9 Best Xbox Exclusive Games You Should Play

Four Xbox exclusive games you need to play.

Just as there are some amazing games you can only play on your PlayStation, there are also some epic Xbox exclusive games. From first-person sci-fi shooters to time-bending adventures and survival horror titles, our pick of the nine best Xbox exclusives is the definitive guide to the games you need to play on your Xbox this year.

1. Sea of Thieves

Swashbuckling pirates in Sea of Thieves on Xbox.

Top of our list of the best Xbox-exclusive games is Sea of Thieves, and with good reason. This swashbuckling pirate adventure sees you take to the high seas to plunder lost treasure, battling sea monsters and enemies along the way. The open-world multiplayer environment is vast, giving you loads to explore. There’s PvP action, and plenty of backstory and lore to uncover through the NPCs you meet and items you find. Sea of Thieves is a few years old now but is constantly being updated, with the 2024 edition available to play now on Game Pass.

2. Halo Infinite

First-person shooter fans can’t afford to miss Halo Infinite, and whether you’re a fan of the franchise or have never touched a Halo game before, this is a must-play Xbox exclusive. Though it’s a direct sequel to Halo 5, you don’t need to have played that game to enjoy this one. Halo Infinite boasts a more open world than previous titles, as the Master Chief uncovers the Halo Ring’s secrets, taking on the Banished and warlord Escharum. Thrilling firefights, complex puzzles, and a gorgeous open world with dynamic weather effects make this most recent chapter in the Halo universe one for everyone. You can play Halo Infinite on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S now and it’s also available on Game Pass.

3. Fable III

Fable III may be the oldest game on our list, but it’s one of the best Xbox 360 exclusives out there and is a classic you must play. Though some claim Fable II is the must-play title of the series, we have a soft spot for the third installment, released back in 2010. Taking place around 50 years after the events of Fable II, you play as the prince or princess of Albion and must overthrow King Logan, your older brother, and lead a revolution to become King of Albion. The choices you make in Fable really matter, the world still looks gorgeous even after all this time, and the ability to interact with other NPCs to influence relationships and the game’s storyline still feels novel. Fable is a must for any RPG fans and is playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S — it’s also included with Game Pass.

4. Quantum Break

Quantum Break remains one of our favorite Xbox exclusives of all time. Released in 2016, this time-bending game was a groundbreaking mix of live-action shows featuring a cast including Shawn Ashmore, Dominic Monaghan, and Aidan Gillen, and it was an action-packed game. When time fractures, two people gain amazing abilities: one uses his abilities to travel through time and seek ways to control this new power; the other must defeat him and fix time before it’s broken forever. Remedy Entertainment knocked it out of the park with this one, with a rich, dramatic narrative that will stick with you long after the end credits roll. Play Quantum Break on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S — it’s also included with Game Pass.

5. Gears 5

Exploring an icy environment in Gears 5 on Xbox.

Fans and those new to the franchise rated Gears 5 highly and it’s easy to see why. With a deeper, more intense campaign than some other Gears games, you play as Kait Diaz and must uncover the Locust Horde’s origins, uncovering your heritage and connection to the enemy along the way. Multiplayer mode is full-on fun with co-operative versus mode, Horde, where you take on waves of increasingly difficult enemies, or Escape, where your squad of three must fight to eliminate enemy hives. You can play Gears 5 on Xbox One and it’s also been upgraded to enjoy on Xbox Series X/S, plus it’s available on Game Pass too.

6. Starfield

The vastness of an uncharted planet in Starfield on Xbox.

Though some fans were disappointed with Starfield after the long wait for its release, it’s fair to say that it’s still an epic game and one of the best Xbox exclusives you should play. Set in 2330, humanity has colonized space and you’re joining Constellation, a group of space explorers. The appeal here is the vast open world, with over 1,000 breathtaking planets and space stations to explore. Pilot your own craft, fight enemies in the air and on land, and get stuck into this sprawling space game which could take around 150 hours to complete — that’s a lot of gameplay for one Xbox exclusive! You can play Starfield on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, plus it’s included with Game Pass.

7. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A giant bear in Ori and the Will of the Wisps on Xbox.

The sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest is no less stunning than its predecessor, with a gorgeous, hand-painted world and an original orchestral score. Following on from the events of the original game, you play as Ori, raising a little owlet named Ku alongside Gumo and Naru. When Ku goes missing you must bring your family back together, save the land of Niwen, and restore balance to the world. The game is worth playing for the emotionally charged story alone, and you can play on Xbox One as well as Xbox Series X/S — plus, it’s included with Game Pass.

8. Dead Rising 3

A man stands atop a bus wielding a makeshift weapon, as hordes of bloodthirsty zombies flock below him in Dead Rising 3 on Xbox.

No list of the best Xbox exclusives would be complete without a zombie game, and we’ve picked Dead Rising 3 for its blend of horror, gore, and comedy. If you’ve played the earlier Dead Rising games you’ll think you know what to expect, but this is a much larger open world than previous games, with more zombies than ever before. As the military threatens to wipe out the infected city of Los Perdidos, you play as mechanic Nick Ramos, battling your way through huge hordes, scavenging supplies, combining objects to make epic weapons, and teaming up with other survivors to escape the city before time runs out. You can play Dead Rising 3 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

9. Forza Horizon 5

An eclectic lineup of vehicles in Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox.

Forza Horizon 5 is a must-play Xbox exclusive for fans of racing games set in open-world Mexico. With diverse terrain to race on, from lush jungles to action-packed cities, and hundreds of cars to choose from, including modern supercars and classics, this game is never boring. As well as the main campaign there are challenges, stunts, and showcases to complete, or you can game online with friends and race, show off your cars, or create clubs. Forza Horizon 5 is available to play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and it’s also included with Game Pass.

So there you have it — nine of the best Xbox exclusive games you should play on your Xbox, whether you own an Xbox One or the latest Xbox Series X/S. There’s something on this list for everyone, but before you go, you might also want to check out our pick of Xbox indie games you need to play.