10 older Xbox games worth revisiting in 2022
Xbox One has hundreds of games worth playing, extending all the way back to when the console was launched in 2013, also incorporating dozens of games from the Xbox 360 and OG Xbox era. Here are nine games we've picked out from the entire library that have slipped out of the limelight over time but are still worth a look in 2019. An added bonus, the fact they're older means they're often a lot cheaper!
Hunt for days
Monster Hunter World launched in 2018, but it has enjoyed a wealth of post-launch content, culminating in the enormous Iceborne expansion in 2019. This game is an action RPG that'll give you endless co-op fun, with a massive amount of things to do, monsters to hunt, and armor to collect.
Greatest ever?
Arguably one of, if not, THE best Xbox One game of all time, The Witcher 3 is one older title that must be played by everyone. Set in a fictional land, The Witcher 3 is an action RPG with a dark adult plot, full of subversive twists and challenging themes.
Assination simulator
Dishonored 2 is an excellent, often overlooked stealth action game from Arkane and Bethesda. Set in a steampunk-style fantasy world, Dishonored emphasizes player freedom in large open maps, as you fight to restore Empress Emily to the throne.
Alien threat
Prey is an excellent first-person sci-fi shooter set aboard a space station. Utilizing various weapons, tools, and other abilities, you must carve your way through a deserted orbital lab, reeling from an alien infestation. There's a lot more to Prey than is initially apparent.
Fighting fun
Killer Instinct is a combo-heavy fighting game that still enjoys an active userbase and boasts some of the best netcode in the business. The game celebrates characters from across all Microsoft franchises and is well worth considering for local combat with friends, or competitively online.
Platforming magic
Ori and the Blind Forest is an industry-leading platformer with hand-drawn art, a stunning music score, and an emotional plot. Playing as the cat-like Ori, you must navigate a forest in decline, battle roaming monsters, and save your lands from corruption.
Deep RPG
Dragon Age Inquisition is a huge, huge tactical RPG with a vast amount of content, especially when you factor in years of post-launch DLC. Playing as the Inquisitor, you lead a growing army against a hellish entity threatening the entire world. Playing as a mage, rogue, or warrior, Inquisition has tons of options and hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Cyborg stealth action
Deus Ex Human Revolution is an older game, but it more than holds up to today's standards. It's also required playing if you want to pick up the sequel, Mankind Divided. Set in a cyberpunk future where cyborgs are commonplace, Deus Ex as a series explores corporate corruption and transhumanism, wrapped in a slick stealth shooter.
Retro gaming
Although this didn't launch all that long ago, it stokes those wonderful nostalgic feelings of classic Sonic. Sonic Mania was built in partnership with fan modders of the classic titles and is the most critically acclaimed Sonic title in years. Gorgeous retro art, high-octane platforming, and an infectious soundtrack make this a winner.
3D platforming
Recore is an aggressively underappreciated 3D platformer, exclusive to Microsoft platforms. Set on a planet primed for terraforming, Recore follows Joule and a fun cast of colorful droids as she attempts to discover why the colony never completed construction, and why half the facilities robots have gone haywire.
More for the backlog
If there's just one slightly older game from this list worth playing, it's The Witcher 3. With gorgeous visuals, reactive, bloody combat, some of the best character acting and writing in the business, and hundreds of hours of gameplay, The Witcher 3 is a must-buy title for any Xbox owner.
If you're looking for a game to really get your teeth sunk into, it's Monster Hunter World. Be forewarned, this is a title more for fans of challenging games. Like The Witcher 3, Monster Hunter World is vastly expanded with its post-launch DLC, named Iceborne, ushering in hundreds of potential hours of playtime. As its name suggests, Monster Hunter World is a game all about fighting gigantic invasive monsters, threatening the balance of the local ecosystem. As part of the Research Commission, your job is to track, analyze, and ultimately cull or capture the gigantic beasties, in teams of up to four. Monster Hunter World is an incredible title and Capcom's most successful to date.
What older Xbox games are you a fan of? Hit the comments, and we'll consider them for inclusion in a future update!
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Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow on Twitter (X) and Threads, and listen to his XB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!