The Xbox Series X|S library is now packed with everything from enormous fantasy RPGs to fast shooters, cinematic adventures, and racing games that can easily consume an entire weekend.
The harder question is no longer whether the console has enough games – it is deciding which one deserves your time first. A good Xbox game should offer more than impressive visuals.
It should feel satisfying to play, make good use of current-generation hardware, and provide enough depth or variety to justify its price and storage space. Game Pass also makes experimenting easier, although availability can vary by plan, region, and time.
This guide covers the best Xbox Series X|S games you should play, with recommendations for different moods and play styles. Some are ideal for quick sessions, while others can keep you busy for dozens of hours.
Whether you want to race through Japan, fight demons, explore a fantasy island, or fly across a digital version of Earth, there is something here worth installing.
Best Xbox Series X|S Games at a Glance
| Game | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Forza Horizon 6 | Open-world racing | Exploration and casual driving |
| Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | First-person adventure | Puzzles and cinematic storytelling |
| Avowed | Fantasy action RPG | Choices, companions, and exploration |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | First-person shooter | Fast and brutal combat |
| Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | Cinematic action-adventure | Atmosphere and focused storytelling |
| Halo Infinite | Sci-fi shooter | Campaign and multiplayer |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Flight simulation | Realistic aviation and exploration |
These games are not ranked from best to worst. Each title offers a different experience, so the right choice depends on your preferred genre, available time, and tolerance for difficulty.
1. Forza Horizon 6: The Best Open-World Racing Game
Forza Horizon 6 takes the Horizon Festival to Japan, giving players a large open world filled with city streets, countryside, mountain roads, and racing events. You begin as a tourist before working your way into the festival and progressing toward becoming a Horizon Legend.
The campaign can be played solo or cooperatively with friends. You can follow structured events, build a vehicle collection, explore freely, or spend far too much time customizing one car before driving it for five minutes.
The game launched for Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 19, 2026. Its relaxed structure makes it easy to enjoy even when you are not interested in realistic motorsport rules or highly competitive online racing.
Choose Forza Horizon 6 when you want a visually impressive game that feels rewarding in both short sessions and long weekend playthroughs.
2. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Best Adventure Game
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a first-person, single-player adventure set in 1937, between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade.
It follows Indiana Jones as he investigates a mystery involving ancient locations, dangerous enemies, and a powerful secret connected to the Great Circle.
The game combines exploration, puzzle-solving, stealth, platforming, and combat. Although it is presented from a first-person perspective, it is not simply a shooter with an Indiana Jones skin.
Many situations reward observation, creative problem-solving, and finding another route instead of starting a fight.
Its slower moments are a major part of the appeal. Examining ruins, solving environmental puzzles, and discovering hidden areas helps the adventure feel like an interactive archaeological film.
Play this one when you want a focused story with memorable locations rather than another giant map filled with hundreds of repetitive icons.
3. Avowed: The Best Fantasy RPG for Flexible Play Styles
Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment. It takes place in the Living Lands, a mysterious island within the world of Eora, which was originally introduced through the Pillars of Eternity series.
Combat supports several approaches. You can use swords, shields, firearms, magical abilities, or combinations that mix traditional weapons with spells. This flexibility makes experimenting with different character builds one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.
Companions also play an important role in the journey. Conversations and decisions can affect relationships, quests, and how certain situations develop, although the experience is more focused than an endlessly large sandbox.
Avowed is a strong choice when you enjoy fantasy worlds but do not want to spend hundreds of hours learning complicated RPG systems. Its first-person presentation makes exploration feel immediate, while its choices provide enough freedom to support different play styles.
4. DOOM: The Dark Ages: The Best Game for Pure Action
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy and science-fiction shooter built around heavy weapons, aggressive enemies, and spectacular combat. It serves as a prequel to DOOM and DOOM Eternal, showing an earlier part of the Doom Slayer’s story.
The combat feels heavier than the constant airborne movement of DOOM Eternal. You are still encouraged to attack aggressively, but new equipment such as the Shield Saw adds defensive timing, blocking, and close-range brutality.
The game is ideal when you want immediate action without spending hours reading dialogue or managing a complicated inventory. Its levels encourage forward momentum, but finding secrets and mastering combat encounters adds replay value.
Use headphones or a powerful sound system when possible. The combination of weapons, music, and enemy design is a huge part of what makes the experience satisfying.
5. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: The Best Cinematic Experience
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II continues Senua’s journey through the myth and danger of Viking Iceland. It is a tightly directed action-adventure focused on atmosphere, visual detail, sound design, and psychological storytelling.
This is not an open-world game filled with side activities. The experience is deliberately focused, guiding players through exploration, environmental puzzles, cinematic sequences, and intense close-range combat.
Its audio presentation is especially important. Voices, environmental sounds, and music are used to place players inside Senua’s perspective, so playing with headphones can make the story much more immersive.
Choose Hellblade II when you want something shorter and more concentrated than a massive RPG. It is best approached as an interactive cinematic journey rather than a traditional action game built around endless upgrades.
6. Halo Infinite: The Best Mix of Campaign and Multiplayer
Halo Infinite combines a large campaign environment with the familiar weapons, vehicles, enemies, and arena combat of the Halo series.
Its multiplayer component provides a different experience, focusing on competitive matches, objective modes, and community-created content.
The campaign gives Master Chief more freedom to explore than previous mainline Halo games. You can capture enemy-controlled areas, locate equipment, rescue allies, and approach encounters using vehicles or different weapon combinations.
On Xbox Series X, supported maps and modes can offer features such as up to 120 FPS and 4K output when used with compatible displays. The game is also optimized for Xbox Series X|S and supports Smart Delivery.
It is an easy recommendation for players who want one installation that supports both a solo science-fiction campaign and repeatable online multiplayer.
7. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: The Best Simulation Game
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 turns the entire world into an enormous aviation playground. You can operate small aircraft, commercial planes, helicopters, and other flying machines while visiting real-world locations.
The Standard Edition includes more than 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports. It also adds a career system that lets players pursue aviation activities and develop their skills through structured objectives.
This is not a traditional action game, and patience is required. Learning takeoffs, landings, navigation, weather systems, and cockpit controls can initially feel overwhelming.
However, the simulation can be adjusted for different experience levels. Beginners can use assistance options, while serious aviation fans can explore deeper procedures and more realistic controls.
Choose it when you want a relaxing, educational, and technically impressive experience that feels completely different from the usual shooter or RPG.
How to Choose Your Next Xbox Game
Start with your preferred session length. DOOM: The Dark Ages, Forza Horizon 6, and Halo Infinite work well when you only have enough time for a few races or combat encounters.
For a focused story, choose Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or Hellblade II. Players who want character building and meaningful choices should begin with Avowed.
Storage space is also important. Large racing, simulation, and open-world titles can require significant downloads, especially after updates. Check the current installation size before removing several games to make room.
Finally, review the Xbox Store and your Game Pass library before buying. Subscription catalogs and regional prices can change, so a game that requires a separate purchase today may be included in a promotion or membership later.
The best Xbox Series X|S games cover a surprisingly wide range of experiences. Forza Horizon 6 offers open-world driving, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers puzzles and cinematic adventure.
Avowed provides flexible fantasy role-playing, and DOOM: The Dark Ages focuses on intense first-person combat. Players looking for a focused emotional story should try Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Halo Infinite remains a strong combination of campaign and multiplayer, while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers one of the most ambitious simulations available on a console.
Choose one game based on your mood and available time, check whether it is included with your current subscription, and start playing instead of letting it sit permanently in your download queue.