The Best Xbox Series X|S Games Of All Time

Summary

• Xbox Series X|S boasts a growing library of games, including indies and triple-A titles available on Xbox Game Pass.
• Gears 5, Tales of Arise, and Resident Evil Village are some of the exceptional games available on the console.
• The Xbox Series X|S offers a diverse range of gaming experiences, from action-RPGs to survival horror titles.

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.

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 December 15, 2024, by Ben Jessey: New and exciting games keep releasing for the Xbox Series X|S, so we have to keep updating our list of the best ones. In this update, we’ve added a few more greats to the collection.

Raft

Raft is an open-world survival game that’s set on the ocean. At the start of the game, you’re provided a small raft that serves not only as your mode of transportation but also as your base and home. Using the raft, you can explore the ocean, looking for interesting locations and resources. All the while, you need to keep yourself fed and manage your thirst. Plus, you need to stop sharks from ripping your raft apart.

The whole premise of the game is unique, as there aren’t many significant survival games that are set out at sea. Plus, the exploration is a lot of fun, and the game allows you to be very creative as you upgrade and customize your raft.

Sifu

In Sifu, you play as a young martial artist who goes on a quest to bring down those responsible for their father’s death. ‘Young’ is only an appropriate way to describe the protagonist at the start of the story, though. This is because, every time you die, you get a little older, and you will likely die a lot because this is a very challenging beat ’em up game. Yet, it’s also a very smooth and enjoyable one.

Beating up a bunch of people using strikes, counters, and environmental attacks feels incredibly satisfying. In fact, it has some of the most polished and deep hand-to-hand combat ever seen in a game. The visuals are incredible, too, due to the title’s beautiful art style and slick animations.

Lies Of P

There are many Soulslike games out there these days, but few outside of FromSoftware’s catalog are as outstanding as Lies of P. The core combat isn’t dissimilar to what you expect to see in a Soulslike. As such, you face challenging enemies where you must attack, dodge, and parry your way to victory.

The incredible atmosphere and macabre setting set the game apart from many others in the genre. Plus, the story that is very loosely based on Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio is a really compelling one.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

The Indiana Jones franchise is mostly a movie one, but there have been several games about the famous fictional adventurer, and The Great Circle ranks among the best. In their review, Eric Switzer calls the game “authentically Indy,” which is an apt description. This is because the developers haven’t just placed Indiana Jones in a generic action-adventure game; they have made a game that really feels like an Indiana Jones adventure.

The story fits the series, as it features Indy going on an adventure to find an artifact before the Nazis. Along the way, you punch a bunch of those Nazis, which is also fitting for the series. Along with beating people up, you solve puzzles, do a bit of exploration, and make use of stealth. None of it feels like it goes against what the series is all about. In fact, it’s one of the better Indiana Jones projects in some time.

Death Stranding: Director’s Cut

Xbox fans had to wait a long time for Death Stranding as it came out on the PS4 in 2019 but didn’t come to the Xbox Series X|S until 2024. However, it was worth the wait, as it’s a fantastic game.

As it comes from the mind of Hideo Kojima, it’s a very odd title that doesn’t fit into any traditional genre. You play as a courier with the face and voice of Norman Reedus, who attempts to deliver supplies to isolated colonies. The premise is simple enough, but the narrative gets much deeper and more complex as time goes on. Yet, as unusual as it can sometimes be, it never stops being compelling.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

The Sonic series has undergone many changes over the years, and the quality of its games hasn’t always remained consistent. Yet, there have been some good ones, including Sonic X Shadow Generations, which is among the best in recent memory.

It’s a remaster of Sonic Generations but also includes a new campaign featuring Shadow the Hedgehog. Both the Sonic and Shadow adventures include a mix of 2D and 3D gameplay that incorporates the quick platforming that the series is known for. The level design is amazing, so the combination of different dimensions works really well.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

The protagonist in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is known as the Arison. You choose what they look like, but their ultimate goal will always be to take down a specific dragon as they’re fated to do. You aren’t on the adventure alone, though, as you have NPC pawns to command that will help you on your way. This includes assisting you in battle, which is needed since Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t the easiest game in the world.

Combat can be brutal, but it’s also very strategic and fun. In fact, reviewer Ryan Bamsey calls the combat system “masterful.” That isn’t the only thing the game has going for it, though. The world is interesting, the visuals are impressive, and the story is solid. So, it’s an overall brilliant game.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

One criticism that has often been thrown at the Call of Duty series is how similar each entry is. Well, the Black Ops 6 campaign is certainly different from the usual COD story mode.

There are multiple stealth operations, a horror-like level, and a mission that features a small open world. Call of Duty isn’t known for any of those things. Not only are these missions different from those in other entries, but they’re also distinct from one another, making the campaign a varied one. The game also contains a fantastic zombie mode and some solid PvP play. In their review, Charles Burgar says it’s “the first truly unique CoD experience we’ve received in half a decade.”

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

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

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

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.