The Xbox brand is more vibrant and varied than ever. Millions of people from all walks of life are discovering great games ranging from shooters to racers to indie gems and beyond. As Xbox continues to grow in appeal, the likelihood increases that you've got folks on your holiday shopping list who would treasure the chance to get their hands on the best of the best.
Our guide will take you on a brief tour of seven of the most riveting Xbox games this holiday season. Most of these are available not just for Microsoft's stylish new Series X and Series S consoles, but the older Xbox One as well. The only thing you'll need to look out for is whether your lucky loved ones own a Series S — that particular model lacks a disc drive as a cost-cutting measure, so in that case, you'll want to stock up on Xbox gift cards rather than physical discs.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The Call of Duty series has sold well north of 400 million copies and counting. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, a remake of the 2009 game with the same title and the latest entry overall, topped a billion bucks in sales in the first ten days of launch. The odds are high you know somebody who wants this game.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's story charts the actions of two Special Forces Units; one is British, the other Mexican. The characters are on the trail of a terrorist in possession of ballistic missiles. This campaign has all the huge-budget presentation flourishes befitting the series, but the bulk of any player's time will likely be spent online, competing against other real-world folks for hours on end.
This is one of those rare few cases in which a game is such not news, it's almost strange when buyers of new Xbox consoles (and PlayStation consoles, for that matter) don't at least glance in its direction. If all else fails, at least consider Modern Warfare 2 a prime backup pick for any gamer in your life who's ever uttered the words 'Call of Duty'.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Marvel's Midnight Suns melds the fast-paced action extravaganza of its franchise namesake with the depth of a full-fledged tactical role-playing game. RPGs are known for their extensive customization, with players taking dozens or even hundreds of different approaches to every combat scenario, and developing a feeling that their personal experience is unlike anyone else's.
Now combine the coolness of creating a brand-new customizable superhero protagonist with the thrilling premise of fighting alongside iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, and Wolverine. Combat plays out in turn-based format, challenging us to make key strategic decisions on the road to taking down cosmic demons.
Marvel's Midnight Suns is a great gift for someone who adores the spectacle of superheroes, but prefers the chance to think critically over something more ceaselessly fast-paced.
The Callisto Protocol
Legendary director Ridley Scott was really on to something strong when he introduced the world to the classic 1979 space horror film with a simple but memorable title: 'Alien'. As a setting, space presents the opportunity for a unique style of danger; not only do we fear whatever's on board a ship or station with us, but there's the terrifying reality that you can't just run away — space itself is just as deadly as any monster.
The gaming industry has been quick to embrace this brand of horror, and The Callisto Protocol is the latest major production to deliver us the frights. But what makes games like The Callisto Protocol even better is that it's up to the player whether their character lives or dies. The frantic action and heart-pounding shocks can be beaten with enough time and effort.
In the Callisto Protocol, in-over-his-head space freight transporter Jacob Lee must survive wrongful imprisonment in a facility overrun by inmates warped into ghoulish creatures by an unknown virus. It's not exactly Ridley Scott's original idea, but it might just be even scarier.
Elden Ring
This one's been out since late February, but the demand has hardly waned. Elden Ring comes to us from the creators of the beloved Dark Souls series, with a fantasy world devised by 'A Song of Ice and Fire' author George RR Martin. It turns out, intricate and mesmerizing lore pairs well with some of the most revolutionary role-playing game mechanics in history.
Elden Ring is many things. It's a game set in a dark realm, teeming with diabolical forces that can give unprepared players repeated helpings of the game over screen. But it's as fair as it is hard; there are so many diverse ways to get ahead of the difficulty curve, building a warrior of your own making tuned to perfection to save the mythical 'Lands Between' from darkness.
Oh, and you can bet there are dragons. Big, scary dragons. Remember, George's name is on the tin.
Halo Infinite
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Halo Infinite celebrates its first anniversary this holiday season. The most recent entry in the long-spanning saga of Master Chief and a galaxy gone wrong, the game remains a crown jewel for the Xbox Series X/S console. It even looks great on Xbox One. A slow rollout of additional content briefly threatened to sully Infinite's reputation, but the recent inclusion of fan-favorite Forge Mode lets players design their own stages — a slam dunk that's more than made up for the delays.
At its core, Halo Infinite sports some of the best-feeling shooter mechanics in its genre. A comfortable set of controls with satisfying action is paramount to any successful shooter, and developer 343 Industries has learned that lesson well. Halo Infinite's bustling online mode is free, but don't discount its excellent single-player campaign, which requires a full purchase.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Forza Horizon 5 has an incredible number of cars to customize and collect, but for those who prefer to see the sights from several miles high in the sky, Microsoft Flight Simulator is unparalleled. This year, the hard-working teams at Xbox did what some believed impossible — they not only ported an in-depth flight sim to home consoles but did so splendidly.
Microsoft Flight Simulator features a remarkably detailed map of Earth that's consistently updated to reflect reality. The game touts over 37,000 airports, so you can imagine how vast this experience truly is. And while mastering every plane's expansive flight controls requires hundreds of hours of effort, there are a plethora of ways to ensure smooth rides, including an option that lets people select a destination, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
This is the kind of game that tends to tilt heads even among those who have never touched a controller in their lives, so don't be surprised if you purchase it ostensibly for a household's sole Xbox owner only to learn that great-grandmother just charted her trip to Paris.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
If you check Wikipedia, A Plague Tale: Requiem is stated to be an 'action-adventure survivor stealth horror' game. Maybe that's exactly right. But don't be fooled into thinking A Plague Tale: Requiem is remotely in competition with The Callisto Protocol. Out of all the games on our list, this one is the most hauntingly historical. Space is chilling, but 14th-century France might be worse.
Requiem and its predecessor, A Plague Tale: Innocence, follow the perilous exploits of a girl named Amicia and her ailing younger brother, Hugo. Agents of the French Revolution are just as deadly to the siblings as the millions of rats spreading the Black Plague across war-torn Europe. Developer Asobo Studio imbues a suitably gloomy atmosphere into one of the darkest times in history.
Generally tense and permanently emotional, A Plague Tale: Requiem is a perfect fit for anyone on your holiday shopping list who revels in grim sagas laced with enough hope to remain gripping the whole way through.
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