The Best Xbox One Games So Far

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It’s springtime! That means it's time we update our biannual list of the best games you can play on your Xbox One – and it’s gone through a bit of an overhaul since our previous version from October of 2018.

The goal of this list is to offer up the games we Xbox fans here at IGN would recommend right now, today, if you’ve just picked up an Xbox One or you’ve had one for a while and are just looking for something new to play.

The team charged with arguing about and ultimately choosing this is the cast of Unlocked, IGN's weekly Xbox show, featuring Ryan McCaffrey, Brandin Tyrrel, Miranda Sanchez, and Destin Legarie, so this list represents our collective thoughts on the best of the Xbox One.  So, let’s get into it!

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25. Firewatch

Last position: 12 (-13)

Release Date: February 9, 2016

IGN's Firewatch Wiki

Everything about Firewatch is brilliant: the naturally-written characters; the use of humor, sadness, drama, and tension; the bold and colorful Olly Moss art style, the remarkable voice acting, and more. Firewatch is like a great book in that you won't be able to put it down and it'll stick with you for a while after you're done. And the new developer commentary mode gives you a great reason to run back through it a second time. Firewatch has taken quite the dip in ranking since our last list but it's still a strong contender as one of the better story-driven experiences you can find on the Xbox One.

From IGN's 2016 Firewatch review: "Firewatch is amazing for many reasons, but above all because it’s an adult game that deals with serious issues, with realistic adult dialogue to match. And it deals with those issues just like actual adults would: sometimes with humor, sometimes with anger, and sometimes with sadness. It is among the very best of the first-person narrative genre, and it reminds us what video game storytelling is capable of in the right hands. It’s a game I can see coming back to every year or two just to revisit its beautiful sights and memorable characters – just like a good book."

24. Dead Cells

Last position: 24 (0)

Release Date: May 10, 2017

IGN's Dead Cells Wiki

Dead Cells fuses breakneck motion with an emphasis on risk-and-reward for an incredibly engaging action-platformer. It’s rewarding in its flexibility in a way few games are. Each easily digestible run through its beautifully detailed and shifting levels goads you to push the limits of your ability, and crushes you when you get too comfortable. There are layers of strategy and tactics buried not only in the immediate choices you make, but in the grander metagame, making it one of the very best action platformers you can on your Xbox One.

From IGN's 2017 Dead Cells review: "Dead Cells is rewarding in its flexibility in a way few games are. Each easily digestible run through its beautifully detailed and shifting levels instills a feeling of discovery and familiarity. It goads you to push the limits of your ability, and mercilessly crushes you when you get too comfortable. There are layers of strategy and tactics buried not only in the immediate choices you make, but in the grander metagame each run builds toward. Dead Cells is a triumphant union of instinct, forethought, fun, and failure."

23. Overwatch

Last position: 18 (-5)

Release Date: May 24, 2016

IGN's Overwatch Wiki

With an amazing lineup of memorable characters and meticulously balanced abilities, Overwatch is a shooter that bobs and weaves almost perfectly between being the quick-fix adrenaline hit you might want after a long day of work, and the thoughtful, strategic multiplayer experience that becomes the center of evening-long binges with friends. It might not have the most exhaustive list of maps and modes, but the offerings grow with every new seasonal event, and what's already there provides nearly endless opportunities for exhilarating, coordinated play. Overwatch won our 2016 Game of the Year Award, and Blizzard’s trademark polish and commitment to community should keep it as something that we’ll all revisit regularly for years to come.

From IGN's 2016 Overwatch review: "Overwatch is an incredible achievement in multiplayer shooter design. It bobs and weaves almost perfectly between being the quick-fix adrenaline hit you might want after a long day of work, and the thoughtful, strategic multiplayer experience that becomes the center of evening-long binges with friends. It might not have the most exhaustive list of maps and modes, but it provides nearly endless opportunities for exhilarating, coordinated play, and when you’re the one at the center of it, it feels like nothing else."

22. Ori and the Blind Forest

Last position: 19 (-3)

Release Date: March 11, 2015

IGN's Ori and the Blind Forest Wiki

Ori harkens back to the glory days of Xbox Live Arcade by delivering challenging platformer gameplay wrapped in an absolutely beautiful visual aesthetic and topped by a sweet, somber story starring a charming lead. It will test your will at times, but such trials are well worth it. Ori is one of Xbox One's best digital-only game yet.

From IGN's 2015 Ori and the Blind Forest review: "Bigger and tougher than it looks, Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautifully realized, brilliantly designed, and at times brutally difficult sylvan Metroidvania-style platformer with enough charm to leave a lasting impression. It's often frustrating and sometimes confusing, but its spectacular platforming, memorable world, and engrossing story wash those concerns away."

21. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Last position: 23 (+2)

Release Date: November 11, 2014

IGN's Halo: The Master Chief Collection Wiki

Even without its unfortunate online troubles out of the gate, this collection of the first four mainline Halo shooters stands tall for the campaigns alone – particularly the completely remastered Halo 2 Anniversary. And now that developer 343 has fixed the multiplayer suite and updated the complete package to add new features, enhancements, playlists, and a new overall level of polish, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is an absolute must-own that just keeps getting better year after year. This is the quintessential Halo experience that over-delivers in every way, shape, and form. If you're a longtime fan of the Halo universe or a newcomer who has no idea where to start in the long saga of the Master Chief, you can't do better than this.

From IGN's 2014 Halo: The Master Chief Collection review: "The Master Chief Collection makes good on most of its promises. It packs in four full games’ worth of single-player and co-op action, all spruced up and running better than ever before. It saddens me that, because of its early online multiplayer problems, what should’ve been a celebration of the return of Halo’s old-school multiplayer greatness is currently an exercise in frustration. Right now we can only sit back and wait for Microsoft to fix its servers and party problems, and until then the greatness of revived and enhanced Halo 2 multiplayer is still an unfulfilled promise. Still, great games like this should never die. This collection delivers more than a huge Halo fan like myself could have reasonably imagined and, even with its (hopefully temporary) online issues, it packs an insane amount of first-person shooter greatness onto one disc. Here’s to reliving old memories and creating new ones, because maybe in 10 years from now, this Master Chief Collection will mean to some of you what Halo 2 meant to me a decade ago."

20. Dark Souls 3

Last position: 15 (-5)

Release Date: April 12, 2016

IGN's Dark Souls 3 Wiki

Dark Souls 3 continues down the trail its predecessors blazed with its exacting combat and oppressive air of danger, but it reaches beyond that familiar identity with a flair for making the destroyed and desolate feel absorbing and magnetic. The Kingdom of Lothric elicits a sensation of curiosity just powerful enough to overcome the dread of what could be waiting around the next corner though; the rewards of exploration, both material and experiential, make Dark Souls 3 difficult to pull away from. Since Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice just came out, we had a tough time deciding which FromSoft game to recommend. Both Dark Soul 3 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice scored a 9.5 from us, but we gave the edge to Dark Souls 3 thanks its dark-gothic atmosphere and its grand sense of scale.

From IGN's 2016 Dark Souls 3 review: "If Dark Souls 3 truly is the last in the series as we know it, then it’s a worthy send-off. Weapon arts allow stylish and versatile new moves without tarnishing the purity of the combat system. Lothric’s awe-inspiring locations provide visually stunning arenas for rigorous exploration and fierce face-offs with hosts of deadly enemies and even deadlier bosses. While not all the risky changes land as neatly as others, Dark Souls 3 is a powerful journey and the sequel the series truly deserves."

19. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Last position: 11 (-8)

Release Date: August 8, 2017

IGN's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Wiki

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a masterclass of atmosphere, storytelling, and the marriage of mechanical and conceptual design. The care and attention Ninja Theory has clearly poured into Senua and her story has created something amazing. Hellblade’s beautiful presentation and dense story reinforce its serious subject matter in this vivid tale of harrowing darkness.

From IGN's 2017 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice review: "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a masterclass of atmosphere, storytelling, and the marriage of mechanical and conceptual design. While there are moments that feel shoehorned in to remind us we’re playing a video game, the care and attention Ninja Theory has clearly poured into Senua and her story has created something amazing. This is a game everyone should play, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have lived inside the mind of Senua, however briefly."

18. Monster Hunter: World

Last position: 17 (-1)

Release Date: January 26, 2018

IGN's Monster Hunter: World Wiki

It's not hard to see what makes Monster Hunter World so alluring. Against imposing, fantastical monsters of staggering stature, you slowly gain the knowledge, skill, and equipment needed to topple them all. That core loop is so engaging, and so rewarding, as you discover each new beast more complex and mystifying than the last. This is a masterclass of action-RPG design and presentation, with a world that feels alive thanks to the incredible attention to detail in the environments and the many creatures that inhabit them. If you’re looking for an experience to get lost within as you slowly ascend each link of the food chain, look no further.

From IGN's 2018 Monster Hunter: World review: "Whether or not it's the best, this is certainly the most audacious Monster Hunter game. World takes a dramatic leap into a look, feel, and size that feels truly new, simultaneously staying true to the series’ ideals by maintaining the addictive loop of combat, intimidating monsters and meaningful upgrades that fans love. The sheer depth and commitment required is still intense, but it clearly isn’t Capcom’s aim to court a casual crowd. This is as all-consuming and incredible a ride as ever."

17. Doom

Last position: 14 (-3)

Release Date: May 13, 2016

IGN's Doom Wiki

After years in development hell – not to mention being a reboot of the actual greatest first-person shooter of all-time – the 2016 edition of Doom has absolutely no business being as good as it is. Thing is, it's not just good: it's one of the best single-player shooters in years and one of the best Xbox One games, period. It successfully modernized the fast-paced carnage of the original game without losing its spirit. Its character upgrade system miraculously doesn't feel forced and instead has you gleefully ripping into massive mobs of monsters by the end of the meaty campaign. Multiplayer is a bit of a mixed bag, but think of it as the optional side to a glorious main course.

From IGN's 2016 Doom review: "Doom is a tale of two very different shooters (and one quirky creation tool). The single-player campaign's reverent worship of the series' roots results in an old-school run-and-gun shooter which feels like imitation Doom, a cover of an old hit which nails all the right power chords but isn't exactly transformative. The multiplayer's attempts to borrow from the new to reinvigorate the old results in an experience which won't satisfy either school of thought. SnapMap, meanwhile, is a blend of weird and simple and endearing."

16. Cuphead

Last position: 13 (-3)

Release Date: September 29, 2017

IGN's Cuphead Wiki

Art in motion. That's what Cuphead, more so than any other video game, literally is. But Cuphead's brilliance goes much deeper than its hand-drawn, 1930's-style cartoon aesthetic; it also happens to be one of the best bullet-hell shooters in years, with precise controls, incredible challenge, and genius Easter eggs like a black-and-white mode. It manages to walk the fine line of being difficult without being sadistic. That Cuphead was done by a first-time development team and is as brilliant as it is should be viewed as nothing less than a remarkable achievement by Studio MDHR.

From IGN's 2017 Cuphead review: "Cuphead made me feel more good and more bad than any other game I’ve played in the last several years. I swore, laughed, and hollered with delight. I hated it (and my own fingers) for long stretches but, having finished, I realize that’s more or less the point – I emerged from all that pain smiling. Rather than simply offering the player what they want, Cuphead makes them earn that right – the rewards, if you can hack the tests, are absolutely worth it. Cuphead is incredible for more than just its looks. But before you dive in, make sure you actually want a game that plays like this and not just a game that looks like this."

15. Resident Evil 2 Remake

Last position: NEW!

Release Date: January 25, 2019

IGN's Resident Evil 2 Remake Wiki

Resident Evil 2 has set the bar impossibly high for remakes and remasters of classic games by reimagining the 1998 original. But more importantly, it’s become the gold standard of survival horror in 2019. The derelict corridors of the Racoon City Police Department are brimming with both tension and action, which is a difficult balance to achieve in and of itself, but is just the beginning of Resident Evil 2’s triumphs. Each item, weapon, and enemy is part of a brilliant ecosystem that either hastens or hinders your progress through it. Even your run-of-the-mill zombie presents a unique obstacle in the sense that the ones you’ve already “killed” sometimes come back “life.” It’s up to you to decide whether or not it’s worth it to expend valuable resources like shotgun shells or plywood boards to deal with them for good. As new elements are introduced old ones gain new meaning, and the bigger picture becomes a bit more clear. Throw in an excellent narrative, brilliant level design, and a wealth of addition modes and playthrough options, and Resident Evil 2 is more than worthy of your time.

From IGN's 2018 Resident Evil 2 Remake review: "Capcom did a fantastic job of resurrecting all the best parts of the classic Resident Evil 2 and making them look, sound, and play like a 2019 game. If you’re of the mind that the series had lost its way for a while there, this game is very much a return to form. The zombie combat is satisfying and exploring the dilapidated ruins of Raccoon City is a thrill. The one big letdown is that the two characters’ stories aren’t different enough to make the second playthrough as rewarding as the first, even after unlocking the 2nd Game mode. But whichever you choose to play as, the experience of playing through the new Resident Evil 2 for the first time establishes a new standard for remaking classic games."

14. Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Last position: 16 (+2)

Release Date: October 5, 2018

IGN's Assassin's Creedy Odyssey Wiki

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey picks up (mechanically) where Origins left off, continuing the series’ evolution from stealth-sandbox to action/RPG. Taking place roughly 400 years before the events of AC Origins, Odyssey’s rendition of Ancient Greece is as gorgeous as the series (or games in general, quite frankly) has ever been. Traversing its verdant forests and rocky hills or sailing shining seas of the Mediterranean always offers something new to find or an ancient ruin to explore, and its combat is equal parts arcadey fun and ARPG-style strategy. The new skill trees offer dozens of abilities useful both in and out of a fight, though the combat-centric ones like the 300-inspired Spartan Kick and brutally satisfying Shield Breaker often steal the show. While it may not feature the best voice acting the series has ever seen, the main campaign succeeds at offering a compelling story with characters we found ourselves genuinely invested in - although its 50-60 hour critical path does feel a bit bloated with errands and fetch quests. That said, with all there is to explore beyond the confines of the core adventure (historical inaccuracies notwithstanding), Assassin’s Creed Odyssey stands out as a must-play title of the current generation.

From IGN's 2018 Assassin's Creed Odyssey review: "Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a resounding achievement in world-building, environment, and engaging gameplay with occasional problems throughout. Its incredible recreation of ancient Greece is something I’ll want to go back to long after I’ve finished its main story, and its excellent systems mesh together in a way that’s hard to beat. While there are definite rough edges, Odyssey sets a new bar for Assassin’s Creed games and holds its own in the eternal debate over the best open-world roleplaying games ever."

13. Titanfall 2

Last position: 8 (-5)

Release Date: October 28, 2016

IGN's Titanfall 2 Wiki

The original Titanfall was great, but the sequel delivered everything the first game failed to: an outstanding single-player campaign and some meat on Titanfall's strong but otherwise skinny multiplayer bones. The multiplayer part was obvious: more Titans, more game modes, more maps, etc. And Titanfall 2 delivered there. But that campaign almost came out of nowhere. It may not have had much of a story, but it's one of the best shooter campaigns of this generation on the back of its smart, variety-is-king design. You'll see when we mean when you get to *that* gameplay twist.

From IGN's 2016 Titanfall 2 review: "It’s rare that a sequel evolves on every part of the original concept so consistently for the better, but Titanfall 2 is that exception. Its feelgood movement is the foundation for both the engaging action and platforming gameplay of its strong campaign and its over-the-top competitive multiplayer. With bolstered progression, customization, variety, and a fleshed-out story, Respawn has made good on its original vision with Titanfall 2. And bottom line, it’s just damn fun to play."

12. Gears of War 4

Last position: 10 (-2)

Release Date: October 11, 2016

IGN's Gears of War 4 Wiki

You can do a lot worse than to earn parallels to Star Wars Episode 7. Check this out: Gears of War 4 switches developers, hands the keys to a new generation of heroes, and successfully reinvigorates the franchise in the process. Sound familiar? Gears 4 delivered an excellent campaign filled with variety and likeable characters, a yes-this-is-still-totally-fun Versus mode, and revamped the groundbreaking Horde mode to make it better than ever. It struck just the right balance of nostalgia and advancement.

From IGN's 2016 Gears of War 4 review: "I never expected to compare Gears of War 4 to The Force Awakens, but I couldn’t be happier to do so. Like the latest chapter in the story from a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away, Gears of War 4 is directed by a new generation of creators, shares a lot of similar narrative structures to the beloved first piece of the trilogy it succeeds, and is an experience you’ll walk away from with a big smile on your face – in campaign, Versus, and Horde modes alike. It’s about as good of a franchise reawakening as I could’ve hoped for. J.J. Abrams would no doubt appreciate what Gears 4 accomplishes."

11. Metal Gear Solid 5

Last position: 6 (-5)

Release Date: September 1, 2015

IGN's Metal Gear Solid 5 Wiki

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is without question the most ambitious entry in the Metal Gear series. So ambitious, in fact, that it’s something of an unfinished masterpiece. While a lot of hardcore fans of the series were disappointed by the game’s scattered story, it’s hard to deny that the moment-to-moment gameplay is absolutely phenomenal. On top of rock-solid movement and a huge, sometimes literal, sandbox to explore, The Phantom Pain gives players a huge arsenal of weapons, vehicles, gadgets, and AI companions to approach missions creatively. As always, stealthy tactical gameplay is rewarded heavily, but if a mission goes sideways (or if you’re feeling squirrelly) the game doesn’t punish you too hard for getting get loud and messy. Even if you’ve never played another Metal Gear game, this is a hell of an experience. If the plot leaves you with a big question mark over your head, don’t feel left out. That’s part of the fun.

From IGN's 2015 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain review: "The Phantom Pain is the kind of game I thought would never exist - one where every minute gameplay detail has true purpose. Its lack of story focus is sure to be divisive for the Metal Gear faithful, but the resulting emphasis on my story, my tales of Espionage Action, easily make it my favorite in the series. There have certainly been sandbox action games that have given me a bigger world to roam, or more little icons to chase on my minimap, but none have pushed me to plan, adapt, and improvise the way this one does. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain doesn’t just respect my intelligence as a player, it expects it of me, putting it in a league that few others occupy."

10. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Last position: 5 (-5)

Release Date: November 10, 2015

IGN's Rise of the Tomb Raider Wiki

Lara Croft's first post-reboot sequel raises the bar for the entire action-adventure genre. Freeform exploration sections plus a thorough crafting and XP system mean you've always got a new goal in mind. Combine it with Rise's gorgeous set pieces and compelling human story and you get one of the most complete, top-to-bottom excellent games on Xbox One.

From IGN's 2015 Rise of the Tomb Raider review: "Rise of the Tomb Raider raises the bar set by Lara’s last outing with a rollicking adventure story, strong villains, gorgeous vistas, and smart puzzles – go off the main path to find the best stuff in dastardly optional tombs. Though the mandatory combat doesn’t distinguish itself with challenging enemies unless you crank up the difficulty, Lara’s newfound versatility on the battlefield makes fighting a lot more fun. Once again it’s Lara herself, however, who steals the show, her complex ambitions and hardened resolve showing new sides to a character who has well and truly grown from survivor to the most fascinating action hero in video games today."

9. Sunset Overdrive

Last position: 9 (0)

Release Date: October 28, 2014

IGN's Sunset Overdrive Wiki

Sunset Overdrive could've easily gone wrong at so many points. Instead, it lands on the right side of all of them, making for the most original, fun experience you can have on the Xbox One. Its colorful art style is gorgeous. Its sense of humor is hilariously self-aware. Its traversal trumps almost every other open-world game. Its missions all feel fresh and varied even when they're really not. In short, Sunset Overdrive is pure fun, all bottled up as a caffeinated beverage that feels so good when you drink it.

From IGN's 2014 Sunset Overdrive review: "Sunset Overdrive is big, gorgeous, and a hell of a lot of fun. Never has getting from point A to point B in an open-world game provided so much enjoyment. It provides some of the most fun, frantic, and fantastic gaming I've had on the Xbox One. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to once-again adorn my wolf mask, leap off the highest ledge I can find, and fire an explosive stuffed animal at that group of angry robots."

8. Devil May Cry 5

Last position: NEW!

Release Date: March 8, 2019

IGN's Devil May Cry 5 Wiki

It had been more than a decade since Capcom’s last in-house developed Devil May Cry game, and with Devil May Cry 5, they proved that they haven’t lost their touch. No game series is better at giving you the tools to be creative with how you dispatch enemies than Devil May Cry, and DMC5 is the best yet. It’s quite simply one of the deepest combat systems you’ll ever find, and the addition of the Devil Breaker mechanic, along with a new character in V who offers a wildly different experience than Nero and Dante, only serve to sweeten the pot.

From IGN's 2018 Devil May Cry 5 review: "The question of which Devil May Cry game is the best has gotten much easier with Devil May Cry 5. The combat is the strongest the series has seen to date, the story does a great job of balancing all three of its main characters and doling out rewarding bits of its mysterious story at an enticing pace, and the unlockable difficulties, sheer number of techniques to earn, and the upcoming free Bloody Palace DLC will provide a ton of incentive for replayability. It’s good to have you back, Dante and Nero."

7. The Witness

Last position: 7 (0)

Release Date: January 26, 2016

IGN's The Witness Wiki

The Witness is more than just a gorgeous island littered with hundreds of puzzles — it's a labyrinth of mysteries waiting to be solved as you discover more and more about the enigmatic island. Seemingly confounding puzzles challenged us to take a step back and explore the world to understand new rules, and when we did, we always found something new to enjoy. The Witness' cleverly designed puzzles are more than just a checklist, though. They create an adventure that constantly challenges you to learn new rules in order to find all of the island's awesome secrets.

From IGN's 2016 The Witness review: "The Witness has a power and pull that carried me throughout the more than 40 hours it took to complete it for the first time, and that, even now, beckons me back to confront the mysteries I left unsolved. Its graceful combination of tangible goals, obscurity, and freedom creates ample opportunity for small victories and grand revelations alike. For the most part, its themes weave themselves beautifully throughout the gorgeous world and wide variety of puzzles, but even when it breaks subtlety in favor of a more heavy-handed approach to exposition, it never detracts from the truly fulfilling moments The Witness offers in terms of solving its physical puzzles and unlocking its deepest mysteries."

6. Apex Legends

Last position: NEW

Release Date: February 4, 2019

IGN’s Apex Legends Wiki and interactive map

As the battle royale genre grew and evolved, Apex Legends developer Respawn was clearly watching. Its take on the hugely popular mode improves upon standard battle royale mechanics to make this shooter one of the best – if not the best – in the growing arena. As with all battle royale games, Apex Legends challenges you to be the last squad standing on its singular map as a wall of energy forces players closer together. The loop of dropping quickly, looting, and then outsmarting and outshooting opponents is incredibly fun, regardless of whether or not you win. Apex Legends' maintains the stellar shooting we saw in Titanfall 1 and Titanfall 2 – save for the Mozambique, but even Respawn is in on that joke. And as part of the Titanfall universe, the lore behind Apex Legends and its characters are a neat way to flesh out the identity of the game series further. Its charming and unique characters are an excellent spin on the blank canvases we usually have jumping into an arena. Their abilities allow for players of all skills to contribute to their team, and regardless of who you're playing with, the innovative ping system makes communicating important information to teammates far easier. Respawn's good communication and game updates keep us excited to see how it'll continue to grow Apex Legends' exciting gameplay.

From IGN’s 2019 Apex Legends review: “Apex Legends makes squad-based battle royale work better than thought possible, even when playing with a randomly matched team. Its intuitive communication system makes strategic teamplay achievable without a word, and the eight unique legends each have cool abilities that are rewarding without feeling like restrictive roles. It all takes place in Kings Canyon, which is a fascinating sci-fi map that leads to tense encounters filled with all of the pristine gunplay and polish from the Titanfall series, and its free-to-play setup doesn’t pressure you to pay to keep up. Apex Legends has the goods to be a true challenger to Fortnite’s dominance.”

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Last position: 4 (-1)

Release Date: May 19, 2015

IGN’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Wiki and interactive maps

Deep, lengthy RPGs are a staple of PC gaming, and very few have put a larger chunk of sophisticated content forward than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has. Its massive sandbox open-world areas impress, both in terms of scope and density; they’re generously dotted with great monsters to slay, tantalizing mysteries to solve, and personal stories to unfurl. It’s also one of the most impressive overall productions in gaming history, with reams of excellently written dialogue performed by a stellar voice cast, an incredible original soundtrack, and graphics that qualify as both a technical and artistic achievement.

From our 2015 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review: "Though the straightforward and fetch-quest-heavy main story overstays its welcome, the option of joyfully adventuring through a rich, expansive open world was always there for me when I’d start to burn out. Even if the plot isn’t terribly interesting, the many characters who play a part in it are, and along with the excellent combat and RPG gameplay, they elevate The Witcher 3 to a plane few other RPGs inhabit."

4. Forza Horizon 4

Last position: 3 (-1)

Release Date: October 2, 2018

IGN's Forza Horizon 4 Wiki

Forza Horizon 4 isn't just the best Forza game ever made, it's the single greatest car game of the last decade, and perhaps of all-time. With its four-season fictionalization of beautiful Great Britain and focus on socially fueled fun and driving rather than hardcore simulation racing, it is the equivalent of a perfect, breezy, 72-degree summer day distilled into video game form. It has converted people who don't typically play racing games into fans. It has a gigantic, diverse selection of cars (many of which are once again discoverable as hidden "barn finds"), its seasons change the look and feel of the experience, and its soundtrack is bright, cheery, and bound to put you in a good mood. Somehow, Forza Horizon keeps getting better, which seemed all but impossible after the sublime Forza Horizon 3.

From IGN's 2018 Forza Horizon 4 review: "I’ll always have a massive soft spot for the down under delights of Forza Horizon 3, but open-world racing has never looked as good as it does in Forza Horizon 4. It combines a beautiful world that’s really four hugely distinct maps in one with a constantly rewarding and self-renewing racing experience and I really can’t tear myself away from it. Playground Games hasn’t just upped the ante once again; it’s blown the bloody doors off."

3. Grand Theft Auto V

Last position: 2 (-1)

Release Date: April 4, 2015

IGN’s Grand Theft Auto V Wiki and interactive map

Grand Theft Auto V’s sprawling, yet meticulously detailed map is still the high bar to which all other open-world games aspire. Not only is it huge, it’s incredibly dense with excellent content – not just the driving and shooting and three-protagonist story that make up its campaign, and not limited to the numerous side activities, but all the sights, sounds, and bustling activity you'd expect to find in a city teeming with humans, seedy underbelly included. With so much to do, explore, and play with, both in single-player and Grand Theft Auto Online, plus great creative tools and mods, it’s truly amazing on multiple levels.

From IGN’s 2013 Grand Theft Auto V review: “Grand Theft Auto V is not only a preposterously enjoyable video game but also an intelligent and sharp-tongued satire of contemporary America. It represents a refinement of everything that GTA IV brought to the table five years ago. It’s technically more accomplished in every conceivable way, but it’s also tremendously ambitious in its own right. No other world in video games comes close to this in size or scope, and there is sharp intelligence behind its sense of humor and gift for mayhem. It tells a compelling, unpredictable, and provocative story without ever letting it get in the way of your own self-directed adventures through San Andreas.”

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Editor, IGN

2. Inside

Last position: 1 (-1)

Release Date: June 29, 2016

IGN's Inside Wiki

We define a 10 out of 10 as a "masterpiece," and Inside is every bit of one. The non-sequel follow-up to the sublime Limbo took six years to make, and it looks like five of those were spent on polish. Every pixel, animation, ray of light, and audio cue feels considered – not to mention the puzzles themselves. Inside won't strain your brain too hard, but its impactful non-verbal story will leave you contemplating what it all means for days after you finish it. Inside is simply unforgettable and should not be missed.

From IGN's 2016 Inside review: "Inside very clearly builds upon what made Limbo great, and in fact builds something greater. Its unimaginable twist may leave you dumbfounded, confused, and quite possibly speechless, but it will fuel heated discussion with your friends about its meaning, its message, and its intentions. It’s a short ride, but one I felt compelled to take again – including a search for its mysterious hidden orb collectibles. Play it soon before anyone spoils a single big moment for you."

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Last position: NEW

Release Date: October 26, 2018

IGN's Red Dead Redemption 2 Wiki Both a stunning technical achievement and a gold standard for video game storytelling in an open world setting, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the greatest games Rockstar Games has ever made, and one of the greatest games ever, period. Red Dead Redemption 2’s world is a sprawling and stunning recreation of the wild west, packed so full of detail and activity it’s almost daunting; getting from A to B is virtually impossible without going off the beaten path to some other distraction. Said distractions are incredibly accomplished, too - side quests, mini-games, hunting, and gathering are all deeply considered parts of Red Dead 2 in their own right. But of course, it’s Red Dead 2’s characters that stick in the memory most: Arthur Morgan, John Marsten, Sadie, Dutch et al are vibrant, multi-faceted characters, their complex dynamics always shifting and changing, even if their trajectories are set in stone. Red Dead Redemption 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece.

From our Red Dead Redemption 2 review: “Red Dead Redemption 2 is a sprawling Western tale of loyalty, conviction, and the price of infamy, chronicling the inevitable collapse of a motley crew of Wild West holdouts kicking against the slow march of civilization and industrialization. Set in Rockstar’s most authentic and lived-in open world ever, there are so many things to do, so many people to meet, and so many places to explore it’s giddily overwhelming. Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just Rockstar’s greatest achievement to date; it’s a game so lacking in compromise it’s tough to know where best to start discussing it.”

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Those are our picks for the Spring 2019 update! Obviously, there are more incredible games we couldn't include, but that’s the dilemma of cutting a list down to a specific number – some of the good stuff doesn't make the cut.

We ended up bumping nine games off with this refresh – and like we said at the top of the page, a large part of that was a refocusing of our criteria to be more about what we’d recommend you pick up right this moment, rather than games that were monumental at the time they released but may have since aged a bit.

With that in mind, here are the games that fell off with this update: Minecraft, Diablo: Reaper of Souls, and Fallout 4. Again, all amazing games, but some longtime Xbox mainstays like Minecraft just had to be bumped to make room for new picks while others like Fallout 4 aren't the top of the crop with so many excellent open-world games out there these days.

We’ll be back for another update in October and we’ll see how things have shaken out by then. Your picks may vary of course, so be sure to let us know in the comments what your favorite Xbox One games are!

Also make sure to check out our lists of the 25 Best PS4 Games, the 25 Best PC Games, and the 25 Best Nintendo Switch Games.

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