Microsoft's future in the video game industry goes through its Xbox consoles, its development studios, subscription services and cloud gaming, as well as its plans to be the largest publisher, although never without stopping to think about exclusive games for Xbox Series X|S.
Microsoft does not place special importance on hardware sales, but it does focus on feeding the catalog of its star platform with great titles: Xbox Game Pass. 2024 is a year marked by future exclusives that are about to arrive in Series X and Series S. Let's remember that all their games also come to Windows and Microsoft platforms.
They are the cases of Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or Hellblade IIwithout forgetting such exciting futures as The Elder Scrolls VI, Fable, State of Decay 3 or Perfect Dark.
In Xbox Series X|S, iconic franchises such as Halo, Gears of War or Forza continue, forming a large catalog of exclusives along with third-party releases that, for the moment, are only available on Xbox. The best example is Palworld.
Of course, one factor must be taken into account: some Xbox exclusives are no longer exclusive. They are the cases of Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Grounded y Pentiment, since they have already been released for PlayStation and/or Nintendo Switch. We have not included them in this report, but they are still in Game Pass.
Next, we review the best exclusive games that can only be played on an Xbox Series X|Sif we talk about consoles.
The best Xbox Series X|S exclusive games so far (2024)
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Genre: Shooter. Developer: 343 Industries / Bungie / Various studios.
It is undeniable that Halo is the most iconic Xbox franchise, since its birth (in 2001) as a companion to the first Microsoft console. What better way to get started on Xbox Series X|S than with a compilation of the Master Chief's most notable adventures?
Halo: The Collection is a pack that includes six games from the shooter saga, which are as follows: Halo Reach, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST and Halo 4. The only things missing are Halo 5 (only on Xbox), Halo Infinite and the strategy spin-offs (Halo Wars).
Needless to say, this compilation includes all Halo saga campaigns, as well as online multiplayer modes and extras. The PC version It is still the most played on Steam (far above Halo Infinite) and of course it is available on Game Pass.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection Review
Sunset Overdrive
Genre: Adventure / Platforms. Developer: Insomniac Games.
As incredible as it may seem, one of the most important PlayStation studios, creators of Ratchet & Clank or the recent Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (and the latest games in the wall-crawler universe), have an exclusive game for Xbox. Sunset Overdrive, whose IP belongs to Insomniacwas one of the great Xbox One exclusives at its launch.
It was also Insomniac's first step into the open world genre. Sunset Overdrive an adventure full of action and hooliganism, with a clear comic aesthetic that also draws on classics like Jet Set Radio. At the moment, it can only be played on Xbox consoles.
Sunset Overdrive Analysis
Quantum Break
Genre: Adventure / Action. Desarrollador: Remedy Entertainment.
Sometimes we forget that between Alan Wake and Control there was another AAA game developed by Remedy. This is Quantum Break, an action adventure that was released only on Microsoft platformsand that in his day he was unfairly mistreated.
Quantum Break, that does not belong to the Remedy Connected Universe, tells the story of Jack Joyce and Paul Serene, who have the ability to control time as they wish and see the future. The greedy Monarch Solutions will pursue Jack to try to solve the great mystery.
Quantum Break Analysis
Rare Replay
Genre: Arcade / Platforms. Developer: Rare.
The example that all compilations should follow. We are not exaggerating if we say that Rare Replay is the best video game pack that has ever been madecommemorating 30 years of life of the developer, formerly known as Ultimate Play the Game.
Since Rare has been owned by Microsoft since 2002, this great compilation is exclusive to Xbox and Windows, including 30 retro jewels since the beginning of the developer.
With Rare Replay you can enjoy classics like Battletoads, Killer Instinct Gold, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Cameo or Viva Piñatafrom the days of the Spectrum to Xbox 360.
Rare Replay Analysis
Gears 5
Genre: Action / Shooter. Developer: The Coalition.
Many consider that Gears 5 was the best Xbox One exclusive game, and also one of the best installments of the franchise created by Epic Games. They are right, and we certainly remember Gears 5 as a game superior to Judgment or the fourth installment.
In the skin of Kait Diaz, COG soldier which has a strange connection with the Hive, we will experience one of the best campaigns ever seen in the Gears of War saga. And that's not to mention the 3-player cooperative mode and online multiplayer. An excellent shooter.
Gears 5 Analysis
Halo Infinite
Genre: Shooter. Developer: 343 Industries.
We could say that Halo Infinite, the sixth main installment of the series, was the first big Xbox Series X|S exclusive game. It was also a boost for 343 Industries, which excelled with Halo 4 but suffered a downturn with Halo 5 Guardians, reminiscent of Bungie's best developments.
The Master Chief shines like never before in the Halo Infinite campaign, which innovates with open scenarios that allow greater freedom for the player. We also have cooperative mode, Forge mode and online multiplayer, which is free to play, is still alive in full 2024.
Halo Infinite Analysis
Forza Horizon 5
Genre: Driving / Adventure. Developer: Playground Games.
Arcade driving reaches perfection in Forza Horizon 5, the most recent installment in the Playground Games saga (who are currently working on the Fable reboot). If you thought Forza Horizon 4 was unbeatable, wait until you see what this fifth part has to offer.
Forza Horizon 5, also available on Xbox One and PC, takes the action to Mexico, a country that has a little bit of everything: deep jungles, blue coasts, volcanic areas, desert wastelands and an exciting festival with new surprises. A masterpiece of arcade speed.
Forza Horizon 5 analysis
Gears Tactics
Genre: Strategy / Action. Desarrollador: The Coalition / Splash Damage.
The Gears of War saga has also taken its first steps in the real-time strategy genre. It was with Gears Tactics, an outstanding title developed by Splash Damage (Brink) that placed us 12 years before the first Gears of War, in the shoes of Gabe Diaz, father of Kait (Gears 5).
As one of the COG leaders, your goal is to stop the Locust hordes and capture an abomination known as Ukkon. It's not perfect, but adapts the elements, mechanics and characters of the Epic Games and The Coalition IP very well to the RTS genreboth on PC and consoles.
Gears Tactics Analysis
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Genre: Simulation. Developer: Asobo Studio.
One of the most impressive games in history. With its initial release on PC, pWe thought it would be impossible for Microsoft Flight Simulator to work on an Xboxbut the talent of Asobo Studio (A Plague Tale: Requiem and its precursor) and the Redmond technology covered our mouths.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a great flight simulator that recreates the most emblematic places in the world (Spain too) with incredible graphics. And be careful, because it has some thematic expansions (Top Gun or Dune) and its 2024 version is on the way. It is another of the great Xbox Series X|S exclusiveswithout any doubt.
Microsoft Flight Simulator review
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Genre: Strategy. Developer: Forgotten Empires / World's Edge Tantalus Media.
Considered one of the best strategy games of all time, Age of Empires II is one of their games that you should try at least once. And, if it is in its definitive remastered edition, even better, as it commemorates its 20th anniversary with total grandeur.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, which also works perfectly on Xbox, includes all the content of the original 1999 game, as well as ''The Last Khans'', an expansion with 3 campaigns and 4 additional civilizations.
Analysis of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Starfield
Genre: Role/Shooter. Developer: Bethesda Game Studios.
From the creators of The Elder Scrolls and the new Fallout, Starfield is proof that Bethesda worlds are the most immersive in the Western RPG genre. As a member of Constellation, you will travel throughout the universe in search of the meaning of humanity, in an epic science fiction adventure.
Starfield fue one of the best games of 2023, but it still has a lot to give, with the official support of mods and its future expansions (starting with Espacio Broken). You can discover Bethesda's latest masterpiece on both Xbox Series X|S and PC and on Game Pass.
Starfield Analysis
Forza Motorsport (2023)
Genre: Driving / Simulation. Developer: Turn10 Studios.
We close this ranking with Forza Motorsport, eighth installment of the simulation saga, which moves away from the arcade proposal of Forza Horizon. If you like photorealistic speed games, with Forza 8 you will find a true-to-life experience, with tons of real cars and circuits.
Additionally, Forza Motorsport is a game as a service (GaSS), which means that more cars, circuits, events and news will be added as the months and years go by. Come on, the new Forza will give you hundreds of hours of gameplay on your Xbox or PC.
Forza Motorsport Analysis
On Xbox Series X|S there are not only good exclusive games, since we also find indies, great third party hits and some covered ones. In this report, we review the best Xbox games that were released in 2023. And watch out for the exclusives that are coming this year.
One of the great virtues of Xbox Series, especially Series X, is power. In this report, we review the 10 games that best use the hardware of Microsoft consoles. You can also discover the best exclusives that PS5 has to date.
How many of these Xbox exclusive games have you been able to play? Remember that they are all available in Xbox Game Pass, and it is possible to play them on a PC or hybrid console (such as Steam Deck or ROG Ally). Additionally, some can also be enjoyed on an Xbox One.