The fact that 2024 was a pretty good year for games can be seen, among other things, in the many titles with very high average ratings on the aggregation site Metacritic. The reviews from numerous video game outlets are included here, providing an overview of which were the best titles of the year - at least according to test ratings.
This also applies to the Xbox Series X/S.Below you will find an overview of the 10 highest-rated games for the two Microsoft consoles according to Metacritic. You can find the cut in brackets behind the game title. Two important points in advance.
- We used the average rating for the Xbox versions of the games as the basis for this list, not the "general" one.
- The list also includes multiplatform titles and expansions/DLCs.
1. Balatro (95)
- Genre:Strategy
- Release:February 20, 2024
- GamePro Rating:No test
This was probably not on anyone's radar before this year, but the deck-building roguelike won the hearts of both players and critics. In the title you play poker hands in order to gradually achieve higher and higher scores. Different decks, jokers and levels of difficulty ensure enormous replay appeal and the typical “I’ll do one more round” syndrome.
2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (92)
- Genre:Role play
- Release:21 June 2024
- GamePro Rating:
Even ifis not a standalone new game, leads to the expansion for FromSoftware's masterpieceno way around. The DLC is chock full of cool new stuff, including a new map with four regions, 11 big bosses, around 100 new weapons and a DLC-exclusive progression mechanic, providing 40 hours of additional gameplay if you play Shadow of the Erdtree completely maxed out.
- Genre:Role play
- Release:11 October 2024
- GamePro Rating:
Atlus has intook the tried and tested personnel formula and masterfully transported it into a fantasy setting. In the kingdom of Euchronia you fight your way through dungeons in turn-based battles and experience a gripping story lasting almost 80 hours with numerous twists and surprises. The unconventional mix of classic RPG and visual novel-like elements makes it one of the best role-playing games of the year.
4. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (92)
- Genre:Role play
- Release:26 January 2024
- GamePro Rating:
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth competed for the GOTY title early in the year. The open world RPG with the new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga is set in Hawaii and offers a lot not only with its interlinked RPG mechanics, but also in terms of scope with three large maps, numerous jobs and skills as well as countless side tasks. Another RPG hit of 2024.
5. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (92)
- Genre:Role play
- Release:14 June 2024
- GamePro Rating:No test
As you can see, 2024 was a particularly good year for role-playing game fans. The new edition of Shin Megami Tensei V, which was released in 2021, also impressed many critics. In addition to the obligatory technology and performance improvements,but no longer done. For example, there are new areas and a completely new character, which also has an impact on the story of the JRPG.
6. Death Stranding - Director's Cut (91)
- Genre:Action
- Release:7. November 2024
- GamePro Rating:(PS4-Version)
Quite surprisingly, Kojima Productions brought Death Stranding, which had previously been released exclusively on PS4 and PS5, to the Xbox Series X/S in a director's cut at the beginning of November. And the title also shines on the Microsoft console with its many unconventional ideas and characters, the beautiful natural landscapes and the extremely intense atmosphere. The Director's Cut version contains some new content compared to the original game, including a weirder story mission.
7. Tekken 8 (89)
- Genre:Fighting Game
- Release:26 January 2024
- GamePro Rating:
The fighting game veteran Tekken has impressively shown in 2024 that it can still pack a punch. Part 8 offers something new even for absolute series veterans thanks to a further refined combat system. There is also a story part for solo players, a new heat system that fits in perfectly and an exemplary presentation with top graphics. This puts the title in the Xbox Metacritic Top 10 of 2024.
8. Destiny 2: The Final Shape (89)
- Genre:Shooter
- Release:4 June 2024
- GamePro Rating:No test
Der Loot-Shooterreceived a big update in the middle of the year, which, despite a bumpy start, garnered numerous good reviews and with which Bungie was able to breathe new life into the somewhat dormant title. “The Final Form” (the German title) expands the title with numerous successful content, such as a new story campaign, three new super attacks, a new focus (prism) and various weapons and pieces of armor.
9. Neva (88)
- Genre:Adventure
- Release:15 October 2024
- GamePro Rating:
With Gris, developer Nomada Studio created a graphically beautiful adventure, Neva is in exactly the same vein. The story about the girl Alba and the wolf cub Neva impresses above all with its magical, painting-like graphic style, the great soundtrack and the varied gameplay mix of fights and platforming passages.
10. Neon White (88)
- Genre:Shooter
- Release:11 July 2024
- GamePro Rating: No test
Neon White has been available on the other platforms for a long time, and the speedrun shooter will finally be released for the Xbox in 2024. Basically, it's about getting through various levels as quickly as possible, shooting demons and bagging medals depending on the completion time. The strengths of the shooter on the Xbox also include the very precise controls and movement feeling as well as the excellent level design, which often offers several ways to reach the goal.
Top Rated Xbox Series X/S Games 2024 at GamePro
We have also tested numerous Xbox games over the course of the year. You can find out which ones received the highest ratings in the article linked above.
And now the question is: Which games did you particularly like on the Xbox in 2024? Feel free to write us your favorites in the comments!
