Quantum Break (Xbox One)

Quantum Break is one of the most sophisticated cinematic experiences on Xbox, with lavish production values, convincing performances, and a riveting sci-fi plot.

Remedy delivered up a third-person action-adventure game with the spectacle of a summer blockbuster and structure of a TV series here and, although the commitment to delivering a rich, layered narrative isn't always conducive to top-notch gameplay, it doesn't diminish how engrossing this is as an entertainment experience overall. The combination of intense time-bending action, gripping story, and cutting-edge presentation make this the kind of game that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the credits roll. While it's not quite as inventive as it thinks it is, Quantum Break is fresh, ambitious, and a heck of a lot of fun.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

State of Decay 2 (Xbox One)

The first State of Decay was an excellent Xbox 360 exclusive, but there's no doubt that its follow-up, State of Decay 2, takes things to an entirely level.

Introducing way more depth to the game's core mechanics along with the addition of online co-operative play for the first time, it may have received mixed reviews back at launch for a variety of reasons, but developer Undead Labs has been hard at work, fixing and improving and adding to the mix for well over three years now with a ton of extra features, many of them available for free and/or included with Xbox Game Pass. If you like zombie games, if you're a fan of all things survival, this is a perfect blend of the two that serves up an almost endless amount of zombie-slaying action.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Xbox Series X|S)

Warhammer 40K: Darktide took a very long time to arrive on Xbox consoles, but that ultimately ended up being a good thing. The game received a poor reception when it launched on PC Game Pass in 2022, which led to the studio delaying the Xbox release and focusing on putting together a large number of patches to improve the experience.

So, the version we're getting now on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is in much better shape than the original release, which makes this one of the most enticing Xbox exclusives you can play today! Don't worry if you don't know much about Warhammer - you can jump into this one with any prior knowledge and still have a great time.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Starfield (Xbox Series X|S)

It'll come as no surprise to hear that Starfield has made this list, as it's perhaps the biggest Xbox exclusive to launch throughout the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S generation so far! Although a couple of critics were a bit lukewarm on it, the vast majority of people have had extremely positive things to say about this expansive Bethesda RPG.

There's a good chance you bought an Xbox specifically to play this one, so you don't really need us to tell you it's one of the best Xbox exclusives you can play today. Nevertheless, if you haven't tried Starfield yet and you're interested in finding out what all the fuss is about, its Xbox Game Pass arrival is a get way to get started.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

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Starfield Digital Premium Edition [UK/EU Download Code]
Starfield Digital Premium Edition [UK/EU Download Code]
Starfield Standard Edition [UK/EU Download Code]
Starfield Standard Edition [UK/EU Download Code]

Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox One)

Yes, we've already got Forza 5 on our list here but we felt compelled to stick its predecessor on too as its excellent DLC additions, in particular the fantastic LEGO Speed Champions, makes it a game that many won't just throw down because a newer, shinier version has now arrived.

Indeed, ask around and you may find there are many petrolheads out there who still prefer Forza Horizon 4 over Playground's latest effort. This is a great big blast of anarchic arcade racing goodness that stands tall as the perhaps the best entry in the franchise to date. Vroom, vroom indeed.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Ryse: Son of Rome (Xbox One)

Ryse: Son of Rome feels a lot like a Call of Duty styled Xbox exclusive in Roman clothing. The bloodthirsty combat and fast pace at the heart of this game gets the adrenaline pumping, and it's packed full of set pieces that are undeniably bombastic and spectacular across the board.

There's an impressive amount of intensity and attention to detail in this one, and it's intensity that's maintained for the duration of the roughly seven hour campaign. Yes, there are some issues with clunky controls and repetition here and there, and the whole thing falls just short of what we'd hoped it would be, but the narrative is well put together and expertly delivered and there's still plenty to enjoy overall. It's also, in hindsight, a bit of a treat to have such a spectacular adventure not take weeks of our lives to complete, with the brevity of the adventure here a plus point in this age of enormous, bloated AAA titles.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

Sunset Overdrive was released at a time when morale and belief in the Xbox brand was arguably at its lowest and, being an Xbox One exclusive, it somewhat slipped under the radar as a result. It's become a cult classic in recent years though, thanks to its fast-paced gameplay and traversal, over-the-top story and colourful visuals.

This is the Xbox game that was developed by Insomniac Games before they went off to join PlayStation Studios and create Marvel's Spider-Man, so it's really no surprise it's so good. It's never received a proper next-gen touch-up, which is a shame, but play it on Xbox Series X and Series S and it still benefits from the Auto HDR feature. This is one game you owe it to yourself to try out, as we're pretty sure you'll find yourself surprised and delighted by just how excellent and addictive it is.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Fable 2 (Xbox 360)

Yes, we're all impatiently waiting on the revival of Fable being developed by Forza Horizon studio Playground Games, but until that time, we're just going to have to make-do with the original three Xbox titles — Fable Anniversary, Fable 2 and Fable 3. We could have included any of them here, but we're going to highlight the second game in particular on this list.

If Fable is new to you, it's a very British-style action RPG taking place within the fictional land of Albion, where you take the role of a young hero who needs to save the world. In addition to the main campaign, you can get married and have children (big mistake) build a property empire, take part in various jobs and more. It may not live up to its creator's ridiculous levels of pre-release hyperbole, but Fable 2 is still an absolute gem that you should definitely get stuck into ASAP.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Party Animals (Xbox Series X|S)

If you like the physics-based brawler Gang Beasts, then we think you're going to also love Party Animals! In our opinion, this is absolutely one of the most enjoyable party games in this "Best Xbox Exclusives" list, in which you pick a cuddly companion and send them into battle against up to seven other players.

There are multiple modes, a bunch of skins to unlock, the ability to play online or in local co-op, and some fantastic gameplay that results in a lot of laughs! We gave Party Animals a "Great" 8/10 in our review here at Pure Xbox, praising it as "a great and hilarious new addition to the genre" that's "accessible to gamers of all ages and skill levels".

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (Xbox 360)

The first Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved was an important title for Xbox Live Arcade back in the day, giving hardcore gamers something a little more intense to sink their teeth into on a service that had little in the way of properly challenging, fast-paced experiences to offer at the time. However, Bizarre Creations' twin-stick beauty was also a hugely approachable game for casuals, serving up hugely addictive arcade action, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 only improved upon the formula by offering up new modes and offline multiplayer to boot.

The gameplay here is wonderfully slick stuff and blasting around tiny rectangular levels as you rack up huge combos in spectacular neon rushes of action is just as terrifyingly addictive now as it was all the way back in 2008! A classic Xbox 360 exclusive for the ages then, and a game we like to keep tucked away on our console storage for quick blasts here and there.

  • Xbox Game Pass? No