The Most Underrated Xbox One Games

The Xbox One had a lot of great games that really explored new ideas in storytelling and how games are played. While some were huge hits, others were excellent but didn’t get the attention they deserved, despite being well-made and offering fresh gameplay. These games stood out with their unique styles, complex stories, and creative combinations of genres, providing something different from what most players were used to. Here’s a look at some of those hidden gems that deserve more recognition for enriching the Xbox One’s collection of games.

‘Sunset Overdrive’ (2014)

This game, created by Insomniac Games and published by Microsoft Studios, takes place in the bright and lively Sunset City. Players battle mutants brought to life by an energy drink, using a variety of unique and unusual weapons. A key feature is its fast-paced movement system, allowing players to grind on rails and run along walls to keep up speed. It stands out from other shooters with its funny, lighthearted style and vibrant, colorful visuals.

‘Quantum Break’ (2016)

Remedy Entertainment created this exciting action-adventure game, and Microsoft Studios published it. You play as Jack Joyce, who suddenly has the power to control time after an experiment goes wrong. What makes this game special is that it includes live-action video clips that actually change depending on the decisions you make while playing. The story dives into ideas about cause and effect, and whether you can truly change what’s meant to happen, as Jack tries to save time itself.

‘Ryse: Son of Rome’ (2013)

Crytek created this game, and Microsoft Studios published it. Players take on the role of Roman soldier Marius Titus, battling hordes of barbarians using a combat system that rewards precise timing and skillful moves. It was originally released alongside the Xbox One to demonstrate the console’s impressive graphics, and the story follows Marius’s career from his beginnings to a massive invasion of Britain.

‘Recore’ (2016)

Okay, so I’ve been playing this game developed by Comcept and Armature Studio, published by Microsoft. You play as Joule Adams, basically one of the last people left on this really desolate planet called Far Eden. It’s a lot of fun because you team up with these cool robots, the Corebots, to get through puzzles and fight enemies. The main thing is matching your shots to the enemy’s core color – you switch between different elemental types to do that. It’s a pretty neat mechanic!

‘D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die’ (2014)

This adventure game, created by Access Games and published by Microsoft Studios, puts you in the role of a detective who can travel through time. Players control David Young as he tries to solve his wife’s murder and uncover the identity of a person known only as “D.” The game was built to be played with the Kinect motion sensor, but also works with a standard controller. It’s known for its unique cartoon-like visuals and a story that unfolds in a quirky, unconventional way.

‘Mad Max’ (2015)

Mad Max is an open-world game set in a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world, created by Avalanche Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Players become Max Rockatansky and work to build and upgrade a powerful combat vehicle called the “Magnum Opus.” The game combines fast-paced car combat with intense hand-to-hand fighting. Players will explore a vast world broken into territories controlled by rival groups that they must defeat.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

Respawn Entertainment created this action-packed shooter, which Electronic Arts published. It features a story-driven single-player mode centered around the relationship between a pilot named Jack Cooper and his Titan, BT-7274. The game’s multiplayer mode built upon the fast-paced movement and giant robot battles of the original. While critics loved its levels and how it felt to play, it came out at a time when many other popular games were also being released.

‘Prey’ (2017)

Prey, created by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a thrilling game set aboard the Talos I space station. You play as Morgan Yu, trying to survive a dangerous outbreak of aliens that can change their shape – the Typhon. The game lets you solve problems and improve your character in many different ways, giving you a lot of freedom. It’s inspired by classic games like ‘System Shock’ and ‘BioShock,’ focusing on telling its story through the environment.

‘The Evil Within 2’ (2017)

Developed by Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda Softworks, this survival horror game puts you back in the role of Sebastian Castellanos, who enters a virtual world called Union to rescue his daughter. This installment moves away from the linear design of the first game, offering bigger, more open areas to explore and search for supplies. The gameplay emphasizes both psychological scares and sneaking around to avoid or fight terrifying monsters.

‘Vampyr’ (2018)

Set in 1918 London amidst the Spanish Flu pandemic, this action RPG from Dontnod Entertainment and Focus Home Interactive puts you in the role of Dr. Jonathan Reid, a doctor who has become a vampire. You’ll have to manage his struggle between his duty to help people and his need to feed. Your choices about who to save and who to sacrifice will significantly impact the story. The game features a detailed city where every character plays a part in how things unfold.

‘GreedFall’ (2019)

Developed by Spiders and published by Focus Home Interactive, this role-playing game takes place on the intriguing island of Teer Fradee. The island attracts colonists, soldiers, and those seeking fortune. As a player, you’ll need to deal with the conflicts between different groups while also trying to find a remedy for a dangerous disease. The game lets you focus on talking and making choices, offering different ways to approach both battles and social interactions.

‘The Surge 2’ (2019)

The action RPG, developed by Deck13 and published by Focus Home Interactive, lets you target specific limbs of enemies during combat. You’ll explore the ruined city of Jericho, collecting parts from defeated foes to improve your character’s exo-suit. Building on the challenging gameplay of the previous game, this title features smoother movement and more diverse locations. The story revolves around a nanite outbreak that has thrown Jericho into complete disorder.

‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ (2018)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a realistic historical role-playing game created by Warhorse Studios and published by Deep Silver. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game puts you in the shoes of Henry, a blacksmith’s son caught up in a brutal civil war. It’s known for its challenging and realistic combat and survival mechanics, and offers players a lot of freedom through its open-ended quests and a reputation system that responds to your choices.

‘Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition’ (2014)

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition is an open-world action game set in Hong Kong. You play as Wei Shen, a police officer who goes undercover to take down the Sun On Yee Triad. The game features exciting martial arts fights, fast-paced street races, and dramatic gun battles. This version for Xbox One includes all previously released extra content and has been visually updated.

‘Alien: Isolation’ (2014)

I’m really excited about this new Alien game! It’s a survival horror title made by Creative Assembly and published by Sega, and it takes place 15 years after the first ‘Alien’ movie. You play as Amanda Ripley, and the main goal is finding her mom on this really creepy, falling-apart space station called Sevastopol. What’s cool is there’s only one Xenomorph, but it’s super smart – the AI is designed to really hunt you down. It’s less about running and gunning and more about being sneaky, carefully managing what little you have, and just feeling totally tense the whole time. It sounds amazing!

‘Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’ (2016)

I’m really into this cyberpunk RPG! It was made by Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix. You play as Adam Jensen in a story set in 2029, and he gets caught up in a huge conspiracy involving people with mechanical augmentations. What’s cool is there are tons of ways to play – you can be sneaky, a hacker, or go in guns blazing, either killing everyone or trying to avoid it. It really makes you think about how society treats people who are different, and whether or not changing ourselves with technology is even a good idea, especially when things are already falling apart.

‘Dishonored 2’ (2016)

Dishonored 2, created by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, lets you play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano. Both characters have special powers that help them move around the city of Karnaca. The game is known for its levels, which are built upwards and offer many different ways to complete missions. The main story revolves around taking back the throne after Delilah Copperspoon seizes power.

‘A Plague Tale: Innocence’ (2019)

A Plague Tale: Innocence, created by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive, is a story-driven adventure set in 14th-century France. Players follow Amicia and Hugo, two siblings on the run from religious soldiers and hordes of rats carrying a deadly plague. The game blends sneaking around with solving puzzles, using light and darkness to control the rat swarms. At its heart, the game is about the strong relationship between the siblings and the harsh realities of the Black Death.

‘Remnant: From the Ashes’ (2019)

I’m really into this survival shooter! Gunfire Games created it, and Perfect World Entertainment published it. What’s cool is that the worlds are different every time you play because they’re made randomly. You’re basically fighting against this really creepy, otherworldly evil called the Root. It’s tough, though – it’s got a lot of the same challenging gameplay as those ‘Souls’ games, meaning you really have to think about your stamina and learn the boss patterns. Plus, you can totally customize your character with all sorts of cool weapons, armor, and even supernatural abilities!

‘Mirror’s Edge Catalyst’ (2016)

This new game, created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, reimagines the 2008 original. Players take on the role of Faith Connors, using parkour to move through the futuristic city of Glass. It’s set in an open world and, unlike the previous game, Faith doesn’t use guns. Instead, the gameplay centers around fast-paced movement, building momentum, and fighting with your hands to overthrow the powerful Conglomerate.

‘Wasteland 3’ (2020)

This role-playing game, created by inXile Entertainment and published by Deep Silver, takes place in a frozen Colorado landscape. You command a team of Desert Rangers, helping their leader, the Patriarch, gather resources for their base. Gameplay involves strategic, turn-based combat and a story where your choices really matter. It builds on previous games in the series with the addition of vehicles and a redesigned way to play with friends online.

‘Desperados III’ (2020)

Developed by Mimimi Games and published by THQ Nordic, this game is a prequel to the original series, set in the American Old West. You play as John Cooper and his crew, completing challenging missions using each character’s special abilities. You can choose to rely on stealth or careful planning, and the innovative “Showdown” mode lets you pause the action to coordinate complex team maneuvers.

‘Super Lucky’s Tale’ (2017)

Lucky’s Adventure, created by Playful Studios and published by Microsoft Studios, is a colorful 3D platformer starring a charming fox. Players explore different worlds, collecting items, solving puzzles, and battling bosses. The game is inspired by classic platformers, focusing on fun and easy-to-learn controls. Lucky’s goal is to save the Book of Ages from the evil Jinx and the Kitty Litter.

‘Killer Instinct’ (2013)

This updated version of the classic fighting game was created by Double Helix Games and Iron Galaxy and published by Microsoft Studios. It stands out with its combo system, which uses “Combo Breakers” and “Counter Breakers” to keep gameplay fair. Originally released as a free-to-play game, players could purchase access to different characters. The game remained popular for a long time thanks to regular updates, new content, and improvements to its online play.

‘Phantom Dust’ (2017)

Okay, so this game is basically a remastered version of an old Xbox title. It’s got this cool mix of action combat – you’re running around in third-person – and a card-collecting system. The world is all wrecked and post-apocalyptic, which is awesome. You build up a deck of skills, almost like a fighting game, and use those cards to battle other characters in arena fights. The cool thing about this release is it looks way better – higher resolution, widescreen support – and it’s all hooked up to Xbox Live, so you can play online and stuff.

‘The Flame in the Flood’ (2016)

This survival game, created by The Molasses Flood and published by Curve Digital, puts you in control of a girl and her dog as they travel down a river on a raft. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the river is different every time you play. You’ll need to find food, water, and rest while dodging dangers like tricky environments and wild animals. The game features a unique art style and a folk-inspired musical score.

‘Below’ (2018)

Capybara Games created this challenging roguelike adventure where you explore a mysterious island from a top-down view. The focus is on surviving and uncovering the island’s secrets, but be warned – death is permanent and resources are scarce. The game stands out with its simple, yet beautiful art style and a captivating, atmospheric soundtrack by Jim Guthrie.

‘Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales’ (2018)

This game, created by CD Projekt, blends a story-driven adventure with card game battles similar to Gwent. You play as Queen Meve during a time when Nilfgaard is invading, and your decisions shape the story. You’ll also need to carefully build and manage a deck of cards to strengthen your army. With beautiful hand-drawn artwork and immersive voice acting, the game adds new layers to the world of ‘The Witcher’.

‘The Sexy Brutale’ (2017)

Developed by Cavalier Game Studios and Tequila Works (with Tequila Works handling publishing), this game is a puzzle-adventure set at a perpetual masked ball where the staff are committing murders. Players control Lafcadio Boone and must solve the mystery using a time loop – similar to the movie Groundhog Day – by carefully watching the characters and stepping in to stop the killings at just the right moment.

‘Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments’ (2014)

This investigation game, created by Frogwares and published by Focus Home Interactive, presents players with six unique cases to solve. You’ll need to collect clues, question suspects, and use Sherlock Holmes’s deduction board to connect the evidence. Each case offers multiple possible outcomes and forces you to make difficult moral decisions about the accused. The game focuses on careful observation and logical thinking.

Please share which of these hidden gems you have played in the comments.

2026-02-11 03:48