The Best Xbox Series X Games In 2024

The Xbox Series X|S is four years old, and it's built a huge library of great games. With so much to choose from, we've curated a selection of the very best Xbox Series X|S games to play right now. We regularly review these choices to make sure we stand by them as the best the Xbox Series X|S has to offer, so this still stands as our highest recommendations on the console.

The future of Xbox is a more expansive brand than just a console, encompassing its suite of services like Xbox Game Pass. The subscription service has emerged as a major pillar for Microsoft, as it offers a huge rotating library of free games, including first-party releases. Whether you're looking for something new to play via the Game Pass subscription service or need buying advice for your next full game purchase, this list of games will steer you in the right direction.

Most, but not all, of the games we've chosen are available on Xbox Game Pass. While the Series X boasts the best performance and visuals, the Series S also offers noticeable improvements and upscales to 4K. And lots can also be played on your Xbox One as well, either with Smart Delivery to optimize the experience or through Microsoft's cloud-streaming tech for games that outpace the last generation.

If you'd rather catch up with some older, but still excellent games, be sure to read our picks for the best Xbox One games, or upgrade your gaming gear with our picks for the best Xbox controllers and best Xbox headsets. And while you're at it, check out our best PS5 games, best PS4 games, and best Nintendo Switch games too.

Editor's Note: Article updated on September 20, 2024.

Remedy's Alan Wake is a cult classic of the survival horror genre, and since then the studio has been building its own universe with story ties to other releases like Control. Alan Wake 2 is the sequel 13 years in the making, and it delivers. The story follows the author Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson through a mind-bending dual campaign. It leans more into horror than its predecessor and contains some truly unforgettable moments.

Read our Alan Wake 2 review.

While it might be a stretch to call Alan Wake underrated, it definitely didn't receive the massive audience that it deserved when it originally launched in 2010. Hopefully Alan Wake Remastered (and the rousing success of its sequel) will change that. The action-adventure game stars a thriller novelist whose wife disappears while they are on vacation. Things really start to get weird when plot points from a novel he doesn't remember writing start happening in real life. The remaster gives the wonderful written game a fresh look and adds some new secrets to uncover. It's worth playing whether you experienced the original or not and the gameplay holds up remarkably well.

Read our Alan Wake Remastered review.

This puzzler that uses its unassuming premise--following the life of a small insectoid creature--to tell a gripping story about life and self-evolution. The environmental puzzles revolve around carrying orbs to create some truly head-scratching scenarios, and it ultimately culminates in an experience that will engage your brain both for its puzzle mechanics and the sheer meaning of it all.

Read our Cocoon review.

When Control originally launched in 2019, it seemed to be too taxing for console hardware. The next-gen release of Control: Ultimate edition remedies these issues. On Xbox Series X, Control can run in 4K, and it retains a steady 60fps. Alternatively, you can enable a graphics mode (not available on Series S) that runs at 30fps with ray tracing. Either option looks great, especially when making use of Jesse's powers. Control is a narrative-focused action game revolving around a mysterious government agency that investigates supernatural activity. With excellent and varied gameplay that feeds into the well-written tale, Control is one of the best action games in recent memory.

Read our Control review.

Dead Space spent years as a revered but dormant franchise, and a symbol of the types of games EA put out in the late-aughts. This remake took what was great about the original and modernized it, not just in terms of visual style but with smart revisions. The result is a game that effectively introduces Dead Space's unique, body horror style of action to a new generation of gamers. Slicing limbs off of necromorphs has never been so gross--or felt so satisfying.

Read our Dead Space review.

The long-running live-service multiplayer game Destiny 2 has been going strong since 2017, but this may be among the best times in its entire history to jump in. After multiple expansions, Bungie has reached The Final Shape--the promised closing chapter of the story that has been building since launch--so you can now see how the story concludes its first saga and prepares for more to come. And with tons of past expansions, raids, cooperative play, PvP, and the Crucible, you'll never run out of things to do and new power combos to test. Destiny 2 also runs in 4K at 60fps on Xbox Series X and load times are drastically quicker than past generations where Destiny launched, which is a big deal for a game that has a decent number of loading screens.

Read our Destiny 2: The Final Shape review.

From Software's Elden Ring is a masterpiece in open-world game design. With an absolutely massive world teeming with secrets, scenic vistas, and an almost overwhelming amount of activities to complete, Elden Ring was the defining game of 2022. Now the long-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been released, and it is once again an arresting and incredible action experience with seemingly boundless freedom to explore its massive landscape. Both the lore and the suite of gameplay opportunities have been greatly expanded, giving players new story details to explore and weapons to master. The combat is once again a challenge that will test even the most-experienced Tarnish to hone their skills and explore The Lands Between.

Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review.

Playground Games is, hands down, the most consistent studio within the Xbox family, and the UK-based developer has been doing it for a decade without getting the recognition it deserves. Forza Horizon 5 just happens to be the best game it's ever made, taking drivers to a gorgeous and environmentally diverse Mexico filled with races to complete, challenges to try out, and hundreds of cars to earn. What makes Forza Horizon 5 so wonderful is that it fully embraces the core pillar of every great open-world game: choice. Do succeed, you can essentially play the game however you want, whether that's taking part in cross-country marathons or just jumping all the danger signs you can find. There's no wrong way to play, unless it's doing something you don't find fun, in which case there are probably 15 things within a mile of your location that you will find fun.

Read our Forza Horizon 5 review.

Obsidian has had a surprisingly quick output since being acquired by Microsoft, including dabbling in some unusual projects. Grounded isn't the most off the beaten track that the studio has ventured--for that, see Pentiment below--but it's also not exactly what we would have expected from the studio most famous for games like The Outer Worlds. This is a sandbox survival game that takes place entirely in a suburban backyard, a la Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. It spent some time in early access but has since launched as a full release, challenging players to build their miniature survival camp and take on massive spiders and other threats, all while unfurling a surprisingly rich narrative.

Read our Grounded review.

Unlike many roguelikes, Hades uses its structure to its narrative advantage. This starts with the protagonist Zagreus, who happens to be the god of rebirth. Played from an isometric perspective, Hades' loop sees you running through procedurally generated rooms filled with increasingly challenging enemies. The fast-paced action gameplay is an absolute joy, and it has some serious legs thanks to a plethora of different builds, including wildly different weapon play styles and abilities. Much of the storytelling is sandwiched between runs when you converse with other Greek gods and prepare for your next attempt to escape the underworld. Combining brilliant combat with top-notch writing, Hades is a must-play game even if you typically don't care for roguelikes.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been around since 2014, but Microsoft and 343 have slowly built it into a living monument to its most iconic franchise. Now not only does the MCC encompass the original three Halo games and a suite of multiplayer options that spans the entire series history, but also includes Halo 3 ODST, Halo 4, and the highly regarded Halo Reach. Altogether, it's an incredible homage to one of gaming's most storied franchises.

After making its name on spooky games like Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within, Tango Gameworks surprised players with this bright and colorful rhythm-action game. Hi-Fi Rush stars Chai, a lovable loser who accidentally gets his MP3 player embedded in his chest during a cybernetic surgery, which also granted him a robotic limb. What follows is a character action game in the model of a Devil May Cry, but set to catchy tunes. The animated art style is particularly a standout, taking a cel-shaded look to a whole new level and blurring the line between cinematics and gameplay.

Read our Hi-Fi Rush review.

Given the prowess of IO Interactive's first two entries in the World of Assaassination trilogy, it's not really a surprise that Hitman 3 was an exceedingly good conclusion to Agent 47's latest arc. That said, Hitman 3 expanded on the foundation of its predecessors in some surprising ways. The game has since rebranded as "World of Assassination," encompassing the full trilogy with added features.

New spins on the loop, including a delightful murder mystery level, make Hitman: World of Assassination feel fresh and inventive, too. In addition to tremendous level design and choice-driven gameplay, Hitman 3 does a better job of focusing on its story and the many lively NPCs that inhabit the sandbox-style levels. This is Hitman at its finest, though you should definitely play the entirety of the World of Assassination trilogy. You can also import the levels from Hitman and Hitman 2 and play them in one place with enhancements. The latest addition, the roguelike mode Freelancer, makes an already excellent game even better.

Read our Hitman 3 review.

One of the most creative platforming games over the last several years--and one that manages to do that while requiring cooperative play--It Takes Two improves on Hazelight's previous game, A Way Out, in virtually every way. The whimsical gameplay is combined with a surprisingly dark story involving a couple divorcing, all while their daughter aims to keep them together through the power of imagination. The many gameplay mechanics could have felt overwhelming, but they're polished to a bright sheen that makes discovering the next one a joy. And with a buddy pass system included, only one of the people playing needs to own the game.

Read our It Takes Two review.

One of Capcom's newest games is also its newest franchise, a demon-slaying action game that blends tower-defense elements. You'll purge demons, rescue villagers, and build traps in a setting and story inspired by Japanese folklore. It's a combination of elements that can feel almost overwhelming, but learning how to manage the various demands at once, and how the systems feed into and enhance each other, makes a package that feels special.

See our Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess review.

Already one of the best fighting games in recent memory, Mortal Kombat 11 is even more impressive on the powerful Xbox Series X hardware. Featuring 4K resolution and new visual flourishes, the gruesome action on screen is rendered in a ridiculous amount of detail. The base game already had an ample amount of content, including multiple single-player modes and competitive multiplayer. The Ultimate edition tosses in the Aftermath story expansion and Kombat packs including 12 additional fighters. Mortal Kombat 11 is one of those rare fighting games that balances solo and multiplayer content well, and it's also the type of fighter that's appealing to both casual players and die-hard fans alike.

Read our Mortal Kombat 11 review.

No Man's Sky, much like Sea of Thieves, has improved mightily since launch. Over the years, developer Hello Games has released steady and substantial updates that have brought the space exploration game closer to its original, ambitious vision. No Man's Sky now features far more tangible activities, including base-building and even racing vehicles across tracks in multiplayer. No Man's Sky's next-gen update allows the game to run in 4K at 60fps. The performance enhancements also extend to lighting and shadows, which makes each of the randomly generated planets look even more detailed and alive. No Man's Sky is on Xbox Game Pass, so subscribers should absolutely check it out to see if they enjoy its loop.

Read our No Man's Sky Next review.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a gorgeous platformer from Moon Studios that truly benefits from the power of the Xbox Series X. The stirring sequel runs in 4K at 120fps and supports HDR. Since Ori and the Will of the Wisps is filled with evocative, colorful settings and fast-paced platforming sequences, the boost in performance makes the already stellar experience even better. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is more of an action-platformer than its predecessor and introduces a number of new moves to employ in combat against enemies both big and small. The sprawling map is deftly designed to force you to make full use of Ori's expanded arsenal, which creates a more dynamic and satisfying adventure. If you haven't played Ori and the Blind Forest, you should play that first to get the full emotional weight of the understated but profound tale. Both games are available in the Xbox Game Pass library.

Read our Ori and the Will of the Wisps review.

Like Grounded, Pentiment is another example of Obsidian exploring new ground, and this adventure game certainly isn't your typical big-budget blockbuster. You play as Andreas Maler, a 16th century illuminator who becomes caught up in the mystery of a murder at an Abby. The game unfolds over the course of decades as you see how layers of history are built on top of each other, building toward a stirring conclusion. It's unlike anything you've ever played before.

Read our Pentiment review.

The Plucky Squire is a charming Zelda-like set inside--and outside--of a storybook. As the title character of a popular book series, you're ejected from your own story and find your way back in, then gaining the power to jump in and out at will. That begins a very meta quest to save your land and your story from the villainous Humgrump by grabbing items from the real world to use them in the book, or even manipulating the book itself to solve puzzles. It's an inventive idea, and jumping in and out of the book always feels like magic.

Read our The Plucky Squire review.

Prince of Persia is known for being a precise and influential platformer series, but this latest entry makes it feel right at home in the metroidvania genre. The new direction fits the series like a glove, allowing Ubisoft to combine exploring a wide and varied map with series-favorite elements like precise platforming and tough combat challenges.

Breaking with tradition, you don't play as the prince himself, but rather a member of his royal guard dispatched to save him from a betrayal within your ranks. The story that follows takes a few narrative shortcuts and can feel muddy, but it hints at a well-realized world full of mystery and magic. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of the best new metroidvania games in years, and will likely serve as a template for others to follow.

Read our Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review.

Remarkably, Psychonauts 2 is even better than its predecessor. After suffering multiple delays, Psychonauts 2 released over the summer to critical acclaim. The return to the psychic camp for kids was long overdue, and Double Fine made the most of this sequel. It retains the humor and charming storytelling of the original while refining the platforming gameplay and upping the psychedelic nature of the levels. From a gameplay perspective, Psychonauts 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, both when traversing the levels and fighting baddies in combat. Where Psychonauts 2 really shines, however, is in its portrayal of its characters. Revolving around empathy and growth, Psychonauts 2 has an impactful message. It's easily one of Double Fine's best games, and you can play it on Xbox Game Pass.

Read our Psychonauts 2 review.

Resident Evil 4 was already considered one of the greatest action horror games of all time, and as a result it had been ported to other platforms countless times since release. After successful remakes of the previous games, expectations were set high for an RE4 remake, and Capcom delivered. This isn't just the best Resident Evil 4 has ever looked, it's also a beautifully refined take on the modern classic. It revises just enough to modernize and smooth out any rough edges while remaining utterly recognizable, and then builds new challenges on top of that to test even the most experienced players. It's a true testament to the enduring quality of Resident Evil 4.

Read our Resident Evil 4 review.

Sea of Thieves has come a long way since launching in 2018. Rare has turned Sea of Thieves from a somewhat shallow pirate adventure into a swashbuckling success thanks to steady updates that have drastically overhauled the experience. Most importantly, Sea of Thieves now has an abundance of content, ranging from story missions to skeleton fleet hunts and much more. With better systems and more tangible rewards at stake, the core Sea of Thieves experience is more satisfying. On the next-gen consoles, Sea of Thieves runs at a smooth 60fps in 4K on Series X and in 1080p on Series S. The reduced load times on both consoles really help limit interruptions during your voyage, too. Sea of Thieves is well-worth diving into on Xbox Series X, and it's available on Game Pass.

Read our Sea of Thieves review.

Shin Megami Tensei V was originally released exclusively for Nintendo Switch in 2021, but its enhanced version expands to new platforms and adds a ton of new content for fans of deep narrative-focused RPGs to absorb. Vengeance adds new story details and enhancements to connect with both human and demon characters, better navigation tools for exploring the rich world, and even a number of surprises for returning players to discover.

Read our Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance review.

The Talos Principle 2 expands and builds upon everything that made the cult debut memorable. The first-person puzzle game has you slowly peel back the layers of the world as you learn more about the web of mysteries at its heart, while also raising fascinating philosophical questions. This is a game that uses the medium to explore heady topics, and it's unlike anything else.

Read our Talos Principle 2 review.

Tetris Effect: Connected is magical on Xbox Series X. With 4K resolution and up to 120 fps, the particle effects that are so integral to Tetris Effect's presentation are even more detailed and stunning. Beyond the enhancements, Tetris Effect: Connected is just a delightfully inventive take on the best puzzle game ever made. It turns Tetris into an all-encompassing visual and audio experience thanks to an explosion of colors seen both in and outside the grid and the reactive tunes that will have you nodding along to the beat. In addition to an already great stable of modes, the Connected edition comes with great cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes to play locally or online. It's a relaxing experience, and one that's perfect to play for short spurts over the course of months (or even years).

Read our Tetris Effect Connected review.

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine came out more than a decade ago, and fans of the action spectacle have been thirsting for a sequel ever since. It's finally arrived, and it's just what the Primarch ordered. The sequel adds refinements to make the combat feel more fluid than ever, as you crunch your way through hordes of Orks. It also makes excellent use of the Warhammer 40K license, building a world with a huge sense of scale while remaining approachable for those who don't know a Purgator from a Justicar.

See our Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review.

The follow-up to Void Bastards takes some of its predecessor's roguelike elements and completely rethinks and retools others. This time you're in a space-faring version of the Old West, assembling a posse of alien outlaws to take on one last score. You'll navigate a board game-like map to grab as many resources as you can, and then go into direct FPS combat with varied characters that have their own unique powers. Wild Bastards rewards you for thinking outside the box with how to use these powers, and you can get away with breaking the game so much you might just feel like an outlaw yourself.

Read our Wild Bastards review.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon released as a launch title for Xbox Series X with better performance, including options for native 4K or a solid 60fps at a slightly lower resolution, and these visual enhancements make Like a Dragon's world more vibrant and detailed. Sega has never been afraid to take risks with the quirky and moving Yakuza franchise, and Like a Dragon takes the biggest risk in franchise history by moving away from beat-'em-up combat in favor of a turn-based RPG system. The change funnels in from the personality of the new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga. Ichiban's mind often wanders, and he sees himself as a hero ripped out of Dragon Quest. This, in turn, shifts enemies into silly beings that are fought using an old-school turn-based system. Ichiban's personality is infectious, and the party-based system leads to some of the best interpersonal moments in franchise history. Yakuza: Like a Dragon may play wildly differently than previous entries in the series, but it still has all of the heart and charm that have kept fans coming back for more.

Read our Yakuza: Like a Dragon review.