Best upcoming games for Xbox Series X and Series S: The top next-gen games for 2021 and beyond

The next generation of console gaming is finally upon us, with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S out at last. Of course, no console is much without games - not even the "most powerful" in the world.

That's why we've put together a list of the games that have either been confirmed already or hinted at coming to the Xbox Series X and S in the coming year or so.

Some will also be part of the monthly Xbox Game Pass membership scheme, which will save you a stack of money. And some will also be part of Xbox's Smart Delivery programme, meaning that if you buy them for Xbox One you'll get them on Series X or Series S for free. 

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So here are the best upcoming games for Xbox Series X and Series S we've heard about so far. Enjoy.

Bright Memory: Infinite

• Publisher: FYQD-Studio
• Release date: Holiday 2020
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4 and Windows 10

Developed by Chinese studio FYQD, Bright Memory: Infinite will be an expanded, enhanced version of first-person shooter Bright Memory, currently available on Steam for PC.

It's a near-future shooter, with melee combat elements as well as hardcore gunplay. And, looking at the trailer, will likely make great use of the Series X's ray tracing abilities.

The Ascent

• Publisher: Curve Digital
• Release date: Holiday 2020
• Exclusive? Yes

Xbox-exclusive The Ascent is an action RPG based in a cyberpunk futuristic world, something that seems to be on trend this year - what with Cyberpunk 2077 also coming up.

The Medium

• Publisher: Blooper Team
• Release date: 28 January 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on Windows 10

Blooper Team's second game for Xbox Series X will continue its tradition of dabbling in psychological horror, but The Medium also features a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka - the composer behind the eerie musical scores of Silent Hill.

Second Extinction

• Publisher: Systemic Reaction
• Release date: Late 2020
• Exclusive? No, also on Windows 10

Systemic Extinction is a three-player online co-op shooter where mankind must survive in a land now ruled by mutated dinosaurs. Queue fast-paced velocirator chases galore.

Scarlet Nexus

• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Release date: Late 2020
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and Windows 10

A new JRPG series from Bandai Namco is always welcome and the anime overtones of Scarlet Nexus make it stand out among the other ray traced games here. It is set in the far future and features some "explosive action". Hopefully we'll see more on it soon.

Outriders

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• Publisher: Square Enix
• Release date: December 2020
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Windows 10

Developed by People Can Fly (Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment), Outriders is an all-new intellectual property that could prove to be an early hit on the platform. It is a third-person online shooter in the style of Destiny, but with a far darker tone. At least, that's what we've taken from the early reveals so far.

Psychonauts 2

• Publisher: Double Fine
• Release date: Late 2020
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One and Windows PC

The mind-bending franchise is returning, and we've got a glimpse of Jack Black's vocal chords in action for it. The above trailer looks like a great big slice of fun, with visual variety the name of the game. 

Halo Infinite

• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One and Windows 10

Halo Infinite was scheduled to be one of the launch games for Xbox Series X, but it has slipped and will now be available in 2021. As with a few games on this list, it will be part of Xbox's Smart Delivery initiative, whereby you can buy the game on Xbox One and get the Series X version for free as a download when you upgrade to the new machine.

As for the game itself, Infinite will see the return of Master Chief after a five-year hiatus and is being called a "spiritual reboot", with bigger maps and freedom to tackle objectives in your own order. 

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

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• Publisher: Paradox Interactive
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Windows 10

A new, superb trailer has got us even more excited for this long-awaited RPG sequel. We also saw previous footage running with ray-tracing at an Nvidia event during Gamescom 2019, so have a great idea what to expect on Xbox Series X with its similarly capable graphics.

Chorus

• Publisher: Deep Silver
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Windows 10, Google Stadia

An all-new IP for Deep Silver, Chorus is a space-flight combat shooter featuring Nara and her sentient starfighter Forsaken. There will be plenty of space dogfights, but we're hoping there'll also be open world (universe) play and a deep storyline, although it's hard to tell from the trailer right now.

Forza Motorsport

• Publisher: Turn10
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One

The next Forza game is looking absolutely jaw-dropping in terms of fidelity, and while we know it's not going to drop anytime soon, it's clear that this will end up being one of the best-looking racing games ever made. We can't wait to dive in. 

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One and Windows 10

Ninja Theory's first Senua game - Hallblade: Senua's Sacrifice - not only wowed with its almost photorealistic graphics, but the clever, well informed grasp on mental health issues was much lauded. The sequel looks even more stunning, based on a trailer made entirely using the in-game engine. The action-adventure will be available on the current generation Xbox, but we suspect it'll be the Series X version everyone will be talking about.

Fable

• Publisher: Playground Games
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Windows 10

A beloved franchise is returning with the as yet simply-titled Fable, bringing players back to Albion and its topsy-turvy world of moral extremes. The teaser we got gives us almost nothing to go on, but we're sure it'll promise much more witty humour and fantasy tropes. 

State of Decay 3

• Publisher: Undead Labs
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One and Windows 10

The State of Decay franchise lives on, and will drop a third iteration on Xbox Series X - the first trailer looks absolutely amazing, even if it's got no gameplay to share. It looks like animals are getting infected, though, which could be a game-changer when it comes to making your way around. Hopefully we'll learn more soon. 

Scorn

• Publisher: Ebb Software
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? Yes

When we first saw the trailer, we thought someone was making a game of Ridley Scott's Prometheus - or the abandoned ship section of Alien. Scorn, from debut studio Ebb, is about as HR Giger-esque as it comes, with first-person horror overtones and creepy audio. Definitely one to watch.

Call of the Sea

• Publisher: Out of the Blue
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One and Windows 10

A first-person adventure/puzzle game set in the 1930s, Call of the Sea promises 4K graphics at 60fps minimum. It'll also be Smart Delivery ready, so you can play it on Xbox One and upgrade for free to the Series X version when you get the console.

Dying Light 2

• Publisher: Techland
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on PS5, PS4, Xbox One and PC

Although Techland is yet to officially confirm Dying Light 2 is coming for next-gen machines, its release delay and sheer scope suggest that it is a shoo-in for the new consoles. The game is a sequel to the amazing first-person parkour zombie-a-thon we're still playing to this day, but it takes the concept to an all-new level. Every action and decision you make in the game will affect the entire gameworld - with different factions growing and fading depending on your choices.

Rainbow Six Siege

• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Windows 10

Ubisoft has announced that several of its existing and forthcoming games will be available on Xbox Series X - we just don't know exactly when. Still, putting Rainbow Six Siege on the platformer is a no-brainer to us. The multiplayer online shooter has an enormous following and it is that kind of hardcore gaming market that will likely be formed of early adopters.

Gothic

• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on PS5, Windows 10

After releasing a playable teaser for PC on Steam, which was very well received, THQ Nordic decided to greenlight a fully remastered, remade version of RPG Gothic. It also announced that it will be coming to the next-generation consoles too.

Rainbow Six Quarantine

• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Windows 10

Another Ubisoft game with no fixed release date as yet, Rainbow Six Quarantine caused quite a stir during the company's E3 2019 presentation. It dispenses with the real-world combat-style themes of Siege - instead shifting to survival horror, with three-player teams battle an infected population.

The Lord of the Rings - Gollum

• Publisher: Daedelic Entertainment
• Release date: 2021
• Exclusive? No, also on PS5, Windows 10 (rumoured)

There is no trailer for Gollum as yet and it is unlikely to see the light of day for a while yet, but we do know that the game with be a story-driven action-adventure and from a studio well-versed in such things. We also know it's coming to next-gen consoles.

The Elder Scrolls 6

• Publisher: Bethesda
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on PS5, Windows 10 (rumoured)

We've not heard a peep about The Elder Scrolls 6 since its tease at E3 2018. However, after the massive news of Bethesda being bought entirely by Microsoft, we know that when it does eventually appear, it'll be on Game Pass from day one, and could even be an Xbox exclusive. 

Starfield

• Publisher: Bethesda
• Release date: TBC
• Exclusive? No, also on PS5, Windows 10 (rumoured)

Like The Elder Scrolls 6, little is known about Starfield right now. It is thought to be a sci-fi RPG though and something of a departure from the Fallout franchise - and, again, will be straight onto Game Pass when it releases. 

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