It’s no secret that current Xbox strategies are moving away from exclusive games.
Indiana Jones and the large circle were released on PlayStation 5. ForzaHorizon5 did the same thing. Upcoming DOOM: The Dark Ages will be available on all platforms on May 15th.
Other exclusives, including the best you can find on Xbox Game Pass, also feel like it’s only a matter of time before jumping to the PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2. For now, only these great games can be found on Xbox.
Whether you’re using PC or Xbox Series X | s or not, if you’re looking for a reason to jump, these eight titles are what you’re looking for.
8
avowed
More than an obsidian elder scroll
The next big thing in the RPG space, burning the world wasn’t exactly bright, but Avowed is still a very solid adventure that is a fitting addition to the Xbox Game Pass library.
In our review, I said, “Avowed proves that bigger and bigger isn’t always better. Instead of making a game that tries to make everything bigger on the market, Obsidian stayed true to that vision and provided a sophisticated experience that I fell in love with.”
The battle is a breath of fresh air that captivates me as I explore the world around me, delving further into each dungeon and attracting enemies waiting for me.
I hope there was more depth to that main story, but the great cast of characters makes up for it, especially when they joined me in combat.
7
Rare replays
An incredible collection of games
Technically, Rare Play consists of an impressive collection of games available elsewhere. However, as a package, Rare Replay is only for Xbox, so it’s a list.
There’s no better way to go down the memory lane and experience the best and rare games. While some iconic classics are missing due to license rights, you’ll be surprised that you won’t miss these games beside other inclusions.
From Banjo-Kazooie to Blast Corps and everything in between, Rare Replay is the gold standard for compilation games. It is a great opportunity to revisit rare past glory days, reminiscing memories from the game that you remember from the youngsters, discovering some hidden gems you may have missed along the way.
You may not be a marquee developer once, but the unusual replays are here to remind you why it was one of the best things in the business.
6
f story 2
Hero or villain?
While awaiting the return of Fable Franchise, I often look back at its past and plunge into the world of Albion like I used to.
Fable Anniversary is the easiest and easiest way to relive the franchise’s past, but it doesn’t offer as much depth or as close to content as Fable 2 as I like the game.
As for the action RPG genre, it’s not much better than this. Peter Monilou and the company have yet to come close to their original goals, but here the vision is much clearer.
Fable II expands the original in every respect, adding both a great take on the fantasy genre with updates to the quality of life, a more robust world to explore, and a compelling story to boot. This game knows what it wants to be and does its best to try it out, even if it’s not always successful.
If next year’s Fable reboot can capture the magic of Fable 2 and remind you that you don’t take things too seriously, we’re looking for a treat.
5
Hello: Reach
The best Hello Game
Halo: Reach is the best game in the franchise. Yes, evolved combat is the most innovative and innovative. And yes, Halo 2 and 3 are the ones we spent the most time playing.
Halo: Reach may not be the case with others. It’s a spectacular story with a terrifying sense of despair that remains throughout the game.
Since Leach is a prequel, we already know how this story ends. A lot has been done about tragedy and reachable collapse before development began in the game. But that doesn’t stop us from cheering on the Noble team for success, despite the odds piling up against them.
From Core Halo’s gameplay to the incredible soundtrack led by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, Halo: Reach is a Bungie-worthy swan song that travels from the franchise.
4
Sunset Overdrive
Video Game Amusement Park
The fact that Sunset Overdrive is an exclusive thing on Xbox feels like a heat dream. Developer Insomniac Games is best known for his work with several iconic PlayStation franchises, especially Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance.
Sony acquired them in 2019 following the highly acclaimed Marvel Spider-Man release a year ago, but this is exclusive to Xbox in 2014.
As impressive as Insomniac’s portfolio, Sunset Overdrive deserves to be debated as one of their best works. Its biggest flaw is that writing and humor is sometimes flat, but if you judge this based solely on gameplay, it’s a huge success.
If you do, imagine an insomnia development game that incorporates the best elements from their previous releases and pays homage to iconic games like Jet Set Radio and Prince of Persia. The game is legitimately cult classic and is worth your time.
3
Stalker 2: The Heart of Chornobyl
Amazing Euro Junk Experience
The biggest flaw in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the game’s myriad bugs and technical issues upon release.
In our review, “Stalker 2 is fun and has many possibilities, but calling it good is unfair. You can sink for 100 hours without realizing it, especially if you love the previous iteration deeply. However, performance issues, overall contradictions in many areas, and clumsy presentations will keep this game until a massive overhaul comes.”
Good news, sports fans: overhauls are actually coming, and there are more plans in the future.
Stalker 2 is at its heart, and is a great experience the world of developers GSC gaming is tackling. It’s a junkie experience, but it claims it will make your adventure even more memorable.
Don’t be surprised if you look back on this game in the future. I wonder why we weren’t as grateful as we have, especially as updates continue to be released.
2
Forza Horizon 4
Running through the British countryside
Once Forza Horizon 5 arrives on PlayStation 5, you won’t be able to add it to Game Pass’s list of the best Xbox Exclusives. So why not talk about the next best thing in the Horizon series?
What’s more, before Horizon 5 was released, Forza Horizon 4 was the gold standard for open world racing games. Seasonal use helps keep things fresh, even if you regularly experience the same races and locales.
Of course, that means nothing without an incredibly healthy foundation under the hood. And the playgrounds learned that. Forza Horizon has been the pinnacle of the racing genre for many years, and this is where gameplay has truly become an unparalleled place.
Toppings with its impressive car and gorgeous graphics that will make you forget that it was released on the Xbox One rather than the S.
1
Gear 5
A worthy entry for the iconic Xbox franchise
After the missteps of Gears of War 4, Gears 5 does an incredible job of moving the franchise forward, while still remaining true to its roots.
It’s always difficult to develop a sequel to your beloved game, especially when you’re approaching the shadows of industry giants like epic games. While the Union stumbles through the gate, Gears 5 proves that it is more than capable of handling the franchise.
There was a controversial decision to focus the story as the protagonist on Kait Diaz, but JD Martinez was not an intriguing protagonist. Kait does a better job in key roles and helps those emotional moments hit harder.
Of course, what about Gears of War without the best third-person cover shooters available on the market? Gears 5 has spades, whether you want to play solo, cooperative, or competitively. As much as I’m excited to experience E-Day, I hope it won’t be long until I get the right sequel to Gears 5.
