You’ve splashed your cash on a fancy new console from Microsoft, and now you’re wondering what to play on it. The truth is you’re spoilt for choice, what with the Xbox Series X/S consoles playing games specifically made for them, as well as pretty much all Xbox One games and even select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. If you like games you can play on your own, however, with strong campaigns that will keep you immersed, we’ve got the list for you: the best single player games on Xbox Series X/S.
Our list of the best single player games on Xbox Series X/S has a little bit of something for everybody. There are open world adventure games, platformers, role-playing games and even a fighting game. Some of them might have online or multiplayer features, sure, but that doesn’t stop them from being utterly engrossing single-player experiences. So, sit back, scroll down the page, and maybe you’ll find your next game to play.
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Halo Infinite (Campaign)
All of the Halo games have been great, but if you own an Xbox Series X or S, Halo Infinite is the one you should be playing. Sure, story-wise it follows on from the previous titles, but it’s easy to quickly gather what’s happening. And besides, the real draw here is the gameplay. It just feels wonderful to play, and with more open world elements, there’s a sense of freedom that the previous titles only hint of. As far as the best single-player games on Xbox Series X/S go, this is a must-play. You’ll just be sad that it ends so soon.
Read our review of Halo Infinte
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
Fighting games tend to be very multiplayer-focused. And indeed, Mortal Kombat 11 does have lots of multiplayer options. As far as fighting games go, though, it’s also the best for those seeking single-player action on Xbox Series X/S. Aside from a thrilling cinematic story mode that takes a considerable number of hours to beat, there’s an arcade mode and a whole host of challenge towers. On top of that there are countless items to unlock to customise your characters, even down to their special attacks.
Read our review of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
Forza Horizon 5
While Forza Horizon 5 is a lot of fun with friends or total strangers, its epic campaign also makes it eligible for our list of the best single player games on Xbox Series X/S. Explore a stunning take on Mexico as you race across numerous biomes, each with their own weather systems. And outside of races there’s a whole host of other activities, events and story missions to complete. Forza Horizon 5 is more than a racing game – it’s a vehicular playground. But more importantly, it’s phenomenal.
Read our review of Forza Horizon 5
Elden Ring
Chances are the only way you’ve not heard of Elden Ring is if you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years. In any case, believe the hype: it’s one of the best games ever made. You can play it online if you wish, playing with friends to take down its powerful bosses or combating those who invade your game. If you’re like us, though, you’ll play it from beginning to end on your own, making it truly your adventure. Just make sure you set aside 100 hours or so for this epic adventure.
Hi-Fi Rush
One of the newest games on this list, Hi-Fi Rush is something of a far cry from developer Tango Gameworks’ last titles (Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within 1 and 2). Forget ghosts and horror: Hi-Fi Rush is instead a hyper-colourful cartoon-styled game all about rhythm combat. You’ll take on the role of Chai, a wannabe rockstar who is on a mission to take down an evil robotics megacorp. You know, that old chestnut. As Chai, your actions will sync to the music of the world, and as you engage in combat, you’ll want to land your hits to the time of the beat. It’s ultra-stylish and over-the-top, but that just makes it even more entertaining to play.
Deathloop
Ah yes, the old Groundhog Day-style timeloop quandary. Deathloop is essentially Groundhog Day, but with way more guns, more violence and a lot more death. So, not really like Groundhog Day at all. Other than the fact that your protagonist, Colt Vahn, finds himself stuck in a never-ending time loop. Every time he dies, he wakes up in the same place. Cue figuring out a series of events that will allow him to break free. Combining action, adventure, exploration, stealth and combat, Deathloop is a riotous experience from start to finish and, even if you find yourself having to repeat yourself time and again until you’ve cracked a particular part of the game, we can’t recommend it highly enough if you’re looking for the best single-player games on Xbox Series X/S.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
One of the best and most influential single player games of all time has been remade, and it doesn’t disappoint. This remake of Resident Evil 4 stays very faithful in a myriad of ways, but makes changes here and there not only to improve the gameplay, but also keep players on their feet. It’s lengthy campaign will draw you back for multiple playthroughs thanks to a wealth of unlockables. And if you want a quick burst of action there’s Mercenaries mode. Is is the best Resident Evil game? For us it’s close between this and Resident Evil 2, which is another great single player game on Xbox Series X/S.
Read our review of Resident Evil 4 Remake
Psychonauts 2
A follow-up to 2005’s much-lauded Psychonauts, Psychonauts 2 is bigger and better in just about every way. It doesn’t really matter if you haven’t played the original, either: it works just fine as a standalone adventure. A 3D platforming game that casts you as young psychic Raz, Psychonauts 2 has you exploring the far reaches of the Psychonauts HQ, hunting down a mole who has somehow managed to infiltrate. Not only will you be exploring the world around you, but you’ll also be diving into the minds of your friends and colleagues, heading on some real trippy adventures. Colourful and fun with surprises at every turn, this really is a joyous single-player adventure.
Read our review of Psychonauts 2
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla may not feel much like an Assassin’s Creed game, but it does let you be stealthy from time to time if you wish. Regardless, it’s on this list because it’s one hell of an action RPG, with a huge world to explore and a bucket load of things to see and do. Some of the scenery is absolutely breathtaking on Xbox Series X, too. Just do us favour: play as female Eivor, yeah? It’s just the correct thing to do when enjoying this single-player odyssey.
Read our review of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
The Gunk
Hands down one of our favourite single player games on Xbox Series X/S, The Gunk is a colourful action-adventure that takes you to a mysterious and uncharted new planet. You play as Rani, one of a pair of space haulers on a mission to bring back as many valuable resources as their ship can carry. The planet they just so happen to have landed on might hold the jackpot they’ve been waiting for – but it’s also host to a toxic gunk that might just threaten to ruin everything. And so, your time with the game will see you venture deep into the planet, uncovering the mystery of the titular gunk – and all sorts of other secrets that the planet holds.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
You might have played a Yakuza game or two, now that they’ve found their way to Xbox consoles. But have you played Yakuza: Like a Dragon? This one’s a bit different, as you’re not in control of series stalwart Kazimua Kiryu. Also, instead of having real time combat, it’s turn based, like in an old-fashioned JRPG. It makes for a very different playing experience, with you having to manage your party and consider all of their strengths. Along with a typically crazy Yakuza story, it makes for a single player game that’s not to be missed on Xbox Series X/S.
Read our review of Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Ghostrunner
Ninjas are cool, but cyborg ninjas are even cooler. Luckily that’s what you are in Ghostrunner, a first person action game that is tough as nails but will keep you coming back for more. Tasked with ascending a tower in order to exact your revenge, you’ll need to wall-run, air dash and use other acrobatic abilities to negotiate hostile environments. To make things worse, you’ll sometimes have to deal with enemies, too, finding ways to dispose of them with your sword without being hit. Succeed, and you’ll and you’ll truly feel like a badass.
Read our review of Ghostrunner
A Plague Tale: Requiem
It’s probably best to play A Plague Tale: Innocence before jumping into its sequel, Requiem, but it’s undoubtedly a better game. Players are put in control of loving sister Amicia, who’ll stop at nothing to help her younger brother, stricken with a terrible power that gives him the power to summon rats. As you travel from one area to another, seeking a solution for his ailment, you’ll have to employ stealth, solve puzzles, and even engage in combat at times. As the story reaches it climax, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, for sure.
Read our review of A Plague Tale: Requiem
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
This one’s a real tearjerker. Following on from the brilliant Ori and the Blind Forest, which is another great single player game you can play on Xbox Series X/S, Ori and the Will of the Wisps find little Ori in yet another spot of bother. A metroidvania, you’ll explore a world, corrupted by darkness, trying to find your best friend. Along the way, there are plenty of challenging combat encounters, puzzles and chase sequences to overcome. Ultimately, though, you’ll remember this game for its story.
Read our review of Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Control: Ultimate Edition
Coming from the creators of Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break, we always knew that Control was going to be good. The truth is, it surpassed out expectations. A third-person action adventure with metroidvania elements, Control is undoubtedly one of the best single player games on Xbox Series X/S. Trapped inside the Oldest House, which you entered in order to find your brother, you must make effective use of your transforming weapon and mysterious powers if you wish to survive the Hiss.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
We loved Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and its sequel, Survivor, improves on it in numerous ways. It looks a hell of a lot better for one, with visuals designed to make use of the extra power afforded by Xbox Series X/S consoles. It has more of an open world format, too, with one planet in particular being made for you to explore. Above everything, though, it has a brilliant story, brought to life with outstanding animation and voice acting. Needless to say, you need to play this if you’re a Star Wars fan looking for a single player game to play.
Read our review of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
DOOM Eternal
Rip and tear. That’s what you’ll be doing if you play DOOM Eternal, the latest entry in the DOOM series that has a considerably meaty campaign for you to blast through. You can ignore the multiplayer features that this game has – they’re insignificant compared to all the single-player fun you can have, combating a varied horde of demons with a brilliant arsenal that includes shotguns, rifles and even a chainsaw. And even once the campaign is over, there’s more fun to be had. First-person shooters don’t come more action-packed than this.
Read our review of DOOM Eternal
Gears 5
It might be a bit daunting, the idea of jumping into Gears 5 when you’ve not played Gears – sorry, Gears of War – 1, 2, 3 or 4. Don’t worry though, as the story here is quite enjoyable in its own right. Besides, the main draw of any Gears game is its third person shooting action, which sometimes rewards you to go all guns blazing and other times expects you to make good use of cover. Gears 5 introduces open-world elements as well, rewarding you for taking time to explore. And while it’s held in high regard for its multiplayer features, its campaign is still engrossing when played alone.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Forget being just one of the best single player games on Xbox Series X/S, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best games of all time. While not being made to make use of the additional power of Xbox Series X/S consoles, Red dead Redemption 2 still looks absolutely phenomenal. It’s also got one of, if not the most convincing open worlds yet seen in a game. Just make sure you have plenty of time to spare if you’re thinking about playing it – it’ll take around 50 hours just to mainline the story.
Read our review of Red Dead Redemption 2
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
It’s safe to say that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the game that really propelled The Witcher franchise to the next level. This open world fantasy adventure has gone from strength to strength, with numerous updates since launch ironing out flaws, improving the visuals and generally letting players better appreciate its brilliant writing and mission design. This is a game you can truly get lost in, a single player adventure that embraces you in its arms and makes you never want to leave. If you have an Xbox Series X/S console, make sure you play it.
