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 November 8, 2024, by Ben Jessey: A few great games have recently been released on the Xbox Series X|S. So, we felt now was the right time to update our collection of the best games on the system and add some of the new ones.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

For fans of the series, the thing that immediately stands out about Life is Strange: Double Exposure is the protagonist. The game sees the return of the series’ original main character, Max Caulfield. She’s a bit older now, as she’s attending college. This is not some sweet game about a young woman’s education, though, as early in the game, someone dies.

Max then gains the ability to shift between different timelines. With this power, she attempts to solve the murder in one timeline and prevent it in another. In their review, Andrew King says the story is “well-paced” and “exciting.” This is important, considering the game is a narrative adventure title, so it focuses more on characters and storytelling than it does on gameplay.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The world had to wait a long time for another entry in the popular RPG series known as Dragon Age. It finally came, though, in the form of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game follows your created protagonist as you recruit companions and take on evil.

While the title isn’t as tactical as long-time DA fans would perhaps want, it’s still a stellar action RPG with “excellent character writing, strong world building through narrative quests, and… the most exciting combat the series has ever seen,” according to reviewer Stacey Henley.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

There have been plenty of Dragon Ball games over the years. Yet, Sparking Zero is better than almost all of them. It’s a highly polished 3D arena fighter that attempts to make you feel like you’re playing an episode of the anime. As such, battles are incredibly fast-paced, and all the special moves and attacks are wild and visually stunning.

The game is designed with fans of the series in mind. As a result, it isn’t very balanced since the strength of each combatant is based on how strong they are in the series. So, all of the characters are on different levels. This is another way in which it feels like the anime. Along with spectacular fights, the game offers varied modes and eye-catching visuals. Reviewer George Foster says, ” Its smart evolution of Budokai Tenkaichi’s combat, stacked and detailed roster, and near-endless amount of modes and features make it one of the best Dragon Ball games of all time.”

Metaphor: ReFantazio was developed by Atlus, who also made the Persona games. So, it does share some similarities to those titles in regard to presentation and tone. Yet, it is its own game, and Meg Pelliccio even calls it the “new peak for Atlus” in her review. The story is set in a medieval fantasy realm called the United Kingdom of Euchronia. The place has just lost its king, so it holds a tournament to crown a new ruler. ​​​You participate in the tournament, but you also have other things going on, such as attempting to lift the curse that has been put on the Prince of this realm.

In the process of doing all of this, you participate in plenty of battles. For the most part, the combat uses a turn-based system that rewards strategic thinking and taking advantage of enemy weaknesses. There is also a bit of hack-and-slash combat in the game, which you can partake in to get an advantage on some enemies or wipe out low-level grunts. Both combat systems work well.

Subnautica

Systems

Released

January 23, 2018

Developer(s)

Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Gearbox Publishing

Engine

Unity

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language

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Subnautica is an open-world survival game set primarily underwater. However, it isn’t just any old ocean that you are swimming around. It’s an ocean planet that your character has crash landed on.

The game is all about exploring the underwater wonders and picking up resources. You also have to watch out for the local flora and fauna, as it can be deadly. The gameplay is very open, as you get the freedom to explore as you see fit. As most games don’t give you an underwater open world, the exploration feels unique.

Little Nightmares 2

4.5/5

Little Nightmares 2

Survival Horror

Puzzle

Action

Released

February 10, 2021

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Studios

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Violence

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Games don’t get much creepier than Little Nightmares 2. It’s a puzzle platformer mixed with a horror game. You play as a little creature who ends up in a very strange place called Pale City. Your only ally is an equally small creature in a yellow raincoat. Pretty much everything else you meet is giant and trying to get you.

You don’t have the fighting capabilities to battle them, so you must use your brain and sometimes stealth skills to get past them. The art style is amazing and very unusual. Some of the monsters, for instance, are so unsettling that they may scar you for life. That is all part of the fun, though.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

4.0/5

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Released

October 2, 2020

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Alcohol Reference, Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Language

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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

4.0/5

The Outer Worlds

Released

October 25, 2019

Publisher(s)

Private Division

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

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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.

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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.