Top Xbox One Games 2023

Put simply, Modern Warfare is no longer modern — though the combat and, in some ways, the action-movie story at its foundation are ageless, its level design and lack of campaign progression reveal its true age. But it’s not outdated, it’s classic, and the considerable effort that has gone into improving the models, textures, and effects have enhanced it enough that playing through the campaign again was rewarding. Multiplayer also benefits from the graphics upgrade, and its refreshingly old-school pace is fun and explosive in its own right. It might not have the same effect it did the first time around, but it works as both a great embodiment of what shooters used to be and one that still plays well.

Like a big bucket of Hot Wheels brought to life, Forza Motorsport 6 is first-order car porn for the automobile obsessed but remains an accessible and exciting racer for those who just want to drive fast in something red with a horse logo on it. It’s spinning its wheels in a few areas but what’s here is undoubtedly some of the finest racing you can find on console and easily worth the upgrade from Forza 5.

Dirt 5 is the perfect racing game to launch the new generation of consoles: a thrilling arcade off-road racer that doesn’t skimp on visual flair.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Borderlands 3 is as safe as sequels come. Its gunplay has hardly changed at all and the humour remains as polarizing as ever, but the package in its entirety works. It’s fast, satisfying and constantly addictive as you hoover up new guns and grow your selection of badass vault hunters.

Far Cry 4 is a fantastic thrill ride, but it’s going to feel awfully familiar to fans.

In most ways, Skylanders Trap Team is the best game in the series. The abundance of inventive and genuinely fun characters, and the inclusion of playable villains, means there’s always some amazing new trick to try. The new versions of Skystones and tilting lock puzzles are fun enough that I’d play them by themselves. On the downside, there’s nothing new here for your existing Skylanders, and the overall story just fails to come together. Still, where else are you going to see a Broccoli wizard to fight a heavy-metal werewolf?

There’s a lot of potential in Shadow of Mordor for a great sequel, but this first attempt is being crushed under the weight of Tolkien’s source material.

At its best Riders Republic successfully captures the sense of adventure and risk-taking that make extreme sports so appealing.

Age of Empires IV may not redefine the real-time strategy genre like its predecessors, but it’s still a deep and challenging dive into the world of medieval warfare.

Star Wars: Squadrons does the best job yet of putting players into the cockpit of an X-Wing or TIE fighter. Check out the full review of the single-player campaign for more details on gameplay and the VR experience.