Best Xbox Series X/S Games 2024: The hits you need to play

Forza Horizon 5 is an Xbox console exclusive, and if you want to appreciate how visually stunning it can be, you need to check it out on the Series X. The superior console offers up two modes: Graphics and Performance, with the more powerful option offering up a target of 60fps along with a 3840 x 2160 resolution.

In this sandbox racer, you can drive through dusty roads, jungles, deserts and sun-soaked highways, with each of the 11 biomes feeling distinct and unique. The story adds to this, with an open-world exploration aspect that makes the game so easy to get lost in. 

With a 5/5 star rating and approachable gameplay, it’s not hard to see why we’ve put this game as the number one Xbox game available right now.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Forza Horizon 5 review

Elden Ring brings in a massive open-world and a compelling narrative while keeping the infamous difficult combat from FromSoftware’s previous games, Dark Souls. This is one of the best Souls games out there right now and a great pick for anyone who wants to dive into some gruelling but rewarding gameplay.

Playing on the Xbox Series X will also mean that you’re being treated to 4K at 60fps, so you can appreciate the wonderfully chunky animation and gorgeous graphics that bring this dark and interesting world to life. There are diamond-encrusted mines and the ancient ruins of an underground city to explore, with unique traps and dangers to keep things interesting.

Get to know all of the new gameplay mechanics and items that FromSoftware has included, like the new fully-fledged jump button, alongside the crafting mechanics that adds a whole new level to the combat, as you craft arrows and bolts on the fly as you’re getting attacked. This is a must-have game for those looking for a challenge.

Reviewer: Alastair Stevenson
Full Review: Elden Ring

There’s no shortage of remakes in the current generation of gaming but the one that stands above them all is Capcom’s return to the game that revolutionised its iconic survival horror series: Resident Evil 4.

This remake does the 2005 original justice by mixing the horror of Resident Evil with fast-paced gunplay designed to keep players on the edge of their seats. This time around however, Leon can actually move whilst aiming which certainly makes it easier to manoeuvre in the heat of battle, but the game is no cakewalk as enemies are now more aggressive.

The biggest update that fans of the original title will first notice is the graphical upheaval. Having come out almost 20 years ago, Resident Evil 4 was limited by the tech of the era whilst this version utilises the full grunt of the Xbox Series X and S to deliver next-gen lighting and far more realistic character models.

When you actually dive into the game, you realise that the most important tweaks have been made to the story, which affords more time to developing its character arcs in a meaningful way. Leon for instance feels far more connected to the events he encountered in Resident Evil 2 while Luis Serra, who only had a small part to play in the original, is now a fully fleshed out character.

Even after the credits roll, there are plenty of unlockables and higher difficulties to keep gamers coming back to Resident Evil 4. Plus, if you ever fancy taking a break from the main story then you can dive into The Mercenaries mode which focuses solely on gunplay in arcade-style battles against a never-ending wave of enemies. In terms of setting the bar for what remakes can be, Resident Evil 4 is right up there and well worth the price of entry for any Xbox gamer.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full Review: Resident Evil 4 Remake

Another Xbox console exclusive, the Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the best simulation games on the market, offering up beautiful visuals of the globe. Another example of a true next-generation experience for the consoles, this is the best way to experience flight without breaking the bank. 

This game might not be for everyone; the piloting aspect can be stressful, with complex mechanics akin to real-world aviation. However, integrated gaming tutorials will make this journey easier for new pilots, and the lack of a campaign mode means you don’t need to be particularly good to enjoy the game. 

Coming in as almost more of an experience than a game, Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the most graphically impressive games on this list, offering up gameplay that’s unique and engaging, this is the perfect choice for anyone who’s looking to branch out their game library this year.

Reviewer: Jade King
Full review: Microsoft Flight Simulator review

Psychonauts 2 is the ideal purchase for any fans of the original franchise. This puzzle-platformer is packed with personality, with each world bringing in a wonderfully distinct aesthetic.

This game is family-friendly and could be enjoyed by older kids and adults alike, with solid level design and strong platforming mechanics keeping the game engaging. 

While this title doesn’t show off the graphical prowess of the consoles like some other games, the quirky humour and innovative narrative make this a rare treat in today’s landscape and a real family favourite.

Reviewer: Alastair Stevenson
Full review: Psychonauts 2 review

Developed by the same minds that bought us Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons comes another stellar title called It Takes Two, which utilises something most games don’t: cooperation. With so few fully fledged co-op games coming out in recent years, not only is this game amazing in its own right but offers a unique experience since you can enjoy this with a friend.

The narrative is unusual for a video game, focusing on the impending divorce of the two main characters. The game takes this couple, May and Cody, through various trials and challenges in an attempt to strengthen their bond, with a massive amount of variety in gameplay. 

Not only is this a perfect game to enjoy with a friend (or a spouse), but only one of you needs to own it to play online. The original story and inventive metaphors make this game a treat to play and one of the more eccentric titles on this list.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: It Takes Two Review

The Lego Star Wars series has long been part of the bedrock of couch co-op gameplay and its family-friendly aesthetic has allowed it to be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a celebration of both the series’ history and the iconic films that inspired it.

Covering all nine of the main Star Wars films, there are countless hours of gameplay to get through here, so if you want something to keep the younger gamers in your household occupied for quite some time to come, this is it.

The new open-world segments also let you explore classic Star Wars locales at your own pace, sifting through the many secrets and easter eggs they hold. The gameplay itself isn’t too challenging but given its target audience, you can’t knock the game too much for being accessible here.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Review

Starfield is the latest game from Bethesda, the game studio responsible for popular series such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, this time taking on a sci-fi spin to allow the player to explore countless planets.

As a first-person shooter, there’s a bounty of weapons available, including laser rifles and powerful shotguns. You’re also given multiple options to tackle each objective whether you want to embrace stealth, hack your way into security terminals, persuade foes to come to a compromise or become wildly rich by plundering ships.

One of the highlights of Starfiel includes the ship customisation, and you can build your own vehicle from scratch, upgrading it with powerful engines, weapons and shields. Spaceship shootouts feel like something straight out of a Star Wars film too.

With so many planets to explore, side quests to complete and skills to unlock, you’ll likely be playing Starfield for hours upon hours after completing the main story campaign. As one of the biggest Xbox releases in recent memory, and available through Game Pass, Starfield should be right at the top of your to-do list.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Starfield Review

Featuring a captivating story with new characters, Halo Infinite brings in satisfying combat and the introduction of the Grappleshot, so you can whizz across a room for a satisfying elbow to your enemies face. 

Not only is Halo Infinite an Xbox console exclusive, but it supports up to 120Hz in multiplayer mode and a dynamic 4K resolution at 60fps when you play on the Xbox Series X. 

With tons of references to previous entries and a plethora of new features, this is the perfect title for veterans and newbies alike. And since Halo is so synonymous with Xbox, we can’t recommend this game any more for anyone lucky enough to own one of the latest two consoles.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Halo Infinite review

Anyone unlucky enough to remember the first Avengers game from 2020, don’t panic; Square Enix pulled it back with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with an incredible narrative and quirky characters that receive the attention they deserved on the big screen. 

Every piece of dialogue captures each character perfectly, offering up a multitude of choices when it comes to player agency, with the decisions you make having a profound effect on the story’s outcome.

The frantic and fast-paced gameplay matches the narrative perfectly, with a mix of strategy, shooting and over-the-shoulder brawler mechanics all thrown in for good measure. The replayability factor and laugh-out-loud humour means you will definitely get your money’s worth.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy review

If you’re after a realistic racing simulator and want to take control of stars like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, F1 2022 is our pick. This is a fantastic representation of one of most nail-biting sports on the planet, with realistic physics, stunning visuals and a sense of speed you’d struggle to find elsewhere.

Our reviewer had particular praise for the new handling model, which is influenced by real-life regulation changes that affected the sport. For instance, while there is still the traditional understeer when entering a corner, these tweaks in aero mean that throttle input is a lot more important. Arguably this makes this game a little trickier, though the feeling when you pull off the perfect lap is all the better for it.

The story-focused Braking Point mode has been ditched, but there are still plenty of game options to sink your teeth into, including an excellent and very addictive career mode.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: F1 2022