September 2 2019

Best Xbox One Exclusives

In our Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro guide, we mentioned how Sony has the most successful exclusive titles. Albeit, things may start to change sooner than you think. At E3 2018, Microsoft announced it was expanding its game development studios by adding five new teams.

A year later at E3 2020, Tim Schafer’s studio, Double Fine, joined Microsoft Game Studios. Since, we here at Game Gavel are optimistic and hope to see a bunch of new exclusives for the 2020 Xbox Scarlett.

With all of that said, the Xbox One is definitely not short of console exclusives. Furthermore, now that Halo Infinite and Gears 5 both have release dates, there are some games you can look forward to shortly. As to be expected, you can play most of the games on our list on PC. However, you certainly won’t find them on a PlayStation 4 console. So, what are the best Xbox One exclusive games to play in 2020? Find out in our list below!


#1 Best Overall: Halo 5: Guardians

Developer(s): 343 Industries

Initial Release Date: 27 October 2015

Halo 5: Guardians is one of, if not the, best Xbox One exclusive games from the long-running Halo franchise. Back in 2015, the game stole the show thanks to the new mobility mechanics, a wide range of maps and a bunch of sweet new weapons to play around with.

Developers 343 Industries certainly did a fantastic job with this classic Xbox One exclusive game, but after all of the hype, is the game really that good? Like every game on the market, Halo 5 has its faults, but truthfully, they can be overlooked. Let’s take a look at what this game has to offer.

Halo 5 Gameplay:

As we have just mentioned, Halo 5 boasts a whole host of new outstanding weapons, including the iconic UNSC Assault Rifle and Spartan Laser. For this exact reason, combat is where Halo 5 shines the most. Every weapon feels great, especially with the new game mechanics.

There are also plenty of hidden weapon stashes found in the cool new Halo 5 locations. What’s more, 343 Industries has included several new abilities to your character’s skill set which improves gameplay even further.

As you play as Locke, a Spartan who wears some sleek and powerful armour, the ability to sprint as default didn’t frustrate me. Instead, fluid movement fits perfectly into the game. The brand new squad commands in solo are also very simple to understand, especially when using an Xbox One controller. When it comes to Campaign mode in Halo 5, it spans over 15 fantastic missions. Though admittedly, some fights feel fairly disappointing.

Halo 5 Graphics:

I’m going to be biased here for a moment by saying I’ve always though Halo looked great. Sure, Halo 5 looked fairly poor when it first came out, but it’s the price you have to pay for gameplay at a solid 60 FPS. Initially, details were lost, textures were blurry and everything felt generally dull.

That was until a patched version of the game came out ready for the powerful Xbox One X. Once you install the patch, the game can hit full 4K while maintaining 60 FPS. The difference really is like focusing a camera or putting your glasses on in the morning.

Halo 5 Storyline:

Set in 2558, Halo 5: Guardians follows two familiar teams known as Blue Team and Fireteam. Simply, the game begins with the reported death of a Blue Team member, the Master Chief. In order to cover up the truth, the ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) starts to spread propaganda to hide the facts. At times, the plot can be unclear and confusing.

Which is why, unless you’ve played the previous games in the series, you’re not really going to feel connected to Halo 5: Guardian. In fact, you probably won’t even know who several characters are. You could get away with jumping right into Halo 5, but if you want to understand the plot and subtle references, we suggest playing Halo 4.

Halo 5 Guardians gameplay

Albeit, that isn’t to say you won’t enjoy Halo 5—because you definitely will. If you’ve played the game, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that many of the elements in the new story are refreshing. Such as the new voices and fresh faces in the Halo 5: Guardians.

Halo 5 Co-Op/Multiplayer:

One of the best things about Halo is its online multiplayer mode. I remember ‘wasting’ so many hours playing online with my friends trying to find skulls, something I definitely couldn’t do today. But Halo 5: Guardians features one of the best online multiplayer modes of the franchise. If you’ve played some of the previous Halo games, the classic Arena game mode will trigger nostalgia.

While the large new 24-player game mode, Warzone, adds a nice touch. In this mode, matches are won by gaining a total of 1,000 points that can be acquired in many different ways. I won’t spoil the multiplayer modes too much since there’s so many fun things to do and explore, but what I will say is that it’s the highlight of Halo 5.

Halo 5 Overall Verdict:

Halo 5: Guardians is one of the best Xbox One exclusive games to play in 2020. The updated arsenal of weapons is extremely refreshing, same goes for the new mobility mechanics. What’s more, the game takes you on a trip down memory lane thanks to some familiar online game modes. You won’t have to wait long for another game, either, since Halo Infinite has been confirmed as an Xbox Scarlett launch title.


#2 Best Action-Adventure: Sunset Overdrive

Developer(s): Insomniac Games, Blind Squirrel Games

Initial Release Date: 28 October 2014

If you want to play something a little less serious, Sunset Overdrive is a fantastic action-adventure shooter for the Xbox One. You’ll especially love this game if you’re a fan of the Ratchet and Clank series owing to the sense of humor throughout the Xbox-exclusive title.

Just watch the Sunset Overdrive – E3-Trailer and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. But what else does this fast-paced ‘zombie’ survival game have to offer? Let’s get into the specifics.

Sunset Overdrive Gameplay:

Before you get too excited about Sunset Overdrive, you must first create your own character using the character customization system. Once your character is looking as sexy as ever, your main goal is to survive. After an energy drink company ignored health regulations, the toxic drink turned humans into dangerous mutants.

One of the best things about Sunset is the varied arsenal of unique weapons that can be obtained through main missions. Want to immobilize enemies? Use the Freeze Bomb. Want to rapidly shoot at enemies? The Roman Candle is the way to go.

If you really can’t wait to unlock a weapon, you can buy them in exchange for the in-game currently, Overcharge. What makes this game so great is how large Sunset City is. As you run, zip and grind along in-game objects and buildings, you’ll notice how interactive everything in the world is. If you’re worried about surviving alone, don’t fret. Over time, you will have to team up with a small group of survivors to plan an escape from Sunset City.

Sunset Overdrive Graphics:

Have you ever noticed that most games set in a post-apocalyptic world are extremely gloomy? There’s no denying that dark color schemes can be depressing, which is why we here at Game Gavel like Sunset Overdrive so much. Contrasting the absurd humor and offensive language used throughout the game, the color scheme in Sunset is vivid and playful.

sunset overdrive

Although the color palette doesn’t match the dark story, it certainly compliments how dynamic and fun Sunset Overdrive is. Sure, the game revolves around killing energy drink-loving mutants, but the way you move around the city and destroy them is what makes the game so fun.

Sunset Overdrive Storyline:

Set in 2027, Sunset Overdrive has a strange yet amusing plot. In the game, a company known as FizzCo released a new energy drink, the OverCharge Delirium XT (OCD), exclusively in Sunset City. Since energy drinks are extremely popular, especially among gamers, FizzCo disregarded health regulations in an attempt to sell the drink faster. Unfortunately, as you may have already guessed, this took a turn for the worse.

The drink became toxic, transforming anyone who drank it into a vicious mutant appropriately known as an Overcharge Drinker (OD). As a janitor, you didn’t get an invitation to the OCD launch party, and frankly, it’s best your character didn’t. After the damage, FizzCo walled off the city in order to maintain what they called a ‘viral outbreak’.

Now, that would sound like a good thing until you realise you and the other survivors are trapped in Sunset City. In a desperate attempt to survive, Overcharge drinkers aren’t the only things you need to worry about. Human survivors will want to steal your things and Fizzco robots will get in your way.

Sunset Overdrive gameplay

Sunset Overdrive Co-Op/Multiplayer:

Sunset Overdrive features an addictive cooperative multiplayer mode known a Chaos Squad. In the multiplayer mode, you can join up with eight other players to achieve objectives in the post-apocalyptic world. Once you have completed one of several missions set in a unique location, two new ones will appear.

You will also unlock some sweet new items and weapons for your character to use, as well as some in-game cash—ka-ching! If you prefer to play with friends, rather than alone, Chaos Squad is a game mode we highly recommend playing.

Sunset Overdrive Overall Verdict:

Sunset Overdrive is a hilarious post-apocalyptic game available on Xbox and PC only. Since it’s an open-world game with colorful and almost playful graphics, we say it’s a very attractive Xbox One exclusive. If you don’t fancy playing alone, you can even jump into the 8-player online multiplayer mode known as Chaos Squad.

If you’re fairly antisocial, you’ll have a blast jumping from building to walls as you destroy Overcharge Drinkers using the range of wild weapons.


#3 Best Third-Person Shooter: Gears of War 4

Developer(s): The Coalition

Initial Release Date: 11 October 2016

As one of the best Xbox One games by sold copies, Gears of War is a classic Xbox title that we instantly had to put onto our list. Released 5 years after it’s predecessor, it’s the first Gears game developed by The Coalition after Epic sold the Gears of War franchise. Albeit, everything that made Gears 3 successful, including the mechanics and shooting system, stayed put. Sure, some things have been dialled back, but overall it’s a brilliant game.

Gears of War 4 Gameplay:

Set 25 years after the original trilogy, Gears of War 4 follows JD Fenix, the son of Marcus Fenix. While many elements from the previous games have been reintroduced, new ideas have been developed. In regards to the campaign, you’ll have to learn how to properly attack and defend yourself against the new enemies, such as the Swarm and DeeBee robots that eventually self destruct.

This will surely keep you on your toes as you learn new strategies to combat your opponents. Although many aspects of the game remain the same, Gears of War 4 feels much faster than Gears 3.

Aside from the story, the most obvious changes in this Xbox One exclusive game are the new weapons and maps. These maps are especially well designed for co-op mode which we’ll get into later. One of the smartest (and at times, frustrating) things about the game is how the weather affects weapons.

If it’s too windy, your range of weapons will fire slowly as you attempt to destroy your enemies. This way, you’ll have to be extremely careful about what weapons you choose during certain weather changes and different climates.

Gears of War 4 Graphics:

Some may argue that Gears of War 4 looks outdated, but compared to the other games in the series, it looks great. Gears 4 utilizes Unreal Engine 4 and we’d be lying if we said it doesn’t look fantastic. It’s also one of the first Xbox games to support HDR so long as you have an Xbox One S and a HDR-capable TV.

Some gamers may not be able to tell the difference between HDR and non-HDR, while others can tell the difference. The most impressive feature is the use of reflections and the weather system, such as how detailed dust, rain, dirt, smoke and fire are. Nevertheless, if you prefer to play on PC, you could even get away with using a superb budget GPU for gaming.

Gears of War 4 Storyline:

The way the plot is structured in Gears of War 4 is both recognizable yet unfamiliar at the same time. The game continues to follow Marcus Fenix’s son, JD Fenix, as he attempts to survive against a new Locust Horde. Though, as we have touched on, the new enemies attack differently than their predecessors, making the game much more challenging.

The cast of new characters doesn’t compare to the crew in Gears of War 3, although several known characters remain. At the end of the day, not much has changed when it comes to Gears of War 4, which is what makes it so good.

Gears of War 4 gameplay

Gears of War 4 Co-Op/Multiplayer:

Online multiplayer in Gears of War 4 is arguably the best the series has ever seen. At first, online multiplayer was shaky due to the servers, though that’s expected for new games such as Gears 4. Competitive PvP mode in this Xbox One (and PC) exclusive truly tests your skills as a player.

Your main goal in this Gears 4 PvP? To keep killing until there’s nothing left to kill. Or, more specifically, until you win. You can play this mode locally or via split-screen with your friends and family. If you want to polish your skills before heading straight into a game with strangers, you can play privately with friends or even offline against bots.

Here’s a rundown of some of the game modes in Gears of War 4:

  • Team Deathmatch
  • Warzone
  • Execution
  • Dodgeball
  • Escalation
  • Horde
  • Arms Race
  • King of the Hill
  • Guardian

Gears of War 4 Overall Verdict:

Although Gears of War 4 takes some of the same elements as the other games in the series, it’s different in so many ways. Furthermore, it looks great, especially on the Xbox One S (HDR mode). If you haven’t played Gears of War, you should certainly play it before the Gears of War 5 release on September 6th. Curious as to the difference between the latest Xbox consoles? We think you’ll like our Xbox One S vs Xbox One X guide.


#4 Best Sci-Fi: Quantum Break

Developer(s): Remedy Entertainment

Initial Release Date: 5 April 2016

Quantum Break is arguably one of the most well-written time travel stories to date. Sure, the gameplay isn’t unique and some would even argue that it doesn’t deserve a place on our list, but hear me out. It’s a brilliant hybrid of a video game and a TV show developed by Remedy Entertainment—the makers of Alan Wake and Max Payne.

Quantum Break Gameplay:

Quantum Break can be broken up into five gameplay acts mixed with four live-action episodes. Each scene changes depending on the decisions you make and how you interact with things in the game. These changes won’t always be obvious, however, some are very dramatic.

I agree that the TV-style storytelling in Quantum Break likely won’t appeal to everyone, though some may enjoy it. At its core, Quantum Break is a third-person shooter exclusive where you have time-controlling powers and a gun.

As it’s a third-person shooter, combining your superpowers with weapons makes for interesting combat. You can freeze time, speed it up, teleport and prevent enemy bullets from piercing your skin. How badass is that? As a shooter, I admit that it isn’t very unique, but the time-travelling story is what makes the game so great. If you own a high-grade mechanical keyboard, you may even enjoy using a keyboard and mouse to game on Xbox One.

Quantum Break Graphics:

As this game came out in 2016, you definitely won’t require the best graphics card for gaming when playing on PC. Now, that isn’t to say that Quantum Break looks bleak—in fact, it looks pretty good. Sure, it doesn’t compare to Metal Gear Solid V or Metro Exodus, but for a 2016 game, it looks great. It’s clear that the budget went into the TV show-style scenes, so it’s obvious as to why the in-game graphics aren’t sharp.

Quantum Break Storyline:

If you’re wondering how the main protagonists gained time-bending powers, it happened as you’d expect: a time travel experiment went horribly wrong and Jack and Paul were doused in chronon radiation. This accident created a fracture in time that could potentially destroy the Earth as we know and love it.

Quantum Break gameplay

As they are stuck in time, Monarch Corporation, a company founded by Paul Serene, has other evil plans. Jack, the character you take control of in Quantum Break, finds himself being chased down by a private army. This is where his time-based powers come into play as you attempt to shoot at those trying to fire at you.

Quantum Break Co-Op/Multiplayer:

Sadly, Quantum Break is a single-player game only.

Quantum Break Overall Verdict:

Quantum Break is a game that definitely shouldn’t go unnoticed. Yes, the TV show-style episodes may appear pointless to some gamers, but it can be overlooked. It’s a well-written game filled with fun combat improved by your characters ability to move through time⁠—a game we didn’t want to leave off our list.


#5 Best Indie: Cuphead

Developer(s): Studio MDHR

Initial Release Date: 29 September 2017

After five years, about a trees worth of paper and no doubt enough coffee to kill a grown man, 1930s cartoon-inspired game Cuphead was born. Truthfully, I can’t name a single person who wasn’t excited when Cuphead first came out back in 2017.

Even if you aren’t necessarily interested in video games, you can’t deny that Cuphead’s 1930s-inspired animation style is astonishing. In terms of gameplay, Cuphead is a very challenging yet refreshing game that requires a high level of patience as well as a couple of Red Bulls to keep you going.

Cuphead Gameplay:

If you know anything about Cuphead, you’ll already know it has a reputation for being a very difficult game. Visually, it’s charming, but don’t be distracted by the adorable characters. That isn’t to say it’s a bad game, though, at times, you’ll feel like throwing your Xbox controller across the room.

Cuphead is essentially a game in which you battle against powerful enemies—a game that requires a good amount of patience and rapid reflexes. As you play, you’ll have to run, jump, shoot and dodge shots to survive as you travel through unique, hand-drawn environments. Every boss fight in the game is roughly two-minutes long. Albeit, considering no level features checkpoints, it could take you hours to beat a single level.

Once you start to get the hang of things, you’ll eventually learn strategies through trial and error that you can use to defeat bosses. Sure, you’ll have to precisely time every movement you make, but after a while, you’ll be able to easily decipher where you went wrong. Cuphead certainly isn’t on the same level as Dark Souls, though like DS, levels can certainly be overcome with enough time and patience.

Cuphead Graphics:

The most obvious thing about Cuphead is how absolutely breathtaking it looks—but when you realise how it was made, you start to appreciate the game even more. Much like the members of our Game Gavel team, brothers Chad and Jared grew up playing a variety of different video games. Inspired by what they were playing, they wanted to create their own game, albeit, it wasn’t all that simple.

Every single scene is hand-drawn in a 1930s animation style which took around twenty-minutes per frame according to producer Maja Moldenhauer. That means every Fleischer Brothers and Walt Disney-inspired character was hand-drawn and placed in front of the stunning watercolor backgrounds that make the game pop.

Cuphead monster

The way the characters move also had to be precisely drawn and to say the designers did a great job is an understatement. Indeed, it took a long time to get right, but it turned out simply gorgeous. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game look more visually pleasing, and truthfully, I don’t think it’s going to happen again any time soon.

Cuphead Storyline:

Contrasting the playful art style, Cuphead’s storyline is fairly gloomy. Essentially, main characters Cuphead and Mugman lived in a marvellous place known as Inkwell island with Elder Kettle. As curious as the pair are, they decided to wander away from home despite the prior warning from Elder. Of course, as care-free as they are, Cuphead and Mugman got lost and ended up in the Devil’s Casino.

As they entered, they were found the Craps table on a winning streak. Since they were so good, the owner (the Devil) bet that if they won another roll, the casino was theirs. If they lose, well, the Devil took their souls. I bet you didn’t expect that from an adorable looking game, did you? Naturally, Cuphead agreed and despite their previous luck, they sadly lost the game.

Both protagonists begged for their lives, and while the Devil appeared mean-spirited, he set them on a challenge to collect the souls of runaway debtors. If they completed the challenge, the Devil would let them free and spare their poor souls. Fittingly, Cuphead: Don’t Deal With The Devil then turns into a hectic game that requires a decent amount of patience.

Cuphead gameplay

Cuphead Co-Op/Multiplayer:

As Cuphead is such a challenging game, it’s nice to have a friend by your side to overcome the hectic levels with. In order to play local multiplayer, all you need to do is plug in a second Xbox controller, turn it on and press any button.

Once signed in, your friend will take control of Cuphead’s brother and partner-in-crime, Mugman. Unfortunately, there’s still no online multiplayer. Though, saying that, Cuphead is one of the best couch co-op games to date.

Cuphead Overall Verdict:

To this day, Cuphead is one of the most exhilarating Xbox One indie games on the market. Visually, it’s magnificent, while the gameplay is challenging yet extremely rewarding. I don’t even own an Xbox anymore, but with Xbox One exclusives such as Cuphead, it’s tempting to repurchase one again. Saying that, if you own a PC, you’ll be able to enjoy Cuphead across a sleek, high-resolution ultrawide gaming monitor.


#6 Best 3D Platform: Super Lucky’s Tale

Developer(s): Playful Corp.

Initial Release Date: 7 November 2017

If you’re looking for a fun Xbox One 3D platform game with charming visuals, Super Lucky’s Tale may be the game for you. It’s a pleasant game suitable for all ages owing to how optimistic and likeable the main protagonist is. If you remember Lucky’s Tale, a superb game designed exclusively for the Oculus Rift, you may already be aware of how fun this Xbox One exclusive is.

What’s more, if you own one of the best VR headsets on the market, you’ll be able to enjoy Super Lucky’s Tale in VR. This way, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vivid and playful 3D world.

Super Lucky’s Tale Gameplay:

If you grew up playing 3D platformers such as Super Mario 64, you may feel a  sense of nostalgia when playing Super Lucky’s Tale. In this Xbox One exclusive, there are 20 main levels split across four different worlds with a range of environments, such as castles, deserts and forests. As you play the game your main goal is to collect coins and lucky four-leaf clovers used to unlock doors to new worlds.

Now, I don’t know about you, but there’s something so satisfying about collecting items and ticking off a checklist to progress through a game. When it comes to abilities, we’re sad to say that Lucky the fox doesn’t have many. As expected, he can run, jump, spin around using his cape and dig holes under the ground.

Since the game seems to be aimed towards a younger audience, you don’t have to be an experienced gamer to play Super Lucky’s Tale. This may be off putting for some gamers, but if you’re looking for something casual to play after a long day, this game is a great Xbox One exclusive option.

Super Lucky’s Tale Graphics:

Many gamers across the globe have mentioned how Super Lucky’s Tale looks like if Conker and Tails had a baby, and we couldn’t agree more. Of course, this game is a little more cheerful and charming compared to Conker’s Bad Fur Day—a game where you control an alcoholic squirrel. Since it’s comparable to some classic platformers, we’d say the art style is very traditional⁠: it’s colorful, cute and generally pleasant to look at.

Like many older N64-era games, Super Lucky’s Tale features anthropomorphic animals with unique personalities. It certainly doesn’t look as good as Banjo-Kazooie or Crash Bandicoot, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t look appealing. Every character in the game looks fantastic thanks to the use of bright colors that bring them to life. I agree that some characters are fairly generic, but in terms of graphics, Super Lucky’s Tale looks wonderful.

Super Lucky’s Tale Storyline:

Fittingly, Super Lucky’s Tale follows Lucky, a delightful fox on a mission to help his sister protect the Book of Ages. Inside this book are entire worlds and characters, a book that cat-villain Jinx is trying to steal for his benefit. As you progress through the game, you’ll have to face Jinx’s children (Kitty Litter) as you meet the characters who live in the Book of Ages.

Super Lucky's Tale gameplay

Super Lucky’s Tale Co-Op/Multiplayer:

Unfortunately, Super Lucky’s Tale doesn’t support online multiplayer.

Super Lucky’s Tale Overall Verdict:

Super Lucky’s Tale is an adorable 3D platform game suitable for gamers of all ages. I’d be lying if I said the game has the same challenging gameplay as the classic Mario games because it doesn’t. Albeit, it’s a game we simply couldn’t leave off our list.

Besides, Super Lucky’s Tale is a simple Xbox One exclusive game that you can turn on after a long day at work. Furthermore, it looks absolutely gorgeous thanks to the colorful characters and attractive environments.


#7 Best Metroidvania: Ori and the Blind Forest

Developer(s): Moon Studios

Initial Release Date: 11 March 2015

Ori and the Blind Forest is a fantastic Metroidvania Xbox One game that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Visually, it’s a stunning exclusive set in a fascinating forest full of weird and wonderful creatures. Instead of focusing on combat, Ori and the Blind Forest focuses on exploring several picturesque locations as you embark on an emotional journey.

Ori and the Blind Forest Gameplay:

I’ve mentioned how Ori and the Blind Forest looks fantastic, but it does a lot more than just look good. This 2D platformer game puts you in control of the adorable forest spirit, Ori, who is accompanied by Sein—a character known as “the light and the eyes of the Spirit Tree”.

From the second you jump into the game, you’ll want to take your time with it, relishing each and every hand-drawn scene. Much like Cuphead, accurate timing is essential to uncover the secrets of your surroundings. Since Ori and the Blind Forest is a 2D platform game, the straightforward path is simple to navigate. However, in order to explore different locations, you’re going to need to collect multiple keys—but it isn’t so simple.

Of course, like any great Metroidvania game, you’ll have to slingshot enemies out of your way to explore unknown territories. As you gracefully run, leap and dash through the game to gain access to different locations, Ori’s abilities will begin to increase as you take in every picturesque scene.

Ori and the Blind Forest Graphics:

First of all, I have to say that Ori and the Blind Forest looks stunning. I mean, really stunning. Fittingly, Ori is set in a fascinating forest full of weird and wonderful creatures. Creatures that look both sweet and spectacular. When I first saw Ori, I instantly thought of Stitch—an adorable Disney character that everyone is familiar with.

Naru, a large yet soft creature, reminds me of No Face from Spirited Away and Totoro. In fact, the game could easily be compared to the classic Studio Ghibli style thanks to the soft visuals and warm environments. Additionally, the use of lighting is gorgeous and almost graceful.

Ori and the Blind Forest Storyline:

If you thought Ori and the Blind Forest looked fantastic, wait until you hear the plot. During a frightening storm, Ori, being the frail newborn guardian spirit that he was, fell from a tree. As he was alone, large creature Naru took him in and adopted him as his own. Charming, I know. Without spoiling the game too much, Ori and the Blind Forest takes you on an emotional mission as you (Ori) attempt to save your dying home.

Ori and the Blind Forest gameplay

Ori and the Blind Forest Co-Op/Multiplayer:

Although it would be fun to play this game with a friend, Ori and the Blind Forest is single-player only.

Ori and the Blind Forest Overall Verdict:

If you’re looking for a challenging, visually pleasing 2D platformer available on Xbox One and PC only, Ori and the Blind Forest may be the game for you. It’s an adorable Metroidvania game that truly pulls on your heartstrings—a game we can’t recommend enough.


Bonus: Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Games: Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4

If you own an Xbox One and you’ve never played a single Halo game, where have you been? Technically 4 games in one, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a collection we simply couldn’t leave off our list. In fact, it’s almost essential.

The collection includes Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3 and even Halo 4—this way, you’ll be able to binge all of the classics. Of course, since you’ll likely be playing these games on an Xbox One, these games have been remade with improved graphics. I mean, seriously, they look stunning.


Conclusion

While Sony certainly takes the lead when it comes to console exclusives, there definitely isn’t a shortage of Xbox One exclusive games. What’s more, there are many new Xbox One exclusives to look forward to in 2019 and 2020. As the Microsoft team continues to grow and expand, we hope to see plenty of fantastic exclusives for the upcoming Xbox Scarlett.

While we have your attention, if you currently own an Xbox One, you may like our useful guide to the best games on Xbox Game Pass. If you don’t yet own an Xbox One, we think our list of the best upcoming Xbox One games for 2019 and 2020 will convince you to buy one.


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Author

Courtenay Smith