Amidst the recent announcement of big changes coming to the Game Pass model, including a notable price hike that has sparked controversy, it seems like the right time to reflect on Microsoft's gaming legacy over the past decade — especially the quality of its games. The Xbox division isn't often associated with producing widely acclaimed hits, but there are some undeniable successes nonetheless.
All of the following titles are critically acclaimed Xbox games with an average score of at least 90 on OpenCritic. The focus is on first-party Microsoft titles developed or published by Xbox Game Studios. However, several highly rated third-party games that have launched on Game Pass since day one are also included, showcasing Microsoft's strongest examples of game partnerships and exclusives within the wider Xbox ecosystem to date.
Forza Horizon 5
OpenCritic Score: 92
The current king of the open-world arcade genre (at least until the release of Forza Horizon 6 next year) Forza Horizon 5 is a phenomenal racing title, leagues ahead of the competition. In terms of visuals, physics, music and the sheer scale of the content, Forza Horizon 5 it feels like a premium edition. Plus, it's just nice to start and drive for a few minutes.
Some players feel that Playground Games plays too safe with the formula, making only minor changes from one entry to the next. However, there is still nothing like it on the market Forza Horizon series, as evidenced by many awards. Forza Horizon 5 it was named Best Racing Game at both The Game Awards and the DICE Awards, while also earning numerous accolades for its visual and sound design.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
OpenCritic Score: 92
Just like Forza Horizon series, Flight Simulator by Microsoft titles take their own place. They offer unmatched range, quality and precision in their industry, thanks in large part to the company's extensive invested resources and ever-evolving nature.
latest Microsoft Flight Simulator represents the pinnacle of this approach: the ultimate flight simulator, unlikely to be surpassed any time soon. Combining cutting-edge technology suitable for educational purposes while remaining deeply engaging as an exploratory experience, the game has been hailed as a true next-gen look into the future, blurring the line between the real and virtual worlds like never before.
Forza Horizon 4
OpenCritic Score: 92
The previous best (and for many still the best) post in the series, Forza Horizon 4 it is considered even more impressive than its predecessor. This game is the one that introduced the changing seasons and achieved a level of graphical fidelity unmatched by the competition. Forza Horizon 4 is a real paradise for racing fans, combining flexibility, accessibility and excitement. Its award-winning record, including multiple awards for Best Racing Game and the overall title of Xbox Game of the Year 2018, has helped cement its cult status.
This is worth noting Forza Horizon 4 is now considered a legacy title as it was removed from digital stores and the Game Pass catalog in December 2024. The game remains fully playable for those who own it, so it still deserves a place among the best Xbox games.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
OpenCritic Score: 92
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the first title on this list that was not created or funded by Microsoft's Xbox division. Instead, it represents a standard Game Pass partnership for third-party releases and one of the most successful examples to date. as such Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earns its place here as one of the best third-party games available to Game Pass subscribers from day one.
The game has become one of the highest-rated titles of the year and a strong contender for Game of the Year, having already secured several awards. Thanks to its inclusion in the Xbox subscription service, thousands of players have had the opportunity to experience it, although it is difficult to determine the exact distribution of the audience across platforms.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
OpenCritic Score: 92
Hollow Knight: Silksong is in the same boat as Expedition 33. While this indie title wasn't funded by Microsoft, it did launch as a Game Pass one-day release via a standard third-party deal, so it's worth mentioning here. Like Clair Obscuro, Silksong is expected to appear on several GOTY lists later this year and has already been praised as one of the best metroidvania ever made.
Silksong also marks another strong move by Microsoft securing this long-awaited release for the Game Pass lineup. Still, many players expected Hollow Knight: Silksong for many years, it was probably decided to buy it outright rather than play through a subscription, especially given its modest introductory price.
The Ori and the Blind Forest
OpenCritic Score: 90
The Ori and the Blind Forest was developed by Moon Studios and released as a first-party Microsoft title since the company acquired the game about a year after development had begun). It's an extraordinary gem in Microsoft's gaming lineup and, along with its sequel, ranks among the highest-rated and most popular Xbox titles.
A visually stunning and emotionally charged platform adventure metroidvania, The Ori and the Blind Forest won several prestigious awards in the 2015-2016 season. These included Xbox Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards, Best Art Direction at The Game Awards and Artistic Achievement at the British Academy Games Awards.
Minecraft
OpenCritic Score: 90
It is still debatable whether Minecraft should be considered an Xbox game, given that it was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014. However, since its re-release in 2017, the game has become a staple first-party live service title with a massive audience. It would be wrong to rule it out, given the extent of Microsoft's investment in the franchise over the years.
It is supported by Microsoft Minecraft the brand expanded with several spin-offs, such as Country, Dungeonsand Legendsalong with a recent feature film that became a huge box office success. Thanks to its ever-evolving nature Minecraft remains the definitive sandbox game and continues to attract millions of players to its worlds.
The Ori and the Will of the Wisps
OpenCritic Score: 90
Staying true to the strengths of the original, The Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an equally exceptional Xbox title, developed in partnership with Microsoft and released as a Game Pass game for one day. As Moon Studios grew, the sequel's visuals underwent a major overhaul, transitioning from a 2D original in The Ori and the Blind Forest to 3D models set on a multi-layered background. The result is an even more breathtaking metroidvania that justified the long development time.
The Ori and the Will of the Wisps he got a similar average score to the first game. Like its predecessor, it again became the winner of a prestigious award for Microsoft, winning the Xbox Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards and winning several NAVGTR awards.
