The best Xbox Series X|S games feature a little bit of everything. From adaptations of beloved movies, great entries in legendary Xbox franchises, and breakout indie gems, there’s a little something for everyone.
Thanks to Xbox Game Pass, gamers can choose from various great games, but which are the best for today’s Xbox consoles?
We’re here to help, highlighting first-party releases and third-party gems every Xbox owner should experience.
As of December 2024, these are the best games for Xbox Series X|S, presented in no particular order.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
The newest entry is a cinematic action-adventure experience. For those looking for a modern Indiana Jones story worth of the franchise’s legacy, look no further.
The Great Circle features a surprisingly good story, backed by the thrilling action we know and love from the Indiana Jones movies. What’s remarkable isn’t how much better it is than the two modern sequels; that’s not exactly a hard accomplishment. Instead, its crowning achievement is how well it compares to the Indiana Jones trilogy.
Rumor is that we could be in store for more Indiana Jones games. If they’re anything like The Great Circle, sign us up.
Alan Wake 2
The long awaited sequel to the Xbox 36o survival horror game, Alan Wake 2 is an experience that needs to be seen to be believed.
It’s not afraid to get too meta, pushing the boundaries of the gaming medium while refusing to buckle under the weight of its ambition.
Focusing on more of a survival horror experience works exceptionally well, adding to the game’s tension as it draws players in on the edge of their seats.
There aren’t many games like Alan Wake 2 that exist, and we are better for it existing.
Psychonauts 2
Speaking of long awaited sequels, Psychonauts 2 is, just like Alan Wake 2, well worth the wait.
The psychotic platforming adventure improves on its predecessor’s rough edges, delivering a gameplay experience that matches its clever writing and memorable cast of characters.
Too often, breakout games become bloated and bogged down, but developer Double Fine can stay focused and on task. The result is one of the best Xbox games ever made.
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Elden Ring
FromSoftware‘s magnum opus combines everything we know and love about the Dark Souls games with an open world environment.
The freedom players have to see and do what they want is impressive, albeit at times as daunting as the game’s enemies. Yet nothing is as rewarding as vanquishing a challenging foe.
Gorgeous visuals, haunting music, and perfect gameplay all come together in one of the most impressive video games ever made.
Baldur’s Gate 3
You know a game is good when you can spend over 300 hours playing and still routinely discover something new.
Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an impressive amount of player freedom, providing infinite possibilities.
No other game can deliver an RPG experience like this. Featuring some of the best writing ever seen in a video game, extraordinary characters, and a deep, strategic combat system, Baldur’s Gate 3 deserves every ounce of praise it ever received.
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite‘s campaign is a delight to play through. The franchise embraces the open-world sandbox design. Combined with fast-paced gameplay and a surprising amount of creativity, it’s easy to overcome any issues involving the game’s story.
However, the real treat is the game’s multiplayer. It may not reach the heights of the original trilogy, but it’s pretty darn close.
The grappling hook is a welcome addition, adding a much welcomed twist to Halo combat that pays off in spades. Halo multiplayer is back, and hopefully, the series’ next entry can capitalize on its momentum.
Forza Horizon 5
The Forza Horizon series has always been an excellent combination of open-world arcade racing with the realistic look and feel of the Forza Motorsport franchise.
Forza Horizon 5 is a culmination of everything that makes the Forza games great. Traversing the world of Mexico is an absolute dream, with a wide variety of events, locales, terrains, and an impressive amount of things to see and do.
Things have held up remarkably well since its 2021 release. If you’ve just picked up an Xbox Series X|S and want to sink your teeth into an accessible yet meaty game, here you go.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
One of the best games from the Xbox 360 era is remastered for modern consoles, and we’re better for it.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is the definitive version of the Mass Effect games.
From the improvements to the original game to the inclusion of the DLC in Mass Effect 3, this is the ultimate way to experience one of gaming’s best sagas.
Grand Theft Auto 5
While we (im)patiently wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, Grand Theft Auto 5 continues to be the gold standard for open world gaming.
Rockstar Games proves they’re at the top of their game with this impressive showcase. Looking back, I’m not sure how this game ever ran on an Xbox 360; it feels like it was always made for modern consoles.
Add in the endless support and bevy of content within Grand Theft Auto Online, and you have more than enough to see and do until Grand Theft Auto 6 releases.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk‘s troubled launch remains a topic of discussion years later, but thankfully for CD Projekt, it’s usually followed by words of positivity about their determination to keep working on the game and turn things around.
Everyone remembers their first time in Night City. You quickly become fully immersed in the grimy technological dystopia, and the player has a lot of freedom to choose how they make them. The writing shines through and through, especially regarding the characters. Johnny Silverhand, in particular, stands out, with Keanu Reeves giving a fantastic performance packed with grit and emotion.
While we wait patiently for Witcher 4, there is no better time than now to play one of the best RPGs of the decade and dive back into Night City.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order proved single-player games from licensed properties can still succeed in today’s gaming landscape.
Its 2023 sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, expands on everything that made the original great.
Refined and polished to near perfect, it’s not just a brilliant action game but also one of the best Star Wars games of all time.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
2024 has been a year of incredible achievements in gaming, but the most impressive might be Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
It’s a bold new direction for the Yakuza series, but one that pays off.
Thanks to stellar writing, Infinite Wealth takes you on a goofy, dramatic ride that will leave you thinking about its story well after the credits roll. Provide you can peel away from the nearly infinite amount of side-content available.
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