Looking for the best Xbox One games of all time? You've reached the right place. From unforgettable Xbox exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Hellblade, to third-party hits like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3, the Xbox One family of consoles genuinely offers something for everyone.
But with so many quality games in the Xbox One library, this much choice can make it difficult to determine which Xbox One games are must-plays. That's where we come in. Below, we've rounded up the best Xbox One games of all time, with our list covering everything from indie gems to AAA blockbusters. That'll help make choosing your next Xbox adventure a bit easier.
Sure, it's no secret that the Xbox One isn’t the latest or even the greatest Xbox console you can buy anymore - that honor belongs to the Xbox Series X. Still, thanks to Microsoft's commitment to backward and forwards compatibility across the whole Xbox ecosystem, the majority of Xbox games are still being released across both generations.
That means that those on Xbox One can still enjoy new Xbox games as well as some of the best Xbox Series X games. It also means that Xbox One owners planning to upgrade to an Xbox Series X|S in the future can still play your Xbox One games – some even support visual and performance enhancements.
So, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on the Xbox One S, the discontinued Xbox One X, the all-digital Xbox Series S, or the all-powerful Xbox Series X. This list of games below can be used across the entire family of consoles. What's more, many of the games listed below are free to download with an Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which we strongly recommend picking up.
No matter your mood, taste or experience level, there should be something on our list for you. Ready for your next Xbox adventure? Read on for our list of the best Xbox One games of all time.
Best Xbox One games
Apex Legends is one of many contenders vying for the battle royale crown. Developed by Respawn Entertainment and set in the Titanfall universe, Apex Legends is a squad-based shooter where teams of three go up against 57 other players to try to gather loot and be the last person (or squad) standing.
However, unlike Fortnite and PUBG, Apex Legends sees players take on a class, each represented by a unique character. Apex Legends is the perfect battle royale game for those who enjoy the genre's premise but can't get on board with Fortnite's building or PUBG's competitiveness - and it's free. Plus, different classes, abilities, and limited-time events make for a more dynamic experience overall.
Check out our full Apex Legends review
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the more recent additions to the epic Assassin's Creed RPG franchise. Odyssey is set during the Peloponnesian War and sees you stepping into the sandals of either Alexios or Kassandra as they try to uncover the truth about their history while navigating the turbulent world of Ancient Greece as a mercenary.
While Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the most recent entry, we still think Odyssey is the best Assassin's Creed offering on Xbox One. Odyssey is graphically stunning too, that taking you to the heart of Ancient Greece and easily securing it a place in our collection of the best Xbox One games. Just make sure you have the time to play it, because there are over 100 hours of content to enjoy here.
Check out our full Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Not a Call of Duty fan? Then Battlefield 1 might be a good alternative. The first-person shooter takes players back in time to World War One and by doing so completely rejuvenates the once stagnating franchise.
Battlefield 1's historical setting helps it to stand apart from the rest of the modern military shooters on the market. There's all new weapons, vehicles, and level designs that feel fresh and capture the chaos and brutality of war.
The game offers a poignant and entertaining single-player campaign that sets a new standard for the first-person shooter. Broken into six sections, each following a different character and front-line location, the campaign never feels dull or repetitive. The single-player campaign even feeds neatly into Battlefield 1's multiplayer mode which, while familiar, also benefits from the much-needed breath of life that the change in setting gives.
Graphically impressive, entertaining, and sometimes touching, Battlefield 1 is a return to form for the series. Even with Battlefield 2042 out in the wild, Battlefield 1 remains our favorite Xbox One entry for the series.
Check out our full Battlefield 1 review
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is something of a reset for the bestselling FPS franchise – removing the frills of zombies, jetpacks, double-jumps and futuristic gadgetry for a grounded take on what military engagement actually looks like in the 21st century.
The name is no coincidence, either; 2007's Modern Warfare was a landmark entry in the Call of Duty series, and Activision is looking to recreate what made the game of the same name so successful.
Modern Warfare is all about the gritty realities of war this time out, with the ‘modern’ of the ‘Modern Warfare’ title referring to the gear, weapons and gadgetry being used today in the Middle East and Russia, rather than the far-flung fantasies of science fiction.
While Modern Warfare has some glaring issues with regards to its campaign, it's still the best installation the series has seen yet - with tight shooting and more multiplayer modes than you can shake a stick at. Call of Duty: Vanguard may be the latest entry in the series, but Modern Warfare remains our pick as the top series Xbox One entry. There's also Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 dropping this October.
Check out our full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) review
Call of Duty: Warzone is now a standalone battle royale - and a great one at that. Initially released as an add-on for Modern Warfare (2019), Warzone has taken on a life of its own, giving the likes of Fortnite and PUBG a run for their money. Just be aware Activision has kicked off development for Warzone 2.
Warzone's shooting is satisfying, its map rewarding to explore, and it offers more than enough interesting concepts like the Gulag and Contracts to make each match feel wholly unique, wherever you land. It's updated regularly too, with new content, modes, operators and skins providing players with plenty of things to do whenever they boot up the game.
Check out our full Call of Duty: Warzone review
From the developers of Towerfall, Celeste follows the story of Madeline, a young girl who decides to face her mental health issues by climbing to the top of the mysterious Celeste Mountain. In doing so, she learns more not only about the mountain but about herself as well throughout the process.
An inevitable classic, Celeste integrates the obvious jump, air-dash and climb controls into a brutal series of platforming challenges in upwards of 700 unique screens. If that’s too easy, you’ll unlock B-side chapters along the way, designed for only the most intrepid of hardcore players.
You don’t even have to worry about waiting an eternity between each respawn, as Celeste brings you back from the grave in an instant, a welcome departure from the typically extensive load screens. It's not only one of the best Xbox One games out there, but one of the best indie games too.
Remedy Entertainment's Control is an action-adventure with a difference. Stepping into the shoes of Jessie Faden, we play as the newest director of the clandestine Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) - a Government agency that researches, and ultimately aims to control, paranormal activity.
But Jessie’s new role has a few issues not exactly laid out in the job description, including the uprising of a force known only as the Hiss. The affinity with which Remedy has courted multiple difficult genres both in film and in games with Control and still managed to deliver a mind-bending story evocative of True Detective and Twin Peaks is absolutely remarkable.
If you're hoping to get the option of a free next-gen upgrade with the game, then you'll need to make sure you buy the Ultimate Edition of Control.
Check out our full Control review
After a long development and lots of anticipation, Xbox indie exclusive Cuphead finally released in 2017. Was it worth the wait? It certainly was.
With visuals and a soundtrack inspired by 1930s animation and gameplay inspired by the platformers of the 80s, this game has had us torn since we first tried it. It's lovely to look at but its gameplay is challenging and you're going to find yourself frustrated... and dying a lot.
We enjoyed Cuphead so much we named it Best Xbox Exclusive in our 2017 Game of the Year Awards so, of course, it's one of our picks for the best Xbox One games. It's an indie experience that shouldn't be missed and you'll only find it on Xbox and PC.
If you’re seeking a game that’s as unforgiving as it is fun, look no further than Dead Cells. It takes gameplay inspiration from so many places – from roguelikes to MetroidVania. There’s even a hint of Dark Souls in there, creating a unique action game that will test your limits and skills.
Each time you play this game, it will feel new. While you’ll lose some progress each time you die – and you will die a lot – the game gets even more rewarding as the complex and fluid combat becomes second nature. In the final release of the game, you get access to over 90 weapons, skills and abilities that will let you tailor your gameplay however you want.
Whatever you do, don’t get discouraged if you fail. Get up and try again, as Dead Cells will only reward you in the end.
Building on the foundations set by old-school RPG classics like Baldur's Gate, Divinity: Original Sin 2 has you on a literal quest for godhood, in a world where those with magical powers are marginalized. So far, so good for an RPG title.
But Divinity: Original Sin 2 comes into its own with just how flexible and freeing its systems are. With turn-based combat that takes as much inspiration from XCOM as it does from tabletop RPG spellcasting, you'll always be given multiple ways to progress, letting you combine items and environmental modifiers to take on foes in increasingly creative ways.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 has more ideas in its first ten minutes than some games have in their entire duration: want to be an undead adventurer who can talk to skulls? Go for it. An animal-whisperer like Dr Doolittle? 100% go for it. Throw four-player online co-op into the mix, where anyone can do whatever they want, and you've got a recipe for chaotic perfection.
It's one of the few games where, if you can dream it up, you can probably do it in the game. This is a must-play Xbox One game.
Ready to raze some hell? Doom is back and it's the best it's ever been. Not only does Doom Eternal boast all the blood-pumping, gore-packed fun we expect from a Doom game, it also adds a bunch of new RPG-like elements we didn't even know we needed.
If you're looking for a game that doesn't focus too much on narrative and instead throws you into ripping and tearing some demons (all while an adrenaline-inducing metal soundtrack plays), then Doom Eternal is one not to be missed. You'll also find that it has a free next-gen upgrade on Xbox Series X/S, too.
Check out our full Doom Eternal review
The latest entry in the long-running soccer sim series, FIFA 22 breathes new life into the series’ once-familiar gameplay. All while making well-intentioned strides to refresh its most dated modes, including Career mode.
Thanks to this series of genuinely welcome improvements to both visuals and gameplay, FIFA 22 feels like a decidedly different offering from its predecessor. It’s not without the same issues that have plagued the franchise for several years, and a few of its supposed enhancements still feel like superficial additions. Still, FIFA 22 is the best the series has been in a long time. Until FIFA 23 drops, anyway.
Check out our full FIFA 22 review
Fortnite has had a meteoric rise since its release in 2017, and it's not hard to see why. The free-to-play battle royale game offers players an energetic and enjoyable online multiplayer experience, and throwing in some building mechanics to set it aside from its competitors.
Fortnite has become somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon: it's fun, fast-paced and everyone seems to be playing it. More importantly, it has a concept that almost anyone can get to grips with: just be the last person standing. Constant Fortnite updates keep it feeling fresh nearly five years since its launch, so it easily gets a place on the best Xbox One games list.
Check out our full Fortnite review
The original Forza titles were about pristine driving skills around perfectly kept tracks, but the Horizon series is different. With a penchant for trading paint, it isn't afraid to have you get down and dirty with off-road races from time to time.
Forza Horizon 4, the latest game in the series, carries that tradition forward by taking us to the rolling hills of the English countryside. It's here that we're spoiled with some of the most exotic cars on the planet.
Like any good open-world game, it rewards exploration and offers both a structured campaign mode and plenty of distractions around the campaign. The new setting feels like something of a love letter from Playground Games to rural Britain; charming, idyllic and made for cross-country road trips. It's really good fun and well-worth buying.
Forza Horizon 5 may be the latest entry in the series and while it easily sits on our list of best Xbox Series X games, we don't feel its performance on Xbox One earns it a place on this list.
We'd been waiting a while to see a new Gears title, and Gears 5 certainly didn't disappoint.
Players step into the shoes of Kait Diaz for the first time. Following the events of Gears of War 4, she's trying to come to terms with the death of her mother, unravel the twisted roots of her family tree and deal with her own personal baggage. Meanwhile, humanity is being threatened once more - this time by the Swarm, the successor to the Locust horde.
Gears 5 proves why the Gears of War series remains one of Xbox's most iconic series and is easily one of the best Xbox One games available.
Check out our full Gears 5 review
Not only is it one of the best sandbox games on the Xbox One platform, GTA 5 is also the best golf game, the best tennis sim, the undisputed virtual yoga champ, one of the best racers... it's even a pretty serviceable MMO.
We're used to scale and scope from Grand Theft Auto, but what Trevor, Franklin, and Michael bring us is a staggeringly well-realized city seen from three entirely different perspectives.
Trevor, the maniacal rampage killer whom we discover to be in all of us when we play a Rockstar game; Franklin, the classic rags-to-riches character with street smarts and the ability to pull off a bandana; and Michael, the troubled criminal with a dysfunctional family and a beer gut to show for his life of violence.
If the campaign isn't for you, then there's a free online multiplayer mode - GTA Online - that you can essentially use as your own chaotic virtual playground.
However you play GTA 5 – a multiplayer muck about, a story-driven third-person actioner, a flight sim – it reveals itself to be the best game on both this generation and the last. So it's no surprise that an expanded and enhanced version of GTA 5 on PS5 and Xbox Series X is releasing this year. Though, it looks like it could be a while before we get our hands on GTA 6.
Want to spend some quality time with Master Chief? Then the Master Chief Collection is just the ticket.
The Master Chief Collection includes six Halo games in total, including every single multiplayer mode. That means you get Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo: ODST and Halo Reach. With each game looking, sounding and playing better than ever before.
While Halo Infinite is the latest entry in the iconic Xbox series, and easily earned its spot on our best Xbox Series X games list, it's a similar story to Forza Horizon 5. We don't feel the same about its Xbox One counterpart, unfortunately.
A franchise that has defined Xbox as a platform for a long time is, of course, Halo. Back in 2015, Halo 5: Guardians became a worthy addition to the series and our list of the best Xbox One games.
With both a single-player campaign and the usual thrilling multiplayer combat, this is the Halo game for Xbox One you don't want to miss. Though its single-player campaign isn't the best in the franchise in terms of story, this is Halo multiplayer combat at its most fun. Anyone that loves playing online with friends will enjoy what the various modes have to offer.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is developer Ninja Theory's first attempt at publishing its own game and it's quite an achievement. The game follows Senua, a Celtic warrior suffering from psychosis who travels to Hell to rescue her lost lover.
The game uses an interesting mix of binaural audio and innovative visual techniques to communicate Senua's experience with her psychosis to the player. The end result is a game that's likely to be quite different from anything else you've played recently.
Disturbing, insightful and extremely enjoyable to play, this is a game worth taking a look at if you're interested in the best Xbox One games - and it's well worth playing ahead of the release of Hellblade 2.
- Our experience with the motion capture tech behind Hellblade
The follow-up to Limbo, Playdead's Inside is one of the best modern platformer games on the market. But while Limbo focused on horror, Inside instead deals in sci-fi conspiracy. It's a somewhat Orwellian tale, which sees you playing as a young boy trying to escape from the oppressive, tyrannical society he lives in.
While Inside is one of the shorter games on this list (lasting around three or four hours), it packs one heck of a punch in that time. You'll find it delivers brain-bending puzzles, a unique and unsettling atmosphere and brilliant platforming action. All this adds up to make it an unforgettable experience and easily one of the best Xbox One games around.
If you're looking for one of the best co-op games on Xbox then look no further. It Takes Two is a fun, tongue-in-cheek adventure that will provide hours of entertainment for both gamers and non-gamers alike.
Taking elements from a variety of different games and intertwining them with a rom-com-like narrative, It Takes Two has something for everyone - even kids. It's worth noting this game can only be played in co-op (either online or couch), but comes with a Friend's Pass. So, you can invite an online friend to join your adventure, even if they don't own the full game.
Okay, so Hideo Kojima's last game for Konami – and his last ever Metal Gear game – might be a little tough for the Metal Gear Solid newbie to get to grips with. Even then, it's still one of the best stealth-action games ever crafted.
The open-world shenanigans will satisfy all your behind-enemy-lines / Rambo fantasies and probably confuse you with crazy plot twists and a million characters all with the same gravel-toned voices. But hey, that's all part of its charm, right? Definitely one of the best Xbox One games we've ever sat down in front of.
Minecraft released 11 years ago, but it's still as popular as ever with adults and kids alike. The sandbox survival game allows players to build with blocks in a 3D-generated world, providing a perfect creative outlet for those artistically inclined.
If you're less creative, there's also the option to explore the world, harvest resources, craft items and square-up to enemies. How did a sandbox game about blocks become a worldwide phenomenon? Check out the history of Minecraft.
Monster Hunter: World is a true breath of fresh air, easily sliding its way into our list of the best Xbox One games of all time. Giving players the option to play solo or team up with up to three other friends, this game invites you into a living, breathing game world to hunt down some monsters. For research. And fun.
You'll face a learning curve with Monster Hunter: World and the dark-souls style of combat has the potential to frustrate, but this is the most accessible Monster Hunter game we've seen in years. If you've been looking for a chance to break into the series, this is it.
In our review, we called the game "a bold and confident new chapter" and gave it a "play it now" recommendation. Thinking of becoming a Monster Hunter yourself? Make sure you check out our Monster Hunter: World survival guide.
Check out our full Monster Hunter: World review
If you want to play a game that will feel different to anything else you've played recently, we heartily recommend NieR: Automata. it's one of the best Xbox One games of all time. Though it's a sequel to 2010 game Nier, you don't have to have played the first game to enjoy this one.
Set in a dystopian future, the story of the game revolves around a war between machines created by alien invaders and the remnants of humanity. Humanity has fled Earth to seek refuge on the Moon, but has sent combat droids down to fight for them.
You play as one of these droids, 2B, accompanied by another droid called 9S. Combat in this game is intensely satisfying, the game world is stunning with a huge sense of scale, and the story is strange (sometimes to a fault) but incredibly entertaining. You won't be disappointed, trust us.
For years, Ori and the Blind Forest was one of our favorite Metroidvania 2D dungeon crawlers on Xbox One. It was heartfelt, beautiful and challenging, and the world simply oozed personality and intrigue.
The release of Ori and the Will of the Wisps has seen the prequel replaced (though you should definitely still play it) as we embark on a new adventure, seeing Ori and his makeshift family separated in an all-new environment. It adds some new combat elements, like a shard system that allows for more customization of Ori's abilities, while big boss battles help to make it more memorable and break up the puzzle-solving.
If you need something a bit smaller than the average 40-hour RPG, and something less brutal than the latest first-person shooter, Ori offers a 12-hour challenge in a hauntingly beautiful world. It's one of the best Xbox One games there is.
Psychonauts 2 is a psychedelic journey that you won't forget. The sequel to 2005's Psychonauts, and following directly on from Rhombus of Ruin, Psychonauts 2 once again follows Raz, a young psychic attempting to join the Psychonauts, an international group of psychic secret agents.
Psychonauts 2 is a hilarious, heartfelt adventure that embraces a humourous take on mental health while offering unique (and often bizarre) worlds for players to explore. It's easily one of the best Xbox titles around and - what's more - it's available on Xbox Game Pass alongside the original.
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 took 2018 by storm, giving us the gun-toting, western open-world we'd been hoping for. You play as Arthur Morgan, a gunslinger in the notorious Van Der Linde gang as he navigates the trials and tribulations of the changing west.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is certainly game that will keep you busy. Between story missions, mini-games, activities and side quests, you will find yourself sinking plenty of hours into this title without even noticing it. And with Red Dead Online, you can team up with a posse of friends to play.
Capcom's remake of survival horror classic Resident Evil 2 has gone down a storm with fans and newcomers alike, and it's no surprise. With gorgeous new graphics but the same brain-scratching puzzles and terrifying zombies, Resident Evil 2 is definitely a remake done right.
When it comes to horror, this is one of the best Xbox One games you can get (not to mention our Game of the Year 2019). Want more Resi horror? Then check out our Resident Evil 3 review or our review of the latest game in the series: Resident Evil Village.
Check out our full Resident Evil 2 Remake review
Despite being the sequel to a prequel about the young life of Lara Croft, this still feels like a Tomb Raider game that has grown up. The reboot which saw a brave new direction for the franchise seemed to be little more than a bit of light Uncharted cosplay, but Rise is a far more accomplished game. We prefer it to the final installment, Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
There are also tombs: yes, that might seem a fatuous thing to say given the name, but the previous game gave them short shrift. In Rise, they are deeper and more plentiful. Rise also has one of the best narratives of any Tomb Raider game, penned again by Rhianna Pratchett, it's sometimes rather poignant. It's undoubtedly one of the top Xbox One games around.
Rare's swashbuckling adventure Sea of Thieves lets players to take on the role of a pirate sailing the seas of a fantastical world – either alone or as part of a crew of up to four members. It's up to you whether you choose to focus on trading, treasure-hunting or plundering the loot of others.
This is a great title for those who enjoy playing with others in an open-world environment, plus it doesn't look too shabby at all. In addition, a new Anniversary Update has breathed new life into Sea of Thieves. Definitely one of the best Xbox One games of recent times and here's all the latest Sea of Thieves updates.
Check out our full Sea of Thieves Review
