15+ Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024: The Latest & Greatest

Our compilation of the best Xbox Series X games isn’t just about breathtaking visuals. We cover the best of the lot that excels in delivering clever stories and satisfying gameplay. While some of these games are exclusive to Microsoft’s turf, most of them can be enjoyed on other platforms as well. Pick from genres that range from solo jaunts to co-op shootouts and larger adventures. Whatever your preference is, we’ve got solid recommendations for you.

The system has been available now for nearly four years, meaning it’s no easy feat to categorize the top 15 best Xbox Series X games with so much fierce competition. We’re going over everything from AAA blockbusters to indie darlings and everything in between. Whether it’s developed in-house or a leading third-party title, you’ll find no shortage of great experiences to play right now further down the page.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024
2. More of the Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024
3. The Bottom Line
4. FAQs
5. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024
2. More of the Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024
3. The Bottom Line
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs
5. References

Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024

15. Starfield

Few games can match the sheer ambition of Starfield, Bethesda’s spacefaring IP years in the making. While its bland planets and imperfect character animations can pull you out of its immersive storyline, saving the galaxy one side quest at a time remains an alluring pursuit.

The classic Bethesda RPG formula is alive and well here, offering you the freedom to chart out the cosmos in your custom spaceship. It’s among the best single-player games on Xbox Series X right now. What’s more, with the upcoming release of Shattered Space, it should get even better.

14. Sea of Thieves

A pirate sandbox is a great idea on paper, but few games have made it work, especially with multiplayer. Thanks to a steady stream of updates, Sea of Thieves manages to make treasure hunts and pirate ship fights feel incredible with friends.

With plenty of customization options, you can look absolutely dashing as you work towards becoming a pirate legend. You don’t need to spend more on expansions and updates, meaning the game’s value grows with time. One of the best multiplayer games on Xbox Series X, Sea of Thieves is worth a shot on an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

13. Forza Horizon 5

While it’s not the latest Forza title, we’re partial to the arcade style of Microsoft’s racing games, meaning that Forza Horizon 5 is our racing game of choice. In addition to looking phenomenal, its rich car variety and environments lure you into fun driving challenges across a massive map. Friends can hop in as well to enjoy races or the new Battle Royale mode.

It’s a meaty feast packed with things to do at your own pace. Forza Horizon 5 is pretty approachable, which is why we recommend this over Forza Motorsport (2023) when it comes to comparing the best racing Xbox Series X games. And if you prefer a challenge, you can always turn off driving assists to test your skills.

12. Resident Evil 4 Remake

If you haven’t experienced Resident Evil’s brand of survival horror that mixes tense shootouts and anxiety-inducing escapes, give Resident Evil 4 (RE4) a spin. It doesn’t require you to know about characters like Leon and Ashley Graham, letting you hop into its Spanish village setting easily. This remake improves the visuals and sound design to take advantage of the Xbox Series X’s hardware enhancements. With plenty of horrors lurking at each corner, RE4 is a great choice that sits among the best zombie games on Xbox Series X.

11. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Few games can compete with Dragon’s Dogma 2 when it comes to its emergent gameplay. The game puts you in the shoes of the Arisen, a hero tasked with slaying a menacing dragon. To do so, you rely on Pawns, NPC characters created by players all over the world. Complete with distinct personalities, combat options, and skills, you’ll have a blast scouring the world with these companions.

Even in its most tense monster fights, Dragon’s Dogma 2 gives you plenty of combat options, and utilizing your Pawns effectively can lead to some hilarious moments. While it might not be one of the best-looking Xbox Series X games, it offers memorable moments and a quest structure with zero handholding.

10. Diablo 4

Taking on Lilith’s horde of demons is a stunning journey on a large screen, and Diablo 4 provides heaps of action-RPG combat to play through. Once you defeat her in the main storyline after encountering all kinds of quests and bosses, your adventure is just getting started. Its seasonal model offers new quests and modes to try out every three months, giving it one of the most active communities in the ARPG space.

With multiple classes and detailed skill trees to tinker with, you’ll quickly be drawn into the art of perfecting your build with the right item or buff. You can join allies to take on bigger threats like World Bosses, making it sit among the best co-op games on Xbox Series X.

9. Halo Infinite

Microsoft’s flagship FPS series Halo splits its essential components into two packages this time. If you’re focused on playing its multiplayer modes and climbing the ranked ladder, this experience is free. But if you want to step into Master Chief’s boots and take on the Banished on Zeta Halo, you’ll have to purchase the campaign.

Its open world might not be the most varied, but its clever enemies and iconic weapons retain the previous games’ core spirit. Thanks to solid boss fights and a new grappling hook, Halo Infinite respects its heritage as it adds modern flourishes to an age-old formula. It’s one of the best Xbox Series X exclusive games.

8. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

If you’re looking for one of the best new Xbox Series X games from 2024, Infinite Wealth arrived earlier this year. The latest in Kiryu’s saga, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, crafts a well-deserved sendoff for the famed ex-con. From returning to iconic locations to meeting familiar friends, Kiryu’s trip down memory lane will sting the hardest for devoted Yakuza fans.

Ichiban gets his share of the spotlight, too, with a cast of well-written characters to lean on as he goes up against a new threat in Hawaii. And like every title from RGG, there’s an incredible amount of side stories and activities to pursue in your downtime between the main story. Catching up with the series is worth your time, especially if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

7. Hi-Fi Rush

Set in a world that ebbs and flows to the beat, Hi-Fi Rush is a breath of fresh air thanks to its vibrant visuals, slick rhythm-based combat, and short runtime. You’ll get to know Chai and his crew as you go through missions that alternate between platforming segments and punchy combat sequences.

Combos blend into each other as you time them to the beat, making for some satisfying beatdowns, even against bosses. It’s not as much of a time-sink as some of the RPGs on this list, thanks to its short length. Give it a spin and you’ll find yourself chained to the rhythm in one of the best games to play on Xbox Series X.

6. Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Bungie’s free-to-play multiplayer shooter got its most ambitious expansion yet. The Final Shape wraps up several storylines, rewarding both players who’ve made it this far and newcomers looking to enter the sci-fi universe. Its final climatic fight and the missions that lead to it are excellent in quality, complete with cutscenes that bring its cast to life.

Thanks to clever level design, smart enemies, and a wide assortment of weapons, Destiny 2 trades blows with the best shooters on Xbox Series X. Considering that FPS titles have always found an audience on Microsoft’s consoles, Destiny 2 is no different.

5. Baldur’s Gate 3

Easily among the best open world Xbox Series X games, Baldur’s Gate 3 took a while to bring its intricate Dungeons & Dragons world to Microsoft’s consoles. Thanks to extensive updates, most bugs have been ironed out, and there are several satisfying endings to work towards. At its heart, the dice mechanics allow you to come up with a handful of solutions to any challenge, be it combat, dialogue, or simply sneaking past.

It’ll rack your brain in a good way and have you chugging through its three lengthy acts with your companions before doing it all over again. And yes, your friends can tag along on this adventure.

4. Alan Wake 2

The sequel to a cult classic, Alan Wake 2 brings us back into the head of author Alan Wake and gives you a new perspective via FBI agent Saga Anderson. Dual perspectives make this campaign feel quite unlike any other survival horror game out there.

Mission sequences aren’t set in stone either, letting you switch between characters at particular points in the campaign. The game is packed with memorable moments, jittery thrills, and a cast that helps wrap up the story in surprising ways. It’s hands-down among the best survival horror games on the Xbox Series X.

3. Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload is a masterclass in storytelling that pairs school life with a parallel dimension where your team’s subconscious voices manifest as powerful entities. Centered around grief and making the most of each day, the new voice cast and quality-of-life upgrades make this remake a must-play. Its plot remains engaging to this day and won’t leave your mind in a hurry. It’s one of the darker tales of the Persona series and is among the best-rated Xbox Series X games released this year.

2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Edition

Known for its crushing difficulty, Elden Ring’s expansion builds on the mysterious world and bosses of the base game. Set in The Lands Between, you’ll work on becoming the Elden Lord in the original game before taking on even more threats. In true FromSoftware fashion, there are plenty of secrets to explore that won’t be reduced to markers on your map.

While some of these bosses are beyond frustrating to dodge and slash, this builds up to a sense of success that few genres offer. It easily sits among the best RPG games on Xbox Series X. The game rewards you based on how much effort you put into it, be it hunting for secret bosses or taking down the ones you run into.

1. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Few redemption stories in gaming can match CD Projekt Red’s rise from the ashes of the original Cyberpunk 2077 console launch. Phantom Liberty, paired with the 2.0 update, brings an incredible spy thriller campaign and irons out much of the drawbacks of the base game.

Thanks to a revamped skill tree system, the game feels like a whole new beast, letting you take on threats on your terms. Few locations can touch the immersion of gritty Night City with its sharp contrast of neon suburbs and trash-laden countryside. Phantom Liberty elevates Cyberpunk 2077 to one of the best Xbox Series X games of all time.

More of the Best Xbox Series X Games to Play in 2024

The Bottom Line

Use our comprehensive list of the best-rated Xbox Series X games in 2024 to dive into a rich catalog that spans multiple genres and price points. If you’ve been looking for your next favorite game, try one of these games to whet your appetite. Be it co-op mayhem, single-player RPGs, or everything in between, we’ve got your gaming needs covered.

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