January 20th 2024.
Starfield – not everyone is a fan, but for me, it's one of the best games on the Xbox consoles. As a dedicated gamer, I've spent countless hours playing both first and third-party titles on all four generations of Xbox. From the classic Morrowind to the highly-anticipated Alan Wake 2, I've experienced it all.
To share my love for these games, I've decided to compile a list of my top 10 favorites from each generation. Keep in mind that these are based on my personal opinions and are all playable on current and last-gen Xbox consoles through backwards compatibility. I do plan on writing a separate feature for the PlayStation 5, and while I also own a Switch, my knowledge of Nintendo games is limited. So, I encourage any readers who are more well-versed in their games to share their own top picks.
After much consideration, I've narrowed down my list to the top 10 games from each generation. However, I've combined the Xbox and Xbox 360 games into one list. These are all titles that I've personally played and owned in the past nine years since getting my Xbox One in 2014. It's worth noting that I've gone all-digital since then, and with the introduction of backwards compatibility in 2015, I haven't looked back. However, this list may not represent the entirety of the first two generations of Xbox.
To make things easier, I've written a paragraph for my top three games from each generation, and then listed the remaining seven. But don't hesitate to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
Top 10 best original Xbox and Xbox 360 games:
Max Payne 3 – This was a tough choice, and I may be biased since I recently played and fell in love with Max Payne 3 all over again. I've played this game four times since its release in 2012, on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. And with the addition of backwards compatibility on Xbox One and now Xbox Series X, I couldn't resist playing it again in 2022. The third-person shooter gameplay, coupled with an engaging story and stunning cinematics, make it one of my all-time favorites. And let's not forget the iconic bullet time feature, which adds an extra layer of fun to the game. Even after all these years, the graphics still hold up and the levels are highly replayable, with unique and memorable settings.
Fallout 3 – As an Elder Scrolls fan, it was a tough call between Fallout 3 and New Vegas. But ultimately, I went with 3 because it was my introduction to the Fallout series. Being a fan of Bethesda's games, I was drawn to the post-apocalyptic world and the freedom to explore and create my own story. The game has been updated for Xbox One X and now supports 4K and 60fps on Xbox Series X/S. Plus, the addition of Auto HDR on current Xbox consoles makes it even better. While I enjoyed Fallout 4, I believe Fallout 3 and New Vegas have a more classic feel and offer better settings, stories, characters, and quests.
Spec Ops: The Line – I discovered this gem thanks to the recommendations of GC and its readers, so thank you for that! Inspired by the classic war film Apocalypse Now, this third-person shooter offers an intriguing story and unique gameplay mechanics. You can shoot certain spots to create an avalanche of sand or use it as cover, adding an interesting twist to combat. It's a shame that the game didn't sell well enough to warrant a sequel.
The remaining seven games on my list are: The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, Red Dead Redemption, The Darkness, Tomb Raider Underworld, Lost Odyssey, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Split/Second: Velocity.
Top 10 best Xbox One games:
Dark Souls 3 – FromSoftware's masterpiece is not only my favorite game from the studio, but also one of my top role-playing games of all time. I've played through it five times and it has become my go-to comfort game. I know every level like the back of my hand, and my character is now overpowered, making it even more enjoyable. The Nameless King and Dancer Of The Borreal Valley are some of my favorite boss battles in the entire Soulslike genre. And the DLC, The Ringed City, is a perfect way to end the Dark Souls series.
Quantum Break – This may be a controversial choice, but I believe it's one of Remedy's best works. I've played through it three times, with my most recent playthrough on Xbox Series X. While there's no official upgrade for the game, the more powerful components of the Xbox Series X allow it to look considerably better at 1440p. And with the addition of Auto HDR, the game looks even more stunning. Despite being capped at 30fps, the game's motion blur techniques make it feel smoother than most other games at the same framerate.
Sea Of Thieves – Another potentially controversial pick, Sea Of Thieves has come a long way since its release. While it was criticized for its lack of content, the game has received numerous updates over the past five years, including dozens of story quests that I find very enjoyable. I mostly play solo or with a friend, and while I'm not a fan of player vs. player combat, the recent update for a "safer seas" mode allows me to enjoy all the PvE content without worrying about getting sunk by other players.
The remaining seven games on my list are: Dying Light, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Kingdom Hearts 3.
Overall, these are the games that have left a lasting impression on me and have kept me entertained for hours on end. I'm sure there are many other amazing titles that I haven't played yet, so I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations in the comments. Happy gaming!
Starfield - A game that has sparked mixed reactions among gamers. Some love it, while others don't find it appealing. One reader, in particular, has revealed their personal favorites on all four generations of Xbox consoles, from Morrowind to the highly anticipated Alan Wake 2.
In order to compile this list, the reader has gone through their entire library and handpicked the games that they believe are the best across all four generations of Xbox. These games are currently playable on both current and last-gen consoles thanks to backwards compatibility. However, the reader plans on writing a separate feature for the PlayStation 5. They also own a Switch, but since they only enjoy certain Nintendo games, they feel that they may not have enough knowledge to write a comprehensive feature about it. Instead, they encourage other readers who are more knowledgeable about the Switch to write in.
After carefully filtering through their collection, the reader has narrowed it down to the top 10 games from each generation. However, they have listed the Xbox and Xbox 360 games together, as they believe they both offer equally great experiences. It's worth noting that these games are from their personal library, which they have been building for the past nine years since getting an Xbox One in 2014. They have also made the switch to digital games, and with the introduction of backwards compatibility in 2015, they have been able to revisit some of their favorite titles from the first two generations of Xbox.
The reader has decided to share their top three games from each generation, along with the remaining seven in the list. Of course, they are open to discussing their other choices in the comments section. Without further ado, let's take a look at their picks.
Top 10 Best Original Xbox and Xbox 360 Games
Max Payne 3 - This was a tough decision for the reader, as there may be some recency bias. They recently played through Max Payne 3, and it's still fresh in their mind compared to the other titles on this list. However, they can't deny their love for this game, as they have played it four times since its release in 2012 - on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. They have even revisited it on Xbox One when it became backwards compatible and most recently on Xbox Series X in 2022.
In the reader's opinion, Max Payne 3 is one of the best third-person shooters they have ever played. They are enamored by its gripping story, cinematic cutscenes, and intense gameplay. The slow-motion bullet time feature adds an extra layer of fun to the already satisfying shooting mechanics. Even after 11 years since its release, the graphics still hold up, making for a visually stunning experience.
What makes this game highly replayable for the reader are the unique and memorable settings that the game takes place in. From a billionaire's mansion to a football stadium and the streets of Brazil, each level offers a different and exciting environment to explore. In fact, just writing about these settings has the reader itching to play through the game again.
Fallout 3 - The reader is a big fan of Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series, with Morrowind being their favorite. However, they believe that it doesn't hold up as well compared to Fallout 3. This game has received two updates for Xbox One X, bringing it up to 4K resolution. It also benefits from Auto HDR on current Xbox consoles.
The reader was also torn between Fallout 3 and New Vegas, but they ultimately chose the former as it was their introduction to the Fallout series. It stood out to them with its similarities to Elder Scrolls, but with a brand new world to explore. Despite its age, the reader feels that Fallout 3 still holds up well, and they highly recommend it to those who are new to the series. They even prefer it over Fallout 4, as they believe it has better settings, story, characters, and quests.
Spec Ops: The Line - This game was brought to the reader's attention through these pages, and they are grateful for it. Inspired by the classic war film Apocalypse Now, Spec Ops: The Line offers a great story, intense third-person shooting, and unique mechanics. The reader particularly enjoyed using the environment to their advantage, such as making sand fall on enemies or creating cover for themselves.
It's a shame that this game didn't sell well, as the reader would have loved to see a sequel. Nonetheless, they are happy to have experienced this gem of a game.
The remaining seven games on the list are The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, Red Dead Redemption, The Darkness, Tomb Raider Underworld, Lost Odyssey, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Split/Second: Velocity.
Top 10 Best Xbox One Games
Dark Souls 3 - This game holds a special place in the reader's heart. It's not only their favorite FromSoftware game, but also one of their all-time favorite role-playing games. They have played through it five times, and it has become their go-to comfort game. It's a testament to their love for the game that they have been doing New Game+ with the same character each time. As a result, their character is pretty overpowered, making for an enjoyable and satisfying experience.
The reader has a special shoutout for The Nameless King, their favorite boss out of all the FromSoftware games. They also love the Dancer of the Boreal Valley, not because it's a particularly challenging boss, but because of its stunning design. They also want to mention that The Ringed City is the best DLC they have played in a FromSoftware game, and a fitting end to the Dark Souls series in their opinion.
Quantum Break - This may be a controversial choice, but the reader believes that Quantum Break is some of Remedy's best work. They have played through the game three times, with their most recent playthrough being on Xbox Series X. Although there is no official upgrade for the game, the more powerful hardware allows it to run at a higher resolution and take advantage of Auto HDR. The reader also notes that the game's motion blur techniques make the 30fps cap feel smoother compared to other games.
Sea of Thieves - Another potentially controversial choice, but the reader considers Sea of Thieves to be one of the best Xbox games. They acknowledge that the game received criticism for its lack of content at launch, but over the past five years, it has received numerous updates and additions, including enjoyable story quests. The reader mostly plays the game solo or with a friend and prefers to avoid fighting other players. Fortunately, the recent addition of the Safer Seas mode has made this possible, allowing players to enjoy the game's PvE content without the risk of being attacked by other players.
Dying Light, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Kingdom Hearts 3 round out the remaining five games on the list.
In conclusion, the reader has shared their personal favorites on all four generations of Xbox, and while their choices may not align with everyone's, they stand by them and are open to discussing them further in the comments section.
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