The future looks bright for the Xbox Series X|S. New games are coming to Microsoft’s premier console, and many of them are even launching on Xbox Game Pass on Day One.
However, while everyone is anticipating games like Back 4 Blood and Halo Infinite, there are a few lesser-known titles that should not be forgotten. Whether they’re getting the Xbox Series X|S touch after being on last-gen consoles or they are brand-new releases, here are the best games to watch out for during the last half of 2021.
8 12 Minutes (August 19)
Billing itself as an “interactive thriller,” 12 Minutes puts you into the shoes of a man settling down for an evening alongside his wife just before they’re subject to a brutal home invasion that ends in — well, nothing good. The catch is that you’re stuck in a time loop. Every time the evening ends in tragedy, you’re sent back to the beginning armed with new knowledge of the procession of events, and thus the means to continuously alter the outcome until you manage to escape. In addition to its intriguing premise, 12 Minutes is coming packed with an all-star cast — James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe are all lending their chops to bring the intensity of the unfolding drama to a boil.
7 Microsoft Flight Simulator (July 27)
The gorgeous vistas and extraordinary sights of Microsoft Flight Simulator will be right at home with the power of the Xbox Series X|S. The next-gen console crowd are sure to be delighted with this hyper-realistic flight sim. Various types of aircraft are at your disposal, and you can tour the whole planet while piloting anything from a jet to a light plane.
You can even fly with realistic weather patterns hampering (or helping) your progress. The whole world feels within reach when you play Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the game takes flight on the Xbox Series X|S July 2021.
6 Shredders (December)
Sports games often give consoles the opportunity to flex their graphical muscle,and extreme snowboarding title Shredders is shaping up to do just that. If the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase trailer is anything to operate off of, the game’s visual performance is going to be jaw dropping, and the tagline “For Riders, By Riders” guarantees it will sate snowboarding enthusiasts. Snow-covered mountaintops and high-altitude courses set the scene for you to pull off an incredible suite of tricks.
5 Aliens: Fireteam Elite (August 24)
Ever since James Cameron introduced space marines to the Alien franchise, shooter games inspired by his film have sprung from the ground like wild daisies. This is no cause for complaint, however, as the iconic Xenomorph makes for an intense opponent in a firefight. Aliens: Fireteam Elite brings the spirit of the Aliens film back to video games. This cooperative third-person shooter aims to provide desperate showdowns between a three-player fireteam and wave after wave of Xenomorphs. It seeks to terrify, in other words, and it looks like it will succeed.
4 Among Us (TBA 2021)
Though PC and Mobile players have been delighting in this hidden role sensation for quite some time now, Xbox fans will soon get their slice of the murderous pie. In the unlikely event that you haven’t heard of this hidden role sensation, Among Us charges one (or several, depending) imposter with stealthily slaughtering their crewmates before they either successfully deduce the imposter’s identity or complete a set of arbitrary tasks. The mechanics are relatively straightforward and the rounds tend to be short, but the exhilaration of successfully sleuthing your best friends is always a treat to be savored.
3 The Forgotten City (TBA 2021)
The Forgotten City plops players into an ancient Roman city that’s been subjected to a curse — if one person sins, the rest die with them, and it’s up to the player to unravel the mystery surrounding its dying days.
Selling itself as an immersive role-playing experience rife with player agency, players are to be presented with a ton of options over the course of their investigation, including a time-loop mechanic that they can exploit to their heart’s content. Interestingly, the conceptual basis for this game originally manifested as a Skyrim mod circa 2015 — it’ll emerge as its own distinct, stand-alone game for PC in July, with the console versions to follow sometime during Q3 of 2021.
2 Farming Simulator 22 (November 22)
The determination and hard work needed to be a farmer is captured in the Farming Simulator titles, and Farming Simulator 22 clearly wishes to further enhance this portrayal of tilling the earth. The precise mechanics of running an agricultural business are encapsulated in one impressive package. It’s no surprise that the series has gathered a dedicated following. And from the vibe of Farming Simulator 22’s trailer, it knows exactly how to further entice new players to join.
1 Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (TBA 2021)
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has already proven a success on other consoles, and the hilarity it brings will be shared with Xbox Series X|S owners this year. You will finally be able to compete in a series of ridiculous obstacle courses alongside a multitude of other competitors, fumbling and stumbling your way to a potential victory. Fall Guys was a surprising delight on the battle royale scene as it innovated on the saturated genre. It will be an adorable new addition to games available to play on Xbox.
