Released back at the launch of the Xbox Series X and Series S, Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Taking the role of a Viking this time around, the combat is bloody and chaotic, especially with the ability to dual wield two devastating weapons at once. While the series has deviated massively from its origins, what it's managed to morph into is fantastic. Embracing elements from games such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with its quest design, and even taking a leaf out of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with its exploration, it's one not to be missed.
It took a while for Baldur's Gate 3
We're talking turn-based combat with a heavy Dungeons and Dragons inspiration in BG3, and it's a game that's filled with so much choice that you can truly carve your own path - it can't be understated how beloved this game is!
The Borderlands series hasn't managed to evolve massively since its original iteration, but what it has managed to do is continuously fine tune the gameplay it created back in the original. Borderlands 3
The gunplay has never felt tighter, the variety in both the environments and weapons is constantly surprising, and the quests manage to remain as wacky as ever. It's hard not to be charmed by its cel shaded world that looks just as impressive now as it did in the original entry. Grab some friends, groovy weapons, and cause some mayhem in Pandora.
If you've always wanted a Pokemon-like experience on Xbox, you've got a number of games to choose from, but Cassette Beasts Xbox Game Pass in early 2023, and very quickly racked up outstanding reviews from a variety of outlets, landing on an 84 Metacritic average.
Just like in Pokemon, you'll travel on an adventure collecting monsters to use in turn-based battles, but in this case, you actually have to record the monsters to cassette tapes and then play them back in order to fight. It's a really cool idea that works extremely well, so we think you'll have a blast with this one if you like the look of it.
Chained Echoes absolutely incredible reviews in December 2022, making it one of the best-rated Game Pass launches of the year. This SNES-esque RPG may well fly under the radar for a lot of folks, but it's definitely worth your time if you're up for some classic JRPG action.
This is a pretty substantial experience as well — you're looking at 30 to 40 hours of gameplay in which you'll "travel around the vast continent of Valandis to bring an end to the war between its three kingdoms". So, this is a chunky RPG with a small download size - although sadly it's no longer available on the Game Pass service these days.
Chernboylite really hoped would make the Best Xbox RPGs list eventually, and we're happy to say we've been having a great time with it on Xbox Series X! The game received a major free next-gen upgrade back in early 2022 (including the addition of ray tracing), and it's been elevated to the next level as a result.
As for the game itself? It's officially described as a "science-fiction survival horror RPG", in which your job is to uncover the truth of your tortured past in Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone. In our review , we called it "a deep and addictive indie gem awaits that does a fantastic job of scratching that S.T.A.L.K.E.R itch ". Definitely worth a play!
Citizen Sleeper
Here's a bit more about it:
Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.
Citizen Sleeper received one of the best Xbox Series X Metacritic scores of 2022, almost placing it in the top ten games of the year , so that tells you how much the critics (and players) have been enjoying it so far!
CrossCode a wonderful blend of Zelda and Sword Art Online ."
We'll let our own words do the talking here — it's definitely one to add to your wishlist!
"CrossCode has surprised us massively. Its narrative is engaging enough to keep us moving forward, but the gameplay is the true star. It boasts some deep RPG systems, punchy combat, fantastic puzzles, and a world you want to explore every corner of."
Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty
If you haven't played Cyberpunk 2077 in a while and you're skeptical about jumping back in, it's the 2.0 update that really changed our minds here at Pure Xbox about it, so we definitely recommend giving it another go. Alternatively, if you've never played the game before and you're curious, now's the best possible time to get started.
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Release Date: 12th Apr 2016 (USA ) /
12th Apr 2016 (UK/EU ) There have been many Souls games over recent years and many imitations, but none perfect the formula better than Dark Souls III FPS Boost .
The combat, much like other entries, is brutally hard, but is ultimately the most refined of the series here. Each encounter is a nail biting testament of skill and dexterity that demands the upmost attention. It's a constantly rewarding experience that's hard to put down. Definitely check it out.
Acid Nerve has followed up the wonderful Titan Souls with this Zelda/Souls inspired action adventure that looks sublime and plays even better.
Death's Door
There's so much style here, so much atmosphere, and it also doesn't outstay its welcome. Death's Door is a perfectly formed bit of magic from a developer everyone should be starting to sit up and take notice of! Seriously, this is one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass.
