2023 is a big year for gaming, but especially for Xbox Game Studios. After a relatively dry period without too many big titles, it finally delivered some high-profile exclusives, some more surprising than others. Of course, the Xbox Series X/S also served as a stellar platform for gaming thanks to Game Pass, not to mention the sheer number of third-party titles that had a chance to shine. All this combines for perhaps the best year for the platform yet.
Here are the best Xbox games of 2023, from the endearing and mindlessly fun to the peaks of artistic accomplishment.
NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.
#21. DIABLO 4
Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Read Our Review
Diablo 4 was a long time coming for Blizzard, combining the dark aesthetic of Diablo 2 with more fluid gameplay from Diablo 3. With a large open world and new mechanics, results ranged from positive throughout the campaign due to mixed in the end-game, but things have improved. As it stands, it’s still one of the easier action RPGs to get into while still offering dozens of hours of fun.
#20. LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN!
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Read Our Review
RGG Studio’s remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin! marks the title’s long-awaited debut in the West. Mixing a tale of revenge during the Bakumatsu with the series’ trademark side stories and wacky mini-games, Ishin! also offered some solid combat with its mix of swordplay, firearms and power-ups. Some aspects could use more significant improvements, but this is still Like a Dragon.
#19. LORDS OF THE FALLEN
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Hexworks | Read Our Review
It’s a good year when not one but two solid Souls-like titles are released. Hexworks’ Lords of the Fallen evolves on the original game’s formula by introducing dual worlds, Axiom and Umbral, and the Umbral Lamp to traverse between them in creative ways. The Dark Souls style of gameplay remains, backed by incredible visuals and a great spread of classes, weapons and spells. While it may not overcome its inspiration, Lords of the Fallen is still a worthy enough tribute.
=#18. ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Teyon | Read Our Review
After delivering the goods with Terminator: Resistance, Teyon turned its attention to another beloved action movie property in Robocop. Though it offers some investigative mechanics and decision-making, Rogue City is just a straight-up shooter where you slay gang members in extremely violent ways. And that’s all that counts, though capturing the property in all its retro-futuristic glory helped as well.
=#18. JUSANT
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Don’t Nod | Read Our Review
For every climbing game that makes you question your sanity, DON’T NOD’s Jusant is a decidedly chill experience. Its responsive controls and meditative approach contrast with the mysterious summit and post-apocalyptic world ravaged by an environmental disaster. Gorgeous aesthetics and a wordless narrative with extensive lore made for an even more compelling journey upward.
#16. DEAD ISLAND 2
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Dambuster Studios | Read Our Review
Dambuster Studios’ Dead Island 2 must feature Skill Decks, elemental damage and multiple mods for weapons, but at the end of the day, it asks some simple questions. Would you prefer your zombies dismembered or scorched? Exploded or electrocuted? Finding the answers to these questions resulted in some incredible fun with oodles of content to complete and secrets to uncover.
#15. EVERSPACE 2
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Rockfish Games | Read Our Review
Embodying a more Freelancer-like gameplay loop over the original’s rogue-lite approach, Everspace 2 features a massive campaign, extensive side content, the same fast-paced action as the original and some stunning visuals. Space combat is as fast and fluid as ever, with more build-crafting options and companions offering more ways to customize one’s playstyle. It’s a dark horse compared to many other titles this year, but still worth your time.
#14. WILD HEARTS
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Omega Force | Read Our Review
Sometimes, it’s not enough to hunt. Sometimes, you want to climb on a monster’s back and rip out Karakuri threads to make a giant bomb or hammer to smack it in the face. Koei Tecmo’s WILD HEARTS offered large environments, imaginative Kemono to battle and some wild weapons to master, complete with the typical hunting RPG armor sets and upgrades. It wouldn’t beat Monster Hunter, but it offers a strong alternative for those wanting something different.
#13. FORZA MOTORSPORT
Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Read Our Review
Despite mixed receptions to its car leveling, not to mention various bugs, Forza Motorsport is a solid racer. Its streamlined approach returns to the series’ roots of learning each track in and out while tuning your cars to perfection. New tire physics, track temperature that affects conditions and realistic visuals place it above earlier titles, while the revamped multiplayer allows for more frequent competitions.
#12. LIES OF P
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio | Read Our Review
Belle Epoque era aesthetics and architecture meet a gruesome take on Pinocchio in Lies of P. Fortunately, NEOWIZ’s Souls-like action RPG offered some solid gameplay with its gorgeous visuals on top of memorable bosses and a deep weapon system. Considering the sheer range of Souls clones that just don’t hit the mark, Lies of P is a revelation for fans and a strong title in its own right.
#11. CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: CD Projekt RED | Read Our Review
Memorable characters, a brand new district in Dogtown with gorgeous locales, and heaps of new weapons, cars and Cyberware to play with – Phantom Liberty is the perfect capstone to the journey of Cyberpunk 2077. It also didn’t hurt that the story was interesting while presenting some morally ambiguous choices with long-lasting effects.
#10. RESIDENT EVIL 4
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review
The remake to rule them all, Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 stuck close to the original’s gameplay, but did away with QTEs, added parrying and revamped entire sections in incredible ways. To say it was a success would be an understatement, as the remake polishes and reinterprets a classic for the modern generation to great success.
#9. STREET FIGHTER 6
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review
Capcom had its work cut out with Street Fighter 6 but still knocked it out of the park. Arcade Mode is back in all its glory, and the new Battle Hub channeled the arcades of old to provide a more socially competitive experience. Each character is tuned to perfection, with the Drive System adding extensive depth and incredibly hype moments, and even World Tour could be fun with its beat ’em up gameplay.
#8. STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Respawn Entertainment | Read Our Review
Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor didn’t just offer better visuals than its predecessors. It also went bigger in pretty much every way. Bigger worlds, more Lightsaber styles, a darker story, more side activities – it had everything that fans of the original could want and more. Performance issues mired its impact out of the gate, but Cal Kestis’s struggle against the Empire still carried exceptional emotional weight.
=#7. HOGWARTS LEGACY
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Avalanche Software | Read Our Review
With all the adaptations Harry Potter has seen through the years, it’s fun to fulfill one’s dream of being a student in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Of course, Hogwarts Legacy goes bigger, opening up the neighboring highlands for exploration with tons of quests and activities. The stellar combat and visuals are just the icing on the cake for what’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure.
=#7. HI-FI RUSH
Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Tango Gameworks | Read Our Review
Hi-Fi Rush is more than just a drop-dead gorgeous character-driven action title with excellently implemented rhythm game mechanics. It was a clear message from Xbox at the start of the year that it could drop straight-up bangers out of the blue and give players what they want. Whether it’s the rocking soundtrack, stellar boss fights or the new Rhythm Tower mode, Hi-Fi Rush is a fast, fluid and fantastic title.
#5. DEAD SPACE
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Motive Studio | Read Our Review
Inspired by Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake, Motive Studios’ Dead Space adapts the 2008 sci-fi horror for a new generation. It sticks with the same third-person gameplay but layers on more elements, like the Peeling system, revamped Zero G mechanics and random threats. Exploration is seamless, and the scary atmosphere is enhanced thanks to the remade visuals. While it may have been relegated in the face of so many other big games, Dead Space is still an excellent title and a welcome resurgence for the franchise.
#4. ARMORED CORE 6: FIRES OF RUBICON
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: FromSoftware | Read Our Review
FromSoftware had its share of expectations after delivering one of the best games of all time last year with Elden Ring. However, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon chose to focus on the series’ strengths – extensive customization of mechs – while providing fast-paced action and challenging boss fights. The results speak for themselves as Armored Core 6 stands as the series’ peak and one of the best action titles this year.
#3. BALDUR’S GATE 3
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Larian Studios | Read Our Review (PC | PS5)
Fans of Baldur’s Gate have been craving a sequel since the second game’s release in 2000. While it initially raised some eyebrows with its first gameplay reveal, Larian Studios’ epic RPG is everything that fans of Dungeons and Dragons could want and more. Excellent writing and characters, tons of quests with numerous outcomes, fun turn-based combat with broken combinations – the list truly goes on. Even if it may seem daunting, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic adventure and one of the finest RPGs ever made.
#2. STARFIELD
Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Read Our Review
With over 1500 planets – minus the ice and gas giants that you can’t land on – Starfield is a video game space odyssey of unimaginable scale. While its procedural generation tends to repeat in some areas, it still offers memorable sights and sounds, from exotic alien wildlife to stunning skyboxes and landscapes. Coupled with solid gunplay, fun space combat and a myriad of activities (from smuggling to space piracy), Starfield is certainly something, even if it isn’t for everyone.
GAMINGBOLT’S BEST XBOX GAME OF 2023 – ALAN WAKE 2
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Remedy Entertainment | Read Our Review
It’s somewhat poetic that Alan Wake 2 should launch over 13 years after the original after numerous efforts by Remedy Entertainment and capture our hearts. Featuring two protagonists with wildly different viewpoints and gameplay, the sequel’s strength lies in its presentation and taut story-telling, employing live-action footage and surreal occurrences without skipping a beat. Its visuals and music are excellent, but Alan Wake 2’s unabashed presentation as art that should be savored and studied for a long time is perhaps its most endearing trait, making it our pick for Best Xbox Game of 2023.
