The 30 Best Xbox One Games of All Time

Halo's historic run before its fifth mainline series entry is all contained within this ode to Xbox's premier IP. While this FPS compilation started out on an unfinished and buggy note, its final version is definitely worthy of your time. Its multiplayer suite offers a ton of bang for your buck, plus you can derive a ton of enjoyment from the single-player campaigns offered by Halo: Combat Evolved right up until Halo 4.

The biggest evolution in the Halo franchise to date is present within this open-world foray known as Halo Infinite. The Master Chief returns for a heroic trek across Zeta Halo in order to eliminate the Banished and neutralize his former trusty AI companion. The game's signature gunplay and vehicles play well within the confines of its massive hub world, plus its multiplayer suite comes with classic modes and a classic feel that evokes warm memories of Halo: Combat Evolved.

Gears 5 pushes Xbox's prized cover-based third-person shooter to the highest of highs when it comes to overall quality. Its single-player campaign lets you take control of Kait, who must discover her roots as it's tied to the enemy forces that have plagued her and her fellow COG soldiers for years. As you follow Kait through her journey of self-discovery, you'll get caught up in furious firefights against vicious creatures that want to tear your head off. Gears 5's competitive multiplayer and co-op options do even more to make it a destination for third-person shooter fanatics.

While the mainline Forza Motorsport games provide plenty of entertainment for sim racing diehards, its spinoff series places a bigger emphasis on arcade thrills that are far more enticing. Forza Horizon 5 transports players to the gorgeous country of Mexico for some fast-paced offroad and onroad challenges. With a dizzying amount of cars at your disposal, you'll get tons of mileage out of exploring every corner of Mexico's exotic locales. Your jaw will drop as soon as you lock eyes with a snow-capped volcano right in the middle of a race.

Sunset Overdrive is further proof that Insomniac Games puts out nothing but bangers. And if you happened to miss out on it at launch, now's the time to remedy that error and take it for a spin. What's on offer here is a zany third-person shooter that lets you shoot down crazed monsters that have been infected by the world's most poisonous energy drink. Taking them down entails grinding on rails, jumping to insane heights, and using a crazy arsenal of ranged & melee weapons to do some major damage. Sunset Overdrive has a ton of personality that makes it such an unforgettable experience.

One of the most prosperous returns in gaming history is the amazing reboot of the classic 90s fighter Killer Instinct. The dedicated developers at Double Helix Games and Iron Galaxy each contributed greatly to this quality brawler with retooled combo & breaker mechanics, new characters that fit in perfectly with the rest of the pack, awesome guest combatants, and refreshed designs for familiar roster members. In its most current state, Killer Instinct is still worth hopping into.

Will Cuphead infuriate you? Yes. But will you and your-op partner feel super satisfied after you've squashed the threat of one of its many bosses? Hell yes! Cuphead is one of the hardest games ever made, but its classic Disney & Fleischer Studios-inspired animation and big band tunes will compel you to keep striving on even after numerous defeats. Even the side-scrolling stages are quite the challenge. But there's still so much fun to be had as you figure out each boss' behavior, get familiar with each stage layout, and utilize the right weapon combos to prevail.

Ori and the Blind Forest kicked things off on a very strong note for the series. Then Ori and the Will of the Wisps raised the bar even more as an undeniably breathtaking sequel. Main character Ori got placed within a new region called Niwen that was full of new gorgeous stages to explore. And of course, that new locale came jam-packed with new beasts to conquer and more platforming challenges to test your mettle. The new addition of autosaving made this game's whole experience so much more tolerable, which makes Ori and the Will of the Wisps such a strong follow-up.

Sea of Thieves morphed from a pretty bare-bones pirate simulator at launch into a full-fledged experience that lets players have tons of fun on the high seas. A crew of online swashbucklers are put to the test here as they must command their own ship, keep up with repairs, complete tasks for trading companies, and engage in raids. Unearthing treasure chests, getting into swordfights with skeletal baddies, and avoiding the massive tentacles of the Kraken make up the rest of Sea of Thieves' admirable qualities.

One of the most recognizable games of all time is this sandbox video game that features near limitless content. The most creative gamers out there will get the most mileage out of Minecraft thanks to its ability to let anyone and everyone create anything their heart desires. On a traditional gameplay front, Minecraft's Survival Mode provides some engrossing fun alongside its more open-ended mechanics. You'll get sucked into Minecraft and never run out of things to do.

Double Fine certainly outdid itself with this long-awaited sequel. Psychonauts 2 puts a huge uptick in production quality on display here thanks to more fully realized stage themes and even more vibrant colors for each one. Raz's new suite of powers linked to his mastery of telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and more come in handy during heated combat and trippy platforming sequences. The story at the heart of this game is certainly relatable and its characters will stay with you long after you complete Raz's wild mind voyage.

Imagine this terrifying scenario - as one of the younger members of a troubled family tree, you set out to discover how a supposed curse wipes out different members of previous generations. That's the main plot threat at the heart of this adventure game called What Remain of Edith Finch, which is an extra tense thriller that's akin to a playable anthology. The fact that you actually get to play out the final moments of each Finch family member stricken by their longtime curse is highly engrossing and will pull you in with ease.

The 2016 return of DOOM kicked things off on a proper note for the groundbreaking FPS franchise. And once DOOM Eternal finally arrived, Doomguy's crusade against the forces of Heaven and Hell truly entered into its greatest state of hype & enjoyment. This gorefest outfits Doomguy with a ton of new weapons and side armaments that allow you to wipe out a seemingly neverending horde of demons in the coolest ways possible. The action hits hard and fast here, so you'll need to stay ahead of the curve in order to quell Earth's demonic invasion.

From Software's titles are known for being some of the hardest games to overcome. Yet they're held up to the highest of high standards due to how well-crafted and rewarding they are for the fans that are willing to step up to the challenge. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice adopts a Tenchu-like motif as it transports players to the Japanese Sengoku period for a clash against a powerful warlord. As the lethal Shinobi Wolf, it's up to you to master Sekiro's parrying system and side armaments in order to eliminate everyone that attempts to finish you.

Respawn Entertainment is known for its efficient work on the Titanfall franchise. EA's most prized development studio applied everything it mastered with those games by creating one of the finest hero shooters/battle-royale experiences on the market today. Apex Legends comes with a cast of likable characters that come with their own unique abilities that work in conjunction with their fellow allies during each skirmish. The excellent gunplay, slick movement, and ever-changing map keep things fresh in order to extend Apex Legends' lifecycle for years to come.

The 1998 version of Resident Evil 2 is still regarded as one of the greatest survival horror games ever made. And in 2019, Capcom completely remade it and turned it into an extra horrifying trek through Raccoon City that's even better than what came before it. Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield's struggle for survival against Umbrella's bio-weapons is equal parts convivial and petrifying. The well-crafted third-person shooter gameplay and proper changes to progression both make this remake such a must-play.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is such an awesome evolution of Capcom's most treasured IP. It returns the series to its survival-horror roots, switches to a first-person perspective, and eases up on the focus on action that was far too prevalent in Resident Evil 6. You'll always look over your shoulder during your time with this game as you explore the derelict plantation of a family stricken by a viral invasion that drives them mad. You'll be scared out of your wits during your struggle against the "Molded" as you try to help Ethan Winters save his missing wife.

Geralt of Rivia's stock as one of the most iconic video game characters of all time rose tremendously thanks to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. For action RPG fanatics, this open-world journey through the vast expanse of the game's Slavic mythology-inspired realm is an incredible timesink. The main campaign and side missions offer stories that are both equally captivating, so you'll have plenty to do and see. Slaying mythical monsters, using magical signs to deal magical damage, and engaging in mature conversations that impact relationships make up the gamut of The Witcher 3's strong points.

"Souls-like" games come a dime a dozen, but the majority of them are worth taking a chance on. Respawn Entertainment tried its hands at making a game inspired by that sub-genre and came away with one of the greatest Star Wars games of all time. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gives players the powers of the Force as Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis, who must help rebuild the Jedi Order and defend himself from the Galactic Empire. The game's combat mechanics will pull you in as it gives you the ability to wield a lightsaber and go toe-to-toe with a huge variety of foes. The difficulty is certainly high here, but the galactic trek you'll embark on is worth the trouble.

Rockstar Games is well known for its genre-defining Grand Theft Auto IP, but it's also well regarded for its definitive cowboy western experience. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a tour de force that makes a very good argument for video games being considered high art. Exploring its open world will truly make you feel like an outlaw that lives his life riding horseback, pulling off train heists, and getting involved in intense shootouts. You even get to play poker and enjoy some online hijinks in the game's solid multiplayer component! Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect spaghetti western worth experiencing in video game form.

The hero shooter that's recognized far and wide is Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch. For years, players have flocked to the game's online servers to take their preferred character into battle within signature modes such as Assault, Control, Escort, etc. Overwatch's roster of heroes is incredibly well-designed and fulfills player archetypes that make them fit into the perfect roles for winning team setups. The game's vibrant art design and frantic battle pace deserve its flowers as well.

NieR: Automata takes players for a trippy escapade through a post-apocalyptic world that's inhabited by human-built battle androids and machines created by alien forces. PlatinumGames' usual fast-paced and impactful combat mechanics are certainly endearing, but it's the game's story, multiple endings, and haunting soundtrack that will keep you enthralled all the while. It's definitely worth beating NieR: Automata multiple times to fully wrap your head around its mind-blowing revelations.

Monster Hunter: World finally brought Capcom's addictive action RPG to the mainstream. Hardcore veterans and curious newcomers alike grew to appreciate the four-player co-op goodness that comes with tracking and battling an array of vicious beasts. It feels so good to map out a careful strategy with your fellow hunters and watch it all come together when the beast you've been looking for is finally defeated. And using all the materials gathered from that fallen beast to create new gear plays right into Monster Hunter: World's satisfying gameplay loop.

The behind-the-scenes info surrounding the development of this game is highly upsetting, plus it led to Hideo Kojima's seemingly final Metal Gear Solid title being left unfinished. Even still, the core gameplay at hand in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is still a worthwhile trip through Punished "Venom" Snake's mission within Soviet-occupied Afghanistan and the Angola–Zaire border region. Moving around the game's open world and completing a wealth of tasks that incorporates stealth- and action-based approaches feel so fulfilling on every level.

If you played Playdead's 2010 game Limbo, then you'll find a lot to love in the publisher/developer's amazing follow-up Inside. Just like its predecessor, Inside relies on 2.5D gameplay and places an emphasis on storytelling & puzzle platforming. The monochromatic art style is incredibly haunting - as you navigate Inside's dangerous and somber world as a mysterious little boy, you'll be blown away by its many revelations and get sucked in by its attractive presentation.

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V is a sales juggernaut that has been going strong since 2013. Its single-player campaign returns players to San Andreas and tells its crime-laden storyline through three efficient criminals - Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips. The usual open-world elements at play here are plentiful, so it feels like you'll never run out of things to do. You can also find a ton of activities to busy yourself with thanks to Grand Theft Auto Online, which plays host to one of the largest multiplayer communities in gaming today.

Fortnite - you play, your younger cousins play it, and your parents probably still have no clue what it is. On that last part, you can use our description to bring them up to speed. Fortnite's battle royale component is insanely popular - it allows players to fight among themselves to come out on top as the last man/woman left alive. In its current state, there's a whole host of character skins, weapons, and locales within the game's ever-expanding map to bask in. The ability to build forts mid-battle plays right into the game's meta, which helps Fortnite stand apart from its genre contemporaries.

The other mega-popular battle royale on the scene today is Call of Duty: Warzone, which takes the tried & true FPS gunplay Activision's IP is known for and places it within an addictive battle-royale play space. The fast and furious encounters you'll engage in alongside your teammates here are always nail-biting affairs that'll keep you on your P's & Q's at all times. You can go it alone in Solos, of course. Plus you can enjoy some online multiplayer skirmishes by hopping into Duos, Trios, and Quads.

The next Souls-like game on our list is...well, a game hailing from the Souls franchise itself. Dark Souls III marks the final entry in From Software's storied foray into the action RPG genre and it's just as alluring (and difficult!) as previous entries in the series. While this sequel features fewer maps than Dark Souls II, the locales included here are significantly larger and filled with even more secrets to uncover. This game will seriously test your patience and mettle as you fight hard against some of the toughest bosses ever seen. Only the most resilient gamers out there will be able to rise to the occasion in Dark Souls III.

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has transformed into something else entirely now that it's evolved from its stealthier iterations. Assassin's Creed Odyssey goes ever deeper into the series' newfound action RPG waters and adopts the new historic age of Ancient Greece. As a male or female version of the main character, you'll embroil yourself in an epic journey that will pit you against the secret society of the Cult of Kosmos. The massive open world in this game will keep you busy for a very long time as it offers a wealth of content to stay involved in. And with a gamut of DLC expansions to boot, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the more feature-rich picks on this list.