Credit: Alex James Kane / Reviewed
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Credit: Alex James Kane / Reviewed
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor for Xbox
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Despite some shaky performance at launch, Jedi: Survivor is the best Star Wars game in decades, full of exciting lightsaber action and platforming. Read More
Pros
- Massive space adventure
- Challenging boss fights
- Loads of customization
Cons
- Minor performance hiccups
Forza Horizon 5 - Premium Edition
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This high-speed, open-world online racer has over 500 new and classic rides to take for a spin. Horizon 5 feels like the true start of next-gen Xbox. Read More
Pros
- Great online multiplayer features
- Breathtaking open-world Mexico
- Over 500 photorealistic vehicles
Cons
- None that we could find
Destiny 2: Beyond Light for Xbox
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Bungie’s action MMO is a perennial favorite among folks who love to shoot at monsters in space, and it’s especially great with friends. Read More
Pros
- Best-in-class first-person sci-fi action
- Unforgettable endgame challenges
- 6-player cross-platform fireteams
Cons
- There’s a significant learning curve
Gears 5 Game of the Year Edition
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This delightful holder from the Xbox 360 era marries blockbuster spectacle, stellar writing, and fun cover-based shooter mechanics. Read More
Pros
- Co-op and player-versus-player modes
- Engaging story with great characters
- A dazzling graphics showcase
Cons
- None that we could find
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
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Before you take on the challenges of Halo Infinite, experience the iconic story of Xbox’s flagship sci-fi FPS from the very beginning. Read More
Pros
- Strong characters and storytelling
- A few all-time great soundtracks
- Timeless arena multiplayer
Cons
- None that we could find
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- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor for Xbox
- Forza Horizon 5 - Premium Edition
- Destiny 2: Beyond Light for Xbox
- Gears 5 Game of the Year Edition
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Star Wars: Squadrons
- More Articles You Might Enjoy
Written by Alex Kane
Updated May 17, 2023
If you or a loved one just got ahold of a new Xbox Series X or Series S, you’re ready to find your new favorite game at the dawn of an exciting new era. After two decades of hands-on experience with Xbox—and roughly three years with Microsoft’s new flagship console—here are my recommendations for casual players looking to get the most out of their new investment.
These are the best Xbox games you can buy right now.
Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor for Xbox
You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to appreciate this grand, action-packed journey through the galaxy far, far away. Survivor picks up five years after the events of Jedi: Fallen Order, with Jedi troublemaker Cal Kestis (Shameless’s Cameron Monaghan) on a mission to Coruscant, the dark heart of the Empire.
If you like games with memorable characters, cinematic storytelling, and grand scale, this masterpiece from Respawn Entertainment will satisfy most players. And if you prefer lots of exploration, platforming, or boss fights—it’s got all that, too. An easy game-of-the-year contender for 2023.
Pros
-
Massive space adventure
-
Challenging boss fights
-
Loads of customization
Cons
-
Minor performance hiccups
Forza Horizon 5 - Premium Edition
This high-speed racer is set in an open-world Mexico that has to be seen to be believed. Tune into your favorite radio station—the soundtrack’s phenomenal—and take a drive in your favorite of over 500 new and classic rides. I haven’t enjoyed a racing game this much since the days of Midnight Club II and Need for Speed: Underground.
The Forza series has long been a fixture of Microsoft’s first-party lineup, but this new Playground Games entry is the best reason yet to check out the next generation of Xbox.
Pros
-
Great online multiplayer features
-
Breathtaking open-world Mexico
-
Over 500 photorealistic vehicles
Cons
-
None that we could find
Buy now at Amazon
Destiny 2: Beyond Light for Xbox
If you want a fun online action game with plenty of depth and variety, Destiny 2’s still the reigning heavyweight in that arena. Squad up with your friends or clanmates, do battle with aliens and time-traveling robots, and take on challenging endgame quests once you’ve mastered your skills.
It’s always rewarding to punch a robot in the eye or shotgun a spider tank in the neck. And all that rare loot’s pretty nice, too. Just know that there is a learning curve, so you’ll want a friend to guide you when you’re first starting out.
Pros
-
Best-in-class first-person sci-fi action
-
Unforgettable endgame challenges
-
6-player cross-platform fireteams
Cons
-
There’s a significant learning curve
Buy now at Amazon
Gears 5 Game of the Year Edition
The Gears of War franchise is a delightful holdover from the Xbox 360 era—stunning spectacle, apocalyptic stakes, explosive set pieces. It’s always a great co-op game to play with a couple friends; the writing’s great; and you can make it as challenging or as casual as you like.
Gears of War 4 was a stellar soft reboot of sorts, and Gears 5 picks up right where that story left off, helped along by smooth next-gen performance and unbelievable visuals.
Pros
-
Co-op and player-versus-player modes
-
Engaging story with great characters
-
A dazzling graphics showcase
Cons
-
None that we could find
Buy now at Amazon
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Play the iconic series of first-person shooters that put Xbox on the map in this definitive, beautifully curated anthology. With the Xbox Series X and Series S, all of these games run at 120 frames per second, and the classic multiplayer experience has aged more gracefully than pretty much any other shooter.
After you finish Halo 4 and Bungie’s original trilogy, check out Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer or add-ons like Halo: ODST and Reach. This is the perfect way to prepare for 343’s latest installment, Halo Infinite.
Pros
-
Strong characters and storytelling
-
A few all-time great soundtracks
-
Timeless arena multiplayer
Cons
-
None that we could find
Star Wars: Squadrons
On Xbox Series consoles, this instant classic offers both a 120-fps performance mode and flight-stick support, making for the most authentic and exhilarating Star Wars dogfighting sim to date.
Jump in your X-wing, TIE fighter, or Y-wing bomber and take on the whole galaxy as both rebel and Imperial aces—each customized with your chosen name, voice, appearance, and loadouts. If you’re looking to scratch the Star Wars itch, this ought to do it.
Pros
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Flight-stick and cross-platform support
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Fly your favorite Star Wars fighters
Cons
-
There’s a bit of a learning curve
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Meet the tester
Alex Kane is a senior editor at USA Today’s Reviewed and the author of the Boss Fight Books volume on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He has written for Fangoria, PC Gamer, Polygon, Rolling Stone, StarWars.com, and Variety. He lives in west-central Illinois.
See all of Alex Kane's reviews
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