The best Xbox games 2021

Xbox gamers can look back on an eventful 2021, besides blockbusters 2021 also has some smaller hits on offer. With us you learn:

  • What the best games are in 2021 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
  • Who should definitely play the titles
  • Whether the titles are currently available in the Xbox Game Pass (as of December 2021)

Psychonauts 2

fans of the first part had to wait 15 years for a sequel. But the wait was worth it, because Psychonauts 2 has become a fantastic and incredibly creative jum'n'run. Maybe it can't keep up with triple AAA productions like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, but it knows how to convince with its gameplay and regularly surprises you with new crazy ideas.

Once again you play the young Raz, who now works for the international psychic spy organization "Psychonauts". With the help of your mind powers, you'll have to track down a spy within the organization. You can expect fun jump'n'run passages, tricky puzzles and of course numerous battles.

  • Release: 25.8.2021
  • Genre: Jump'n'Run
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if ... you're into crazy platformers away from mainstream titles like Mario or Ratchet & Clank.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Everything has actually already been said about the role-playing epic Mass Effect. The original trilogy is one of the best sci-fi role-playing games of all time. Immersive worldbuilding meets close and interesting characters, garnished with action-packed third-person shooter interludes.

The Mass Effect Legendary Edition finally brings the entire trilogy including (almost) all DLCs in one package to the current console generation. In addition, Part 1 in particular has been heavily adapted and now plays better and prettier than ever before. This makes the three games seem more like a unified whole.

  • Release: 14.5.2021
  • Genre: Role-playing game
  • Xbox Game Pass: No (as of December 2021)
  • You'lllike it if . .. you're fans of epochal sci-fi stories and universes à la Star Wars or The Expanse.

Forza Horizon 5

After the great predecessors, it shouldn't be a big surprise that Forza Horizon 5 has become one of the best, if not the best racing game of 2021 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This time, you'll be transported to Mexico, where you'll race over active volcanoes, sandy dunes, and through the dense jungle. The huge open world invites you to explore, barns with special cars, XP boards and magnificent houses are waiting to be found by you.

In the course of your racing career you can expand your fleet with numerous cars, including fast luxury cars like the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, classics like the Ford Transit or for Halo fans: the Warthog.

  • Release: 9 .11.2021
  • Genre: Racing game
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • Like it if . .. you're even remotely into arcade racers, it doesn't get much better than this in this genre.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Already in 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator impressed the gaming community on the PC with a world recreated down to the smallest detail with the help of satellite data as well as live real-time weather. in 2021, the airplane simulation has finally made it to the Xbox Series X/S and you can take a trip around the world with the controller or a flight stick - from the Brandenburg Gate to the Eiffel Tower and the New York skyline.

Behind all the visual splendor, however, there is also a hard-hitting simulation, which aircraft-enthusiastic players can dig into for days and weeks. Beginners get the most important functions explained in numerous tutorials and those who just want to enjoy the pretty graphics can also sit back and let the AI fly for them.

  • Release: 27.7.2021
  • Genre: Simulation
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • Will appeal to you if . .. you like in-depth simulations and would have become a pilot in another life.

It Takes Two

It Takes Two - a two-player co-op adventure game - is one of the most creative games you'll play in 2021. Each level features entirely new gameplay mechanics and unique mini-games - sometimes you'll ride spiders through a level, sometimes you'll fight enemies in a top-down view like in an action RPG à la Diablo, only to suddenly have a shuffleboard duel.

You're guaranteed not to get bored during the ten to 15 hours of game play. And the best thing about it: It's enough if one person buys It Takes Two - you can then invite another person to play without them having to buy the game.

  • Release date: 26.3.2021
  • Genre: Co-op action-adventure
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • Will appeal to you if . .. you like varied co-op action.

Death's Door

Death's Door is one of the indie secrets of 2021. In the action-adventure game, you control a crow from the iso-perspective and explore various realms that come up with all kinds of optional secrets - including snow-covered mountains, fairytale forests and an eerie graveyard.

The whole thing is garnished with an action-packed combat system, puzzle interludes in dungeons and a difficulty level that should not be underestimated - not without reason Death's Door is often called Soulslike.

  • Release: 20.7.2021
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Xbox Game Pass: No (as of December 2021)
  • Like it if . .. you can't get enough of Soulslikes.

Halo Infinite

The long wait for Halo Infinite was worth it. The highlight of the new series installment is the diverse sandbox of the large open world - pull yourself up walls with the grappling hook and surprise your enemies from behind or grab a Banshee and heat up the enemy base from the air - you're spoiled for choice.

Besides the story around the Master Chief, Halo Infinite also offers an extensive multiplayer mode with numerous modes like Slayer, Oddball or Capture the Flag. By the way, if you are only interested in the fast online battles - the multiplayer mode is completely free.

  • Release: 8 .12.2021
  • Genre: First-person shooter
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if . .. you missed the Master Chief and are in the mood for a great single-player as well as multiplayer shooter.

Hades

Although the full version of Hades for PC and Switch was released in 2020, PlayStation and Xbox players had to wait almost a year longer and could only enjoy the roguelike hit from developer Supergiant Games in 2021.

You slip into the skin of young Zagreus, the son of Hades, and have to escape the underworld. In typical roguelike fashion, you'll often die and have to start all over again. However, to curb the frustration a bit, you can unlock some permanent upgrades and always new weapons that will make future escape attempts easier.

In this way, Hades quickly develops a addictive gameplay loop that will be hard to resist. Will you manage to escape from the underworld and ascend to the Olympus of the gods?

  • Release: 13.8.2021
  • Genre: Roguelike
  • Xbox Game Pass: Yes (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if . .. you have a soft spot for Greek god sagas with humor and aren't afraid to bite your way through badass parts several times.

Tales of Arise

A tragic story with numerous interesting characters and a real-time action combat system - that's Tales of Arise. While fans of the series will feel right at home, the latest installment in the long-running JRPG series is also very suitable for newcomers.

You'll explore various large areas, collect resources, find cosmetic items for your characters and cook buff meals between battles. Tales of Arise offers quite a bit of content and will keep you busy for around 40 to 50 hours with its main story.

  • Release date: 9 .9.2021
  • Genre: JRPG
  • Xbox Game Pass: No (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if . .. you like classic JRPGs or if you've been following the Tales series for several years.

Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139..

Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is a remaster of the Japanese Nier Replicant from 2010. You play a young man who wants to save his sister, who is ill with the runic plague. In doing so, you'll explore a dystopian world teeming with dangerous beasts.

The special thing about Nier Replicant is that it mixes different genres like hack-and-play and bullethell shooter into a unique gameplay mixture. In the remaster, however, not only the graphics have been improved, but the gameplay of the original has also been adapted, so that it now plays much smoother - fans of the great successor Nier Automata will find the battle system familiar.

  • Release: 23.4.2021
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Xbox Game Pass: No (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if . .. you got into the series with Nier Automata and want to dive even deeper into the world.

F1 2021

Forza Horizon 5 is too arcadey for you? Then F1 2021 is the right choice for you. The hard-hitting Formula 1 simulation lets you prove your driving talent on the original tracks of this year's season. In addition to the multiplayer races and an extensive career mode, F1 2021 offers a brand new story campaign including cutscenes.

Although you can also play F1 2021 with a controller, a steering wheel is recommended for the full driving experience. This is the only way to immerse yourself in the simulation and break your opponents' record times.

  • Release: 15.7.2021
  • Genre: Racing game
  • Xbox Game Pass: No (as of December 2021)
  • You'll like it if . .. you've always wanted to prove to everyone that you're at least as fast as Max Verstappen on the F1 tracks.

More leaderboards on GameZ:

Visit us on Facebook and Instagram to discuss your favorite games!