The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition (Xbox One)

While Fallout 4 may have been the only Xbox One exclusive release from Bethesda, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim received an enhanced version for the Xbox One early in its life cycle. It's also since been enhanced for free on Xbox Series X and S, and there's even an Anniversary Edition you can buy if you want some extra content.

There's not much to say about Skyrim that many don't already know, but focusing on the Xbox One version, one of the best elements about it is its mod support. With such mods that allow to bolster the game up to 60 frames per second, or even fix quest lines that the developer itself didn't even manage, it's possible to create the most definitive edition of the game. With its addition into Xbox Game Pass, there's no excuse not to dive back in.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

The Outer Worlds (Xbox One)

Obsidian returned in 2019 with a brand-new action RPG called The Outer Worlds, and we instantly grew attached to it - due in part to the fact that it was included with Xbox Game Pass on day one. In the game, your choices affect not only the way the story develops; but your character build, companion stories, and end game scenarios.

The Outer Worlds is developed by the same team that worked on Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - which also is another excellent Xbox One RPG - and has since gone on to create the excellent Grounded, now working on the highly-anticipated Skyrim style RPG, Avowed. It's no wonder The Outer Worlds is so good!

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

The Riftbreaker (Xbox Series X|S)

Exor Studios' The Riftbreaker, which slipped casually onto Game Pass back in October 2021, may seem like an odd addition to this list, but the addition of some sweet RPG elements to its core base building/survival gameplay make it worthy of a place as far as we're concerned.

Equipping your mechsuit and dropping down to the planet Galatea 37, The Riftbreaker is all about establishing bases for R&D, weapons, fuel and so on, whilst fending off attacks from some ferocious local inhabitants. It's surprisingly intense and addictive stuff and you'll need to explore and scavenge through dangerous territory in order to survive. The unique combination of RPG, strategy and roguelike aspects on offer here result in an excellent isometric adventure that you should absolutely spend some time digging into.

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

The Witcher 3 Next-Gen (Xbox Series X|S)

We're looking at one of the best Xbox RPGs ever here in The Witcher 3. Despite criticisms with Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red really made a name for themselves with this masterpiece. Every element of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt blends perfectly into one cohesive package, with the same fantastical scale of something like Lord of the Rings.

One of its most notable elements is its quest design, which ensures even side quests have enough character and personality to distinguish themselves from the crowd. The world is an absolute delight to explore and battling monsters has never been more fun. A must for any RPG fan out there - especially now the Xbox Series X|S upgrade is out and free for existing owners!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (Xbox Series X|S)

We can't have Borderlands 3 on this list without including Tiny Tina's Wonderlands as well! The 2022 spin-off is very much still a Borderlands-like experience, but takes place within the fictional table-top fantasy game “Bunkers & Badasses”, which means it's got even more of a 'fantasy' feel to it than the standard Borderlands series.

We gave Tiny Tina's Wonderlands a "Great" 8/10 rating in our review here at Pure Xbox, describing it as "more than worthy alongside the mainline entries," and describing it as having "fantastic and addictive gameplay, the pacing feels quite good as well, and there are enough new features, enemies, and bosses that will keep you and your friends coming back for more adventures." It's not on Game Pass (yet), but you should still give this a try!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

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Tom Clancy's The Division 2 (Xbox One)

If Destiny 2's deep space shenanigans aren't really your cup of tea, Ubisoft has got you fully covered with the entirely earth-bound looter shooter action of The Division 2. This co-op action RPG has seen tons of improvements, refinements and DLC content added since launch and is now in a properly good place.

There's hundreds of hours of top-notch, cover-based looter shooter craziness to indulge in here - whether you're going solo or playing with pals - that sees you and your Division unit gun it through the streets of an amazingly atmospheric rendition of a Washington DC in absolute chaos. With some properly hardcore endgame content to dive into once you've rinsed the lengthy campaign, this is a meaty package that offers tons of customisation, guns and gadgets for shooter fans. It's time to take the fight to the Hyenas, Outcasts and True Sons.

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Tunic (Xbox Series X|S)

We'd been highly anticipating the arrival of cute isometric action-RPG Tunic for ages prior to its surprise arrival on Xbox and Game Pass in March of 2022, and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint. Based on a poll we did here at Pure Xbox, it was the second best Game Pass addition of the month, only losing out to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

We also had very positive things to say in our review of Tunic here at Pure Xbox, calling it "one of the very best games we've played so far in 2022," and praising it as "an almost immaculately realised thing, a fascinating and fantastic adventure." Xbox Game Pass is known for its excellent indie games, and this is very much an example of an indie title you should download on the service without even thinking twice. What a great surprise this was!

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Undertale (Xbox One)

We're pretty sure there aren't many players out there by now who haven't at least heard of Toby Fox's sublime Undertale.

A wonderfully well written and surprisingly subversive take on retro RPGs, it may assume a certain level of prior experience with the genre but, even without this, Undertale is still a constantly surprising and devilishly clever good time. This is a game that toys with genre expectations and conventions, mocks and twists gameplay tropes, deviates from the norm, serves up delightfully difficult puzzles, a cast of wonderfully weird characters and an unexpectedly weighty story. Oh, and the soundtrack absolutely rocks. If you've yet to try it out, get onto Game Pass and treat yo'self!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Wasteland 3 (Xbox One)

inXile Entertainment's 2020 RPG is a wonderfully old-school Fallout-style affair that sucks you fully into its world via top-notch writing and voice acting, solid turn based combat and a Colorado setting that's absolutely dripping in tiny little details.

Wasteland 3 a razor-sharp satire set in a post-apocalyptic America that kicks off with a brutal bang and gets evermore deranged from there. The turn-based combat here is satisfyingly brutal stuff, dialogue is superbly dark and genuinely funny too, and the various sprawling settlements you explore are amazing little hubs stuffed to the gills with top-notch world building and populated by the wretched remnants of humanity. There's lots of depth in skills and character creation, giving you tons of choice in how you customise and kit out your rangers, and inXile has done a fantastic job in constantly adding to and improving their game over time, resulting in one of the very best old-school RPGs currently available.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Weird West (Xbox Series X|S)

We really should have anticipated that Weird West would be an excellent addition to Xbox's lineup of RPGs, considering it was advertised as "an immersive sim from the co-creators of Dishonored and Prey."

That's exactly what it turned out to be, with us giving it an "Excellent" 9/10 score in our review here at Pure Xbox, calling it "a slick and addictive action-RPG that delivers a top-notch narrative alongside some delightfully chaotic combat in a world that absolutely oozes atmosphere." Again, this is a game that released on Xbox Game Pass at launch, so if you're a subscriber to the service and you're interested in this one, it's a no-brainer!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Xbox Series X|S)

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was one of the highlights of the March 2023 Xbox Game Pass lineup, arriving day one on the service. The game is an action RPG from the masterminds at Team NINJA, although be aware that it's not an easy game - if you enjoy the likes of Elden Ring and Dark Souls, we think you're going to love this.

In fact, we even called the game "Team NINJA's finest soulslike experience to date and a must-play for action fans" in our Pure Xbox review, granting it a "Great" 8/10 rating in the process. Here's a bit more of what we said:

"Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a solid soulslike experience that serves up top-notch combat in a hugely atmospheric setting which incorporates real-life historical events, Chinese mythology and dark fantasy elements."

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes