The Best Xbox Games Of 2023 According To Metacritic
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Compared to the previous year, 2023 has been a much better time for Xbox when it comes to games. More exclusives alongside an almost-constant supply of critically acclaimed games made for a fantastic year, and with Game Pass having several day-one releases to tempt people into subscribing, it has been a great time to own an Xbox console. Three years after it was introduced, the Xbox Series X|S generation feels like it is finally beginning.
Below, we're looking at the 2023 games that received rave reviews and high scores, masterpieces that can put a smile on your face or leave you scratching your head as you try to digest an existential crisis. Thanks to GameSpot sister site Metacritic, we know exactly which Xbox games earned top marks across the globe from a wide number of outlets. While there are a few obvious inclusions, there are also a few surprises on the list to read about as well. You can see them all below, with the highest-rated game being an old favorite starring a bathtub-loving sword-for-hire given a current-gen makeover. And for a more condensed list of games, check out GameSpot's feature on the best Xbox-exclusive games of 2023.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
One of the best games of all time got even better in 2023, as CD Projekt Red updated The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt for new audiences. This new version isn't just a graphical update, a congratulatory slap on the back, and a trip down to the local pub for a job well done, but rather a more exhaustive overhaul of the classic action-RPG. Subtle and overt tweaks, enhancements, and new features hammer home just how special The Witcher 3 is, reinventing the game for both newcomers and veterans alike.
Metacritic: 94 | Read our Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake fans had been waiting years for a true sequel to the cult-classic game, and more than a decade later, Remedy Entertainment delivered a follow-up that exceeded expectations. Alan Wake 2 plays like the sum total of every lesson that Remedy has learned over the last 13 years, a combination of atmospheric storytelling, organically integrated live-action ideas, and edge-of-your-seat gameplay that'll leave you sweating. A hard shift into survival-horror is a bold choice for the sequel, but seeing it combined with other ideas to create unique experiences that'll constantly surprise you? That's just one of the reasons why Alan Wake 2 is a must-play game.
Metacritic: 94 | Read our Alan Wake 2 review
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
If its 2020 launch-day woes persuaded you to skip Cyberpunk 2077, then its expansion Phantom Liberty is the best advert for the game that can help dissuade even the most stubborn of non-believers to take a tour of Night City. Phantom Liberty is the culmination of CD Projekt Red's mission to turn Cyberpunk 2077 into one of its greatest success stories. It's a slick spy-thriller set in hostile territory, a riveting story where everyone has an agenda and you don't know who to trust. Combined with sweeping overhauls to the gameplay and an absurd amount of extra content that CDPR has handed out for free, Phantom Liberty is CDPR firing on all cylinders to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Metacritic: 91 | Read our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is dark, oppressive, and grim, and, according to longtime fans of the series, that's just the way that they like it. A return to the macabre roots of the franchise, Diablo 4 manages to balance its ghastly world with moments of hope, as well as a selection of classes that can reduce the armies of the damned to single-digit numbers. It's brutally satisfying, wonderfully deep with its various systems, and the pivot to live-service means that fans will be playing this new chapter in Blizzard's iconic series for years to come.
Metacritic: 91 | Read our Diablo 4 review
Resident Evil 4
As good as the original Resident Evil 4 was, there's no denying that some of its luster has worn off over the years. It's still outstanding, but with a remake that updated its ideas and doubled down on its survival-action design, Resident Evil 4 has been reborn as the definitive entry in this franchise. It's the kind of game that not only pays homage to the past, but pushes the bar higher for what games in this genre are capable of as Leon Kennedy's European vacation takes a detour into dangerous territory. Expertly crafted and constantly thrilling, Resident Evil 4 successfully reinvents itself without ever losing sight of its origins.
Metacritic: 91 | Read our Resident Evil 4 review
Street Fighter 6
Capcom's new golden age reached a new high this year, as alongside the excellent remake of Resident Evil 4 above, it came out swinging with Street Fighter 6. The best Street Fighter game since the first sequel in the franchise helped fuel a coin shortage crisis at arcades, Street Fighter 6 is both approachable and technically nuanced, a perfect entry-point for newcomers and loaded with a number of new features that'll appeal to veterans of the series. Throw in a wonderfully diverse roster of world warriors and explosively colorful graphics, and you've got one of the finest fighting games of the year.
Metacritic: 90 | Read our Street Fighter 6 review
Persona 4 Golden
Persona 5 might hog all of the attention whenever the franchise is discussed, but don't count its predecessor out just yet. Finally making its way to Xbox this year, Persona 4 Golden walked so that Persona 5 could run. It's a stylish coming-of-age story set in a small town that has been rocked by a mysterious murder, paving the way for a cast of memorable characters to get to the bottom of a grim mystery. A game of high and personal stakes, Persona 4 still looks fantastic with its colorful visuals, but it's the emotional story beats, killer soundtrack, and clever plot that'll keep you glued to your seat.
Metacritic: 89 | Read our Persona 4 Golden review
Dead Space
In a year full of remasters and remakes, Dead Space is easily one of the best. The original Dead Space helped revive an entire genre back in 2008, and years later, the Dead Space remake is a special reminder at just how effective the original game was. More than just a remake focused on gruesome graphical fidelity, Dead Space improves on its source material, tightening up every terrifying nut and bolt to create an even more frightening tour of the cosmos. The combat remains uniquely satisfying and gruesome, revamped zero-g sections are now fun to play, and the expanded storyline makes a spooky game even more haunting.
Metacritic: 89 | Read our Dead Space review
Sea of Stars
Once you remove your rose-tinted glasses, many JRPGs of the past can reveal plenty of flaws that wouldn't sit well with gamers today. Sea of Stars does a great job of avoiding those pitfalls while capturing the spirit of the SNES era of fantasy games, lovingly using that inspiration to create a game that feels nostalgic and is amplified by thoughtful modern touches. It's a love-letter to the past, a trip down memory lane that feels fresh and exciting to play.
Metacritic: 89 | Read our Sea of Stars review
Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
Separate Ways is a fantastic excuse to dive back into Resident Evil 4, but with a different perspective that complements the remake. Following Ada Wong as she weaves her way through events that run parallel to Leon Kennedy's journey, Separate Ways is a fun remix instead of a retread of existing events that you'd typically find in DLC expansions. Smaller in scope but laser-focused, it's not just a fun addition to Resident Evil 4 but an essential extension.
Metacritic: 89 | Read our Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways review
Cocoon
More than just an entomologist's delight, Cocoon is a charming puzzle-platformer that effortlessly communicates its ideas without needing to say a single word. With development led by Inside designer Jeppe Carlsen, Cocoon is a short and sweet game that'll test your problem-solving abilities and reward you with mind-bending questions about the cosmos and reality. A layered game that is both thoughtful and joyful, it'll only take you a handful of hours to complete Cocoon. But after that? Its ideas will remain lodged in your mind for a long time.
Metacritic: 89 | Read our Cocoon review
Persona 3 Portable
Atlus fans have been feasting well in 2023, as between the arrival of Persona 4: Golden and Persona 5: Tactica on Xbox, Persona 3 has also made landfall. Is it an older game with some dated mechanics and a questionable approach to several sensitive topics? Undoubtedly, but Persona 3 is still a superbly polished RPG that established the foundation for future games in the franchise. Style and substance wrapped up in a story about high-school kids facing off against nightmarish monsters, Persona 3 cemented the social sim side of the series and that component still holds up well today.
Metacritic: 87 | Read our Persona 3: Portable review
Monster Hunter Rise
On the surface, Monster Hunter Rise isn't drastically different from what has come before it, but do a little digging, and you'll find a game that has almost perfected its core gameplay loop. A game that makes a concerted effort to reach a wider audience, Monster Hunter Rise expands on its ideas while streamlining how players interact with its world through movement-enhancing features. If you've ever wanted to check out Capcom's fantasy safari series, Monster Hunter Rise is just for you.
Metacritic: 87 | Read our Monster Hunter Rise review
Hi-Fi Rush
Like the sickest of guitar licks on a brand-new punk rock album, Hi-Fi Rush exploded into view without any warning and left a lasting impression. It's Devil May Cry meets Scott Pilgrim, an energetic Saturday morning cartoon anchored by incredible licensed and original music that just so happens to be a driving force in every action that you take. It's a colorful concerto of high-energy action and fun storytelling--a symphony of anarchy. Hi-Fi Rush plays like an album where every track is a certified banger.
Metacritic: 87 | Read our Hi-Fi Rush review
Age of Empires 2
Strategy games on consoles are generally a hard sell, but if the last couple of years have proven anything, it's that a determined developer can find a way to condense an entire mouse-and-keyboard system to a handful of inputs on a controller. Age of Empires 2 is proof of this, as Forgotten Empires pulled off the seemingly impossible on Xbox Series X|S. Want to ruin someone's day with a horde of Teutonic knights crushing a well-fortified stronghold? You can do just that, run an intricate economy, and explore uncharted land with ease in this clever remaster that brings all the complexity of the PC version of the game to console.
Metacritic: 86 | Read our Age of Empires 2 review
Forza Motorsport
It has been a long time since an Xbox console has been graced by the more technical side of the Forza franchise, but at long last, Forza Motorsport raced back onto Xbox consoles and PC this year. Not just a reminder of just how good sophisticated pedal-to-the-metal racing can be, this new incarnation of Forza Motorsport encourages precision and clean driving with systems that reward perfection. It has an astonishing number of cars to collect and master, it has regular content drops as part of its live-service model, and the connection with every supercar feels stronger than ever.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Forza Motorsport review
Dredge
Dredge just might be the best game to play during the sweltering months of summer, because it'll constantly send a few chills down your spine. A killer combo of Lovecraftian vibes and fishing, Dredge makes every second count as you balance the reward of a good haul with the risk of running into nightmarish ocean creatures that defy mortal comprehension. Earning money allows you to outfit your vessel for the longer voyages ahead, but when you're facing a tag team of fear and dwindling time, this haunting high-seas horror game reminds you that the end is always near.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Dredge review
Mortal Kombat 1
The latest chapter in the Mortal Kombat series walks a fine line between nostalgic action and exploring new territory. Narratively, it's a reboot and a sequel, and mechanically, it's a violence-fueled display of power that always ends with someone looking like a Jackson Pollock painting taken to a new extreme. In a year with terrific fighting games, Mortal Kombat 1 stepped up to the plate to establish itself as a main event contender. Bloody, brutal, and captivating, it's a no-holds-barred rush of adrenaline that'll both delight and disgust you with its unrelenting savagery.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Mortal Kombat 1 review
Hogwarts Legacy
It's hard to divorce Hogwarts Legacy from its controversy, but for Harry Potter fans looking to live their wizarding dreams, it's the magical open-world experience that they've been waiting for. An enchanting exploration of Hogwarts set during one of the more mysterious eras of the Potterverse, Hogwarts Legacy casts a captivating spell with its fun combat encounters, lovingly recreated locations, and its bewitching attention to detail.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Hogwarts Legacy review
Remnant 2
Remnant: From the Ashes was a flawed game, but one that had a fascinating universe that deserved to be explored in more detail. Fortunately, Remnant 2 makes a strong case for its existence as this looter-shooter is a smoother and more satisfying return to a post-apocalyptic world that's in dire need of a savior. More than just a heavily armed Souls-like, Remnant 2 takes the ideas of that genre and puts its own spin on them. At the same time, Remnant 2 remains committed to that genre, finding a delicate balance with its captivating combat, challenging boss fight, and intriguing buildcrafting.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Remnant 2 review
Blasphemous 2
A pixelated pilgrimage through gothic environments, Blasphemous 2 improves on the original in almost every way possible. Its combat is more gratifying, its art direction is even more decadently delightful, and we have to confess, those boss fights left us shaking after we'd barely survived them. Packed with lore to devour, this is an exquisite metroidvania follow-up in all the right ways.
Metacritic: 85 | Read our Blasphemous 2 review
Lies of P
Almost a decade later, we're still waiting for a Bloodborne sequel, or at the very least, a remaster of the original game. Taking matters into its own hands, developer Neowiz unleashed a spiritual successor to From Software's beloved classic, a dark and daring game that wants you to think of it as Bloodborne 2.0. Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but to its credit, Neowiz knows exactly when to cut those Yharnam strings. Its reimagining of Pinocchio is full of dark twists and turns, the game looks like a million-dollar art gallery, and its gameplay encourages experimentation alongside the traditional die-and-try-again structure of the Soulsborne genre.
Metacritic: 84 | Read our Lies of P review
F1 23
The last few years have easily been some of the best for the F1 series of racing games, as under the stewardship of Codemasters, the series has gone from strength to strength. 2023's edition doesn't skip a beat, and with improved handling, a new chapter in the Braking Point saga, and more rewarding gameplay modes, F1 23 easily takes pole position. It's pure precision driving at its best, a showcase of cars capable of ludicrously high speeds as they race for that sought-after podium finish.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Take the galaxy of Star Wars, inject some metroidvania elements, and throw in some of the best lightsaber combat since Jedi Outcast, and you'd naturally have a recipe for success. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor adds to that winning formula of Jedi: Fallen Order with an adventure that is bigger and bolder than its predecessor. Sure, it doesn't rock the boat when it comes to new ideas, but it does build on its foundation with thoughtful changes and a cinematic flourish that both surprises and delights fans.
Metacritic: 84 | Read our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick is easily one of the best games to ever grace the dual screens of the Nintendo DS, and thanks to a new port, modern consoles as well. It was a charming sleuth-'em-up in 2010, and 13 years later, it's still a brilliant game of deduction anchored by a fun story. Its already impressive animation looks better than ever, its gameplay still remains a novel treat, and it's impossible to not fall in love with its cast of lovable characters.
Metacritic: 84 | Read our Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective review
Ride 5
The Ride series has carved out a pretty great niche for itself when it comes to digital motorcycle racing fun, and Ride 5 provides a solid new entry in that franchise. With the best career mode to date, challenging opponents thanks to the "Neural AI" system, and a selection of motorcycles that'll make you wish that you had mid-life crisis cash to spend on one of them, Ride 5 is a two-wheeled thrill.
Jusant
A short jaunt up a treacherous cliffside is something that's taken for granted in video games, but in Jusant, this means of traversal gets its moment in the spotlight. The central gameplay mechanic, Jusant puts a fresh spin on mountaineering with its approach to powdering up your digital palms and keeping a steady grip while your IRL palms begin to get sweaty. Combined with a growing collection of tools to help you stay on a vertical path, fascinating world, and cathartic gameplay, Jusant reaches new heights with its meditative ascent.