Previously known as Microsoft 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 their Halo, Gears of War, and Forza series’, Xbox Game Studios have spearheaded the continuous success of Microsoft’s Xbox consoles.
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 the release 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 the Series X will surely have a thoroughly successful lifecycle.
10 Mass Effect (91)
Released in 2007, BioWare’s Mass Effect set a new standard for dialogue choices and speech in AAA gaming. Although the game told an interesting story about 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 of Mass Effect 2 highlighted the game’s shortcomings, but BioWare’s Mass Effect is still a worthy beginning to the iconic series and one of gaming’s most gripping sci-fi adventures.
9 Forza Motorsport (92)
The first installment into Xbox Game Studios’ critically acclaimed Forza series was released in 2005 under the development of the suitably named Turn 10 Studios, who have gone on to develop every Forza Motorsport game up until this point.
Forza Motorsport attempted 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.
8 Forza Motorsport 3 (92)
The third Forza Motorsport installment was released exclusively on the Xbox 360 four years after the original game hit stores. Forza Motorsport 3 expanded upon its predecessors by offering an incredible array of four hundred customizable cars from fifty different manufactures.
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.
7 Forza Horizon 4 (92)
Beginning in 2012, the Forza Horizon series differentiates itself from the Forza Motorsport set of games by ditching the professional racing setting for street racing that takes place in an open-world.
Developed by Playground Games, Forza Horizon 4 initially 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.
6 Gears of War 2 (93)
The second entry into the Gears of War series 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 original Gears of War.
5 Ori and the Wills of the Wisps (93)
The sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, Moon Studios’ Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a Metroidvania-style action-platformer that supplements its excellent fluid gameplay with beautiful visuals.
The pair of Ori games, along with critically acclaimed titles like Hollow Knight and Dead Cells were 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-player Star Wars adventure Jedi: Fallen Order.
4 Halo 3 (94)
It may be surprising to some that it has taken this long for a Halo title 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 another excellent 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.
3 Gears of War (94)
The first entry into the Gears of War franchise 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 11 November 2006, Microsoft needed to continue its momentum to ensure that the PS3’s release didn’t overshadow their console. Microsoft succeeded in this with Gears of War, which was released just four days before Sony’s PlayStation 3.
Although the game’s successors have improved upon and expanded many of the original’s core mechanics, Gears of War is remembered fondly for its heavier 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 the punishingly difficult final boss fight against him even more intimidating and rewarding.
2 Halo 2 (95)
The incredible success of the original Halo title Halo: Combat Evolved meant that it was only a matter of time before a sequel hit stores. Halo 2 was released three years after its predecessor and ensured that the franchise wasn’t just a one-hit-wonder.
Bungie attempted to improve upon the exceptional Combat Evolved by changing the game’s engine and implementing online multiplayer. Halo 2 is the original Xbox’s highest-selling game with an impressive 8 million units sold.
1 Halo: 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 for Halo: Combat Evolved.
Bungie’s original Halo game was a launch title for Microsoft’s first console, and immediately put the system on the gaming industry map. Combat Evolved immediately gave players a reason to buy an Xbox, giving Microsoft the perfect start to life in the fast-growing form of entertainment.
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