The 15 finest Xbox Series S/X video games to play in 2026 | Games

Now certainly approaching their twilight years, the Xbox Series S and X machines nonetheless nonetheless have lots to supply each new and veteran house owners. We have chosen 15 titles that present the vary of what’s on provide, from the most important blockbusters to lesser identified indie gems you will have missed. Whether you’re after tense psychological horror or wild escapism, it’s all right here and extra.

Alan Wake 2

Thirteen years after vanishing on the finish of the unique sport, cursed horror writer Alan Wake is trapped in an alternate dimension and decided to put in writing his approach out, whereas FBI brokers shut in on the mysterious city of Bright Falls.

Why we find it irresistible: “A thoroughly entertaining blend of detective procedural and surrealist survival horror.” Read the total evaluate.

Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the best role-playing fantasy video games of the fashionable period, offering gamers with nearly as a lot narrative and imaginative freedom as a table-top D&D journey as they face off in opposition to the mighty mind-flayers.

Why we find it irresistible: “It’s a towering landmark of an RPG. Bustling with life, brimming with scope, and bursting with imagination.” Read the total evaluate.

Psychonauts 2

The long-awaited sequel to Double Fine’s cult 3D platformer sees the return of psychic acrobat undercover agent Raz embarking on a mission to root out a harmful new adversary.

Why we find it irresistible: “I’ve rarely played anything that is so unashamedly itself. Each hour is different, each character distinct and memorable, each new psychic playground full of surprises.” Read the total evaluate.

Elden Ring

A grandiose fantasy opera from the makers of Dark Souls, crammed with spectacular landscapes, weird characters and seemingly insurmountable bosses. Complete with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC it’s a difficult and engrossing open world like no different.

Why we find it irresistible: “This is a massive world, astonishingly rendered (the sun and moon wheel in the sky, casting each scene anew) and seemingly limitless in its creative diversity. It is an unrivalled feat of design and inventiveness.” Read the total evaluate.

Forza Horizon 4

An exquisite open-world driving sport offering tons of of sq. miles of the British countryside to discover whereas racing different drivers, finishing challenges and accumulating stunningly modelled supercars. It’s not accessible on the digital retailer anymore, however you possibly can nonetheless purchase a bodily copy.

Why we find it irresistible: “As driving games go, it’s the best I’ve ever played, not only because of its irresistible scenery, exhilarating driving and perfectly recreated cars, but because spending time with it puts me in a lasting good mood.” Read the total evaluate.

Hades

Fight your approach out of hell whereas having fun with the attractive shenanigans of historical Greek gods. Has there ever been a extra engaging premise for a Rogue-like motion role-playing romp?

Why we find it irresistible: “Interesting things happen all the time, and no matter how long I spend with Hades I feel like I am only just getting acquainted with it.” Read the total evaluate.

Hi-Fi Rush

Better identified for its horror journey sequence The Evil Within, Tokyo studio Tango Gameworks stunned us all with this stomping rhythm motion brawler the place enemies, motion and hallucinogenic environments are all in sync with the infectious beat.

Why we find it irresistible: “As brazenly colourful as a Jet Set Radio fever dream, it’s refreshing to play a game that is so unashamedly music-centred.” Read the total evaluate.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Taking place simply after Raiders of the Lost Ark, this rip-roaring journey has Indy punching and puzzling his approach around the globe on the path of mythological giants and highly effective historical secrets and techniques.

Why we find it irresistible: “A lavish, comprehensive and affectionate expansion of Spielberg’s films, one that keenly understands and eagerly engages with the history.” Read the total evaluate.

A king is assassinated and his inheritor is in a coma – a difficult political scenario that results in an epic quest for one younger boy, whereas chaos reigns and big monsters roam the land. This is a huge, lavish role-playing journey from the makers of the famed Persona sequence.

Why we find it irresistible: “It is so bold, and so well-crafted: the developer, Atlus, has set exceptionally high standards for visual design and music over the years, and it’s impressive that ReFantazio lives up to them”. Read extra right here.

Minecraft

The final crafting journey, offering an enormous procedurally generated world to discover and an nearly limitless vary of actions from constructing castles, to combating zombies, to competing in mini video games. Fifteen years outdated and displaying no signal of operating out of concepts.

Why we find it irresistible: “By constructing the world from 1×1 blocks that can be arranged in every imaginable combination, Minecraft is perhaps the closest we have to a true god game.” Read the total evaluate.

Pentiment

In an Alpine Bavarian village through the sixteenth century a younger artist units out to resolve a sequence of ugly murders. With luscious visuals impressed by illuminated manuscripts of the period, that is a unprecedented detective journey.

Why we find it irresistible: “It provides a wonderfully evocative window into the past […] a gift to any player who longs for a historical setting that’s more than a surface texture.” Read the total evaluate.

Persona 5 Royal

A bunch of Tokyo high-school college students develop unimaginable powers and got down to battle evil and corruption – whereas additionally falling out and in of messy adolescent love. Part sprawling metaphysical role-playing sport, half super-cute relationship sim.

Why we find it irresistible: “With its stylish cuts and transitions, loose and unorthodox structure and real-world setting Persona 5 is unlike any other video game. Its depth and texture far outstrips even earlier games in the series.” Read the total evaluate.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Arguably the best ever survival horror sport, introduced bang updated whereas retaining its mixture of bloody thrills, crafty puzzles and actually horrible monsters.

Why we find it irresistible: “It is resplendent, delicious and decadent, like an incredibly rich banquet served amid the detritus of some horrible battle.” Read the total evaluate.

Sea of Thieves

Effectively a pirate fantasy simulator, participant crews take to the excessive seas collectively, discovering buried treasure and battling with different buccaneers. A rollicking co-op journey crammed with memorable moments of shared pleasure and hilarity.

Why we find it irresistible: “You’ll laugh, you’ll sail, you’ll drink grog until you’re sick. What a luscious, singular sandbox experience.” Read the total evaluate.

Split Fiction

Two authors, one writing sci-fi the opposite fantasy, are sucked into their very own tales when a digital actuality machine goes awry. From the makers of the award-winning It Takes Two, that is one other cooperative journey during which gamers work in tandem to resolve ingenious puzzles.

Why we find it irresistible: “One level could be all-action space-blasting, the next will have you puzzling through a fantasy jungle as transforming animals, and an unexpected diversion will have you working together to wriggle sentient hotdogs into buns.” Read the total article right here.