30 Must-Play Xbox Series X Games You Can’t Skip [2025 Edition]

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Microsoft has faced some challenges this year, especially with its current generation of consoles, but the Xbox Series X boasts an impressive library of games – and they’re actually good! While Game Pass is still a huge draw, the console also has a solid collection of exclusive titles, and even beyond that, plenty of great games to play. Here’s our list of the top 30 best Xbox Series X games as of 2025, starting with number 30…

30. Dynasty Warriors Origins

Following the disappointing open-world style of Dynasty Warriors 8, many thought the series might be over. Thankfully, Dynasty Warriors Origins returns to what made the games great: huge, epic battles. While it’s a shame you can’t play as many different famous characters for long, the combat is excellent, and the feeling of overwhelming enemy armies is truly impressive.

29. Atomfall

While Fallout is often considered the king of post-apocalyptic games, Atomfall offered a distinctive experience. Based on the aftermath of the Windscale Fire, the game is filled with intriguing mysteries. Solving them requires careful investigation – exploring the environment, talking to potentially unreliable characters, and finding a way to escape. Though, you could also just fight your way through everyone if you prefer. Both options will get you through the game.

28. Mafia: The Old Country

Family is central to the Mafia games, and in The Old Country, it’s a force that can bring people together or tear them apart. Surprisingly, it shares some similarities with Dynasty Warriors. This game doesn’t try to be a huge, sprawling open world; it gets straight to the point with a compelling story about family, loyalty, and betrayal set in early 1900s Sicily. It features well-developed characters brought to life by strong performances, and the gameplay is genuinely enjoyable, particularly the new knife combat. It offers a focused experience – no more, no less.

27. South of Midnight

While perhaps not the most unforgettable game of the year, South of Midnight offers a distinctly unique experience. Its beautiful stop-motion animation blends exploration and action seamlessly, but the real strength lies in its captivating story and the magical world it creates, keeping the focus firmly on its characters and narrative.

26. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Leenzee’s debut action RPG clearly takes a lot of inspiration from the original Dark Souls, especially in how its world is built. However, it distinguishes itself through deep character customization, engaging combat, and unique mechanics like a ‘madness’ system. Set in the late Ming Dynasty of China, the game offers a rich story and plenty of ways to overcome its challenging enemies, whether you prefer close-quarters combat or magic. While the game can be demanding on PC hardware, it offers a surprising amount of content for its price.

25. Starfield

Okay, so Bethesda’s new game isn’t perfect – the story isn’t the greatest, and the way it builds worlds and planets feels a little rough around the edges, and honestly, the companions aren’t my favorites. But honestly? The shooting is really good, especially when you’re floating around in zero gravity! And I keep finding myself saying ‘just one more’ planet – it’s so addictive discovering these new worlds with weird creatures and beautiful scenery. It definitely needs some work, but it’s a really strong starting point, and I’m having a blast.

24. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

At this stage in the story, Senua’s journey seems to be about how hardship makes her stronger. As she travels to Iceland to help her people, she’s haunted by the Furies and a constant, overwhelming darkness, but these challenges feel natural given the desperate fight she’s in. Hellblade 2 doesn’t radically change what made the first game great; it simply builds on the strong cinematic style, delivering an even more intense and violent story, and that’s perfectly fine.

23. Ninja Gaiden 4

Let’s talk about Ninja Gaiden 4. Consider this a quick review. Honestly, after the somewhat divisive ending of Ninja Gaiden 3, this new installment is fantastic. I really enjoyed exploring the world, how Ryu moves, and the combat system. The new Bloodraven techniques are great, and even with limited weapons, playing as Ryu Hayabusa is a blast. There are a few minor issues, but Ninja Gaiden is back, and that’s something to celebrate.

22. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

The game begins with the message, “Wake up, Sleeper.” This time, those words feel much heavier as you navigate the dangerous asteroid fields of the Helion System. You’re in a race against time, forced to take on jobs, recruit allies, and rely on luck to stay alive. New features like Push and Stress add extra challenges, but the game’s excellent story and well-developed characters are still its strongest points.

21. Dying Light: The Beast

It’s great to see Kyle Crane evolve from the well-intentioned but inexperienced courier in the first game into a more complex and driven character in The Beast. But Techland has done so much more than just character development. The game features smarter enemies, a truly terrifying nighttime experience with deadlier Volatiles, and incredibly fluid parkour and melee combat that rivals Dead Island 2. All of these improvements create a satisfying experience that doesn’t feel drawn out.

20. Lies of P

NEOWIZ impressed everyone with Lies of P, a game heavily inspired by the *Soulslike genre, reimagining a beloved classic story. It didn’t just meet expectations, it exceeded them, delivering fantastic combat, a rewarding parrying system, plenty of weapon options, and tough boss battles. The city of Krat felt both dangerous and vibrant, with a captivating, decaying beauty reminiscent of the best games from FromSoftware.

19. Cronos: The New Dawn

While a true sequel to Dead Space seems unlikely, Chronos: The New Dawn is a surprisingly good alternative. The game tells a captivating story about a character, the Traveller, who gradually develops feelings while navigating a terrifying, post-apocalyptic world inspired by the work of David Cronenberg. Add in strategic dismemberment combat and time travel mechanics, and you’ve got one of the most overlooked horror games of the year.

18. Monster Hunter Wilds

Following the success of Monster Hunter World, this is the newest main installment in the Monster Hunter series, built for current-generation consoles. While it initially faced issues with performance, endgame content, and staying true to the core Monster Hunter experience, it has steadily improved. The game now offers a wealth of engaging challenges and rewards, and even more content – including a brand new Elder Dragon, Gogmazios – is planned for release. It’s potentially the most popular Monster Hunter game yet, particularly when it comes to how it feels to control your hunter and engage in combat.

17. The Outer Worlds 2

Building on everything they learned from the original game, The Outer Worlds 2 is a more polished, intelligent, and enjoyable role-playing experience. The game still focuses on factions and companions – you’ll be choosing who to betray (and listening to the fallout on the radio!) or who to sacrifice. However, alongside its complex choices and varied quests, The Outer Worlds 2 also happily lets you simply cause chaos and fight your way through everything.

16. Halo Infinite

With official story expansions unlikely, Halo Infinite is now focused on maintaining what it has. Luckily, players still have plenty to enjoy with Forge mode, new multiplayer maps, and regular updates. Despite a rocky start and its flaws, Halo Infinite delivers some of the most fun gameplay in the entire Halo series, so it’s best to enjoy it while the community is still active.

15. DOOM: The Dark Ages

id Software deserves praise – they’ve discovered a winning formula that evokes strong, complex feelings, and they aren’t afraid to repeat it. While The Dark Ages is noticeably slower-paced than Eternal, its deliberate gameplay, combined with the fantastic Shield Saw and improved close-combat fighting, remains incredibly satisfying.

14. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

It’s surprising that Shadows became such a debated game in 2025. Beyond the controversy, it offers a really beautiful portrayal of Japan, and Naoe’s parkour and stealth skills are among the best in the series. While some players have issues with the story, voice acting, and how quickly the game moves, it’s still incredibly fun to sneak into castles and take down targets – or just charge in for a direct fight. The game also features a lot of complex and detailed systems that add to the experience.

13. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

There’s a definite charm to Oblivion Remastered that reminds you of when Bethesda made truly immersive games. It’s refreshing to play an RPG with interesting side quests that have real consequences, a story where you’re not the special hero, and plenty of hidden secrets. While it still has some of the original’s quirks and bugs – and unfortunately, a few new ones added during the remaster – it remains one of the best open-world RPGs released this year.

12. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone feels like a reflection of humanity at its core. It can be a fascinating place full of strange occurrences, or a living, breathing community with its own conflicts and interactions, happening with or without you. It’s a harsh environment, but well-equipped with weaponry. No matter why you enter the Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 aims to deliver a uniquely immersive experience.

11. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Even with many recent action movies and games failing to impress, Indiana Jones remains the king of adventure. The Great Circle offers a fresh story experienced through Indy’s eyes. Though it might seem different from games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider, the game developers have created amazing locations where exploring and paying attention to your surroundings are just as important as fast action and jumping. You can choose to sneak around, or go in swinging – both approaches work well. With a long and engaging story, detailed environments, clever writing, and spectacular action sequences, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is truly one of the best games available.

10. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

From the moment you start playing Clair Obscur, you’re completely immersed in its stunning and gritty world. The combat is both strategic and engaging, feeling incredibly rewarding when you perfectly time parries and team up for counterattacks. As you progress, the game consistently introduces new mysteries alongside its answers, all set against a backdrop of phenomenal art and a memorable soundtrack. Sandfall Interactive hasn’t just paid tribute to classic turn-based RPGs; they’ve created a unique world brimming with potential, even if that world is ultimately headed for tragedy.

9. Blue Prince

There were many great rogue-like games this year, but Blue Prince surprised everyone with how incredibly fun it is. The goal is simple: as the heir to a large estate, you need to find the 46th room. However, you don’t just find it – you build the path to it by choosing from a selection of rooms, almost like collecting cards. Do you sacrifice a useful Observatory to make way for something better? Maybe add a coat check to carry an item to your next attempt? With a limited number of moves and a fresh start each day, Blue Prince is incredibly addictive and forces you to carefully consider every option.

8. ARC Raiders

Even if you don’t usually enjoy extraction shooter games, ARC Raiders is surprisingly compelling. Every time you venture out, things feel fresh and unpredictable – you might encounter a helpful player who turns against you, or find yourself in a desperate fight for survival. Beyond the varied gameplay, the game looks and feels fantastic, making the experience even better.

7. Split Fiction

Hazelight Studios’ latest game, their biggest project yet, unfortunately got a bit lost among all the other fantastic releases this year – maybe because it came out early. But despite that, it’s easily the best cooperative game you can play right now. It features incredible co-op moments, taking you from futuristic worlds with robots to fantasy realms filled with giants and dragons, all mixed with some surprisingly strange and unsettling elements. What else could you ask for?

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Despite a year full of new game releases, I still find myself constantly thinking about Silksong. It looks peaceful, but I know its hardest bosses will be incredibly challenging. Even with all the ways to deal damage, the tricky platforming, and dangerous enemies, I’m still eager to explore the world of Pharloom. I want to experience everything it has to offer – see the sights, play music for the characters, and find a sense of connection through the game’s challenges. Ultimately, I want to overcome everything the game throws at me. It’s probably a bit obsessive, but the promise of adventure and beauty is just too strong to resist.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Henry’s return in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 isn’t just another sequel – it’s a remarkably immersive RPG. The game world feels incredibly realistic and detailed, from identifying plants to the intricacies of blacksmithing. While there’s plenty of adventure and combat to be found, what really stands out is how naturally the game responds to your actions. Everything, from your appearance and how you speak to even being covered in blood, has a noticeable impact, and it’s truly impressive.

4. Forza Horizon 5

Many racing games are released, but few become truly memorable and gain a large, dedicated fanbase. Forza Horizon 5 is one of those special titles, and if you haven’t explored its beautiful Mexico setting with its exciting races, you’re missing out on a great experience. The game feels new and improved with its updated progression system and rewards. But even if you don’t aim for the highest achievements, you can still enjoy collecting and customizing hundreds of cars while listening to fantastic music.

3. Baldur’s Gate 3

This game brilliantly captures the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons and reintroduces it to a new generation. But it’s much more than that – it’s a deeply engaging role-playing experience where your choices genuinely matter and lead to different outcomes. The characters are exceptionally well-written and brought to life with fantastic voice acting. Combat is strategic and rewarding, encouraging you to think about your character build, the environment, and trying new approaches. Whether you prefer playing a noble hero or a villain, a spell-wielding warrior or a skilled archer, this game lets you fully realize your role-playing dreams within a truly memorable world.

2. Elden Ring

Even after four years and a major update, we’re still captivated by the world of Elden Ring. This realm, filled with fallen gods, presents a challenge that feels familiar to fans of FromSoftware games, but on a much grander scale. It’s a compelling adventure filled with powerful enemies, hidden lore, and surprising discoveries – a simple trip can lead to sprawling underground cities and stunning, otherworldly locations. Calling Elden Ring a ‘Souls-like masterpiece’ doesn’t quite do it justice. It combines the notoriously addictive difficulty with a constant desire to explore, and a seemingly endless supply of secrets, making it a must-play for everyone.

1. Cyberpunk 2077

Worried about a future where consumerism and technology take over, leading to a bleak, dystopian world? That’s just everyday life in the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Picture this: gun machines on every street corner, powerful corporations controlling entire districts, and a rebellious rocker living inside your head. The game doesn’t reinvent the action RPG genre, but it completely immerses you in Mike Pondsmith’s vision of a truly hopeless future – and it does so brilliantly. Despite all the detail and increasingly realistic, invasive advertising, Cyberpunk 2077 stands on its own as a fantastic game, offering exciting combat, compelling side quests, deep character customization, and a story you won’t forget. Whether you become a legend or simply disappear, your journey through Night City is an unforgettable experience.

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2025-11-26 22:45