The Best Xbox Exclusive Games for 2023

Xbox Games Prior to 2023

The Xbox One console, which launched back in 2013 and ended in 2020, was a great platform. Furthermore, it eventually grew into a thriving gaming ecosystem. 

Subsequently, following up on the success of the Xbox 360 was tough for Microsoft. However, the Xbox One eventually escaped this shadow thanks to three key factors:

• Smart backward compatibility
• The addition of the Xbox Game Pass
• Technology platform improvements 

Fortunately, this trend continues with the Xbox Series S|X generation which boasts a huge library of Xbox exclusive games. These games are available in a variety of genres, from arcade racers to sea-faring pirate simulators.

There are so many great Xbox exclusive games to try out in 2023 that it can be tough to decide which one to play first. 

Therefore, we’ve put together our list of the best Xbox exclusive games for 2023. We have highlighted the select few games on Xbox that are well worth a purchase or a download. 

Whether you’re into first-person shooters, action-adventure games, or role-playing games, there’s an Xbox exclusive game in 2023 that’s perfect for you.

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Gears 5

Our top pick for Xbox exclusive game in 2023 is Gears 5. This game is the latest addition to the Gears of War franchise. 

Basically, the game follows the story of Kait Diaz, who is trying to unravel the mystery of her past. This occurs after receiving a necklace with the Locust Horde icon from her mother. 

Gears 5 features a strong single-player campaign and a comprehensive multiplayer mode with PvP and PvE gameplay. The multiplayer offerings have been improved from Gears of War 4, with the addition of a new mode called Escape. In this new mode you and your friends must escape an enemy nest by working together as a team.

In addition, the game also introduces open-world areas, which is a first for the franchise. Gears 5 has been praised for its narrative storytelling, shooting mechanics, and impressive design. 

Importantly, it won the Xbox Game of the Year at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards. Although it was released in 2019 on the Xbox One, it has gained new life on the Xbox Series X. 

Gears 5 is a must-play for fans of the series and one of the best Xbox exclusive games for 2023.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 was developed by Playground Games and released in 2021. Essentially, it is one of the best racing games available and the best-looking one on the Xbox Series X. 

The game is set in a fictional version of Mexico, boasting the largest open-world map of any Forza Horizon game.  The game includes an impressive local weather system and stunning map design. 

Players can customize their cars with different engines, drivetrains, and body kits or download tunes made by other players. 

The game features over 600 unique cars and various locations to explore. Moreover, players earn experience points for everything done in-game. 

The Horizon subset of the Forza series offers arcade-style racing gameplay, with stunning environments such as volcanoes and overgrown jungles. 

Overall, Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best Xbox One exclusive racing games for 2023. Furthermore, it is likely that the developers will continue to release expansions for this successful franchise. 

The Forza Horizon series is the best racing game available on Xbox. Forza Horizon 5 continues its hot streak with plenty of thrilling locations to screech through, from swamps to volcanoes.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves, an Xbox console exclusive, is an adventure game developed by Rare. It’s one of our top picks for Xbox exclusive games to play in 2023. 

In essence, Sea of Thieves lets players sail the high seas with friends and engage in roleplay as pirates You can search for lost treasure and fight off skeletons. 

Unfortunately, the game did receive some criticisms over the lack of content at launch. Despite this, the game quickly became one of Xbox’s biggest exclusives, with over 30 million players as of June 2022.

With its charming claymation-like art style, Sea of Thieves is an online multiplayer game that sets itself apart. Specifically, it allows players to take on voyages for various trading companies in a huge open-world adventure. Players regularly encounter other players to form alliances or compete for loot.

The game’s design inspires both kids and adults alike to hop on a ship and set sail. Everyone has the ability to collect items, swig grog, sing sea shanties, and have a laugh with friends. All of this occurs in between defeating hordes of undead sea captains. Sea of Thieves lets players unlock new gear to become the fiercest pirate in the world. 

Importantly, Sea of Thieves has received several accolades. One of the more prestigious awards includes the Best Evolving Game at the British Academy Game Awards. 

If you’re a fan of multiplayer action games this game is a must-play as an Xbox-exclusive game in 2023. Basically, get this game if you want to immerse yourself in an unpredictable and entertaining high-seas adventure.

Psychonauts 2

After a 16-year gap, Psychonauts 2, an adventure/platformer game developed by Double Fine, was released in 2021. 

The game is a sequel to the original game and has a whimsical tour through various minds. Moreover, the soundtrack is so good that it will get your feet tapping. 

The levels in this fantastic platformer are brilliantly designed. Trust us, you’ll be thinking about them for years to come. 

Furthermore, the game starts with a recap. This is helpful so that you don’t have to have played the original game to understand what’s going on.

Essentially, Psychonauts 2 is a quirky platformer that Double Fine has delivered beautifully. In this game, you control a young psychic called Raz. As Raz, you must jump through well-designed levels and experience the conspiracies surrounding the psychonaut’s organization. 

Raz has access to customizable psychic-based powers. He can use these powers to jump into the minds of his enemies and battle the demons that plague them! Psychonauts 2 offers one of the most fantastical experiences, and it’s one of the best exclusive games on Xbox in 2023.

Good things come to those who wait and, in this case, Psychonauts 2 was certainly worth it.

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite, released in 2021, has made a stunning return after several years of hiatus. Developed by 343 Industries this is the sixth title in the popular franchise. 

Fundamentally, Halo infinite follows Master Chief on his mission to defeat the Banished on the ringworld Zeta Halo. 

This game introduces several new mechanics, including the grapple shot, which allows players to grab items and enemies. The new mechanics make firefights even more chaotic and exciting.

Halo Infinite’s semi-open world is filled with numerous enemies, squads to rescue, and places to explore. In addition, players can collect unique items and audio logs to flesh out the story. 

Moreover, the game’s free-to-play multiplayer mode offers popular modes like capture the flag and deathmatch. In essence, this makes Halo Infinite one of the best multiplayer games ever in terms of accessibility and replayability. 

The game won the Player’s Voice Award at the 2021 Game Awards. It is clear that developers have put in the work to make this one of the most vital Halo games since 2010’s Halo Reach.

In short, Halo Infinite is a game that should not be missed, and it is available now on Game Pass. It’s clear that the developers have hit the mark. 

Therefore, Halo Infinite gets our vote as one of the best Xbox exclusive games for 2023.

Sunset Overdrive

Sunset Overdrive is an action-adventure game developed by Insomniac Games. This game development company is known for its expertise in crafting absurd weaponry in the Ratchet & Clank series. Their work on Sunset Overdrive puts them solidly in our best Xbox exclusive games category for 2023.

Basically, the game is set in the open-world, post-apocalyptic Sunset City. Here, players run, zip-line, and parkour their way through hordes of mutants, robots, and bizarre gang members. This is done by using various weapons, including explosive teddy bears and bowling bowls. 

The game is loud, bold, and comedic. Essentially, this game is an anarchic romp that lets players destroy enemies roaming the city using any means necessary.

Sunset Overdrive emphasizes speed and momentum over stealth and caution. This provides players with a sense of freedom as they grind on rails, bounce off cars, and skid around the roads. 

Sunset Overdrive has received a boost in popularity in recent years. It is a breath of fresh air in the wave of gritty shooters. Its attempts at edgy humor sometimes fall flat. However, the sheer fun and freedom of grinding, flipping, and air-dashing around the city make it well worth a go. 

Furthermore, the game even has a multiplayer mode that allows players to complete missions together. In this mode, players have the ability to bring items back and forth between single and co-op modes.

The tight shooting controls and creative weapons help make players a death-dealing machine. Moreover, the game’s irreverent approach translates to everything from gameplay, to humor, and even traversal. This is what makes it still remain one of the freshest games in 2023 for Xbox One exclusives.

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Sunset Overdrive is an addictingly fun game. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a must-play for gamers looking for a unique, action-packed adventure.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Moon Studios’ Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a must-play action-platformer, improving on its predecessor in every way. 

This whimsical game takes players on a heartfelt journey through various luminous biomes in search of a missing friend. The game features a unique color palette, neon shades, and beautiful hand-drawn animations. Basically, all of these features combine to bring the characters to life, adding more personality to the game.

In Ori and the Will of the Wisps, players must explore and solve puzzles. Moreover, this is now done with a fairer checkpointing system and improved combat mechanics that make it stand out from the original. 

The game also features NPC side quests and an autosaving system, making it more accessible and enjoyable for players.

The game was largely inspired by the Metroid and Raymen series. This makes it a must-play for fans of those games.

Released in 2020, the game is optimized for Xbox Series X as a launch title. in essence, this improvement provides players with stunning graphics and an immersive experience.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps has received universal acclaim for its artistic expression, characters, combat, and story. Furthermore, it even won Xbox Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards in 2020. 

Overall, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is among the best-feeling 2D platformers ever made. It’s one of the finest Metroidvania games of this generation.

The game is ultimately a story about friendship. This is unexpected and a bit ironic coming from the same platform that features Halo and Gears of War. However, it all comes together to make it our recommendation as one of the best Xbox One exclusives for gameplay in 2023.

It’s the perfect send-off to one of the most touching stories available on Xbox One, making it a game worth playing.

So, for those looking for a unique, challenging, and immersive action-platformer with an engaging storyline, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a game not to be missed.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Have you ever dreamed of flying a plane? Then Microsoft Flight Simulator might be the closest you can get to living that fantasy without ever leaving your home. 

Developed by Asobo Studio, this flight simulator game lets you experience the thrill of piloting a plane. Interestingly, you have options to fly over beautifully crafted landscapes and see your own house from above. 

Using data from Bing Maps, the game creates a realistic simulation of the world’s topography. Moreover, players can fly anywhere they want to go. 

The game also incorporates real-time weather and air traffic. Essentially, this means you can experience the same weather and air conditions as real-life pilots.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, there are a variety of game modes. These include landing challenges and a safari mode that involves photographing animals from the air. 

Despite not being as fast-paced as other games on the list, Flight Simulator is worth checking out for its visual appeal alone. It’s an excellent game for those who want to experience the thrill of flying without the pressure of actually being a pilot.

The game has received widespread praise for its incredible level of detail and attention to realism. This makes it a must-play for fans of simulation games. 

Even those who aren’t typically fans of simulation games will find something special in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The game is a serene and calming experience that can transport you to new heights and breathtaking landscapes.

Overall, Microsoft Flight Simulator is an impressive and realistic game that allows players to experience the world from a new perspective. 

Whether you’re a fan of simulation games or simply interested in aviation, this game is an excellent choice that will keep you entertained for hours.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a must-play for anyone looking for the best Xbox exclusive games to play in 2023. Basically, it includes the original Halo games – Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4 – remastered to look better than ever before. 

The collection also includes optional remasters that allow you to enjoy the games as they were originally created. Alternatively, you can play in a spruced-up high-fidelity version. 

Furthermore, the game features improved graphics, frame rate boosts, and re-done hi-res cutscenes. Altogether, this brings the classics up to a modern standard.

Halo: Master Chief Collection fulfilled its lofty promise for players getting started with the series. Undoubtedly, this collection provides the best way for newbies to experience the hallmark Xbox series for the first time. 

Better yet, for those who are familiar with the game, it is a great excuse to jump back in again. Now, the all the Master Chief-led Halo games are complete with multiplayer and updated visuals in one package. Moreover, the collection includes every multiplayer map ever released.

The result is a jamboree of Halo content that represents a staggering amount of value. Significantly,  Halo 2 really is the highlight of the collection. This is because Halo 2 is the game given the newest visual treatment in this compilation release. This release features updated textures and all-new cutscenes redone by the renowned animation studio Blur. 

If you want to get started with Halo, look no further than Halo: The Master Chief Collection. One of our top picks for the best Xbox exclusive games for 2023.

Grounded

Grounded, developed by Obsidian, is a survival game that shrinks you down to the size of an ant! Moreover, the game places you in a garden where you must fend for yourself against insects and other natural elements. 

After spending years in early access, the game has finally been released in full. It has quickly climbed up the ranks to become one of the best Xbox exclusive games available in 2023.

The survival mechanics in Grounded are surprisingly deep and require careful planning and execution. As you progress, you’ll gather resources, craft tools, and weapons to help you navigate the dangerous environment. 

In addition, the game also has a strong narrative, which is rare for survival games. Furthermore, its handcrafted map and tight story make it an excellent option for a single play-through.

One of the standout features of Grounded is its building system. This system allows you to construct elaborate structures and defenses to protect yourself from the hostile world. Moreover, coupled with the creative setting of the game, the building dynamic offers up tons of replayability possibilities.

Despite its cute and whimsical setting, Grounded can be surprisingly dark and terrifying. Basically, the insects in the game are your biggest threat. 

The game manages to balance this tension perfectly. It makes the insects just as terrifying as the scariest monsters in any horror game. 

For those who can stomach the squirming, Grounded is a fantastic game that offers a unique take on the survival genre. Therefore, Grounded has garnered a well-earned spot in our list of the best XBox exclusive games for 2023.