The best Xbox games for 2025

Engadget - Apr 14th, 2025
Open on Engadget

Microsoft has significantly bolstered its gaming lineup for Xbox Series X and S through strategic acquisitions and an expansive Game Pass subscription service. The company's recent acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard have enriched its gaming library, offering a mix of both classic and new titles. With an array of games from various genres, Xbox now caters to a wide range of gaming preferences, providing players with a diverse and dynamic gaming experience. Notable games highlighted include 'Avowed,' 'Elden Ring,' and 'Halo: The Master Chief Collection,' among others, ensuring both depth and variety for gamers.

This aggressive expansion and enhancement of the Game Pass have positioned Microsoft as a formidable player in the gaming industry. The ongoing growth of the Game Pass service, despite recent price hikes, continues to offer value through its extensive and evolving library, accessible on multiple devices via xCloud. Microsoft's efforts underscore its commitment to maintaining a competitive edge and enhancing user engagement by continually updating and expanding its game offerings, thereby reinforcing its presence in the global gaming market.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the Xbox gaming landscape, highlighting a diverse range of games and services. Its strengths lie in its clarity, timeliness, and ability to capture reader interest with detailed descriptions and a wide variety of game genres. The factual accuracy is generally high, though some details, such as game prices, could benefit from further verification. While the article presents a balanced view of the gaming options available, it could enhance its credibility by citing sources and discussing potential drawbacks of the games. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about current gaming trends and options, making it a valuable resource for both casual and avid gamers.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article provides a comprehensive overview of various Xbox games and their features, accurately reflecting the current gaming landscape. The mention of Microsoft's acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard is factual, as these acquisitions are well-documented and have significantly influenced the gaming industry. Additionally, the description of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's features, including its price and library access, matches current offerings. However, some game prices listed, like those for 'Avowed' or 'Dead Space,' may require verification against current retailer listings to ensure they are up-to-date. Overall, the article's claims are mostly accurate, but some details, such as pricing, could benefit from further validation.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the Xbox gaming landscape by covering a wide range of game genres, from RPGs to platformers, and highlighting both new releases and classic titles. This diversity ensures that multiple gaming interests are represented, providing a broad perspective on what Xbox offers. However, the article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of these games, with limited discussion on potential drawbacks or criticisms. This lack of critical analysis could lead to an imbalanced representation, as readers may not receive a full picture of each game's strengths and weaknesses.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, engaging language to describe the games and their features. The logical flow from one game to another, along with concise explanations of gameplay mechanics and narratives, makes the content easy to understand. The tone is neutral and informative, effectively conveying the excitement and diversity of the Xbox gaming library. This clarity ensures that readers can easily follow the article and grasp the key points being made.

8
Source quality

The article appears to be based on credible sources, likely including official game announcements, reviews, and retailer information. The information about Microsoft's acquisitions and the features of Xbox Game Pass is consistent with widely available and reliable data. However, the article does not explicitly cite its sources, which could enhance its credibility. The inclusion of specific game details, such as gameplay mechanics and narrative elements, suggests that the author has either played these games or consulted detailed reviews, indicating a good level of source quality.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the games and their features but lacks explicit transparency regarding its sources and methodology. While the descriptions are detailed, the absence of source citations makes it difficult for readers to verify the information independently. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as affiliations with game developers or publishers, which could impact the perceived impartiality of the content.

Sources

  1. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/best-xbox-games-140022399.html
  2. https://www.engadget.com/about/editors/engadget-editorial/
  3. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/best-handheld-gaming-system-140018863.html
  4. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/page/2/
  5. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-series-x-review-2024-unfulfilled-potential-203025192.html