The Xbox 360 arrived in 2005 and was the first gaming console to offer high-definition graphics. While it faced some challenges and controversies, it was known for its innovative games – both those exclusive to the system and popular titles available on other platforms. Some of these games remain classics today, but others haven’t aged as well due to improvements in graphics, gameplay, or the release of better sequels.
Games like Grand Theft Auto 4 and Assassin’s Creed aren’t terrible – they’re much better than the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, for example. However, they don’t feel as groundbreaking or memorable as they once did. Let’s explore why, and also talk about some other games from the Xbox 360 era.
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Assassin’s Creed
Altair Motives
When Assassin’s Creed came out in 2007, it stood out from other games. It wasn’t simply a stealth game about medieval assassins. Instead, it let players experience history through a unique system: they played as the ancestor of a modern-day character, Desmond Miles, controlling the assassin Altair Ibn-La’Ahad in the 1190s.
The first Assassin’s Creed was innovative for its time and largely worked well, but the series has come a long way since then. While it’s not as refined as later games – even compared to Assassin’s Creed 2 and its popular hero, Ezio Auditore – it remains an important piece of gaming history.
Alan Wake
Going In Circles
Alan Wake was a promising survival horror game set in a quiet town, starring the writer Alan Wake. The game’s central concept involved Wake’s fictional stories manifesting in reality, bringing dangerous characters to life. These shadowy figures could be defeated by first shining a flashlight on them, then shooting them.
The original game started strong, but the ending felt disappointing. The sequel not only improved upon that ending, but also added layers of complexity to it. Overall, the sequel is a much better experience – both in terms of story and gameplay – that makes revisiting the remastered original less enjoyable.
Grand Theft Auto 4
Left In Liberty City
When Grand Theft Auto 4 came out in 2008, it was a major event. It had been four years since the last Grand Theft Auto game, San Andreas, and fans were eager for a new installment on next-generation consoles. Grand Theft Auto 4 delivered on many expectations.
The game offered plenty to do – stealing cars, causing mayhem with weapons, and a really sharp satire of American, especially New York City, life. However, it can be tough to replay because the controls feel clunky – driving, shooting, and even just moving around feel heavier than they should. Also, some of the jokes haven’t held up over time.
Halo 3: ODST
Not Master Chief
It was surprising to see a first-person spinoff of Halo so quickly after the release of the third game, particularly because Halo 3: ODST didn’t focus on Master Chief. However, the spinoff still captured what made Bungie games great – the impressive graphics (which were cutting-edge at the time) and the satisfying shooting gameplay, which holds up even now.
Even at its release, the campaign wasn’t particularly groundbreaking; it felt like a more subdued action story against The Covenant. The exciting moments that were intended to be spectacular didn’t quite land, leaving it as a fairly standard shooter experience today, simply set within the world of Halo.
Gun
Red Dead Done
I remember playing Gun back when it came out, and what really stood out was how it tried to create a truly open Old West experience – something you didn’t see much of in Western games at the time. It didn’t exactly explode in popularity, but it definitely built a dedicated fanbase of us who loved roaming around that wild frontier.
With both Red Dead Redemption games now available, and being significant improvements over Gun, there’s little reason to play Gun today. While all these games could coexist, most players would choose a Red Dead Redemption title if they had to pick just one.
Medal Of Honor (2010)
Less Modern Warfare
I remember when Medal of Honor first came out in ’99 – it was the World War II shooter for a long time. But then Call of Duty started getting really popular. After Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare blew up, EA decided they wanted to bring Medal of Honor into the modern era and go head-to-head with Call of Duty back in 2010.
While not as groundbreaking as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, this game offered a solid challenge with enjoyable levels and weapons. Looking back, however, its strengths don’t quite hold up compared to modern shooters, as the genre has improved significantly since its 2010 release.
Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe
Teen Angst
The fighting game Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe was a truly unique and unexpected crossover. Despite featuring many beloved characters from both Mortal Kombat and DC Comics, Mortal Kombat fans were disappointed by the game’s Teen rating, as the series is known for its mature content.
So, because of the game’s rating, they had to tone down the violence. You could still get into some pretty brutal fights, but it wasn’t quite the over-the-top gore that Mortal Kombat fans were expecting. Honestly, after that, NetherRealm made two Injustice games focusing only on DC characters, and I think those games really benefited from that tighter focus – they were just better overall.
Project Gotham Racing 4
On The Horizon
Racing games tend to age quickly because they constantly strive for more realistic graphics and gameplay. For a while, Project Gotham Racing offered strong competition to the popular Gran Turismo series on PlayStation.
Project Gotham Racing 4 was the final game in the series, and while it still looks decent, it doesn’t quite measure up to the Forza Motorsport or Forza Horizon titles. It features fewer cars and tracks, the handling can be tricky, and the graphics aren’t as stunning as they once were.
Saints Row
Before Things Got Weird
When it first came out in 2006, Saints Row offered a fun, open-world experience similar to Grand Theft Auto. It arrived before Grand Theft Auto 4 and gave Xbox 360 players something to enjoy in the open-sandbox genre.
Looking back, the game’s visuals, graphics, and gameplay feel pretty standard. The series improved with the sequels – the second, third, and fourth games really established the wild and over-the-top style that Saints Row is known for. This first game doesn’t feel nearly as unique or adventurous as it could have been without the Saints Row label.
Phantasy Star Universe
An Attempt At A Reboot
When Phantasy Star Online came out in North America in 2001, it revitalized the series. Phantasy Star Universe aimed to be the next major installment, building on the fast-paced action of Phantasy Star Online. However, compared to other Japanese role-playing games on the Xbox 360, Phantasy Star Universe was fairly average in terms of its characters, combat, and story.
Most games don’t improve over time, and with the release of Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, Phantasy Star Universe feels even more outdated.
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2026-04-02 07:35