Best Xbox One Games Every Owner Needs to Play

The Xbox One may not rank as the most successful or popular Xbox console by Microsoft, but this didn’t stop it from having an array of successful games. The best Xbox One games vary across genres, series, and developers. 

The best Xbox One games provide the most impressive experience on the platform when it comes to gameplay, visuals, characters, story, value, and so much more. Every Xbox One console owner should consider picking up these various titles. 

1. Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar Games created its magnum opus with the fiwitchefth numbered game in this genre-defining series. Its core story of three playable characters has fun characterization, engaging missions, and a player-crafted story.

But it only gets better with GTA Online, the additional online multiplayer experience where players have entire digital lives to experience alongside others. The limitless amount of fun in the gorgeous setting of Los Santos pushed the boundaries of online open-world games. 

2. Elden Ring

Award-winning developer FromSoftware showed it has more tricks up its sleeves with this Game of the Year-worthy experience. It takes the incredible combat and stylings of the Dark Souls series and expands it into a vast open world. This makes the game more profound than other experiences but also more accessible to more players than ever. 

3. Halo Infinite

The sixth mainline Halo game took players back to the basics. Players step back into the boots of Master Chief and explore an open Halo ring environment. The expansive and extraordinary single-player campaign complements the next-level multiplayer weapons, modes, and maps well. 

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt Red took the grand fantasy novel series from Andrzej Sapkowski and translated it into a monumental open-world action RPG. The sheer amount of content and player-driven choices feel unlike any other game on the platform. This game spawned sequels, TV series, spin-off experiences, and more for a good reason. 

5. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games delved further into the Wild West past for this terrific, blockbuster open-world action game. Players take on the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw who wants to help his gang thrive. The breadth of content available in the detailed world only helps the tremendous storytelling, which feels like a worthwhile TV show in game form. 

6. Persona 5 Royal

Atlus crafted a true Japanese role-playing game masterpiece with Persona 5 Royal. It has so much value in its 100-hour storyline, which doesn’t include the overwhelming amount of incredible side content of romancing friends, working part-time jobs, collecting Personas, and more. This all culminates in a masterful finale in the third semester as the Phantom Thieves save the world not once but twice. 

7. Gears 5

The Gears of War series returned to a stellar quality after a bit of a dip. The fifth game took massive risks with the campaign, offering cooperative play in a surprising open world. But its best element comes from the online multiplayer, which has the strongest third-person shooter gameplay in gaming since Gears of War 2. 

8. Fortnite

No other game exists like Fortnite. This free-to-play game gives players an endless amount of fun. Sure, the core battle royale experience impresses on its own, but its actual value comes from everything else. The music rhythm game with Fortnite Festival, the racing game with Rocket Racing, the Minecraft-like Lego Fortnite, and more make this one game with unlimited fun. 

9. Forza Horizon 5

This open-world car racing game redefined the genre with its mix of buttery smooth driving mechanics and lifelike recreation of Mexico. The immense amount of races, cars, customization, and more make it a wonderful arcade time on Xbox. 

10. Minecraft

This blocky survival crafting game may not look like much at first glance compared to other Xbox One games. But it contains an unbelievable amount of content underneath. Players have the option to build whatever they want, explore a vast world, and survive against zombies and other creatures both alone and together with others. It provides one of the most substantial multiplayer experiences on Xbox. 

11. Cuphead

Cuphead wins for the most substantial art style among Xbox One games. It takes after old-school cartoons for a retro TV series in interactive form. It emphasizes immense difficulty in its boss battles and levels with deceptive and simplistic controls. 

12. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

This collection of many older Halo games feels like one of the best for new console owners. So much value exists in this experience, including some of the most outstanding FPS titles of all time, such as Halo 2 and 3. The games all look so great with the visual updates, plus the still excellent online multiplayer. 

13. Doom Eternal

This FPS sequel takes demon-slaying to a new level. Players navigate through various levels and realms as they smash, blast, and tear through hellish creatures. The added platforming options make the movement even faster and give players more challenge as they rip the heavens asunder. 

14. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This magnificent cinematic platformer oozes personality and a vibrant style. The 2D perspective allows the creative and colorful levels to shine. The intense action mixes well with the environmental storytelling for one of the must-play action games on the system.

15. Monster Hunter World

Capcom took the Monster Hunter series to a new level with this experience. The massive world feels so alive with all of the monsters around. The engaging gameplay loop of picking up a mission, heading out with friends, hunting down a legendary beast, and then returning home with spoils never gets old. 

16. It Takes Two

This platforming puzzle game takes place in 3D and has the unique status of a two-player cooperative game. Players must play this game with someone else, which warrants its Game of the Year status. The stunning blend of the Disney animated film-like storyline with the inventive levels makes it worthwhile. 

17. Inside

The creator of the award-winning platformer Limbo came out with this sequel during the Xbox One’s lifetime. It comes close to the masterful platforming environments and puzzles of the original with a sinister, disturbing, and subtle cinematic storyline. 

18. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

This FromSoft game has the essence of the Soulsborne genre the studio created, but it takes a quite different path with it. The emphasis on swift and excellent action gameplay makes it one of the smoothest and most challenging titles from the renowned developer. 

19. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft’s third open-world RPG-style entry, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, improves upon the past two with swifter, more meaningful combat, a fascinating Viking story, and thrilling content. It may have some grindy elements, but it makes for one of the most stuffed games on the platform.

20. Hitman 3

This sandbox experience lets players pick and choose how to take out each mission’s targets. Should the player go in guns blazing? Or find a disguise and poison the target? The endless possibilities and extraordinary levels, such as the classic murder mystery, make this the best in the series. 

21. Resident Evil 2 Remake

This remake from Capcom takes the beloved but messy second game in the spooky series and gives it a beautiful new lick of paint. It has some of the most gorgeous environments on Xbox One, alongside terrifying moments. 

22. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

The seventh mainline entry in this story-driven series shifted to a turn-based combat route. It worked well, broadening the appeal and audience while making the game deeper and even more fun to play. And that all exists before the well-written main story about homeless people and outcasts finding a place for themselves. 

23. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

This visceral and cerebral experience plays unlike anything else among Xbox One games. It tells the story of Senua and her grief over a loved one. The hack-and-slash combat mixed with the puzzles feels solid enough, but the real value comes from the stellar soundtrack and audio design, as players hear Senua’s voices inside their heads, too.

24. Apex Legends

Developer Respawn Entertainment knows how to make a fast-paced and exhilarating first-person shooter. The studio mixed together this with the battle royale survival of the fittest mentality and Overwatch-like character powers. This makes for one of the finest straightforward battle royale experiences on Xbox One.