It’s an exciting time to own an Xbox X|S because the spread of games in 2023 and beyond is stellar. With the Xbox Game Pass offerings dealing out one hit after another, it’s great value for money. Today’s list is all about the 10 best titles that you can play, and they’re all fairly recent on Xbox X|S.
It was a valid complaint by the Xbox fandom that there was a severe lack of AAA games, especially exclusives from Microsoft. To appease the demand, Microsoft’s recently gone on a shopping spree, gobbling up studios left and right. Now, in 2023 and the years ahead, we Xbox fans will receive rewards for our patience. It’s already bearing fruit now, as today’s list will show.
Which Xbox X|S Games in 2023 Are the Best?
Alright, so before we begin, we’ll tell you how this list of the best Xbox X|S games in 2023 works. We’re going for recent releases, not the ones that are older. So, most of the games will feel fresh with new and innovative experiences. Also, while some might not be universally loved, we still like them because they appeal to our tastes.
Oh, and we should mention that while we’re trying to go for exclusive games, most of the picks are multiplatform. So, with that out of the way, we can now begin our list of the best 2023 Xbox X|S games. It’s gonna be a real party, so let’s kick things off right away! Here we go!
10. Planet Of Lana
We’re starting the list of excellent Xbox X|S 2023 games with a darling indie gem, Planet Of Lana. The artistic beauty of the game’s aesthetic speaks for itself, and players will immediately find themselves enthralled by it. Planet Of Lana isn’t all style and no substance either, as there’s plenty of enjoyability gameplay-wise. There are no traditional hack-and-slash attacks or power-ups in the game.
Instead of head-on confrontations, Planet Of Lana encourages discreet tactics, like in the top-notch Xbox 360 stealth games. Of course, you can also make use of the feline companion, Mui, accompanying the protagonist, Lana. Mui has the power to subdue and make certain enemies docile and even obey Lana for a brief time. This creates a whole new tactical layer to the gameplay.
Other than the stealth and tactical segments, players can also expect a lot of puzzles to solve in Planet Of Lana. There are loads of obstacles and platforming sections that keep the experience fresh for players. It’s easy to lose track of time because of how enjoyable this Xbox X|S 2023 game is. Planet Of Lana is also an exclusive, so that makes things all the sweeter for owners of Xbox X|S.
9. Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
Next up, we’re diving into the supernatural with a mystery-heavy narrative in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. Players step into the shoes of the master detective, Sherlock Holmes, and have access to his brilliant ‘Mind Palace.’ However, unlike his usual rogue’s gallery, Sherlock deals with forces beyond human comprehension, namely the Chthullu mythos. Suffice to say, this game’s a trip.
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is actually a remake game with loads of improvements on the original. The visuals and presentation style and the way the narrative unfolds are all masterful. The game brilliantly shows players how Sherlock’s mind works. The investigation element of the Xbox X|S game is rather straightforward compared to other 2023 offerings, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less entertaining.
Basically, players must scan the crime scenes and then look for clues. Once all the evidence is in one place, players can link pieces of evidence to form a conclusive theory. Don’t worry about screwing up either because there’s always a do-over in Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened. There are side-quests to complete and NPCS that give context to the story that nicely pad out the gameplay experience making it one the most fun Xbox X|S 2023 games.
8. Diablo IV
Diablo IV is the king of 2023 roleplaying games to beat on Xbox X|S. It’s much more immersive than previous entries. Diablo IV allows players to create characters with much more in-depth customization. Essentially, you don’t have to go with a preset appearance for your character, and it’s a welcome change from the prequels. Passive attributes provide beneficial or harmful effects, depending on your character’s alignment.
As for the dungeon-crawling and combat in Diablo IV, that’s where the game is at its best. Players will love the way the character classes and enemy types pair up. There’s no one size fits all class type. You’ll need to diversify your team to truly make the most of the combat and come out with a victory. Diablo IV also has a diverse enemy cast, which gets progressively challenging the more players level up. Plus, the ultimates are epic.
The boss battles require a lot of strategizing and a combination of multiple factors. You need high-end skills and rare armor/robe sets to beat the toughest bosses. Diablo IV has a vocal and avid fanbase who are passionate about the game. If you’re one such gamer, perhaps you’ll like our recommendations for hack-and-slash games that have a similar vibe to Diablo.
7. Hogwarts Legacy
Yes, yes, we know another RPG on our list of 2023 Xbox X|S games, but it’s a totally different kind of beast. Hogwarts Legacy is a refreshing return to form for single-player games. It’s a complete experience from start to finish. The best of all is that there aren’t any microtransactions at all! As for what Hogwarts Legacy is like gameplay-wise, well, it’s an action-adventure game with mild RPG mechanics.
Players create a character who steps into the role of a student in Hogwarts Academy. Aside from attending wizardry classes, there’s loads to love about Hogwarts Legacy, particularly the exploration and storyline quests. There are hidden passages with perilous caverns and lairs filled with enemies. The combat, with its assortment of magical attacks, is an absolute delight to use and makes the game highly entertaining.
In addition to the perks and abilities players earn through gameplay in Hogwarts Legacy, players will earn exclusive house benefits. You choose the house at the start of the character creation. Hogwarts Legacy has a magical vibe and feel to it. The surreal feeling of being whisked off to a far-away land of medieval-themed fantasy games makes Hogwarts Legacy Of the best Xbox X|S 2023 titles.
6. Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart has the honor of capping the first half of our list of incredible 2023 Xbox X|S games. This is a first-person shooting game with a highly unique premise and more than satisfying gameplay. What more do you need, honestly? Atomic Heart has terrifying sentient automaton enemies with sass and panache. There’s a power struggle between those atop the chain of command, giving rise to conflict.
P3, the protagonist, a soldier, is caught in the middle of the mess. The enemy robots’ ability to think independently in combat gives them a terrifying appearance, and players must tread lightly. Atomic Heart is a game with loads of thrills and high-intensity shootouts. Thankfully, the players also have access to a host of abilities to even the odds on top of the weaponry. The combo feels amazing to use.
Atomic Heart feels like a breath of fresh air in the FPS genre and shows that creativity and innovation aren’t dead yet. Players must heavily rely on the powers of the Polymer glove to fuse different elements and upgrade their ammunition every chance they get. Atomic Heart has taken over 2023 as the shooting game to beat on Xbox X|S or any other platform for that matter.
5. Dead Island 2
Dead Island 2 is a ton of fun to play on Xbox X|S, eclipsing the best zombie games in 2023. Players have the option of choosing from 6 unique characters with a distinct playstyle and personality. That’s not all; you also get to fine-tune their skills and select perks to tweak your gameplay experience further. If you like your gaming with undead monstrosities, check out our top Xbox 360 zombie games for more suggestions.
Anyway, Dead Island 2 is a delight for zombie game enthusiasts, and despite the long delay, it’s absolutely worth playing. The combat sees the use of a unique system that targets the zombie’s body parts for excruciating damage. In addition, the weapon modification from previous entries returns, but with a more free-form approach. You can change up the traits of regular weapons to have additional effects.
However, we recommend not getting too attached to a weapon for long, since the degradation will come into play. Dead Island 2 does a tremendous job of engrossing players in the game’s level designs. You can’t brute force your way against the zombie hordes. Individual abilities obtained through deck cards are a unique mechanic that makes Dead Island 2 a standout among zombie games in 2023 on Xbox X|S.
4. Dead Space Remake
We’re in top-tier territory, folks, deserving only special Xbox X|S 2023 games, so we’re going with Dead Space Remake. This frightening sci-fi space game can easily rank among the scariest of all time on any system. Dead Space Remake brings the traumatizing and horrific events of protagonist Isaac Clark’s life from the original game with an even more visceral intensity. This game is absolutely terrifying.
What starts as a simple maintenance check on a space station quickly goes sideways in the worst of ways. Unholy abominations in the form of the necromorphs are out and about, devouring anyone and anything living in sight. Worst of all? They use the darkness and shadows to mask their presence. Dead Space Remake has got disturbing imagery and a chilling ambiance, so don’t play this Xbox X|S 2023 horror game if you’re a scaredy cat.
To combat the necromorphs, Isaac Clarke has a plasma cutter, and other helpful weapons, as you progress. You need to sever the limbs of the necromorphs to neutralize their movement, then crush them. The game’s narrative is intriguing and will keep players hooked. Dead Space Remake is a welcome return to the series’s horror roots, here’s hoping EA doesn’t miss the memo in the sequel remake.
3. Street Fighter 6
Ah, finally, a chance to gush about one of the hottest fighting games at the moment, Street Fighter 6 is dynamite. The different modes and accessibility options of Street Fighter 6 that make the players learn the mechanics are commendable. Also, you get to see modern renditions of your favorite OG characters, and we gotta tell you, it’s bizarre, to say the least. Still, we would be lying if we said we were not impressed.
Capcom’s been on a magnificent roll, and Street Fighter 6 continues this trend. Players can create their own character, and go on an epic action-adventure run, picking up skills and leveling the stats along the way. Or you can play the traditional experience where you duke it out locally or online with competitors. The control scheme can be tailored to suit your preferences, from the classic 6-button configuration to the more accessible 4-button layout.
The fights are super intense, and each character’s moveset feels unique and visually eye-catching. The supers, in particular, are spectacularly stunning. Oh, and aside from the classic Street Fighter characters, Street Fighter 6 offers plenty of new ones to inject new blood into the series. This is one of the most magnificent games on Xbox X|S and one we’re proud to play religiously every day through 2023 and beyond.
2. High On Life
For our runner-up choice, we’re going with High On Life. It’s the funniest game to release on Xbox X|S in 2023, and we dare anyone to prove us wrong. The premise is really over-the-top and out there, where you play as a teenager who becomes a bounty hunter. Oh, and you hunt aliens using sentient weapons. Intrigued yet? Well, good, you gotta play the game to grasp the story, just know it’s a barrel of laughs.
Gameplay-wise, the guns specifically are the most fun to use. Each one has different modes that fire various projectiles in unique patterns. Also, you can use a knife to stab as well as zip toward objects. It’s handy for getting around and puzzle-solving segments. High On Life easily delivers to the players the most fun and easy-going set up of plot that you’ll chuckle and roll your eyes at, but can’t help but feel amused.
Not much else to say here except, if you enjoy the silliest and funniest games around, you’ll have a blast with High On Life. It seriously ranks among must-play Xbox X|S games in 2023 because of its absurd nature and goofiness.
1. Hi-Fi RUSH
Welp, this game one was a big surprise hit. Hi-Fi RUSH blew our minds upon release on Xbox X|S in 2023. It’s one of the most colorful, beautiful, and highly enjoyable games of the year. It’s got the charm of the cutest games you’ll ever play, and the most innovative rhythm game mechanic we’ve ever experienced.
Hi-Fi Rush has an underdog protagonist who dreams of making it big as a rockstar and has a passion for music. Unfortunately, the little guy has his work cut out for him because the main priority is escaping his pursuers. You see, the hero, Chai, is a sentient robot with a music player stuck in his chest. This allows Chai to rock out to musical beats and knock back enemies.
The game has traversal, platforming, and combat sync to the music. If you time your button pressing right, there’s a flashy combo finish. Hi-Fi Rush is easily one of the most fun and unpredictable games to release on the Xbox X|S in 2023, and it’s a joy to play.
Final Thoughts About the Best Xbox X|S 2023 Games
Phew~ that sure took a while, but definitely worth it. Now Xbox X|S owners have games by the dozen in 2023, and they’re some of the best ones around right now. So, what do you think about our picks? Agree with our choices? Or do you feel indifferent and are of the view that Microsoft needs to do better? Fire away in the comments below, and don’t forget to mention your favorites from 2023.
If you’re still in the mood for some more Xbox X|S gaming suggestions, don’t worry, we’ve got you. Check out some of our favorite party games on Xbox X|S to keep the fun times rolling. Well, that’s all we got for you today, so we’re signing off for the weekend. Take care, everyone, and stay safe! Oh, and happy gaming!
