After a whirlwind finish to 2024 and a sturdy begin to 2025 that included the best Call of Duty in years, a incredible Silent Hill 2 remake, a new Dragon Age, a new Assassin's Creed, STALKER 2, Metaphor: ReFantazio (AKA IGN's Game of the Year 2024) and a stunningly great Indiana Jones game, amongst others, it's about to get a lot more durable to choose your favourite Xbox Series X/S video games. Here's our employees's record of the 25 greatest video games on the Xbox Series X|S – which means they have been both launched immediately for this era of Xbox consoles or have been up to date to take benefit of their improved decision, body price, and different options. Note that to keep away from the scourge of recency bias, we’ve cut off new additions as of the top of September 2024, since something more current than that’s nonetheless a bit too new to rank. But don't fear, they’ll be thought of for future rankings!
But what will we imply by “best?” To be very clear, this isn’t an try at an “objective” rating that may indisputably line up with the tastes of players of every type. That, sadly, can by no means exist; when one particular person’s epic RPG masterpiece is one other’s boring and impenetrable slog, they’ll by no means see eye to eye on the place that game ought to rank in opposition to others of totally different genres. Even the non-public lists of two people who love the identical varieties of video games will hardly ever line up precisely.
Instead, that is a record of video games that IGN’s crew of Xbox players advocate as a group, with main re-ranks utilizing our Face-Off device so that everyone acquired to weigh in equally on which video games they thought must be positioned above others. It’s introduced within the spirit of recognizing video games we love, and inspiring others to attempt them when you haven’t.
With solely 25 slots to fill, there are tons of superb current video games that didn’t float to the highest – however that doesn’t imply we don’t assume they’re superior, too! Everybody who participated in voting has a long record of private favorites that didn’t gain fairly enough traction with the group to make the cut, which is inevitable when there are this many video games and so many various views. We encourage you to make your own Playlist of your favourite Xbox Series X|S video games and share it within the feedback under!
Most current game updates have been made on March 25, 2025.
More on the very best of Xbox:
25. Resident Evil 2
While the remade model of Resident Evil 4 is the IGN employees’s favourite within the sequence, Resident Evil 2 isn’t far behind. It's completely beautiful to take a look at and incorporates some of the legendary zombie-slaying sequence' greatest moments to date. This modernization brings all the very best components of traditional Resident Evil video games to newcomers, letting us expertise the unique’s characters, enemies, and places with options like ammo crafting, an over-the-shoulder digital camera, and expandable stock slots. For sequence veterans, it feeds off your familiarity with the long-lasting RPD and subverts expectations in distinctive and horrifying methods, plus Easter eggs are sprinkled all through the Racoon City Police Station. The rigidity created by Mr. X chasing you is palpable, creating some of the sequence’s greatest unscripted scares. His presence alone retains further playthroughs from getting repetitive and sustaining the horror.
24. Hitman: World of Assassination
Seeing because it collects all of the deviously designed situations from Io Interactive’s current Hitman trilogy underneath one banner, Hitman: World of Assassination is just too good to go up. With all of the wealthy, rewarding, and extremely replayable sandboxes at your fingertips, there’s nearly no finish to the cold-blooded and sometimes hilarious hassle you’ll be able to trigger as Agent 47. Tracking down a multitude of shocking and imaginative assassination alternatives requires analyzing each nook and cranny, fastidiously observing each NPC’s habits, and making full use of each piece of gear and weapon – and getting away with a good hit with no one even realizing you have been there’s one of gaming’s largest and most satisfying thrills.
23. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Delivering an surprising however extraordinarily welcome sequel to Relic Entertainment's 2011 Warhammer 40K Space Marine, Saber picked up the chainsaw sord and ran with it, smashing by waves of Tyrannid enemies in a extremely satisfying approach. Its sluggish however regular third-person action has clear roots within the traditional Gears of War video games, however that is no low-cost knock-off: it makes these concepts its own by going through you and your co-op squad off in opposition to huge hordes of enemies and encasing every little thing in Warhammer 40K's distincitive appear and feel (which itself influenced nearly each power-armored space marine design from the previous a number of many years).
22. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
BJ Blazkowitz’s 2017 alternate-history Nazi curb-stomp romp was up to date to run in its full glory on Xbox Series X, and it completely holds up. Between the giddy pleasure of blasting away with a machine gun in a single hand and a shotgun within the different, some incredible places throughout fascist-occupied America, and an completely diabolical villain to go up in opposition to – General Engle has some fairly jaw-droppingly sadistic moments – that is an completely non-stop shooter the likes of which we haven’t seen in recent times. It doesn’t look like the sort of game that might have a coronary heart underneath all of it, however the story additionally does a great job of establishing its supporting forged, and even humanizing even a killing machine like BJ.
21. Unicorn Overlord
The very first thing that may stand out with beginning Unicorn Overlord is the placing 2.5D artwork type, with characters showing to virtually float by by storybook backgrounds. While it virtually deserves to make this prime 25 record on appears alone (shout-out to the very best trying meals in gaming), it’s paired with an wonderful squad-based fight system that blends conventional turn-based strategy gameplay and RTS mechanics as you discover a tabletop-inspired overworld, collect assets, and uncover secrets and techniques to rebuild the war-torn nation. The techniques are available in as you determine how to transfer your squads throughout some of the very best and most artistic maps in strategy video games and work out what sort of squads to create and deploy. There’s a enormous quantity of build selection obtainable, with 40+ lessons and 70 characters to select from to type your specialised squads. These numerous characters come from a selection of backgrounds and races, from the more mundane people and elves to werelions, giants, and angels, and that’s the idea for the strongest moments within the story.
20. Marvel’s Midnight Suns
XCOM developer Firaxis’s tackle Marvel superhero fight is difficult and refreshing thanks to its deckbuilding method to turn-based brawls. Crafting a set of playing cards that permits heroes to work as a group by combining their signature strikes and taking down supernatural-infused enemies retains issues recent, evolving, and unpredictable over the course of an epic-length marketing campaign. It appears great, too, and bashing enemies into issues for elevated harm is endlessly entertaining. If you’re into the Persona-style relationship-building conversations there’s a lot there for you to uncover as you chat with Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, and lots of more favorites between battles – if not, you’ll be able to skip most of that and soar back into the action.
19. Doom Eternal
Is Doom Eternal higher than 2016’s Doom? That debate will rage on for eternity, however for this record it doesn’t matter as a result of Doom (tragically) was by no means up to date for the Series X/S. That makes Eternal the champion of this era by candy, candy default. The present standard-bearer for the revitalized first-person space-demon-mulcher sequence is quick, punchy, gloriously gorey, and simply one of the very best single-player shooters in years. Loaded with wonderful weapons, skills, secrets and techniques, and enemies, that is a game that regularly teaches you how to play sooner, smarter, and more effectively, with heaps of choices at each step of the best way to tailor fights to your most well-liked slaying type, and it’s an absolute blast alongside the best way.
18. Resident Evil 4
Simultaneously one of the most recent video games on this record and in addition the oldest, the 2023 remake of 2005’s Resident Evil 4 took every little thing that made the unique a standout action-horror traditional and modernized it to thrill present-day players simply as a lot because it had those that at all times noticed it by rose-tinted glasses. Rebuilt from the ground up, it builds rigidity with high-intensity fight in opposition to a ferocious forged of creatures and brings the Resident Evil world to life with wealthy element because the story quickly guides you thru a sequence of unwaveringly spectacular action sequences. There’ve been many video games which have tried to evoke RE4’s type over time, however none that nailed it fairly in addition to this.
17. Persona 3 Reload
A stellar visible overhaul and numerous small modifications and additions past it go away a vital affect, making Persona 3 Reload a more absolutely realized model of a beloved RPG. Although nonetheless dated in some respects subsequent to Persona 5, high quality of life enhancements and new options refresh its thrilling turn-based fight and add depth to its touching story moments. Through an unimaginable new voice forged that embodies these unforgettable characters and an endearing soundtrack to reforge its identification, Persona 3 Reload tells a highly effective, timeless story of tragedy and hope with sharp emotional sincerity over the course of its meaty 70-hour marketing campaign. This is the sort of remake we at all times hope for.
16. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
It looks like each different game that comes out nowadays has at the least a bit of Metroidvania design in it, so it’s uncommon for one to stand out in such a crowded style. And but Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown completely nails every little thing you may need in a side-scrolling platformer that has you piling on skills to attain new areas on a actually large map. It has all the usual strikes and options (double soar, sprint, equip-able amulets), plus heaps of enjoyable progressive ones – like the flexibility to teleport throughout the room to keep away from demise during the tough-but-fair boss fights. It introduces these strikes at a satisfyingly regular tempo, so by the time you attain the late-game bosses and teeth-clenching environmental challenges you’re principally an knowledgeable, navigating obstacles like a virtuoso taking part in an instrument and making all of it look straightforward.
15. Devil May Cry 5
Even with all of its imitators, there’s nonetheless nothing fairly like a Devil May Cry game, and Devil May Cry 5 stands tall not solely as not just one of the very best in its own sequence however one of the very best character action video games ever created – full stop. No different game gives the identical stage of creativity and expression by its fight, whether or not you’re taking part in as Nero and bouncing foes round within the air together with your Gerbera Devil Breaker, slashing them whereas exactly timing revs of your sword to charge up your Exceed meter; or chilling out as V whereas your summoned familiars fight throughout you; or hot-swapping between an complete arsenal of weapons and combating kinds as Dante. The depth of DMC5’s fight is close to bottomless and endlessly enjoyable to play round in, with finely tuned issue choices to meet you wherever your ability stage is at.
14. Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Among the three (quickly to be 4) Xbox Series X-generation Assassin’s Creed video games, Assassins’ Creed Odyssey stands head and shoulders above the remainder. This epic takes Origins’ fight type and concentrate on roleplaying, provides some additional elements to the combo, then units all of it in opposition to the sprawling backdrop of Ancient Greece – a world aflame with the conflict between Athens and Sparta. It’s an huge, vibrant game, with some of probably the most beautiful vistas we’ve seen within the sequence each at land and sea (yes, naval warfare is within the combine, and it’s great).
Its distinctive spin on Assassin’s Creed’s notoriety system sees you hunted throughout these environments, in a sequence of cat-and-mouse chases that set a new normal for the sequence, whereas the nation battle system sees you combating large-scale battles within the title of your chosen faction. It’s additionally acquired a comparatively compelling story for a game that may take 60-odd hours to beat, with some eccentric sidequests that’re fronted by a genuinely charismatic protagonist (whether or not you play because the male or feminine model). Even after you end Odyssey’s principal story, there’s nonetheless a lot to plunder and uncover, and it’s a delight to merely exist in its meticulously recreated historic world.
13. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 isn't simply the best game of 2021 (as IGN's 2021 Game of the Year winner), it's additionally the very best automotive game, period, of at the least the final decade. The distinction between Horizon 5 and different racing video games (not named Forza Horizon) is that it’s, actually, a driving game. And yes, there's a distinction between a driving game and a racing game. Driving can embrace racing – and FH5 most actually does – however maybe the best of its many triumphs is efficiently tapping into somebody's love for vehicles. You don't need to be a gearhead with a nostril for adjusting tire temperatures and maximizing downforce, as you do in simulation racers.
Here, there's fairly actually enjoyable round each nook, whether or not it's making an attempt to greatest your buddy's photograph radar pace, busting by one of the numerous billboards scattered round Horizon's beautiful fictionalized Mexico, coming into correct Horizon Festival occasions, or simply doing goofy multiplayer occasions. Forza Horizon 5 is as chill and informal or as critical and hardcore as you need it to be, and that's a near-impossible feat for any automotive game.
12. Alan Wake 2
It took Remedy 13 years to get the sequel of its cult-favorite thriller Alan Wake off the ground, but it surely was value it. Billed as Remedy’s first true survival horror game, the studio greatest identified for its high-concept, cinematic method to video games takes a equally filmic view to the brand new style by creating a terrifying chapter in Alan Wake’s — and new protagonist Saga Anderson’s — tales. Fans of horror will discover a tense, scary expertise, however these of you ready to be taught what occurred to Wake all these years in the past will need to take a look at Remedy’s sequel instantly.
11. Remnant 2
“Dark Souls with Guns” was the theme of the primary Remnant, and Remnant 2 doubled down on that concept with more weapons, lessons, and more enemies to blast to items, all whereas additionally delivering extraordinarily difficult and rewarding bosses and a main twist to its design. Remnant 2 is totally different every playthrough thanks to the best way it randomizes most puzzles, bosses, and occasions every time you replay it. And you’ll in all probability need to replay Remnant 2 a lot, as a result of generally you’ll need to defeat bosses in a number of methods to get its most attractive rewards. The indisputable fact that two gamers can end the marketing campaign and fight totally different bosses alongside the best way (or possibly they see the identical bosses however get totally different rewards) makes it virtually as a lot enjoyable to speak about as it’s to play. Since launch, it’s added two sizable DLC packs with more storylines, weapons, lessons, gear, and crazier bosses. Remnant 2 is one of these video games that at all times has us coming back for more thanks to its high replayability, artistic design, enjoyable gameplay, and skill to simply play with associates.
10. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo: The Master Chief Collection now collects six Halo video games all underneath one digital roof – every little thing besides Halo 5: Guardians. It's been torn down to the studs and rebuilt in grand style, and even higher, it's been upgraded AGAIN for Xbox Series X with help for 120fps gameplay. Crazy to assume that these video games have been 480i/30fps the primary time we performed them…
See our guide on how to play the Halo games in order earlier than diving into the gathering.
9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Respawn’s sequel to the hit Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order continues the journey of Cal Kestis as he makes his approach by the galaxy and fights the Empire. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor improves on virtually each factor of the primary, refining the extent design and fight to its sharpest level but. It can also be one of the very best avenues to discover the Star Wars universe in its latest period. See our record of the best Star Wars games to see the place it ranks.
8. Hades
Hades is the present gold normal of the roguelite style, and it isn’t even close. From its exhilarating fight, to its unimaginable soundtrack, to its intelligent and properly written narrative with characters that seemingly by no means run out of significant issues to say, all the best way to its deep and progressive submit game that retains you wanting to come back for more even after beating the final boss.
It could also be extremely tough, but it surely by no means feels punishing in defeat. Dying is an element of the enjoyable, and truly comes with its own rewards within the type of new conversations with its fascinating forged of characters, new alternatives to buy game altering upgrades, and an alternative for a model new run with a fully new set of godly boons that dramatically alter how you method fight. Hades is a masterclass of roguelite design, and simply one other instance of how Supergiant Games simply doesn’t miss.
Hades 2 Early Access is on the market now.
7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition
One of the best RPGs of all time is best than ever thanks to the graphics overhaul from The Witcher 3 Complete Edition. While followers of 4K graphics can now play the game in greater constancy, the efficiency mode could be the best way to go because it smoothes over all of the tough frame-rate patches on this large game, making this 100+ hour journey as easy as butter.
6. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 stumbled out of the gate at launch on consoles particularly. While the RPG has at all times been a state-of-the-art marvel on PC, it took CD Projekt Red a few years to optimize the game for consoles just like the Xbox Series X|S. After chopping out the last-gen programs and a sequence of free updates, Cyberpunk 2077 and the newly launched growth, Phantom Liberty, lastly shine vivid on Xbox. With best-in-class presentation, a deep and rewarding RPG system, and one of the very best tales CD Projekt ever created, now could be lastly the time to hack into Cyberpunk 2077.
5. Grand Theft Auto 5/GTA Online
Grand Theft Auto 5’s sprawling but meticulously detailed map continues to be the high bar to which most open-world video games aspire. Not solely is it enormous, it’s extremely dense with wonderful content material – not simply the driving and taking pictures and three-protagonist story that make up its marketing campaign, and never restricted to the quite a few aspect actions, however all of the sights, sounds, and bustling exercise you'd count on to discover in a metropolis teeming with people – seedy underbelly included. With a lot to do, discover, and play with, each as a single-player game and Grand Theft Auto Online, it’s actually superb on a number of ranges.
As for what’s subsequent, Rockstar has formally confirmed GTA 6 can be launched in 2025. It will function a return to Vice City and star the sequence' first feminine playable character in a Bonnie & Clyde-inspired journey.
4. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Describing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sounds a bit like a fever dream: it's a assortment of minigames stuffed inside of bigger actions impressed by classics like Crazy Taxi, Pokémon Snap, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing… and all of that’s wrapped up inside of a life simulator, which is itself inside of a 50-hour turn-based RPG. Miraculously, this one way or the other all works collectively and balances honoring the roots of the Like a Dragon/Yakuza sequence whereas persevering with to propel it ahead. This will be seen in virtually each side, most clearly that a enormous portion of the story takes place outdoors Japan, and as a substitute has you exploring Hawaii.
Meanwhile, turn-based fight makes a return from Yakuza 7, boasting even more jobs (tennis ace OP!) and a ton of small refinements that vastly increase the quantity of control and customization in fight whereas remaining true to Yakuza's conventional beat em' up type. In a sequence identified for heartfelt tales, Infinite Wealth’s is arguably probably the most emotional, paying homage to the franchise’s traditional characters with a plot pushed by the values and actions of the brand new forged. Mixing the outdated and new characters is one thing that always backfires in a long-running sequence, however RGG Studios expertly blends Kiryu's and Ichiban's tales, pulling off one of the very best legacy tales wherever.
3. Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal would have little or no true competitors within the contest for the title of greatest Japanese RPG of all time. Its endlessly trendy artwork and unforgettable, jazzy soundtrack create a vibe it's laborious not to fall in love with. And that's earlier than we even get to the forged of iconic, endearing characters and an unexpectedly deep, thought-provoking story that solely grows more related with yearly because it was initially launched in 2016. Nobody does this type of turn-based, small-party fight higher than Atlus, and P5R is the final word refinement of every little thing great in regards to the franchise's earlier adventures.
All of that may very well be mentioned of the unique 2016 model, too, however with Royal, nearly every little thing – from the dialogue to the story to dungeon exploration – has been made greater and higher. It's removed from simply a remaster with some neat extras; it's virtually like getting one other complete game on prime of an already incredible one.
2. Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is definitely the very best pc RPG of any era thanks to its strong storytelling and practically limitless participant freedom. Whether that’s romancing a Mind Flayer or convincing a squirrel to go into battle, the flexibility to play by the world of Baldur’s Gate in your own phrases is the explanation why Larian Studios' latest RPG has captivated so many gamers.
The forged of characters, specifically, shines on this party-based RPG. Your companions on this game are some of probably the most enjoyable, fully-realized characters in any RPG and though Baldur’s Gate 3 is already a whole bunch of hours long, you’ll need to re-roll new characters to attempt to mine as a lot as you’ll be able to from this deeply wealthy fantasy world.
Winner of a number of Game of the Year awards, Larian Studios has single-handedly revitalized the pc RPG style and showcased that ingenuity and sensible game design can conquer the mightiest graphics.
1. Elden Ring
Whether you're a longtime fan of FromSoftware's notoriously difficult video games or intrigued by the fixed buzz, Elden Ring is a incredible place to begin for seeing what the soulsborne style is all about. Its streamlined introduction, versatility in accommodating your selection of playstyle, and open-world design all work to alleviate the “brick wall” dilemma of getting caught on a tough boss in Dark Souls video games. It's that elasticity that makes this FromSoftware journey a (barely) friendlier one, whereas nonetheless being full of godlike bosses trying to snuff out your life, threateningly massive maps, and intriguing NPCs rife with attraction, thriller, and tragedy.
It’s since been kicked up a notch thanks to the excellent Shadow of the Erdtree DLC growth, which serves as a condensed model of the principle game that’s completely jam-packed with secrets and techniques, helpful treasures, ultra-challenging boss battles, and horrific monstrosities to face of in opposition to at each flip. When you stack that on prime of the principle game, it’s an unimaginable amount of high-quality assessments of your soulslike mettle.
Upcoming Xbox Series X|S Games in 2025
April 2025:
- The Renovator: Origins – April 4
- South of Midnight – April 8
- Commandos: Origins – April 9
- Descenders Next – April 9
- Monster Energy Supercross 25 – April 10
- Promise Mascot Agency – April 10
- Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy – April 11
- Lost Records: Bloom and Rage Tape 2 – April 15
- Lushfoil Photography Sim – April 15
- Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree – April 17
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – April 24
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – April 24
- Sunseed Island – April 24
- Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade – April 24
- MotoGP 25 – April 30
May 2025:
- Metal Eden – May 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages – May 15
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – May 16
- Fantasy Life i: the Girl Who Steals Time – May 21
- Onimusa 2: Samurai's Destiny – May 23
- To a T – May 28
- Elden Ring: Nightreign – May 30
What New Games are Available on Xbox Game Pass in March 2025?
On March 18, 33 Immortals (Game Preview) launched on Game Pass. The following day noticed Square Enix's roleplaying game Octopath Traveler II, which our reviewer known as "a very enjoyable JRPG sequel that feels a little too safe and familiar," and Trian Sim World 5. March 20 noticed Mythrecked: Ambrosia Island, and the twenty fifth added Blizzard Arcade Collection. On the twenty sixth, Game Pass will get two extremely regarded video games in Batman: Arkham Knight and Tunic.
Finally, on March 27, Atomfall launches on Game Pass Ultimate. Our reviewer gave it an 8/10, calling it "A compelling post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your choices and discoveries no matter which direction you take."
For more particulars about a subscription, take a look at our guide to Xbox Game Pass plans and prices.