The Top 5 Best-Rated Xbox Games of 2023

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No Xbox Exclusive In Top 5!

Xbox fans were quite happy with everything Microsoft offered in 2023. From shadow drops like Hi-Fi Rush to big exclusives like Starfield, the current-gen Xbox consoles came into their own last year.

Most of the year’s best games, barring a few exclusives, were available on all platforms, so gamers playing exclusively on one or the other platform did not miss out on much.

Meanwhile, Game Pass offered 50 day-one titles, enticing millions toward the Xbox subscription service. Overall, there was no shortage of highly-rated games to play in the last 12 months, and we have combined a list of the highest-rated games on the platform to help you catch up on the best releases on the Xbox consoles.

1. Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 Xbox Series S|X Metacritic Score
Source: Metacritic

First up is Remedy Entertainment’s latest release. Alan Wake 2 made the bold decision to stray away from its predecessor’s approach, using exemplary horror games like Resident Evil 2 for inspiration.

The result? A confident title that combines elements of mystery, exploration, and unparalleled atmosphere with groundbreaking visuals. Alan Wake 2 is also among the few games that best highlight the advantages of the Xbox Series X over other consoles, making it worth picking up for Xbox owners.

2. Diablo 4

Diablo 4 Xbox Series S|X Metacritic Score
Source: Metacritic

Microsoft’s only first-party game on the list comes in second place. Diablo 4, launched as a multiplatform game from Blizzard in mid-2023, now falls under the Xbox first-party division after the gaming giant acquired Activision Blizzard.

With a rating of 91/100 on Metacritic, this game came out swinging, launching to positive reviews from nearly every critic and record-breaking figures. While future updates proved divisive and fans began to lose some interest over time, Diablo 4 remains one of the finest releases on Xbox Series S|X, especially for fans of ARPGs.

3. Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 Xbox Series S|X Metacritic Score
Source: Metacritic

Capcom’s latest remake was among the best-rated releases of 2023 on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Having sold over 5 million units, this remake has garnered praise for keeping the spirit of the original game intact while rejuvenating the entry with modern visuals and gameplay.

On Xbox Series S|X, Resident Evil 4 supports 60FPS gameplay and ray tracing. Capcom has also released more content for the remake in the form of Separate Ways, improving the overall survival-horror package.

4. Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Xbox Series S|X Metacritic
Source: Metacritic

There is hardly a need to introduce Cyberpunk 2077 and its tale of redemption. Phantom Liberty has elevated this RPG experience, becoming a major financial success for CD Projekt RED.

Having scored 91/100 on Metacritic, the expansion’s release shows a stark contrast over the 2020 launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Today, this RPG offers hundreds of hours of content, industry-leading visuals for an open-world game, and sci-fi lore that should be enough to keep players engaged for the duration of its runtime.

5. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 Xbox Series S|X Metacritic Score
Source: Metacritic

Capcom’s biggest fighting game series returned to the spotlight with a new entry last year. Applauded for its accessibility features, in-depth training mode, and gimmicky yet entertaining World Tour mode, the game is already in a much better state than its predecessor.

Though Xbox fans had options like Mortal Kombat 1 available this year, no other modern title offers a 2D fighting game experience quite like Street Fighter 6 in 2023.

While these picks represent the best games by critic ratings, we recommended checking out a few other games from Xbox, too. Hi-Fi Rush, in particular, surprised us and earned a recommendation in no time.

Lies of P was another excellent day-one Game Pass release, and Starfield is worth trying solely for the fact that it served as Microsoft’s biggest first-party release of 2023. Fans of racing games should also consider trying Forza Motorsport despite its glaring weaknesses.

Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t make the list due to limited reviews on the platform, but as the Game of the Year winner, it is certainly worth a mention as well.

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