Back in 2016, Microsoft’s main focus for gaming was the Xbox One. Having launched in 2013, the console was already in its fourth year on the market. Microsoft supported it with several large, exclusive game releases, and some of those games were also available on PC at the same time.
As in previous years, the Xbox One continued to thrive thanks to support from major game publishers. Some titles launched first on Xbox One, and others were also available on PlayStation 4. Whether exclusive to Xbox One or not, these are all fantastic games that will be celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2026.
Gears Of War 4
Sins Of The Father
Gears of War 4 launched on Xbox One and PC, and those are still the only platforms where you can play it. The game rebooted the series, starting a new story arc focused on J.D. Fenix, the son of the original hero Marcus Fenix, and a fresh conflict.
The release of Gears of War 3 in 2011 was a significant event. While the new characters didn’t quite capture the same rough appeal as the original team led by Marcus, they were still well-received. The gameplay wasn’t radically different, but the increased focus on horror and dynamic weather added a lot to the series’ signature cover-based shooting.
Quantum Break
Remedy’s Most Experimental Game
Quantum Break was a particularly innovative game for the Xbox One, and it was also available on PC. Remedy Entertainment had previously incorporated live-action footage into their games, but Quantum Break went much further, featuring a complete TV season that ran alongside the game’s story.
The game sends players on missions where they battle enemies using satisfying shooting and powers that rely on timing. Between missions, players are shown live-action video scenes from the show it’s based on. While this presentation style is unusual, the fast-paced action is genuinely fun once you get used to it.
Forza Horizon 3
Drifting In Australia
The Forza series consistently delivers high-quality games, and the Horizon games are especially popular with players who enjoy open-world racing. Forza Horizon 3, for example, let players explore and race across the diverse landscapes of Australia, from bustling cities to the arid outback and even frozen lakes.
The game featured a wide variety of environments, an open world that encouraged exploration for racing fans, and an incredible selection of cars. Plus, the graphics were stunningly realistic for their time.
Titanfall 2
Super Fighting Robots
Although Titanfall 2 was available on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, many people consider Titanfall to be an Xbox series. This is because the first Titanfall game was initially released exclusively on Xbox One (and remains exclusive as of 2014, excluding the PC version).
Putting aside technicalities, Titanfall 2 is a fantastic sequel mainly because it included a single-player campaign filled with incredibly exciting moments that still impress even years later. Many consider its story mode to be one of the best ever in a first-person shooter. The game perfectly balances quick, agile movement on foot with slower, more powerful combat inside the mechs, creating a consistently engaging experience.
Dead Rising 4
Frank Is Back!
Although Dead Rising later came to PlayStation 4, it’s most strongly associated with the Xbox. Dead Rising 4 was particularly noteworthy because it brought back Frank West as the main character – he hadn’t been the star of a main Dead Rising game since the first one, which launched on the Xbox 360 in 2006.
Frank returns with all sorts of crazy new gadgets in this installment, including motorized vehicles and even a giant mech suit. If you’re looking for a game where you can really unleash on tons of zombies, the Dead Rising series is the best choice.
Inside
Limbo’s Spiritual Successor
Playdead first gained recognition with the release of Limbo on the Xbox 360. This early indie hit combined spooky horror elements with clever puzzle-platforming gameplay. They followed up with Inside, which initially launched on the Xbox One before becoming available on other platforms later in 2016.
You play as a silent child trying to escape a dangerous, futuristic facility. While you can’t fully control everything, the game gently guides you, making it less frustrating than games like Limbo. You’re less likely to get stuck on puzzles in Inside.
Dark Souls 3
The End Of A Trilogy
With Dark Souls 3, the epic trilogy came to a close, launching on Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4 at the same time. While it didn’t drastically change the formula, many fans considered it a welcome return to the series’ roots.
In Dark Souls 3, you design your character and playstyle, then face an incredibly difficult adventure. It follows the familiar pattern of Souls-like games, which wasn’t groundbreaking in 2016. However, even a standard FromSoftware game is much better than most, and Dark Souls 3 is a prime example.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Grounded Destiny
Tom Clancy’s The Division presented a really compelling idea for a Tom Clancy game. The story begins on Black Friday, when a contaminated form of money triggers a devastating pandemic in New York City, quickly turning the city into a chaotic warzone overrun by gangs and armed groups.
In The Division, you play as a member of a special task force sent to reclaim a city. The game is structured like Destiny, but with some key differences. Instead of traveling to different planets, you’ll explore a single, open city on foot, and the gameplay is a third-person cover shooter rather than a first-person shooter. This style of gameplay proved more effective when playing with friends.
Overwatch
Hero Shooters Reborn
When Overwatch launched, it quickly became incredibly popular as the newest game from Blizzard. Even dedicated fans were surprised by just how much it would shape the hero shooter genre. For years, until 2023, Overwatch was a go-to game for players on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, offering a diverse cast of characters, each with their own special abilities and distinct personalities.
The game offered something for everyone, whether you loved supporting others as a healer or preferred a fast-paced, agile playstyle. It’s unfortunate that the original has largely been forgotten, as most players now focus on the sequel, which isn’t quite as universally loved.
Dishonored 2
Two Stealth Warriors
With Microsoft now owning Bethesda and its studios like Arkane, the Dishonored series is essentially an Xbox exclusive. In Dishonored, you play as Corvo and have a lot of freedom to explore the city and gather information about who you’re targeting. You can choose to take down enemies with loud, direct attacks or quietly and stealthily, and you also have access to special abilities like short-range teleportation.
In Dishonored 2, you can play as either Corvo or Emily, each with their own special abilities and gadgets. Many players consider it an improvement over the first game because it has more responsive controls and larger, more detailed levels to navigate while completing missions.
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2025-12-16 23:07