First released in the 2020 holiday season, the Xbox Series X/S consoles have been slowly gaining momentum. Despite a slow start, as well as some hangover from the mistakes made in the Xbox One era, the green brand are now rebuilding, with strong first-party exclusives set to act as the foundations.
With the continiung success of Xbox Game Pass, along with an expanding line-up of first-party titles, there are a plethora of great titles for gamers to choose from. On top of this, Xbox gamers will soon have Activision Blizzard titles added to the collection.
But which of these games are must-plays for Xbox users? Well, here is a list of our favourites.
Hi-Fi Rush
After taking the world by surprise when it was shadow-dropped in the 2023 Xbox Developer Direct, Hi-Fi Rush has been a smash-hit on the Series X and S. This action-packed rhythm-based adventure bands together a group of cybernetically enhanced misfits, as they look to take down the evil corporation behind their misfortunes.
Along the way, you’ll smash and crash your way through a fun and heart-warming story, filled with plenty of laughs and dramatic twists, all backed by an epic soundtrack.
Hi-Fi Rush is simply one of the best games I’ve played on the Series X, and was my favourite game of 2023, so it was an easy pick to recommend here. Luckily, this game is available on multiple platforms, allowing more gamers to experience Chai and the gang’s rockstar journey.
Purchase Hi-Fi on:
Forza Horizon 5
There are some games that transcend the audience they were designed for, and there aren’t many better examples of this on the Xbox Series X/S than Forza Horizon 5. Forza and racing sim fans know what to expect from the Horizon series, but gamers may overlook this title because of its racing focus- you shouldn’t!
This entry into the series takes the Horizon festival to Mexico, allowing drivers to cruise along lucious beaches, navigate volcanic terrains, and explore the mysteries lying in the jungle. Across the expansive landscape, there are plenty of challenges to stumble, including races, drifting, finding run down cars, and the epic showcases.
Though the recent Forza Motorsport is also a great choice for more die-hard racing fans, the stunning visuals and arcade-style events makes Forza Horizon 5 a better choices for all gamers.
Purchase Forza Motorsport on:
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Years after the events of Fallen Order, Cal Kestis finds himself on an unknown planet. Here, the surviving Jedi will encounter old friends, meet new allies, and encounter a group of foes with a mysterious backstory.
As you’d expect from any Star Wars space opera, Cal’s journey to uncover the secrets of this world is full of epic lightsaber duels, shocking revelations, guided by the overhanging power of the force.
For fans of the first game, as well as Star Wars fans in general, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a must-play. There is simply no better way to live the dream of being a jedi.
Purchase Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on:
Lies of P
The Soulslike genre has become a world of its own within the past few years, with many trying to capture the magic of the games that FromSoftware have become notorious for.
The game that has arguably come closest to these lofty expectations is Lies of P, which follows the classic fairytale – Pinocchio. You play as a biomechanically enhanced version of the puppet, who is a lot more violent than Disney’s iteration.
Whilst it may no longer be the family friendly, the nailbiting combat and darker tones leads to a story where the choice to lie or tell the truth has dire consequences. Soulslike fans should certainly give this one a go, especially as it is available on Xbox Game Pass.
Play Lies of P on:
Starfield
Bethesda’s latest passion project allows sci-fi lovers to venture through a grounded version of space, where humans have settled into the surrounding solar systems after Earth has been destroyed.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join constellation and uncover the secrets of the universe, whilst exploring the various established colonies across the universe.
Despite the mixed reception, there are plenty of positives within Starfield to prvoide an enjoyable experience for space lovers, including great questlines and lots of customisation.
Purchase Starfield on:
Minecraft
You can’t make one of the best selling games of all time without providing an interesting concept filled with lots of great content. This is something that Minecraft developers Mojang Studios know all too well.
Minecraft has become a timeless classic within the gaming industry, which has set the bar for a plethora of other survival games to follow. So much so, that most people with even a slight interest in gaming will know what this block-based world entails.
After many years and countless hours playing this game with friends, developing some rather elaborate worlds along the way, I can safely say that you can’t go wrong with this classic. Whilst Minecraft is still available on all platforms, Game Pass subscribers can play it for free.
Purchase Minecraft on:
Halo Infinite
Master Cheif has long been considered the mascot for Xbox, with the Halo series being by far the console’s most successful franchise. However, Infinite gives Sierra 117 a new challenge, as he must fight his way through the uncharted territory of Zeta Halo.
These changes are also reflected in the gameplay, as the campaign takes on a new open world format. Adding another layer to the campaign leads to plenty of fun moments when exploring the new ring, along with the epic close quarters action Halo fans are used to.
Halo Infinite also includes a multiplayer mode, which is free-to-play. After a rocky start, the multiplayer has reached its stride, offering an arcadey experience that is bound to provide hits of nostalgia to long-term Xbox fans.
Purchase Halo Infinite on:
Download Halo Infinite Multiplayer on:
Gears 5
Another iconic Xbox franchise is Gears of War, a futuristic yet grounded thid-person shooter that isn’t for the light-hearted. Whilst it may not have as much pulling power as Halo, it has consistently delivered a fun and thrilling experience.
The latest entry – Gears 5 – is no different. However, this game introduces some open world aspects to the franchise, which works surprisingly well. Sure, it does take away some of the intensity of the game, but the pure beuaty of each landscape makes you want to explore each area with great detail.
With a combination of thrilling heavy metal combat, stunning visuals, and a dramatic story with a major plot twist, Gears 5 is worth giving a try for all Xbox gamers.
Play Gears 5 on:
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