5 Best Xbox Series X/S Games of 2021

We all know, a lot of games were released in 2021. And most of them made their way to Xbox. With so many AAA titles and several hyped entries, you are spoilt for choice and overwhelmed. Besides, you cannot possibly buy and try all the games.

Xbox Series X and Series S have been popular as the smaller siblings of the Xbox One. Series S is the compact, action-packed Xbox variant that runs 120FPS games. Meanwhile, Series X has a massive 1TB SSD that can store a bunch of games. As you can guess, not every game is suited to these two consoles.

So, we took it upon us to hunt for the best Xbox games. From racing games to FPS, we have handpicked the best games that came out in 2021 for Xbox Series S and X.

Top 5 Games of 2021 to Get for Xbox Series X/S

Here are some of the best games that came out in 2021 for Xbox Series X and S. Check the list and see if you have them!

5. Forza Horizon 5

Needless to say, the Forza Horizon series has been delivering some top-quality racing games for quite a while. If you are into racing games, then Forza Horizon 5 is a title that you must have.

This Forza title takes place in Mexico. So you get to see scenic beaches, dense jungles, and colorful towns. Interestingly, the map is the largest one in the Forza series and also has the highest point. There's an active volcano that you can explore. As always, players can choose to explore the open world or compete in multiplayer.

Despite being one of the best-looking Forza games, it had some annoying glitches initially. In the multiplayer mode, players would randomly disappear and sometimes it'd take forever for your friend to show up on the screen.

4. Resident Evil: Village

Resident Evil games have a loyal fan base and the series has been dishing out one horror game after another since 1996. The 2021 Resident Evil entry, Resident Evil: Village was a sweet surprise.

The game follows Ethan Winters, the protagonist, who is in search of his kidnapped daughter. The hunt leads him to an abandoned village with mutant beings living in it. As always, the atmosphere is foreboding and gloomy. The snowy village only adds to the melancholy surroundings and eerie monsters.

Resident Evil: Village received positive reactions from critics and players alike. Despite the high ratings, a few players felt that the protagonist sounded confused and rather clueless at some points. However, a lot of fans claimed that this is one of the scariest Resident Evil games to date.

3. Halo: Infinite

If you love FPS games, then you cannot miss out on Halo: Infinite. A lot of players will tell you that this is one of the best Xbox games that came out in 2021. Halo: Infinite is set in 2560 and brings back Master Chief, Cortana, and some new faces.

Unlike other games, Halo Infinite features an open world (semi-open to be precise). As always, the game has a campaign mode along with Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and other multiplayer modes. Halo fans liked the engaging story, single-player campaign, and the new Grapple feature.

The game drew criticism for the open world, which wasn't exactly open. Players had mixed opinions about it and half of them felt that Halo didn't have to be an open-world. However, critics praised the semi-open world and said that it was a liberating mechanic.

2. Psychonauts 2

In 2005, the first Psychonauts game came out, which was almost a decade ago. Back then, the game was not a massive hit. Despite the critical acclaim, the game was a commercial failure. But when it was re-released a few years later, it became a cult favorite, received numerous awards, and is considered one of the best games ever made. So when Psychonauts 2 was announced in 2015, fans were simply stoked. And finally, Double Fine released Psychonauts 2 in 2021.

Psychonauts 2 is more of a revamped, enhanced version of the original game. The action-adventure game takes a plunge into the inner mind and deals with addiction and anxiety. However, Raz and the game deals with the delicate topic humorously. Players claim that they were laughing from the start right to the end.

As you can imagine, Psychonauts 2 has highly positive ratings and favorable reviews. The visuals are colorful, the dialogue writing is crisp, and the game is engaging. A few players felt that some boss battles were frustrating. However, the writing and visuals steal the entire show.

1. It Takes Two

Ask any gamer to name their favorite picks for 2021, and they will definitely mention ‘It Takes Two'. Just like the name suggests, the game is all about co-op missions and you need a buddy to play it. In fact, Hazelight Studio's debut, A Way Out, was also a co-op game. Both the games require you to pair up with someone online or split screen locally.

It Takes Two is heavy on the story, and you will love every minute of it. The game starts with the lead characters, May and Cody, heading for a divorce. However, while breaking the news to their daughter Rose, they get trapped in her dolls. May and Cody then try to get out of the dolls and return to their normal human selves.

This sets the narrative of the game. Players step in as May and Cody with the aim to get back into the human forms. It Takes Two is loaded with puzzles, mini-games, and adventures that keep you hooked to the very end. The characters are well-written, visuals are inviting, and the plot is unique.

Apart from these games, Death's Door, Hitman 3, Sea of Thieves, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, are some of the notable titles released for Xbox Series S and X.

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