It has been two years since the Xbox One first released, with the console coming out at a similar time to the PlayStation 4, its competitor. In between November 22nd 2013 and now, the Xbox One has released in many other regions and has amassed a variety of console exclusives that aren’t available on any other console.
This article is for the people who recently picked up an Xbox One during the Black Friday sales, are expecting to get one under the Christmas tree later in the month, or anyone else who already owns an Xbox One and is struggling to decide on what to buy. Here are 10 games that are exclusive to the Microsoft platforms that would be great additions to your games collection.
Forza Motorsport 6
Forza Motorsport 5 was a launch title for the Xbox One in 2013, and while it was a great game it didn’t make big steps forward for the series due to having to recreate circuits and microtransactions. Two years later, and Forza Motorsport 6 goes in the direction the series needed.
The game released in September of 2015, and included many new circuits including Watkins Glen, Circuit of the Americas, and a fictional track based off the city of Rio Da Janeiro. The base game included more cars, and the career mode felt it was more thought out with the focus on moving through different stages of your motorsports career.
Turn 10 Studios also added night and wet races to Forza 6, the first time this has been a feature in the motorsport branch of the franchise. Both racing on a wet track with puddles forming on the racing line and only being able to see what is in front of your head lights are brand new challenges for the player to enjoy.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo has been a staple Xbox franchise since the days of the first console that Microsoft created. In November of last year Halo made its first appearance on the Xbox One in the best way possible, with a collection of many of the previous games.
The Master Chief Collection includes all previous games starring Master Chief, with Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 being redesigned versions of the original to fit in this generation of graphics. Earlier this year, the campaign for Halo 3: ODST was also added, effectively making the collection five games large.
You may have heard of the massive issues that the game had with multiplayer at launch, and the amount of time it took to even get close to fixing the problems. 343 Industries have made great progress with fixing these multiplayer issues since launch, so now would be a great time to pick the collection up.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
While it will not be an Xbox exclusive this time next year, with the PC version planned to be released early 2016 and the PS4 version during 2016’s holiday season, Rise of the Tomb Raider works brilliantly on the Xbox One.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a followup to the amazing 2013 reboot. The environments look fantastic, and the story is just as gripping as it has been before. Unlike the previous game, Lara Croft isn’t new to treasure hunting and being in bad situations.
Challenge tombs have been greatly improved and feel like a lot of thought has gone into making them feel great. The new mechanics found in the game may take a bit to get used to, but it adds more to the game without it feeling over the top.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Developed by Moon Studios and being brought to fans by Microsoft, Ori and the Blind Forest was first shown at E3 2014 to the surprise of many. Less than a year later the game released and cemented itself as a game you shouldn’t miss.
The game is described as being a 2d platformer that is set in an open world, and the player will take control of a guardian spirit by the name of Ori. The environment is important, and is a major part of the puzzles that you will be faced with. The story is what may grab you the most, with it rivalling even some of the best animated movies.
The art direction for the game was one of the most loved parts for fans, gaining Moon Studios the Best Art Direction award at the Game Awards.
Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct was a launch title for the Xbox One, and was the first game in the fighting series since 1996. This is the first to be brought to life with help from Microsoft, and is one of the better fighting games currently out.
Like most fighting games, the gameplay and the characters are very important. Killer Instinct first released with 9 characters, with a mixture of old fighters from the 1994 release and brand new characters like Sadira. Season Two doubled the list that you could play as, while the next season that is due for next year will go even further. One of the newer gameplay additions is Instinct Mode where you are able to be enhanced for a small period after filling up a bar.
While the reception for Killer Instinct at release wasn’t brilliant, in October 2014, when Season Two came out, it was more enjoyed. The latest season is due to release next March.
Forza Horizon 2
This may be the second Forza game on the list, but Forza Horizon 2 is a completely different beast than its Forza Motorsport 6 counterpart.
For one, the Forza Horizon series is set in an open world, this time taking place around the French Riviera. It still has the feeling of a Forza game, but it doesn’t take itself seriously, and the handling isn’t as realistic as you would expect from the Motorsport games. There is a story behind why you are there, but it doesn’t feel forced like it can be in other racing games.
AI is based on the Drivatar system, arguably the best addition to the Forza franchise on Xbox One, while the choice of cars and user-created liveries for them is brilliant. Also recommended is the Storm Island DLC, which can be played at any time.
Rare Replay
For those of you who like a nostalgic experience, whether you go back to games from your childhood or you just enjoy older games, Rare Replay is a must have for your collection.
While most remastered collections include around 3 games, with Halo: Master Chief Collection technically now 5 games large, Rare Replay has a grand collection of 30 games, with some of the games being remastered while others have been tweaked to keep their original feel. From Slalom in 1986 to Viva Pinata in 2006, and classics in between like Blast Corps, Battletoads, and Banjo-Kazooie, you won’t be able to complain about choice.
The collection has generally been praised, achieving a Metacritic rating of 84%, although some games are emulated better than others. Rare is currently focusing on the Xbox One exclusive Sea of Thieves.
Halo 5: Guardians
This is the first brand new game of Halo to hit the Xbox One and is a great addition even without the Master Chief Collection.
The campaign for the game is set eight months after Halo 4 and includes a gripping story, which involves Master Chief and his team of Spartans taking part in missions against the Covenant, and the appearance of a surprising enemy. It plays very well, with additions being added like being able to aim down the sight of any weapon, and a group of other Spartans to fight alongside Master Chief.
While Halo 5 earned an 85% rating on Metacritic, the most praised part of the game was the multiplayer. Changes have been made for the better, such as the return of universal weapon loadout, updates to the movement mechanics, and the brand new Warzone mode. Multiplayer fans will be much happier with this Halo release.
Sunset Overdrive
Insomniac Games have mainly developed games for the PlayStation platforms, with Resistance and Ratchet & Clank the most well-known. But, in October of 2014 they released a game exclusive for the Xbox One called Sunset Overdrive.
Sunset Overdrive is over the top and full of color, bringing that Insomniac feel to Microsoft’s latest console. The game opens as a popular energy drink called OverCharge Delirium XT starts to turn people into mutants. It is up to the player to defeat them and power through the story, with multiple different movement mechanics like moving along zip lines, dashing in the air, and running on walls.
The game was relatively well received, with the colourful art style often being praised. While some may not like the emphasis of comedy in the dialogue, it doesn’t get in the way of an experience that puts fun before all else and certainly shouldn’t be missed.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Gears of War is up there with Halo as one of the most popular game series exclusive to the Xbox consoles. So, like what Microsoft did with Halo, there is now a remastered edition for the Gears of War franchise.
Titled Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, it is a remastered version of the first Gears of War game, and if you play by Dec. 31 this year you will receive a code for the other Xbox 360 games in the series. The games have third person cover shooter gameplay and an immersive story. You will play through the game as Marcus Fenix, who is joined by a team of great characters that you will come to love as you fight back against a vicious alien horde.
The multiplayer was always popular with gamers on the Xbox 360, and it worked without many major issues straight after release. Whether you are nostalgic for the Gears of War series, or you enjoy a story driven cover shooter, you can’t go wrong with this option on your shelf.
What do you think of this list? There may be some games you may have included yourself, if so you should let us know your thoughts on your favorite Xbox One exclusives in the comments below.
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