Despite having a slow start, we’re finally seeing the best Xbox Series X games hit at a regular cadence. The system isn’t just home to some of the best shooters anymore, but great games in all genres to buy or download as part of Game Pass.
If you’re looking for the best open-world games on the Xbox Series X, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from so we selected only the best options currently available.
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That said, there are tons of upcoming Xbox Series X games that could scratch that itch as well. If you want to check out the best open-world games for PS5, PC, or Switch, we have you covered there, too.
Elden Ring
82%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
FromSoftware
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
February 25, 2022
After years of anticipation, Elden Ring somehow managed to outdo everyone’s high expectations. Largely hailed as FromSoftware’s best game to date, Elden Ring takes the iconic Soulsborne gameplay and merges it with a sprawling open world. The result? A masochistic, grim adventure that somehow feels more approachable than its predecessors. Not only does Elden Ring nail the tense combat feel FromSoftware is known for, but it also brings a map that’s absolutely brimming with content. If one direction poses too much of a challenge, there are always six other places you can explore. No matter where you look, there’s always something fascinating to discover. It won’t be for everyone, but if you can push beyond the learning curve, there’s a lot to love about Elden Ring.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
4.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks, Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 11, 2021
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition launched in 2021, marking the game’s 10th anniversary. Enhanced for Xbox Series X and with loads of new content, this updated version is without a doubt the best way to experience the snowy mountains of northern Tamriel. Everyone knows the drill by now — craft a character, slay dragons, buy a home, neglect the main quest, and collect as much cheese as humanly possible. Even if you experienced the action when it first launched in 2011, playing on Xbox Series X breathes new life into the iconic game.
Star Wars Outlaws
73%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Massive Entertainment
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
August 30, 2024
It is hard to believe that we never got a true open-world Star Wars game prior to Outlaws. Set between the fourth and fifth films, this game clearly loved the source material in the level of detail it puts into each of the planets and characters. Everything looks, feels, and sounds authentically Star Wars, from blaster shots to the retro-tech spaceships. The game also takes a unique angle and centers around the seedy underworld of the universe, allowing you to befriend and betray various crime syndicates. Main character Kay is endearing and sympathetic in her own quest, but the world is the real star in this title.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
77%
3/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Techland Publishing
Publisher
Techland Publishing, Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Release
February 04, 2022
Taking place several years after the original, the world of Dying Light 2 hasn’t seen much improvement. Undead still roam the streets in packs, and other humans are just as untrusting to outsiders as ever. All that hostility, however, makes for a great parkour playground, and one that relies heavily on verticality and speed. Dying Light 2 might be a bit gruesome and foreboding, but there’s no denying the fun that can be had while zipping around its dystopian rooftops, kicking undead off 10-story buildings. Plenty of unlockable weapons and abilities mean you always have a new toy to play with, even if the story leaves something to be desired.
Forza Horizon 5
86%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport
Developer
Playground Games
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 09, 2021
Forza Horizon 5 gets a lot of things right, but nothing is more impressive than its colorful landscapes. From volcanoes and small villages to a tropical coast and dense jungles, every inch of its world is begging to be explored. And — thanks to a large roster of supercars — every second is just as thrilling as you’d expect. While Forza Horizon 5 is an easy recommendation for car fanatics, even casual racing fans will find a lot to love about the next-gen game. Everything you do rewards you with experience (even crashing into structures and causing mayhem), so there’s always a constant sense of progression. Couple that with the Xbox Series X’s impressive graphics, and its easy to get lost in this Mexican paradise for hours on end.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
76%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
November 10, 2020
We’ve had one newer entry in the series since Valhalla, but this is still the biggest and ambitious world the series has had, and the best way to experience the rolling hills of England is on next-gen consoles. Faster loading screens, 4K resolution, and 60 fps are all supported by Xbox Series X, making this the most visually stunning Assassin’s Creed game to date. You’ll step into the blood-soaked boots of Eivor as they trek through swamps, raid villages, and slowly build a Viking empire. Gameplay is reminiscent of most other games in the franchise, featuring a mixture of stealth, melee combat, and upgradeable skills. Its open world is one of the most exciting options on Xbox Series X — especially if you’re a history buff, as you’ll see long-forgotten renditions of iconic cities such as London and York.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
84%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Asobo Studio
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 19, 2024
Featuring the entirety of planet Earth, games don’t get more open-world than this. Pick from one of dozens of various aircraft, set your flight plan, then hit the runway as you soar through clouds and get an aerial view of nearly every square inch of our world. New to this version is a host of jobs you can take, such as search and rescue, to give players who want a bit more direction more options. Unlike most other titles on this list, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 plays at a much slower pace. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day, although you can turn off all of the flight assist options and turn it into a serious flight sim. But no matter how you play, you’ll be treated to one of the biggest open worlds in gaming.
Watch Dogs: Legion
69%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
October 29, 2020
Ubisoft’s first next-gen installment of Watch Dogs brought players to a dystopian London brimming with places to explore and secrets to uncover. Not only does the city offer thousands of locations to discover, but you can run around it as a variety of characters since literally every NPC you encounter can be recruited to your cause and turned into a playable crew member. Whether you’re hobbling around as a granny stealing cars or sneaking through construction sites, the world of Legion is filled with ridiculous opportunities, and it’s a must-play for an Xbox Series X owner.
Sea of Thieves
68%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator, Adventure
Developer
Rare
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
March 20, 2018
The popular pirate simulator has been enhanced for Xbox Series X, offering the usual suite of 60 fps, 4K resolution, and significantly reduced load times. Its nautical world was always worthy of your time, but with these enhancements, there’s more reason than ever to experience the seafaring fun. Sea of Thieves is best played with a few friends, as you’ll need their help to navigate the dangerous waters without getting attacked by other pirates. Its massive open world is still plenty enjoyable by yourself — although you’ll need to be extra vigilant for black flags on the horizon.
No Man's Sky
69%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, SteamVR, PlayStation VR, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Meta Rift
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Hello Games
Publisher
Hello Games, 505 Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
August 09, 2016
Hello Games has done an incredible job reworking No Man’s Sky into a game worth playing. Its procedurally generated universe means there’s an endless supply of planets to explore and creatures to discover, and its next-gen upgrade provided a much-needed graphical boost on Xbox Series X. It’s also seen more than a dozen updates over the past few years, adding things like base building, functional multiplayer, and a well-developed story.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
73%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Massive Entertainment
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
December 07, 2023
Whether or not you enjoy the films, the world of Pandora is inarguably unique and appealing. Ubisoft finally gives us the chance to freely explore this alien world in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Taking the role of a Na’vi, you will fight to repel the invading humans that are polluting your world using a combination of native and human weaponry. Getting lost in the jungles, hunting wild beasts, and foraging the land for crafting materials has been done to death but feels appropriate and fresh in this setting. On Xbox Series X, the immersion of the visual and audio soundscape will draw you in like few other games.
Cyberpunk 2077
77%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
CD Projekt RED
Publisher
CD Projekt RED
Release
December 09, 2020
Speaking of cyberpunk, no open-world list would be complete without mentioning Cyberpunk 2077. There’s no reason to even try this title on last-generation consoles, but Xbox Series X can handle its demanding requirements without too many hiccups now that it has hit 2.0. Several updates since launch have made it a much better game than it was in 2020, with improved stability, reworked skills, new mechanics, and hundreds of squashed bugs bringing it closer to what fans expected Cyberpunk 2077 to be at launch. Whether you’re hacking into minds, barreling down highways in supercars, or ducking behind cover in frenetic shootouts, Cyberpunk 2077 still manages to bring a fantastic open world to the table — despite some of its flaws.
Saints Row: The Third Remastered
80%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Racing, Adventure
Developer
Deep Silver Volition
Publisher
Deep Silver
Release
May 22, 2020
Since the reboot failed to live up to the past games, now is the perfect time to dive back into the best Saints Row game. Xbox Series X fans, in particular, will want to check out Saints Row: The Third Remastered, as it includes everything that made the original game an instant classic, but modernizes it for new-gen consoles. Improved frame rates, 4K resolution, and radically reduced load times make the Remaster the best way to experience the fictional — and absolutely gigantic — world of Steelport. It’s broken up into a variety of different islands, where you’ll encounter hundreds of mini-games and side quests, dozens of vehicles available for the taking, and rival gang members located around every corner.
