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As production costs have risen and the business has changed, exclusive video games have become less common, and nowhere is that more acutely felt than on Xbox. Microsoft's strategy for years now has been far less concerned about getting you to buy an Xbox console than it is getting you to engage with Xbox in some way, whether that's by subscribing to Game Pass or simply buying an Xbox-published game on whatever platform you choose to play on. That may or may not prove to be a winning strategy in the long-term, but in the here and now, it does make the job of identifying Xbox-exclusive games more challenging. For our console-specific "best games of the year" lists, we typically focus on console exclusives--you can look at our top 10 to see what we think are the best games overall, but these console lists are an opportunity to showcase more of the games we love that you can't find on any other console. But even as Xbox's catalog has expanded through major acquisitions like Bethesda/ZeniMax and, more recently, Activision Blizzard, those companies' games are still generally releasing on other platforms. That led to a year in which there just were not that many Xbox-exclusive games we felt strongly about as a team. So we've altered our approach for this particular list. You'll still find two bonafide console exclusives from Xbox and Bethesda, but also a terrific live-service game that continues to evolve and two older games that finally arrived on Xbox this year but are very much still checking out in 2024. Read on for the full list in alphabetical order. If you're looking for even more recommendations, check out our picks for the 10 best games of 2024 and our 2024 Game of the Year (which is available on Xbox), as well as our longer-term pieces highlighting the best games to play on Xbox Series X|S right now and the best games on Game Pass.
Final Fantasy XIV
Okay, so I know what you're thinking: Isn't Final Fantasy XIV over a decade old and available to play on PC and PlayStation? Yes, yes it is. But as noted above, we modified our usual approach to this list, and you know what is a good time, comes with years' worth of content to play through, and is finally available to play on Xbox? The critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Though MMOs aren't for everyone, Final Fantasy XIV does a phenomenal job at making the genre more approachable for newcomers and skeptics, with lovable characters, rich stories, and gameplay that--while still doled out via hotkeys--feels reminiscent of the popular RPG series it is a part of. It is also a shining example of what a live-service game experience should be, with a solid community, continual support, incredible expansions, and fun crossover events. If you're an Xbox owner who has been curious about XIV but perhaps lacked the PC or PlayStation needed to give it a whirl, rest assured that the game runs splendidly on Xbox and even comes with a free trial. And since the highly-praised expansion Dawntrail just released earlier this summer, you have plenty of time to catch up and be ready before the next one drops. -- Jessica Cogswell
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
While MachineGames could have easily slapped an Indiana Jones skin over a new Wolfenstein game and called it a day, the studio boldly built something new instead. Heavily inspired by the immersive-sim games from its sister studio, Arkane, as well as some of the devs' old title before forming MachineGames, Escape from Butcher Bay, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a knockout, both literally and figuratively. Just as fans of the series were served yet another movie sequel to the original trilogy that failed to hit the mark in Dial of Destiny, The Great Circle seamlessly slots itself right in, satisfyingly translating the feel of those earlier films into something you can actually play. It also offers something to players that the movies can’t: the ability to truly get lost in each of the adventure's various locales, pouring over each and every detail, rather than the effortless transitions from beat to beat that a pulp action film demands. The game's performances, from Troy Baker's phenomenal rendition of Indy, Alessandra Mastronardi's equally charming Gina, and Marios Gavrilis's delectably evil Emmerich Voss, infuse the entire adventure with the same level of gravitas as Harrison Ford et al. did decades prior. The game is a must-play for Xbox owners, especially those whoare subscribed to Game Pass. -- Tom Caswell
Neon White
Neon White has spent more than two years exclusive to other platforms, but it finally arrived on Xbox this year, and it's still every bit as good as when we named it one of the best games of 2022. What might initially appear to be a first-person shooter/platformer hybrid quickly reveals itself to be something far more exhilarating, as it essentially turns you into a speedrunner. The goal in each level is to eliminate all enemies and make it to the finish line as quickly as possible. But the weapons at your disposal, and the ammunition they have available, are quite limited, and serve a dual function: In addition to dispatching foes, they can be discarded to grant some kind of one-off platforming ability, like double-jumping or utilizing a grappling hook. You're able to carry more than one weapon at a time, and due to the urgency of rushing to the finish line, you're consistently asked to make snap decisions about how and when to use each one to take out enemies and rush ahead as quickly as possible. It's a thrilling dance that will have you repeating levels over and over as you recognize small adjustments to your approach that can help to shave additional seconds off the clock. The story might be forgettable, but the action will keep you engaged all the way through the end. Plus, at the time of this writing, it's available on Game Pass. "Neon White is flawless from a gameplay perspective and is not only stylish and incredibly satisfying, but a magnetic execution of a fascinating idea," Richard Wakeling wrote in our 2022 Neon White review. "There's nothing else quite like it, and you'd be doing yourself a massive disservice if you don't at least give it a try." -- Chris Pereira
Sea of Thieves
Don't look now, but Sea of Thieves is nearly six years old. Still, I don't feel it's ever really received the praise it's long deserved. With a live-service game, the nice thing is you can keep considering it for additional praise, and 2024 was certainly a year to raise a tankard to Rare's pirate sandbox once more. Amid a year in which it debuted on PS5, much to the joy of some players and the odd dismay of others, Sea of Thieves is experiencing arguably its biggest year to date in terms of sweeping changes and major additions. The PvP meta was fundamentally shaken up with the introduction of several new weapons, such as a double-barrel pistol, throwing knives, Bone Caller bombs that spawn allied skeletons, and even a blowdart for the stealthier swashbucklers. The game also added traversal tools (without rules) to its bucket of fun, with harpoon ropes now acting as walkable tightropes, ziplines around islands, and a grappling hook for peak Captain Batman gameplay. But Rare's best move may have been one it made earlier this year, which launched with the PS5 debut. An overhaul to selecting missions of any sort meant the on-ship Quest Table became a one-stop shop for all players, whether you wanted to take on a story-rich Tall Tale, storm a Skeleton Fort, or just beat up a few Ocean Dwellers deep below the waves. Dedicated pirates got major, meaningful updates all throughout the year, which helps keep the game among the very best you can play on any platform it exists, but perhaps on Xbox most of all, where many players have dedicated thousands of hours across more than a half-decade to living the complete pirate life (and it's still available on Game Pass). Sea of Thieves changed shape so much in 2024 that it's difficult to measure whether it's even the same game anymore--and yes, that was a Ship of Theseus joke. -- Mark Delaney
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
Though the writing and gameplay might not be as strong as that of Senua's Sacrifice, Hellblade II is a visual spectacle. I'd even go so far as to say that it is the current showpiece for the Xbox Series X, as no other title better demonstrates the console's graphical capabilities. Beyond that, it gives us a glimpse at just how far motion capture has come. Video game characters have never looked or moved with as much detail as they do in Hellblade 2--the level of realism is almost shocking. Just like in the first game, the areas you traverse are gorgeous, eerie, atmospheric, and accompanied by phenomenal sound design that makes your skin crawl. It's hard not to completely immerse yourself in Senua's world and struggles as you wade through murky water, slink through caves, and face off against monstrous creatures. Though part of me would argue that Hellblade 2 is too cinematic, if you go into it understanding it is more experience than gameplay, you're in for a wondrous time. -- Jessica Cogswell
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