{"id":189442,"date":"2019-12-25T01:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geek.com\/featured\/-1814220\/"},"modified":"2019-12-25T01:00:28","modified_gmt":"2019-12-24T17:00:28","slug":"these-are-the-top-20-xbox-games-of-the-decade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/test\/wordpress\/2019\/12\/25\/these-are-the-top-20-xbox-games-of-the-decade\/","title":{"rendered":"These Are the Top 20 Xbox Games of the Decade"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Riding high off the success of the Xbox 360, Microsoft\u2019s Xbox brand looked poised to conquer the current generation. As we all know, that isn\u2019t what ended up happening. The Xbox One failed to close the gap with the PlayStation 4 and will eventually have the Nintendo Switch surpass it in sales (if that hasn\u2019t already happened). To say the Xbox brand had a rough decade would be an understatement.<\/p>\n

Despite the setbacks, Xbox managed to have some top-tier exclusives this decade: both on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. While a good chunk of these are also available on PC, they still count as Xbox games. The titles listed below represent the very best the Xbox brand has to offer, games you can likely play on the upcoming Xbox Series X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sunset Overdrive<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox One
\nRelease date<\/strong>: October 18, 2014<\/p>\n

Before Spider-Man<\/em>, Insomniac Games released another exceptional open-world title: Sunset Overdrive<\/em>. Like Spider-Man<\/em>, Sunset Overdrive<\/em> gives players the freedom to traverse a large city and fight a variety of different enemies. There\u2019s also a deep level of weapons customization. Sunset Overdrive<\/em> stands out because of its Punk Rock aesthetics and soundtrack; which serve to amplify the already over-the-top gameplay. If you enjoy Spider-Man<\/em> on PS4, you owe it to yourself to play Sunset Overdrive<\/em> to see where many of its ideas came from.<\/p>\n

Ori and the Blind Forest<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: March 11, 2015<\/p>\n

Metroidvania-inspired games are ubiquitous nowadays. Despite that, Ori and the Blind Forest<\/em> manages to stand out thanks to its captivating graphics and hard-as-nails gameplay. As one progresses, they\u2019ll earn numerous power-ups and abilities that make traversing earlier levels easier. These same power-ups come in handy when dealing with the game\u2019s harrowing boss encounters. If you can manage to get past the steep difficulty, you\u2019ll find Ori and the Blind Forest<\/em> extremely rewarding.<\/p>\n

Cuphead<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: September 29, 2017<\/p>\n

Cuphead<\/em><\/a> is the ultimate throwback game. Not only do its hand-animated graphics hearken back to the Golden Age of Animation, but its gameplay is also a throwback to the platformers of the 1980s. Unlike old-school games, you don\u2019t need to replay entire sections if you lose. This incentivizes players to continue until victory is theirs. While Cuphead<\/em> can get hair-rippingly frustrating, finally defeating a nasty boss leaves one feeling elated beyond description.<\/p>\n

Quantum Break<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: April 5, 2016<\/p>\n

Alan Wake<\/em> stylized itself after TV shows but Quantum Break<\/em> is where Remedy took that idea to its logical extreme by having actual episodes of a series within the game. Though the result was somewhat clunky, you have to give credit to Remedy for mostly pulling this off. The in-game narrative and episodes mostly gel well together. On top of its unique presentation, Quantum Break<\/em> is a blast to play thanks to the myriad of psychic powers at the player\u2019s disposal. If you liked Control<\/em> but haven\u2019t checked out Quantum Break<\/em>, you should do yourself a favor and do so.<\/p>\n

Alan Wake<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox 360
\nRelease date<\/strong>: May 18, 2010<\/p>\n

Alan Wake<\/em> came out during a time when \u201ccinematic\u201d games were all the rage. It took things further by having a TV show-like structure. The fact each chapter begins with \u201cPreviously on Alan Wake\u201d is a testament to this. Alan Wake<\/em>\u2019s Stephen King-inspired storyline and supernatural abilities served as a solid foundation for Quantum Break<\/em> and Control<\/em> to build upon. Considering the current success of Control<\/em>, it would be wise for Remedy to bring Alan Wake<\/em> back in some fashion.<\/p>\n

Halo: The Master Chief Collection<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox One
\nRelease date<\/strong>: November 11, 2014<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll ignore the many issues plaguing the online portion of Halo: The Master Chief Collection<\/em> so we can focus on how awesome this package is. Halo<\/em> is, of course, Xbox\u2019s most recognizable franchise so any compilation containing all of its best entries is an automatic win. This collection<\/a> is not only great for long-time fans but for those who may have never experienced Halo<\/em> before. It practically sells itself.<\/p>\n

Killer Instinct<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox One
\nRelease date<\/strong>: November 22, 2013<\/p>\n

Killer Instinct<\/em> was all but extinct until the franchise made its glorious return on Xbox One. In some ways, Killer Instinct<\/em> influenced modern fighting games by introducing the concept of \u201cseasons.\u201d Each year would see a new set of fighters added to the already robust roster. Players could unlock new fighters by playing through the various modes or through in-game purchases. Killer Instinct<\/em> isn\u2019t as talked-about now but it\u2019s still the Xbox\u2019s premiere (i.e only) fighting game franchise.<\/p>\n

Forza Horizon 4<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: October 2, 2018<\/p>\n

Forza Horizon 4<\/em><\/a> is not only one of the best racers on Xbox One, but it is also one of the finest on any console. Set in England, this entry features a massive open world full of different racing challenges to complete. The big twist this time around is the dynamic seasonal weather. During summer, you\u2019ll need to drive around lakes and large rivers. In winter, you can simply drive over frozen bodies of water. Seeing and challenging real-world players to races is also a huge draw. Considering how EA refuses to release a new Burnout<\/em>, Forza Horizon 4<\/em> is the place to get your open-world arcade racer fix.<\/p>\n

Titanfall<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: March 11, 2014<\/p>\n

Titanfall<\/em> is what happens when you take Call of Duty<\/em>\u2019s tight FPS mechanics and toss in giant mechs. Though it lacks a proper campaign, its highly addictive gameplay more than makes up for it. There\u2019s nothing quite like being on the battlefield shooting foes before calling in your Titan to truly tear things up. Even though Titanfall 2<\/em> exists, there are those who continue playing the original. It\u2019s just that good.<\/p>\n

Fable III<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox 360
\nRelease date<\/strong>: October 26, 2010<\/p>\n

Fable<\/em> was Xbox\u2019s primary RPG series for many years. Unfortunately, Fable III<\/em> would be the last proper entry. Taking place 50 years after the events of Fable II<\/em>, Fable III<\/em> tasks players with overthrowing the king of Albion and then ruling over said kingdom. In true Fable<\/em> fashion, this game is all about player agency. Any decision you make throughout the course of the adventure can and will impact you in ways both big and small. With luck, Microsoft will resurrect the venerated series in the 2020s. It would be a shame to go another decade without a real Fable<\/em> title to play.<\/p>\n

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox 360
\nRelease date<\/strong>: April 13, 2012<\/p>\n

I\u2019m tossing The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings<\/em> in here because it is technically an Xbox console exclusive. Many forget that The Witcher<\/em> video game series didn\u2019t gain its current popularity until the second installment. Though it still features the same characters and settings from the first game, the overhauled combat mechanics and overall streamlined gameplay made The Witcher 2<\/em> come into its own. It perfectly set the stage for its insanely successful follow-up, The Witcher 3<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Rare Replay<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox One
\nRelease date<\/strong>: August 4, 2015<\/p>\n

Rare Replay<\/em> features 30 games from across Rare\u2019s 30-year history. Players will find titles that originated on the ZX Spectrum all the way to the Xbox 360. In addition to a flood of titles, Rare Replay<\/em> contains hours of behind-the-scenes content that delves into the history of each. Video game preservation is a subject few pay attention to despite its importance. Titles like Rare Replay<\/em> do a fantastic job of showing everyone how best to preserve and compile games for future generations.<\/p>\n

Halo 5: Guardians<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox One
\nRelease date<\/strong>: October 27, 2015<\/p>\n

Halo<\/em> was once the king of all FPS games but ceded ground last-gen thanks to the titan that was Call of Duty<\/em>. Halo 5: Guardians<\/em> attempts to revitalize the franchise by introducing new features (for Halo<\/em>) like aiming down sights. Special \u201cSpartan Abilities\u201d give players added maneuverability and extra attack and defensive options. The story itself shakes things up by having two playable characters: Master Chief and Spartan Locke. Some weren\u2019t fond of that particular direction, but it showed 343 Studios\u2019 willingness to experiment.<\/p>\n

Gears 5<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: September 10, 2019<\/p>\n

Gears 5<\/em><\/a> has only been out for three months (at the time of this writing) but it has already secured itself a spot among Xbox\u2019s greats. The game retains the series\u2019 celebrated (and often imitated) cover-based shooting mechanics along with its various multiplayer options, including Horde Mode. It also flips the script by focusing on a new central protagonist: Kait Diaz. The tale of Gears 5<\/em> isn\u2019t quite over as The Coalition will no doubt continue adding content to multiplayer. If this is the future of the franchise, long-time fans have little to worry about.<\/p>\n

State of Decay 2<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: May 22, 2018<\/p>\n

State of Decay 2<\/em><\/a> takes the basic premise behind survival games — i.e. scavenging the world for materials useful for survival — and tosses in a zombie element on top of it. Looking for bottles of clean water is hard enough without having a hundred zombies on your butt. This is where the game\u2019s four-player co-op becomes essential. It\u2019s easier to defeat or escape from zombies if you have friends at your side. If you\u2019re looking for a better version of DayZ<\/em>, State of Decay 2<\/em> is for you.<\/p>\n

Halo Wars 2<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: February 21, 2017<\/p>\n

Halo Wars 2<\/em> is a meat-and-potatoes RTS experience where players build bases and armies using local resources before going off to attack enemy bases. This is a title that\u2019s perfect for RTS newbies thanks to its simplified, streamlined mechanics. However, it may not satisfy veteran players used to games with more robust options. With all of that said, it\u2019s a solid entry in the Halo<\/em> series.<\/p>\n

Halo: Reach<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox 360
\nRelease date<\/strong>: September 14, 2010<\/p>\n

Halo: Reach<\/em> was the last Halo<\/em> title developed by Bungie. As such, the developer bid their creation a grand farewell with what many consider the best Halo<\/em> game ever. Set before the events of the original trilogy, Reach<\/em> tells the story of the doomed human-controlled colony and those who died defending it. Though Reach<\/em> is just as exciting as its predecessors, it has a decidedly somber tone given the inevitability of its finale. Halo: Reach<\/em> is the standard all future Halo<\/em> games must try to surpass.<\/p>\n

Forza Motorsport 7<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: October 3, 2017<\/p>\n

Forza Motorsport 7<\/em> doesn\u2019t do anything to upset the franchise\u2019s patented sim-racing formula. That\u2019s not a negative considering how fine-tuned of an experience this game delivers. Players get to choose from over 700 different vehicles to race across dozens of beautifully rendered tracks. The Forza Motorsport<\/em> series has always given Sony\u2019s Gran Turismo<\/em> a run for its money and Forza Motorsport 7<\/em> is a fine example of why.<\/p>\n

Sea of Thieves<\/h3>\n

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Platforms<\/strong>: Xbox One, PC
\nRelease date<\/strong>: March 20, 2018<\/p>\n

Those looking for an enjoyable pirate adventure need look no further than Sea of Thieves<\/em>. Co-op is a major component since every player is responsible for different ship functions (steering, navigation, weapons). Since this is an active open world, conflict with other players is inevitable; further necessitating having a crew. Sea of Thieves<\/em> sailed over rough waters during its launch but is now one of the bigger Xbox games out there (especially on Twitch). This particular sea shanty is far from over so it\u2019ll be interesting to see where Sea of Thieves<\/em> sails to next.<\/p>\n

Splinter Cell: Conviction<\/h3>\n

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Platform<\/strong>: Xbox 360
\nRelease date<\/strong>: April 13, 2010<\/p>\n

One of the most criminally overlooked games on this list is Splinter Cell: Conviction<\/em>. Inspired by Fox\u2019s 24<\/em> TV series, this entry introduced many mechanics that also made it over to the equally brilliant\/underrated Splinter Cell: Blacklist<\/em>. This includes \u201cMark and Execute\u201d which allows players to mark targets and shoot them automatically and the ability to interrogate targets in real-time. It is possible Conviction<\/em> didn\u2019t attain more success because it was an Xbox 360 exclusive but that doesn\u2019t stop it from being one of the Xbox’s finest games.<\/p>\n