The Xbox Series X console is brand new, but there's already quite the selection of games available for it. All kinds of genres are represented on the Xbox Series X right out of the gate, and between paid titles and those through Xbox Game Pass, early adopters may not know where to start.
Luckily, plenty of reviews have been published for the various Xbox Series X launch title games, giving fans a great idea of which titles are worthy of their attention, and which can wait for later on.
Here are the best games that are a part of the Xbox Series X launch lineup.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Arguably the crown jewel of the Xbox Series X launch lineup is Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The latest entry in Ubisoft's long-running Assassin's Creed franchise, Assassin's Creed Valhalla retains the same general gameplay style of recent entries like Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey, but with a new viking setting. Assassin's Creed Valhalla has earned rave reviews, with many pointing out that the Xbox Series X version of the massive open world game is free of many of the bugs and technical issues that plague the previous-gen versions of the title.
And even though Assassin's Creed Valhalla is now available on PlayStation 5 as well, it was an next-gen console exclusive for Xbox Series X for its first couple of days on sale. That may not seem significant to some, but it could guarantee that a huge chunk of AC Valhalla fans are playing the game on Xbox, and were able to experience its next-gen enhancements on Xbox Series X instead of PS5. Its status as a multiplatform title may mean that it's not a system-seller, but Assassin's Creed Valhalla is still a must-have for Xbox Series X early adopters.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
The Devil May Cry franchise had a big return to form with Devil May Cry 5 last generation, so it's great to see the high-octane action game get a second lease on life on next-generation platforms. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is one of the most impressive Xbox Series X launch games in terms of visuals and performance, allowing players to play the game in up to 120 frames per second and with ray tracing. Not only that, but it adds a slew of new content to convince Devil May Cry 5 veterans to double dip.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition includes all of the content and post-launch DLC that was released for the original Devil May Cry 5, but it also features a new mode that makes fan favorite Vergil a playable character.
Dirt 5
A video game console launch lineup isn't complete without a racing game, and Dirt 5 fills that role well on Xbox Series X. Dirt 5 has earned mostly positive reviews since its release, and it boasts some next-gen exclusive features that fans can only experience on Xbox Series X and PS5. If players have the monitor or television set that can back it up, it's possible to play Dirt 5 in 120 frames per second while in performance mode, whereas fans can enjoy 4K resolution visuals in fidelity mode.
Fortnite
One of the most popular games of the last decade is Epic Games' Fortnite battle royale. Achieving incredible, nearly unprecedented mainstream success, Fortnite isn't going away anytime soon, and it's fitting for it to be available on the next-generation consoles on day one. Those that play Fortnite on Xbox Series X will notice that Epic Games has made a number of next-gen enhancements for the game, like maintaining 60 frames per second at 4K resolution, upgrading the visuals, improving loading times, and adding 60 fps support for split-screen. Fortnite is set to migrate to Unreal Engine 5 at some point in 2021, which will bring with it an even bigger upgrade for the popular battle royale.
Forza Horizon 4
It's no secret that Microsoft has a lack of first-party exclusive games for the Xbox Series X launch lineup. To help make up for that, Microsoft has released Xbox Series X versions of some of the Xbox One's biggest and most popular titles, upgrading them with a variety of next-gen enhancements. One such game to get the "Optimized for Xbox Series X" treatment is Forza Horizon 4, one of the previous generation's highest-rated racing games. Those playing Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox Series X will notice improved visuals and performance, plus they can still play with FH 4 players on Xbox One.
Gears 5
Gears 5 on Xbox Series X boasts the same kind of visual upgrades that fans expect, with improved visuals and performance across the board. However, the Gears 5 Xbox Series X port offers much more than just a visual upgrade. In fact, Gears 5 on Xbox Series X coincides with the release of a massive new update for the game that gives fans plenty more to do.
The Gears 5 Xbox Series X update adds new achievements, as well as modifiers that can change the campaign's graphics and more, boosting its replay value significantly. However, the biggest change is undoubtedly Dave Bautista in the role of Marcus Fenix, with Bautista having re-recorded all of Marcus' lines for the Gears 5 Xbox Series X port.
Another new addition to Gears 5 is the ability to play as Gabe Diaz, the protagonist of the turn-based strategy game Gears Tactics. Gears Tactics made its console debut alongside the Xbox Series X, and it's safe to say that the Xbox Series X version of Gears Tactics meets expectations and then some. Fans of the franchise should definitely make it a point to check out that game as well.
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky represents one of the biggest comebacks in gaming history. When it first launched, No Man's Sky was widely criticized for failing to deliver on many of its promises, but since then, the game has received regular updates to bring it much closer to Hello Games' original vision. No Man's Sky is looking to keep its momentum going with its next-gen debut, with the game available on Xbox Series X as No Man's Sky: Next Generation. This version of the game includes more environmental details, support for up to 32 players in multiplayer, significantly reduced load times, cross-play support, and new base building mechanics, all while maintaining a 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Better yet, No Man's Sky is part of Xbox Game Pass, so anyone that was disappointed with the original release can try it out without having to worry about buying it outright.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps isn't completely optimized for Xbox Series X right out of the gate, but the gorgeous 2D platformer is just as good on the new console as it was on Xbox One. At some point down the road, Ori and the Will of the Wisps will be updated to support 120 frames per second when playing on the new console, which should make the already great-looking game look that much better.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris Effect was previously hailed as one of the better virtual reality games on the market, but the Xbox Series X doesn't support VR headsets at launch. Considering this, one might think that Tetris Effect on Xbox Series X can't match up to other versions of the game, but that can't be farther from the truth. While it lacks VR support, Tetris Effect: Connected makes up for it with its newfound focus on co-op and multiplayer modes, which players can enjoy alongside the single-player content from the original release.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Yakuza series has been so closely tied to PlayStation over the years that it's bizarre to see it pushed as an Xbox Series X launch title, with its next-gen version console-exclusive until next year. Regardless, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is easily one of the better games in the Xbox Series X launch lineup, and one of the best-reviewed. It features the same kind of high quality storytelling and open world gameplay that Yakuza fans have come to love, but with an even bigger focus on humor and a new turn-based battle system. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is hilarious and stuffed with content, making it one of the best "bang for your buck" games available for the Xbox Series X at launch.