Video: Six Essential Games For New Xbox Series X|S Players

Great video, Very well done.. I agree with all these picks, Can't go wrong with any of the games listed here..

@EliJapan 'Essential' is going to vary from person to person as they all have their own preference.

If I was asked what games 'should' a 'new' gamer to Xbox Consoles check out, I would most likely pick games like FH5, H:I, MSFS, Gears 5 etc. I doubt I would suggest they try some obscure indie developed games or even multi-platform games as these could have been played or at least well known IP's

If you are 'new' to Xbox, even if you are returning after the 360 era, then the 1st Party games are the ones they are most likely to have missed and/or know least about because they didn't have an Xbox.

Those are the type of games you would say were 'essential' for those new to Xbox in general. However, if I knew someone was more interested in seeking out those 'smaller' games, then I'd tailor my list to them specifically. I would most likely describe those as 'little gems' to discover than 'essential' for someone who has just joined (or rejoined after a decade or more) the Xbox ecosystem.

@EliJapan All you have to do is look at GwG to know that 'Smaller' games are generally not that well received and if you are making a 'video' about essential Xbox games to play on your 'brand new' Series S/X console, they are not 'generally' going to encourage people to 'buy' the hardware.

Its not just 'new' to Xbox gamers that would watch a video like this, but those who also maybe sat on the fence, trying to decide whether to go PS or XB, and want to see the biggest budget games.

If you read further, I did state that those games would be suited to a different list - unexpected gems, underrated or overlooked games etc but I wouldn't consider them as 'essential' to play, to sell Xbox hardware etc. I don't really like Gran Turismo or the Last of Us, but I'd probably still put those in an 'essential' Playstation list.

There are a number of great indies, lower budget games to discover but these aren't really 'system' sellers to the 'majority' and wouldn't be the games you'd show to your friends to convince them to buy an Xbox.

The point I was trying to make is that these type of lists are more about appealing to the majority, the casuals etc. Most Xbox gamers would already have an idea of what games are 'essential' to them based on their own preferences so its not a list really meant for them...

My personal Essential games for xbox would mainly be exclusives or next gen only games as otherwise you could play them anywhere else.

So my reccomendations for anyone new to xbox would be Sunset Overdrive, Gears of War Ultimate Edition, Forza Horizon 5, The Gunk, State of Decay 2, Flight simulator and Deathloop.

@EliJapan Again, that is matter of 'preference'. Those games still 'cost' the same when released and would still be in the same 'budget' classification - small budget, small team games.

Mass Effect: Andromeda and Horizon: Zero Dawn had around the same budget, both cost the same and both would be classified as AAA games yet you may have a very 'strong' preference for one and 'dislike' the other immensely, but they are both still AAA games.

That's the same for the games you mentioned and the GwG titles which are all about the same 'price' when released, all made with small teams. Personally, I don't see any difference between GwG titles and those you mentioned (ADF and Tinykins) and its 'not' because I ONLY play AAA's, because I would put Tunic, Ori, Pentiment, the Gunk, Artful Escape etc in the 'same' category.

Point is, just because you don't like GwG games, maybe because they never really set the gaming world on fire, maybe didn't get hype or praise, didn't get much coverage/marketing like Trek to Yomi or the Ascent but are still 'games' of a similar budget/cost to those GwG games. The difference is only your own preference on Game-play. Personally, I think ADF sucks, the game-play is practically non-existent - but then I don't like 'interactive dramas' and would much prefer to play the Gunk for example so its just 'preference' - you'd rather have 'low' budget, small team games that you 'like' on GwG instead of the 'low' budget small team games they have offered so far... OK...

Much like someone would prefer to have Horizon:Zero Dawn over Mass Effect: Andromeda, maybe prefer Guardians of the Galaxy to Marvels Avengers, you prefer the games you prefer. We all have our preferences...

Depending on how new somebody is to Xbox in general, I might put a good number, much than six, of backward compatible games on the list. There's some legendary titles that were cleaned up very nicely by the new hardware as well.

I recently picked up a PS5 after having owned a XSX for a couple of years. I have to say it was an eye opener I forgot how homogenized console gaming has become.

Sony obviously has some incredible exclusives which is in part why I bought the console but otherwise I'll stick with Xbox because game pass and we have 3 Series Xs. I thought I'd find a bit more value in the big white tower.

You forgot Crackdown 3, the overlooked super fun game. And what about Psychonauts 2?
I like that you mentioned the Plague Tale games.
Halo Infinite is a no brainer and superb.

I’d swap Sea of Thieves for Psyconauts 2 but otherwise this is a solid list and a fun watch.

@inactive I love me some Sea of Thieves. Probably my favorite game on Xbox because my wife & I play it together.

I should play Psychonauts 2. I've only heard good things.

@HelloCraig this video was made for me! Got a series s for Xmas for me and the fam, and I'm working my way through halo infinite, and just played RE2R. So, thanks for the vid/list. Much appreciated for someone who hasn't owned an Xbox since the 360.

I think it’s a good list of “Xboxy” games which are perfect for people who are brand new to Xbox as it has the mainline franchises.

But I have to be honest, I personally only enjoy Forza Horizon and Halo on this list.

I think you could have gotten away doing a list of 10 games and had more variety in the types of games to appeal to more people.