--- description: Take advantage of Microsoft's souped-up Xbox One X console with these visually stunning games. title: The 10 Best Xbox One X Games You Can Play Right Now image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt87ddca8602d6ab09/698a09c209208f4be4416435/best-xbox-one-games.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The 10 Best Xbox One X Games You Can Play Right Now by [Matthew Gault](/author/matthew-gault/) ## Matthew Gault Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Updated: Dec 12, 2023 7:41 PM CUTPublished: Feb 5, 2020 3:09 PM CUT  A Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller, taken on September 3, 2015\. (Photo by Joby Sessions/PC Gamer Magazine/Future via Getty Images) A Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller, taken on September 3, 2015\. (Photo by Joby Sessions/PC Gamer Magazine/Future via Getty Images)Future via Getty Images—2015 Future Publishing by [Matthew Gault](/author/matthew-gault/) ## Matthew Gault Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Updated: Dec 12, 2023 7:41 PM CUTPublished: Feb 5, 2020 3:09 PM CUT Microsoft’s Xbox One X is the most powerful console available on the market. If you want to play a game in true 4K, with the clearest visuals and highest resolution, but don’t want to drop more than $1,000 for a high-end gaming PC, the Xbox One X will take care of your needs. Even better than the system itself is the Xbox Game Pass. For $9.99 a month, Microsoft gives players access to a rotating list of 200 games. These aren’t third tier and C-list games either. Right now you can play _The Witcher 3, The Outer Worlds_, and _Gears of War 5_ on Game Pass without having to pay $60 for each full game. Below is a list of the 10 best games you can play on the Xbox One X. ## Gears Tactics It shouldn’t have taken this long for the _Gears of War_ franchise to spin-off a tactical shooter. The franchise defined cover-based shooting for a generation, but its latest installment—_Gears 5_—[showed the formula was growing stale](https://time.com/5680475/gears-5-review/ "undefined"). _Gears Tactics_ takes the setting and enemies and slows the action way down, asking the player to make smart decisions about how and when to attack enemies. The story is a prequel, set years before the events of the original story. The new characters are compelling and the tactical gameplay is a perfect fit for a game about sneaking up behind bug-men and ending them with a chainsaw. ## **Ori and the Will of the Wisps** An unsung glory of the Xbox One is its commitment to publishing fantastic and beautiful games from smaller studios. _Ori and the Will of the Wisps_ is a platformer action game in which players explore a large open world while collecting items, battling foes, and unlocking new parts of the map by killing enemies and learning new powers. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack swells and changes as the player explores the haunted forest setting. It’s a tragic fairytale with tight controls elevated by the beauty of its visuals. **Buy now:** [_Ori and the Will of the Wisps,_ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082PP9XKK/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B082PP9XKK&linkId=2a5f9f1bb29c96c4cc216502624fc155 "undefined") ## **Call of Duty: Modern Warfare** _Halo_ is great, but _Call of Duty: Modern Warfare_ is the best first-person shooter available on the Xbox One. Its [single-player campaign is one of the best in the franchise’s 17-year run](https://time.com/5702566/call-duty-modern-warfare/ "undefined"), but the multiplayer is the real draw and joy of _Call of Duty_. _Warzone_, _Call of Duty’s_ take on _Fortnite’s_ Battle Royale gameplay mode, is a chaotic delight. Squads of up to four drop into a 150 player free-for-all and compete for dominance. The longer the game runs, the more gear players gather, but the smaller the arena gets and the wilder the fights become. **Buy now:** [_Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,_ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y92FSWL/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07Y92FSWL&linkId=ecd4d11dd2e814c0a78a71d3712c9e9c "undefined") ## **Sea of Thieves** There’s no other game on the market like _Sea of Thieves_, which simulates the life of a pirate by pitting the player against the pitiless sea. Crew up with friends and run a pirate ship, or try to make a go of it on your own. It’s dangerous out there on the sea, though —other groups of players patrol the waters looking for new blood to terrorize and rob. Go on grand adventures, fight skeleton pirates, and struggle to survive in the Xbox’s most unique game. **Buy now:** [_Sea of_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081472NC7/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B081472NC7&linkId=421d628c1126adba5373069588e5681d "undefined")[ _Thieves_, Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081472NC7/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B081472NC7&linkId=421d628c1126adba5373069588e5681d "undefined") ## **Sunset Overdrive** _Sunset Overdrive_ is one of the most criminally underrated games of the generation. Developed by Insomniac Games, the people behind the PlayStation’s excellent _Spider-Man_, _Sunset Overdrive_ is a fast-paced open-world action game where you’ll traverse a city by sliding across rooftops and shooting at mutants. If you’re looking for the spiritual sequel to _Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater,_ this is it. It’s a bright and colorful explosion of 2000-era punk rock energy that begs the player to climb every building, shoot every mutant, and slide down every guardrail. **Buy now:** [_Sunset Overdrive,_ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M31VIOG/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00M31VIOG&linkId=804817b28a219ec94105c0fdce1cd101 "undefined") ## **Halo 5: Guardians** _Halo 5: Guardians_ is like world-class fan fiction. The story is fun, but it feels like it was written by a fan and isn’t quite up to the level of the franchise’s best installments. But the gameplay, multiplayer, and level design all stand out. If you own an Xbox One or are a first-person shooter fan at all, then you have to try _Halo 5_. **Buy now:** [_Halo 5: Guardians_, Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DB9JV5W/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00DB9JV5W&linkId=58d65e735a61dab5e9f58a082f334475 "undefined") ## **Forza Horizon 4** It’s hard to find a good racing game these day — 2017’s _Gran Turismo Sport_ on the PlayStation 4 was a disappointing entry in the franchise. Thankfully, racing fans have _Forza Horizon 4_. Set in an open-world Great Britain lookalike, _Forza Horizon 4_ lets players race in more than 450 different licensed cars. There’s dynamic weather, a constantly updating roster of events and races, and servers boasting up to 72 drivers at a time. **Buy now:** [_Forza Horizon 4,_ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJZHQPX/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07DJZHQPX&linkId=73c3c810bff6cab3fbc76b07e4f845b9 "undefined") ## **The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt** If you’ve watched Netflix’s _The Witcher_, then [playing through the game is a no-brainer](https://time.com/5752962/netflix-witcher-review/ "undefined"). Like the other games on this list that appear on other consoles, the Xbox One X version of _The Witcher_ _3_ is the most gorgeous version. Geralt’s journey through war-torn Temeria pops to life on the Xbox One X, and the monsters he encounters on his journey are so grotesque and beautiful they deserve the best presentation possible. **Buy now:** [_The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt_, Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K6010LG/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01K6010LG&linkId=ddcaed39d1e9f7195c2b7af82fa145fa "undefined") ## **Red Dead Redemption 2** Chances are you’ve already played _Red Dead Redemption 2_. But if you haven’t played it on the Xbox One X, then you haven’t seen it at its best. _Red Dead Redemption 2_ on the Xbox One X is a visual feast. The PlayStation 4 and base Xbox One can’t render Rockstar’s cowboy simulator in true 4K — instead, they upscale lower resolutions and run the game at low frame rates. Only the Xbox One X can run the tale of outlaw Arthur Morgan in devastatingly gorgeous 4K. The difference in the visuals is startling. **Buy now:** [_Red Dead Redemption 2,_ ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M275W1G/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01M275W1G&linkId=466e0fe0994136228a918826f558d049 "undefined")[Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M275W1G/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01M275W1G&linkId=466e0fe0994136228a918826f558d049 "undefined") ## **Hitman 2** Playing _Hitman 2_ is like tip-toeing through an intricate and masterfully constructed clockwork theme park. In each scenario, Agent 47 has to take down a target, but the way the player can accomplish this goal is shockingly freeform. It’s possible for the bald assassin to walk up to his target and shoot him in broad daylight, sure, but the clever player can spend hours setting up the perfect kill. See the target feeding watermelons to hippos in his private reserve? Push him in. Need to take out the head of a cartel? Dress up like a famous tattoo artist, wait for the boss to come in, and give him body art he won’t forget. **Buy now:** [_Hitman 2,_ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLQNV7J/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07DLQNV7J&linkId=86a633fd5c7892f39d8b5b1f072a10c7 "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/"},"headline":"The 10 Best Xbox One X Games You Can Play Right Now","datePublished":"2020-02-05T15:09:31.000Z","dateModified":"2023-12-12T19:41:21.000Z","description":"Take advantage of Microsoft's souped-up console","url":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/","keywords":["Tech","Video Games","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt87ddca8602d6ab09/698a09c209208f4be4416435/best-xbox-one-games.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Matthew Gault","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/matthew-gault/"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt87ddca8602d6ab09/698a09c209208f4be4416435/best-xbox-one-games.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Best Xbox One Games","caption":"Best Xbox One Games","creditText":"Future via Getty Images—2015 Future Publishing","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-tech/","name":"Tech"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/","name":"The 10 Best Xbox One X Games You Can Play Right Now"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Gears Tactics World Premiere Trailer","description":"Gears Tactics World Premiere Trailer","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0Il9S9lB/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2020-05-01T16:52:20.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/0Il9S9lB.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/","duration":"PT2M31S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Ori and the Will of the Wisps E3 2017 4K Teaser Trailer","description":"Ori and the Will of the Wisps trailer","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qtbtUvkv/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-06-12T00:36:14.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/qtbtUvkv.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/","duration":"PT2M22S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5777775/best-xbox-one-x-games/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Official Call of Duty®_ Modern Warfare® - 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