3 Xbox Exclusives From the 2000s That Deserve More Love (& 1 Is a Forgotten BioWare Game)

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The 2000s were a unique and thrilling time for video games, especially for the original Xbox. Microsoft was a newcomer to the console market and wanted to make a big impact, similar to how Sony had done with the first PlayStation years earlier. This resulted in a diverse range of exclusive Xbox games that were often innovative. Titles like Halo became central to the Xbox identity, while others, though loved by dedicated fans, haven’t received as much recognition over time.

Rediscovering these overlooked games feels like traveling back in time to see bold designs, innovative ideas, and imaginative stories. While some still have dedicated fans, they all deserve more attention. Here are three particularly memorable Xbox exclusives from the 2000s worth checking out, including a classic from BioWare when they were at their best.

Jade Empire (2005)

BioWare is famous for games like *Mass Effect* and *Knights of the Old Republic*, but many players have forgotten their 2005 Xbox exclusive, *Jade Empire*. This game stands out for its beautiful world inspired by Chinese legends, exciting martial arts combat, and the complex, choice-driven stories and moral choices that BioWare is known for even today.

This game was ahead of its time, successfully combining fast-paced action with the depth of role-playing games. Players enjoyed a flexible combat system, letting them switch between weapons and magic. Beyond the action, the game featured BioWareā€™s well-known storytelling and compelling characters, where player choices truly mattered, influencing the story and relationships. Many still consider its ending to be one of the most impactful in any BioWare game.

Although critics and fans loved *Jade Empire*, it never got a sequel. BioWare, the studio behind it, soon began working on *Mass Effect* and *Dragon Age* instead. As a result, the game was largely forgotten, and while itā€™s now available on Steam, its original design hasnā€™t aged well. Still, *Jade Empire* stands out as a bold and inventive project, and deserves to be remembered as one of BioWareā€™s most ambitious experiments.

Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge (2003)

Released in 2003, *Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge* was an instant hit and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. The game stood out with its unique take on the 1930s – a world of daring sky pirates and thrilling pulp adventures – showcasing a lot of creative design.

The game offered a fun and easy-to-learn experience, but also had plenty of strategic elements for skilled players. Players flew various planes through large and diverse locations, like tropical islands and desert canyons, and participated in exciting, over-the-top battles that prioritized entertainment over strict realism. The story followed a charming pilot named Nathan Zachary, and Xbox Live allowed players to compete against each other in fast-paced online dogfights.

Crimson Skies was unique for its time, blending a compelling story with exciting airplane battles. Though it was a well-made game, it never became a big series, and Microsoft hasn’t revisited it since. Many fans believe it deserves a revival and still consider it one of the most fun and visually appealing games ever released for the original Xbox.

Knights of the Old Republic (2003)

BioWareā€™s *Knights of the Old Republic* (often called *KOTOR*) is a beloved role-playing game and a highlight of the original Xbox. Taking place thousands of years before the *Star Wars* movies, the game offered players a grand story where they could truly define their characterā€™s path and morality. Your choices werenā€™t just about being good or evil; they affected your relationships with other characters and the fate of the entire galaxy, making every decision feel important. Plus, the game cleverly wove your actions into its compelling story, and when a major plot twist happened, you immediately saw how your choices had shaped the outcome.

For its time, *KOTOR* completely changed what was possible in video games. It uniquely combined detailed character development with a movie-like story, creating an incredibly immersive experience, especially for a Star Wars game on consoles. The story wasnā€™t linear – your choices mattered, leading to different endings and forcing you to confront difficult moral questions, making each time you played feel fresh and impactful. Add in a memorable soundtrack and fantastic voice acting, and the game truly felt like *being* in a Star Wars film, with you in control of how everything unfolded.

Although widely praised, *KOTOR* often gets overlooked when people talk about the best Star Wars games and RPGs from BioWare. Players who first experienced it on Xbox still consider it a classic, but it doesnā€™t always get the recognition it deserves. While the sequel, *Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords*, left the story feeling unfinished, fans have been hoping for a third game to continue the epic saga and recapture the originalā€™s compelling story and rich gameplay. The spin-off game, *The Old Republic*, does continue the story, but it doesnā€™t quite have the same impact. *KOTORā€™s* unique blend of storytelling and RPG elements, set in the Star Wars universe, remains exceptional, and it deserves to be remembered as one of the most important exclusive games for the original Xbox.

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2025-09-27 16:13