With the Xbox Series X offering the best modern gaming for Microsoft fans, console gamers may be interested in some of the best titles the successor of the iconic Xbox could offer fans. Now that open-world games have become a more popular method of showcasing the best in graphical fidelity across environments and narrative storytelling through NPC encounters, Xbox Series X owners may be curious about the most compelling open-world titles in the PlayStation 5’s rival.

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Much to the delight of Xbox Series X fans, the console is well-spent in its open-world offerings. Among the best in the Microsoft device’s roster of free-roam titles are sci-fi hits, fantasy worlds, and even stories set in the modern day.

Updated February 28, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With games such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Tekken 8, and even Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League making their way to the Xbox Series X, fans of the Microsoft console may be wondering what other worthwhile titles should they grab for their Xbox gaming experience. Should players want more freedom in their gameplay sessions, open-world games remain a must-have in their current libraries.

And while Skyrim and Grand Theft Auto remain standouts in the genre, other titles worth consideration include games depicting the lives of members in the Japanese criminal underworld, a pet simulator with combat elements, a Norse-inspired survival RPG, an RPG set in the Wizarding World, and a sci-fi planet-hopping experience.

1 The Ascent

Metascore: 68

Whereas other isometric RPGs often feature confined spaces to emphasize jaw-dropping action, The Ascent surprises genre fans with a fully open world that does justice to its cyberpunk setting. Set in a dystopia known as Veles, the recent collapse of the Ascent Group megacorporation will force players to uncover the truth behind this society’s descent into further chaos.

The Gameplay of The Ascent takes the form of a twin-stick shooter, emphasizing long-ranged fights and the usage of cover across the game’s destructible environments. However, The Ascent’s open world shines in its attention to detail. Moving NPCs breathe life into the game’s neon-bright structures, with the occasional perspective shift paving the way for artistic presentations of skylines and other environmental elements.

2 Watch Dogs: Legion

Metascore: 74

Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs series breathes modern life into the AI dystopia conspiracy, with Watch Dogs: Legion transforming urban London into the newest haven of the centralized computer network ctOS. Instead of playing as a single protagonist, Legion lets players recruit both citizens and hostile NPCs to become a part of DedSec, a hacker group that wants to fight those who use ctOS for their selfish desires.

Unlike other open-world games, Watch Dogs: Legion allows players to actively “hack” the environment for their benefit, such as spying on NPCs and interacting with electronic objects such as cameras, lights, and doors. This degree of interactivity extends to a rich iteration of near-future London, with the game’s accurate depiction of the city interspersed with the activities of other factions.

3 No Man’s Sky

Metascore: 77 (Xbox One)

Despite an underwhelming 2016 launch, No Man’s Sky grew to become one of the strongest entries in both the sci-fi and default open-world genre. Players take on the role of the Traveler, a space explorer in an unexplored universe comprised of up to 18 quintillion procedurally-generated planets. Sadly, the game’s initially-plain atmosphere failed to strike a chord with players.

However, where No Man’s Sky shines started with 2016’s base-building Foundation Update and the gameplay overhaul via 2017’s Next Update. Since then, No Man’s Sky and its vibrant aesthetic became home to modular bases and ships, a challenging Survival Mode, and a stronger procedural generation system that made each planet more intentional in terms of details and features.

4 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Metascore: 83

Players who want an alternate take on the criminal lifestyle of the Grand Theft Auto series may appreciate Yakuza: Like A Dragon for its heart-warming story and equally hilarious hijinks. Set in 2019 within the Isezakicho-inspired district of Isezaki Ijincho, Yakuza: Like A Dragon introduces a new protagonist in the form of Kazuma Kiryu. Unfortunately, his attempt to leave the yakuza lifestyle results in events that force him to settle some scores.

In a stark departure from the beat ‘em up action of its predecessor Yakuza 6, gameplay in Like A Dragon takes the form of a turn-based RPG with a twist of using nearby objects to attack enemies. The new combat works well with the game’s vibrant open world, with activities such as kart racing and karaoke letting players pursue a more relaxing playthrough compared to other open-world titles.

5 Grand Theft Auto 5

Metascore: 79

Fans of the Grand Theft Auto franchise once again return to the fictional state of San Andreas, specifically in LA-inspired Los Santos, as Grand Theft Auto 5 shows how a failed robbery will unite three figures from different walks of life in hilariously strange ways. While San Andreas has become a fan-favorite location in the franchise’s other entries, better graphics, and mechanics in Grand Theft Auto 5 modernized the iconic setting.

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The game’s roamable open world became much livelier with improved AI on top of better gameplay options such as swimming, cover, and auto-aim. Moreover, the inclusion of different heists helped players more accurately “live” the life of a criminal in the Grand Theft Auto title. Lastly, the game’s iconic multiplayer section spawned an entirely new game, Grand Theft Auto Online, which showcased the potential of a full-fledged cooperative experience.

6 Elden Ring

Metascore: 96

While not necessarily the most difficult entry among FromSoftware’s selection of Souls-like games, Elden Ring is a departure from its cousins with its fully interactive open world. In Elden Ring, players take on the role of the Tarnished who are tasked to “reform” the eponymous artifact to restore order in the Lands Between. Courtesy of world-building from George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones), Elden Ring applies the acclaimed difficulty of Souls games in a fully interactive sandbox.

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Similar to other open worlds, Elden Ring is also filled with hidden catacombs, caves, and dungeons for players to explore. However, the demand for technical combat and increased chances of meeting hostile enemies will keep enemies on their toes. The rich visual design interspersed with the Lands Between’s locales gives the game a stronger open world.

7 Forza Horizon 5

Metascore: 92

A racing game is only as good as how it showcases cars racing in beautiful locales, and Forza Horizon 5 strikes this perfect balance. Being the fifth Forza Horizon title, franchise fans will be familiar with the game’s traditional open world on top of staple vehicle customization. However, Forza Horizon 5 also introduces new features such as dynamic weather, a custom race creator, a battle royale mode, and even more car customization features.

However, where Forza Horizon 5 sets itself apart from other open-world racing games is its in-depth take on its environment. Taking place in a fictionalized Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 didn’t settle for the standard city setup. Rather, beyond notable towns and cities, Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico is home to beaches and jungles, Mayan temples, as well as an active volcano.

8 Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Metascore: 89

Although Cyberpunk 2077 had quite the buggy launch, the dystopian setting of Night City and sci-fi concepts from its Cyberpunk TTRPG source material got a much-needed gameplay overhaul with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Still starring the mercenary V and Johnny Silverhand, the events of the core game and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty revolve around V and Johnny’s efforts to get their consciousness separated.

In tandem with the game’s options of hacking, using machines, and reliance on weaponry is a robust upgrade system comprised of cyberware implants, modded weapons, and vehicles. However, it’s the dystopian cyberpunk backdrop of Night City that gave Cyberpunk 2077 a stark separation from other open-world RPGs. Night City’s six locales are separated by differences in theme and predominant population, allowing each area to offer something new to players.

9 Starfield

Metascore: 83

Despite its polarizing reception among fans, Starfield remains an interesting take on the open-world concept courtesy of Bethesda's signature flair for in-depth lore with the new inclusion of firearms, base-building, and spaceships. In the game's setting of more than 1,000 planets alongside moons and space stations, players get a familiar Elder Scrolls level of exploration but this time in space.

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What makes Starfield a change of pace among open-world games is its focus on a NASA-punk aesthetic, this time leaning towards a semi-realistic take on outfits and architecture in the game's post-Grav Drive timeline. This is a stark contrast to Fallout's atompunk setting, where nuclear energy became the center of development in its universe. While fans have found the game's story and overall gameplay contentious given the title's development period, Starfield's world remains worth the exploration.

10 Hogwarts Legacy

Metascore: 84

The adventures of Harry Potter in Hogwarts and the Wizarding World have inspired fans to come up with headcanons of their own place in the wizarding school, with Hogwarts Legacy finally making this true for players. Set in Hogwarts in the 1800s, players create a character sorted into one of the great Houses of Hogwarts as they try to stop nefarious forces from tapping into a powerful forgotten magic. In the game, players train on casting spells and brewing potions, eventually developing their way of dueling based on strategies such as attack bombardment, strategic use of the environment, or relying on potions.

The game's much-awaited open-world aspect comes in the form of a huge map of the Wizarding World, with players being able to explore on foot or via broom to reach quest destinations, unlock secrets, or immerse themselves in the fictional setting. Class also plays a vital role in the player's experience, contributing to the game's mechanics across the story.

11 Palworld

Steam Rating: 93%

Despite gags of Palworld being oddly similar to that one-hit creature-capturing franchise, fans of mixed concepts may appreciate the game for its vibe and aesthetic. After all, Palworld allows players to not just capture Pals but also assign them to aid in travel, base-building, and even combat by equipping them with weapons and special abilities. Players can wage war with others as they send Pals in intense firefights to gain control of areas, build bases to withstand sieges, or just explore the setting chock-full of shock humor.

On top of the game's immersive co-op component, its existing story components also hint at quite the expansive lore that aids its open-world immersion. Among NPCs and bosses players can encounter are those from the liberation movement Free Pal Alliance, the cult-like Eternal Pyre, the research-oriented Pal Genetic Research Unit, and the peace-keeping Palpagos Islands Defense Force.

12 Valheim

Metascore: 89

Set in a realm in between death and the glorious halls of Valhalla, the Norse-inspired Valheim would prove to be much more than a mere survival experience with its approach to overall gameplay. Taking the role of fallen Vikings, players need to traverse Valheim and defeat its strongest denizens to prove their place among other warriors in Odin's greatest realm. This means not just exploring the game's harsh environments but also building settlements, crafting weapons, and going toe-to-toe with a wide variety of creatures.

As with other survival-leaning titles, Valheim boasts quite a flexible construction system that allows players to create virtually anything provided their buildings have the right foundation. Fighting bosses across the game's open world can also drastically affect the environment, while the skill system can affect how players perform gameplay mechanics.

13 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Metascore: 89

Unlike other Like a Dragon titles, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the first installment in the franchise to take place overseas: Hawaii. In its story, players explore the adventures of Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga as they visit Hawaii for separate obligations that motivate them to work together. Gameplay-wise, Infinite Wealth uses what's called a Live Command RPG system where placement matters in the actions characters can do in combat. The game's Jobs also allow players to receive perks and playstyle adjustments akin to a JRPG but possessing realistic (and comedic) twists such as Chef, Idol, and even the Samurai.

The game's open world takes place across three locales: Honolulu in Hawaii, the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama, and the Kamurocho district. Compared to the series staple Kamurocho, however, Honolulu is thrice the size of Kamurocho - with a layout not just similar to Honolulu but also brimming with activities such as sub-stories, restaurants, and interactions.

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