5 Best Xbox Games That Aren’t Halo or Gears of War

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Since the first Xbox launched in 2001, Microsoft has released a huge number of games on its consoles. Among the games developed specifically for Xbox, the Halo and Gears of War series are by far the most successful. Halo has been a cornerstone of the Xbox brand since the beginning, expanding beyond the main story of Master Chief with many spin-off titles. Gears of War arrived later with the Xbox 360 and quickly became a hugely influential franchise, redefining third-person shooter games. Even now, Halo and Gears of War are still the most popular Xbox franchises, and they’re expected to stay that way for a long time.

Beyond the popular Halo and Gears of War games, it’s tricky to pick the very best Xbox titles of all time. So, here’s a ranking of five top-tier Xbox games that aren’t part of those two series. To keep things fair, we’re also excluding franchises like Call of Duty, Fallout, and Minecraft, as those weren’t originally published by Xbox.

5. Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves has a unique success story within Xbox history. When it launched in 2018, the game received a lukewarm reception. Many players found the pirate adventure lacking in content and weren’t particularly engaged.

Since its release, Rare has consistently updated Sea of Thieves with new content, keeping players engaged for years. Now, almost eight years later, the game still boasts a dedicated community and is considered one of Xbox’s most successful ongoing live-service titles.

4. Sunset Overdrive

Before being bought by PlayStation, Insomniac Games created Sunset Overdrive as a game only for Xbox. This quirky, open-world take on the post-apocalypse is filled with Insomniac’s signature creative weapons, and moving around feels a lot like playing a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game. The result is Sunset Overdrive, a truly unique and fun Xbox title.

Although it’s unlikely we’ll see a sequel to Sunset Overdrive now that the developers at Insomniac Games have moved on to other projects, the original game remains surprisingly fun and enjoyable, even after nearly 12 years. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s definitely worth checking out!

3. Crackdown

Originally, Crackdown gained popularity because it included early access to the Halo 3 multiplayer beta. But beyond that, Crackdown proved to be a great game in its own right. Set in the massive city of Pacific City, it lets you play as a super-powered “Agent” whose job is to eliminate the city’s criminals. As you complete missions and even just explore, your Agent grows stronger, creating a satisfying sense of progress that’s rare in many games.

Xbox followed up the popular first Crackdown game with two sequels, but neither one was as successful. Although the series is currently inactive, it doesn’t diminish how unique and memorable the original Crackdown remains.

2. Forza Horizon 5

I’ve been playing Forza for ages – it’s been around for over 20 years and is seriously one of the biggest racing game franchises out there. It all started with Forza Motorsport back in 2005, but things really changed when they released Forza Horizon. That’s when they took the already super-fast racing and dropped it into a huge open world. Honestly, Forza Horizon blew up in popularity and became the main draw, and every new game in the series just keeps getting better and better.

Although future installments may eventually surpass it, Forza Horizon 5 is currently the best racing game Xbox has ever offered. Set in a stunning and varied Mexico, it provides an incredibly immersive and beautiful racing experience, complete with some of the most realistic sound design in gaming. It’s so well-made that even people who don’t usually enjoy racing games are likely to find a lot to appreciate in Forza Horizon 5.

1. Fable 2

The anticipation for the new Fable game is high, and a lot of that comes down to Fable 2. While the original Fable was great when it first came out, Lionhead Studios made significant improvements in the sequel. Fable 2 featured a stronger story, more refined combat, and the beloved addition of a dog companion, making it a truly memorable RPG and cementing its place as one of the best of all time.

Fable 2 is not only a standout RPG, but also one of the best games ever made for Xbox. While some might prefer certain Halo or Gears of War titles, no other Xbox game compares to Fable 2.

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2026-01-25 16:12