Remember that exhilarating feeling of unwrapping a new game, eager to dive into its universe? For many gamers, the Xbox One has delivered countless hours of such joy, continuing to host a vibrant library of titles even as new console generations emerge. The video above highlights some of the most compelling Xbox One games released or anticipated in 2022, showcasing a diverse collection that promises adventure, challenge, and unforgettable experiences.
This accompanying article expands on those exciting mentions, offering deeper insights into why these selections are considered the best Xbox One games of the year. From sprawling open-world epics to intense stealth action and cooperative adventures, there’s truly something for every player. Consequently, let’s explore these remarkable titles and discover what makes them standout additions to any Xbox gamer’s collection.
Unveiling Top Xbox One Games: A Diverse Selection
The year 2022 brought forth an impressive array of new and notable games for the Xbox One, solidifying its place as a robust platform for quality entertainment. This collection features both highly anticipated releases and critically acclaimed masterpieces that captivated audiences worldwide. Each title offers unique gameplay mechanics and compelling narratives, promising hours of immersive engagement.
For players seeking a new challenge or simply looking to expand their gaming horizons, these best Xbox One games represent the pinnacle of current-gen experiences. They span various genres, ensuring that whether you prefer high-octane action or strategic role-playing, an adventure awaits. Below, we delve into the specifics of each game, revealing why they earned a coveted spot on this definitive list.
10. Saints Row: A Gritty Open-World Reboot
Kicking off our list of top Xbox One games is Saints Row, a bold reboot developed by Volition. This title thrusts players into the anarchic, crime-ridden city of Santo Ileso, challenging them to survive amidst warring factions. The gameplay experience is akin to Grand Theft Auto, offering immense freedom to drive, run, and engage in thrilling shootouts across an expansive open world.
Notably, this iteration seeks to distance itself from the overtly wacky tone of previous entries in the Saints Row saga, which began in 2006 and included four main games. Instead, it promises a more serious narrative, albeit infused with the dark humor that initially defined the series. Gamers can anticipate its release in August, ready to disrupt the established criminal order and seize power with their custom crew.
9. Nobody Saves the World: An Inventive Dungeon-Crawler
Next up is Nobody Saves the World, an ingenious dungeon-crawler RPG created by DrinkBox Studios. Players assume the role of “Nobody,” an initially unremarkable character who discovers a magical wand, granting the ability to transform into 15 distinct forms. These forms include fantastical creatures like dragons and slugs, alongside more mechanical options such as robots, each possessing unique skills and abilities.
The top-down perspective and quest structure evoke classic titles like The Legend of Zelda, but with a refreshing twist on character progression. Released in January 2022 for PC and all Xbox consoles, its widespread appeal led to subsequent releases on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation in April. This game provides a deceptively simple concept that quickly unfolds into a rich experience filled with side quests and continuous discovery, making it a truly captivating Xbox One game.
8. Starfield: Bethesda’s Ambitious Space Epic
Starfield, developed by the legendary Bethesda Game Studios, holds a prime spot on this list despite much of its content remaining shrouded in mystery. The creators behind highly acclaimed games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4 are known for crafting vast, immersive worlds. Consequently, expectations are exceptionally high for their first new IP in over two decades.
This title proposes an entire universe for exploration, set in the year 2330, an astonishing 50 light-years from our solar system. While a traditional story mode may not be present, players will customize their characters and embark on their own adventures, gliding through the cosmos aboard spaceships and exploring unknown planets, reminiscent of the exploration found in No Man’s Sky. Set for a November 2022 release, Starfield is poised to redefine space exploration in video games.
7. A Plague Tale: Requiem: A Gripping Horror-Stealth Continuation
The chilling saga of Amicia and Hugo continues in A Plague Tale: Requiem, another standout among the best Xbox One games of 2022. Developed by Asobo Studios, this sequel builds upon the horror-themed stealth gameplay that made its predecessor, A Plague Tale: Innocence, a critical success. While a confirmed release date remains elusive, trailers hint at an even more intense and visually stunning journey.
The siblings continue their desperate flight from the relentless Inquisition and overwhelming hordes of disease-ridden rats. A key gameplay element involves the creative use of alchemy, which provides a wide array of skills to navigate perilous situations. Furthermore, the intelligent incorporation of the rat factor—where players can both fall victim to and strategically wield the rodent swarms—adds unique depth to its stealth mechanics as they head to a mysterious island in search of Hugo’s salvation.
6. It Takes Two: The Ultimate Co-Op Adventure
It Takes Two, from HazelLight Studios, stands out as an exceptionally unique adventure and platform game that mandates cooperative play. This title cleverly weaves its story into its gameplay, centering on Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce. Their daughter, Rose, inadvertently casts a spell, transforming them into dolls, forcing them to collaborate to revert to their human forms.
The absence of a single-player mode is a deliberate design choice, emphasizing themes of cooperation and teamwork. It has been widely lauded as one of the best co-op games ever created, offering diverse gameplay segments that necessitate constant communication and synchronized effort. Despite a legal dispute with Take-Two Interactive over its name, the game’s innovative approach to narrative-driven co-op solidifies its status as a must-play Xbox One game.
5. Forza Horizon 5: An Exhilarating Open-World Racing Experience
For racing aficionados, Forza Horizon 5 is an undisputed masterpiece, developed by Playground Games and Microsoft. Following the immense success of 2018’s Forza Horizon 4, this fifth installment delivers an even grander open-world racing experience, exclusively for PC and the Xbox family of consoles. The game transports players to a stunning recreation of Mexico, featuring a map 50% larger than its predecessor.
This expansive environment encompasses diverse biomes, including pristine beaches, dense jungles, vast deserts, and active volcanoes, all affected by dynamic weather that changes with the seasons. With 491 confirmed cars at launch and more arriving via DLC, the vehicle selection is staggering. The new Piñata Pop mode adds a playful competitive element, further enhancing its award-winning gameplay – it was, after all, named the Most Anticipated Game at the E3 2021 Awards. This Xbox One game truly pushes the boundaries of the racing genre, ensuring record-breaking fun.
4. Gotham Knights: A New Chapter for the Bat Family
Gotham Knights, developed by WB Games Montreal, presents an exciting alternate story set within the Batman universe, distinct from the Arkham saga. In this open-world action RPG, Batman has seemingly perished, prompting his former proteges—Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin (Tim Drake), and Red Hood—to unite and protect Gotham City from escalating chaos. They must confront formidable foes such as the Court of Owls, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze.
A significant innovation of Gotham Knights is the ability to play as any of the four members of the Bat Family, each possessing unique skills and fighting styles, which adds considerable dynamism and replayability. Furthermore, the inclusion of a two-player co-op mode allows friends to team up and fight crime together, offering a fresh take on the classic superhero narrative. Anticipated for an October release, this Xbox One game is poised to be a masterpiece for DC fans and action enthusiasts alike.
3. Hitman 3: The Definitive Assassin Experience
Hitman 3, a masterful creation by IO Interactive, serves as the epic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy, making it one of the most polished stealth-action Xbox One games available. Players once again assume the role of the legendary Agent 47, traveling to exotic global locations like Dartmoor, Berlin, Chongqing, and Mendoza to eliminate high-profile targets with unparalleled precision and creativity. A bonus trip to the Carpathians, Romania, provides an epic epilogue to the saga.
The story picks up after the events of the second installment, with Agent 47 and Diana Burnwood having defected from the International Contract Agency. Their new mission is to dismantle Providence, a shadowy organization of top executives secretly orchestrating world events. Hitman 3 has received universal acclaim, boasting excellent reviews and ratings of 9 out of 10 from major outlets like Metacritic, Eurogamer, GameSpot, and IGN, solidifying its status as a work of art and a standout title.
2. Halo Infinite: A Spiritual Reboot for a Legendary FPS
Halo Infinite, developed by 343 Industries and distributed by Xbox Game Studios, continues the iconic futuristic FPS formula, exclusively available for PC and Xbox consoles. This installment is set in the year 2560, after the events of Halo 5: Guardians, plunging Master Chief into a new conflict against the artificial intelligence Cortana and the formidable alien faction known as The Banished. The developers intended this as a spiritual reboot, aiming to set a new standard for quality and content for future games in the saga, rather than entirely discarding past events.
Beyond its compelling main story, Halo Infinite features a robust multiplayer suite, including classic modes like Capture the Flag and team battles. It also introduces the expansive Big Team Battle mode, supporting up to 24 players in large-scale engagements, a significant increase from the traditional 4 versus 4 teams. Everything about this game is on another level, reinforcing its position as one of the best Xbox One games and a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem.
Honorable Mentions: Other Stellar Xbox One Titles
Before revealing the top spot, it is imperative to acknowledge a few other incredible Xbox One games that almost made the main list. These titles, though not securing a top 10 position, offer exceptional experiences that every gamer should consider. They further illustrate the breadth and quality available on the platform.
- Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: This deluxe installment unifies the entire Lego Star Wars game series based on the main films into one massive, delightful package. It offers a charming and humorous way to relive the iconic galactic saga, perfect for fans of all ages and a great way to experience Star Wars on Xbox.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Although originally released in 2015, this medieval magic and action RPG finally arrived on Xbox with enhanced visuals and performance, looking better than ever. Its sprawling open world, compelling narrative, and deep character customization cement its reputation as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, making it a timeless addition to the Xbox One games library.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020): This platformer, released in 2020, stands out with its breathtaking fantasy designs and psychedelic art style. It is a genuine gem, offering a deeply emotional story, challenging platforming, and fluid combat. Its beautiful world and engaging gameplay make it a must-try for those seeking a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience on Xbox.
1. Elden Ring: The Reigning Champion of Action RPGs
Elden Ring, released in February, has swiftly become a worldwide sensation and is undeniably the champion of this list of best Xbox One games. Developed by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment, this third-person action RPG is a monumental collaboration between Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary creator of the challenging Souls series, and George R. R. Martin, the renowned writer behind Game of Thrones. This pedigree alone speaks volumes about its quality.
The game delivers unparalleled gameplay and a profound story, set within a medieval, magical, and distinctly dark world. It presents a formidable challenge that appeals deeply to the most experienced gamers, known for its intricate combat, vast open-world exploration, and rich lore. Critics have universally lauded Elden Ring, awarding it outstanding ratings, including perfect 10 out of 10 scores from IGN, GameSpot, and GameRevolution, alongside an impressive 96 score on Metacritic.
While its primary strength lies in the expansive single-player adventure, a robust PvP mode is also available, allowing players to test their character builds and skills against others online. Elden Ring is an epic game in every sense, providing an extraordinary journey that sets a new benchmark for action RPGs and truly represents the pinnacle of Xbox One games this year.
