Best Xbox exclusives | Pure Xbox

Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series

One of the most amazing games currently available on any Platformer, which also happens to be just as good as arcade racing games? Yes, that will be Forza Horizon 5.

Latest playground games It may not do anything particularly new for the franchisebut there’s really no need to be, because these are fantastic open-world racer gameplay loops that have been polished to absolute perfection and combined with the best setting the series has seen yet. The endless array of gorgeous flashy sports cars, the multitude of events, the seamless online functionality, and the constant bells, whistles and unlockables are almost overwhelming, seeing that every moment spent in this game feels like some sort of mad car-based rush. Forza Horizon 5 is the best arcade racing can get in 2025.

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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Xbox Series

Microsoft Flight Simulator It’s an extraordinary experience, a truly stunning game that gives you the freedom to jump into one of its stunningly recreated planes and take to the skies to explore the world – yes, the entire world – in an almost unbelievable level of detail. Of all the Xbox exclusive games on this list, we feel that Flight Sim is truly special, a game so unique that it’s hard to believe it actually made it to consoles in the first place!

This series is exclusive to Xbox for obvious reasons (Although it works via the cloud on Xbox One), and it will take some time to get used to all the various controls, but once everything is in place, there will be nothing like it. We’ve spent hours and hours discovering and exploring the 2020 version, and we still get the same level of excitement every time we do our pre-flight checks and take another ride in the recently released 2024 version.

Yes, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 It suffered from a very troubled launch, but when all the engines are fired up and running smoothly, it’s an amazing game that outshines its predecessor in career mode alone. However, you can always come back and play in 2020 too – you can’t really go wrong with either!

Rare reboot (Xbox One)

It was released back in 2015 to celebrate Rare’s 30th anniversary. Rare replay is a fantastic collection covering the developer’s work across multiple genres and console generations. From the ZX Spectrum all the way to the Xbox 360, there’s a treasure trove to explore here, enhanced with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, snapshot and rewind functions, built-in cheats and more besides.

There’s a lot to dig into here, and GoldenEye 007 recently joined the lineup also! With the likes of Saber Wulf, RC Pro-AM 2, Blast Corps, Battletoads, two Perfect Dark titles, Jet Force Gemini, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie, and more, this is a great history lesson and a boatload of good times. All rolled into one.

Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series

There’s something for everyone with the Forza series! While Forza Horizon relies on exploring large open-world maps and racing in slightly arcade-like conditions, Forza Motorsport It’s all about replicating the powerful simulation aspects of the sport. Just like previous entries in the series, this is exactly what the reboot aims to achieve.

Instead of going with Forza Motorsport 8, the team at Turn 10 decided to give the franchise a refresh with its debut on Xbox Series in the future. If you’re interested in this, it’s definitely something you can add to your download list.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Xbox Series

Sequel to 2017 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Not only was it highly anticipated because the first game was so good, but it was also the game that Xbox chose to highlight alongside the Series X reveal in 2019.

Unfortunately, it took five long years Senua Saga: Hellblade 2 to make it to Xbox (and PC), but the result was an absolutely stunning adventure that delivered some of the best visuals and audio ever seen on the Series We didn’t do that love The gameplay is just as good, but this is still an Xbox exclusive that you need to check out.

Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One)

2017 Halo Wars 2 It’s a great RTS-spin game aura And we’re still craving a sequel almost seven years later. Creative Assembly worked with 343 to deliver a great RTS experience that meets console needs here, and the game’s Xbox One

Halo Wars 2 puts you in control of entire armies of Marines, Warthogs, Scorpion Tanks, and Spartans on the battlefield, and its narrative fits well with the overall Halo story, too. We’d love to see more of this genre make it to other Xbox franchises, and years later we still cherish our time with both Corona Wars Incidental perks. HW2 definitely deserves a place on this list!

Aero 2 (Xbox Series

Well, want something a little different? Aero 2 It’s currently an Xbox exclusive at the time of writing (it’s also on PC), and it’s definitely one of the best rhythm games we’ve ever played. The original was part of Xbox Games with Gold at one point, and was a pleasant surprise when it arrived, but the sequel surpasses it in every way.

Think of this as a mix in between rez hd and Rock bandcomplete with a pumping drum and bass soundtrack. It sees you move through levels where your goal is to ride the bars that go along with the song, while also trying to destroy enemies as you go. The soundtrack is amazing, the levels are cleverly designed, there’s player support… it’s great!

Indiana Jones and the Grand Circle (Xbox Series

Yes, our review of Indiana Jones and the Grand Circle We gave it a ‘not bad’ rating of 6/10, but we’d still put it on the list – after all, this is just one opinion, and it’s clear that the majority of players have loved their time with it so far.

In fact, Pure Xbox readers voted the new Indiana Jones game as their favorite Xbox release of 2024, far surpassing everything else on the list. If you’re ready for a single-player adventure that features a lot more stealth and adventure than just constant shooting, you should download the game on Xbox Game Pass ASAP.

Gears 5 (Xbox One)

Gears 5 It is a much-needed entry in the long-running Xbox exclusive franchise that sees the Gears back at the top of their game in an action-packed adventure that can be played entirely in co-op mode both locally and online. There’s a strong campaign here, surprisingly character-driven elements for a series known mainly for its brutal combat, and it manages to pack an emotional punch while serving up everything carnage fans have come to expect and more.

With the Definitive Edition of this sprawling adventure available on Game Pass, alongside the truly excellent Edition Huffbusters expansionThere’s no excuse not to gather some friends, equip your spears and unleash some Locust scum across the main campaign, Escape and Horde modes! Gears 5 is a huge package of brutal and bloody good times.

Valheim (Xbox Series

Outstanding computer game Valheim It became an Xbox console exclusive when it arrived on Xbox Game Pass in March 2023, and while the graphics may not be up to par, you definitely don’t want to miss this game!

Valheim is a “brutal” survival and exploration game that you can play alone or with friends online, with extensive building mechanics, a massive procedurally generated world to explore, bosses to conquer, and much more. It may take you an hour or two to get into the rhythm of Valheim, but once you get there, it will be very difficult to put down this game. There’s a reason it has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam based on hundreds of thousands of user reviews!