The Xbox Series X/S has been out for almost a week and according to Microsoft, it is already outselling its predecessors at launch. This is despite the machine being notoriously difficult to get a hold of unless you’re willing to pay extortionate prices on eBay.
Unfortunately, the consoles have launched without any game that has been designed specifically for the machines like Demon’s Souls was for the PlayStation 5. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some very worthy titles to play on the machine, and thanks to Game Pass there’s still a huge selection of games to choose from — here are some of the best.
10 Gears Of War 5
First released in 2019, Gears of War 5 was already an amazing-looking action shooter on the Xbox One X. However, the upgrades for the Xbox Series X in particular take the third-person action shooter to another level, making it one of the best showcase titles on the system.
Gears of War 5 now features a dynamic resolution that hits 4K resolution but only drops in some of the more intense scenes. The framerate is the real star of the show, however, as it maintains 60 FPS throughout the single-player campaign and an astonishing 120 FPS in multiplayer.
9 Tetris Effect Connected
Tetris may be one of the most recognizable puzzle games ever developed and it would be understandable if most gamers gave this one a miss due to its familiarity. However, Tetris Effect Connected is a revamped take on the timeless classic that now includes a fantastic local co-op mode.
It’s the perfect game to play with family after a Christmas dinner or other family events, and it’s a game that even the grandparents can get into without much difficulty. Tetris Effect Connected remains one of the most addictive games of all time and it’s the perfect game to kill a bit of time in between some of the other games on this list.
8 Fortnite
Love it or hate it, Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world right now. And if you’ve purchased the Xbox Series X/S for the family there’s a good chance that someone will already be playing this game on the previous generations.
Fans of Fortnite will also be pleased to know that the game benefits from a next-gen upgrade with enhanced visuals, effects, and a silky smooth 60 FPS. The free-to-play megahit from Epic Games will likely remain one of the most popular battle royale games in the genre for years to come.
7 NBA 2K21
Despite its controversial $70 price tag, NBA 2K21 is a worthy upgrade over its Xbox One and PlayStation 4 counterparts. The visuals are noticeably better in every respect with the textures, sweat mechanics, lighting, and animations looking far more realistic.
NBA 2K21 may have suffered from a lot of critical backlash in regard to its rather hefty price tag. But in terms of visuals and presentation, it’s a true showcase for what the new consoles are capable of in this brand new generation.
6 No Man’s Sky
Released in 2016, No Man’s Sky gained a reputation for being one of the worst launches for a game in known history. At the time it failed to live up to any of the promises that were teased in the trailers, and fans and critics alike reacted very negatively.
Four years on, and not only have the developers Hello Games fulfilled their original promises, but they have also surpassed expectations in every conceivable way. It’s a much different game now than it was at launch and it also benefits from a nice upgrade on the XSX with fuller worlds, 32 players, crossplay, and 4K running at 60 FPS.
5 Watch Dogs: Legion
Watch Dogs: Legion is the third entry in the open-world action-adventure series from Ubisoft. Unlike its predecessors (which often felt a little like an Assassin’s Creed title set in the modern-day), Legion allows players to control a whole city of playable characters in a near-future London.
There are some political overtones in the story but like Far Cry 5 before it, the writing can fall a little flat. However, the gameplay is solid and it’s one of the best-looking multiplatform games of this generation.
4 Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI was released in its original form back in 2017 for the PlayStation 4 in western territories. Its definitive edition was later released on the Nintendo Switch in 2019 with extra features, scenes, orchestrated music, and a 16 Bit style 2D mode.
The Xbox Series X/S version will hit retailers and Xbox Game Pass on the 4th of December 2020 and will benefit from updated visuals, improved framerates, and more. DQXI is already an outstanding looking game but it’s also perfect for gamers that looking for an epic RPG for their new machine.
3 Gears Tactics
First released on the PC in April 2020, Gears Tactics has finally landed on Xbox consoles in time for the console’s launch. Unlike the mainline series, it’s a turn-based tactics game that is comparable to the XCOM series.
It’s an excellent title in any generation but it naturally benefits from being optimized for the Xbox Series X/S. Just like the XCOM series before it, Gears Tactics works incredibly well on the console with great controls and is just as atmospheric and challenging as that series.
2 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the seventh mainline entry in the long-running open-world crime drama series. However, with its brand new protagonist and new turn-based RPG gameplay that’s taken inspiration from the likes of the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series, the game is as fresh as it’s ever been.
There’s still a lot to love for fans of the previous entries, as the game balance of serious and emotive drama complements the often wacky and hilarious side quests. While it doesn’t boast incredible visuals, the Xbox Series X/S is still the best console to play Yakuza: Like a Dragon on – until the PS5 version lands in 2021.
1 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Released in November 2020 in time for the launch of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is the new mainline entry in the long-running action-adventure series. This time the series takes place in medieval Norway and Britain.
The game is stunning on both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S and artistically one of the best looking titles in the series. While the gameplay is more in line with Origins and Odyssey, Valhalla also reintroduces classic features like the hidden blade and social blending.
