Since its release in November 2013, hundreds of games have been released for the Xbox One. Yet, this eighth-generation console has seen some titles do better than others. In this article, we look at what are the top rated Xbox One games to ever be released.
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Publisher: CD Projekt
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Genre: Action role-playing
Metacritic score: 91/100
The Witcher 3 Gameplay
It’s no surprise to see The Witcher 3 make the list of the top rated Xbox One games, and we have talked about how great this game is before in a list of the best RPG games to play right now.
This single player medieval fantasy game is played from third-person perspective, and will leave you feeling completely immersed through its engaging story, charming characters, and stunningly colorful visuals.
From Geralt’s light-hearted quips to a combat system that rivals the Assassin’s Creed series, this game has it all. If you haven’t tried it yet, believe the hype. This game is one of the best to ever be released, on all the platforms it has graced.
9. What Remains of Edith Finch
Developer: Giant Sparrow
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release Date: July 19, 2017
Genre: Adventure
Metacritic score: 92/100
What Remains of Edith Finch – Gameplay
What Remains of Edith Finch was one of the highlights of 2017 for the gaming industry, and the dramatic retelling Edith’s family history became a masterpiece of narrative-driven gaming.
The game plays as a first-person exploration adventure, in which Edith visits her family home in Washington to learn about a curse that has burdened the Finch family for generations. To do this, Edith visits the bedrooms of deceased family members to look for secrets about their past.
The game was well received and was given numerous gaming awards in 2017, including the ‘Best Narrative’ trophy at The Game Awards 2017.
8. Divinity: Original Sin II – Definitive Edition
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release Date: August 31, 2018
Genre: Role-playing
Metacritic score: 92/100
Divinity II – Original Sin Gameplay
This game is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2014 title Divinity: Original Sin, and it betters it in a lot of ways. The game is widely considered to be one of the best role-playing games of all time.
Divinity II is a game rich with folklore and character backstories, and has the potential to keep you occupied for weeks on end. For those who have been looking for a world similar to Skyrim to get lost and immersed in, the fantasy world of Rivellon could be what you’re after.
It is not surprising to find Divinity: Original Sin II on the list of top rated Xbox One games of all time, and this masterpiece is a game that you simply must try if you are fan of the role-playing genre.
7. Forza Horizon 4
Developer: Playground Games
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Genre: Racing
Metacritic score: 92/100
Forza Horizon 4 – Gameplay
Forza Horizon 4 is the only racing game on this list, but it fully warrants its place as one of the top rated Xbox One games of all time.
It is an open world racing game that is set in a fictionalised version of the United Kingdom. In this game, players can race their way through, Edinburgh, the Cotswolds, and the Lake District. You can also design your own races using the game’s route creator.
Its rare for a racing game to be so high in lists of highly-ranked games, but Forza Horizon 4 combines stunning environments with realistic driving mechanics to make one of the best racing games of recent memory.
6. INSIDE
Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Release Date: June 29, 2017
Genre: Puzzle-platformer, adventure
Metacritic score: 93/100
INSIDE – Gameplay
INSIDE was a welcome surprise to the indie gaming scene in mid-2017, and it stood out from the rest with its unique environmental puzzle solving and sense of adventure. It is seen as the spiritual successor to the 2010 game Limbo, and was partially funded by the Danish Film institute.
In the game, the player controls an unnamed boy who explores a dystopian world. The game is charming and surreal, utilising a dark atmosphere with sparse and intermittent color to highlight environmental features.
Navigating the puzzles and avoiding the multitude of ways to die becomes an engaging and rewarding task, and the game is highly addictive with great replay value.
5. Resident Evil 2
Developer: Capcom R&D Division 1
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Genre: Survival horror
Metacritic score: 93/100
Resident Evil 2 – Gameplay
The remake of Resident Evil 2 was everything we hoped for, and more. It incorporates the same feel as the original, while adding some great new features such as a different camera angle and much-improved graphics.
As of the 1998 original wasn’t scary enough, the 2019 version amplifies that terror with its smooth and crisp gameplay. Following Leon and Claire through Racoon City has never felt so real and you will feel immersed within the zombie apocalypse.
With a good mix of problem solving and combat, the gameplay in this survival horror is both fun and edgy. If you haven’t tried the remake yet, you should. There is a reason why Resident Evil 2 is one of the top rated games for the Xbox One.
4. Celeste
Developer: Matt Makes Games
Publisher: Matt Makes Games
Release Date: January 25, 2018
Genre: Platform
Metacritic score: 94/100
Celeste – Gameplay
Another indie platform game to make the list of top rated Xbox One games, and for good reason. Celeste is a creative and refreshing take on the platform genre.
Players take on the role of Madeline as she tries to ascend Celeste Mountain while avoiding a multitude of obstacles. Madeline can run, jump, climb and dash through the air in her quest to get to the top. The game’s mechanics are particularly pleasing, as is the challenge the game presents – it’s not easy.
Every so often an indie game comes along and wows the gaming world, Celeste is one of such games and you should take a chance on it, if you haven’t already.
3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Developer: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Genre: Action-adventure, stealth
Metacritic score: 95/100
Metal Gear Solid V – Gameplay
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was one of the first true triple A titles to be released for eighth generation consoles, and the game still holds up as one of the best.
Set nine years after the events of the standalone prologue Ground Zeroes, the game follows “Venom” Snake as he attempts to get revenge on those who almost killed him during the end of previous title.
Fans of stealth and action-adventure will love this game, as it is hard to think of a series combines the two genres so expertly. The story is powerful and engaging, and the gameplay is advanced in terms of mechanics and AI. This is a must-try for those who haven’t played it yet.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Genre: Action-adventure
Metacritic score: 97/100
GTA V – Gameplay
Rockstar Games truly have a knack for creating immersive and alive open world environments, and San Andreas is the best yet in the Grand Theft Auto series.
You can explore the huge world from both first-person and third-person perspective, choosing between a variety of transport methods to get from place to place. Whilst the storyline is both fun and extensive, it’s possible that you’ll end up spending most of your time just exploring the urban and rural settings found in San Andreas.
Whether playing as Trevor, Franklin, or Michael, each character will offer you something different, and it is no surprise to see Grand Theft Auto V rank highly on the top rated Xbox One games of all time.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Developer: Rockstar Studios
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Genre: Action-adventure
Metacritic score: 97/100
Red Dead Redemption 2 – Gameplay
For those who played the original title from Rockstar Games, it was difficult to contain the excitement and anticipation when Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in late 2019. The game met and surpassed all expectations.
This Wild West game
is set in a vast open world at the end of the 18th Century in the American frontier. Players take on the role of gun-slinging outlaw, Arthur Morgan, who is a member of the notorious Van Der Linde gang.
The dynamic world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is so huge and rich in diversity that players are still finding new ways to play now. The game is, arguably, the greatest open world role-playing game available on any video gaming platform, and it totally deserves to be number one in the top rated Xbox One games of all time.
Which game would you add to the top rated Xbox One games?
If you liked reading this list of the top rated Xbox One games, you might also like to check out our review of the best selling video game consoles ever released.
What is your favorite Xbox One game? Is it on this list? Let us know in the comments section and join our Blog of Games video game blog community. If you have any questions, please get in touch below or contact me at [email protected].