All The Xbox Series X and S Games Confirmed (And Expected) So Far

2020 is a huge year for gaming. Despite some issues and concerns around COVID-19, both Microsoft and Sony are releasing next-generation consoles this holiday season. The consoles feature new and improved technical abilities that should allow for a new level of fidelity and immersion in gaming. Developers are taking advantage of this new, more powerful technology with their first games for the new systems, and it'll be exciting to see the results.

In this post we're rounding up all the confirmed Xbox Series X and S games, and also denoting the titles that we think, or are assumed to, release on the next-generation system. This list covers the new games that will be released on Xbox Series X and S. That's important to note because the Xbox Series X and S will automatically play every Xbox One game you already own, since the cosnoles are backwards compatible with that console. Additionally, the Xbox Series X plays Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, to span a total of four generations on one system. However, Xbox Series S does not include a disc drive.

You can check out all of the confirmed, and presumed, Xbox Series X and S titles below. We'll continue to update this post in the days, weeks, and months ahead as new and more titles get announced.

Xbox Series X Confirmed Games

12 Minutes

What would you do if you were stuck in a time loop where you kept reliving the same 12 minutes over and over? Not only that, but your significant other is accused of murder and every time you repeat this time loop, you're killed by a mysterious assailant? 12 Minutes is a thrilling upcoming top-down adventure game that puts you in this very situation. Notably, the game will have a star-studded cast featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe.

Release Date: Late 2020

The Ascent

A cyberpunk RPG, The Ascent puts players into a world in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of a mega corporation that owned everyone and everything. "Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened in this explosive sci-fi shooter," reads a line from the game's description.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Aragami 2

Aragami 2 is a ninja-themed stealth-action adventure built in the styling of the cult-favorite Tenchu series. Set 100 years after the first game, you once again play as a vengeful shadow assassin who can manipulate the darkness to strike at enemies. New to the sequel are more open-ended levels, deeper combat, and the addition of cooperative play up to three players.

Release Date: 2021

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft's next big Assassin's Creed game takes us back to the Viking era. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is due to release as a launch title for the Xbox Series X. You play as Eivor--either a man or a woman--and your travels will take you across a variety of locations and landscapes. Dual-wielding continues with Assassin's Creed Valhalla, allowing you to tear up your enemies with a newfound ferocity with axes and even shields if you like. There is a lot more to know about Assassin's Creed Valhalla, so check out GameSpot's extended coverage to learn more.

Release Date: November 10

Avowed

Obsidian's next large-scale role-playing game was shown during the Xbox Series X Games Showcase in July. A dark game that features skeleton enemies and a first-person perspective, Avowed premiered during the event with a trailer and also makes use of magical abilities. No release date was given, but it is promised as an "expansive" RPG and is being built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox Series X.

Release Date: TBA

Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead

Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead is a spin-off of of the quirky bridge-making puzzler series. This latest one will feature content themed after the post-apocalyptic trappings found within Robert Kirkman's massively popular The Walking Dead series.

Release Date: Late 2020

Bright Memory Infinite

Described as a "lightning fast fusion of the FPS and action genres," Bright Memory Infinite is in development at the FYQD Studio. "Bright Memory: Infinite is set in a sprawling, futuristic metropolis in the year 2036. A strange phenomenon for which scientists can find no explanation has occurred in the skies around the world," reads a line from the game's description. "The Supernatural Science Research Organization (SRO) has sent agents out to various regions to investigate this phenomenon. It is soon discovered that these strange occurrences are connected to an archaic mystery--an as-of-yet unknown history of two worlds, about to come to light…"

Release Date: TBA

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the latest game in the popular sub-series of Call of Duty. It's return to a conspiracy-laden story in a single-player campaign. It brings back familiar faces such as Mason, Woods, and Hudson for a globe-trotting story that's set in the 1980s with certain parts going back to 1968 during the Vietnam War. It's a direct sequel to the original Black Ops, and the setup has Soviet Russia and the United States amid tensions of nuclear war playing dangerous spy games with each other through covert ops, which is what you'll be taking part in.

The series's classic multiplayer is also returning with cross generational play and cross progression support. However, little else is known at the moment about what we can expect. A stream detailing more about multiplayer is scheduled for early September, so we should be able to learn more sooner than later.

While Black Ops Cold War is expected on current-generation consoles on November 13, next-generation versions of the game are arriving on still unconfirmed date later this holiday.

Release Date: Holiday 2020

Call of the Sea

A first-person adventure puzzle game from developer Raw Fury, Call of the Sea is set in the 1930s. It follows a woman named Norah who is looking for her lost husband. "The search takes place on a strange but beautiful island in the South Pacific, filled with secrets waiting to be unearthed. It is an otherworldly tale of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery," reads a line from its description.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Chorus

Not to be confused with the David Gaider game of the same name, Chorus is an "immersive single-player experience that tells a mature and dark tale of redemption." You play as the ace pilot Nara in a game that's described as a "true evolution of the space combat shooter."

Release Date: 2021

Control: Ultimate Edition

Remedy Entertainment's critically acclaimed third-person shooter, Control, is heading to next-generation consoles. Subtitled as the Ultimate Edition, the all-inclusive version of the game includes both of its post-release expansions. While you might expect to get the next-generation version for free if you already own the original, there's unfortunately a bit of a catch. The only way to get a free upgrade to next-gen versions of Control is by purchasing the Ultimate Edition on current-generation consoles. Only owners of this new version on Xbox One and PS4 will have their game updated for free to the Xbox Series X and PS5 version respectively.

Release Date: Late 2020 (Digital)

CrossfireX

The CrossfireX campaign premiered during the July showcase, and it was co-developed with Remedy Entertainment. It appears to contain some of the psychological and character-driven elements of the studio's previous games, but it also retains the intense first-person shooting gameplay from the free-to-play multiplayer portion. It's coming later this year.

Release Date: Late 2020

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is launching in September for last-generation consoles and PC before the release of the PS5 during the holiday. However, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that a next-gen edition of the game is coming and will be available to players who purchased the current-gen version as a free upgrade.

Release Date: 2021

Deathloop

Deathloop is the latest game from Arkane Studios, a developer known for their work on the Dishonored series. Set on a mysterious island, it tells the mind-bending story of Colt and Julianna, who are stuck in a loop that repeats each time one dies. As Colt, you're trying to stay alive on the island of Black Reef while everyone's out to kill you, including a player-controlled Julianna that can invade your game. So far, the game looks pretty similar to Dishonored in that there are various firearms, blades, and powers you can use to get the jump on or directly engage enemies. It will come to PS5 as a timed-exclusive.

Release Date: 2021

Dirt 5

The next entry in the off-road racing series, Dirt 5, promises to be "bolder and braver than ever before." Very little is known at this stage, but developer Codemasters promises to deliver "new features" and "new innovations" where every race is unique. Veteran voice actors Troy Baker and Nolan North are contributing to the game's career mode.

Release Date: November 10

Destiny 2

Bungie's shared-world shooter, Destiny 2, is headed to the Xbox Series X. However, that's all that's been confirmed so far--there is no word yet on a release date or any details on how the game will leverage the power of next-generation consoles.

Release Date: TBA

Doom Eternal & Elder Scrolls Online

Bethesda confirmed that both Doom Eternal and The Elder Scrolls Online will be coming to next-generation consoles, and owning either of them on the current generation will let you upgrade for free. According to the announcement, both games will support backward compatibility when the new consoles launch, which should tide you over until the next-gen native versions launch. The company promises more information on release timing and next-gen enhancements in the coming weeks and months.

Release Date: TBA

Dragon Age 4

BioWare's Dragon Age 4 remains early in development, but the developer confirmed some details about its next title in the franchise. As always, player choice will be a big feature in the game. New locations that players have never visited before will be featured, and at least one key character from the past will be returning--Dragon Age: Inquisition's Solas, who fans will remember as having played a significant role in that game's story. From early impressions given by Bioware, the game will also deal pretty heavily with the politics of the game's world, where the people in power aren't willing to address issues plaguing their people.

Release Date: TBA

Everwild

A new IP from esteemed UK developer Rare, Everwild is described as "something truly original and incredibly special." The game was in early development as of November 2019. Very few details are available about the fantastical game, but Rare promises to deliver "memorable, engaging, and meaningful experiences for players everywhere to share."

Release Date: TBA

Fable

Announced at the Xbox Series X Games Showcase in July, the new Fable game is in development at Playground Games in the UK. Very little is known so far, but it appears the game will retain the Fable franchise's history of lightheartedness and humor.

Release Date: TBA

Far Cry 6

Ubisoft's next big Far Cry game is set to make its way onto next-generation consoles. Set on Yara, a fictional island inspired by Cuba, you play as a guerilla soldier trying to topple the country's dictatorship led by "El Presidente" Antón Castillo (played by actor Giancarlo Esposito). According to Ubisoft, Far Cry 6 will have "the largest Far Cry playground to date," which should mean players can expect tons of chaotic open-world action.

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Fortnite

Part of the appeal of Fortnite is that any modern device you might own can play the game. As such, Epic will bring Fortnite to Xbox Series X. It just makes sense. Releasing on more powerful hardware should be beneficial for the game, as the battle royale title--which puts 100 players on a single, gigantic map at once--benefits from more horsepower. However, Epic did not provide any details on how Fortnite will benefit from Xbox Series X's capabilities.

Epic confirmed that Fortnite will support cross-progression with the next-gen systems, so your account, items, and progress will carry over to Xbox Series X. The company also reiterated that Fortnite will continue to support cross-play between all platforms, including the next-gen consoles. Lastly, the company announced that it will migrate Fortnite on next-gen consoles to the Unreal Engine 5 in the middle of 2021.

Release Date: November 10

Forza Motorsport

Turn 10 Studios is early in development on its next Forza Motorsport title, and it was premiered with an in-engine trailer. As expected, it looks to be a near-photorealistic racing game that makes the most of Xbox Series X technology.

Release Date: TBA

Gears 5

One of only a few confirmed launch titles for the Xbox Series X, Gears 5 is headed to the next-generation console with better textures and volumetric fog, higher particle count, and 60 frames per second during cutscenes for a smoother transition to gameplay. Shadows and lighting have also been improved, and the game is currently running at 100 frames per second with potential to hit 120 frames per second in multiplayer.

Release Date: November 10

Gears Tactics

A turn-based strategy game set before the rest of the series, Gears Tactics initially released only on PC. It is coming to Xbox Series X and S at launch, and it has been praised for its engaging combat and how well the franchise fit a new genre. It will be included with Xbox Game Pass like the rest of Microsoft's first-party games.

Immortals: Fenyx Rising

Another Ubisoft game, Immortals: Fenyx Rising, is headed to next-generation consoles as well. The open-world action-adventure game features mythological creatures and more in a sprawling fantasy world. The game doesn't have a specific release date yet, but it was in the batch of titles that Ubisoft delayed to FY 2021, so you can expect it later this year or early next.

Release Date: Ubisoft's FY 2020-21, which is April 2020-March 31, 2021.

Halo Infinite

The biggest and arguably most important Xbox Series X game is Halo Infinite. A launch title for the Xbox Series X, Halo Infinite is the first brand-new Halo game since 2015's Halo 5: Guardians. It's also the first time since 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved that Microsoft is releasing a Halo game as a launch title for new Xbox hardware. Developed by 343 Industries, Halo Infinite puts a renewed focus on Master Chief for its campaign (after Halo 5 drifted away from him slightly), while fans will be looking for exciting new multiplayer innovations for the franchise known for its top-tier multiplayer combat--which seems to be intended to serve as a long-term platform for the franchise.

Release Date: TBA 2021

Hood: Outlaws & Legends

Hood: Outlaws & Legends is a competitive multiplayer game set in a gritty medieval world. The premise is simple: two teams of outlaws compete to steal treasure from an oppressive government. Alongside your allies, you'll fight against the rival team and sneak through areas patrolled by AI guards while utilizing your character's unique skills and abilities to execute the perfect heist.

Release Date: 2021

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

Daedalic Entertainment, a studio known for its point-and-click adventure games, is developing an all-new Lord of the Rings game that is focused on an unlikely character: Gollum. In The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, you play as Gollum in a story told from the creature's perspective. It's the first time across the entire Lord of the Rings brand--movies, TV shows, books, etc.--that a story is being told from his point of view, which is intriguing to think about. Very little is known about this game, but the first images--which leaked recently--show off a new art style for Gollum and numerous environments. Gollum is often overlooked in Middle-earth, so it's exciting to see him finally get his own game.

Release Date: 2021

Madden NFL 21

EA's Madden NFL 21 is headed to Xbox Series X, and it'll take advantage of the console's power to help crank up the level of authenticity and fidelity even further. Baltimore Ravens standout QB Lamar Jackson is on the cover, and he'll be hoping to follow Madden NFL 20's cover star, Patrick Mahomes, in avoiding the so-called Madden Curse.

Release Date: TBA

The Medium

A "next-gen psychological horror game," The Medium is the next game from the developers of Blair Witch, Layers of Fear, and Observer. The game puts you into the scary shoes of a medium who exists on two planes of existence--the real world and the spirit world. "Haunted by a vision of a child's murder, you travel to an abandoned hotel resort, which many years ago became the stage of an unthinkable tragedy," reads a line from the game's description. The music was composed with the help of Akira Yamaoka, who is known for his work on the Silent Hill franchise.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Observer: System Redux

Observer: System Redux is a next-generation remake of developer Bloober Team's 2017 cyberpunk horror game of the same name. It tells the story of detective Daniel Lazarski, who's investigating a mystery involving his estranged son. Aside from drastically improved visuals, the game will feature additional story content not present in the original release. Be sure to check out our review of the original Observer.

Release Date: Holiday 2020

Overcooked: All You Can Eat

Overcooked and its sequel Overcooked 2 are getting compiled into a single collection for next-generation consoles. Titled Overcooked: All You Can Eat, this expanded game includes all content from the originals, as well as a handful of new stages, cross-platform multiplayer, and new accessibility options, along with some revised visuals.

A new assist mode will slow the timeouts on recipes, increase the durations on rounds, and skip levels. Plus, you'll be able to scale the user interface, and the game will offer dyslexia-friendly text and colorblind options.

Release Date: Late 2020

Phantasy Star Online 2

Another console launch exclusive, this time from Sega, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis includes a new world to explore and action-packed combat. The expansion is coming in 2021.

Release Date: TBA

Planet Coaster: Console Edition

Planet Coaster: Console Edition marks the console debut for 2016's critically acclaimed Tycoon-style theme park simulator of the same name, which was previously only available on PC. While the game is coming to current-generation consoles, you can also expect to see it on next-generation consoles with enhanced visuals.

Release Date: Holiday 2020

Rainbow Six Siege

Ubisoft's Rainbow Six franchise hit a high point with Rainbow Six Siege, which is adored by fans and has many millions of players today, nearly five years after its initial release in 2015. It's good news, then, that Ubisoft has confirmed that the team-based tactical shooter will also be supported on Xbox Series X. Not only that, but Ubisoft has already committed to using cross-generational multiplayer, which should help players on the new consoles find people to play against. Siege will be a launch title for Xbox Series X.

Release Date: Holiday 2020

Rainbow Six Quarantine

It's not just Rainbow Six Siege that will be available on Xbox Series X. Ubisoft is bringing its brand-new Rainbow Six game, Quarantine, to the next wave of consoles. Very little is known about the game at this stage, but its name and description might raise some eyebrows in light of recent events in the world. The official description for the game states: "The Rainbow Operators will face off against a totally new breed of mutated alien parasite infecting human hosts and their surroundings."

Release Date: Ubisoft's FY 2020-21, which is April 2020-March 31, 2021.

Scarlet Nexus

The next game from Bandai Namco, Scarlet Nexus puts you into the role of Yuito Sumeragi, an up and coming solder who has a psycho-kinesis power. The game is set in the futuristic city of New Himuka.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Scorn

Described as an "atmospheric first-person horror adventure game," Scorn puts players into an unsettling dream-like word where they experience narrative beats and solve puzzles.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Second Extinction

A third-person co-op shooter from developer Systemic Reaction, Second Extinction has players fighting to take down all kinds of mutated dinosaurs that are now running the world. You play as a survivor who uses a variety of weapons, abilities, and skills to take down the mighty beasts.

Release Date: Launch window for Xbox Series X

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

Ninja Theory's 2017 action-adventure game Hellblade was praised for, among other things, its strong story that dealt with mental health and overcoming your own personal demons. In the time since the game's release, the studio was acquired by Microsoft, which is exciting to think about for the size and scale of the sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Very little is known about the sequel, but given the increased resources available to Ninja Theory this time around, fans will be hoping for and expecting a lot from Ninja Theory's long-awaited follow-up.

Release Date: TBA

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is a prequel and new starting point for the longrunning Sherlock Holmes adventure game series. The game casts you as a 21-year-old Sherlock Holmes who returns to his Mediterranean island hometown to uncover a conspiracy at work. It takes cues from series developer Frogwares' previous game The Sinking City, bringing you into an open-world city filled with mysteries to solve.

Release Date: TBA

State of Decay 3

Undead Labs premiered State of Decay 3 during the Xbox Games Showcase. The next entry in its open-ended zombie survival series looks to be just as dark, and the teaser we saw focused on a survivor scouting through the wilderness until she comes upon an undead deer.

Release Date: TBA

Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2

The game everyone has been waiting for, Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2, will release on Xbox Series X in 2021. The sequel, which is developed by Polish studio MasterCode, promises a number of improvements over the original such as better graphics, a third-person camera, and "dynamic water and fish AI."

Release Date: 2021

Unknown 9: Awakening

Unknown 9: Awakening is a new narrative-driven adventure game that focuses on an outcast named Haroona, who has mysterious powers. According to the developer Reflector, Awakening is a part of a larger story set within the universe of Storyworld, which brings different plots from multiple characters spanning across different mediums, from comic books, a podcast, and a full-length novel.

Release Date: 2021

Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2

The Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines sequel takes you to Seattle, a lovely city that happens to be overrun by vampires. "In this sequel to the cult classic, your choices, plots and schemes will change the balance of power," Paradox said about its sequel.

Release Date: 2021

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

An Xbox console launch exclusive, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide was revealed during the Xbox Series X Games Showcase and looks to have extremely high production values. A recon squad has been sent into a hive in order to squash some sort of unrest, but they quickly find the situation is worse than anticipated.1.

Release Date: 2021

Watch Dogs: Legion

Ubisoft's Watch Dogs sequel, Legion, from Ubisoft Toronto and acclaimed director Clint Hocking, is yet another Ubisoft title confirmed for the Xbox Series X. It was originally slated to arrive in March 2020 for the current-generation of consoles, but Ubisoft pushed the game to give the developers more time to "ensure that their … innovations are perfectly implemented so as to deliver optimal experiences for players." Coinciding with the delay, Ubisoft also confirmed that Legion would be released on next-gen consoles. It's exciting to think about what the power of the Xbox Series X could deliver for Legion, as the game is said to allow you to control any NPC you see in the world.

Release Date: November 10

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Like a Dragon is a new entry in the long-running Yakuza series about organized crime in Japan. A launch title for the Xbox Series X, Like a Dragon makes a big change for the series with its turn-based RPG combat. The game was released in Japan earlier this year, but this is the first time it's coming west.

Release Date: November 10

Unconfirmed But Expected Xbox Series X Games

Battlefield 6

Swedish developer DICE is finishing up its commitments to Star Wars: Battlefront II and Battlefield V, and moving on to the next proper Battlefield game. Battlefield 6, or whatever it ends up being called, is scheduled to arrive in 2021. The most recent games, Battlefield V and Battlefield 1, took place during World War II and World War I, respectively, but there is no word yet as to the time period of the new instalment. The franchise hasn't returned to a modern warfare setting since the tepidly received spin-off Battlefield Hardline in 2015.

Release Date: TBA 2021

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone

Infinity Ward's Taylor Kurosaki recently stated that Activision is planning to launch Call of Duty: Warzone, the battle royale game, on the next generation of consoles. Considering it is tied directly to Modern Warfare, it would seem like that game would be supported as well. Given the strong momentum that Warzone is currently enjoying, it makes sense that Activision would look to leverage the power of the Xbox Series X to keep the train running, so to speak.

Release Date: TBA

The Elder Scrolls VI

In addition to Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios is developing a new instalment in its acclaimed Elder Scrolls fantasy series. A reveal trailer released during E3 2018 confirmed that Bethesda had begun work on the title, but it appears to still be very early days for the project. It makes sense that Bethesda would return to one of its best-known and most-acclaimed franchises with new consoles coming soon. After all, The Elder Scrolls V has sold a whopping 30 million copies--across nearly every platform under the sun--making it one of the most successful video games in history. Like Starfield, Bethesda hasn't said if The Elder Scrolls VI will come to next-generation consoles, but that seems like a sure thing.

Release Date: TBA (but confirmed to be after Starfield)

Starfield

Fallout and Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda Game Studios has two major projects in the works, including a sci-fi game called Starfield. The first new IP from Bethesda in 25 years, Starfield is a single-player sci-fi RPG that is targeting next-generation platforms, though Bethesda has yet to make any formal announcements about systems. We've seen nothing of the game except for a teaser, so it's too soon to say much about the game. But given the storied lineage of developer Bethesda Game Studios, Starfield is certainly one to watch.

Release Date: TBA

Warframe

The immensely popular free-to-play shooter Warframe, which was originally released in 2013, is coming to next-generation consoles. Parent publisher Leyou announced the next-gen version during an earnings event where it stated that bringing the title to new systems should help the game grow even bigger still.

Release Date: TBA