With Microsoft lastly placing its first-party catalog on Nintendo and Sony’s platforms, it’s more durable than ever to advocate a strong record of Xbox exclusives. So whereas not all of those video games are solely discovered on Xbox, they’re all comparatively straightforward to entry on the platform.
10
Flight Simulator 2024
Imagine me after I say that Microsoft and Asobo have put numerous work into Flight Simulator 2024 to make it interesting to extra than simply simulator nerds. Certain, you may spend money on a flight yoke and pedals and fake you’re a transatlantic pilot whereas “working from dwelling” within the workplace; however you can even simply hop in a aircraft and take a look at what your own home appears to be like like. In spite of everything, the entire world has been mapped to some extent on this technological masterpiece.
The most recent entrance within the Flight Simulator franchise improves on the earlier main model (launched in 2020) in virtually each means. Reliance on cloud infrastructure and information streaming brought about some issues when the sport first launched, however now that demand has died down you will get flying with out sacrificing tons of of gigabytes of valuable Xbox disk house (although you could blow your data cap).
The sport options simplified flight fashions for individuals who aren’t taking issues too severely. You’ll be able to simply choose a location and go, and the sport will put you within the air at cruising pace so you may discover. Alternatively, you may work your means by means of the brand new profession mode and discover ways to pilot every plane from take-off to touchdown.
9
Age of Empires II: Definitive Version
I performed numerous Age of Empires II as a child, particularly at LAN parties. This real-time technique recreation duties you with establishing a settlement, gathering sources, researching new applied sciences, and constructing a fearsome military. Fortify your defenses, advance by means of the ages, after which additional your individual pursuits by means of diplomacy or navy would possibly.
The Definitive Version landed on Xbox in 2019 with stunning 4K high quality graphics, 4 new civilizations, improved AI, and a heap of high quality of life enhancements. It’s simply as more-ish because it all the time was, and although you may plug a mouse and keyboard into your Xbox the sport may be very playable with a controller because of some intelligent radial menus and an optimized UI.
In case you like this one, be sure you take a look at 2023’s Xbox port of Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Version and 2024’s Age of Mythology: Retold remaster too.
8
Gears Ways
Gears Ways is a method recreation that acts as a prequel to the primary Gears of Conflict. Although it was first launched on Home windows, Microsoft did a stellar job of optimizing it for the gamepad and introduced it to Xbox consoles in late 2020. It serves as a wonderful jumping-on level for the Gears-curious gamer who prefers slow-paced tactical gameplay slightly than over-the-shoulder cowl shooters.
Being a prequel, the sport does a adequate job of organising the lore so that you shouldn’t really feel too misplaced if it’s your first Gears rodeo. The sport takes place a yr after the world-changing occasions of Emergence Day, the place a race of creatures emerge from the bottom and begin wiping out the human race.
The sport adopts a tried and examined turn-based technique method, the place cautious planning is important to outlive. The sport retains you on the sting of your seat, and the story shines with its extremely polished voice appearing and cutscenes between battles.
7
Black
Black is a 2006 first-person navy shooter from Criterion, a studio that was finest identified for arcade racer Burnout on the time. The sport launched on each Xbox and PlayStation 2, however is now most accessible on the Xbox platform because of Microsoft’s backward compatibility program and its inclusion within the Recreation Cross catalog
Typically dubbed a precursor to Activision’s Trendy Warfare, Black sticks to the mid-2000s FPS tropes fairly rigidly. The story advances degree by degree, counting on checkpoints to avoid wasting progress. The motion is satisfyingly explosive, and visuals like weapon and participant fashions have held up nicely. There’s an actual weight to the weapons, and the sound design places some trendy video games to disgrace.
Although enemies can really feel a bit spongey, the sport itself is incessantly lauded as some of the underrated examples of its time.
6
Psychonauts 2
From the good thoughts of the legendary Tim Schafer (The Secret of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, and lots of extra) comes Psychonauts 2. That is 2021’s follow-up to the 2005 cult basic a couple of character referred to as Raz and his time spent at Whispering Rock Psychic Summer season Camp. It’s a recreation about getting into minds and resolving trauma, within the guise of a 3D platformer.
This criminally underrated sequel takes place instantly following the occasions of the primary recreation, which is spectacular given the 16-year hole between releases. Luckily, the sport does a superb job of filling you in so that you don’t have to make your means by means of the unique first (although I did so a number of years in the past, and I had a blast).
Psychonauts 2 is nicely value a shot for anybody who loves a superb 3D platformer throwback. Although the sport was additionally launched on the PS4, the Xbox Collection X model is the superior choose if you happen to’re going the console route for its increased render decision and steady body price.
5
Halo 3: ODST
Once you consider Halo, you most likely consider the unique Fight Developed or the multiplayer glory days of Halo 3. However ODST may be the franchise’s most interesting hour, at the very least from a marketing campaign perspective. The sport takes place in an open-world model of Kenya’s New Mombasa on Earth and sees you mounting assaults, defending bases, and stopping the invading Covenant forces from capturing UNSC property.
The sport is especially notable for its ambiance and options arguably the best soundtrack of any Halo recreation. The darkish brooding ambiance throughout the metropolis is completely accompanied by moody licks of saxophone that assist set the scene for a mission that goes flawed from the very begin.
The sport was a standalone $60 launch in 2009 however has since been added to The Grasp Chief Assortment. In case you’re planning a playthrough of the sequence, don’t skip it (and convey a buddy, the sport works nice in each split-screen co-op or networked multiplayer).
4
Fable Anniversary
Fable was Microsoft’s massive try at redefining the RPG expertise on a console. The brainchild of online game visionary Peter Molyneux (Theme Park,_Black & White), it’s truthful to say that Fable_ didn’t fairly reside as much as its guarantees upon launch for the Xbox in 2004. Even so, the sport was well-received sufficient to see a full HD remake in 2014 with Fable Anniversary.
This noticed the sport transfer to the Unreal Engine 3, with improved graphics, help for achievements, and quite a lot of high quality of life enhancements together with a brand new save system. It’s a wonderful place to start out if you happen to’re questioning what all of the fuss was about, with a dry wit befitting its British roots and an accessible studying curve.
It’s particularly value your time if you happen to’re eagerly awaiting the upcoming Fable reboot. Each Fable II and Fable III are additionally on Recreation Cross if you end up captivated.
3
Viva Piñata
Viva Piñata didn’t invent cozy gaming, but it surely was definitely doing it a very long time earlier than it was thought of cool. This Xbox 360 basic was developed by the legendary Uncommon and launched in 2006 to overwhelmingly constructive critiques. Regardless of the acclaim, Viva Piñata is arguably some of the underrated video games of its time (I acquired my copy in a double-disc launch alongside Forza Motorsport 2, for crying out loud).
It is a chilled-out life sim about tending a backyard with the last word objective of attracting creatures (piñatas). Use a wide range of instruments to make your backyard interesting with the intention to tempt and finally breed piñatas. There are 60 creatures in complete, and a few of them will really feast in your current piñatas. And sure, you may hit them along with your shovel.
Viva Piñata is nicely value spending a day on in 2025 and past, plus the sequel Viva Piñata: Bother in Paradise can be on Recreation Cross if you happen to fancy it.
2
Mechwarrior 5: Clans
Let me preface this by saying Mechwarrior 5: Clans is out there on PC and PlayStation 5, so its standing as an Xbox recreation is a bit tenuous. That mentioned, the Mechwarrior franchise is usually a little bit of a divisive one. In case you haven’t jumped into this type of armored fight simulation earlier than, signing up for a month of Recreation Cross may be a more sensible choice than paying the complete $70 entry payment.
Clans is a standalone enlargement to 2019’s Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries. The sport is all about piloting (and preventing different) closely armed mechs, of which there are a number of customizable courses to select from. These killing machines are a delight to pilot in a weighty sense; it’s like swinging Kratos’ axe in God of Conflict, besides you are the axe.
The sport has a surprisingly engrossing story and the missions are fascinating sufficient, if a bit of repetitive. Although reviewers complained of some bugs at launch, sufficient time has handed that almost all have been fastened up by now.
1
Pentiment
Pentiment was an Xbox and PC unique up till late 2024, when it was added to PlayStation and Nintendo Swap catalogs. I’m nonetheless together with it right here, nevertheless, as a result of it’s an absolute no-brainer for any Recreation Cross subscriber (or Xbox proprietor) who appreciates an engrossing narrative journey from grasp storytellers Obsidian.
Probably the most placing factor about Pentiment is the visuals, a mix of period-appropriate Sixteenth-century aesthetics and crispy 4K animations. It is a roleplaying recreation wherein you have to examine a sequence of murders and finally determine who in charge and punish. Like every Obsidian recreation, there’s numerous alternative to stamp your mark in your protagonist and the world round them.
Critics heaped reward on Pentiment on launch in 2022 for its intoxicating mix of participant selection, historic accuracy, fascinating narrative, and the straightforward incontrovertible fact that they don’t typically make them like this anymore.
On the lookout for much more Xbox video games? Try a number of the best Xbox One games that are worth revisiting on Xbox Series hardware.
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Xbox Collection X
The Collection X is probably the most highly effective current-generation console and gives entry to Microsoft Recreation Cross for a big library of subscription video games out of the field. It additionally doubles as a UHD Blu-Ray participant!
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Xbox Collection S
Whereas not as highly effective because the Collection X, it is unimaginable the Xbox Collection S can nonetheless run the identical library of next-gen titles. In case you aren’t excited by operating video games at 4K, it can save you lots choosing the Collection S as an alternative.
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Xbox Core Wi-fi Controller
$49 $65 Save
$16Among the best controllers you should buy, no matter platform. The Xbox Core controller was designed with the Xbox Collection consoles in thoughts however works nice on a Mac, Home windows, iOS, Android, and extra.
