<p class="intro">There are over 900 games out on the <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x" title="Xbox Series X Games">Xbox Series X</a> and S. With the help of 1700 critic scores and 5300 user reviews, we gathered 10 of the highest rated games for Microsoft's flagship console. All arranged by playscore.</p>
<section class="top-10">
<h2>10. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/cris-tales" title="Cris Tales for Xbox Series X">Cris Tales</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/cris-tales-1.png" alt="Cris Tales">
<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/cris-tales-2.png" alt="Cris Tales">
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<p>We start off the list with an <a href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/indie" title="PC Indie Games">indie</a> game that not only looks great, but it also plays great too. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/dreams-uncorporated" title="Dreams Uncorporated">Dreams Uncorporated</a> and <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/syck" title="Syck">Syck</a>'s passion project oozes with charm, standing out amongst the many indie titles that litter the market. </p>

<p>Cris Tales' turn-based gameplay incorporates a unique time-travel element that blends style and tactics in every encounter. The visual flourish that splits the map into multiple timelines is a refreshing take on the tried and tested genre.</p>

<p>It's not a perfect game, “Its battles undoubtedly overstay their welcome, but this unique odyssey still manages to shine through them a bit thanks to its style… and characters…” <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/ign" title="IGN">IGN</a> said, giving it a score of 7. Despite its shortcomings, Cris Tales is one of a kind and it receives <strong>a playscore of 8.40</strong></p>
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<section class="top-9">
<h2>9. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/subnautica-below-zero" title="Subnautica: Below Zero for Xbox Series X">Subnautica: Below Zero</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/subnautica-below-zero-1.png" alt="Subnautica: Below Zero">
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<p>Unknown World's underwater survival game is back for another round of abyssal horrors. Below Zero's freezing alien planet is home to a slew of new content. The improvement of its story gave room for players to emotionally attach to its protagonist, as well as the effort to escape from the many terrors of the deep. </p>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/subnautica-below-zero-2.png" alt="Subnautica: Below Zero">
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<p>It was built on the solid foundations of its already successful <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/subnautica" title="Subnautica for Xbox Series X">original</a>, improving on almost every system, including its survival elements.</p>

<p><a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/gaming-bolt" title="Gaming Bolt">Gaming Bolt</a> gave it a score of 8, saying “...Below Zero once again delivers an experience with engaging exploration set in a mysterious, beautiful, and haunting underwater world.”</p>

<p>Anyone with thalassophobia might have to think twice before booting this game up. It gets <strong>a playscore of 8.63</strong></p>
</section>
<section class="top-8">
<h2>8. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/microsoft-flight-simulator" title="Microsoft Flight Simulator for Xbox Series X">Microsoft Flight Simulator</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/flight-simulator-1.png" alt="Microsoft Flight Simulator">
<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/flight-simulator-2.png" alt="Microsoft Flight Simulator">
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<p>It was only a matter of time before <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/microsoft-game-studios" title="Microsoft Game Studios">Microsoft</a> ported their high-quality <a href="https://whatoplay.com/ps4/simulation" title="PC Simulation Games">simulator</a> to their flagship consoles.</p>

<p>Microsoft Flight Simulator was a technological marvel. When played on PC at its highest settings, it offered a gorgeous open world to fly around and explore. The console versions are also the same, “...it's a visually stunning showcase that really pushes the Xbox Series X, making it a great first title to exist solely on Microsoft's latest hardware.” <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/gamespot" title="GameSpot">GameSpot</a>'s Edmond Tran said, giving it a score of 9.</p>

<p>The menus can be intimidating for new players, but once you get the hang of its systems, you're off soaring into the skies, and you might even visit your own place too! <strong>A playscore of 8.64</strong></p>
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<section class="top-7">
<h2>7. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/alan-wake-remastered" title="Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X">Alan Wake Remastered</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/alan-wake-remastered-1.png" alt="Alan Wake Remastered">
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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/alan-wake-remastered-2.png" alt="Alan Wake Remastered">
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<p>Alan Wake's writer's block takes us once again into its shadow world devoid of lighat.</p>

<p><a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/remedy-entertainment" title="Remedy Entertainment">Remedy Entertainment</a>'s 11-year-old action-horror game gets the remaster it needed. “...It honors the original game's artistic direction while enhancing it with modern technology…” <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/egmnow" title="EGM Now">EGM Now</a> said, giving it a score of 8.</p>

<p>Aside from some new volumetric lighting features and upscaled visuals, our return to Bright Falls is no different from last time. Even the gameplay remains unchanged, and that's a great thing. Alan Wake's third-person shootouts still hold up in this modern era in gaming, especially with the improved framerate. It receives <strong>a playscore of 8.64</strong></p>
</section>
<section class="top-6">
<h2>6. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/marvels-guardians-of-the-galaxy" title="Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy for Xbox Series X">Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy</a></h2>

<p><a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/square-enix" title="Square Enix">Square Enix</a>'s reputation after handling a MARVEL IP was a subject for controversy when <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/marvels-avengers" title="Marvel's Avengers for Xbox Series X">Avengers</a> came out. Despite the backlash, this standalone action-adventure is a welcome treat for anyone interested in this ragtag group of superheroes.</p>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/gotg-1.png" alt="Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy">
<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/gotg-2.png" alt="Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy">
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<p>Guardians Of The Galaxy isn't cut from the same cloth as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, it's an original story of its own, without Chris Pratt.</p>

<p>“It's a solid single player adventure that focuses on the characters and tells a superb story at the same time.” said <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/ztgd" title="ZTGD">ZTGD</a>'s Ken McKown.</p>

<p>The combat can be messy at times, especially with the bugs and glitches, but it's easily subdued by its well-written cast and jam-packed adventure. It receives <strong>a playscore of 8.70</strong></p>
</section>
<section class="top-5">
<h2>5. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/resident-evil-village" title="Resident Evil Village for Xbox Series X">Resident Evil Village</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/re-village-1.png" alt="Resident Evil Village">
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<p>At this point, we've pretty much covered everything Resident Evil Village-related. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/capcom" title="CAPCOM">CAPCOM</a>'s latest RE entry was in a league of its own. The return of its first-person perspective puts us face-first into its ensemble of freaks.</p>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/re-village-2.png" alt="Resident Evil Village">
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<p>Village wasn't scared to show new frights in every corner. It blended multiple layers of the <a href="https://whatoplay.com/ps4/horror" title="PS4 Horror Games">horror</a> genre masterfully, bringing a different kind of scare in each of its four major locations. Vampires? Werewolves? Fish creatures? Village had it all. It receives <strong>a playscore of 8.79</strong></p>
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<section class="top-4">
<h2>4. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/judgment" title="Judgment for Xbox Series X">Judgment</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/judgment-1.png" alt="Judgment">
<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/judgment-2.png" alt="Judgment">
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<p>This <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/the-yakuza-remastered-collection" title="The Yakuza Remastered Collection for Xbox Series X">Yakuza</a> spin-off exchanges the goofy humor in favor of a detective-style game with a mix of brawler combat. Judgment already came out on the last-gen consoles, but this new-gen improvement is “...absolutely the best way to play the game and still represents a fantastic jumping-off point for anyone keen to dip their toes into the Yakuza franchise.” according to <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/press-start-australia" title="Press Start Australia">Press Start Australia</a>.</p>

<p>Taking the established formula of <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/sega" title="SEGA">SEGA</a>'s Yakuza games, Judgment has all of its shiny parts. Its sequel, Lost Judgment, added more content to its already jam-packed story. Unfortunately, it didn't get enough user and critic reviews to get a playscore. Judgment, however, receives <strong>a playscore of 8.80</strong></p>
</section>
<section class="top-3">
<h2>3. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/hitman-3" title="HITMAN 3 for Xbox Series X">HITMAN 3</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/hitman-3.png" alt="HITMAN 3">
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<p><a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/io-interactive" title="IO Interactive ">IO Interactive</a> gave Agent 47 his much-needed retirement in this final HITMAN game.</p>		

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/hitman-3-2.png" alt="HITMAN 3">
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<p>HITMAN 3 hit all the right spots in its stealth-adventure formula. Traveling to different maps and fulfilling a laundry list of objectives really makes you feel like a bald assassin. Most critics lauded this finale. Notably, <a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/games-radar" title="Gamesradar">Gamesradar</a>, who said, “...it's a great end to the trilogy, with a satisfying conclusion made from enjoyable and endlessly entertaining levels.”</p>

<p>While it's meant as the end for Agent 47, he still has more objectives to check out with the game's regular content updates. Just recently, IO released a roadmap showcasing the game's future updates, including new missions and targets. It has <strong>a playscore of 8.83</strong></p>
</section>
<section class="top-2">
<h2>2. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/forza-horizon-5" title="Forza Horizon 5 for Xbox Series X">Forza Horizon 5</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/forza-horizon-1.png" alt="Forza Horizon 5">
<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/forza-horizon-2.png" alt="Forza Horizon 5">
</div>

<p>Microsoft's premier <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-one/racing" title="Xbox One Racing Games">racing</a> game takes our second spot with ease. For many of gamers and critics, 5 is the best Forza game to date.</p>

<p>It's also the best <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/microsoft-game-studios" title="Microsoft Game Studios">Microsoft</a>  exclusive game this year. Dubbed as 'exploration racing', Mexico is yours for the taking. From rain-soaked Aztec Ruins, to the top of a burning Caldera, everything is built for your four-wheeled monster to steer and drift through.</p>

<p>As a Microsoft Exclusive, it's perfectly optimized whether you're on the Series X or S. It runs at a smooth 60 frames and supports 4K for your massive TVs.</p>

<p>With <strong>a playscore of 9.13</strong>, “...it's an incredible game that will have you hooning around Mexico for months.”</p>
</section>
<section class="top-1">
<h2>1. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/xbox-series-x/hades" title="Hades for Xbox Series X">Hades</a></h2>

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/hades-xsx-1.png" alt="Hades">
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<p>There's just no stopping <a href="https://whatoplay.com/developers/supergiants-games" title="Supergiant Games">Supergiant</a> from taking over our Game of the Year lists. Zagreus' journey across the Underworld varied greatly depending on our playstyles.</p>		

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<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/goty/2021/xbox-series-x/hades-xsx-2.png" alt="Hades">
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<p>Whether you're a fan of <a href="https://whatoplay.com/switch/roguelike" title="Nintendo Switch Roguelike Games">Roguelikes</a> or not, Hades has a little something for everyone. The never-ending, fast-paced gameplay is complemented by its well-written story. Supergiant humanized the Greek Pantheon, as well as the iconic residents of Hades ' dominion.</p>

<p><a href="https://whatoplay.com/critics/hardcoregamer" title="Hardcore Gamer">Hardcore Gamer</a>'s Chris Shive gave it a score of 9, saying “Hades already looked great, but experiencing it in 4k on current-gen consoles is a sight to behold.” Zagreus takes the crown with <strong>a playscore of 9.15</strong></p>
</section>

Whatoplay presents 10 of the best Xbox Series X titles this year

10 Best Xbox Series X Games of 2021

Whatoplay presents 10 of the best Xbox Series X titles this year