Previously known asMicrosoft Game Studios, Xbox Game Studios was founded in March 2000 and has become a powerhouse of the gaming industry just over two decades later. Led by theirHalo,Gears of War,andForzaseries', Xbox Game Studios have spearheaded the continuous success of Microsoft’s Xbox consoles.
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The incredible financial power that Microsoft possesses has allowed Xbox Game Studios to work with some of the most talented developers and development teams in the gaming industry, providing players with some of the best titles in modern gaming. The future looks bright for Xbox Game Studios with therelease of the Xbox Series X|S, despite Microsoft once again having to compete with Sony’s latest PlayStation console. If Xbox Games Studios can recapture the success of at least half of the games on this list, then theSeries X will surely have a thoroughly successful lifecycle.
10Mass Effect (91)
Released in 2007, BioWare’sMass Effectset a new standard for dialogue choices and speech in AAA gaming. Although the game told aninteresting storyabout the betrayal of a Spectre, it was the personal relationships that players formed with their crewmates that were the game’s true narrative.
Mass Effect’s combat left much to be desired and the success ofMass Effect 2highlighted the game’s shortcomings, but BioWare’sMass Effectis still a worthy beginning to the iconic series and one of gaming’s most gripping sci-fi adventures.
9Forza Motorsport (92)
The first installment into Xbox Game Studios' critically acclaimedForzaseries was released in 2005 under the development of the suitably named Turn 10 Studios, who have gone on to develop everyForza Motorsportgame up until this point.
Forza Motorsportattempted to differentiate itself from the many other racing games released in the mid-2000s with its impressive lineup of licensed vehicles and real-world courses.
8Forza Motorsport 3 (92)
The thirdForza Motorsportinstallment was released exclusively on the Xbox 360 four years after the original game hit stores.Forza Motorsport 3expanded upon its predecessors by offering an incredible array of four hundred customizable cars from fifty different manufactures.
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Turn 10 Studios implemented numerous improvements to the game, such as the inclusion of multiple stock cars, and finally offering a camera angle from the driver’s perspective.
7Forza Horizon 4 (92)
Beginning in 2012, theForza Horizonseries differentiates itself from theForza Motorsportset of games by ditching the professional racing setting forstreet racingthat takes place in an open-world.
Developed by Playground Games,Forza Horizon 4initially released in 2018 and offered a stunning rendition of Great Britain. The game received tons of plaudits for its newly implemented seasonal changes that kept the environments and tracks feeling fresh in a natural way.
6Gears of War 2 (93)
The second entry into theGears of Warseries was released exclusively on the Xbox 360 in 2008 and is one of an impressive three games in the franchise that has surpassed the elusive 90 mark on Metacritic.
Epic Games attempted to improve upon the game’s predecessor with its increased variety in enemy and weapon types. The game also expanded on the personal side of its cast of characters, offering a more emotive experience than the originalGears of War.
5Ori and the Wills of the Wisps (93)
The sequel toOri and the Blind Forest,Moon Studios’Ori and the Will of the Wispsis a Metroidvania-style action-platformer that supplements its excellent fluid gameplay with beautiful visuals.
The pair ofOrigames, along with critically acclaimed titles likeHollow KnightandDead Cellswere fundamental in the Metroidvania genre’s surprise resurgence during the eighth generation of console. Most notably, the genre’s rise influenced industry giants EA with their single-playerStar WarsadventureJedi: Fallen Order.
4Halo 3 (94)
It may be surprising to some that it has taken this long for aHalotitle to feature on this list, although that’s simply because the original trilogy’s Metascores are so high that they are crowded around the top spots.
The series' third installment was released exclusively on the Xbox 360 in 2007 and didn’t only offer yet anotherexcellent FPS campaign, but a revolutionary online mode. The game’s online feature was incredibly popular and made Microsoft Xbox 360 essential for fans of first-person shooters; this was largely due to the game’s forge mode that allowed players to design creative maps and playstyles that were great fun to play with friends.
3Gears of War (94)
The first entry into theGears of Warfranchise was released at a pivotal time for Microsoft. Following numerous delays and an extortionate initial price tag, the highly anticipated PlayStation 3 was starting to lose much of its audience to Microsoft’s second console, the Xbox 360. With a release date finally set for 04 August 2025, Microsoft needed to continue its momentum to ensure that the PS3’s release didn’t overshadow their console. Microsoft succeeded in this withGears of War, which was released just four days before Sony’s PlayStation 3.
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Although the game’s successors have improved upon and expanded many of the original’s core mechanics,Gears of Waris remembered fondly for itsheavier focus on horror, as well as its excellent build-up to the General RAAM boss fight. The game portrayed RAAM as being extremely powerful throughout the game, which made thepunishingly difficultfinal boss fight against him even more intimidating and rewarding.
2Halo 2 (95)
The incredible success of the originalHalotitleHalo: Combat Evolvedmeant that it was only a matter of time before a sequel hit stores.Halo 2wasreleased three years after its predecessor and ensured that the franchise wasn’t just a one-hit-wonder.
Bungie attempted to improve upon the exceptionalCombat Evolvedby changing the game’s engine and implementing online multiplayer.Halo 2is theoriginal Xbox’s highest-selling gamewith an impressive 8 million units sold.
1Halo: Combat Evolved (97)
Microsoft has tried on many occasions to create successful alternatives to extremely popular products; their Zune tried to replicate the iPod, and Bing attempted to capture the success of Google. There’s every chance that Xbox would have been another failed competitor if it wasn’t forHalo: Combat Evolved.
Bungie’s originalHalogame was alaunch titlefor Microsoft’s first console, and immediately put the system on the gaming industry map.Combat Evolvedimmediately gave players a reason to buy an Xbox, giving Microsoft the perfect start to life in the fast-growing form of entertainment.
