It might be difficult to find Xbox Series X|S consoles right now, but there’s certainly no shortage of awesome new games coming out. Whether you’re looking to play through the latest installment of the long-running sci-fi shooter Halo or you want to dive into the realistic racer Forza Horizon 5, there’s a little something for everyone on the way.
But with so many different games on the horizon, it can be tough to figure out which ones you should pre-order and keep an eye on. Which games should you make room on your shelf for? Which are better left to tackle at a later date? We’ve put together this guide to help you figure out which games to add to your “must-play” list.
There are dozens of new releases every month, and it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s coming. Even if you work in the industry, it’s difficult to know which shiny new game is worth your time and attention and which might be better left for an eventual sale. So, if you’re hoping to find something to play with your friends and family, or you want to try something a little new, be sure to keep scrolling to peruse our choices below.
It’s time to jump into our picks for the best upcoming Xbox games. Alternatively, check out our guides on the best Xbox One games, and on the best Xbox Series X|S games for something to play right now.
Best upcoming Xbox games: Starfield
Bethesda’s latest project is the action RPG Starfield, which was announced all the way back in 2018. Set in a new area that transcends the Solar System, Starfield will find players exploring “The Settled Systems,” 20 years after the remnants of the bloody Colony War between the United Colonies and Freestar Collective. Players will take on the role of a customizable character who’s part of an organization comprised of space explorers: the Constellation. The game can be played in either first- or third-person. It’s going to feature a massive, extensive world to travel through, to communicate the immenseness of space.
Starfield is the first new IP from Bethesda in 25 years, and it’s going to represent the team’s first real foray into a space-themed adventure. Unfortunately, it’s going to be quite some time until we can get our hands on it. It’s set for a release in November 2022, but there isn’t a concrete date just yet. The expectations are set pretty high, especially since we’ve known about the game for a few years. So, hopefully, by the time it rolls around, we’ll see the fruit of such a long incubation time.
Best upcoming Xbox games: Saints Row
The open-world sandbox adventure Saints Row is returning on February 25, 2022, with an all-new cast and an all-new vision. With developer Volition on board with Deep Silver publishing, it’s a reboot of the series with new characters, new Saints, and a whole new world to explore. Set in the fictional city of Santo Ileso in the American southwest, the game pits three different gangs against each other: Los Panteros, the Idols, and Marshall Defense Industries. Players will take on the role of “The Boss,” who invites disenfranchised ex-members of each gang to join up into one group. They include Neenah, Kevin, and Eli, all loyal to the Boss.
There will be nine different districts for players to explore, from a casino-like area called El Dorado to the rural area of Rancho Providencio. And, there will be a wide variety of different areas to explore, with an additional layer of verticality, and improved driving gameplay. And as usual, there’s going to be a detailed character creation tool. So, you can live out your fantasy of being the head of a dangerous gang. You can also embark on an adventure with a second player, who can play their own Boss character.
Best upcoming Xbox games: Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Marvel’s Midnight Suns is the latest game from Firaxis Games, a new tactical role-playing game set to include characters from throughout the world of Marvel properties. Specifically, this includes the Midnight Sons, X-Men, Avengers, and Runaways. Players will create their own custom superhero named “The Hunter.” They’ll be able to choose from over 40 different powers to make the hero feel more like their own creation. The Hunter will come with their own set of lore specifically written for Midnight Suns, and can be male or female in appearance. This should let players feel as though they’re making their own way within the Marvel continuity.
The game will play similarly to the XCOM games, also from Firaxis. It will have special missions to complete and a third-person segment that allows The Hunter to explore and interact with characters across a base of operations called “The Abbey.” Players will also need to choose wisely from a series of random ability cards during each mission. They let players use abilities that affect them, enemies, and the environment. It’s an intriguing mix of play styles that’s unlike any Marvel-centric game we’ve seen before. And, it’ll undoubtedly be exciting to jump into when it finally debuts in March 2022.
Best upcoming Xbox games: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
The eerie Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an extremely unique and strange experience that rocked players to their core when it first arrived. It followed Pict warrior Senua on her way to Helheim on a quest to save her dead lover Dillion. She carried his head in a bag with her in a bid to rescue him from his time in Helheim. Senua must defeat powerful entities and grapple with challenging tests, ultimately being rewarded with the legendary sword Gramr. That’s before she eventually banishes the darkness from her soul and accepts that it’s never been possible to bring her lover Dillion back from the dead.
The end of the first game beckoned players to take another trip with Senua, culminating in another game: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. There’s little information about what to expect from the new game just yet. Originally debuted during The Game Awards 2019, the sequel was confirmed to be heading to Xbox Series X|S and PC. It will be set in Iceland and will follow Senua once more, though the first footage of the game shows Senua undergoing some sort of ritual that looks decidedly terrifying. Without her boyfriend’s soul to save, it’s unclear what the “saga” will be, but it should be intriguing.
Best upcoming Xbox games: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games have always been extremely austere and challenging. It looks like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl will be no different. Set for release in April 2022, it will be the fourth entry in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. It’ll also be the first game of those four to come to consoles as well as the first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game in 13 years — the last being S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat in 2009. This entry will debut on Xbox Game Pass at launch. It will be a timed exclusive, later heading to the Epic Games Store after three months.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of information floating around about this S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game other than the fact that it looks absolutely gorgeous, despite the desolate nature of Chernobyl. There will be a massive paranormal element to exploration in-game, as players must work to avoid irradiated pockets where dangerous monsters could be lying in wait. The original games were demanding survival games, and this one looks to be following much in their footsteps. If you find the Chernobyl disaster (as well as the real-life location) interesting, you’ll want to add this game to your “must-try” list.
