Best Xbox exclusives you need to own

It might not be Microsoft's strategy anymore, but the best Xbox exclusives point to its breadth of extremely talented in-house studios. The Xbox Series X (and Game Pass, by default) is home to some of the greatest franchises in console gaming history, even with Microsoft taking a lot of its games multiplatform this year (like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages, with Hellblade 2 soon to make the leap in August 2025). Rightly so, I think, since the best Xbox Series X games deserve to be played by as many people as possible.

But while sharing the love is never a bad thing, I have to admit there's a sweet sense of satisfaction in playing either a permanent or temporary Xbox exclusive on its home-turf console. From classic franchises such as Fable, Halo, and Gears of War to Avowed (aka, one of the most killer new games of 2025), there's plenty to keep you busy while we wait for all the upcoming Xbox Series X games on the horizon. That includes new Xbox exclusives like the Fable reboot and Grounded 2, though sadly, Rare's gorgeous-looking Everwild will not be joining them following its recent cancelation

Remember, this Xbox exclusives list is being constantly updated as Microsoft takes its titles over to PS5. We have a more diverse range of multiplatform choices in our collection of the best games on Xbox Game Pass, of course, but if you're all in on Microsoft, here's all the Xbox exclusives you can play right now in 2025.

15. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Developer: Ninja Theory
Genre: Adventure
Game Pass: Yes

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, as a sequel, had a lot to live up to, and oh boy, it doesn't disappoint. The follow-up to 2017's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, this Xbox exclusive is hauntingly beautiful as players travel through Iceland as well as Senua's trauma in order to save her people.

Nearly every aspect of the first game has been improved here, be it the visuals or the new combo-based combat system. From photorealistic graphics, environmental puzzles, and plenty of lore and collectibles to uncover, this title makes for a perfect single-player experience. This one is set to make its PS5 debut in August, so make the most of Hellblade 2's final few months as an Xbox exclusive!

Read our five-star Hellblade 2 review if you want more information about this must-play gem.

14. Microsoft Flight Simulator 

Developer: Asobo Studio
Genre: Flight
Game Pass: Yes

Sometimes, you just want to see what your house looks like from the seat of a Boeing-747, and Microsoft Flight Simulator is more than happy to oblige that insatiable curiosity.

The beloved franchise flew back into our hearts by giving you all the options you'd expect from a flight simulator - immaculately crafted planes and stunning vistas to soar over, as well as the sort of tranquil experience you'd want when 50'000 feet up in the air. Well, tranquil until you have to land the plane again...

13. South of Midnight

Developer: Compulsion Games
Genre: Adventure
Game Pass: Yes

South of Midnight is the latest example of how Xbox is the leader in taking risks and investing in exciting new IPs when it comes to their exclusives. Developed by the minds behind We Happy Few, Compulsion Games, this Xbox title is a third-person action-adventure that throws you into Southern folklore and a narrative packed with themes surrounding trauma and loss.

While the combat isn't super deep and can feel a bit like a chore at times, South of Midnight makes up for it with its amazing story, unique art style, and general creativity. You'll struggle to find another game like South of Midnight, and it's marked itself as a star when it comes to 2025 games for sure.

For more details, check out our South of Midnight review and see why we love it.

12. Quantum Break

Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Genre: Action
Game Pass: Yes

It might've overextended a bit with its experimental TV tie-in elements, but Xbox exclusive Quantum Break from Remedy Entertainment (makers of Max Payne and Alan Wake) has moments where its mix of third-person shooting and temporal powers really soars.

As Jack Joyce, you've stumbled into time-manipulating godhood just in time for a thrilling action yarn worthy of the big screen. It's worth playing Quantum Break just for those moments when you've trapped enemies in a prism-like stasis bubble, peppered them with soon-to-be-unfrozen bullets, then warp-dashed over to another baddie for a melee takedown, all in the span of a few seconds. Talk about badass.

Check out our Quantum Break review for more details.

11. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Developer: 343 Industries
Genre: Shooter
Game Pass: Yes

You can't really say you've owned an Xbox unless you've played at least one Halo game. It's the series that cemented the console's gaming credentials, and for that reason, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is pretty damn near essential.

The main draw here is the chance to play through four of the Xbox's most formative games in their best possible versions - the early games are remade with improved graphics, there are frame rate boosts, re-done hi-res cutscenes, and more. Everything's brought up to a modern standard, remastering and reinvigorating the classics.

If, for some reason, you're still unsure about adding one of the best shooters to your library, read our Halo: Masterchief Collection review.

10. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Developer: GSC Game World
Genre: Survival
Game Pass: Yes

While Stalker 2 has plenty of issues, we still count it as one of the best games of 2024 because of its scale, gripping world, and compelling gameplay. Sure, it's still a bit of a buggy mess, but it's one of the best open world games on the market as well. In this Xbox exclusive, you play as a Ukrainian Marine who finds themselves smuggled into the Zone by a scientist. While trying to earn money, you'll have to face radioactive dangers and plenty of mutants roaming around the disaster area.

The Zone is atmospheric, the gunfights are superb, and the level of brutal challenge is actually surprisingly fun to try and conquer. The good news is that Stalker 2 is also on Game Pass. Currently, there's no PS5 release date, so this looks to be an exclusive for the foreseeable future as well.

Read our Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review for more details!

9. Sunset Overdrive

Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Action
Game Pass: Yes

You might know Insomniac as the studio that brought us Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PS5, but did you know it also made one of the wildest Xbox exclusives on this list? Sunset Overdrive is an open-world, Jet Set Radio-style metropolis bursting with color and a healthy dose of punk rock attitude, letting you pull off some spectacularly absurd feats of mass destruction.

Whether you're launching bowling bowls, fireworks, or explosive teddy bears while mowing down hordes of mutants, robots, and bizarre gang members, grinding along telephone poles with your physics-defying sneakers, Sunset Overdrive is such a blast that its attempts at edgy humor can be almost forgiven. If you want off-the-rails fun, this one's for you.

8. Forza Motorsport 7

Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Genre: Racing
Game Pass: No

Despite being sadly delisted from sales in 2021, Forza Motorsport 7 speaks to the first time Forza truly perfected its racing formula. Everything is as flawless as those 4K visuals with better AI, improved handling, more substantial collisions - everything you need to make the cars all feel superb.

It all combines to deliver an experience that's both realistic and fun, as long as you don't mind working for it as some of the progression can be a little demanding as you try to collect cars and win events to get ever further. But, even though there's a hint of grind, this is still one the best racing games not currently available (though definitely still playable if you own a copy yourself).

Don't believe us? Check out our five-star Forza Motorsport 7 review.

7. State of Decay 2

Developer: Undead Games
Genre: Survival action-adventure
Game Pass: Yes

With State of Decay 3 coming in 2025, now's your chance to check out why State of Decay 2 cemented the series as one of the best Xbox exclusive franchises ever. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies run rampant, it's up to you and your fellow survivors to build a new life for yourselves.

With its nail-biting blend of survival crafting and third-person action, State of Decay 2 is one of the most thrilling homegrown Xbox games for anyone looking for a layered action-adventure with plenty of bite and huge replay potential. The Xbox version comes furnished with DLC and other key updates to elevate the experience, making Undead's finest one of the best zombie games to take advantage of right now.

Check out our State of Decay 2 review to see why we love it.

6. Halo Infinite

Developer: 343 Industries
Genre: Shooter
Game Pass: Yes

Halo Infinite might have been years in the making, with some Craig-sized bumps along the way, but by the time it finally hit consoles, fans were rightly wowed by the game's focused and compelling multiplayer alongside the vast open-world that shakes up Halo's single-player story.

Not only does this feel like the most vital Halo since 2010's Halo Reach, but the addition of the grapple hook gives Chief a pleasing manoeuvrability that makes firefights even more satisfyingly chaotic.

After several years in the wilderness, Master Chief is finally back in top form. Read our Halo Infinite review for more details.

5. Gears 5

Developer: The Coalition
Genre: Shooter

Following straight on from the events of Gears of War 4, Gears 5 – as it is now simply called – focuses on the story of Kait Diaz. Struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother, Kait is now focused on finding out more about her past after, in her mother's last moments, she's passed a necklace that bears the Locust Horde icon.

All the old favorites are back, too, of course, from Marcus Fenix to his son JD, and it's all in for a brilliant Gears experience. It's not just limited to single-player or brilliant co-op story moments, though, as there's an extensive multiplayer component to the game, too, ranging from PvP frays to a glorious horde mode that literally keeps on giving.

For more information, you can read our Gears 5 review.

4. Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: RPG
Game Pass: Yes

Skyrim's jankier, equally beloved older brother Morrowind is holding down the fort as a classic Xbox exclusive that has never crossed the PlayStation pond.

Yes, it's dated. Yes, you'll probably be frustrated by that fact when you come face to face with its clunkier controls. But Morrowind's adventure through Tamriel still stands out as one of the most definitive RPG experiences of all time, and if you've already polished off Oblivion Remastered, you'll want to at least give it a go on Game Pass. It's rude not to.

Check out our glowing The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind review for our thoughts on this old-school Bethesda offering back in 2006

3. Starfield

Developer: Bethesda Studios
Genre: Action RPG
Game Pass: Yes

Bethesda Game Studios' epic space RPG has arrived and although Starfield isn't taking the number one slot in our best Xbox exclusives list, it is still one of the best out there.

Join Constellation as they look for the mysteries of the cosmos, meet friends and foes alike, become a space pirate, or just spend literal days building your very own spaceship - Starfield is not short of things to do and planets to discover.

Visit our Starfield review to find out why we believe this is Bethesda's best game in recent years.

2. Fable 2 

Developer: Lionhead Studios
Genre: RPG /Adventure
Game Pass: Yes

When we talk about the best RPG games of all time, Fable 2 always comes up in conversation. Developed by Lionhead Studios, in Fable 2, you can be any type of hero you want to be...if you're prepared for the consequences.

Every action you take in this game matters, as a morality system follows your every move. So, as your character works to save the world from destruction, keep in mind all the witnesses! If you love role-playing or want a recap ahead of Fable 4, then this is the game for you.

Check out our Fable 2 review for more details on this classic.

1. Avowed

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Genre: Action RPG
Game Pass: Yes

Avowed is one of the best Xbox exclusives to release in 2025, period. In fact, it's also made our list of best games of 2025 so far as well. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment (the minds behind Fallout: New Vegas) and set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, the game is an exploration masterpiece that rewards you for discovering every nook and cranny of a stunning, detailed, fantastical world.

Of course, there is a classic fantasy storyline in Avowed as well to enjoy. You are a Godlike envoy from the Aedyr Empire who is sent to the Living Lands in order to stop the spread of a mysterious illness known as the "Dream Scourge". As you embark on quests, side-quests, and take on bounties, you'll soon be hooked into everything that Avowed has to offer, trust us.

If you want more information, make sure to head to our Avowed review.

Still rocking your last-gen console? Check out the best Xbox One games to play next.