GOT a new Xbox Series X or Series S and want to buy some next-gen games? You’re in luck.
We’ve rounded up the best new and optimised games for the Xbox Series X to show off the console’s impressive hardware.
What is the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X marks the next-generation of Microsoft games consoles.
It’s one of a pair, coming in as the more powerful and pricier alternative to the Xbox Series S.
This is Microsoft’s direct rival to the PlayStation 5, promising high frame-rate 4K gaming and gorgeous graphics.
It went on sale on November 10 in the UK and US for £449/$499.
New Xbox Series X games
When it comes to massive games you’ll want to play right away, there are a few standout options.
The first is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, a much-hyped entry to the iconic franchise.
You’ll play as a Viking warrior, splitting his or her time between England and Norway – in stunning 4K, of course.
Another must-have Xbox Series X title is Watch Dogs Legion, which (only just) reimagines London as a heavily-surveilled dystopian sci-fi nightmare city.
It’s a gorgeous open-world game with an interesting storyline, and plenty to explore when you’re not focused on the main campaign.
Xbox owners can also enjoy Dirt 5, a very muddy rally simulator.
It’s got graphics to match the best of them, and looks absolutely stunning on the Xbox Series X.
Some of the other launch-day games to look out for include Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, Tetris Effect: Connected, NBA 2K21 and Gears Tactics.
Upcoming Xbox Series X games
There are loads of new games you need to get excited about.
One of the biggest hitters to land soon is Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War, which drops on November 13.
It’s sure to be one of the most popular games for next-gen consoles, and comes with a revamped version of Warzone to boot.
That will soon be followed by Cyberpunk 2077, on December 10.
It’s a sci-fi RPG created by the same people who made the acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It looks sure to be a cracker.
Other upcoming blockbuster titles to keep an eye on include:
- Far Cry 6 (2021)
- Halo Infinite (2021)
- Resident Evil Village (2021)
Xbox Series X optimised games
There are loads of titles that have been “optimised” to look better on the Xbox Series X.
These are old and new games that have been reworked specifically to get better use out of the more powerful hardware on the Series X.
Here’s a quick list of some of the most exciting Series X-optimised titles:
- As Dusk Falls
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Avowed
- BALAN WONDERWORLD
- Borderlands 3
- Bright Memory 1.0
- Bright Memory: Infinite
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War
- Call of the Sea
- Chivalry 2
- Chorus
- Control Ultimate Edition
- CrossCode
- CrossfireX
- Cuisine Royale
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Dead by Daylight
- Destiny 2
- Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
- DIRT 5
- Echo Generation
- Enlisted
- Evergate
- Everwild
- ExoMecha
- Fable
- Far Cry 6
- FIFA 21
- Football Manager 2021 Xbox Edition
- Fortnite
- Forza Horizon 4
- Forza Motorsport
- Gears 5
- Gears Tactics
- Ghostrunner
- Grounded
- Halo Infinite
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Hello Neighbor 2
- Hitman 3
- Hood: Outlaws and Legends
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- JYDGE
- King Oddball
- Madden NFL 21
- Maneater
- Manifold Garden
- Marvel’s Avengers
- Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
- NBA 2K21
- No Man’s Sky
- Observer: System Redux
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- OUTRIDERS
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis
- Planet Coaster
- Pragmata
- Psychonauts 2
- Resident Evil Village
- Riders Republic
- Rogue Company
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
- SCARLET NEXUS
- Scorn
- Sea of Thieves
- Second Extinction
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
- State of Decay 3
- Tetris Effect: Connected
- The Ascent
- The Falconeer
- The Gunk
- The Medium
- The Touryst
- Undead Horde
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
- War Thunder
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- Warhammer: Chaosbane
- Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition
- Watch Dogs: Legion
- World of Tanks
- World of Warships: Legends
- WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
More games will inevitably be added to this list, so you’ll probably never run out of Xbox games to play.
In other news, find out where to buy Xbox Series X units today.
Check out our PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparison.
And find out why HOAR’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
