From epic RPGs to legendary shooters and everything in between, these are the must-play titles that define Xbox’s powerhouse console.
TL;DR: From sprawling RPGs like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 to blockbuster thrills like Halo Infinite and Resident Evil 4 Remake, these are the 20 best Xbox Series X|S games you can play right now. Whether you’re hunting pirates, toppling dragons, or just showing off your Game Pass backlog, this list is your ultimate guide to the must-plays that define the console.
If you own an Xbox Series X|S, chances are you’ve already lost more weekends than you’d like to admit to its library of heavy-hitters. But with so many blockbuster titles, hidden gems, and genre-defining experiences to choose from, the real question is: which ones actually deserve the crown? Fear not—we’ve waded through alien shootouts, sprawling open worlds, and more controller-throwing boss fights than we care to remember to bring you the definitive list. From pulse-pounding exclusives to multiplatform masterpieces that shine brightest on Microsoft’s powerhouse, here are the 20 best Xbox Series X|S games of all time—the ones worth bragging about on Game Pass or buying outright if you have to.
20. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)
Step into a haunting Belle Époque world where art is death. Every year, the enigmatic Paintress paints a number on her monolith—and all those of that age vanish forever. With only one year left to live, the volunteers of Expedition 33 embark on a desperate mission to slay the Paintress and stop the eerie “Gommage” once and for all.
This French-made RPG redefines turn-based strategy with real-time flair—dodge, parry, and weave deadly counters in fluid combat that demands sharp reflexes and tactical finesse. Its art style, drenched in chiaroscuro contrast, paints a surreal yet melancholic landscape—at once beautiful and unsettling. Behind the narrative's dramatic pull lies an emotional core bolstered by stellar performances and a sweeping soundtrack by Lorien Testard.
Released April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive, Clair Obscur earned universal acclaim—and quickly became a compelling new standard for RPG artistry and storytelling.
19. Assassin's Creed Shadows (2025)
After years of fan requests, Assassin’s Creed finally journeys to feudal Japan—and it was worth the wait. Set during the turbulent Sengoku period, Shadows tells the interwoven story of two very different assassins: Naoe, a cunning shinobi who slips through the night with precision and stealth, and Yasuke, the legendary African samurai wielding unmatched strength and honor. The dual-protagonist design lets players shift between fluid parkour assassinations and thunderous battlefield clashes, blending the best of Assassin’s Creed’s stealth roots with the series’ more recent RPG depth.
Ubisoft’s recreation of Japan is breathtaking—lush landscapes, bustling castles, and storm-soaked villages alive with detail. Dynamic weather and seasons transform not just the look but the tactics, as rainfall muffles footsteps or bright sunshine exposes every movement. With its gripping narrative, branching missions, and dazzling combat variety, Shadows isn’t just another Assassin’s Creed—it’s the one fans dreamed about for over a decade.
18. Split Fiction (2025)
Hazelight Studios—the co-op maestros behind It Takes Two—pulls off its most whimsical, heart-pounding adventure yet with Split Fiction. You and a partner step into the shoes of two very different authors: sci-fi dreamer Mio and fantasy enthusiast Zoe. When a mind-bending machine entraps them in their own stories, the two strangers must unite and navigate through a kaleidoscopic mash-up of sci-fi intrigue and fantasy lore.
Each level delivers a burst of imaginative chaos—one moment you’re commanding dragons, the next you’re brandishing glowing laser swords or dodging hover-cars in zero gravity. And it’s not just local couch co-op—you can bring friends along across platforms with Hazelight’s signature Friend Pass and cross-play support. With inventive gameplay, emotional chemistry, and a relentless stream of surprises, Split Fiction redefines what cooperative storytelling can be. March 6, 2025, marked the arrival of this genre-bending joyride—and it's already become the co-op adventure you didn’t know you needed.
17. The Alters (2025)
Crash-landed on a deadly alien world, you play as Jan Dolski—the sole survivor racing to escape an encroaching, radiation-soaked sun. But there's a twist: thanks to the mysterious element Rapidium, you can clone yourself—and not just once, but into alternate Jans shaped by different life choices. Think Technician, Scientist, Botanist… each Alter brings unique strengths and quirks, and managing them becomes your lifeline.
Your base isn’t stuck in place; it’s a wheel-shaped mobile sanctuary you must keep moving using mining, crafting, and infrastructure upgrades—balancing frantic time pressure with thoughtful strategy. Every one of your Alters has personality, needs, and psychological baggage, turning base-building into a deeply human drama about regret, identity, and second chances. Voices come from a single actor breathing life into all of them, adding emotional weight that lingers long after the sun sets.
Released June 13, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S (and Game Pass), The Alters is not just another survival sim—it’s a mind-bending trip into the roads not taken.
16. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024)
Dust off the fedora—Indiana Jones is back, and he’s more daring than ever. In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, our intrepid archaeologist chases the myth of a hidden celestial path that grants power over time itself. From the bustling bazaars of Cairo to the dangerous peaks of the Himalayas, every location oozes cinematic grandeur and swashbuckling charm.
Gameplay elegantly blends classic whip-swinging platforming with meaty puzzle-solving, like rewiring ancient mechanisms or dodging traps while the earth shifts beneath your feet. Moments of high-adrenaline exploration are interwoven with stealthy tomb-roaming and daring escapes—think rolling boulders, crumbling bridges, and Nazis hot on your heels. Animations are buttery-smooth, and the voice acting brings Indy’s snarky wit back in full force.
Released December 9, 2024 on Xbox, The Great Circle delivers a blockbuster experience that hits all the right nostalgia notes while carving its own legend. It’s not just a new Indiana Jones game—it’s the adventure you’ve been pining for since Atlantis.
15. Death Stranding: Director's Cut (2021)
Few games are as strange, ambitious, or hauntingly beautiful as Death Stranding: Director’s Cut. Hideo Kojima’s post-apocalyptic odyssey casts you as Sam Porter Bridges, a lone courier trekking across fractured America to reconnect isolated communities. Your cargo isn’t just packages—it’s the fragile hope of rebuilding humanity. Every step through rugged mountains, storm-soaked plains, and BT-infested ruins carries weight, both literal and emotional.
The Director’s Cut refines the original with smoother combat, upgraded visuals, and clever new tools—like a cargo catapult and stabilizing jetpack—to make long treks less punishing without losing their meditative rhythm. Expanded missions, a firing range, and even racing tracks give veterans fresh reasons to dive back in, while newcomers get the definitive version of Kojima’s wild vision.
Equal parts survival sim, walking meditation, and blockbuster weirdness, Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is proof that the Xbox Series X|S can turn an already mesmerizing experience into something unforgettable—where every delivery feels like a small miracle.
14. Dragon's Dogma 2 (2024)
Return to the world of Gransys in Dragon’s Dogma 2, an open-world action RPG that blends visceral combat, sprawling landscapes, and player-driven stories in a way few games dare to attempt. You create your Arisen—a customizable hero on a mission to slay the dragon that threatens to engulf the world in chaos. But it doesn’t stop there: your pawn sidekicks, AI party members you shape and share across players, breathe unique life and strategy into every encounter.
Combat is a kinetic ballet of sword, spell, and arrow—climb atop towering griffins, batter trolls with massive weapons, or rain devastation from above with magic. Day-night cycles and dynamic weather shift the world’s mood and challenge, turning a simple trek into a tense encounter at dusk or a deadly skirmish under a thunderstorm.
With its endless quest depth, a globe that begs to be explored, and a pawn system that redefines teamwork, Dragon’s Dogma 2 delivers a fantasy epic worthy of its legacy.
13. Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024)
Step into a world teetering between the mortal realm and the mysterious Fade in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. As a newly dubbed Veilguard, you’re gifted—or burdened—with the power to slip through nightmares, traverse dreamlike landscapes, and interact with both human and otherworldly allies. But shadowy cults and corrupted spirits are tearing the Veil apart, and it’s up to you to mend the cracks.
Character customization offers you the full palette: rogue assassins who strike from darkness, stoic mages weaving spells from the Fade, or warriors whose every blow is honed for perfection. Combat similarly evolves—each encounter is a dance between physical strikes and ethereal magic, where timing your Veil-stride can betray enemies or evade devastating blows. The story is rich with morally gray choices, forging relationships with a diverse cast who bring wit, tension, and emotional depth to your journey.
With stunning visuals, atmospheric world-building, and narrative weight that lingers, Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t just expand the franchise—it rips open the Veil and invites you in.
12. Gears 5 (2019)
The chainsaw bayonet roared back to life in Gears 5, a bold evolution of Xbox’s flagship shooter. Shifting the spotlight to Kait Diaz, the story plunges deep into her mysterious heritage and the Locust ties that could unravel everything the COG fought to preserve. The campaign blends the series’ trademark cinematic set-pieces with semi-open environments, letting players explore icy tundras, desert wastes, and ruined cities in a scale the franchise had never attempted before.
Gunplay remains as crunchy and satisfying as ever—cover-based firefights, explosive weapons, and brutal executions never lose their edge. But Gears 5 also pushed boundaries with cooperative modes like Escape and a reinvigorated Horde, making it a complete package for solo players and squads alike. Enhanced visuals, buttery performance on Xbox Series X|S, and constant updates cemented its place as a multiplayer staple.
Whether you’re revving the Lancer or unraveling Kait’s past, Gears 5 is proof that few shooters deliver bombast and heart in such equal measure.
11. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, Respawn delivered one of the finest Star Wars adventures ever made. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor picks up five years after Fallen Order, with Cal Kestis older, tougher, and more determined than ever as the Empire’s shadow deepens. The sequel expands everything fans loved: bigger planets to explore, tighter lightsaber combat, and richer customization that lets you truly define your Jedi identity.
Traversal feels exhilarating—chain wall-runs, grapple across chasms, and tame alien mounts to navigate sprawling worlds filled with secrets. Combat is a glorious dance of stances, from swift dual sabers to the raw power of a crossguard blade, blending precision parries with cinematic Force abilities. The story doesn’t shy away from darker themes either, adding weight to Cal’s journey while still packing in that classic Star Wars sense of wonder.
With its cinematic flair and thrilling gameplay, Jedi: Survivor isn’t just a great Star Wars game—it’s a great game, period.
10. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
No game in recent memory has pulled off a comeback story like Cyberpunk 2077. What began as one of the most controversial launches in gaming history was reborn through years of patches, next-gen upgrades, and the brilliant Phantom Liberty expansion. On Xbox Series X|S, Night City finally shines the way it was always meant to—alive, dangerous, and irresistible.
You step into the boots of V, a merc-for-hire whose fate intertwines with the digital ghost of rocker-turned-rebel Johnny Silverhand. The narrative is sprawling, full of sharp twists, unforgettable characters, and choices that leave lasting scars. Gunfights feel punchy and dynamic, hacking opens up clever tactical play, and cybernetic upgrades let you sculpt V into your own legend of the neon underworld.
With its revitalized systems, cinematic storytelling, and breathtaking cityscape, Cyberpunk 2077 has secured a place among the best of this generation. It’s no longer the cautionary tale of 2020—it’s the definitive cyberpunk RPG experience.
9. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
When Capcom announced it was remaking Resident Evil 4, fans were both thrilled and terrified—how do you improve on one of the greatest games of all time? The answer: with surgical precision and a cinematic edge. Resident Evil 4 Remake doesn’t just recreate Leon Kennedy’s desperate rescue mission in a rural Spanish village; it reimagines it with modern visuals, retooled mechanics, and a sharper sense of horror.
The over-the-shoulder combat that once revolutionized the genre is more fluid than ever, with tighter gunplay, brutal melee counters, and the return of that glorious inventory Tetris. The villagers and monstrosities you face are more unnerving, the atmosphere more suffocating, and the boss fights more epic—all without losing the campy charm that made the original so beloved.
It’s a masterclass in how to respect a classic while making it feel fresh, terrifying, and vital again. For Xbox Series X|S owners, Resident Evil 4 Remake is survival horror at its finest.
8. Alan Wake 2 (2023)
Thirteen years after the cult classic, Remedy returned with a sequel that didn’t just meet expectations—it blew them into the Dark Place. Alan Wake 2 is a psychological survival horror masterpiece, weaving two narratives: Alan’s desperate attempt to write his way out of a nightmare realm, and FBI agent Saga Anderson’s investigation into grisly ritualistic murders in Bright Falls. Their stories spiral together in ways that are as unsettling as they are brilliant.
Gameplay leans fully into survival horror, with scarce ammo, oppressive atmospheres, and a flashlight that once again doubles as your lifeline. Remedy’s flair for cinematic storytelling is unmatched here—live-action sequences blur into gameplay, environments twist into surreal dreamscapes, and every chapter feels like stepping into a prestige TV thriller.
With haunting visuals, nerve-wracking combat, and a story that lingers in your head long after the credits roll, Alan Wake 2 proves that Remedy isn’t just telling a horror story—they’re redefining the genre.
7. Persona 5 Royal (2020)
Few RPGs manage to be as stylish, heartfelt, and addictive as Persona 5 Royal. This definitive edition of Atlus’s beloved masterpiece puts you in the shoes of a high school student who moonlights as a Phantom Thief, stealing the corrupted desires of society’s most twisted adults. By day, you juggle exams, friendships, and part-time jobs; by night, you dive into surreal Palaces filled with monsters born from human greed.
Royal enhances the already iconic original with a new semester, extra characters, and slick refinements that make its 100+ hour journey smoother and more rewarding. Combat is a turn-based dream—fast, flashy, and endlessly strategic thanks to Persona fusion and elemental combos. Outside battle, the bonds you forge with your confidants add real emotional weight and narrative depth.
From its acid-jazz soundtrack to its bold anime flair, Persona 5 Royal is more than just a JRPG—it’s a genre-defining statement, and one of the most stylish adventures ever to hit Xbox Series X|S.
6. Deathloop (2022 on Xbox)
Arkane Studios took their signature immersive-sim design and spun it into one of the most inventive shooters of the decade. Deathloop drops you onto the chaotic island of Blackreef as Colt, a man trapped in a time loop where the same day repeats endlessly—unless he can break it. To escape, you must assassinate eight Visionaries before midnight, using stealth, gunplay, and a playground of supernatural powers.
Every loop is a puzzle: learn guard routes, manipulate rivalries, and chain together assassinations until the perfect plan emerges. Stylish gunfights, slick teleportation tricks, and environmental creativity keep every run fresh, while the ever-taunting rival assassin Julianna adds unpredictable tension by hunting you mid-mission.
With its retro-futuristic vibe, razor-sharp writing, and endlessly replayable design, Deathloop is both a love letter to player freedom and a bold reimagining of the shooter genre. On Xbox Series X|S, it shines as one of the most original and unforgettable experiences of the generation.
5. Sea of Thieves (2018)
Few games capture the thrill of high-seas adventure quite like Sea of Thieves. Rare’s multiplayer pirate sandbox lets you live the swashbuckling dream: steering a galleon with friends, charting courses by the stars, and clashing with rival crews in chaotic naval battles. The open ocean is your playground, filled with buried treasure, cursed skeletons, krakens, and even ghostly fleets waiting to drag you to a watery grave.
What makes Sea of Thieves special is its unpredictability. One voyage might end with you serenading crewmates as you fish off the bow; the next could spiral into a desperate fight to save your ship from fire, cannonballs, and betrayal. Constant updates have expanded the seas with new Tall Tales, collaborations like Pirates of the Caribbean, and countless emergent tools for pirate mischief.
It’s not just a game—it’s a stage for unforgettable stories, where every storm, betrayal, and buried chest becomes part of your legend. On Xbox Series X|S, Sea of Thieves remains the ultimate pirate fantasy.
4. Halo Infinite (2021)
When Halo Infinite launched, it wasn’t just another entry in the series—it was a homecoming. Master Chief returned to center stage in a campaign that fused the franchise’s classic, sandbox-style combat with the freedom of an open world. Grappling across cliffs, hijacking vehicles mid-fight, and improvising weapons from scattered outposts gave players that old-school Halo feel with a fresh layer of exploration.
The story reestablishes Chief as humanity’s unshakable hope, this time facing the Banished, a brutal splinter faction that brings a new edge to the war. Meanwhile, the mysterious AI “The Weapon” injects both humor and heart into the journey, grounding the epic firefights with emotional weight.
Multiplayer cemented Infinite’s legacy, delivering fast, arena-style chaos that recaptured the magic of LAN parties while thriving in modern esports arenas. Constant updates and new modes keep the action alive, but at its core, Halo Infinite proves why Master Chief remains one of gaming’s most enduring icons.
3. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
If there’s a single game that proves racing can be pure joy, it’s Forza Horizon 5. Set against a stunning recreation of Mexico, this open-world racer turns driving into an art form. From the moment you drop out of a cargo plane onto a volcano, you know this isn’t just about speed—it’s about freedom. The map is vast and diverse, spanning rainforests, deserts, beaches, and bustling cities, each begging to be torn through in style.
The car roster is equally jaw-dropping, offering hundreds of meticulously detailed vehicles to tune, customize, and push to their limits. Whether you’re drifting hairpin turns in a hypercar or off-roading in a dune buggy, every drive feels buttery smooth on Xbox Series X|S. Seasonal events, community challenges, and multiplayer festivals ensure there’s always something new to chase.
More than just a racing game, Forza Horizon 5 is a celebration of cars, music, and adventure—an endlessly rewarding playground for gearheads and casual drivers alike.
2. Elden Ring (2022)
When FromSoftware unleashed Elden Ring, it didn’t just redefine open-world RPGs—it redefined what players expect from games, period. Crafted in collaboration with George R. R. Martin, the Lands Between is a hauntingly beautiful realm of shattered kingdoms, grotesque monstrosities, and breathtaking secrets hidden behind every hill and fog-draped ruin.
As the Tarnished, you’re free to chart your own path—whether that means storming castles on horseback, spelunking into poison-soaked caverns, or stumbling into bosses that feel ripped from the nightmares of ancient gods. The combat is punishing but fair, a perfect balance of risk, timing, and experimentation. Build variety is staggering, letting you wield colossal blades, summon spectral allies, or weave sorceries that turn the battlefield into a light show of destruction.
What makes Elden Ring extraordinary isn’t just its difficulty, but its freedom—the joy of discovery, the terror of the unknown, the satisfaction of triumph. On Xbox Series X|S, it stands as one of the greatest adventures ever forged.
1. Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)
Few RPGs earn the title of “instant classic,” but Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t just earn it—it carved it in stone. Larian Studios’ sprawling epic takes the rules of Dungeons & Dragons and transforms them into one of the most immersive digital role-playing experiences ever made. From the moment a mind flayer tadpole wriggles into your skull, every choice feels weighty, personal, and full of consequence.
The freedom is staggering: charm enemies with silver-tongued persuasion, unleash chaos with fireballs, romance companions, or solve problems by simply shoving someone off a cliff. The cast of companions is unforgettable, each with their own tangled backstories and loyalties that evolve as your decisions ripple through the world.
Combat is strategic, turn-based brilliance, rewarding creativity and bold risk-taking, while exploration reveals secrets at every turn. On Xbox Series X|S, it’s a seamless, stunningly polished experience. Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just one of the best RPGs ever—it’s a benchmark for what storytelling in games can be.
From pirate raids to cosmic horror, from drifting supercars to dueling lightsabers, these 20 games show off the Xbox Series X|S at its absolute best. They’re not just titles on a shelf; they’re worlds you get lost in, stories you’ll argue about, and battles you’ll be bragging (or complaining) about for years.
The beauty of this list is that it reminds us why we play in the first place—not for achievements or high scores alone, but for those moments that stick. That first dragon toppled in Elden Ring. The whip crack that lands just right in Indiana Jones. The sea shanty sung off-key in Sea of Thieves.
Will the list change in a year? Probably—Xbox’s future is brighter than a plasma grenade mid-throw. But for now, these are the legends of the Series X|S era. So pick your poison, boot up, and let the next adventure begin.
