structures around the world.

Using the globe and 3D maps as the game map, you can travel anywhere in the world via a selection of vehicles, large and small. Whether you’re flying a helicopter over the skies of LA, or in a Boeing going from one side of the world to the other, “there’s a feeling of freedom that you don’t really get with any other game,” according to reviewer, Dave Aubrey.

5 Deathloop

Stuck in a time loop and forced to repeat the same day over and over again, Deathloop sees you play as Colt Vahn as he attempts to end this cycle that he’s trapped in. On a small island with radical figures, he must take them all down in a single day before everything resets – or die trying, and it’ll reset anyway.

With a changing world that will adjust depending on the order of events and how you handle things, this is one big puzzle game as you make your way through each mission. To make matters worse, you will be hunted by Julianna, which will either be AI or can be controlled by other players invading your game online. In Kirk Mckeand’s review, he says Julianna “completely alters how you approach levels,” so she adds another wrinkle to the whole experience.

4 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice sees us follow the journey of Senua, a young girl that suffers from Psychosis, as she travels realms of Norse Mythology and battles foes and gods in an attempt to revive her lost love.

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To represent Senua’s condition, you’ll hear various voices throughout the course of the game, which is represented incredibly well to make you on edge and uncomfortable. Also, the more you die, the more Senua suffers from a physical affliction – die too many times, and the game will end. It can be a challenge, but is a fantastic look into love, loss, and how Senua deals with everything she has gone through and continues to go through.

3 Grounded

Many games will make you realize just how big the world is, but Grounded takes that a step further. In this survival game, you (and some friends) will play as kids who’ve been shrunk down to a minuscule size. Fend for yourself in a now colossal garden, all the while figuring out what happened and how to return to normal size.

While most survival games follow the same formula, the setting of Grounded makes for a unique experience. No chopping down trees and crafting elaborate log cabins; instead, chop down grass blades and build armor out of bug exoskeletons. Oh, and watch out for garden spiders.

2 Halo Infinite

Though it ended up coming quite a bit later than anticipated, Halo Infinite launched in 2021 – and fans loved it, considering the previous game had been met with less praise. Reviewer Jade King says Infinite is “Halo through and through, right down to the graceful gunplay and masterful musical cues,” which isn’t something people said about Halo 5.

What made it even more popular was the fact that the multiplayer modes for Halo Infinite are free – paired with continued content updates, it meant players had a lot to get stuck into. While still not considered the peak of Halo, it is still one that people love, and will be a game waiting for anyone that picks up an Xbox Series X|S.

1 Forza Horizon 5

Without a doubt, Forza Horizon 5 is the game that needs to be installed on every Xbox Series console out there. While Forza Horizon 4’s UK setting was a fresh and interesting location to race, the beautiful landscapes of Mexico make this entry a must-play.

Whether you’re a huge fan of racing and cars, or if you don’t really know anything about them and just want to zoom around what reviewer Sam Watanuki calls a “beautifully chaotic yet incredibly fine-tuned open world,” this game is an easy choice. With so much to explore, challenges to complete, DLC to play around with, and community-made content, this game will always have a place on Xbox Series X|S.

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